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A Fairy Tale Romp #1
Wickedly Ever After
In this (delightfully screwball) fairy tale romp, even the most wicked deserve their happily-ever-after.
For almost a thousand years, Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North have maintained the balance of good and evil, preserving a magical Happily-Ever-After that keeps the realm from falling apart. But even Cardinal Witches need a hobby, and every spare moment they have is spent antagonizing each other. But when Ida's latest "harmless" hex goes too far, Hector retaliates with a curse that immediately backfires, making her choose the wrong princess for the year's big pantomime.
Which, if not corrected immediately, could have world-shaking consequences.
One reluctant prince and badly botched dragon kidnapping later, both Hector and Ida are determined to set things right. With love magic gone wild, the two best enemies set off on a quest to save the realm, their lovesick gnome chamberlains at their sides. Yet as they unravel what went wrong with their mixed-up magic, Hector and Ida will have to face a more daunting challenge than trying to avoid their own
Deciding whether a millennium worth of enmity might have been the biggest mistake of their very long lives.
For almost a thousand years, Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North have maintained the balance of good and evil, preserving a magical Happily-Ever-After that keeps the realm from falling apart. But even Cardinal Witches need a hobby, and every spare moment they have is spent antagonizing each other. But when Ida's latest "harmless" hex goes too far, Hector retaliates with a curse that immediately backfires, making her choose the wrong princess for the year's big pantomime.
Which, if not corrected immediately, could have world-shaking consequences.
One reluctant prince and badly botched dragon kidnapping later, both Hector and Ida are determined to set things right. With love magic gone wild, the two best enemies set off on a quest to save the realm, their lovesick gnome chamberlains at their sides. Yet as they unravel what went wrong with their mixed-up magic, Hector and Ida will have to face a more daunting challenge than trying to avoid their own
Deciding whether a millennium worth of enmity might have been the biggest mistake of their very long lives.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2025
37 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
About the author
R. Lee Fryar
5 books39 followersR. Lee Fryar is a writer from the River Valley region of Arkansas. She writes paranormal romance and fantasy. Most of the time, there’s kissing in it. When she isn’t writing, she is a bad gardener, a slightly better watercolor artist, and a pretty decent cook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 20, 2025
This was such a fun, sweet, and unique fantasy romance!
For nearly a thousand years, rival witches Hector West and Ida North have kept the kingdom in balance by maintaining a Happily-Ever-After enchantment and constantly hexing each other for fun. But when a magical mix-up sends the wrong princess after the wrong dragon, the two enemies must team up (with their lovesick gnomes in tow) to fix the chaos... and face the unsettling truth that their ancient magic might’ve been a mistake all along.
I'll admit, the beginning was pretty slow. Around 40% of the book is dedicated to introducing the world, the characters, and all the magical rules. It was definitely necessary to set everything up, but it could drag at times. The middle also loses a bit of momentum during the journey to a particular destination, but the pace picks up again once they get there.
The worldbuilding was excellent, though! There’s an incredible amount of detail, from magical rules and fantastical creatures to paparazzi and gossip columns. It’s like every fairytale got thrown into a cauldron together, and somehow the result works. I also really appreciated the humor throughout! The tone is silly and lighthearted, but never shallow, and the jokes consistently landed.
There are multiple romances in this book (about half of them LGBTQ+), and I was surprisingly invested in all of them. I usually only care about the main couple, but each subplot had its own charm. Honestly, the dragon and the gnomes had a better love story than the witches. The dragon’s romance in particular was adorable, even if it was fairly predictable. That’s true for a lot of the book: you can often guess what’s supposed to happen, and then just know the opposite will happen.
Ida and Hector’s romance is sweet, though I did find their transition from mutual loathing to love a bit sudden. Still, they’ve known each other for centuries, and the shift isn’t completely linear. They bicker, argue, and banter all the way through. I also really liked that they’re both described as older, with greying hair and creaky joints. It’s refreshing to see a romance between characters who aren’t in their twenties!
Overall, Wickedly Ever After is a silly, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartwarming read. It’s a little slow and a bit predictable in places, but the creativity, humor, and cozy charm more than make up for it! If you're in the mood for a whimsical, fairytale-infused fantasy romance with heart, humor, and gnome matchmaking, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
For nearly a thousand years, rival witches Hector West and Ida North have kept the kingdom in balance by maintaining a Happily-Ever-After enchantment and constantly hexing each other for fun. But when a magical mix-up sends the wrong princess after the wrong dragon, the two enemies must team up (with their lovesick gnomes in tow) to fix the chaos... and face the unsettling truth that their ancient magic might’ve been a mistake all along.
I'll admit, the beginning was pretty slow. Around 40% of the book is dedicated to introducing the world, the characters, and all the magical rules. It was definitely necessary to set everything up, but it could drag at times. The middle also loses a bit of momentum during the journey to a particular destination, but the pace picks up again once they get there.
The worldbuilding was excellent, though! There’s an incredible amount of detail, from magical rules and fantastical creatures to paparazzi and gossip columns. It’s like every fairytale got thrown into a cauldron together, and somehow the result works. I also really appreciated the humor throughout! The tone is silly and lighthearted, but never shallow, and the jokes consistently landed.
There are multiple romances in this book (about half of them LGBTQ+), and I was surprisingly invested in all of them. I usually only care about the main couple, but each subplot had its own charm. Honestly, the dragon and the gnomes had a better love story than the witches. The dragon’s romance in particular was adorable, even if it was fairly predictable. That’s true for a lot of the book: you can often guess what’s supposed to happen, and then just know the opposite will happen.
Ida and Hector’s romance is sweet, though I did find their transition from mutual loathing to love a bit sudden. Still, they’ve known each other for centuries, and the shift isn’t completely linear. They bicker, argue, and banter all the way through. I also really liked that they’re both described as older, with greying hair and creaky joints. It’s refreshing to see a romance between characters who aren’t in their twenties!
Overall, Wickedly Ever After is a silly, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartwarming read. It’s a little slow and a bit predictable in places, but the creativity, humor, and cozy charm more than make up for it! If you're in the mood for a whimsical, fairytale-infused fantasy romance with heart, humor, and gnome matchmaking, this one’s worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!
September 15, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'Wickedly Ever After' by R. Lee Fryar is a magical tale of two rival witches struggling to maintain balance and save the 'Happily Ever After', while they start having feelings for one another.
The book feels like the Shrek movies, as the author combines tropes from fairy tales to create a wondeland with an adult spin. However, that adult spin didn't fit well sometimes and felt out of place.
The twist on the classical 'Happily Ever After' was an interesting one, moreover, and it was nice to read a new view on the well known outcomes.
However, much of the action happened off page, and it was not easy to get engaged with the love stories and the lore, especially since the characters seemed to know things that the reader did not, but failed to fill us in nevertheless, keeping us in the dark for most of the story.
The writing, finally, was light and entertaining and the characters endearing.
'Wickedly Ever After' by R. Lee Fryar is a magical tale of two rival witches struggling to maintain balance and save the 'Happily Ever After', while they start having feelings for one another.
The book feels like the Shrek movies, as the author combines tropes from fairy tales to create a wondeland with an adult spin. However, that adult spin didn't fit well sometimes and felt out of place.
The twist on the classical 'Happily Ever After' was an interesting one, moreover, and it was nice to read a new view on the well known outcomes.
However, much of the action happened off page, and it was not easy to get engaged with the love stories and the lore, especially since the characters seemed to know things that the reader did not, but failed to fill us in nevertheless, keeping us in the dark for most of the story.
The writing, finally, was light and entertaining and the characters endearing.
January 6, 2026
This was too long and boring. It felt like the romance started happening too soon and kind of out of nowhere. They suddenly decided that they were attracted to eachother because they shared a bed. Other romances were more interesting than the main character's and I wish we would have gotten other perspectives to see what was going on with everyone else.
September 16, 2025
3.5 Stars
Wickedly Ever After is the story about a good witch and a wicked witch working together over a thousand years to see balance throughout the lands by ensuring fairy tale Happily-Ever-Afters continue. Apparently they reign in the royalty, stop wars, bring peace and allow for all kinds of social reform - until they don't. Suddenly, carefully laid plans and roles played by rote are thrown out the window and the two witches need to join forces to figure out who, what, why, where and how things went so awry in order to fix it...but can they? And SHOULD they?
There was a lot I liked about this but still things I didn't. The world was whimsical, charming, a bit dirty and often very funny. I loved a lot of the fairy tale reimaginings and subtle nods to well-known stories (i.e Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, etc). The antagonism between Hector and Ida was fun, as was the dynamic between Tinbit and Hari, and the Happily-Ever-After blowing out of control was a good time. I kind of guessed what was going to happen along the way and hardly anything surprised me beyond a couple of lighter reveals toward the end (which seemed to pop out of nowhere for no real reason).
I think the pacing of this ended up feeling quite off - things took a long time to get going in the beginning only to race through the character development and plot resolution that it felt sort of unsatisfying by the end. Quite a few things were just told to us through the salacious gossip headlines too so it felt like we didn't actually see most of it.
I did have a good time regardless and am keen to see where this world could go - there's a lot of potential here.
Wickedly Ever After is the story about a good witch and a wicked witch working together over a thousand years to see balance throughout the lands by ensuring fairy tale Happily-Ever-Afters continue. Apparently they reign in the royalty, stop wars, bring peace and allow for all kinds of social reform - until they don't. Suddenly, carefully laid plans and roles played by rote are thrown out the window and the two witches need to join forces to figure out who, what, why, where and how things went so awry in order to fix it...but can they? And SHOULD they?
There was a lot I liked about this but still things I didn't. The world was whimsical, charming, a bit dirty and often very funny. I loved a lot of the fairy tale reimaginings and subtle nods to well-known stories (i.e Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, etc). The antagonism between Hector and Ida was fun, as was the dynamic between Tinbit and Hari, and the Happily-Ever-After blowing out of control was a good time. I kind of guessed what was going to happen along the way and hardly anything surprised me beyond a couple of lighter reveals toward the end (which seemed to pop out of nowhere for no real reason).
I think the pacing of this ended up feeling quite off - things took a long time to get going in the beginning only to race through the character development and plot resolution that it felt sort of unsatisfying by the end. Quite a few things were just told to us through the salacious gossip headlines too so it felt like we didn't actually see most of it.
I did have a good time regardless and am keen to see where this world could go - there's a lot of potential here.
May 3, 2025
Wickedly Ever After is one of the weirdest fantasy romances I’ve read in a while. It’s essentially the story of a prank war between Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North gone wrong, endangering the Happily-Ever-After of their entire realm. The story is set in a world cobbled together out of mismatched fantasy and fairy tale tropes that shockingly blend together smoothly. The characters are quirky and sometimes mischievous. The story as a whole is upbeat and engaging to read. There are several romances in the book, and a handful of them are LGBTQIA+ diverse. It’s also notable that the two primary romantic leads are old. Ida and Hector are both over 1000 years old, they act like elderly characters, and they are described as having greying hair and aching joints. Full of offbeat humor and silly shenanigans, this whimsical fantasy romance is sure to delight fans of Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis or Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer.
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with an ARC!
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with an ARC!
August 23, 2025
[ ARC REVIEW ]
First thoughts:
I so hate when I hate an ARC. I desperately wanted to like it. I did. But I leave honest reviews, and the truth is I wanted to be done with this book after the first 10%. Unfortunately, I made myself finish it. It’s a mess. I couldn’t for the life of me get myself to care about the main characters. They really don’t have any redeeming qualities. The way they treated Tinbit and Hari made them irredeemable in my eyes early on. Someone you care about is happy and in love and you do everything you can to force them apart?? Pretty much say “suck it up and move on”?
The romance was nearly nonexistent. Tinbit and Hari were much more romantic than the two main characters. Where’s the yearning? The tension?
Why do the main characters have no personality?
The truth is, I’m not a fan of this book, but I’m grateful to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me the opportunity to give it a try anyway.
First thoughts:
I so hate when I hate an ARC. I desperately wanted to like it. I did. But I leave honest reviews, and the truth is I wanted to be done with this book after the first 10%. Unfortunately, I made myself finish it. It’s a mess. I couldn’t for the life of me get myself to care about the main characters. They really don’t have any redeeming qualities. The way they treated Tinbit and Hari made them irredeemable in my eyes early on. Someone you care about is happy and in love and you do everything you can to force them apart?? Pretty much say “suck it up and move on”?
The romance was nearly nonexistent. Tinbit and Hari were much more romantic than the two main characters. Where’s the yearning? The tension?
Why do the main characters have no personality?
The truth is, I’m not a fan of this book, but I’m grateful to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me the opportunity to give it a try anyway.
June 14, 2025
This was such a cute book. It really took every fairy tale and weaved them in expertly. The romance was frustrating in the best way possible!
August 26, 2025
I was super excited to be approved for this one, so thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This low stakes fantasy has some interesting world building, and I loved so many aspects of it. The story follows a Fairy Tale Happily Ever After gone wrong, and it’s up to the wicked witch of the west and the good witch of the north to fix it. The premise alone sounds great and it started off strong. I enjoyed the pranks and letters through the beginning, it laid a good foundation for us to understand Ida of the North and Hecter of the Wests relationship/rivalry.
However, through the middle, I wasn’t as invested as what I’d hoped. I felt like I was constantly waiting for Ida and Hector to get their act together, and their miscommunications were at times frustrating. Of all the romances going on in this book, I just wasn’t as interested in theirs and I found myself wishing for more of Amber and Allistair.
The ending did come good though, and everything was nicely resolved.
If you love light hearted but strange and mischievous books, then this one is for you.
This low stakes fantasy has some interesting world building, and I loved so many aspects of it. The story follows a Fairy Tale Happily Ever After gone wrong, and it’s up to the wicked witch of the west and the good witch of the north to fix it. The premise alone sounds great and it started off strong. I enjoyed the pranks and letters through the beginning, it laid a good foundation for us to understand Ida of the North and Hecter of the Wests relationship/rivalry.
However, through the middle, I wasn’t as invested as what I’d hoped. I felt like I was constantly waiting for Ida and Hector to get their act together, and their miscommunications were at times frustrating. Of all the romances going on in this book, I just wasn’t as interested in theirs and I found myself wishing for more of Amber and Allistair.
The ending did come good though, and everything was nicely resolved.
If you love light hearted but strange and mischievous books, then this one is for you.
September 28, 2025
BOTH HIGHS AND LOWS
I was not swept off my feet, but I was fairly entertained throughout.
What I Liked
👍Premise: My favourite part was definitely the premise of this story. Happily ever afters as a magical construct perpetuated by a wicked and a good witch? Magical!
What I didn't like
👎Pacing: The pacing felt off to me. I can't exactly put my finger in the reason why. I think it was a bit too slow at times. I ended up speed reading larger portions, because I got a little annoyed. My attention wasn't fully grabbed.
👎Repeat: Perhaps part of the pacing problem is connected to the two POVs. We hear from both Hector and Ida in each their own POV. However, a lot of what happens to them both, mirror each other almost one to one. It felt like a lot of the chapters were just repeat of what I had just read in the previous chapter from the other's POV. it definitely dragged the experience down.
👎Character voices: The chapters are narrated by Hector and Ida, our witches. One is good and the other is wicked. However, these differences weren't really highlighted enough in their voices. They should have been more distinct.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I was not swept off my feet, but I was fairly entertained throughout.
What I Liked
👍Premise: My favourite part was definitely the premise of this story. Happily ever afters as a magical construct perpetuated by a wicked and a good witch? Magical!
What I didn't like
👎Pacing: The pacing felt off to me. I can't exactly put my finger in the reason why. I think it was a bit too slow at times. I ended up speed reading larger portions, because I got a little annoyed. My attention wasn't fully grabbed.
👎Repeat: Perhaps part of the pacing problem is connected to the two POVs. We hear from both Hector and Ida in each their own POV. However, a lot of what happens to them both, mirror each other almost one to one. It felt like a lot of the chapters were just repeat of what I had just read in the previous chapter from the other's POV. it definitely dragged the experience down.
👎Character voices: The chapters are narrated by Hector and Ida, our witches. One is good and the other is wicked. However, these differences weren't really highlighted enough in their voices. They should have been more distinct.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2025
I wanted to like this book so badly. The premise was great. It just fell short. It's a play on happily ever after and fairy tales. In this one, the wicked witch of the west and the good witch of the north fall in love. There's a lot of things that happen before that occurs. It's an enemies to lovers's story, and that always stresses me out. If you love that kind of trope, then you might like this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and R Lee Fryar for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and R Lee Fryar for the opportunity to read this ARC.
August 5, 2025
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca and R. Lee Fryar for providing me with an ARC of this magical story!
This book was an absolute delight—warm, cosy, and full of charm. I finished it in just three days because I simply couldn’t put it down. The story was so imaginative and creative; I’ve honestly never read anything quite like it before!
The references to Disney and other fairy tale characters added an extra layer of magic that made the world feel familiar yet fresh. One of the standout aspects for me was the age of the main characters. The FMC and MMC are older than what you typically see in fantasy romances, which are usually focused on characters aged 18–25. Seeing mature protagonists was such a breath of fresh air and brought a unique perspective to the story.
There were so many moments that made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. I especially adored the two gnome sidekicks—they brought so much personality and humour to the narrative. I was never bored for a second, and I truly hope there’s a sequel set in this world. I’d return to it in a heartbeat!
This book was an absolute delight—warm, cosy, and full of charm. I finished it in just three days because I simply couldn’t put it down. The story was so imaginative and creative; I’ve honestly never read anything quite like it before!
The references to Disney and other fairy tale characters added an extra layer of magic that made the world feel familiar yet fresh. One of the standout aspects for me was the age of the main characters. The FMC and MMC are older than what you typically see in fantasy romances, which are usually focused on characters aged 18–25. Seeing mature protagonists was such a breath of fresh air and brought a unique perspective to the story.
There were so many moments that made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. I especially adored the two gnome sidekicks—they brought so much personality and humour to the narrative. I was never bored for a second, and I truly hope there’s a sequel set in this world. I’d return to it in a heartbeat!
October 6, 2025
this was a fun read to escape the horrors of the world for a few hours
Read
October 24, 2025dnf pg 26
i’m bored, it’s not queer. what else is new 🥲
i’m bored, it’s not queer. what else is new 🥲
July 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wickedly Ever After is a fun and deeply fantastical read, about a fairy tale land where two witches keep the peace between all the different groups (human nobility, human commoners, dragons, gnomes, ghouls, etc) by staging a theatrical magical event once-per-generation, the "Happily Ever After" where the prince marries a selected-by-committee commoner girl after rescuing her from a dragon (who is also in-on-the-act in exchange for a law which prohibits dragonslaying). The problem is, even after a thousand years, the witches in charge haven't considered what might happen if it doesn't go to plan...
What I loved:
-A Pratchett-esque sense of humour and desire to make a wider point about societal expectations.
-Gay pen pal gnomes, what more can I say?
-Romances for older characters, references made to arthritis and grey hair etc - it is refreshing to see a story with love and passion for older characters.
-Subverting expectations, for example, the enemies to lovers aspect of the story actually makes sense due to the magical events of the plot, so it feels a bit less contrived (despite using every single enemies to lovers trope going, which I usually don't enjoy).
-Blending literally dozens of references to other fairy tales and fantasies into one universe, this was done really well and made me smile.
-The first third or even half is very strong, well written and well paced.
-I liked the ending, it felt fitting and most characters got what they deserved!
What I might change:
-The alternating chapters between Ida and Hector didn't have to be 100% symmetrical all of the time. Sometimes events felt a bit repetitive because we had to get both of their personal perspectives every single time. I didn't feel this was necessary although both characters are charming enough that you more or less get away with it, especially early in the book.
-Similarly, there were ever so slightly too many "pushes and pulls", so it starts to feel contrived towards the end and the pace slows down. As everything is "will they, won't they?" almost all the way through, I found myself wanting to push on in the last third or so, to get to that overall resolution just a little bit sooner.
-Cear's involvement felt a bit anticlimatic. I would've loved to get a few more final lines from them!
Definitely have a few friends I would recommend this to, but you need to be on board with it being a bit silly and a bit weird.
3.5 stars
Wickedly Ever After is a fun and deeply fantastical read, about a fairy tale land where two witches keep the peace between all the different groups (human nobility, human commoners, dragons, gnomes, ghouls, etc) by staging a theatrical magical event once-per-generation, the "Happily Ever After" where the prince marries a selected-by-committee commoner girl after rescuing her from a dragon (who is also in-on-the-act in exchange for a law which prohibits dragonslaying). The problem is, even after a thousand years, the witches in charge haven't considered what might happen if it doesn't go to plan...
What I loved:
-A Pratchett-esque sense of humour and desire to make a wider point about societal expectations.
-Gay pen pal gnomes, what more can I say?
-Romances for older characters, references made to arthritis and grey hair etc - it is refreshing to see a story with love and passion for older characters.
-Subverting expectations, for example, the enemies to lovers aspect of the story actually makes sense due to the magical events of the plot, so it feels a bit less contrived (despite using every single enemies to lovers trope going, which I usually don't enjoy).
-Blending literally dozens of references to other fairy tales and fantasies into one universe, this was done really well and made me smile.
-The first third or even half is very strong, well written and well paced.
-I liked the ending, it felt fitting and most characters got what they deserved!
What I might change:
-The alternating chapters between Ida and Hector didn't have to be 100% symmetrical all of the time. Sometimes events felt a bit repetitive because we had to get both of their personal perspectives every single time. I didn't feel this was necessary although both characters are charming enough that you more or less get away with it, especially early in the book.
-Similarly, there were ever so slightly too many "pushes and pulls", so it starts to feel contrived towards the end and the pace slows down. As everything is "will they, won't they?" almost all the way through, I found myself wanting to push on in the last third or so, to get to that overall resolution just a little bit sooner.
-Cear's involvement felt a bit anticlimatic. I would've loved to get a few more final lines from them!
Definitely have a few friends I would recommend this to, but you need to be on board with it being a bit silly and a bit weird.
3.5 stars
June 2, 2025
I was really bored from start to finish. There wasn't really an anecdote to catch your attention and the tone was very monotone.
October 3, 2025
Wickedly Ever After
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5/5)
Once, the mantle to maintain happily ever after was on the shoulders of two witches one was idea the good witch of North and the other the hector the wicked witch. They had centuries of rivalry between them fueled by exchange of letters containing hexes and curses. However as magic goes awry, Idea and Hector have to team up to maintain the happily ever after again or is it worth the sacrifice?
I am glad I picked this book, it was really fun and enjoyable! It had a really unique setting and nice plot filled with whimsical wonder.
❤️ LOVELY
• I loved the premise of the book and most characters had their own personality and motivations (swoon)
• Whimsical wonder, clever use of fairy tales in the world building (loved)
• He is a wicked witch, she's the good one..and they are rivals who send letters after letters to each other filled with hexes and curses for centuries!
• This is how he writes..
My Dear Detested Ida
I hope this letter finds you poxed, feverish, and confined to your bed. Alas, I’m sure you are well and as hateful as ever.
..and signs of as
Wickedly yours
Hector West
• They're both thousand year old?! And actually old, with gray hair, arthritis and insomnia?! Oh love this.
• Tinbit and Hari, I was so invested in their story and rooting for them, they had their own backstory, ideals which gave them so much depth.amazing
• Dynamics between Ida and hari, hector and Tinbit
• Amanda is such a strong character and the family of dragons were epic
• Honourable mention of mr ghoul sebs for his donation (🫀😉)
• The mention of how an institution though fair starts to become corrupt if left unchecked and how media sheds light on all these cases despite being awfully speculative and nosy ( though I might be reading way ore between the lines)
• Hector with his responsibilities and intelligence.
• Ida for well being her
He was horribly beautiful too, and she was finding him far too hard to resist.
• The exchange of letters between them and the confession one- oh wow!
• This book felt like a love letter to myself that had binged watched all the barbie movies and disney one and all the fairytales i could get my hands on... whimsical, cozy and fun.
🚫 UNLOVELY
• Pacing, it was god awful! I wished the book was condensed so everything would be happening faster so my brain couldn't catch up..more tension and . The momentum created in chapter one was lost midway.
• The way communication between Ida and Hector was so faulty
• How they tried to save each other but failing to do so and creating a even bigger mess! It would've been solved easily. It was a little frustrating.
💌OVERALL...
This was ridiculously whimsical, enchanting and entirely fun read.
I would recommend this everyone who's in for a cozy witchy fun read woven with childhood fairytales.
I reviewed this book as an ARC from NetGalley!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5/5)
Once, the mantle to maintain happily ever after was on the shoulders of two witches one was idea the good witch of North and the other the hector the wicked witch. They had centuries of rivalry between them fueled by exchange of letters containing hexes and curses. However as magic goes awry, Idea and Hector have to team up to maintain the happily ever after again or is it worth the sacrifice?
I am glad I picked this book, it was really fun and enjoyable! It had a really unique setting and nice plot filled with whimsical wonder.
“My horrible, horrible Hector.”
“My dear detested Ida.”
❤️ LOVELY
• I loved the premise of the book and most characters had their own personality and motivations (swoon)
• Whimsical wonder, clever use of fairy tales in the world building (loved)
• He is a wicked witch, she's the good one..and they are rivals who send letters after letters to each other filled with hexes and curses for centuries!
• This is how he writes..
My Dear Detested Ida
I hope this letter finds you poxed, feverish, and confined to your bed. Alas, I’m sure you are well and as hateful as ever.
..and signs of as
Wickedly yours
Hector West
• They're both thousand year old?! And actually old, with gray hair, arthritis and insomnia?! Oh love this.
• Tinbit and Hari, I was so invested in their story and rooting for them, they had their own backstory, ideals which gave them so much depth.amazing
“Happily-Ever-After magic be damned. I liked Tinbit before I even met him, and I’m going to love him whether I want to or not, even if it’s doomed.”
• Dynamics between Ida and hari, hector and Tinbit
• Amanda is such a strong character and the family of dragons were epic
• Honourable mention of mr ghoul sebs for his donation (🫀😉)
• The mention of how an institution though fair starts to become corrupt if left unchecked and how media sheds light on all these cases despite being awfully speculative and nosy ( though I might be reading way ore between the lines)
• Hector with his responsibilities and intelligence.
Ida laughed. It sounded like summer birdsong; it made him want to smile, to laugh back.
• Ida for well being her
He was horribly beautiful too, and she was finding him far too hard to resist.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a nicer laugh, Hector West.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier smile, Ida North.”
• The exchange of letters between them and the confession one- oh wow!
I will never forget your kindness, your compassion, or the way you loved a man who has always, although he never would have admitted it until now, loved you.
He enjoyed her company, and when he thought back over the last thousand years, he always had. He enjoyed their conversations. They’d always been stimulating, thought-provoking, and when it came right down to it, fun. Her mind engaged him , her temper provoked him in the best kind of way, and when he remembered how the light hit her hair as she stood, bathed in the hellhound’s flames, he burned inside.
• This book felt like a love letter to myself that had binged watched all the barbie movies and disney one and all the fairytales i could get my hands on... whimsical, cozy and fun.
🚫 UNLOVELY
• Pacing, it was god awful! I wished the book was condensed so everything would be happening faster so my brain couldn't catch up..more tension and . The momentum created in chapter one was lost midway.
• The way communication between Ida and Hector was so faulty
• How they tried to save each other but failing to do so and creating a even bigger mess! It would've been solved easily. It was a little frustrating.
💌OVERALL...
This was ridiculously whimsical, enchanting and entirely fun read.
I would recommend this everyone who's in for a cozy witchy fun read woven with childhood fairytales.
I reviewed this book as an ARC from NetGalley!
August 28, 2025
Wickedly Ever After is a refreshingly quirky fairy‑tale romp that blends whimsy, romance, and magic with a devilishly delightful twist. The story centers on two rival witches—Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North—who have kept the realm balanced for nearly a millennium thanks to a ritual known as the “Happily‑Ever‑After,” which holds their world together. But their playful antagonism turns perilous when Ida’s latest “harmless” hex goes awry—and Hector’s revenge curse makes her choose the wrong princess for the ceremony. Soon, they’re tangled in a quest starring a reluctant prince, a dragon gone rogue, and their own lovesick gnome advisors. Together, they must fix love magic gone wild before the kingdom falls apart—and reckon with whether their centuries‑long feud might’ve been their greatest mistake.
From page one, the tone is charmingly screwball—think Shrek, but for romantasy aficionados. The narrative bursts with warmth, playful banter, and imaginative twists on familiar fairy‑tale tropes. The dynamic between Hector and Ida shines, blending snark, reluctant allies, and slow‑burn romantic sparks that are both touching and amusing.
The worldbuilding is equally engaging. The premise of witches staging magical pantomimes to uphold cosmic balance is delightfully fresh, and the presence of dragons, gnomes, and fairy‑tale conventions reimagined with playful humor breathed a vibrant life into the setting.
That said, the story isn’t without its rough edges. While the pace is brisk and the tone fun, some emotional beats—especially the evolution of Hector and Ida’s relationship—could have used deeper grounding. A few readers found that the connection sometimes felt more convenient than earned.
Still, the book’s endless charm carries it forward. It’s a cute, cosy read—full of magical mishaps, cheeky rivalry, and enough fairy‑tale flair to make it perfect for fans of light-hearted romantasy. The delightful storyline and lovable characters ensure you’re left smiling, even if a few plot corners remain unpolished.
Summary
Tone & Style: A joyful, screwball fairy‑tale adventure with humor and heart—Wickedly Ever After feels like a rom‑com wrapped in magic.
Characters: Hector and Ida’s centuries-old rivalry and slow-burning attraction drive the story, though their emotional arcs lean toward playful more than profound.
Worldbuilding: Witty and whimsical, with creative touches like pantomimed ceremonies, dragon antics, and lovesick gnomes making fantasy feel fun.
Drawbacks: A few character moments and emotional arcs could be fleshed out more fully for greater impact.
September 13, 2025
Wickedly Ever After is a “screwball fairy tale romp” about two witches trying to preserve the happy ever after. For nearly a thousand years, rivals Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North have preserved the Happily-Ever-After enchantment that brought peace to the realm by balancing good and evil. Their long-standing rivalry plays out through a steady exchange of letters with minor hexes and curses meant to inconvenience and challenge each other until both accidentally push things too far. Soon the love magic begins to unravel with a reluctant dragon, a rebellious princess, and a disengaged prince refusing to play their parts in the prerequisite ritual. Now Hector and Ida must work together with the help of their romantically entangled gnome assistants to repair the spell before it’s too late.
The premise sounded delightful, but the execution left me underwhelmed. The book just felt incredibly misguided, taking the story into such an odd direction. Despite their thousand-year lifespans, Hector and Ida act more like squabbling teenagers than ancient rivals. Their stubbornness makes them frustrating rather than endearing, which is a problem in a story where there’s no true antagonist—only the protagonists tripping over their own egos.
Is it a screwball romantic comedy? Kind of with the silliness of it, but it was never really all that funny. I really thought this would be more fun, but it was just rather tedious in all honestly. The romance, too, is undercooked: there’s some tension and yearning, but not enough to carry the story. I also didn’t get the ending. It felt really abrupt and does not really provide adequate closure for any of the characters. I just wanted more out of the book.
Several supporting elements are introduced but go nowhere. The prince and his guard vanish early on, the fire elemental salamander plays no role at all, and the most compelling events between the dragon prince and princess happen off-page. Only the lovesick gay gnome assistants stand out, with their romance providing more charm than their bickering bosses. Frankly, the novel might have been stronger if told from their perspective.
Wickedly Ever After is likable enough in concept but falls short in delivery.
*Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC via NetGalley
The premise sounded delightful, but the execution left me underwhelmed. The book just felt incredibly misguided, taking the story into such an odd direction. Despite their thousand-year lifespans, Hector and Ida act more like squabbling teenagers than ancient rivals. Their stubbornness makes them frustrating rather than endearing, which is a problem in a story where there’s no true antagonist—only the protagonists tripping over their own egos.
Is it a screwball romantic comedy? Kind of with the silliness of it, but it was never really all that funny. I really thought this would be more fun, but it was just rather tedious in all honestly. The romance, too, is undercooked: there’s some tension and yearning, but not enough to carry the story. I also didn’t get the ending. It felt really abrupt and does not really provide adequate closure for any of the characters. I just wanted more out of the book.
Several supporting elements are introduced but go nowhere. The prince and his guard vanish early on, the fire elemental salamander plays no role at all, and the most compelling events between the dragon prince and princess happen off-page. Only the lovesick gay gnome assistants stand out, with their romance providing more charm than their bickering bosses. Frankly, the novel might have been stronger if told from their perspective.
Wickedly Ever After is likable enough in concept but falls short in delivery.
*Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC via NetGalley
September 16, 2025
Wicked Ever After was an absolute delight! This was magical and entertaining and whimsical and just brilliantly executed. A perfect book for hopelessly Romantics. What happens when the Wicked Witch of West and The Good Witch of North fumbles with their thousand years old system of Happily-Ever-Afters that keeps the world happy and prosperous? Dragon Prince marries the common princess. The human Prince marries his captain. And the witches who were enemies for ages..fall in love! Doesn't it all sound so exciting and intriguing?
This is so hard to explain the story line because the author was so clever and witty about presenting the traditional concept of fairy tales in unique style. Hector is the wicked Witch and he deals with death and monsters and dark side of things. Ida is the good Witch, the fairy godmother and she works with life and sweetness. Their penpal-ship is riddled with curses and veiled insults and animosity but under that, they have developed a strange friendship that none of them wants to acknowledge. Because they have took their hearts out when they took the responsibility of managing Happily Ever Afters. But this year everything is wrong. Hector’s dragon Prince doesn’t want to kidnap the Princess, the princess Ida chose by magic from common girls doesnt want to marry a Prince and the Prince himself is in love with his captain. Love magic is going crazy wrong making the witches' gnomes fall in love. At least they think so. Ida and Hector have to rectify it but it felt so wrong because things are changing.
Their adventures brought their real emotions together. They are alike in a way that they both carry a heavy but lonely responsibility. They have dedicated their lives for others but their so called hearts are not happy. Hector’s grumpy exterior hides the soft man that was exposed to Ida now. He cares and protects and builds. He didn't want to care for Ida but her fierceness and brilliance was impossible to resist. Even the witches deserve happily ever after and they cannot keep on taking away peoples choices in name of tradition. The plethora of fantastical creatures like the gnomes, ghouls, manticore, vampires and many many more were part of this story but in such a hilarious and ingenious way that I haven't ever read before. A must read of 2025.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
This is so hard to explain the story line because the author was so clever and witty about presenting the traditional concept of fairy tales in unique style. Hector is the wicked Witch and he deals with death and monsters and dark side of things. Ida is the good Witch, the fairy godmother and she works with life and sweetness. Their penpal-ship is riddled with curses and veiled insults and animosity but under that, they have developed a strange friendship that none of them wants to acknowledge. Because they have took their hearts out when they took the responsibility of managing Happily Ever Afters. But this year everything is wrong. Hector’s dragon Prince doesn’t want to kidnap the Princess, the princess Ida chose by magic from common girls doesnt want to marry a Prince and the Prince himself is in love with his captain. Love magic is going crazy wrong making the witches' gnomes fall in love. At least they think so. Ida and Hector have to rectify it but it felt so wrong because things are changing.
Their adventures brought their real emotions together. They are alike in a way that they both carry a heavy but lonely responsibility. They have dedicated their lives for others but their so called hearts are not happy. Hector’s grumpy exterior hides the soft man that was exposed to Ida now. He cares and protects and builds. He didn't want to care for Ida but her fierceness and brilliance was impossible to resist. Even the witches deserve happily ever after and they cannot keep on taking away peoples choices in name of tradition. The plethora of fantastical creatures like the gnomes, ghouls, manticore, vampires and many many more were part of this story but in such a hilarious and ingenious way that I haven't ever read before. A must read of 2025.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
September 13, 2025
This book was the funny, low stakes Romantasy novel that I didn't know I needed. Wickedly Ever After is the tale of Ida North, a Good Witch, and Hector West, a Bad Witch. The land they live in is finally at peace, but the delicate balance is achieved with a strict Happily Ever After. When a few magical pranks go wrong (because what's a little harmless curse between friends?), the Happily Ever After is at risk and thus so is all of the fairy tale land that Hector and Ida live in. Could these two, who have nursed a grudge for the better part of a thousand years, work together to help save the Happily Ever After and their realm?
This book is a delightful mishmash of different fairy tales, with some obvious and some sly mentions of different plots, characters, and tropes from well-known fairy tales. Add in some favorite romance tropes:
*Forced proximity
*Only one Bed
*Enemies to Lovers (but like, in an adorable way)
*They're on a quest to save the kingdom
Only make it between two witches who are almost 1,000 years old. The banter was fantastic, and every character was written so vividly. The sentient sensitive fern stole my heart. The sub-romance between Ida and Hector's gnomes was something that I looked forward to seeing mentions of as much as the budding feelings between Ida and Hector. This book was an absolute ball to read, and I was sorry to see it end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and R. Lee Fryar for the eARC of this novel to review.
This book is a delightful mishmash of different fairy tales, with some obvious and some sly mentions of different plots, characters, and tropes from well-known fairy tales. Add in some favorite romance tropes:
*Forced proximity
*Only one Bed
*Enemies to Lovers (but like, in an adorable way)
*They're on a quest to save the kingdom
Only make it between two witches who are almost 1,000 years old. The banter was fantastic, and every character was written so vividly. The sentient sensitive fern stole my heart. The sub-romance between Ida and Hector's gnomes was something that I looked forward to seeing mentions of as much as the budding feelings between Ida and Hector. This book was an absolute ball to read, and I was sorry to see it end.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and R. Lee Fryar for the eARC of this novel to review.
September 15, 2025
I had a little trouble with this book, and ultimately I think I was probably not the right audience for it. There were some things I enjoyed: this book is definitely a romantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, although there's a surprising amount of commentary on classism and elitism for a love story. There's a nice amount of humor and the author writes with an enjoyably dry wit, and the story is pretty tongue-in-cheek with some of the references. That said, I really didn't like either of the two main characters that much and I had a really hard time caring about them and their relationship. I was much more invested in some of the other romantic entanglements, which are what kept me reading. I did have to set aside the book for a while after some events that happen about 40% into the story. I struggled a bit to re-engage once I picked it back up, partly because of my apathy towards the two main characters (and some lingering feelings about some pivotal events), but also because this is an overly long book with surprisingly uneven pacing for so many things going on. Even though I struggled with this one, I would probably read this new-to-me author again. I think you'd enjoy this book if you're already a fan of the author, and if you enjoy opposites-attract/enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romances that rely heavily on the misunderstanding/miscommunication trope. Publishes September 16, 2025. This review was based on a complimentary eARC of the story, all opinions are my own.
August 30, 2025
Thank you to much to the author and publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, for sharing an ARC of this book with me on NeyGalley!!
“No longer will war take its toll,
Not famine make the round
Two hearts combined do make a whole
When hammer weds the crown
Preserve this pesce with truelove’s kids
In a rose conceal
Red rose will bring eternal bliss
Black rose will make it real”
This book is basically what happens if the Wicked witch of the west (a man) and the witch of the north (a woman) start an uncommon friendship and maybe something more, while preparing the kingdom of the best celebration of the year which is the Happy Ever After when even a commoner can become princess … it is so entertaining !!! And so absolutely beautiful. It’s witty. It’s funny. It’s crazy. It’s magical. It’s wicked and it’s romantic. It’s everything I would have wanted and then some. Ida and Hector are absolutely amazing leading characters but my favourites were Hari and Tinbit by far. I devoured this book in a couple of hours and I had the time of my life. Every page was another witty banter. Every chapter was another proof that love is what beings made of it, not a magical spell. And hope … hope is always there and can change anything. Everyone needs to read it !!!
“And if there is one thing Hector understood about love, it was this: Love meant losing people”
“My horrible, horrible Hector”
“My dear detested Ida”
“No longer will war take its toll,
Not famine make the round
Two hearts combined do make a whole
When hammer weds the crown
Preserve this pesce with truelove’s kids
In a rose conceal
Red rose will bring eternal bliss
Black rose will make it real”
This book is basically what happens if the Wicked witch of the west (a man) and the witch of the north (a woman) start an uncommon friendship and maybe something more, while preparing the kingdom of the best celebration of the year which is the Happy Ever After when even a commoner can become princess … it is so entertaining !!! And so absolutely beautiful. It’s witty. It’s funny. It’s crazy. It’s magical. It’s wicked and it’s romantic. It’s everything I would have wanted and then some. Ida and Hector are absolutely amazing leading characters but my favourites were Hari and Tinbit by far. I devoured this book in a couple of hours and I had the time of my life. Every page was another witty banter. Every chapter was another proof that love is what beings made of it, not a magical spell. And hope … hope is always there and can change anything. Everyone needs to read it !!!
“And if there is one thing Hector understood about love, it was this: Love meant losing people”
“My horrible, horrible Hector”
“My dear detested Ida”
September 11, 2025
☆☆☆¾
𖤓
In this (delightfully screwball) fairy tale romp, even the most wicked deserve their happily-ever-after.
𖤓
What drew me to the book:
It sounded fun!
How long it’s been on my TBR:
Since June of this year!
My expectations:
An enjoyable Fantasy adventure with a side of romance.
𖤓
My thoughts whilst reading:
I have to admit it had been a while since I’d read the synopsis & so I went in expecting the characters to be young but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were immortal but older, they have Arthritis & Gout, they had grey hairs & bad backs, it was such an enjoyable change from the brand of immortality where the characters are forever 21 & never age again, especially as it’s the older years we’re seeing from the main characters. The next thing I was thoroughly impressed by was the world, it was fun mix of Medieval & Modern, I guess you could say it is what has been dubbed Medieval Y2K, from the tabloids to the Pixarati I loved it, especially as there were many different types of beings including Gnomes who were side characters, Dragons & mentions of Imps & other such beings, it was such a nice change in pace from the typical 4 same species being recycled.
I have to admit some of the notes that I took were (accurate) predictions of what would end up happening so I won’t include those in this review but it left the book feeling like it was somewhat predictable. Other than that I had a lot of fun whilst I was reading it from the relationship between the characters who seemed to be mirrors of each other - making them perfect as so many small things tied them to each other - to the wide variety of different beings who made an appearance to all the different settings the book took place in.
How long it took me to read:
6 Hours across 3 days.
Overall:
Overall Wickedly ever after was such an enjoyable read, I had fun reading it & would love to see it turned into a film or perhaps a TV show! I think the thing I loved most about the book was the world with its fun & modern twist, it’s what I would love to see more of from Fantasy books with its funny tabloid headlines to the crystal balls which worked like TV’s, I completely loved it & thought it was a shame that we didn’t get to see more of this fun world. I will say that the book felt as if it had a massive plot hole which it never addressed, I thought it would be part of the obvious conclusion to the story, after all we start the book with very specific terms of what is to happen next & yet despite Hector, one of the main characters, being there it never so much as crosses his mind that this could be why everything has gone so wrong which ended up annoying me a little but it wasn’t the worst. I will also say as much as some plots felt obvious I felt that it didn’t feel like it had a clear path for where the book was going with our main characters, Ida & Hector, towards the end, normally there’s some foreshadowing or a kind of feel as to where the book is going or even a feeling of excitement as everything builds up which I didn’t quite get. My last complaint about the book is also somewhat a compliment, throughout the story we switch between Hector & Ida’s points of view which works well & gives a really good insight into the characters & their relationship but I found it also weakened the book a little as it meant we didn’t get to see a lot of characters like the Prince, his Knight, the Princess & the Dragon when I feel that seeing more of their characters & developments could have really enhanced the story & given it a little more oomph!
I do actually have two more minor nitpicks I want to mention before ending this section, the first is that at one point, both Ida & Hector have something revealed by the other via a barbed guess of a retort & both their retorts are revealed to be true & yet the book never explores these truths of the characters despite how interesting & easy it could have been - all it would have required was the two talking about it to either each other or their trusted Gnomes, simple, but instead it’s ignored & just never talked about again. The second is that I felt the actual final scene of the book felt a little weak, it set up for a decent epilogue but instead I felt it ended on a slightly abrupt note when it could have been extended just a tad later than it did, there was even a really obvious ending which I think would have worked much better for the book, alas, it is what it is but I have to admit, all my complaints are relatively minor & I really enjoyed the rest of the book, it was full of little unexpected surprises for me & gave me a lot of what I want to see more of in Fantasy books so the issues are easy to look over for everything else the book has to offer.
Miscellaneous:
I loved the world because it was reminiscent of Duloc & Far Far Away from Shrek with a touch of the Happily N’ever after movies. It was fun & what I’d absolutely LOVE to see more of in Fantasy books!
Did it meet my expectations:
In some places yes, in others it absolutely exceeded them!
My thoughts on the cover before & after reading:
Before reading it I quite liked it & I do think it suits the book although I do think the outlines representing Ida & Hector could be changed to better suit them as characters, including more details & making them more than just silhouettes.
𖤓
Favourite character:
This is a tough one, I loved both Hector & Ida although I think I enjoyed Hector a tad more.
Favourite scene:
I don’t think I had one.
Favourite relationship:
Easily Ida & Hector’s though I do have to mention that I was rooting for Tinbit & Hari too!
Favourite quote:
“can’t I have you? Just once.”
𖤓
Why I rounded the review down*:
It was a really fun read but it had room for improvement.
Do I regret reading it:
Not in the slightest!
Will I be reading the sequel:
According to Goodreads it is the first in the series so absolutely yes!
Will I be investing in a physical copy:
Perhaps when the paperback comes out.
Do I recommend it:
Yes, especially if you’re in the mood for something fun!
*(for rating systems such as Goodreads)
𖤓
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC.
𖤓
In this (delightfully screwball) fairy tale romp, even the most wicked deserve their happily-ever-after.
𖤓
What drew me to the book:
It sounded fun!
How long it’s been on my TBR:
Since June of this year!
My expectations:
An enjoyable Fantasy adventure with a side of romance.
𖤓
My thoughts whilst reading:
I have to admit it had been a while since I’d read the synopsis & so I went in expecting the characters to be young but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were immortal but older, they have Arthritis & Gout, they had grey hairs & bad backs, it was such an enjoyable change from the brand of immortality where the characters are forever 21 & never age again, especially as it’s the older years we’re seeing from the main characters. The next thing I was thoroughly impressed by was the world, it was fun mix of Medieval & Modern, I guess you could say it is what has been dubbed Medieval Y2K, from the tabloids to the Pixarati I loved it, especially as there were many different types of beings including Gnomes who were side characters, Dragons & mentions of Imps & other such beings, it was such a nice change in pace from the typical 4 same species being recycled.
I have to admit some of the notes that I took were (accurate) predictions of what would end up happening so I won’t include those in this review but it left the book feeling like it was somewhat predictable. Other than that I had a lot of fun whilst I was reading it from the relationship between the characters who seemed to be mirrors of each other - making them perfect as so many small things tied them to each other - to the wide variety of different beings who made an appearance to all the different settings the book took place in.
How long it took me to read:
6 Hours across 3 days.
Overall:
Overall Wickedly ever after was such an enjoyable read, I had fun reading it & would love to see it turned into a film or perhaps a TV show! I think the thing I loved most about the book was the world with its fun & modern twist, it’s what I would love to see more of from Fantasy books with its funny tabloid headlines to the crystal balls which worked like TV’s, I completely loved it & thought it was a shame that we didn’t get to see more of this fun world. I will say that the book felt as if it had a massive plot hole which it never addressed, I thought it would be part of the obvious conclusion to the story, after all we start the book with very specific terms of what is to happen next & yet despite Hector, one of the main characters, being there it never so much as crosses his mind that this could be why everything has gone so wrong which ended up annoying me a little but it wasn’t the worst. I will also say as much as some plots felt obvious I felt that it didn’t feel like it had a clear path for where the book was going with our main characters, Ida & Hector, towards the end, normally there’s some foreshadowing or a kind of feel as to where the book is going or even a feeling of excitement as everything builds up which I didn’t quite get. My last complaint about the book is also somewhat a compliment, throughout the story we switch between Hector & Ida’s points of view which works well & gives a really good insight into the characters & their relationship but I found it also weakened the book a little as it meant we didn’t get to see a lot of characters like the Prince, his Knight, the Princess & the Dragon when I feel that seeing more of their characters & developments could have really enhanced the story & given it a little more oomph!
I do actually have two more minor nitpicks I want to mention before ending this section, the first is that at one point, both Ida & Hector have something revealed by the other via a barbed guess of a retort & both their retorts are revealed to be true & yet the book never explores these truths of the characters despite how interesting & easy it could have been - all it would have required was the two talking about it to either each other or their trusted Gnomes, simple, but instead it’s ignored & just never talked about again. The second is that I felt the actual final scene of the book felt a little weak, it set up for a decent epilogue but instead I felt it ended on a slightly abrupt note when it could have been extended just a tad later than it did, there was even a really obvious ending which I think would have worked much better for the book, alas, it is what it is but I have to admit, all my complaints are relatively minor & I really enjoyed the rest of the book, it was full of little unexpected surprises for me & gave me a lot of what I want to see more of in Fantasy books so the issues are easy to look over for everything else the book has to offer.
Miscellaneous:
I loved the world because it was reminiscent of Duloc & Far Far Away from Shrek with a touch of the Happily N’ever after movies. It was fun & what I’d absolutely LOVE to see more of in Fantasy books!
Did it meet my expectations:
In some places yes, in others it absolutely exceeded them!
My thoughts on the cover before & after reading:
Before reading it I quite liked it & I do think it suits the book although I do think the outlines representing Ida & Hector could be changed to better suit them as characters, including more details & making them more than just silhouettes.
𖤓
Favourite character:
This is a tough one, I loved both Hector & Ida although I think I enjoyed Hector a tad more.
Favourite scene:
I don’t think I had one.
Favourite relationship:
Easily Ida & Hector’s though I do have to mention that I was rooting for Tinbit & Hari too!
Favourite quote:
“can’t I have you? Just once.”
𖤓
Why I rounded the review down*:
It was a really fun read but it had room for improvement.
Do I regret reading it:
Not in the slightest!
Will I be reading the sequel:
According to Goodreads it is the first in the series so absolutely yes!
Will I be investing in a physical copy:
Perhaps when the paperback comes out.
Do I recommend it:
Yes, especially if you’re in the mood for something fun!
*(for rating systems such as Goodreads)
𖤓
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC.
September 26, 2025
This book was honestly one of the weirdest, funniest fantasy romances I’ve read in a while — and I loved every second of it. The whole thing kicks off with a prank war between Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North that spirals way out of control and ends up putting their entire realm’s Happily-Ever-After at risk.
The world? Pure chaos in the best way. It’s like someone threw every fairytale trope into a cauldron and somehow it actually worked. You’ve got magical rules, random creatures, even paparazzi and gossip columns — the detail was so good and so much fun.
Ida and Hector were my favorite part, though. They’re both over a thousand years old (yes, really), complete with greying hair, cranky joints, and bickering that had me cracking up. Seeing “older” characters take center stage in a romance felt so refreshing. On top of that, there are a bunch of side romances, and I loved the LGBTQIA+ rep sprinkled throughout.
The humor is what really ties it all together. Silly? Yes. Whimsical? Absolutely. But it never felt shallow — every joke landed, and I was grinning basically the whole time. If you’re into books like Dreadful or Assistant to the Villain, this one definitely needs to be on your list.
A quirky, magical, laugh-out-loud kind of read that still manages to have heart. I had such a fun time with it.
The world? Pure chaos in the best way. It’s like someone threw every fairytale trope into a cauldron and somehow it actually worked. You’ve got magical rules, random creatures, even paparazzi and gossip columns — the detail was so good and so much fun.
Ida and Hector were my favorite part, though. They’re both over a thousand years old (yes, really), complete with greying hair, cranky joints, and bickering that had me cracking up. Seeing “older” characters take center stage in a romance felt so refreshing. On top of that, there are a bunch of side romances, and I loved the LGBTQIA+ rep sprinkled throughout.
The humor is what really ties it all together. Silly? Yes. Whimsical? Absolutely. But it never felt shallow — every joke landed, and I was grinning basically the whole time. If you’re into books like Dreadful or Assistant to the Villain, this one definitely needs to be on your list.
A quirky, magical, laugh-out-loud kind of read that still manages to have heart. I had such a fun time with it.
September 27, 2025
Hysterical Hijinks Ensue!
Wickedly Ever After by R. Lee Fryar is pure fairy-tale fun, the kind of story that feels like curling up with hot cocoa while the characters run absolutely wild. Ida North and Hector West have been “good witch” and “wicked witch” for centuries, but mostly they’re just two magical frenemies locked in the world’s longest prank war. Their hijinks range from botched enchantments to dragon mishaps, and every page drips with witty banter and laugh-out-loud chaos. However, when it feels like Happily Ever After is being threatened, these two have to come together to solve the magical crisis!
What makes it shine is how cozy it all feels. Magic gets messy, but there’s never any doubt that you’re in for a warm, inclusive romp. The side characters, from gnomes with lovesick tendencies to royals who don’t quite fit the mold, bring heart and representation to the story, giving the whole realm a lived-in charm. This story was just about belonging and finding your family. It’s beautiful and sweet.
This isn’t dark, broody fantasy, it’s mischievous, affectionate, and endlessly welcoming. Wickedly Ever After is for anyone who loves magical hijinks, fairy-tale tropes turned on their heads, and a cozy read that feels like a hug laced with glitter. Perfect for those Wicked fans who love the comedy and see friendship as the real prize.
Wickedly Ever After by R. Lee Fryar is pure fairy-tale fun, the kind of story that feels like curling up with hot cocoa while the characters run absolutely wild. Ida North and Hector West have been “good witch” and “wicked witch” for centuries, but mostly they’re just two magical frenemies locked in the world’s longest prank war. Their hijinks range from botched enchantments to dragon mishaps, and every page drips with witty banter and laugh-out-loud chaos. However, when it feels like Happily Ever After is being threatened, these two have to come together to solve the magical crisis!
What makes it shine is how cozy it all feels. Magic gets messy, but there’s never any doubt that you’re in for a warm, inclusive romp. The side characters, from gnomes with lovesick tendencies to royals who don’t quite fit the mold, bring heart and representation to the story, giving the whole realm a lived-in charm. This story was just about belonging and finding your family. It’s beautiful and sweet.
This isn’t dark, broody fantasy, it’s mischievous, affectionate, and endlessly welcoming. Wickedly Ever After is for anyone who loves magical hijinks, fairy-tale tropes turned on their heads, and a cozy read that feels like a hug laced with glitter. Perfect for those Wicked fans who love the comedy and see friendship as the real prize.
November 25, 2025
3.9☆
Fell short of four-stars bc it felt a bit too long winded in the middle.
This was a fun read. All the fairytale vibes, easy-to-follow narrative, predictable (in a good way) and all-around adventure fun. Though it did feel like 3 stories were trying to overlap each other - Tinbit and Hari, Alistair and Amber, Hector and Ida. Each of them were facing their own version of happily-ever-after and what it means to them.
Tinbit and Hari's relationship was genuinely cute. They just wanted someone to love them and when they found each other, they still tried hard to be together despite everything around just falling apart. Alistair and Amber felt like the rebellious kids, which tbh didn't exactly need a major part of the story. I enjoyed the development between Ida and Hector, as they tried their best to stay true to their "personalities" to fix the mess despite hating each other (or rather trying not to like each other). It was pretty heartfelt to see how they discovered something about each other that filled their empty gaps since they were on extreme ends of Good and Wicked.
I don't think this was meant to be a romance-ish type of narrative but it did have a lot of nuances on it. After all, most fairytales surround themes of love anyway. The action and adventure was entertaining from the start, and it really felt like watching a movie.
Pretty excited for the next one.
Fell short of four-stars bc it felt a bit too long winded in the middle.
This was a fun read. All the fairytale vibes, easy-to-follow narrative, predictable (in a good way) and all-around adventure fun. Though it did feel like 3 stories were trying to overlap each other - Tinbit and Hari, Alistair and Amber, Hector and Ida. Each of them were facing their own version of happily-ever-after and what it means to them.
Tinbit and Hari's relationship was genuinely cute. They just wanted someone to love them and when they found each other, they still tried hard to be together despite everything around just falling apart. Alistair and Amber felt like the rebellious kids, which tbh didn't exactly need a major part of the story. I enjoyed the development between Ida and Hector, as they tried their best to stay true to their "personalities" to fix the mess despite hating each other (or rather trying not to like each other). It was pretty heartfelt to see how they discovered something about each other that filled their empty gaps since they were on extreme ends of Good and Wicked.
I don't think this was meant to be a romance-ish type of narrative but it did have a lot of nuances on it. After all, most fairytales surround themes of love anyway. The action and adventure was entertaining from the start, and it really felt like watching a movie.
Pretty excited for the next one.
August 24, 2025
Wickedly ever after that, explain how good and evil technically have to work together to keep the balance in the world. Are two main characters are on opposite sides with one being the good witch, and one being the bad witch.
Everyone in the world has a job to do including the evil side in the good side. Things have been done the same way to ensure happily ever after is the end result. That means that evil has to do their part in the good has to do theirs to ensure everything Goes as planned.
This year, something’s different. Or two main characters have been in a prank war for many many years, which has in my opinion been their way of flirting throughout time. Sometimes the pranks can’t get out of hand, which leads do unintended consequences
If you’re looking for a cute, random, mischievous and strange, read this book will give you everything you want. You’ve got magic in abundance. You’ve also got pranks that bring out the best and the worst.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the way it was written and that it kept you guessing while hopping all over the place, but still seamlessly worked with every piece of information given.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to get this E-ARC
Everyone in the world has a job to do including the evil side in the good side. Things have been done the same way to ensure happily ever after is the end result. That means that evil has to do their part in the good has to do theirs to ensure everything Goes as planned.
This year, something’s different. Or two main characters have been in a prank war for many many years, which has in my opinion been their way of flirting throughout time. Sometimes the pranks can’t get out of hand, which leads do unintended consequences
If you’re looking for a cute, random, mischievous and strange, read this book will give you everything you want. You’ve got magic in abundance. You’ve also got pranks that bring out the best and the worst.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the way it was written and that it kept you guessing while hopping all over the place, but still seamlessly worked with every piece of information given.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to get this E-ARC
September 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. You meet Hector, a wicked witch, and Ida, a good witch who have been trading barbs through correspondence for centuries. They write insulting letters to each other often accompanied by curses that cause minor annoyances to each other. Their curses start to escalate as they try to one up and each other and chaos ensues. Now the Happily Ever After is probably ruined and they have to work together to fix it and save the world.
Their banter and bickering is hilarious and on the way to fixing their mistakes they are forced to deal with roadblocks and some of the standard romance tropes like one bed and this makes for a hilarious story. This story has everything you could ever ask for in a fairytale witches, royalty, gnomes, dragons, and giants. You have a dragon prince who doesn’t want to kidnap the princess, a prince who isn’t interested in a princess anyway, and a princess who would rather save herself. All of this equals a hilarious and heartwarming story.
Sometimes I find LGBTQ+ characters are written like their love is different and that always bothers me. In this book that’s not the case. The representation in this book is amazing. There are many LGBTQ+ characters and they are written so well and truthfully.
Their banter and bickering is hilarious and on the way to fixing their mistakes they are forced to deal with roadblocks and some of the standard romance tropes like one bed and this makes for a hilarious story. This story has everything you could ever ask for in a fairytale witches, royalty, gnomes, dragons, and giants. You have a dragon prince who doesn’t want to kidnap the princess, a prince who isn’t interested in a princess anyway, and a princess who would rather save herself. All of this equals a hilarious and heartwarming story.
Sometimes I find LGBTQ+ characters are written like their love is different and that always bothers me. In this book that’s not the case. The representation in this book is amazing. There are many LGBTQ+ characters and they are written so well and truthfully.
September 25, 2025
Hector, the wicked witch, and Ida, the good witch, have worked opposite of each other for a thousand years to keep evil and good balanced. The root of their magic stems from the Happily Ever After; an event in which Ida chooses a princess to fall in love with a prince, and Hector chooses a dragon to capture that princess in order for the prince to rescue her and prove his love. This simple event has kept Magic happy in their world. However, this year’s event goes berserk due to some minor negligence and pranks, and Ida and Hector find themselves working together and scrambling to fix their mistakes… or risk their world’s very essence falling apart.
This story was simply fun. There are so many little details about every single fairy tale out there (anyone else catch the Edward Cullen sparkly vampire jest?) that I laughed out loud quite often. The premise is old, good versus evil, but it’s done in such a lighthearted and whimsical way and makes you really question; what makes someone good? What makes them evil?
The characters are also so much fun. The gnomes? Perfect. The dragons? Feisty. The ghoul? Absolutely ghoulish.
Not to mention, I love that it ends on a happily-ever-after for everyone.
This story was simply fun. There are so many little details about every single fairy tale out there (anyone else catch the Edward Cullen sparkly vampire jest?) that I laughed out loud quite often. The premise is old, good versus evil, but it’s done in such a lighthearted and whimsical way and makes you really question; what makes someone good? What makes them evil?
The characters are also so much fun. The gnomes? Perfect. The dragons? Feisty. The ghoul? Absolutely ghoulish.
Not to mention, I love that it ends on a happily-ever-after for everyone.
November 17, 2025
**⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three-Star Review**
*Wickedly Ever After* is a fun, whimsical fantasy romp with a charming premise: two ancient rival witches whose centuries-long feud accidentally threatens the stability of their entire realm. Hector and Ida’s bickering dynamic is easily the highlight of the book, and watching their “harmless” magical pranks escalate into realm-shaking chaos is genuinely entertaining. The tone is playful, the world is imaginative, and the story doesn’t take itself too seriously—which can be a refreshing change of pace.
That said, the humor and chaos sometimes overshadow deeper character development. While the banter is delightful, I occasionally wanted more emotional weight behind Hector and Ida’s evolving relationship, especially given their thousand-year history. The pacing can feel uneven as the plot bounces between comedy, questing, and romance, and not every joke or magical mishap lands fully.
Still, the book offers plenty of charm: lovesick gnome sidekicks, botched heroics, unpredictable love magic, and a reluctant prince caught in the mayhem. If you enjoy lighthearted fantasy with enemies-to-lovers energy and a fairy-tale twist, *Wickedly Ever After* is a fun, if imperfect, read.
*Wickedly Ever After* is a fun, whimsical fantasy romp with a charming premise: two ancient rival witches whose centuries-long feud accidentally threatens the stability of their entire realm. Hector and Ida’s bickering dynamic is easily the highlight of the book, and watching their “harmless” magical pranks escalate into realm-shaking chaos is genuinely entertaining. The tone is playful, the world is imaginative, and the story doesn’t take itself too seriously—which can be a refreshing change of pace.
That said, the humor and chaos sometimes overshadow deeper character development. While the banter is delightful, I occasionally wanted more emotional weight behind Hector and Ida’s evolving relationship, especially given their thousand-year history. The pacing can feel uneven as the plot bounces between comedy, questing, and romance, and not every joke or magical mishap lands fully.
Still, the book offers plenty of charm: lovesick gnome sidekicks, botched heroics, unpredictable love magic, and a reluctant prince caught in the mayhem. If you enjoy lighthearted fantasy with enemies-to-lovers energy and a fairy-tale twist, *Wickedly Ever After* is a fun, if imperfect, read.
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