Happily Never After

by Rachel North, Jennifer Ness (narrator)

A small group of family and friends head to a beautiful, secluded location in the mountains of Mallorca for the wedding of Alex and Maddie. The Finca Incantata is a magical place-a castle with a cobbled courtyard, a deep, cold, fresh-water pool and a high tower that looks out over the surrounding wilderness.

The guests arrive bringing with them their pretty dresses, their smart suits and their private thoughts about the upcoming marriage. Among them is one guest who is determined to ensure the wedding does not take place...

Who is the malevolent presence? Why do they hate so fiercely and so specifically? And just how far will they go to prevent Alex and Maddie tying the knot?

Genres: Thriller

Audible Audio

Published June 6, 2024

Reviews

[Josephine Jarman]

This was full of strong complex women characters who actually supported each other. At times it read like a modern day fairytale with the Prince having the mobster type family but the way the female characters were written and develop it made it so much more.
I liked the interwoven story of how they met and how you were compelled to carry on reading to see who was responsibilile . The multiple pov style which fid include the male characters gave it an edge.
I did enjoy this and would recommended it yo anyobe who likes a good mystery.
Thank you netgallery and publisher

[Lucy]

Thank you, NetGalley and Atlantis Books, for a gifted copy of this book, which is due for release in June 2024.

Having read this author's work before, I had a good idea of what to expect in terms of writing style and storytelling. This new release, 'Happily Never After,' is about a wedding abroad narrated from multiple perspectives with a who-done-it concept. While this idea is not new, Rachel North adds her unique twist.

As expected, the book has plenty of drama and suspense, though some parts are a bit predictable. Despite this, I found the book to be an enjoyable read. However, one issue I had was that it took me a while to figure out who was who. This was because of the number of characters introduced and the frequent changes in the narrative. Because of this, the plot was not as smooth as I would have preferred.

The conclusion of the book tied everything together nicely, and I was satisfied with how everything turned out.

Overall, 'Happily Never After' is a good read for fans of this genre. While it may not be my preferred book in this category, I still found it worth reading.

[Lost Vegas]

This was not in any sense what I was expecting and I loved it.
I love a trope, I really do but this book has them about, but gives you so much more. A wedding in paradise, The conflicts of families, obsession and violence.

I really liked Maddy, I enjoyed reading how she ended up here getting married to Alex. The characters stepped off the page and I was wary of them. Alex’s family being gangsterish could have ruined this, but instead it added.
I loved the writing of complex women, I am so thrilled to have read every single one of them and I will be looking forward to this author’s further work. I was happy to read a situation where women had been pitted against each other and they instead had each other’s back

Finally, the cat. I cannot express how well and how beautifully the cat was written, what a book!

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review which this is.

[Amelia Warden]

Loved how the suspense built up towards the middle of the book. Was confusing at first remembering which character was which but as the story went on I felt more connected to each character and couldn’t put the book down as I needed to know what would happen. North also didn’t give into a cliche ending, I felt satisfied with the feeling of empowerment for Maddie as it was a different conclusion to what I was expecting (in a good way). I love a book with twists and this one definitely delivered as I never would’ve guessed the surprising turns of events.

[Jess Brewer]

Interesting twist at the end. Wanted there to be more

[Becky Lyth]

I enjoyed reading this, it had a great premise and I loved the little cat cameos! I did not see the ending coming and would love to read a book two to this and to find out what happens next.

[Zoe Kindle Queen]

Welcome to The Finca Incatata , a gorgeous castle in the mountains of Mallorca and the destination for rich boy Alex to marry his sweetheart Maddie. But as usual with these fairytale dreams, things aren’t set to go to plan as one of the guests wants to ensure this wedding doesn’t happen. But who?

The book is written from multiple POV of the wedding party, bride and groom and family and friends, so this builds up what is going on over the course of the celebrations, I did find it difficult to keep up with the whole who was who as there are a lot of characters in the story. Although not riveting I enjoyed the books last part the most, once revelations were made but overall I felt this was a mediocre read and didn’t really work for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Farah G]

Alex and Maddie have planned a fairytale wedding in the mountains of Mallorca, but as any reading of classic fairy tales will tell you things rarely go smoothly...

One of the guests is hellbent on preventing the wedding from going ahead. But who is it, and why? And most importantly, will they succeed?

The book incorporates multiple POV to show the reader how events are unfolding. The story is suspenseful and interesting, but fewer characters would have made the reading experience more enjoyable. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Megan Jones]

This is a very enjoyable book, when I started I thought I knew how the plot would play out and I was pleased that North throws in twists along the way which made it more enjoyable and surprising. The plot is intense and I was gripped by the action and fear around what would happen next.
The setting is good and by having the wedding abroad, we get to transport ourselves to a magical location. The characters are excellent, some are likeable, some are not but they are all believable and play their role exceptionally well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy.

[Alice Pearson]

entertaining enjoyable naughty but nice

A good collection of bitchy friends and family gathering for a wedding.
Characters are well drawn with turning into caricatures. I didn’t find any of the characters likeable so was able to enjoy their demise without guilt. Plenty of entitled , rich narcissists getting their hooks into victims.
Plot interesting with good twist.
Good beach read or to spice up a flight.
Winter fireside read with beautiful background of Mallorca.
A great Kindle unlimited read

[Sophie Richards]

This was a real page turner which kept me guessing; multiple times I thought I had it figured out but was proved wrong!

The dynamic between Maddie and the Archers was interesting. I’m often fascinated by differences in upbringing and how that impacts friendships and relationships later in life so I liked that the book explored this.

I found myself rooting for the couple whilst desperately wanting to find out the identity of the villain.

All in all, a fab holiday read!

Thank you NetGalley

[Arvin Dhillon]

This is a delightful pre wedding story although, as the name suggests, wedding never happens. It has a great cast of characters (some cast in Godfather mold). Maddie as the bride to be, is the only weak link. Alex as the groom is a spoiled brat. All in all, a very interesting plot and it is fast moving. I wish there had been a happy ending, but whatever the author decides is moot.

[Kerry Robinson]

A wedding in Mallorca, multiple guests POV, 1 guest wants to destroy the wedding. One of those books that perhaps if I read at a different time I would have been more invested.

But I just wasn't, I didn't care for any of the characters. I need a page turner and this just wasn't one for me. Just all a little meh for me, sorry to say.

[Esme Merrily]

There's a good lesson here: learn to identify and in consequence avoid at all costs men with no spine.
I cannot agree more.

Basically, it's a quick, relaxing, yet ultimately forgettable beach read celebrating the power of female solidarity and kinship.

[Mandie]

Loved it… I was gripped by the twists and turns.

[Kerrie]

Unremarkable

[Donna Bevan]

Enjoyed..

[Andrew]

Perfect

[Anna]

A Quick to read psycho thriller.
The usual upmarket location filled with mostly unpalatable people.
Certainly kept me guessing as to the identity of the malicious presence.

[Katrien]

Entertaining fast read where one of the wedding guests is not so keen on the match and is using a lot of tactics to have it cancelled. I did guess the plot early. The cat is the best character.

[Claire]

Loved this book. Quite a twist at the end. At the front of the book is a list of characters and who they are. I found this very hand to refer to.

[Eleanor Rebecca]

Fun summer read.

[Natalie Atkin]

I feel like there could be more to this story whether that be a sequel or a prequel I'm not sure.

The story flowed well and the ending was unexpected in some ways. Overall a good, quick read.

[Gail]

i couldn't get into this book at all. it dragged on too much for me and wasn't at all gripping.

[Mollie Andrews]

I could easily give this 5 stars, BUT, there was a few bits throughout that were confusing and I feel like we didn’t fully understand all the characters.
Firstly, Ruby. I really reallly wish we got to see and hear more of her!! She came through at the end but u felt like it was way too late and I really wanted to see more of her and better build of character for her. But don’t get me wrong I had my high suspicious off her all along.
Secondly, having listen via audio and had the book to hand, the perspective of what shall we call, unknown, is not clear in the beginning as an audio listener. Especially as it appears part way through chapters from various characterss perspectives which makes it overly confusing and implies it is from the perspective of a character, especially as it came across like they was no breathe from the narrator. I think a change in voice would have been beneficial to these elements.
Overall I really enjoyed it as it opened up why I love a good thriller. A big part of me felt for both Maddie and Alex on the events that had happened. But I also wanted more from them too and almost a follow on to Collette and Lou’s story!

[Michelle Napper]

Alex and Maddie are getting married in a luxury villa in Majorca. His parents are extremely wealthy and have pulled out all of the stops for this wedding. Someone seems intent on causing Maddie harm so the wedding won’t go ahead. Will they succeed? I really enjoyed the build up, the characters and the plot but was disappointed at the ending, I felt it was a bit weak.

[Di Tonky]

Really good thriller book

[Catherine]

Took me ages to get into it but so glad I did as the second half was superb 👌 4.5 ⭐️

[Vicky G]

Forced myself to finish it!