After Happily Ever

by Jennifer Safrey, Jen Safrey

Princesses Neve, Della, and Bry are sisters-in-law, having married into the royal Charming family, and for the last thirty-plus years, they’ve been living a coveted happily-ever-after life in the idyllic kingdom of Foreverness.

But royal life isn’t what it seems. Bry’s people-pleasing is exhausting her, Della’s exquisite and renowned beauty is fading with time, and Neve dreads the prospect of becoming queen one day, because power makes one a target, and she doesn’t want to be killed...again.

Then the king’s sudden death thrusts each princess into a personal quest that shows her the truth behind the kingdom’s “perfection” and challenges her sense of purpose.

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Romance, Fiction, Feminism, Adult Fiction, Royalty

388 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Also known as Jen Safrey.

Hey, friend! I’m Jennifer Safrey and—I still get a thrill every time I say this!—I’m an author. I write contemporary romance, and I also write fantasy novels that feature modern, feminist versions of characters we loved from fairy stories.

I’ve written four novels for Silhouette Special Edition (now Harlequin Special Edition)—all featuring smart, sassy, accomplished heroines and heroes you love to love. Themes in my romance novels have included all my faves: friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, and urban settings. I just finished writing a manuscript featuring a rivals-to-lovers story, which I can’t wait to tell you about. I promise to update you on its progress. I’ve also written one fantasy novel, Tooth and Nail (Skyhorse Publishing), about a tough boxer in Washington DC who discovers she is a half faerie—and not just any kind of faerie; these fae collect teeth, and they need her help to stop a threat.

My home is just south of Boston, and I live with the love of my life and our two lovable but definitely weird cats.

Reviews

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes a thing needs to happen for you to accept it."

[Mary Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to the signing for this book not really knowing much about it but the event itself got me really excited about this book. Jennifer Safrey is able to modernize and age stories everyone knows to be so representative of messaging our country needs right now. This book follows Della (Cinderella), Bry (Briar Rose/Aurora/Sleeping Beauty), and Neve (Snow White) as they each traverse the midlife crises in the life after their "happily after ever" moment. What if the kingdom where the beauty slept was also cursed but only those in the palace. What if, when they all woke, the found that everyone they had ever cared for had died and gone? What if Prince Charming wasn't so charming and felt trapped by Cinderella for deceiving him about her social status? What if Snow White struggled with a touch of PTSD after being raised from the dead and found solace in the most unlikely friendship with Little Red Riding Hood who had also lost everything she'd known to a terrible misfortune in the woods. This story shows women who fight to find rights,purpose, justice, and a voice in a man's world, and how a band of rebelious Princesses inspire change for their fellow women.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens after the supposed happily ever after? Safrey offers a delightful feminist and new approach on the continuing lives of three iconic princesses: Neve (Snow White), Bry (Briar Rose), and Della (Cinderella) with a special appearance by Roan (Little Red Riding Hood). While using the original sources as a guiding post, the plot is entirely unique. Each princess is having a midlife crisis and/or awakening: how to process their individual trauma but also forge a new path for the future, moving beyond gender stereotypes/expectations- the passive, submissive, 'be pretty and smile', and trying desperately to please everyone. The story is told through these princesses in alternating chapters. The voices are distinct and the characters are sharp. I enjoyed the surprises and the levity of humor in places. There is some diversity in the book too: Bry's daughter Thea is trans and Roan is queer. Recommended for fans of fairy tales and of T. Kingfisher's fairytale retellings/adaptations.

[Shelagh Braley Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My, what big balls you have.

We all know our beloved princesses, but in After Happily Ever, an Epic Novel of Midlife Rebellion, author Jennifer Safrey hauls them up before the mirror as we’ve never seen before.

Neve (Snow White), Della (Cinderella), and Bry (Sleeping Beauty) are disenchanted with their royal circumstances right around the same time the King of Foreverness is about to take his last gasp. His death sets off a series of events for each of the princesses, who must decide whether they can remain in the well-worn roles that have made them comfortable and happy-enough, or if they can be honest—even in the face of fear—and move forward to claim what awaits if they’re brave enough.

Their dissatisfaction is so understandable. Each woman reckons with the real moment of “Is this all there is for me?” The strictures of expectation are too tight, but growth means admitting they’ve made themselves too small; challenging the patriarchal system; and even facing life-threatening forces to get to true happiness.

These characters have so much grown-ass-woman energy: Their leadership and assuredness as FMCs are refreshing in a time when inexperienced 19-year-old heroines are the industry standard. Our princesses are recognizable as the young women we hoped for as they fell in love and were swept away by their Charming royal husbands, and relatable as their adult versions deal with issues that frustrate us in real life: aging, infidelity, power dynamics, and the fight for ultimate authenticity.

Their bond as women and sisters in-law is touching, reminding us how precious our female friendships are in our own lives. They rally for each other and lend strength and much-needed support. I think the sleeper ally among them is Rowan, whose powerful Red Riding Hood story is not like anything else in the fairy-tale world. She deserves her own wolf-den spinoff. #TeamRowan

By reanimating this magical world that readers know and will enjoy discovering more deeply, Safrey has ensured her place among the best fairy-tale re-tellers with After Happily Ever. You will be ready to ride at dawn with these princesses.

Slay, queen 👑

[Introvert's Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5

Spice: 0/5

Plot: 5/5

Primary Genre: Fantasy/Cozy fantasy

Blurb: Princesses Neve, Della, and Bry are sisters-in-law, having married into the royal Charming family, and for the last thirty-plus years, they’ve been living a coveted happily-ever-after life in the idyllic kingdom of Foreverness. But royal life isn’t what it seems. Bry’s people-pleasing is exhausting her, Della’s exquisite and renowned beauty is fading with time, and Neve dreads the prospect of becoming queen one day, because power makes one a target, and she doesn’t want to be killed...again. Then the king’s sudden death thrusts each princess into a personal quest that shows her the truth behind the kingdom’s “perfection” and challenges her sense of purpose.

My Thoughts:

This is the type of content that Disney should be releasing. A feminist’s fairy tale starring Snow White (Neve), Delle (Cinderella), and Bry (Sleeping Beauty) who are married to the Charming princes, all brothers and princes who operate quite differently in the kingdom. Neve’s husband Brockton is firstborn and will be king, Della’s husband Colby is the middle child who most definitely has a case of middle child syndrome that he needs to grow out of and Bry’s husband Lucan is last in line and is just a status quo follower type of guy. He’s a doting husband but also wants his wife to remain just that, a wife. When the king dies, the princesses get thrust into much different situations than they’ve been exposed to before and find themselves questioning whether they’re setting the correct example for the ladies on the kingdom. They’re all faced with different scenarios of decisions to accept their lives “as is” or stir things up a little bit and bring about some change in the kingdom. A wonderfully interesting storyline that intertwines traditional fairy tales with modern ideas of women’s rights and strong female characters.
Read more of my reviews here: www.introvertsbookclub.com

[Kari Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️ I started this book yesterday and finished this AM. I enjoyed this book A LOT! This story continues 4 decades later with Cinderella (Della), Snow White (Neve), & Sleeping Beauty (Bry) hitting middle age and questioning their happily ever after. All 3 find themselves facing their own quest into finding fulfillment in their life. Each princess married into the “Prince Charming Family” and they are all sister in laws to each other. They’ve been there to support each from the start and now into their quest of future fulfillment. This book is the last of new authors I chose to support at the Mayflower Brewing Company where authors were selling their self published books. This was my FAVORITE out of all of them and I’m glad it was the last one. I highly recommend this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. What happens when three fairy tale princesses - who are married to the three Prince Charming brothers - turn 50. A lovely ending to the stories of Snow White, Cinderella (who opens a business), and Sleeping Beauty - plus a cameo by Little Red Riding Hood.

Neve, Bry, and Della - and Rowan and her wolves - were terrific and inspiring characters to spend time with. I hope there’s a sequel.

In August, this is my FIRST on the short list of “best novels” of 2025.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so good. ☺️

[L & J Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the concept but unfortunately, the execution was lacking. I almost DNF but instead after being 30% through the book I skipped to read the last 6 short chapters. The concept was in a way ingenious- what happens to all of the fairytale heroines as they age? The characters all each suffer a bit from their childhoods-the Snow White type character has some PTSD, the Cinderella- like character has some OCD, etc. Their husbands are not all as they imagined they would be, and the kingdom is mired in sexism & misogyny. The death of the King and the ascension of Prince Brockton to the throne sparks introspection by the 3 princesses and ultimately their mid life rebellion. I found the ending satisfying but think the story lacked the appropriate editing to readily progress the storyline.

[Courtney Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book. When I picked it up, I anticipated more of a romance (I was completely wrong), and what I got was so much better than I ever could have hoped for. This might be my new favorite retelling of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. The author takes a perspective I've never seen before. The book was relatable, wholesome, and encourages full self expression and acceptance.

I've never read a book where the main female characters are middle-aged and I LOVED THEM. They dealt with mature issues (marital struggles, rights and equality, status, aging and beauty standards, identity, people pleasing, etc.) which made it wonderfully relatable and intellectual. I enjoyed reading a book where real life problems and concerns are addressed and solved. What made these women incredible was not their experiences with magic, but their desire to do what was right. Magic isn't needed in order to have courage and fight for change (though it would be nice sometimes). It was quite inspiring.

It was a delightful feminist read. The princesses were not immune to the downfalls of the patriarchy and learned that even so, they had it much better than the average woman in their kingdom. I loved that these middle-aged princesses ran around the kingdom, making themselves seen and heard, inspiring change. Their perfect kingdom was deeply flawed and it took a while for them to acknowledge that truth. Creating a plan for change, meeting resistance, and continuing to act was a difficultly they faced with passion and resilience. I loved how the book challenged the notion of "happily ever after" in our beloved fairytales. The false perfection in their kingdom was challenged by the potential these women saw in the corrupt system.

This book made me realize that maybe juvenile and young adult fantasy isn't the right fit for me anymore. At least, they can't be the only books I read. Not because those books aren't enjoyable, but because I no longer relate to the characters. I'm at a different stage of life than teenage heroes. I still love them, but my soul was completely filled by this age appropriate read. The concerns addressed have a level of maturity missing in juvenile and some young adult fantasy.

Every part of this book was perfect. It was unexpected, beautifully written, and unique. The conclusion was wholly satisfying, everything tied up nicely. I absolutely adored this book.

[Beks Peak · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the start if this, book I was impressed. A look at what "happily ever after" might really be for Snow White, Briar Rose, and Cinderella sounded very interesting. However, this ended up being a feminist fantasy that...did not do its job well. Let me lay out the facts and my impressions.

THE FACTS

Snow White, called "Neve" in this book, was raised by her seven uncles in the forest after her evil stepmother tried to kill her by the hand of a huntsman. The evil queen, eventually discovering Neve's undead status, poisoned her with an apple, and she was dead for a year before being wakened by the crown Prince Charming she married. Due to all that trauma, Neve is incredibly paranoid of being attacked or killed. Despite being the heir to the throne of her original kingdom, sje vows never to set foot there again, disdain physical touch even from friends, taught herself how to fight, and secretly carries concealed weapons.
She is to be the Queen Consort when her husband inherits. On his deathbed, her f-i-l asks her to continue as she has--being an example to all the women of Foreverness.

Briar Rose--"Bry" slept for 100 years before waking and marrying the 3rd Charming son. She is expected by the kingdom to set an example to the females of the same. Bry does this by living in constant fear of man. She is forever exhausting herself seeing to everyone's needs, giving them gifts, throwing them parties., etc. One whiff of displeasure or of the mildest dislike has her scrambling to recover her alleged lack of good standing with whoever she perceives as disliking something she has done or not done. The only time she finds real solace in in sleeping, because in sleep her anxieties fall away and there is no one to disappoint.

Cinderella
"Della" is married to the 2nd Charming man, Colby. Her marriage with him is loveless and cold. She is expected to be the perfect princess in the perfect kingdom of Foreverness by being beautiful stylish, a and accompanied by all the pomp and circumstance of that station. Accrdingly, she is always perfectly gorgeous, gracious, and graceful. She repeats to herself again nd again that she deserves all the clothes, shoes, and jewels, because she earned them after the drudgery and abuse her stepmother and stepsister enacted upon her.

THE STORY:

The king dies. Neve's husband, Brockton, inherited the throne. The old king, before he died, asked everyone to maintain the status quo so that Foreverness will maintain its reputation for perfect happiness.

Neve becomes queen--the gracious and dignified throne-warmer whi does nothing but sit while her husband and his all-mlae council make decisions. Though afraid of the spotlight of queendom and possible assassination by her original kingdom, she chafes at doing nothing existing. She seeks to help her husband rule (lightly, by giving good advice to a few supplicants). Brockton gets pissed off and says she is making him look weak and bad and she must keep her mouth shut. Neve ultimately lays aside her paranoia, joins forces with Red Riding Hood, and takes back her original kingdom from the hand of the evil council destroying it. And all pretty easily, I might add.

Bry leans that the women of Foreverness are expected to keep quiet and submit to any injustice (such as being part of an inheritance to their dead husband's younger brothers), regardless of their feelings on the matter. She learns that women are not allowed to supplicate the king for redress. Her husband will not help her disrupt the status quo, due to how young Brockton's reign is, so she incites a mob and riot to get women their rights.

Oh, and Bry has two daughters. Except one of them was a boy, once. Prince Day's "mind and spirit were feminine, delicate, sensitive, far more like [his mother's] than [his dad's]. So Bry and her husband accepted Day's announcement that he was a woman and a good sorceress manifested him into a girl. Day--now Thea--is annoyed that when men travel internationally to play chess with her, they now state that the princess is lucky or that today is an off-day for them when she wins. Men did not so snub her when she was male. Thea and her sister consider men to be stupid and crude--too dumb to realize women are as smart as they are. Oh, and did changing sexes shake up the kingdom, any? Nope! People get magicked into strength or weakness, animal bodies, great beauty or great ugliness all the time, here. What's a gender-swap, in the midst of all that?

Cinderella starts a non-profit helping the working class to achieve better wages and not be abused. She gets thrown in jail for this, because as a princess, her operating a business is illegal. Her husband is the kingdom's tax collector and gets thrown in jail for embezzling.

THE PROBLEMS

That all sounds interesting, right? Kind of. The whole book feels like it takes place over the course of a week, so the reader doesn't have time to sit and meditate the discoveries the characters make, because the characters take action pretty much immediately.

Oh, and there aren't really any male characters in this book. They are pretty much all plot devices--they either move the plot forward or act as roadblocks. All human men in this story are either incredibly sexist or stupid. Brockton, Colby, and Bry's husband, Lucan, play minor roles as stumbling blocks to ther wives' goals, until they quickly change their minds and become un-sexist, or else go to prison. The only exceptions are the Seven Dwarves, who are barely in the story and have no real bearing on the plot. They exist purely as moral support for Neve. And one gard, who has no bearing on the story at all and could have been left out.

This book ultimately finds all men to be bad--whether wilfully or thru lack of education. Every man is sexist, altho some learn to "do better." Absurdly quickly.

At first, I thought that Day's transformation into Thea might be deep--a look at a boy who felt like the role of a man was not one he could fill. A boy who felt inadequate, insufficient to his culture's expectation of manhood and therefore ran from his fears by becoming female. But...no. He's just a woman now, and no one bats an eye. Lemme say here: sex-swapping is way weirder than getting turned into an animal. The real-world history of fairytales not having people get sex-swapped is proof enough that every morally-sound is actually uncomfortable with transgenderism. And in most stories, if people do get sex-swapped, it's to learn what life is really like for the other sex--not whatever idyllic, covetous fantasy they've dreamed up--and then they get changed back

Red Riding Hood is also lesbian.

MY CONCLUSION

There were some good vocabulary words and the book wasn't boring. There is a happy ending for all the protagonists. I don't think there was any swearing, or maybe only 1 to 3x. There were no inappropriate scenes. I won't give this book zero stars, due to the good things it contained.

However, if "After Happily Ever" wanted to be a *good* feminist story, it should have looked at both sides of the coin. Cinderella feeling the need (and being told) to "Just be pretty" all the time is presented as a female-only problem. True, in Western society, being pretty--let alone gorgeous--is something women have historically felt more pressure to do. But looking good is a pressure that men also feel, and it's growing due to the ubuquitous presence of Hollywood stars and internet influencers with their dehydration-tautened skin over ridiculously big muscles. Add in all the digital editing done on male bodies (and female) to make them look "perfect," and it's no surprise body dysmorphia is on the rise in the Western male population. Bry's fear of man is also presented as a female-only struggle. But everyone, regardless of sex, struggles with fear of what others think of him and seeks to please others instead of being honest. That's a human sin-issue, not a female sin-issue.


Let's look at the message behind the story. This entire book is written from the perspectives of the three heroines. There is no respect given to any man's viewpoint or journey. Males are treated as dumb, naive, or sexist bigots who need to get with it. In attempting to give the women of the story dignity and respect, the author threw all men under the ox cart. All the above-enumerated flaws don't make for a good story or strong characters. You don't make good heroes by weakening their antagonists. You don't make good stories by hating on one sex. "After Happily Ever" ultimately failed in its goal of uplifting women in a genuine way. It treated men like they were useless garbage or just support for women. It did to men what it depicted men doing to women. That's not reconciliation. That's not healing. That's the oppressed becoming the oppressor. That's the hero becoming the monster. That's not a world I want to live in, nor a world I would want any son of mine taught was the ideal.

[Dian Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

I committed to completing this in one day (basically because I have five interlibrary loan books to pick up on Monday) and I have to say I was disappointed. I mean the idea is there but completely lacks follow through. If you are going to take three middle aged princesses and give them a reason to start seeking an new definition of their roles and lives, you might want to have them work together in some way. I kept thinking each of these three stories could have been their own book and still wouldn't have been interesting.

[Dani Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I get the premise and was excited about it, but it was just kinda boring. I’m a feminist but it was a little too obvious with its “women aren’t as good as men” bit. I kept waiting for a mmc that i was drawn to and could get behind, but he never showed up. I just couldn’t get into it.

[Christina Pikas · Rating 3 out of 5]

50 yo princesses discover agency. princes charming aren't always, but some learn. meh

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of our most beloved princess fairytales are revisited in this feminist retelling. Bry, otherwise recognized as Briar Rose, Aurora, and Sleeping Beauty, are now people-pleasing mid-life princesses who dare not speak up or cause waves. Della, the adored Cinderella, is aging. Once known for her spectacular beauty, her early life trauma and womanizing husband are ever present as we glimpse her personified grace in After Happily Ever: An Epic Novel of Midlife Rebellion. And finally, Neve, or Snow White as so many know her, forever watching over her shoulder for fear her demons will find her and murder her for good this time. As each woman navigates midlife, readers are shown a glimpse into their lives decades later, now that they’ve settled into their roles.

Crowns, elaborate gowns, and a kingdom full of people who adore and rely on them, all is not as it seems from the outside. Foreverness appears to be the happiest kingdom of all, and why shouldn’t it be with iconic princesses we’ve come to love gracing its halls. Yet, under the surface problems are broiling. Women are lacking in voices, and our princesses’ purposes seem unfulfilling.

Author Jennifer Safrey pens a creative and timely reimagining of life after the fairytale ends. Pulling back the curtain on the resentment and truth lurking within these treasured royal families as they come to grips with their persisting realities. As images remain untarnished on the outside, men’s personalities, weaknesses, and shortcomings are finally shown.

In a family obsessed with all things princesses and fairytales, this is the story I want my daughters to hear. The story of women speaking up, not relying on the men, and not afraid to take up space. In a world where we’ve become accustomed to male heroes swooping in to save the day, let After Happily Ever be our new fairytale guidepost. Safrey captures the realities of life, the everyday struggles, and the power of women in one exceptional story of After Happily Ever.

After Happily Ever is the real story, showing the power of purpose, the importance of being true to yourself, and the independence we all deserve

[EllasEnchantedReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Happily Ever is a clean romantasy by Jennifer Safrey with a unique and fresh take on the traditional fairytale, drawing inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. This story has amazing PTSD representation and world building that combines magic and traditional fairytale characters with centuries old realism with a focus on women navigating not having a voice or basic human rights due to long standing traditions within their “happily ever after” kingdom. Plus there is a magical cat named Repose and a certain talking mirror!

Our three FMCs are sisters in law through royal marriages and live in a kingdom where society runs deep in gender inequality. Each of the sisters takes inspiration from a classic fairytale princess: Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. They have their own marriage struggles and past traumas to work through while maintaining a perfect fairytale image in the public eye. Bry (short for Briar Rose) and Della (Cinderella) are strong FMCs and determined to advocate for the equality and justice of their people, especially women in the lower working class. For many parts of this story, the Sister Suffragettes song from Mary Poppins was playing in my head. Della in particular still struggles with memories of physical and verbal abuse from her stepmother and stepsisters, but her past trauma has also shaped her into an exceptional role model for her people, aiming to teach kindness and decency to both servants and noblewomen who grew up in an environment normalizing the mistreatment of the lower class.

I really loved Neve’s character arc and her entire journey from Princess to Queen. She is smart, strong, fair and capable future queen, but struggles to feel ready to rule by her husband’s side and constantly fears for her life. She is haunted by past childhood trauma of her Queen stepmother murdering her, despite coming back to life. I enjoyed her romance arc with her husband Prince Brockton as they navigated ruling together as equals with topics of gender inequality and centuries of tradition at every turn.

Thank you to Jennifer Safrey for the opportunity to be on your ARC reader team and read such an amazing book! I cannot wait for book 2 of After Happily Ever!

[Nathalie Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

“After Happily Ever” by Jennifer Safrey was pure dopamine. It’s been a while since I’ve finished a book and could honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. I was hooked within the first 30 pages. So much so, I bought the audio book on a month-long trip to Florida, since I had left my paperback copy at home in Mass. It was a blessing in disguise because the voice actress, Heather Wilds, was phenomenal. She really brought the story to life (1.2 speed)!

The plot, pacing, characterization, character arcs, side characters and animals (Rowen aka Little Red, the huntsman, the Cheshire cat, the snakes, the mirror 😍) and resolution were all brilliantly crafted. This book is a beautiful, captivating take on feminism, with the perfect balance of social activism and magic! Other themes include self-discovery, second chances, socioeconomic inequality, patriarchy, workplace discrimination, freedom of speech, infidelity, protecting trans youth, equality, embezzlement, etc.

I picked up this book on the title alone. As a former princess performer and big fan of Disney princesses, I appreciated the honest take on Neve (Snow White), Della (Cinderella), and Bry (Aurora aka Briar Rose). This book helped soothe my love/hate relationship with these classic fairy tales, due to their misogynistic history, by correcting their sexism in a believable, yet whimsical manner.

It would be impossible to mention all the things I loved about this book, not only because it’s literally the whole thing, but because it would require spoilers, and I don’t want to risk losing a potential reader. Anyway, I highly recommend “After Happily Ever” to everyone of all ages—we could all learn something from it. Thank you for sharing your magic with the world, Jen! I look forward to more.

[Evelyn Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Happily Ever by Jennifer Safrey is a beautifully reflective and subversive take on what happens after the fairy tale fades a shimmering yet deeply human story about aging, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to redefine happiness.

In the kingdom of Foreverness, three princesses Neve, Della, and Bry have lived the kind of lives that legends are made of. But thirty years into their “happily ever after,” the crown feels heavier than it once did. Neve dreads her destined role as queen, haunted by past trauma; Della struggles to accept that beauty, once her currency, is fading; and Bry, ever the pleaser, is exhausted by perfection. When the king dies unexpectedly, each woman is forced to confront not only the illusion of the ideal life they’ve built, but the deeper truth of who they’ve become.

Safrey’s storytelling is at once lush and introspective, balancing fairy-tale magic with emotional realism. Her prose carries the weight of time and the tenderness of understanding an ode to women who have lived, lost, and learned that love and fulfillment do not always follow a royal script.

A moving and empowering read, After Happily Ever reminds us that happily ever after isn’t an ending it’s the beginning of becoming.

Perfect for readers of The Once and Future Witches and Lessons in Chemistry, this novel redefines what it means to live bravely, age gracefully, and love truly.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing changes in Foreverness-that's why it's called that. Three young fairy tale princesses, Della (Cinderella) Bry (Briar Rose) and Neve (Snow White), were rescued years ago by the Charming brothers and one was to become Queen when their husband's father died. They were given anything they could think they wanted, and led perfect lives as shining examples of womanhood, Neve being a stellar educated scholar, Della, a master fashion influencer, and Bry the ultimate party planner.
But cracks are starting to develop in the kingdom, brought on by the king's death. When Neve becomes Queen, she has to conquer her fear of being murdered again in the forest where she was sent by her evil step-mother. Della has to let go of her ideas of perfection and acknowledge that her marriage is compromised. And Bry has to realize that her ideas are powerful, especially when she listens to other women. They must get the new king to listen to them and grow his country, or watch it wither and die.
This is an enjoyable read that spools out slowly as fairy tales often do, but quickens the pace as the princesses find ways to be relevant to their people. The author imagined a way forward after the traditional fairy tale ending for her characters which was hopeful and fulfilling, and a reason to always keep the book open.

[Kate W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, what DID "happily ever after" mean? Call me cynical, but even when I heard the stories of women whose every problem was solved by a kiss, I was suspicious. I'm delighted to discover that I wasn't alone, and that funny, insightful writers like Jennifer Safrey had their eye on reality.

In this story, Snow White (Neve), Sleeping Beauty (Bry), and Cinderella (Della) are married to the "Charming brothers". All are living a life of opulence and luxury, but the men have personalities beyond their charm and (now waning) good looks, and the women are lugging childhood damage into their midlife crises. The challenges the princesses face are familiar to today's non-princesses: a cheating husband; anxiety about the impact of age on physical appearance; a lack of voice in the running of their lives and their kingdoms; fear of death; the suffocating limits of always needing to be nice and pretty. After the king's death, each princess must confront and overcome the obstacles that block her from becoming her authentic self...which in one case means literally running with the wolves (thank you Clarissa Pinkola Estes).

A timely and moving tale of what it means for a woman to embrace her free and wild nature and to insist that her voice be heard.

[Roberta Lerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced arc of this book, I loved it! Author Jennifer Safrey's After Happily Ever is a refreshing, witty and engaging story that reimagines the lives of of the faery tale princesses we all grew up with and loved, now grown up and thirty plus years after there supposed happily-ever-afters. Their story follows these three now middle-aged princesses, Neve, Della and Bry who must navigate personal struggles, aging and power shifts after the sudden death of their kingdoms king.

Jenifer Safrey is a masterful storyteller who blends humor, compelling twists, and strong character development into a tale that kept me Turing the pages. Her characters are not just well-developed but also deeply relatable, offering a fresh perspective on midlife empowerment and reinvention. This story weaves them of female friendship, personal growth and the true nature of magic and love. With a most satisfying conclusion, After Happily Ever is a must-read for anyone who loves reimagined fairy tales substance and humor. This novel delivers all all fronts. I highly recommend.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Ever wonder what happened to princesses Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella after Happily Ever After?

In the fairy tales we leave off when the women are young and they are newlyweds and happy. But what could life be like for them as middle aged women?

The three princesses here called Neve, Briar (Bri) and Della are the middle aged versions of the princesses mentioned above in the book. They all married the Charming brothers, with Neve’s husband being the oldest and making her the future Queen. They also all live in the kingdom where the Charmings rule. The story starts off when King Charming dies and how this affects the 3 princesses and their families. We also learn more about the princes and the family dynamics and how this affects their lives in the Kingdom.

It brings to light some unsettling revelations of happenings in the Kingdom that the women stunned by and wonder how to deal with them.

I loved the 3 princesses, three very strong women and their stories. Highly recommended.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating continuation of classic fairy tale processes and what happens after the initial moment that supposedly leads to happily ever after. In middle age and at the death of the king, the princesses realize that the women of the land (and themselves) are not actually happy and perfect like the ruler of Foreverness thought they were. Faced with the prospect that the new King Brockton plans to keep the status quo, all three princesses seek to figure out what changes need to happen in their lives and the land and what their role should be.

Overall, this was a creative way to push against the idea of happily ever after and gender roles, expectations, and power. Through each princess, we see a different response from them and their husbands, especially to the idea of them asserting their opinions, taking action, and generally no longer being subservient to men. I liked how other fairy tale figures were included at times and how this book can also serve as some social commentary on American society today.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a reader of the fantasy genre, at all. That said, this is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed. Three princesses, all married to the princes Charming of Foreverness, charmed into marriage in their youth, now facing the most important midlife question. How will they take back their power and become the women they are meant to be? Drawing on our favorite fairy tales of Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, Jennifer Safrey questions women’s social roles, which demand perfection, and advocates for social justice for all women, and she does all this by creating complex characters, parts of whom we can identify in ourselves and friends. The story sparkles. Safrey’s prose sparkles. And, as in any fairytale worth its sparkle, actual sparkles are sprinkled throughout. While delivering the real goods behind the process by which women struggle for freedom and liberation, "After Happily Ever" is so much fun! I recommend it. You will love it!

[Sh Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, a book comes along that completely knocks you off your feet—and this was one of them. Safrey delivers a brilliant, biting, and wickedly entertaining tale in this story of three princesses facing their own royal reckonings.

From the very first page, I was hooked. This book made me laugh, it made me angry, and at times it had me ready to grab the special pitchfork I keep in the shed. Safrey’s writing is sharp and captivating, and her ability to weave together the lives of multiple main characters, each with a distinct, powerful voice, is nothing short of masterful. Bry, Della, and Neve each shine in their own right, and their midlife journeys are both hilarious and deeply moving.

I couldn’t put it down. This is the kind of book that has you eating meals one-handed, sneaking in pages between tasks, and staying up far too late just to see what happens next.

Brava. Safrey has crafted something truly unforgettable here.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens after “and they lived happily ever after” at the end of the fairy tale? Especially 30 years on, when the not-so-charming princes and their brides are all heading into middle age? The three princesses in this story (better known to us as Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty) face some very modern problems: infidelity, fading looks, infertility, the need to be a people pleaser, spouses resistant to change especially in their wives, a new society where people want to step outside assigned gender roles and be treated fairly. Plus, the princesses’ own stories have been rewritten to cast the princes in the best possible light, and the whole awakened-with-a-kiss thing turns out to be a pile of crap. Will appeal to readers who enjoy strong female characters and a new version of old fairy tales.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best possible way. After Happily Ever takes the fairy tale endings we thought we knew and peels back the layers to reveal something far more honest, raw, and empowering. Neve, Della, and Bry aren’t just princesses—they’re women reckoning with aging, identity, duty, and the quiet dissatisfaction that can settle in even the most “perfect” lives.

What I loved most was how the story treats midlife not as an ending, but as a powerful reawakening. Each character’s journey is unique, but all are deeply relatable, especially for anyone who’s ever wondered, is this all there is?

Witty, smart, and full of heart, this novel made me laugh, reflect, and root hard for each woman to find her own version of freedom. A beautifully written reminder that happily-ever-after is not a destination, it’s something we keep rewriting as we grow.

[Tracy Zamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feelings are mixed. Overall the book is well written, stories reimagined and thought provoking. I’m still processing it. At the heart of things, the traditional fairy tales are sacred, stories of overcoming danger and hardships, finding the good in people and yes, love. I think what I didn’t like about the reimagining was suggesting that the stories that were passed down were somehow misstated, really, Prince Charming tripped and accidentally kissed and awoke Snow White?? Why couldn’t what had happened be true and yet there is “more” to the story in the reimagining. The bottom line is, the book is worth reading. The ending is well done. There is always hope and power in women supporting women for the greater good. It isn’t about the crown on your head, it’s using your position and your compassion to make life better for all; women and men.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK this wasn't the deepest thing I've read this year, but it was definitely one of the most fun! Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella marry their Princes Charming--literally, they are 3 brothers with the last name Charming--and live happily ever after in Foreverness, the perfect kingdom.
Except, is it really perfect? The princesses are now middle-aged, and when their father-in-law, the King, dies, it suddenly occurs to each of them in different ways that it kind of sucks to be a woman in Foreverness, even if you are a princess. Delightful little romp in which the princesses must do a feminism. If you love fairy tale retellings, and especially if you are no longer quite so young and naive, this is a very fun little book.

[Karin Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this. I am a woman of a certain age who still enjoys fairytales, fantasy, and stories with magic. So it's refreshing to read a book in this genre where women our age get to be a valued part of the kingdom without being relegated to bitter and jealous stepmother, as if that was the only thing possible between innocent ingenue and wise old crone. The story beautifully treats how three icons, Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, learn to find their place and value in the world now that they are no longer young and the first greys are streaking their hair. Each has her own journey to finding her power, and these journeys are satisfying, still magical, and not condescending. Recommend.