Scan barcode
A review by a_reader_obsessed
Ever After by Riley Hart, Christina Lee
3.0
3 Hearts - BR with LiaB!!
To be honest, I’m a bit torn about how I feel about this story. I can see how this could appeal to many and also, I can see how some might be not as enamored.
Prince Merrick has a lot of responsibility weighing on him. He’s to inherit the throne and needs to find a wife because most importantly, he needs to provide an heir. Funny that. Too bad he doesn’t fancy women. At all. However, Merrick knows his duty and he resigns himself to his fate, but it seems that his new valet Cassius, through no fault of his own, won’t allow Merrick to just easily fall in line and accept what he’s honor bound to do.
Cassius on the other hand, has a pretty big chip on his shoulder, having had to struggle his whole life to help support his family by working very very hard. Now, more than ever since his father has passed away, he must not jeopardize his new job as he’s the sole provider for his sick mum and two younger sisters. Cassius wants to hate Prince Merrick on principle, but as he gets to know him, he can’t help but admire all that the prince does for his people and see a caring man who’s just as trapped as he is.
I have to give credit because this is a thoughtful rumination on class differences and the weight of responsibility on both these men. It is realistic in the evolving relationship between a prince and his servant where crossing the social lines is unheard of and not condoned. The attraction and feels are organic, and the inner turmoil these men go through was heartfelt.
However, this has brought home the fact that I have a tough relationship with historicals (though this is very historical-lite in its fictional setting) which always encompasses MC’s who have to be in the closet, and it just makes me a complete nervous nelly, and my overall enjoyment is quite affected. Plus, for some reason the idea of a fairy tale really appeals but ultimately, it never enchants me as much as I’d like it to. Despite my personal qualms, I'm sure many will love this very romantic story about two disparate individuals who have nary a chance at finding their happy ever after with each other.
This is light in the overall angst thankfully, as well as having some good steamy scenes, but perhaps because of its fairy tale connotations, this clashed with its more contemporary leanings and thus, it felt disjointed and a bit underwhelming to me.
Regardless, Hart and Lee are typically consistent wins, and if you’re familiar with that and agree, I don’t think readers will be disappointed.
Thank you to the authors/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review
To be honest, I’m a bit torn about how I feel about this story. I can see how this could appeal to many and also, I can see how some might be not as enamored.
Prince Merrick has a lot of responsibility weighing on him. He’s to inherit the throne and needs to find a wife because most importantly, he needs to provide an heir. Funny that. Too bad he doesn’t fancy women. At all. However, Merrick knows his duty and he resigns himself to his fate, but it seems that his new valet Cassius, through no fault of his own, won’t allow Merrick to just easily fall in line and accept what he’s honor bound to do.
Cassius on the other hand, has a pretty big chip on his shoulder, having had to struggle his whole life to help support his family by working very very hard. Now, more than ever since his father has passed away, he must not jeopardize his new job as he’s the sole provider for his sick mum and two younger sisters. Cassius wants to hate Prince Merrick on principle, but as he gets to know him, he can’t help but admire all that the prince does for his people and see a caring man who’s just as trapped as he is.
I have to give credit because this is a thoughtful rumination on class differences and the weight of responsibility on both these men. It is realistic in the evolving relationship between a prince and his servant where crossing the social lines is unheard of and not condoned. The attraction and feels are organic, and the inner turmoil these men go through was heartfelt.
However, this has brought home the fact that I have a tough relationship with historicals (though this is very historical-lite in its fictional setting) which always encompasses MC’s who have to be in the closet, and it just makes me a complete nervous nelly, and my overall enjoyment is quite affected. Plus, for some reason the idea of a fairy tale really appeals but ultimately, it never enchants me as much as I’d like it to. Despite my personal qualms, I'm sure many will love this very romantic story about two disparate individuals who have nary a chance at finding their happy ever after with each other.
This is light in the overall angst thankfully, as well as having some good steamy scenes, but perhaps because of its fairy tale connotations, this clashed with its more contemporary leanings and thus, it felt disjointed and a bit underwhelming to me.
Regardless, Hart and Lee are typically consistent wins, and if you’re familiar with that and agree, I don’t think readers will be disappointed.
Thank you to the authors/publisher for a copy in exchange for a honest review