Never Too Far: A Rosemary Beach Novel (The Rosemary Beach Series Book 2)
The 2nd installment in Rush and Blaire’s saga was woooooohoooooo steeeeeamy!!! Whoa. I can’t exactly remember if the first one was like that (I have a feeling it was, but my Rush-crush was my main focus at that time), but at one point in this one? I just… 
My eyes bugged out and yep… I started tugging on my cookie monster pajama top (Cookie again? Total fluke that I was wearing him for this one, too. Hehe. Cookie Monster is a whole new trigger for me now ;)). I covertly looked around to make sure no one (aka “husband”) was watching my reaction and mouthed “whoa.” That was HOT.
Now okay, to be fair… perhaps not as intricately detailed as some of our erotica reads, you know.. *waggles eyebrows* but for a NA book? This was one of the hottest. And maybe it was just that my Rush-crush was in full re-activation mode, and he is just so intense that everything remotely steamy was amplified, but yes. You want to crush on a bad-boy and get a good dose of steamy, too? This is it!
Never Too Far was just as dramatically angsty and as much of a guilty pleasure as it’s predecessor. While I loved #1 (Fallen Too Far) more (there was something so sweet about him “cluing” in to her living conditions and protecting her the way he did… his complete turnaround), this one allowed us to indulge in their broken-hearted love affair. Melodramatic, yes… (I think they, no she ’caused themselves most of their own heartache simply by playing her self-preservation games), but good enough for me to have felt and internalized a lot of it. Just like the first one.
Some of the overly-angst/dramatic reads are too much for me that I actually stop feeling it at a certain point. My exasperation gets the best of me. But this one was reigned in just enough for me to continue living it with them. Exasperated? Yes. Did I roll my eyes. Sure! 
But did I enjoy it? Absolutely.
Our relationship had been short. Intense and brief. I wondered what it would have felt like to curl up in Rush’s arms anytime I wanted. To know I was safe and that he loved me.
We’d never had that chance.
So what’s it about? (Anyone who hasn’t read this book yet… turn away now!!). If you’re in the mood for angst on a more lighthearted scale, and a fast and furious romance (and all of the drama and steam that comes with that kind of romance), I adamantly recommend these!! I ate ’em up like candy, overdosed on sugar, and despite my sugar-Rush (<—– tee hee!! See what I did there? ;)), I know I’m gonna be craving more soon!
Okay so let’s talk about it:
Blaire and Rush weren’t so … careful in book #1, and I totally saw it coming (and was happy it went there). Why not, right? Do you know how many times I’ve read “uncareful” steamy moments that had no real consequences? This one did. And Rush’s heart was in full-force and so terribly broken once she left.
“What if she comes back? What will you do?” Grant asked me.
What would I do?
I’d beg.
YES!!! And despite her “doing what was best for her” at first, her new situation calls for her return. YAY US!!! And while her insistence that she would not bring Rush into it and handle it on her own made me roll my eyes…
“Were you gonna tell Rush? Or were you really just gonna just run off?”
What would Rush do? His sister hated me. His mother hated me. They hated my mother. And I hated my father. For Rush to be a oart of this baby’s life, he’d have to give them up. I couldn’t ask him to give up his mom and sister. Even if they were evil.
I liked that his constant presence (and her undeniable love for him) broke through her personal perseverance. Easily I might add, but come on. It’s Rush, after all. Who can resist?
… I felt him move in behind me. He was not making this easy.
Straightening up, I didn’t look back or turn around. He was too close. “What are you doing? I asked quietly. I didn’t want Nan or Grant to hear us.
“I miss you,” was his simple response.
And we live their ups and downs (lots of both) while Rush continues to battle his she-devil of a sister, and battles himself in the process. And just when it seems like they’re finally getting it together, well… you know how these books go ;). It doesn’t help that his loyalties are a mess, and she’s a bit of a martyr. Makes their drama even more drama-ey. But hey, we love this kind of stuff, right? Smaller doses for me, but this series totally fed my need.
My favorite, most heartfelt part? Like his discovery of her peanut butter sandwiches in book #1 (that made me tear up), her doctor’s appointments in this one really did me in. And that one part when he lost his mind and left her there. ACK!!!
3.5 stars to 4 stars for me. I’m leaning on the 4 star ’cause like I said, when I need this “kind” of romantic angst, this one was right up my alley, and my Rush-crush was (is) intense. I will admit that an ending can really make the book, for me (or at least, send me over the 4 star level into *squeeing* mode) but the abrupt ending in this book, left me a bit underwhelmed. Not a cliffhanger, no worries, just a bit…. er… okay? *me trying to pull my Kindle page past the “the end” part… looking for more.*
Thank you to the author for sending this my way! My Rush-crush is still in full force and I’m thrilled that you might be taking us back into their specific lives. YAY US!!
Check out the series reading order (and what’s coming up next in the series!)
I felt the same way about the ending!! I wanted more felt like it was rushed
*me trying to pull my Kindle page past the “the end” part… looking for more.*. LOL I did the same thing Maryse! I did not believe it was finished!!!
I was like: my book is missing pages… I need me some more Rush… I am so glad apparently Abbi Glines will give us a third book with him!!! 🙂
I was seriously wondering where the remaining 20 pages of the book were after I read the ending. It was like she just decided to stop writing!
I felt the same EXACT way! I was like…there just has to be more – there just HAAAASSSS to be more! I went onto her webpage and stupidly looked for – something, anything. I wasn’t ready to let the story just “be”. I love this series and I love Blaire and Rush and you’re right – woa…this book was steam-E. Loving the sexy scenes between these two. Overall, I really liked it, but I just needed a few more pages.
OhMyGosh! I completely agree…Loved, loved, loved the entire book but when it ended, I kinda felt incomplete. Right?
I LOVED this book and it’s not the end. Abbi said “the third book for Rush and Blaire out by late summer”. Soooo looking forward to more Rush Crushing!!! 🙂
I felt the exact same way! Up until the very last paragraph this book was a solid 4 out of 5 for me and then it just ended and I was left wondering what the heck happened to the end of the book. The abruptness of the ending and the incomplete feeling knocked this book down to a 3-3.5 stars for me.
My son kept asking me who I was yelling at when my kindle or Blaire.Did anyone else get the impression that Nan was leasing around with Grant. Can’t wait for Woods story. I really liked him.The peanut butter sandwich part got to me too.I have to say my Rush crush in still in full swing.
I know Debbie! I totally thought there was a Grant/Nan connection which totally threw me cause I really like Grant. If it comes out that he’s hangin out with Nan, I might throw up!
I love the characters in this book. They just feel real and I just want to know more. How awesome is it that Rush just totally put himself out there throughout this whole book! I didn’t think it was possible to love him anymore, but I really do! I felt his pain behind being torn between his sister and Blaire. I CAN’T WAIT for more…..
Ok…maybe no cliffhanger, but why do I feel like I was left hanging…. not even a epilogue to see into the future. Don’t get me wrong I loved it but finished needing more. Does anyone know if there will be a book 3…. I need a Third…too much left unsettled.
I felt like the whole book was kind of rushed through. Simple things like the bra incident; when he noticed her bra was too small. We were left to assume that he bought her a new bra. Would have been nice to see him doing more of those things, even if it was a quick blurb in her inner dialogue. In the end, I was left with the question of “That’s it?”.. Oh..trying not to spoil anything here.. I hated the solution the author created in regards to the family loyalty issue.. To easy of an out for his bitch of a sister.
I love Rush. That said…I was soooo mad at him in this book. He kept on saying he won’t let her down and then does it. Argh! Glad Woods was there to pick ip the slack. Blaire was too good in this book. I agree with u that she martyred herself once too many times. The book was infuriating but still enjoyable since I love all the characters (except for Nan of course). I hope the 3rd installment of this series will make Blaire stronger and Rush less “blind”. Blaire deserves better than what he is offering.
Your review is spot on Maryse, IMHO. I was expecting a whole lot more from Rush considering the ‘situation’, and Blaire’s reactions and ‘back-and-forth’ was just so-so in the storyline. Still the characters were sweet, if not predictable. I’m still excited about the next installments for the series, this one was just lacking for me.
I so loved Going too far, and could not wait for this one. Have a major Rush-crush like the rest, but Never too far felt like Joanette said rushed through. Rush was to “whiny”, always with the begging. Where did the alpha Rush go, the one who took charge. Loved the scene where he left her for Nan, then I got the “Going too far” feeling again. I kind of loved Woody more than Rush in this one. Got to give it a 3.
Yup, just read my comment. I ment Fallen too far NOT Going too far. (It´s the middle of the night in my country so I´m excused 😉
I think we can all agree about the ending!! I was doing the same thing!!! Didn’t like how we were left hanging :(((
really really wanted to love it….but my Rush crush died on this one…he was just way to much of a flake. He spouted all this adoration and loyalty and love…and just came up wanting. sadly, not what i hoped for.
I totally agree the end was way rushed. Like when he was talking aout Nan accepting the baby…..hello did I miss something! But it did leave me wanting and hoping for more. it wasn’t until I saw your reading order that I realized there would be more. Can’t wait.
My Rush crush is still alive but a little battered! Him missing those doc appointments did me in.
Loved the book till the end, just like everyone else.
I seriously felt the same way! I loved it but I felt there could’ve been a little more to the ending, maybe a epilogue showing a glimpse into whatever happened after with her father or just a little more of everything, I’m really glad she’s considering a 3rd book for them because I was a little unsatisfied with the ending
I’m still waiting for it to hit the UK amazon 🙁 can not wait but i did here there is a 3rd one 😀 more rush yes please!!!! i’ll have to come back and finish reading this once i’ve read NTF I love all of abbie’s books such great easy reads
Yay! Go to Abbi’s website for a bonus chapter!
Didn’t love this one. Rush made a lot of false promises. Sitting at his sister’s bedside and wouldn’t call his pregnant girlfriend who he declares that he loves more than life? Wouldn’t contact her for a week?? What??!!
I found Rush to be annoying, and am over my Rush crush after this book. Also, the ending……. abrupt and hurried.
Go to Abbi wesite and read the extra chapter….there looks like definitely a third book coming, but anyone find out when….I waited so long for the second and read so many books in between I had to re-read the first and then this one over the weekend. Please dont tell me the end of the year, please be sooner…..
I loved the first book and did NOT like this one at all!! Blaire was too naive and stupid. Everyone treated her like she was this precious egg that was going to break any second and tripped over themselves to help her. Rush seemed too whipped and whimpy in this book. Overall it just wasn’t a believable story. I know I’m in the minority with these comments but would love to know if anyone else felt just ehh about this one!
I loved the first book and found this one to be pretty lacking. You felt sorry for Blaire like you did in the first one (sleeping under the stairs in the first one, no money for food) but she was strong and trying to pull herself out of it in that one. This one you feel sorry for her (no car, locked out, having to walk miles) but she’s more whiney and not as strong, everyone saving her, giving her apartments, not needing to finish a single shift at work . Rush was also a disappointment. Plus, I thought the author could have played up the best friend versus Rush issue alittle more. It was resolved sort of fast and would have been maybe alittle more interesting. Especially if Rush had actually fought for her alittle more (he had the fight and all but that was it) I was actually rooting for Woods in this one also which was strange.
I really like this one. It was defiantly hot!! didnt like the ending but I can deal.
Loved this book … and I agree it had just enough angst to not over do it.
Rush and Blaire were a real couple that dealt with real issues. Perfect ending and beginning to their story. I want a book for Woods and Grant. How sweet were they BOTH towards Blair !
Georgia
I give it a 3. Which makes me sad because I loved the fist one. I didn’t have a single moment of angst during the whole read. I wanted to yell at Blair to stop crying!! She was so strong in the first book. What happened to the gun toting girl? Lets have her back. And Rush was sooo not a Alpha male in this one! And what was with all the rushing through the story??? I would rather have waited a bit longer to get a great read then get a quick story that never felt like a whole book.
Of all the books I read in 2012, Fallen Too Far was my FAV!!! When I finished Never Too Far, I felt I needed therapy..really! I walked around for days with this “you got to be kidding me, that’s it?” Thank goodness for my book buds because I was not alone. Let the therapy begin! Someone hijacked our Rush and we want him back!!
Agree about looking for more pages!! I was so mad at Rush for so much of this book. Missing the appts and then taking off and not calling her for a week??!! She was WAY too easy on him for that. Of course I wanted them to get together at the end but didn’t feel happy with the last chapter. Not convinced he won’t flake out again. Grrrr…..
Ok Seriously I am like 20% into book number two…and she is killing me!!!!!!!!!! I want to punch her!!!!!!!!!! He is breaking my heart