Never After

De: Alexis Hall

Narrado por: Steve West

From fan-favorite author Alexis Hall comes a story of faith, redemption, and love—a melancholic tale of queer romance set in nineteenth-century England.

On the grim streets of London, a young man succumbs to his demons. Discarded by his lover and left penniless and alone, Michael “Micha” Dashwood uses sex to pay the bills and opium to numb the pain.

When a sudden illness strikes, all seems lost. But hope finds Micha in the shape of the Reverend Thomas Mandeville. Haunted by grief of his own, Thomas cannot bear to ignore another man’s plight. He brings the ailing Micha home to heal in his parish at Nettlefield.

As Micha recovers under Thomas’s care, he begins to realize that some people in this world are worthy of trust. Thomas, in turn, learns the truth of his own needs and desires. Between the secrets of the past and the burdens of the present, their future together seems impossible. Questions of faith and the shadow of opium continue to haunt them both.

Yet possibilities, like miracles, can be found wherever you look for them.

©2026 by Alexis Hall. (P)2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Realistically Ever After

The last book I read by alexis Hall was “A Lady For a Duke.” The end of that book was cozy and happy, but left me with a serious case of the “but what about…”s. There were so many practical, realistic details that Hall didn’t address in the final HEE.

This book, in contrast, dealt head on with many of the realistic, likely, and plausible challenges to Victorian, queer romances. The end was satisfying, honest, and hopeful, but definitely not a happily ever after. The honesty was refreshing, but melancholy. This one’s not a lighthearted beach Reed. I’m glad I read it, but now I’m going to go find something a little more escapist to cleanse my pallet.

Worth a credit, worth your time, but keep the tissues handy.

Spectacular

Another amazing book by Alexis Hall. The narration by Steve West was unparalleled. He is a new to me, narrator and I can only wish that he will narrate more MM books. The emotion, the characters, the development the heart they both went through. Very difficult to listen to, but in the end, such a beautiful story. I encouraged everyone to take a listen. Absolutely beautiful.

Tragically compelling, evocative, and beautiful

One of the best books I have heard this year by far. My first by Alexis Hall; will not be the last. Lyrically written with emotional depth that captures one’s heart from the outset, breaking and bandaging, transforming us repeatedly alongside the characters. I listened, then listened again while reading, each pass a deeper and more moving journey. Every page is marked up. Steve West’s incredible care and devotion to the story and his craft shine through yet again, bringing all the characters, including the supporting cast, to life such that we cannot help but love them, in all their broken and imperfect humanity. Keep the tissues close.

Alexis Halls most poetic book

I have been a fan since the Arden St Ives series and feel that over time Alexis writing style evolved to an almost poetic maturity that charmed even my cynical M/M saturated heart.
This is a book I know I will listen to again time and again just to hear the beautiful narrators voice giving flight to Hall’s bespangled Fairy Wings and Songs. My my, what interesting paths you are treading Alexis.
Thank you for a wonderful romantic and enchanting story that in very tangible ways felt more real that history itself and seems timeless in its message.

Beautiful and heartbreaking

This was a beautiful, sometimes funny, deeply moving story. Thomas was an enlightened man for his time and my heart broke for him and Michael. I don't want to give the plot away, but do not hesitate to pick up this wonderful book!
The narration was superb. It really gave extra dimensions to the story. Not very many narrators are able to do that, but somehow the British seem to have the art down. A really well-deserved 5 stars!