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Branches of Past and Future #4

Zero Happily Ever Afters

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Dorian’s moving into his final semester with his homeroom coven, doing his best to prepare them for their third-year internships. After the events of last semester—the life lost and the futures altered—Dorian grapples with the role his magic played in that ordeal, and he’s determined to finally master the full extent of his telepathy.

Meanwhile, Milo officially joins the ranks of the Global Guild and works with the most elite witches in the world to track the deadliest threat ever to cross his path. A witch unlike any other. A witch capable of more destruction than the countless warlocks, demons, and devils that the great Enchanter Evergreen has faced in his career. A witch determined to shatter every happy ending.

In order for Milo to ensure the happiest ever after that ever aftered, he’ll have to help the Global Guild detain this new danger while preventing former enemies at home from resurfacing. As old visions return, new potential futures form, and Dorian must do everything in his power to protect his students from the worst possible outcome.

423 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2025

12 people are currently reading
166 people want to read

About the author

M.N. Bennet

11 books371 followers
MN Bennet is a high school teacher, writer, and reader. He lives in the Midwest, still adjusting to the cold after being born and raised in the South.

He enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy stories with huge worlds (sometimes too big), loveable romances (with so much angst and banter), and Happily Ever Afters (once he’s dragged his characters through some emotional turmoil).

When he’s not balancing classes, writing, or reading, he can be found binge watching anime or replaying Baldur's Gate 3 for the millionth time.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Meagan (FranticVampireReads).
803 reviews53 followers
December 6, 2025
…………. 4.5 stars ………….

Okay, so this was not the turn I was expecting for this series to take. But I’m all for it! I loved the new addition to Dorian and Milo’s little family. And I loved that Dorian was so committed to protecting his students at any cost and also making sure that they’re set for their internships and their future careers in the guild industry. Also, the fact that he cared so much for this particular class that they’re basically his kids, is something that makes my heart so happy. I also loved that we got to see Dorian embracing and learning to use his full psychic abilities, even if that growth did happen at one of the worst possible times. Not to mention that Dorian made some choices right at the end of this book that had Kill Bill sirens ringing in my head. But, I’m really excited to see how his choices will play out in the next book. Zero Happily Ever Afters is getting four and a half stars!
Profile Image for Gregg.
170 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2025
You mean I have to wait for the final book?! After that?! I mean, I'll do it but I won't be happy about it. I ADORED Milo and Dorian in this book, the way their relationship has developed over the span of the series. Not only them but Dorian's home room coven too, the diversity of all of them and their different magics. Everyone has come a long way (looking at you Dorian and Kenzo) in their character developments and I couldn't be happier.
1 review
January 20, 2025
Got an advanced copy of this from the author and I couldn't help but devour the book! I have followed Milo and Dorian's story since book 1 of the Branches Series (Three Meant To Be). This book had 3 new villains enter the story as well as 3 new heroes! Talk about a LOT in a 4th book in a series! MN did an EMMACULATE job weaving together the established characters with the new ones! I was riveted from page 1! Seeing Dorian's growth as a teacher, friend, lover and person has been SO fun to read. This book solidified (for me) the entire world MN has been creating for the last 3 books. Admittedly the first couple were slow starting, and had LOTS of world building and background information, and the last 75-ish pages is where everything came to a head! I remember thinking OK something HAS to happen here, but I got further and further in the book and no BBEG or battle! Finally it all came together, with epic fights, twists and resolutions some how! Book 4 got to the action (and the spicy action) Right away! The plot built and there was an epic battle and then there was still plenty of the book left for resolution and setting up of the next 1-2 books in the series! I personally love MN's writing style, his realistic honest and raw character struggles really hit home with me and is probably a big reason I can read any of these books in no time flat! Honestly I could have had MORE of the battle with the 'True Witch' and Theodore. I found myself having to re-read some of the battle scenes because I felt like I had missed something in them because it seemed it was wrapping up too quickly, I legit thought I had skipped like 10 pages. Upon re-reading it just turns out that the resolution for the battle really did just happen that quickly! I have no qualms with that, I was just a little sad I didn't get to see more of the bad ass side of Dorian! Though I loved that this time HE was the one doing the saving all alone! It felt... right. I am SO so so excited for the final few chapters to this series, though heart broken knowing the series will come to an end! I hope MN considers spin offs from some of the characters! Either the new villains or some of the home room kids as adults! Shoot-- I would LOVE to see a prequel with Finn, Dorian and Milo entering the guild world! I love Finn, the character who is not even really in the books at all most of all I think! Looking forward to more from the Branches series! If you've followed the Homeroom Covens, Milo and Dorian, you will NOT want to miss out on the newest book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jarrod Murrell.
164 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2025
Zero Happily Evers picks up not long after the events of One Has to Die, in the wake of the destruction Dorian’s Doppler has caused, in the preparation of Milo’s first mission as part of The Global Guild, and as the school is starting back for Gemini Academy.

As Dorian attempts to juggle the visions floating in his mind, set loose after the Dopplers damage, he must prepare his homeroom for the Second Year showcase, where they fight to impress the guilds in the hopes of gaining an internship for their third year at the academy.

Milo, on the other hand is trying to track down The True Witch after she leaves an entire town wiped out, with only one survivor. He must work with the Global Guild to find her before she can cause more destruction.

I’ve really enjoyed each book in this series, and to be honest as I was reading this one I thought it may have been the last part. But it is not!

Seeing how each of Dorian’s students have grown between books, discovering more about themselves and their magic, watching the relationship between Dorian and Milo grow, and Dorian embracing more of his power helps to keep the stories fresh and flowing.

I will say though, there were parts where I wasn’t sure if Milo’s mission was relevant and maybe felt it could have been a dual POV? But that may have been done intentionally to keep you guessing 🤷🏻‍♂️

There were reveals on top of reveals here which I’m down for! Some new magic lore was explored, and an ending that I did not see coming but which has me excited for the next in the series now!

Thanks to @mnbennetauthor for the ARC, I definitely recommend picking up the first 3 in this series before Zero Happily Ever Afters is out on 10 March 2025
Profile Image for David Wickham.
652 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is not the last book in the series. I thought it was. Lots of action and spicy times. The only real issue I have with the book is that the author tells more than he shows. We have a scene where Tara is having a pool party at her family's estate. Dorian is observing the scene psychically from Milo's penthouse. The reader finds out what all the kids are doing at the party., Maybe if we got this scene, and a lot of others, first hand without Dorian basically spying on them, it would read better.

The kids are finishing up their second year and have another showcase for the magic guilds. Let's just say they're interrupted by some outsiders who just want to watch the world drown. We get a new big bad and she is truly the worst that Dorian and crew have faced up to this point. She can kill thousands of people at once with her magic. She goes by the name The True Witch. She and her crew rescue Theo Whitlock from where he was being held for trial. They go after the kids at the showcase. Milo, along with his Global Guild cohorts, save the day, but not after the school is destroyed.

I'm just like this is a great story and we get Dorian and Milo expressing undying devotions of love to each other. I was really waiting for a marriage proposal-next time? I get to the last chapter and boom. I'm in shock with what the author drops on us. No spoilers so you have to read the book!

We get probably two more books to close out the kids' third year. I'm getting emotionally attached to these characters and that's something I generally don't do. This has turned out to be a much better series than I ever expected.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,827 reviews53 followers
February 3, 2025
Zero Happily Ever Afters is book four in M.N. Bennet's ongoing Branches of Past and Future series and I am not going to lie, I thought it was going to be the last book but it turns out I was wrong and I am not entirely sure how I feel about it.
There is a lot going on in this book, and it is hard to describe much of the plot without giving spoilers for the earlier books but I will do what I can. The series follows Dorian, a teacher in a school for magical teens, and in this instalment he is doing his best to prepare them for the showcases that will help them find internships for the following year. I love so many of the students and it was great to see their growth in this book. We also see quite a bit of growth in Dorian's telepathic powers and his ability to handle them. Meanwhile Milo, Dorian's boyfriend, joins a group of elite witches who protect the world from evil just in time for them to face the most dangerous threat they have ever encountered.
This is a series that already has a large cast of characters and we are introduced to several new ones i n this book. While I was intrigued by these new characters, I have to say that I missed spending more time with the classroom characters, it feels like as the series is expanding it is moving away from some of the things I liked most about the first couple of books in the series. There is also a lot of plot, many threads that weave together to create a dramatic final showdown leaving me curious about what is planned next. Because there is so much happening plot wise it felt like the book got a little bogged down at points and then the ending seemed to be over very quickly. I understand that expanding a series like this four books in is a bit of a delicate balancing act and while I am not sure it fully succeeded I think it did enough to keep me reading.
3.5stars rounded up
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ana  Nimity.
1,303 reviews63 followers
February 1, 2025
I've truly enjoyed this series, and this installment is no exception. While it’s not a traditional boy-meets-boy, boy-falls-in-love-with-boy romance, the evolution of Dorian and Milo’s relationship—along with Finn’s place in it—has been deeply satisfying.

As Zero Happily Ever Afters begins, it seems like smooth sailing for the pair, but as the title suggests, things are far from easy. Rest assured, there *is* a happy ending, but getting there is anything but simple—and it’s clear this isn’t the end of their journey. This book places more focus on the relationship than the previous ones (which **must** be read in order), but there’s still plenty of interaction with the students. Honestly, I’d read about them even without the adult romance. I just love Kenzo, Gael and King Clucks, Caleb, and the rest of the gang. Watching them grow, step into their power, and seeing Dorian’s pride in them is one of the best parts of the series.

That said, I did feel the book dragged a bit in the middle and could have been tightened up. At 444 pages (per Amazon), it didn’t *need* to be that long. But that’s a minor gripe—the story is still engaging, and the characters are as wonderful as ever.

If you haven’t started this series yet and want something with magic that feels truly unique, The Branches of Past and Future series is worth a read—starting from book one. And if you’ve been following along but are on the fence about this installment (though I don’t know how that’s possible), you should absolutely dive in.

Profile Image for Ivan.
275 reviews
April 27, 2025
After four books I'm still getting more and more invested in this world.

Dorian has become someone I look forward to meeting again every time a new book comes out. I love spending time with him and seeing the world through his eyes. His eyes that look to the world with despair but still trying to make beautiful moments happen. In the fourth book I feel like his darkness is lifting more and more, enjoying life as much as he can. However not everyone wants him to become happier and a lot of dark things happened in this book once again. But Milo is there, he always is, and god is it good to have him with us.

This book starts off when everything seems kind of already moving towards that happily ever after. But when things slowly get out of control and dangerous things are happening I am once again at the edge of my seat (although I never sit and always lay down reading XD). Bennet writes fighting and high intensity scenes so so well and I keep coming back to his books for them. I enjoy them so much, they are clear, have good speed of momentum and keeps the tension of the moment just right.

And then we have all the kids. The kids who have been my phone lockscreen for the past half year since I read book 3. They are Dorian's kids, but at this point they're mine too. I am so invested in each of them and damn if they won't grow up into happy adults one day I'll throw a fit (sorry not sorry). But while we're not there yet it was so good to see them growing into adults more and more. Making big decisions and maturing. I can't wait to see what's more in store for them.

Someday Dorian will have his happily ever after, and bet you I will be there with him right at the end.


I received this eARC and this was my honest review.
Profile Image for Piper.
1,775 reviews22 followers
February 18, 2025
This is the 4th book in the Branches of The Past Series.

We are following Dorain on from the tragic end of the last book.  I love seeing how Dorain, despite his challenges, is coping with his vision as they are set loose, as well as how he is preparing his homeroom for upcoming showcase. His resilience is truly inspiring.

Then we have Milo. He is a fun character and is on a mission to hunt down The True Witch as she just wiped a town off the map. So now he is working with the Global Guild to stop her before more destruction happens. 
This series is a fantastic journey of growth for all the characters. Some are more suitable than others, but they all evolve in their own ways. As they discover themselves, it's a thrill to witness their magic and personalities expand.
As always, Gael and King Clucks bring a burst of laughter to the story. Their fun and vibrant personalities leap off the pages, making them a joy to read about.

#BranchesOfThePast #BookSeries #FantasyReads #CharacterDevelopment #Dorain #Milo #TrueWitch #GlobalGuild #Magic #Inspiration #Gael #KingClucks #BookLovers #Resilience #Adventure
Profile Image for Thibaut Nicodème.
605 reviews134 followers
May 5, 2025
With a title like that i can't believe it's not the final book. I forced myself just for a cliffhanger, and worse, now i still want to know the end lol.

This book is just endlessly frustrating to me. I can see the construction, can see why it is the way it is. Maybe the whole series needed another round of editing. Maybe of we hadn't wasted two books on the same (still nameless!) demon it would feel more meaningful that theodore whitlock is somehow the crucial antagonist after all. I don't know. I don't feel like spending more of my time doing a detailed analysis.

I will say, one of the weakest points of books 2-4 was that they didn't seem to know how to marry the school part and the magic superhero part, so at least having dorian walk away from teaching might help resolve that. So i'm not as pessimistic about book five (but now i dread the potential of a book six, since the TBC says fall semester).

On the other hand, it is weird that dorian quitting teaching is presented as a sort of culmination for him. Very "those who can't do, teach" of an author who is himself a fellow teacher. Probably unintended but still sort of there.
Profile Image for Bookworm Queenager.
17 reviews
June 12, 2025
It is impossible to stop reading this series. The book captivated me, however, I thought that the fourth part was the final one, but it turns out that we have two more semesters to go. This is great news!

A new danger threatens not only Dorian and Milo, but also all the inhabitants of the country, and the whole world. A formidable enemy appears on the scene, about which Dorian's subconscious is trying to warn. The global threat forces Milo to look for new comrades in arms. I really liked all the members of the Global Guild, who were introduced in this volume, as well as very inventive villains. The author manages to keep you in suspense, while diluting the narrative with a description of the tender relationship between Dorian and Milo.

I will definitely be looking forward to the continuation, and in the meantime I will get acquainted with other books by the author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,097 reviews520 followers
May 22, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars


I’m so invested in this world M.N. Bennet has created in this Branches of Past and Future series. It’s complex and in depth, the characters are engaging and real, and the threats enough to make my heart pound for these imaginary people on the page. This series also must be read in order to follow the overarching story.

This book is another winner for me. While I thought the pacing was off at just a few moments, it’s overall a great addition to the series. Bennet is a master at creating immersive worlds and characters the readers care about. I can’t wait to see where this series takes us next.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.



Profile Image for Kristi.
438 reviews
March 17, 2025
Wow! Ok, so first of all, I went into this book thinking it was the last one of the series. I genuinely thought that until about 40 pages from the end.🤦‍♀️ It was really good, and the villains were so bad that it was entirely plausible to me that this was the big finale. So. I loved the growth of all the characters in this one. The students, Milo, and especially Dorian. I loved watching their relationship solidify with real feelings expressed to each other. And Dorian’s expanded knowledge of his magic was fantastic. The new characters introduced were lots of fun (ok, except for grouchy old man), and I’m excited to see what happens with the youngest one. (Trying to avoid spoilers.) Can’t wait for book 5! High angst, medium-high heat, HFN.
Profile Image for Sara Irons.
415 reviews7 followers
January 13, 2025
Dorian and his students are in for another wild ride during this semester. Milo has big things happening within the Guild that keeps him away but Dorian finds a way to stay close.

This is a slow burn romance with lots of action involved. There are a few steamy parts that require an 18+ age rating.

Very well put together story with wonderful characters and some top notch world building.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,843 reviews
February 20, 2025
I was so pleased that this last installment still had plenty of action and paranormal elements going on but concentrated more on the relationships. Especially more intimate times emotionally and physically with Dorian and Milo. I was also invested in all the students and enjoyed seeing where some of them ended up. We ended in a great place but still open for more magic just in case!
Profile Image for Sami.
34 reviews
December 28, 2025
Loved this book just as much as the others in the series but I would have loved to see more of Dorian in action and being powerful, like throwing magic around knocking people over vibes. This book was still a great read, however I think it’d be cool for the students to actually see their teacher in action or something and not just him as a silent observer.
188 reviews
March 13, 2025
Like this author. Reading a series. Many stories only repeat old information. This author mixes in enough new information. Will continue reading this author. (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Profile Image for Joscelyn Smith.
2,304 reviews17 followers
March 14, 2025
Another fantastic rollercoaster ride. This cast of characters can't seem to get any downtime, just when things seem to be settling down trouble once again rears its head. A highly engaging addition to the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by BookSirens*
Profile Image for Jess.
269 reviews
April 29, 2025
Each installment gets better and better.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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