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alinaborger's review
It was fine, but not my cup of tea in general. Fairy tale aficionados and cozy mystery lovers might dig it.
jvlietteswarner's review
4.0
[3.5 stars]
tropes: best friends to lovers, fake dating trope
„He couldn’t imagine marrying anyone, but he didn’t want to spend any of the time he’d been given with anyone but Juniper.“
»»————- short synopsis ————-««
Juniper is a romance novelist and believes in the happy ever after and cannot wait to find someone to spend it with. Her best friend Tomas is a divorce lawyer and given his daily encounter with failed marriage, he does not believe in the concept of love. But could a weekend trip where they pretend to be engaged change that view?
»»————- the plot ————-««
i loved this for multiple reasons, let me start with them being best friends. it never really felt forced, i could tell there was an incredible trust between the two and them mocking each other? gotta love that. they had an amazing dynamic throughout the whole book, which made reading this book fun and easy.
as the reader, seeing both povs and just knowing what they feel makes it even more intriguing because you can follow the main characters going through all these emotions and slowly coming to the conclusion that they don’t need to deny their feeling for each other anymore. that’s also what made this book realistic, the fact that it’s rather slow paced and not just them getting it on after two chapters.
on the other side the slow pace is what made me take off a star from the rating, because towards the end it got rather repetitive, as a reader i had already gotten the conflict and there was no need to drag it out longer in my opinion.
»»————- the writing ————-««
this book is narrated in the third person point of view and that was very refreshing. i didn’t read a book with that pov in a long time and i really liked it, it added substance to the plot and guided me easily through the storyline and knowing what both parties think and feel is very nice.
thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review!!
»»————- quotes i liked ————-««
(might be considered spoilers)
"Of course you do. You and Tomas are in love.
"He still doesn't believe in love. It bloomed because realized he was my one. Even though we're pretending, I'm in love with him."
"I know." Jonquil squeezed her again.
"He loves you, too."
"I need him to tell me."
"You need him to admit it to himself."
“He decided he was going to start by asking her to be his Happily Ever After.”
tropes: best friends to lovers, fake dating trope
„He couldn’t imagine marrying anyone, but he didn’t want to spend any of the time he’d been given with anyone but Juniper.“
»»————- short synopsis ————-««
Juniper is a romance novelist and believes in the happy ever after and cannot wait to find someone to spend it with. Her best friend Tomas is a divorce lawyer and given his daily encounter with failed marriage, he does not believe in the concept of love. But could a weekend trip where they pretend to be engaged change that view?
»»————- the plot ————-««
i loved this for multiple reasons, let me start with them being best friends. it never really felt forced, i could tell there was an incredible trust between the two and them mocking each other? gotta love that. they had an amazing dynamic throughout the whole book, which made reading this book fun and easy.
as the reader, seeing both povs and just knowing what they feel makes it even more intriguing because you can follow the main characters going through all these emotions and slowly coming to the conclusion that they don’t need to deny their feeling for each other anymore. that’s also what made this book realistic, the fact that it’s rather slow paced and not just them getting it on after two chapters.
on the other side the slow pace is what made me take off a star from the rating, because towards the end it got rather repetitive, as a reader i had already gotten the conflict and there was no need to drag it out longer in my opinion.
»»————- the writing ————-««
this book is narrated in the third person point of view and that was very refreshing. i didn’t read a book with that pov in a long time and i really liked it, it added substance to the plot and guided me easily through the storyline and knowing what both parties think and feel is very nice.
thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review!!
»»————- quotes i liked ————-««
(might be considered spoilers)
"Of course you do. You and Tomas are in love.
"He still doesn't believe in love. It bloomed because realized he was my one. Even though we're pretending, I'm in love with him."
"I know." Jonquil squeezed her again.
"He loves you, too."
"I need him to tell me."
"You need him to admit it to himself."
“He decided he was going to start by asking her to be his Happily Ever After.”
catcole1895's review
4.0
After reading all three books in the series released so far, I've learned that the writing does get better. The author finally seems comfortable with describing sexy scenes (which is excellent because they were always awkward and seemed rushed in the first two) while also balancing the use of swears with the situation the characters are in and their personalities (previously they seemed awkward, not necessary for the scene, or out of character for the speaker).
I gave 4/5 stars because the plot seemed very cookie-cutter and similar to the last two, it was predictable, and I was honestly thoroughly confused in the beginning. The end of book two set up an entirely different story line to begin in book three. Ultimately, I can't get enough of the characters, which are all very well developed, but I'd really like more plot differences between the books. I'm not sure they're enough to warrant 4/5 stars, but I love them too much and want more from them to give only 3 stars, haha.
I hope book four comes out soon and that what I hope/anticipate happening does!
I gave 4/5 stars because the plot seemed very cookie-cutter and similar to the last two, it was predictable, and I was honestly thoroughly confused in the beginning. The end of book two set up an entirely different story line to begin in book three. Ultimately, I can't get enough of the characters, which are all very well developed, but I'd really like more plot differences between the books. I'm not sure they're enough to warrant 4/5 stars, but I love them too much and want more from them to give only 3 stars, haha.
I hope book four comes out soon and that what I hope/anticipate happening does!
rotig813's review
5.0
I am really enjoying following along as the Fairy Godmothers help their charges find true love and happily ever after. These are fun reads that allow me to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Can't wait to read the next story in the series.
echoesoutloud's review
4.0
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It Happened One Midnight is the third book in the Fairy Godmother's Inc. series! It follows the godmothers own granddaughter, Juniper and her best friend Tomas.
Juniper and Tomas have been best friends forever. They're each others perfect match, and if it weren't for their own beliefs they'd be the perfect couple. But with the addition of a childhood pact, some meddling godmothers and some well-meaning coworkers, this romance novelist and divorce lawyer find themselves on a path that changes their lives forever!
This was a really sweet friends to lovers romance! Much like the other books in this series it was full of magical goodness with all our favourite fairytale characters in a modern setting. In a world where love literally creates magic, this book weaves a picturesque life for two people who just needed a little nudge to see what was always right in front of them!
I liked Tomas's story arc and his journey from being a non-believer to finally accepting magic and with it, love. And Juniper's steadfastness and her ability to put herself first even when it was hard, was admirable and wonderful to watch.
Of course, this book also provided quite a few laughs and I really enjoyed the way the townsfolk started meddling right back in the fairy Godmother's lives! It was hilarious and I can't wait to see where that goes!
While this is part of a series, it can totally be read as a standalone! It's romantic, sweet and sure to make you smile! I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a magical, friends to lovers, opposites attract romance that's as cute as the town it's set in!
It Happened One Midnight is the third book in the Fairy Godmother's Inc. series! It follows the godmothers own granddaughter, Juniper and her best friend Tomas.
Juniper and Tomas have been best friends forever. They're each others perfect match, and if it weren't for their own beliefs they'd be the perfect couple. But with the addition of a childhood pact, some meddling godmothers and some well-meaning coworkers, this romance novelist and divorce lawyer find themselves on a path that changes their lives forever!
This was a really sweet friends to lovers romance! Much like the other books in this series it was full of magical goodness with all our favourite fairytale characters in a modern setting. In a world where love literally creates magic, this book weaves a picturesque life for two people who just needed a little nudge to see what was always right in front of them!
I liked Tomas's story arc and his journey from being a non-believer to finally accepting magic and with it, love. And Juniper's steadfastness and her ability to put herself first even when it was hard, was admirable and wonderful to watch.
Of course, this book also provided quite a few laughs and I really enjoyed the way the townsfolk started meddling right back in the fairy Godmother's lives! It was hilarious and I can't wait to see where that goes!
While this is part of a series, it can totally be read as a standalone! It's romantic, sweet and sure to make you smile! I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a magical, friends to lovers, opposites attract romance that's as cute as the town it's set in!
lacrimaeignis's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was an enjoyable trip back to Ever After and a fun read but probably my least favorite of the series. It still had all of the fantastic whimsy of Ever After and the Godmothers (but they're Grandmothers this time round) were still up to their normal shenanigans. I think the main reason I enjoyed this one less was because of the main trope chosen, friends to lovers. Friends to lovers generally falls flat for me, especially when the couple has been friends for all or the majority of their lives because the pining, the angst, the tension should be building to a fantastic potential but usually just tends to sit there limply. The fake dating/engagement trope would have been far more interesting if it had been focused on more and not just used as the Godmothers planted the idea in their heads to get the ball rolling. The main characters felt flat compared to the previous couples in the series. The story did focus on their "flaws" but the characters didn't really feel all that flawed.
Honestly I wanted to read more about the side characters getting their ever afters (Gwen and Ravenna especially among others). I'm hoping we'll get more trips to Ever After, especially because this novel set up a couple more potential storylines to follow, and I will definitely be excited to read them!
Honestly I wanted to read more about the side characters getting their ever afters (Gwen and Ravenna especially among others). I'm hoping we'll get more trips to Ever After, especially because this novel set up a couple more potential storylines to follow, and I will definitely be excited to read them!
theladymadrid's review against another edition
1.0
So bad, but the phrase “delectable ass” is really what cemented single star status.
thebashfulbookworm's review
4.0
Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
It Happened One Midnight by Saranna DeWylde is a delightful and engaging story about love. It has magic, and meddling fairy godmothers, and a magical small town full of quirky characters and charm.
Juniper Blossom is a romance novelist who believes in happily ever after but has not met her soulmate yet. She wants to wait for the right guy, but her grandmothers (who are also fairy godmothers) have other ideas and want to find her a boyfriend as soon as possible.
Juniper’s best friend is Tomas Rivera, a divorce attorney who has seen the worst of married life and does not believe in soulmates or a happily ever after. He doesn’t believe in love. When his law firm hints that his promotion is contingent on him settling down, he decides a fake engagement with his best friend Juniper will solve both their problems. Tomas agrees to travel to Ever After with Juniper to meet with the grandmothers to show them they are happy together. But, Ever After isn’t the typical small town, and the grandmothers are really fairy godmothers, so
I just loved this magical, whimsical romance. The fairy godmothers are fun and provide a lot of humor in the book. Juniper and Tomas are a very likable couple and although it’s clear from the start that they are made for each other, it takes them both a bit of time to figure it all out. The book never lagged and I enjoyed every word. It Happened One Midnight is just pure fun.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun, and magical romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It Happened One Midnight by Saranna DeWylde is a delightful and engaging story about love. It has magic, and meddling fairy godmothers, and a magical small town full of quirky characters and charm.
Juniper Blossom is a romance novelist who believes in happily ever after but has not met her soulmate yet. She wants to wait for the right guy, but her grandmothers (who are also fairy godmothers) have other ideas and want to find her a boyfriend as soon as possible.
Juniper’s best friend is Tomas Rivera, a divorce attorney who has seen the worst of married life and does not believe in soulmates or a happily ever after. He doesn’t believe in love. When his law firm hints that his promotion is contingent on him settling down, he decides a fake engagement with his best friend Juniper will solve both their problems. Tomas agrees to travel to Ever After with Juniper to meet with the grandmothers to show them they are happy together. But, Ever After isn’t the typical small town, and the grandmothers are really fairy godmothers, so
I just loved this magical, whimsical romance. The fairy godmothers are fun and provide a lot of humor in the book. Juniper and Tomas are a very likable couple and although it’s clear from the start that they are made for each other, it takes them both a bit of time to figure it all out. The book never lagged and I enjoyed every word. It Happened One Midnight is just pure fun.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun, and magical romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
afhackel's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads. Overall, I really enjoyed Juniper and Tomas’s love story! I read the first book in this series (this is #3) and found this one to be more enjoyable. The first spent a lot of time in the world building of the ridiculous antics of Ever After and it’s inhabitants that the romance between the two leads was a bit forced. This one we got to really focus on the two and explore more nuances in their relationship.
witandsin's review
3.0
2.75 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
It Happened One Midnight is a best-friends to lovers story with a magical touch. Saranna DeWylde’s third Fairy Godmothers, Inc. book has all the sugar and love-powered magic and mayhem I’ve come to expect from the series, but this is one novel that might have worked better as a novella.
Juniper and Tomas have been best friends since childhood. Everything about how they act screams couple, and they acknowledge they love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together, but they’re not in love. Except with a little help from interfering…well, everybody…Tomas and Juniper start seeing each other in a new light. And once they recognize their mutual attraction it becomes a push-pull between giving into desire and standing firm on what they want. Juniper and Tomas’s problem is they want two different things. Juniper is a romance novelist who believes in love and happily ever after. Tomas is a divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in true love or the aforementioned happily ever after. He doesn’t want he and Juniper to become like the broken couples he works with every day. Tomas doesn’t want to get married and Juniper does; both are valid. But everyone in their lives is pushing he and Juniper down the aisle; his bosses are even dangling a promotion in front of him if he gets married. The problem with this being a full-length novel is the longer things went on, the more it felt like Tomas was being bullied into love and marriage. Not wanting those things is perfectly valid and the pressure on him was so immense (especially when it came to his job) that it was uncomfortable. Yes, it’s clear he and Juniper are meant to be, and yes, he needed to come around to see all that she is to him, but it isn’t fun to see someone forced into it. The one saving grace was Juniper never pushed him to be other than he was. She was firm on what she believes and stood up for herself, but she also showed Tomas the respect of not invalidating what he believes.
As a couple, Juniper and Tomas work well and are easy to root for. They have good chemistry, their love for one another is clear. They just needed a push to go to the next step – the push being mostly bringing their lustful feelings to the forefront. It’s easy to like Juniper and Tomas, though again, I felt bad for the latter because even the town (not the residents – the town itself) of Ever After seemed to go after him because he doesn’t believe in romantic love. The obstacles are drawn out and got a bit repetitive. However, I liked the main characters and ultimately Juniper and Tomas had a satisfying happily ever after that did feel like it worked for both characters.
It Happened One Midnight is the third Fairy Godmothers, Inc. book and it can easily be read as a standalone. Juniper’s grandmothers, Petunia, Bluebonnet, and Jonquil, are as sugar-fueled and ready to interfere as ever. They’re a bit much for me at times, are a bit heavy-handed with the exposition, and their zaniness is just not my cup of tea, but that’s personal preference. Aside from the town wildlife targeting Tomas, the magical town of Ever After was as adorable as ever. I enjoy DeWylde’s spin on fairytales and it was fun to see all the popular romance tropes appear with characters who know and acknowledge those tropes.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
It Happened One Midnight is a best-friends to lovers story with a magical touch. Saranna DeWylde’s third Fairy Godmothers, Inc. book has all the sugar and love-powered magic and mayhem I’ve come to expect from the series, but this is one novel that might have worked better as a novella.
Juniper and Tomas have been best friends since childhood. Everything about how they act screams couple, and they acknowledge they love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together, but they’re not in love. Except with a little help from interfering…well, everybody…Tomas and Juniper start seeing each other in a new light. And once they recognize their mutual attraction it becomes a push-pull between giving into desire and standing firm on what they want. Juniper and Tomas’s problem is they want two different things. Juniper is a romance novelist who believes in love and happily ever after. Tomas is a divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in true love or the aforementioned happily ever after. He doesn’t want he and Juniper to become like the broken couples he works with every day. Tomas doesn’t want to get married and Juniper does; both are valid. But everyone in their lives is pushing he and Juniper down the aisle; his bosses are even dangling a promotion in front of him if he gets married. The problem with this being a full-length novel is the longer things went on, the more it felt like Tomas was being bullied into love and marriage. Not wanting those things is perfectly valid and the pressure on him was so immense (especially when it came to his job) that it was uncomfortable. Yes, it’s clear he and Juniper are meant to be, and yes, he needed to come around to see all that she is to him, but it isn’t fun to see someone forced into it. The one saving grace was Juniper never pushed him to be other than he was. She was firm on what she believes and stood up for herself, but she also showed Tomas the respect of not invalidating what he believes.
As a couple, Juniper and Tomas work well and are easy to root for. They have good chemistry, their love for one another is clear. They just needed a push to go to the next step – the push being mostly bringing their lustful feelings to the forefront. It’s easy to like Juniper and Tomas, though again, I felt bad for the latter because even the town (not the residents – the town itself) of Ever After seemed to go after him because he doesn’t believe in romantic love. The obstacles are drawn out and got a bit repetitive. However, I liked the main characters and ultimately Juniper and Tomas had a satisfying happily ever after that did feel like it worked for both characters.
It Happened One Midnight is the third Fairy Godmothers, Inc. book and it can easily be read as a standalone. Juniper’s grandmothers, Petunia, Bluebonnet, and Jonquil, are as sugar-fueled and ready to interfere as ever. They’re a bit much for me at times, are a bit heavy-handed with the exposition, and their zaniness is just not my cup of tea, but that’s personal preference. Aside from the town wildlife targeting Tomas, the magical town of Ever After was as adorable as ever. I enjoy DeWylde’s spin on fairytales and it was fun to see all the popular romance tropes appear with characters who know and acknowledge those tropes.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.