Review: So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on March 2022
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon Goodreads

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.

Absolutely charming. So The is Ever After delivers all of the silly banter of a group fantasy quest while also giving it a sweet friends to lovers story about a group of teens way in over their heads.

There is nothing not to like about this story. Arek is a new, reluctant king, who has killed The Vile One and taken over his kingdom. Again, reluctantly. With his quest partners at his side, his next plan is… well, doesn’t have one. Except they might want to deal with this whole curse thing before he fades away to nothing.

He has to find a soul to mate with and why not try to woo one of his fellow quest friends? Sure, that could not possibly go wrong!

Lukens writes an utterly charming and heartwarming story about what happens to the band of misfits after they defeat the evil one. The entire group was well drawn out and fun. All of the characters had their own feel to them and it was easy to picture each of them in my mind. Arek and Matt’s will they won’t they is fun to read as Arek secretly pines away for his best friend Matt, but being kinda clueless doesn’t realize Matt might also have feelings for him. I love their friends chemistry just as much as their lovers chemistry.

There’s lot of fun quick banter between the group, of course there would be if you were stuck with the same people after months of running for your life! I like the inside jokes that were never explained (didn’t have to be) and the way each character really brought something good out in the others. For instance: Matt kept Arek grounded. Bethany showed support and friendship. Lila’s character was by far my favorite btw. Can we have a whole book on Lila?

Overall, So This Is Ever After is funny and sweet and I read it in almost one sitting! It was so good and easy to read. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know what happens after the happy ending. (Spoiler: there’s lots more!)