Author: F.T. Lukens
Series: N/A
Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication: March 29, 2022 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.
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So This is Ever After is a light-hearted, fun rom-com spin on the traditional Hero’s Journey. Arek and his band of misfits just defeated The Vile One and is now the King of Chickpea (yes, that’s really the name of the Kingdom lol). But within hours of donning on the crown, Arek finds out that there’s a blessing-curse connected to the throne. In order to stay the king, Arek must wed by his 18th birthday or he’ll fade away.
I thought this was a cute and fun quick read. After reading a few sentences I immediately understood the tone of the novel. It’s like a mesh-mash of sci-fi fantasy and gamer lingo with a heavy dose of satires and parodies. I love that despite the dire situation that the character found themselves they were still having fun and always joking around with each other.
This book was pitched with hints of Arthurian legend and D&D vibes but there was nothing Arthurian about it and the D&D reference only got as far as the characters’ naming. And surprisingly there was very little plot and romance, which was a bit disappointing. The entire plot or lack thereof hinged on Arek having a conversation with his best friend Matt. If he simply told Matt how he felt there would be no story. So basically the plot/story is one extremely long miscommunication. In my opinion not a good thing.
Overall So This is Ever After was a fun read. If you’re in the mood for something entertaining and light…pretty much brain candy than this is the perfect book for you. The synopsis made this book sound like it was right up my alley but unfortunately I wanted a little more plot and character development. While it wasn’t my cup of tea, I think there’s still a lot to like about this book and other reader would enjoy it. As always I recommend checking out a snippet or chapter sample. 
Buy|Amazon|B&N|
Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.
As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.
With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.
MY THOUGHTS
I love the traditional Hero’s Journey. You know, the one where the hero and his trusted group of friends go on a mission to defeat the villain or fulfill a prophecy. But like most Hero’s Journeys’, after the hero defeats the villain and/or fulfills a prophecy they go home and that’s the last we see of them. Have you ever wonder what happens next to your favorite characters? I sure do. In Luken’s So This is Ever After she answers that precise question.
So This is Ever After is a light-hearted, fun rom-com spin on the traditional Hero’s Journey. Arek and his band of misfits just defeated The Vile One and is now the King of Chickpea (yes, that’s really the name of the Kingdom lol). But within hours of donning on the crown, Arek finds out that there’s a blessing-curse connected to the throne. In order to stay the king, Arek must wed by his 18th birthday or he’ll fade away.
I thought this was a cute and fun quick read. After reading a few sentences I immediately understood the tone of the novel. It’s like a mesh-mash of sci-fi fantasy and gamer lingo with a heavy dose of satires and parodies. I love that despite the dire situation that the character found themselves they were still having fun and always joking around with each other.
This book was pitched with hints of Arthurian legend and D&D vibes but there was nothing Arthurian about it and the D&D reference only got as far as the characters’ naming. And surprisingly there was very little plot and romance, which was a bit disappointing. The entire plot or lack thereof hinged on Arek having a conversation with his best friend Matt. If he simply told Matt how he felt there would be no story. So basically the plot/story is one extremely long miscommunication. In my opinion not a good thing.
Overall So This is Ever After was a fun read. If you’re in the mood for something entertaining and light…pretty much brain candy than this is the perfect book for you. The synopsis made this book sound like it was right up my alley but unfortunately I wanted a little more plot and character development. While it wasn’t my cup of tea, I think there’s still a lot to like about this book and other reader would enjoy it. As always I recommend checking out a snippet or chapter sample.
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