Never a Hero

This is the sequel to one of my favorite books from last year, and I’m always a little hesitant going into sequels because I often find them disappointing compared to the first book. Vanessa Len, however, have managed to get the sequel very intriguing with just the right amount of recaps from book one for this to be really good.

In this book we follow Joan after the events of Only a Monster where she successfully changed the timeline to save her family, but her success has come with a great cost. Her friend doesn’t remember her anymore, and no one but her remembers the old timeline.

It was quite a long time since I read the first book in the series, and I realized when I started reading that I didn’t quite remember what had happened. But I think that also worked out for the better since no one but Joan remembers the events of the last book either. That means that we get to remember at the same rate as everyone else. And I feel like this would have been a less satisfying read had I re-read the previous book. Mostly because there were times when Joan’s memory wasn’t all that clear either and she spend a lot of time trying to figure out why certain places felt familiar. And had I know from the start why, I know I’d been annoyed by having to wait for someone else to catch up. So, for me, this sequel came at the right time where the previous book was just hazy enough in my mind that everything clicked together like a satisfying puzzle in my mind as I was reading.

I think the plot was interesting and allowed for more exploration of this very interesting world. Joan’s unique powers get a lot more attention here and we follow Joan on the journey to figure out what her powers are and why she can undo things and most of all why her powers are deemed forbidden. It’s full of action and always new twists and turns that keep the reader’s attention from beginning to end.

The writing is easy and fast and fit the genre well and I find that it has the right balance between explanatory details and fast paced action. I love this world and I always feel like I know enough to follow along, but it never gets boring and too much.

I think there’s really just one thing that annoyed me while reading, and it’s the fact that we’re having a bit of “conflict due to lack of talking” in this book. The two main characters here, Nick and Joan, used to know one another. One’s the hero, the other’s the Monster, but Nick doesn’t remember any of what happened before. He doesn’t know who he was and what he did or what Joan did. Joan does, and when the details of the past timeline starts to unravel before them, Joan fails to tell Nick the truth. There’s reason for it in the book, but I don’t buy it. She allows for a bigger conflict because she doesn’t tell him everything. And that annoys me so much. I hate when things would probably just be better if people had a normal conversation. And I suppose I’m not a huge fan of the almost love triangle of this series either, but that’ll slide for now.

I have both read and listened to this book. Personally, I preferred reading it to listening, but it was a great audiobook too and the narrator was nice to listen to. It's a different experience listening, and I found that I lost a little of the details of the world when I didn't seethe text. But all in all, it's great either way.

A clear 5/5 stars and a series I highly recommend.

My thanks to Hodder and Stoughton, Netgalley, and Vanessa Len for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

What can I say about this book? I genuinely loved every second of it. I was hooked on Joan’s story in Only a Monster, but this was just on a whole different level. The twists and turns, Aaron Oliver, seeing Tom and Jamie again, Aaron Oliver, the drama of the first few chapters…. Oh, and did I mention Aaron Oliver?

My Aaron obsession aside, I had set this book as my most anticipated read of 2023, and it did not disappoint. Unlike some other books with time travel involved, I didn’t struggle with the concept at all here – it just felt very natural and made sense.

Joan is still so naive about the world of monsters, about the other families, about herself, and I just loved discovering things with her as she found them out. Of course, leaving the book on such a cliffhanger has me desperate for more already, and now the countdown begins to the final book in Joan’s story (I just hope there’s more Aaron in it!)

Overall, absolutely loved every second I was reading, and just cannot wait for book three!

In terms of the audiobook itself, I had some issues with the narrator – the biggest one being that she couldn’t decide which way to pronounce Aaron – sometimes it was air-ron and sometimes it was ah-ron, which was frustrating. There were also some moments where sections of audio were repeated.

One of my favourite reads from last year was Only A Monster, it was essentially my fantasy book catnip, it had everything:
Enemies-to-Lovers, Monster POV, Magical Underworld, Rival Monster Families with Powers, Time Travel, Heists, Enemy Soulmates & a Hot, Ruthless Monster Boy.
I was hooked and have been eagerly awaiting the sequel as it left me wanting more.
And boy did this deliver!
The story picks up with Joan in a now new timeline living her life with the knowledge of what she undid and takes off fast, throwing you into this sequel and making you hold on tight because it does not let up.
Vanessa Len has created a fantasy world that I'd love to be apart of, the set up of these Monster families and their powers continues to fascinate me and we get to explore more of this in the sequel. With this new timeline comes a host of new troubles that Joan needs to navigate whilst on the run with a new Nick who is no longer the Hero in the Monster world from a *swoon* new Aaron who doesn't remember her and is actively hunting her for the enemy.
This kept me on the edge of my seat, I loved how the story unfolded and these characters are perfection. I am in need for the next book... you can't just leave me hanging like this. What is going to happen next?!?!?!
Honestly it is a phenomenal Fantasy read, go read it and start your obsession of Monster Families, Timelines and the irresistible Aaron Oliver!
I personally struggle with Audiobooks, so I usually read the book whilst listening, it helps with my dyslexia and I absorb more. Luckily I had access to the ebook ARC whilst listening so I really enjoyed this Audiobook and found the narrator easy to listen too.

Thank you NetGalley for the Audio ARC

Really enjoyed this audiobook.
Devoured the entire thing in a matter of days.
Narrator was really well suited to this book.
Great twists and turns to keep my entertained and interested throughout.
Really enjoy this world and the fantasy elements within.
Really eager for the third book in this series
4.5/5 stars

I was late to the Only a Monster fan club, but I am so glad I joined! Never a Hero blew me away, and I was so excited to dive into the monstrous timeline once again with Joan. This book picks up a few months after the first one, and we find Joan reeling from the events from Only a Monster!


Vanessa Len is such a great storyteller, weaving an intricate and mind-boggling world crafted from layers of time. It's mind-blowing how we get to experience the same characters, but in completely different roles, with slightly altered personalities, and at various points in their lives.


The twists and turns keep coming, introducing us to new enemies, reconnecting with old acquaintances, losing dear friends, and gaining new ones. I rode every emotional wave Joan feels, and it's a wild adventure. Seriously, I wish I could sneak a peek into Vanessa Len's brain to understand how they keep it all together!


This book hooked me in emotionally, especially with all the angst and pining. The struggle of forgetting someone and the romantic tension are so well done, leaving me wondering where it'll all lead. Nick, Joan, and Aaron are fantastic characters, and although Nick is great, I can't help but root for Aaron! The love triangle-esque trope is done so well and while a small part of the plot it really adds to the story, it’s got purpose.



Joan's growth throughout the story is remarkable. They face immense struggles and trauma, they really find their strength and step in to their power in this book! 


There's not even a hint of second book syndrome here. I was glued to the pages, so much so that I consumed both the audiobook and the text in just one week! The audio book was fantastic- I really enjoyed the narration and as someone who listens at 2x speed and above it was so clear to follow. 



The ending was so good, but what was that cliffhanger! I'm eagerly anticipating the final book in this trilogy, but saying goodbye to this world may break my heart!

I really loved this book. To me this was the perfect sequel. It had everything I loved about the first book - and more. More characters, more character development and a perfect continuation of the story.

The connection I felt to Joan in the first book just increased, and I loved her character. She is such a brlliant main character, she has flaws, but don't we all? She just feels so real.

The side characters as well were perfect again, they added so much to the story and none of them felt useless or unnecessary. They all developed too throughout and it really elt like we knew them all.

The settings too are fantastic. You really feel like you're there with all the imagery, not just in how it's described but you get the feel of it too whilst they are there.

Now ***SPOILERS***

I loved that Aaron was back, and although different he was still the same person deep down. I am of the opinion of Aaron all the way and Nick should get in the bin, but that is just my personal preference lol.

Time travel in this book was done so well, all the issues it felt like there were deep down in the first one don't seem to bethere this time? There isn't any glaring things that make you think that time travel can't exist and that it doesn't make sense. The timeline felt more fleshed out this time, I can't really explain it.

All in all, fantastic, and I can't wait for the next one! Still sad it ended on a cliffhanger though...

Readers and authors often discuss the challenges of the second book of a series. However, this book delivered 100% and did not feel at all like a ‘filler’ book. Joan, as always, was a nuanced and complicated character who was easy to root for. It is rare for me to find a love triangle where I’m not fully sure which person I want the main character to end up with but this book delivers exactly that. After reading this sequel, I still love Aaron so, so much and seeing Nick again in different circumstances was really fun. There’s not much I love more than a YA book that makes you examine morality, especially if it is within a fantasy setting. I loved listening to the audiobook especially after reading Only A Monster in a physical copy since I was already introduced to the world and now have fully grasped all the pronunciations. If you have read (or listened to) Only a Monster already, this book will not disappoint and if you haven’t, stop reading this review and pick them both up now.

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler Free Review

Wow. Just...wow. Never A Hero is an excellent and surprising sequel to Only A Monster. Vera Chok did a brilliant job narrating the series once again.

Perfect for fans of forbidden romance, love triangles, time travel, race against time situations, and family bonds.

Oh my monster on high Vanessa!!! You have produced so many emotions with this ending. I was designing at the time and I literally stopped, stared at my phone and proceeded to have a argument with this inanimate object about why this was the case and, without any spoilers, the twist in the plot that I didn’t quite see coming for at least 10 minutes. You really have created a book that leaves you wanting more and I know saying this it’s going to be forever until I can read or listen to the third story.

Just like the first book if you think this is for you, I would highly recommend immediately going to your local Waterstones or Amazon and ordering this book instantly. I binged it in one day and I have to say if it had gotten to 2 am I still would’ve kept reading it if needed. What more can I say than I highly recommend it and Vanessa I am extremely emotional right now, we will be having words…and I need book 3 now.

I absolutely loved this book. When I read the first one, I liked it. It was okay but I could feel that it was laying the foundation for greater things and I definitely feel like this one delivered. I have to say I wish we’d seen more of Aaron but the plot twists were just insane! I cannot wait for book 3!

Another epic instalment in the Monsters series from Vanessa Len. I still remember the ending of book one, over a year later. This one was just as memorable!

Joan returns to a world where everyone is the same, but different. As the memories of the original timeline cause Joan conflict, you learn more about the Joan and her family. Everything has to be as it seems, right?… Vanessa: “hold my beer”

I found the sequel just as packed with twists and turns! The world has been set, characters are now developing and the plot thickens!! The action continues and the cliffhanger at the end… I just can’t, I need time to process!

A great series if you’re looking for time travel with a sprinkling of magic, intertwined with a love triangle and lots of death.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for both the e-arc and audio arc! I used both in conjunction and thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.

Great book, storyline flowed well, great characters and the concept of the story felt unique and was engaging. I could jump straight into this one, gave a brief summary of the previous book but I think I'd of definitely been better to have read book 1 first.

This had been a sequel I've been waiting for the release since the first book. I enjoyed the first book so much. In the first book Joan changed the time line. Which is something that had only been done one other time in the history of monsters.
Nobody else remembers what happened including Nick, the boy she likes. Nick was the hero in the first book that slayed the monsters. When the second book starts Nick is just an ordinary boy and no longer remembers who Joan is or about the monsters. Although Joan desperately tries to stay away from him she struggles to.
This book had me hooked right from the start. And I loved it so much

This was a sequel I have been dying for, and it did not disappoint

After that bomb shell of an ending to book one I have been counting down to the release of this book (thanks to NetGalley and Hodder for making that countdown a little shorter)

Obviously spoilers for book one ahead so don't read on if you havent read that yet.

Joan has saved the timeline(and her family), but at great cost to herself in giving up Nick. But the timeline always rights itself and she soon finds herself with Nick again, only this Nick doesn't know her. And neither does the Aaron in this timeline, or anyone else really.

Joan is trying to protect the people she loves by keeping secrets, but we all know this can't go on forever.

Joan must work with old allies, and reforge bonds to try and save the timeline all over again....

Now when is book three....

Well well well, I did not expect this twist or this plot in general, but gosh, I loved it so much!

The book is well written and compares well with the first one, and, at the moment at least, isn't merely a bridge between the first and last book of the trilogy, but it has an actual plot and the characters do something (ironic, since nobody but then remembers what they did because of the changes in the timeline 🫣).

The characters don't develop much further than in the first book. I really enjoyed how they basically have to meet each other all over again and how they act exactly the same as they did the first time, even slightly different situations.
I loved Joan as a protagonist, especially her struggle with balancing her human self with the monster part. In this regard, I loved how the author portrays the lack of defined separation between the good and the evil, the good guys and the villains. I find this extremely refreshing for a young adult book, well done!
Vanessa Len managed to get me to fall a little deeper for my sweet baby Aaron. The only great flaw of this book is him not being in it more.

I loved the fantasy world, it reminded me of How You Lose the Time War and the Umbrella Academy in the best way possible.

As far as romance goes we get basically nothing here, apart from a few terrible kisses with Nick (which, in case it wasn't apparent, I don't like and I really wished he wouldn't have been in the book haha) and a barely even there thought about Joan possibly maybe being a little infatuated with Aaron. I'm now expecting great things (at least a kiss please!!) from the next book.

The audiobook is well produced and of easy fruition. The narrators suited well the characters.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Vanessa Len for this ARC of "Never the Hero", the 2nd book in the Monsters Series in exchange for an honest review!

I read Only a Monster in 2022 after I received it through Fairyloot and loved the book, and the ending left me with impatiently waiting for the sequel. And when I were granted the ARC through Netgalley I consumed the book over 2 days.

The book picks up a bit after the ending of Only a Monster and Joan is trying to live a normal life while avoiding her monster family. However it's not that easy to escape her past. The timeline is still pushing Nick and Joan togheter, though this time around Nick is normal boy.

Never A Hero turns Only a Monster upside down and this time around its Joan and Nick on the run, with Aaron hunting them.

While I'm still team Aaron, and did miss his presence in the first half of the book (though when he arrived the wait was worth it) I did gain more sympathy for Nick. Still prefer Aaron and hoping for him to be the endgame. That said, this series is really challenging my shipping. I'm weak for Enemies to Lovers, and here I got two options.

And the ending, well, be prepared for an cliffhanger worse then the last...

Would definitely recommend the book, and am excitingly waiting on my Fairyloot edition.

Also really liked the narrator, and need to look up what other books she's done.

I just finished reading Never A Hero, and I have to say, it was quite the ride! I can honestly say that no matter what you expect from this book before you read it, what you'll get is way more than what you ever imagined.

The story picks up a few months after the events of the first book, and Joan is trying to avoid her monster family and Nick, who is now just a popular boy at her school. However, the timeline brings them together again as the monsters attack Joan, and Nick ends up being dragged into a different timeline with her. As they navigate the monster world as fugitives, Joan learns more about her power and its origin, while Nick is closer to discovering the truth about what happened between him and Joan. And Aaron, who's in charge of capturing Joan, is forced to choose which side he stands on again. Once the gang from the first book is reunited, they must work together to stop the evil that threatens the monsters and the humans.

The book is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Vanessa Len does an excellent job of introducing a complex, multi-layered timeline of London that includes both the past and future. We also get to dive deeper into the monster world and learn more about their families and powers.

If you enjoyed and liked the first book, you will love this one. The story and world-building are even more complex, and the last few chapters completely blew my mind. While I originally had a love-hate relationship with Nick in the first book, he grew on me in this one. The only downside for me was that I wished we had more moments with Aaron, who has been my most favourite character since Only A Monster. Hopefully, he'll get more space in the next book. Overall, "Never A Hero" is a rollercoaster of emotions, secrets, and twists that exceed expectations.

I want to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for granting me access to the ARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5⭐️

Summary:
Joan defied the odds, altered time, saved her family, and defeated hero Nick, but at a dire price. She's the only person who remembers, Aaron and Nick don’t remember meeting her, Ruth doesn’t remember their adventures together. After an attack on her new life she finds herself fleeing with Nick and pursued by Aaron, Joan faces escalating danger and a world still full of secret. Struggling with love, family, and daunting decisions, she must rally allies to safeguard the timeline.

What stood out to me:
The writing style, the fast-paced plot, the characters, the monster families, the world and the twist and turns in the story.

My thoughts:
OMG I loved this book! Although I liked the first book, this one blew me out of the water, it was sooooo good. As the main world building was done in the first book, this book can jump off right where the other left us which I love. I especially love the world and monster families in this book, I think they are well thought through and I personally am generally not a lover of love triangles but I think the one in this one is really well writing, as it kind of feels like a past vs future dilemma more than a deciding between the two. Nick also redeemed himself in my eyes in this book, by the end of it I felt bad for him for all he has lost rather than angry for all he had taken and I think that shows how great an author Vanessa Len is. Also, this book ends on a cliffhanger but I still recommend that everyone read this masterpiece!

Audiobook review:
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Vera Chok, who did an amazing job at bringing the story to life and portraying the characters different voices. I think without the audiobook I may have found the first few chapters difficult to get into as they are setting up the new timeline and I haven’t read Only a Monster in over a year.

Source of audiobook: NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio

4.7⭐️

Firstly, thanks go to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and Netgalley for being kind enough to approve me for an advanced audio copy of this book!

As a recap, this YA series is about the secret world of monsters, who live amongst humans and appear to be human. The FMC Joan is half-monster, half-human, and she was horrified to learn the truth of what monsters do in the first book - they have the exciting ability to time travel (and almost do instinctively), but only by stealing life from humans by touching them on the neck. It’s a fascinating idea and I thought it was really well executed in Only A Monster when I read it for the first time last year (and again as a refresher before diving into this, which is the second book in the series).

This book picks up the story a few months after the events of the first book. The action doesn’t take long to start, and aside from a few “breather” kind of scenes, doesn’t really stop! More lore is introduced, including about the fascinating monster families, but in such a way that it’s not overwhelming for the characters (or, by extension, the readers).

The story is well paced and very engaging. I partially guessed at one of the plot twists partway through, but that didn’t make the reveal any less impactful, and I still really enjoyed seeing the characters reactions. Joan can be frustrating to read at times, but I reminded myself that’s only natural, as she is a teenager after all 😂

I also have grown to love the side characters. I really hope that one particular relationship works out in the end, but we will have to see what other twists Vanessa can come up with!

In terms of the audiobook, I listened to the audiobook for Only A Monster as well, and Vera did such a great job on both books. She has a very pleasing voice to listen to, and captures emotions and action so well.

Overall, this was a fantastic read (or listen), and I’m really looking forward to the third book coming out in 2024!

Excellent narrator. Great follow up to the first book in this series. The storyline was great and I really loved watching the characters developed. I can’t wait to see what this author gives us next!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for this honest review.

It took me a while to get around to this, but i really enjoyed reading it. It was an amazing sequel to a book I already enjoyed, so i went in with pretty high expectations and i did not feel let down. Especially towards the ending.