Ever Green

by A L Rojo

410 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2026

About the author

A L Rojo is an author, educator, wife and mother who lives in Sydney, Australia. From a young age, she understood the power of getting lost in a good book. After giving herself permission to explore her creativity, she found that she loved writing novels that focus on strong female characters, love, spice, and the wonderful complexities of life. Her goal is to simply create worlds where anyone can escape into, for however long they may need. She says that along this journey she has left behind a piece of herself in every character she creates.

Reviews

[Danisbooklife · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW – Ever Green by A. L. Rojo

First off, thank you for the ARC — this one had me hooked from the premise alone.

Set in a world where danger lurks around every corner, Ever Green follows Susyri, the king’s illegitimate daughter, whose very existence puts a target on her back. When her father falls gravely ill, she’s thrust into a high-stakes quest that leads her into the unknown… and straight toward a man with ever-green eyes who changes everything.

This story is such a solid blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. The quest element gives it that addictive, “just one more chapter” energy, while the slow unravel of fate, danger, and connection keeps the emotional stakes high.

✨ What I loved:

* A strong, determined FMC who doesn’t shy away from the weight of her role
* A journey-driven plot that actually feels dangerous and unpredictable
* That mysterious love interest energy (you know the one 👀)
* The world-building — immersive without being overwhelming

✨ Let’s talk about the MMC:
A. L. Rojo is an absolute magician when it comes to writing swoon-worthy shifter MMCs. There’s just something about the way she builds that intensity — protective, powerful, a little bit dangerous — that hits every single time. The chemistry? Immaculate. The tension? Chef’s kiss. You feel every moment.

There’s this underlying push and pull throughout the book — between duty and desire, survival and trust — that really carries the story forward. And the romance? It builds in a way that feels earned, not rushed.

Overall, Ever Green is perfect for readers who love fantasy romance with a quest, a touch of danger, and a fated-feel connection.

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating
5 💎
1 🌶️

Quick Summary
Susi is a fierce, wronged woman trying to save her father and kingdom. When she’s thrust into an epic quest, every challenge pushes her to grow. Zeke, the stoic, secret‑laden man she meets along her quest is mysterious and as they travel together he slowly lets his walls fall, creating a connection that grows through shared danger, quiet trust, and undeniable chemistry. Their bond deepens with every trial they face together. The tension, growth, and beautifully built relationship had me devouring this story from beginning to end.

While Reading Thoughts
📗Susi was this wrong independent women who wanted to do right by a father who barely noticed her and a stepmom that despises her.
📗Zeke was this stoic male with secrets that we were left trying to unravel.
📗Loved the character development with both susi and zeke throughout the book.
📗They slowly got to know each other and the connection they stated to build was beautiful
📗The chemistry and tension was written so perfectly and I couldn’t read fast enough.
📗Loved this story from start to finish.

Words that linger
🍷‘For you miss, a beautiful heart-stone to hold the heart of an Ekalus.’
🍷‘You handled yourself very well out there, Princess. You’re strong and brave. A warrior.’
🍷You’re not no one, Susyri. And I’d love to get my hands on the people that made you feel like you were.’

Tropes
⚔️ Hero’s quest
⚔️Hidden truths
⚔️Fated mates
⚔️Magical artifact
⚔️Shifters

Thank you AL Rojo for an early ebook of this story.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever Green is a fast paced shifter romance adventure that never loses momentum.

Following Susyri on her quest to save her father, the King, pulled me straight into a world full of mystery, danger, and discovery. After receiving guidance from a mysterious messenger, Susyri finds herself facing risks far beyond anything she could have imagined.

And then there’s the man with the ever-green eyes…

I loved this story so much. Susyri’s journey is not only filled with adventure, but also deep self-discovery and found family themes that made me incredibly emotional. Growing up carrying the weight and isolation of being the King’s illegitimate child, she slowly learns to recognise her own strength, worth, and resilience as the story unfolds.

Along the way, she also discovers what attraction, desire, and love feel like, and how far she is willing to go for both duty and the people she cares about.

And Mr Ever Green? Absolutely everything. A. L. Rojo truly knows how to write irresistible male characters. By the end, I was genuinely emotional and anxious about how everything would unfold.

This story balances adventure, romance, found family, and hidden danger beautifully, while also exploring a love that felt powerful enough to transcend all of it. I completely fell for this world and its characters.

I received this book as an ARC, however, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings shared voluntarily.

[Kelsbookreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about Alex's words that just brings me joy. I love immersing myself in the different worlds she creates and they are all so vast and different, but absolutely spectacularily full of plot, character depth and romance that makes you swoon (oh and always a strong female!)

We follow, Susyri an illegitimate Princess who finds herself embarking on a quest to save her sick father, the King. The quest is given to her by a mysterious woman claiming only the Alpha of Ekalus Peak's blood will heal him. So Susyri leaves in the dead of the night with only her horse, a small pack of food and a gifted emerald necklace to her name. But when she saves a handsome vagabond, Zeke on the road from thieves, she has no idea how entwined their lives and fates would become.

This story is full of action and adventure, loss and betrayal and everything in between that makes a shifter romance based in a fantasy land perfect. I could read a whole series set in this world, especially with Alex guiding us along.

If you love:

• hidden identity
• strangers to companions to lovers
• heros quest
• standalone
• he falls first and hardest
• fated mates
• lies and betrayals
• shifters
• strong but self conscious FMC
• complicated family dynamics
• banter

Then don't miss this... like - don't. I read this prior to official release day.

[My Favourite Fictions ✨🧚🏼‍♀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - late submission sorry!

Rating - ⭐️ 4.5 🌶️ 1

Thank you A L Rojo and Australian IndieVerse for the opportunity to read this.

This is the first book from this author that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it! She absolutely nailed the shifter romance and the push/ pull chemistry between these two? ✨Chef’s kiss✨

Our MMC Zeke is the perfect mix of protective, powerful and deeply mysterious. He starts with massive walls up, but watching him slowly open up to Susi as they face trial after trial together was everything.

Our FMC Susyri is the illegitimate daughter of a dying king, thrust into a desperate journey to find a cure and stop a civil war. She’s independent and fiercely loyal, despite having a stepmother who despises her.

The romance is a beautifully earned, slow burn built on quiet trust and shared danger. Their banter is so fun and when Zeke remembers her wish to dance in the rain, I was giggling and kicking my feet. If you love romantasy that feels atmospheric, earnest and deeply romantic, you need to add this standalone to your TBR immediately!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, from the start, i didn't know what to expect as i didn't read the blurb on what it was about because i wanted a little surprise read.
I have never been into a "Quest" type of book but this had taken me on a dirt road and through the dead forest down to a binge read for 24 hours. With a good mix of romance, banter and some scary gasping scenes, this book had me in a choke hold.
I enjoy how A L Rojo captures every moment the characters are in and lets you feel every part of it within her writing. If you love to feel the connection, this is it.
This book gives the perfect fit of Romance and danger, 10/10 - would recommend.

[Lorna Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Alex for getting me out of my reading slump. I did start it and then put it down, when I picked it back up, I couldn’t put it down.
We have a kickass FMC who despite how she’s treated by her father, goes on a quest to save his life.
Little does she know her quest just may serve more than one purpose.
Along the way Susi (FMC) meets a grumpy yet dashing stranger with evergreen eyes!
She goes through lots of trials and tribulations and happens upon some creatures only spoken of in stories.

Mythical creatures
Fated mates
Royals
Messengers (kind of like a fortune teller)

I do wish some characters got what was coming to them though!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever Green by A L Rojo 🪶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If A.L. Rojo writes it... 100% I’m reading it. A huge thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This story was an EPIC ride 🫶🏼

Susyri is the illegitimate daughter of the king, hated by the queen who is constantly trying to unalive her. With her father gravely ill and the kingdom on the brink of collapse, Susi believes she’s the only one who can save him. Thrown into a dangerous quest to find the Alpha Ekalus (half man, half bird) as her savior...

Susi faces challenge after challenge. She’s fierce, stubborn, a skilled warrior, and never backs down from a fight. When she stumbles across a mysterious man 'Zeke' along her travels they somehow end up on the same path together. Their tit for tat was fun to watch unfold, as they both liked to win. And the way she always calls him 'Green-Eyes' ... STOP IT 🥵🔥

I loved the magical elements, the playful side characters & the way every new challenge pushed the story. That slow burn was exquisite. The character growth, the longing, the tension, it had me needy and feral for these two. And the plot is chefs kiss 👌🏼

Packed with action, adventure, betrayal, secrets, longing, and incredible banter, this standalone fantasy was impossible to put down. Fast paced writing, addictive characters, and a panty dropping MMC... what more could you want?

[Jordy Stanyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
I am a sucker for a slow burn lovers quest, and Ever Green did not disappoint! Ever Green simmers and builds tension so perfectly that when it finally pays off it hits ten times harder. With every glance and almost touch, there is a moment of resistance that pulls you deeper into the story. Next thing you know, it’s 2am and you have 3 kids waking up soon! A L Rojo makes you feel every push and pull of denial in watching these characters fall into their fate. Thank you for the ARC!

[Jackie R Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic.
Slow burn where the romance was just perfection.
The FMC is fierce and brave, without being the best at everything. I loved that she seemed fairly normal, just a woman in bad circumstances trying her best.

And the MMC is top tier. I literally could not put this down, read it one sitting.

The tropes were well done and the plot was paced well. But for me I just loved the love story. One of the best I have read to be honest.

[Neen T · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Standalone fantasy quest!
What an interesting world and adventure to be a part of!
Not too heavy, just a nice balance of action, drama, intrigue and romance.
Our MMC is so swoon worthy! New book boyfriend unlocked!
I don't know how to really explain it, but this is the kind of story I would happily read again as a comfort read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story about a daughter bound by duty to save her father’s life and in doing so she discovers the importance of her own life.

Thank you A L Rojo for the opportunity to read this ARC its was wonderful.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story of personal growth and kickass FMC's who don't take no for an answer.

[Demelza Clearwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure awaits

I really enjoyed this, it has adventure, danger and banter.

I recommend everything from this author, she writes stories you really dive into.

[Tamika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slow burn, quest, adventurous story with a grumpy, smart ass MMC and a FMC who feels duty bound to those who dont deserve it. There's supernatural creatures in a medieval world. 😊

[Amber Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love a quest adventure slow burn fantasy adventure book this is for you! FMC and MMC will have you hooked on their slow burn chemistry filled relationship!

[Chez Za · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illegitimate Princess Susyri goes on a quest to find a cure to save her father and the kingdom. A fantasy world, with a race of shifters that are the enemy.

Susy meets Zeke early on and he eventually joins her on her journey, with both of them saving each other at various points. There is fun banter, and side characters which make the story all the more interesting.

The ending feels slightly rushed, but maybe just because I was wanting more. A fun, fantasy romance.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We're dancing, princess. I promised you that we'd dance in the rain."
Ever Green is a magical quest story with some fairy tale vibes reminiscent of Princess Bride, LOTR, and Labyrinth. It was so freaking good. And what's even more amazing is it's a standalone!!
Susyri is the illegitimate daughter of the king who's dying. A mysterious woman appears, offering her a chance to save her father and to save her kingdom from civil war. Along the way, she saves the enigmatic Zeke from a group of robbers, and he joins her in her quest.
Susyri is a loyal and courageous FMC determined to do her duty. Zeke is a protective, charismatic, and mysterious MMC. Put the 2 together and instant chemistry. There were such cute moments of banter between them - the inn and her feet, etc. Then, the moment when he remembers her wish to dance in the rain!! My heart swooned! I was so sad when this ended.

Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC reader .