Cursed Ever After

by Andy C. Naranjo

Cursed Ever After is a dazzling romantic fantasy debut brimming with snark, humor, and banter-filled romance perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and Once Upon a Broken Heart.

Love is not for cursed girls. Risa is better off without it.

Risa Porto is a Bad Thing born on a Bad Day and cursed with Bad Luck. After years of taking the blame for every calamity, mishap, and minor inconvenience that befalls the townspeople of Barrow, she longs for escape. And on her seventeenth birthday, her wish is granted.

Sort of.

Risa owes a (very annoying) witch a favor, and it comes in the form of a quest: escort Prince Javi―the youngest, handsomest, and least significant prince―through the dark (and deadly) Bosque to his wedding. This measly errand quickly spirals into a struggle against greedy assassins, a murderous cult, a vicious tyrant―and Risa’s own curse.

Most unfortunate of all...

She is not immune to Javi’s charms and has a highly irritating urge to kiss the prince. Though, surviving the darkest corners of the Bosque is only the beginning. If Risa is to hold up her end of a witch’s bargain, she’ll need a lot more than luck on her side to untangle the web of lies threatening the kingdom. Is Risa willing to pay the price of happily ever after? What if the only person she’s meant to save is herself?

Don't miss this action-packed, Latinx subverted fairytale!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 30, 2026

About the author

Andy C. Naranjo is a YA Fantasy writer creating stories with Latinx protagonists. Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City, she now lives in Austin, Texas with some guy she met at work and their two dogs. She speaks several languages, all of them badly. When she’s not writing, she can be found re-watching her favorite tv shows.

Photo by Riley Glenn Photography.

Reviews

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This was such an immersive, engaging and interesting young adult fantasy about bad luck, friendships, power, love and family. Cursed Ever After follows Risa who lives in a superstitious town who believes since Risa was born on a Bad Day (a sunny day, it usually rains in her town) she is a Bad Thing and has Bad luck. Risa must escort Prince Javi to his wedding since she owes a witch a favor. Along their journey they face enemies and make friends as well as discover more about each other.

Thoughts
I was immersed in this intriguing fantasy from the first page. The plot kept me engaged the entire book and the pacing was nearly perfect. I enjoyed that this book had a unique take on fantasy, Risa had Bad Luck and didn't have to go through a trial or training. I'm impressed that this was the author's first book; there were many great elements to this book including relatable and well rounded characters, unique magic, descriptive writing and an immersive world. I loved how inclusive the book was, the main characters were Latinx and all sexual identities were welcome. The world building was interesting and I enjoyed learning about the differences between the countries, but the history of the world was missing. I enjoyed that the magic was about curses (love curses, bad luck curses, etc.) and healing. The writing was descriptive and easy to follow. I could picture each moment in my mind because of the descriptive writing. I was able to connect to the characters and felt for what they went through. The ending was surprising and exciting! I'm glad most of the challenges were resolved, but there was one aspect of the book that wasn't quite resolved.

Characters
Risa was a well rounded character, at the beginning she stubborn and didn't listen but throughout the book she grew. She showed determination, bravery, resiliency, and kindness for her friends. Risa's character development was excellent, she discovered that she was worth being loved and cared for. I really liked Javi, he was witty, charming, flirty, kind and brave. Javi's character development was wonderful, in the beginning he was arrogant but then he showed he has a heart of gold. There were many moments when I laughed at the witty comments Javi made. The side characters were great too especially Amina, and Brunnie. I enjoyed how the side characters interacted with Risa and Javi.

Romance
The chemistry and tension between the main characters was amazing! I loved that the romance was slow burn and their relationship took a while to develop. It was also relatable and realistic it took time for them to discover their feelings. I enjoyed that they were different but were great together and brought out the best in each other. The banter between Javi and Risa was also fantastic and I was laughing so much! The romantic scenes were wonderful and made me smile.

I recommend this book to teens, adults and fantasy readers who love awesome characters, excellent writing and an exciting plot!

[Andy C. Naranjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've read better

[Annemarie]

Do you love himbos, finding your worth, epic quests, and delectable banter? Of course you do, now read this

[Eryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!!! This book was so much fun!!! The whole thing got moving really fast and I loved the blend of fantasy, romance, adventure, and humor that was all told in a way that read like a fairy tale.

I absolutely loved Brunie throughout the whole book! Also, I appreciated how quickly the plot got moving and seemed to keep going for the entire duration of Risa and Javi’s journey.

My only complaint was that the story felt a little flat at times, more so during the beginning, I think…

Overall, it was such a fun read!!! I definitely recommend.

Also, HUGE thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the arc!!! 🫶🫶

[Amy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first foray into YA and this was excellent. I think I personally would've preferred if the characters were older, but again, just personal preference. I struggled a bit with a group of assassins trying to kill literal children.

Risa was born on a Bad Day in a very superstitious town, therefore making her a Bad Thing. She's spent her whole life being shunned from her community because of her bad luck until one day when a witch shows up to collect her. After being curse-bound to a golden retriever-himbo of a prince, Risa embarks on a quest across the land to act as a good luck charm for said prince. Hijinx and hilarity ensues with some lovely banter.

Everything about this book was cute and funny and an overall enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing, and Andy C. Naranjo for the free eARC.

[Sierraaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, i would like to thank NetGalley, Andy C. Naranjo, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the chance to read and review this book early!

~~~
This book was so funny and i really enjoyed it! i feel like there aren’t a lot of books, especially in the fantasy space, that are very comdey forward the entire book, so Cursed Ever After definitely felt unique in that aspect

it kind of reminded me of a YA version of Assistant to the Villain mixed with a perfect fairytale-esque setting that drew me in from the start. and with all the witches, curses, and various shenanigans afoot, i was entertained throughout the whole novel.

i also loved the main characters! poor Risa has been cursed as a Bad Thing her entire life, shunned by everyone in the town she grew up in, and it seems like her luck just gets worse and worse as she “protects” Prince Javier across the kingdom to his own wedding. Risa is definitely a downer, but i enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and grow as the story went on

and Prince Javi!😆 a shameless flirt who uses being loved by everyone as a cover up for feeling perpetually alone🥺 not only was he the funniest character, but i personally think he was the softest too, and i enjoyed the way he helped to tear down some of Risa’s emotional walls without being too pushy about it

the side characters were great too, what with a snarky old witch named Brunhilda of all things, a temperamental cat familiar, and a cursed princess bent on revenge! i feel like this book is great for the YA space, while still being relatable to adults too with some of the underlying themes and messages

overall this was a good read, and i’m thankful to have had the chance to read and review it early!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After was a charmingly, adorable adventure. Risa and Prince Javi are paired together in a journey across the realm to delivery Javi to his betrothed from another country. Risa is cursed with bad luck and Javi is a notorious rake who doesn’t take life serious. Together, they clash their way through an Ella Enchanted-style adventure filled with bickering and a cast of delightfully eccentric characters.

This cozy story starts off a bit slow, but picks up around the halfway mark. The sarcasm and quick-witted banter makes for a fun time with lots of laughs. This is a great choice for a standalone adventure and an even better option for teen readers.

Thank you Andy C. Naranjo, NetGalley and Macmillian Children’s Publishing Group for this ARC.

[Hannah Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! So fun! Cursed Ever After is a YA fantasy perfect for fans of Margaret Owen, The Princess Bride and the movie adaptation of Ella Enchanted! The story is bursting with laughs and heartfelt moments. I really loved this book. I felt a reading slump approaching and this pulled me right out. From the very first few pages I knew this was going to be a good time. Our main character is very relatable and while she may find herself unloveable, she is very easy to love. The side characters are just as wonderful too. I loved seeing those friendships and relationships progress over their journey. The banter between all the characters was some of the best I ever read. The prince is an absolute himbo with a heart of gold. Risa and Javi reminded me a great deal of Ella and Char from Ella Enchanted! I love how the author played with fairytale tropes. The book is very self aware making it all the more humorous. There’s a loveable cat in the story which is always a bonus. I loved how ridiculous and over the top the story got from the town trapped in a musical to the stereotypical western outlaw town. I found myself wishing for a map! There might be one in the official publication, seeing as I read the ARC of it. There are plenty of twists and turns near the end that keep you engaged! I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this and look forward to what is next from the author!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a free ARC on NetGalley.
While I liked the premise of the book and certain parts, it read very young for a YA book. It seemed almost like a middle grade book so it didn’t really hold my interest.
Risa has been led to believe that she is the Bad Thing, that she brings misfortune to those around her. The witch Brunhilda gives her a job, escort Prince Javi to his wedding, and make sure he gets married. This is her opportunity for adventure as Javi is set to marry the daughter of General Sur, who led the overthrow of the royal family of the mysterious country of Madros. Risa and Javi are trying to survive several villains and are trying not to fall in love since Javi is betrothed. They do have many adventures and meet interesting characters.

[Anna Makowska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for the fans of This Princess Kills Monsters and Long Live Evil. Too bad I didn't like either of them, and this one joins the club.

This is the kind of book that stretches every joke to the point it overstayed its welcome and then pats itself on the back for how funny it is. I seriously can't with books that go like "did you get it? but did you really get it? let me reiterate for posterity..." As the saying goes, brevity is the soul of wit. Sadly, the punchlines here weren't punchy enough, they would go on and on and on.

Dnf at 32%. The plot felt meandering and episodic and just a pretext for wacky encounters (exactly like the 2 books I'm comparing it to above). I like the premise of a road trip / quest fantasy, but too often they feel like a collection of random events instead of a deliberate build up towards the climax.

When I found out not one, but 2 silly rom-coms I was concurrently reading are making me laugh out loud while this book makes me cringe, roll my eyes and facepalm, that was a sign to put it to rest. If you compare your book to The Princess Bride and Shrek, you're not allowed to be unfunny.

It was also advertised as a Latinx take on fairy tale parody, but except names of the characters nobody could guess this wasn't a pseudo-European world. Which saddens me dearly, because I don't see many Latinx fantasy overall (I loved A Cruel Thirst and want more books like that! It made me laugh out loud!)

Out of curiosity, I checked the ending whether the most obvious plot twist was indeed the case, that Risa wasn't in fact cursed to bring bad luck, it was all "in her head" and hurray, in a captain obvious manner we find out that yes, this is indeed the case. The ending was also full of typical to cozy self-congratulatory therapy speak. So that cemented my decision the journey isn't worth it for me.

I guess serves me right to read this just after When Dealing With Dragons after finding out Dana Swift mentored Andy C. Naranjo, I shouldn't be surprised that both books display the same issues, namely on the nose didacticism and overexplaining things to the reader. Just because it's for a younger audience doesn't mean there's a need for excessive handholding. So unfortunately, this one ended up disappointing me.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Younger Readers for the ARC.

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After by Andy C. Naranjo is a charming YA fantasy debut where assassins run rampant, curses abound, and adventure awaits.

Risa Porto was born on a Bad Day—the worst day of the year—and is believed by all in Barrow, including herself, to be cursed with bad luck. She is lonely, friendless, an outcast, and can’t wait to leave a village where every calamity is blamed on her. On her seventeenth birthday, her wish is granted. The witch Brunhilda comes to collect a debt and sends her on a quest: to escort Prince Javi—the seventh prince and a known flirt—through the haunted Bosque to his wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Madros.

Brunhilda has promised the prince that Risa will be his good luck charm so he will accept her, much to Risa’s unease. Alas, the journey does not go smoothly. From the start, there are assassination attempts on their lives, intrigue, and deadly trials. There are many adventures and mishaps along the way, as well as new companions—a mysterious girl called “wolf” and a cat familiar—who make the journey even more exciting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical fairytale. With themes of self-discovery, self-worth, acceptance, perseverance, the tension between choice and fate, and, ultimately, love, the author has woven a lovely tale. Though Risa and Javi seem like opposites at first, they have more in common than they realize. I liked the buildup to their relationship and the gradual bond between them. The side storyline of the “wolf” was excellently woven into the main plot. Risa is a more well-rounded protagonist than the others—I loved her growth—but the supporting characters are developed enough to feel real. At times, the two main characters could be a bit thick-headed, and I wanted to shake some sense into them.

Good fairytales rely on world-building, and this book has it in spades. The pace was just right, and the tone strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and perilous moments. The humor adds charm without overshadowing the stakes. I loved the characters, the world, the magic, and the book! Even though it is YA, the plot is quite intricate. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a feel-good story with no steam. The book stands on its own, but I would love to read more set in this world. Cursed or not, I’m all in!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Cursed Ever After” by Andy C. Naranjo is basically what you’d get if a fairytale, a rom-com, and a chaotic quest story all got thrown into a blender, in the best way possible.

The story follows Risa, who has spent her entire life being labeled as the town’s “Bad Thing” just because she was born on the wrong day. So yeah, her self-esteem is not great. She fully believes she’s cursed and brings bad luck wherever she goes. Then, out of nowhere, she gets tasked with escorting Prince Javi across the kingdom to his wedding because she’s apparently a “Lucky Magical Girl.” The irony is not lost on her.

From there, it turns into a wild, magical road trip full of witches, curses, assassins, and general chaos; and it’s so fun.

The biggest standout is definitely the humor. This book is genuinely funny the whole way through, which is kind of rare in fantasy. The banter is top-tier, especially between Risa and Javi. Their dynamic absolutely carries the story where she’s all doom and gloom, convinced everything will go wrong, while he’s this flirty, charming prince who seems carefree on the surface but is actually kind of lonely underneath it all. They balance each other out really well, and watching Risa slowly come out of her shell because of him is super satisfying.

The side characters are also a blast; there’s a snarky old witch, a chaotic cat familiar, and even a revenge-driven cursed princess. It all has this very “fairytale but make it messy and self-aware” vibe that keeps things entertaining.

Underneath all the humor and adventure, though, there’s actually a really nice message about self-worth. Risa’s journey is less about breaking an actual curse and more about unlearning the idea that she is the curse. And I love that the story doesn’t go out of its way to prove her bullies wrong in some dramatic way; it’s more about her internal growth and realizing she was never the problem to begin with.

That said, the plot can be a little predictable at times, and it doesn’t necessarily have a huge “wow” twist moment. But honestly, that’s not really the point. It’s more about the journey, the characters, and the vibes, and those all deliver.

Overall, “Cursed Ever After” is a light, fast-paced, super charming fantasy that feels like a Disney movie with sharper humor and better banter. If you’re looking for something funny, magical, and a little bit heartfelt, this is a really fun escape.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

I adored this book. It was witty, engaging, had interesting characters, a compelling plot, and the banter between the FMC and MMC was just an absolute riot. I laughed out loud several times.

Cursed Ever After follows Risa, a Bad Thing born on a Bad Day. Risa is cursed with bad luck, and this really comes to bite her when she is forced to escort Prince Javi--the seventh and least important prince--to his wedding. Risa is not a huge fan of having to babysit the handsome yet infuriating prince, not to mention the assassin, thugs, and cursed towns they encounter along the way. But as she and Javi grow closer, Risa realises that maybe being a Bad Thing isn't all she is.

This book was exactly what I needed when I started it. I have kind of been in a reading slump and was not sure what I wanted to read. This book has been at the top of my list since I received the ARC, and so I took the plunge, and boy, did it pay off. Cursed Ever After is such an easy and entertaining read. There was a bit of a slow start, but after that, it really kept me hooked.

The best part of this book was the characters. They were just so well-written and relatable, I loved them. Risa is sarcastic, lonely, headstrong, occasionally painfully obtuse, but she is 17, so forgivable. I loved watching her grow and learn more about herself and what she is made of. Javi is a shameless flirt who is lonely and in need of love and absolutely not going to allow Risa to push him away. Watching them grow and fall in love was so cute, and I loved every second of their romance. There were also a number of side characters who were fantastic--looking at you, Amina. And of course, one passive-aggressive cat who stole the show.

The magic system and world-building were so good. I would have loved to see a little more expansion on the magic, but it was still fun to read about. I really loved that we got to see a snapshot of this world, especially considering it is a fairly short book. I felt like I saw all there was and understood so much, even though I only got a little over 300 pages with it. I was really impressed with the author when it came to the writing.

Four stars, mostly for pacing, as there were times, especially at the beginning, that I was a little tired of how slow it was. But other than that, I loved this book. For a first novel, Andy C. Naranjo hit it out of the park. This is a must-read for any fantasy lovers looking for an easy, funny, and engaging read.

[Thio Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risa is the “Bad Thing.” Born on the wrong day, she’s reminded of it daily by her village. Now seventeen, the witch who helped bring her into the world arrives for her repayment, assigning Risa to accompany a prince through the forest to his wedding — because she is a “Lucky Magical Girl.” Risa doesn’t feel lucky, but slowly, she begins to prove it…even to herself.

The message in Cursed Ever After is universal; at one time or another, we all feel cursed…and we often sabotage ourselves. Ms. Naranjo does something in the narrative that I deeply admire: she doesn’t address the bullies in the story. They weren’t taught a lesson; the heroes didn’t get to parade by once the tables had turned. This fairytale allowed the win to be mostly internal. Once Risa conquers her insecurities, the bullies don’t matter.

The cast moves systematically toward this goal, imperfect and occasionally annoying, yet loyal and ready to sacrifice for each other. Risa is deeply relatable, Javi is unexpectedly charming, Amina wise beyond her years, and Brunie…well, she’s the delight of my soul. I fully intend to be Brunie when I grow up. Even the king has his curmudgeonly charm.

The plot was a touch predictable, but the worldbuilding added texture, the prose is engaging, and the pacing kept it lively. The style is gold; choosing to call Risa the “Bad Thing” is so deeply, depressingly human. We don’t know how she’s bad, but she’s bad! Superstition meets authentic magic; so clever!

This light, action-packed fantasy has real emotional impact. Every new obstacle hurt, the characters endured so much, and gratitude was imperfectly balanced — making it feel authentic. Cursed Ever After strikes a rich balance between traditional fairytale and real-world struggle, suitable for pre-teens, teens, and adults. We all need a reminder that curses are often manufactured in our heads.

Thank you, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read Cursed Ever After. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I am writing this review voluntarily.

[big deezy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, thank you to the publisher for the ARC! I had never heard of this title & it was sent to me with a pitch of "for fans of Margaret Owen". If you're new here, hi, I'm incredibly obsessed with Margaret Owen's writing, so naturally I HAD to read this one immediately.

Incredibly delighted to share that it is indeed perfect for fans of Owen & it was a fantastic read! It held the same humor/banter that Vanja & Emeric in LITTLE THIEVES share while having a broadly similar plot line to THE MERCIFUL CROW (both Owen books), which was fantastic for me because they are both some of my favorite books to date. The plot was fast without losing interest, the characters were fresh and original, and there were nary an unoriginal take! I truly enjoyed the entire ride of this novel & only wish I were able to inhale it faster. Halfway through the book, I added this to my preorder listing. It's not enough to just own it, I need to stare at it every day of my life.

First off, Risa is a Bad Thing, & I appreciated her journey and her stubbornness because it resulted in a beautiful growth arc that wasn't necessarily relatable to me but was heart wrenching-and-warming to see her embrace. Combined with a hilarious himbo Javi & I laughed out loud multiple times. The Latinx culture weaved throughout the story made it feel so immersive and real. The cast of characters was small but mighty, and I appreciated the ease of the flow of the narrative.

Overall, there isn't much I would have changed about this book & I loved the journey from beginning to end. Absolutely a must read for YA fantasy fans!

Ending spoilers below
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My only gripe is I wish there was more to the epilogue. I would have loved to see Javi & Risa on their adventure to their next place, and I so badly wanted to see Risa reunite with her parents and let them love on her, as she deserved so much. I also would have liked a liiiiiittle line about Amina and how she fared after everything, but I really wanted to see Risa and her parents!

[Jen W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars


Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Cursed Ever After tells the story of Risa, a girl who was born on a Bad Day: a sunny day in the perpetually rain-soaked town of Barrow. Because of her inauspicious birth, Risa is called a Bad Thing and shunned by the people of her hometown as a bad omen.

Risa believes that the bad luck that always seems to happen around her is a result of a curse, and that one day, a witch might be able to help her be free of it. Unfortunately, things don't quite go the way Risa hoped when, on her seventeenth birthday, the witch who assisted her birth returns to town. Risa's parents reveal that they promised their first-born to the witch as payment for her help. Risa finds herself thrust into a new problem, as the witch tasks her with getting the kingdom's flighty youngest prince, Javi, to his upcoming political marriage and making sure he ties the knot.

The worldbuilding here feels a little weak. While it's clearly a Spanish-flavored fantasy, I never really had a strong sense of what the world was like aside from "generic fantasy world". The characters were mostly likable, and left a stronger impression. The romance felt like a natural build. I wanted more about some of the side characters, particularly Amina and The Regent.

There was an odd bit in the beginning where the two leads encounter a strange cult in a town where the townsfolk randomly burst into song and act like they're in a musical. This section, which is only 2-3 chapters long, didn't really seem to fit with the rest of the story and felt out of place.

Overall, a decent debut, and I'd be interested to read further from this author. I would recommend this to anyone who loves fairy tales and is interested in a light-hearted adventure.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts with the main character being shunned she thinks of herself as bad luck to the town and to herself. She grew up with this mindset, throughout the book she keeps telling herself that. Risa’s character grows throughout the story the book puts her through all kinds of situations that you relate to challenging her and her character. She’s a strong heroine with moments of humbleness not that holler than you character that sometimes winds up as annoying those types of female characters that come off as flat.

You’ll be rooting for her throughout the book. Her chemistry with Javi, the love interest, is off the roof their banter is gold and they kinda complement each other Javi is a great character his witty humor and the way his character added humor and lighten things up made the book more enjoyable. The way he teased risa and made himself stand out made him a lovable character. I loved his character and his personality. This book read like a disney movie the humor, and the sense of adventure of them it had this magical sense, or feeling that the movies leave you with. The writing adds to that too it’s easy to follow and it’s fast paced I couldn’t stop reading this book it draws you in page one and then you couldn’t stop wanting more. The author wrote wonderful minor characters especially the villain group they added great to the story. Its sad the story ended too soon I wanted to read more. You felt along with the main character all the characters made this book a fun read every page felt like a mini adventure I would’ve given this book five stars, but it didn’t have the wow factor for me.

Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the Arc.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨🪄 Curses, chaos, banter, and one very adorable companion? Say less.

Cursed Ever After is the perfect blend of fantasy, YA romance, and comedy wrapped up in one ridiculously fun adventure.

We follow Risa, who was literally born on the wrong day and has been cursed with terrible luck ever since. Around town she’s known as “The Bad Thing,” which honestly tells you everything you need to know about how her life is going. 😅 But when she attempts to break her curse, the very witch responsible gives her an impossible task: protect Prince Javi and make sure he follows through with his arranged marriage.

And let me tell you…the banter between Risa and Javi is EVERYTHING. 😂 Their constant back-and-forth, the ridiculous situations they stumble into, and the absolute chaos that follows them had me laughing the entire time. The story balances humor and heart so well, and every side character added something fun and memorable to the journey.

Also… Brunnie deserves all the love because they were PURELY ADORABLE. 🥹✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
I genuinely enjoyed every minute of this story and am so glad I picked it up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Andy C. Naranjo, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing for the advanced copy!

[Julia Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling when you open a book and you could spend the whole day reading it if you had the time? The minute I began CURSED EVER AFTER, I had so much fun and didn’t want to put it down. Naranjo’s writing was immediately engaging and Risa is sarcastic, relatable, and just so funny. This book truly reads like a fairytale, and is the perfect story for anyone who enjoys getting swept away on a quest with chaotically charming characters. I thought Javi was SO sweet, and there was so much great banter between Javi and Risa. This book doesn’t take itself seriously and pokes fun at some of the tropes in common fairytales while also navigating moments of deeper character growth that felt so satisfying for the reader. It’s not easy to write a funny book, and in my opinion, it’s even harder to write a funny book rooted in sarcasm and subtle witticism. Naranjo achieved that and more! CURSED EVER AFTER is fast-paced, enjoyable, genuinely funny, sweet, and so satisfying. I can’t wait for Andy’s future books!

[Bksm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! If you love a fantasy quest with a solid journey, this is definitely worth the read.
What I Loved:
It was so refreshing to have a female lead who was actually the capable one. She was constantly the one saving the day and getting them out of trouble.
I also loved that the FMC genuinely disliked the MMC for a good chunk of the book, which made the banter feel way more earned and fun. No insta love here!

The only downside for me was the super modern dialogue. Some of the lines felt like they were pulled straight from 2024 social media rather than a fantasy world. Hearing a character talk about gender as a "societal construct" or using the "country eight, city four" rating scale totally broke the immersion for me.

If you can look past the modern slang, the character dynamics and the adventure are great. Highly recommend for fans of strong leads and slow burn banter!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

[Gwenyth Reitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After is a fun, snarky breath of fresh air that perfectly subverts every fairytale trope in the book. Andy Naranjo creates an unforgettable protagonist in Risa Porto, whose "bad luck" curse and sharp wit make her a lovable lead. The chemistry crackles between Risa and her charge, Prince Javi, the least significant of the princes, who she must escort to his wedding through a series of increasingly deadly trials. With assassins on their tail, witches doling out curses, and magical cities in the sky, Naranjo brings the perfect Princess Bride quest energy to the story. It's also laugh out loud funny with some truly top-tier banter. Exhibit A: "If I die, at least it is with the knowledge that I'm falling in love with a terrible kisser." If you're looking for a whimsical escapist delight (and honestly, who isn't at this point?) you'll definitely want to snatch a copy.

[amel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
I didn't have any expectations going into this, but I really, really liked this book. It was really easy to fall into this world and its magic, and the main characters are so easy to connect with. Am I crazy if I say Javi is a combination of Flynn Rider and Prince Naveen? Recently, flirty & easy going MMCs have been so annoying to me, but Javi is such a well-balanced character and I loved how his development was done. Risa is so dear to me, and I empathized with every thought and action the whole way through (yes, even when she thought about killing Javi...) Without giving too much away, I was so pleasantly surprised by the Wolf's story as it unfolded alongside the main plot. I like how self-contained this story was, but I also would not be opposed to another book that follows these characters.

Also this book is an example of the worldwide latina belt iykyk

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the YA fantasy genre. Overall a story that moves forward well although predictable as are most books with similar plots.

The story revolves around Risa (a young girl born on a Bad Day) and her quest to get Prince Javi to his arranged marriage in a neighboring kingdom. Along the way are a clingy cat and outlaw who goes by Wolf. Along the way, they face various obstacles, the main one being chased by some assassins.

While Risa is a good character, I felt she spent too much time pondering her status as a Bad Thing and whether or not she was cursed. Javi's character felt a little underdeveloped or perhaps that was the intention due to his shallow personality. In the end, it all comes together as expected though it also felt like the author was trying to throw in a 'moral of the story' section.

[Brighton Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gonna try to be normal about this, but it's no use, I love this book and staying hinged about it is futile.

This book is so FUNNY. If you're someone who, as a child, frequently rewatched the Brandy Cinderella feat. Whitney Houston as the Godmother with PIPES—this is for you. If you rooted for Sophie Hatter or binged fairytale satires, this is for you. If you like mess, this is for you.

Risa is every hot girl who so Tired Of This Shit™ and Javi is every beautiful man without a cell of brain. Literally every page of this had me either laugh out loud or do that really quick exhale you do through your nose when something is funny but you're on the subway so you can't be too obnoxious about it.

Andy's books are insta-buys. I will not be taking questions at this time.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun running through this read. I found myself laughing and smirking at the little banter between the main characters. With them being true teenagers (16-19), there were some more immature moments or moments when you want to yell at one of the characters. However, I really enjoyed the random side quests/adventures they took on throughout the novel. Overall, with the humor and romance it felt reminiscent of The Princess Bride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for granting me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Jenifer Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After is an enchanting fantasy read with Disney princess vibes. Risa was born on a "bad day" and as such she has been labeled as a "bad person." On her 18th birthday, the witch present at her birth comes to take her away. Risa is tasked with taking Prince Javi, a seventh son, to a neighboring kingdom to marry the daughter of the general that took over that kingdom. Many hijinks occur on their trip which Risa blames on her "curse" from her birth. In the end, Risa and Prince Javi learn more about themselves, each other, and the "curses" they each carry.

I enjoyed the story and it kept my interest throughout. The banter between Risa and Javi is great and kept me laughing. A great story for any YA collection.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this book ever so much. There is not a thing I didn't like about it. I loved our heroine and our damsel in distress prince. This is full of magic and adventure and an adorable romance and a weird cult too! I am so happy I read this book.

It read a little like Dealing with Dragons by way of Tangled with its own new whimsical voice by an author I am excited to read more of.

This really is five stars but it won't let me change the number of stars because of the new pre-published steps that Goodreads imposed. I am really annoyed by that.

[Melody Robinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I read it. Andy is truly the funniest author I've ever have the privilege of reading, no lie. This book was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. It gave me the same feeling I had when I watched Shrek for the first time--same exquisite vibes but with even more depth and heart. Obsessed is an understatement. I love Risa so much, but I have to admit I'm a Javi stan. I mean, who doesn't love a himbo? Five stars, no notes.

[Erin Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delightful. Fast-paced and funny. If you have been mourning the end of the Little Thieves trilogy, read this. Risa feels like Vanja's accidentally-abandoned-on-the-side-of-the-road little sister. She's witty and grumpy and stubborn. Javi is adorable, a puff pastry with a shining steel core. I love them both. It's rare I wish a standalone had a sequel, but I definitely do here. I'm going to miss this ridiculous chaos couple. Thanks to NetGally for the ARC.

[Cristina Faz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I felt so connected to Risa and her struggles. She was so funny and loving, even when she felt no one loved her. The book was filled with adventure and (reluctant) romance. Loved the banter and all the remarks made by Risa. I loved every second I spent reading this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-ARC*

*I was given early access to an e-ARC for honest feedback