Til Quest Do Us Part

by Ivelisse Housman

This deluxe first-edition trade paperback features stunning sprayed edges and beautifully illustrated interior cover art.

Two Former Teen Protagonists Who Saved the World now need to learn how to be adults—with adult feelings—in this witty, warm romantic fantasy.

Princess Elysande Sybilla Aurelion of Estrachia, Voice of the Thousand-Eyed Goddess, impulsively made a vow to her knight, Faron, at eighteen years old, under the secrecy of night and the thousand watchful eyes of her patron deity. To be fair, they expected to perish at the hands of a raging sorceress the next day—but then they didn’t.

Once she took the throne, everything changed. Ely and Faron agreed that they were too young and too important—as the now Queen and Knight Guardian—to be anything more. And with Ely’s responsibility as the new sovereign of her people, it was better to forget the whole thing than risk the kingdom’s newfound peace.

Ten years later, Ely finds herself needing to marry the prince of a neighboring territory for political advantage, and discovers that she is, technically, married to her best friend. And the Goddess won't let her out of her oath that easily. Now, Ely and Faron must work together to seek the deity and break their vows in favor of the greater good—even if they risk rekindling a flame that never truly died.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Friends To Lovers

Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 1, 2026

Reviews

[yuvi • ia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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❀post reading thoughts❀

(★★★)
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Oh yikes. i'm so conflicted lol. while it was somewhat enjoyable, i still had some problems.
in theory, it promised everything. second chance, cozy romantasy, childhood lovers, queen × knight trope. but unfortunately, this ended up being another case of interesting premise but underwhelming execution.
the writing style was okay-ish imo but i felt like there wasn't any proper structure to the story overall. everything felt too rushed and all over the place. for a standalone fantasy, 23 chapters fell too short, ig? i would've liked it somewhat more had there been proper worldbuilding and magic system? the lack of worldbuilding and comprehensive magic system was one of the reasons i struggled to finish it. i even considered dnfing it but then decided not to.
anywayy
no matter what anyone says, princess and knight trope is one of the most beautiful tropes, if done right. it screams yearning and tension and stolen touches. but nope. this turned out to be another disappointment. i barely felt anything lol. there was no chemistry btw the mc's and they barely had any personality. and the lack of personality was the main reason why i struggled to connect with the characters, or the whole story in general. maybe i would've overlooked the lack of worldbuilding had there been more character development. idkkk. i wanted better character development damnit. i felt like they were just there. and there was no chemistry and no tension.
usually, i enjoy dual timelines but here, the flashbacks came out of nowhere and it was so abrupt and felt a bit jarring imo.
i think this had a great premise but it was not a good idea to try to fit everything in a standalone book. this would've worked better as a duology imo.
that being said, 3 stars isn't necessarily a bad rating. i did enjoy it. at times. but what saddened me the most was the unexplored potential.


expected pub. date-december 1, 2026
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side note
started- april 28
finished- may 04

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❀pre-read❀
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sry guys i've been lowk ia for the last few days. i'm not at fault honestly. reading slump is sucking the life outta me ughhh.
sigh
anyway
the cover lured me in (like damn hullo gorjisss😍)
i found this book on netgalley (available as 'read now' for next 48 hours, ig?)
the premise mhmmm. color me intrigued
wish me luckkk.
please get me out of this horrible slump😔🙏(*me to my reading slump*-begone you uncultured swine no one wants you

[Brend]

Ten years after saving the world, the Queen finds herself needing to marry for political advantage, and discovers that she is, technically, married to her knight best friend since they made vows the night before the big battle thinking they would die anyways

Buzzing.

[RavenCantRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Til Quest Do Us Part

This was like reading a Y2K medieval/fantasy movie in the best way! If you loved Ella Enchanted or A Knights Tale then chances are you will absolutely adore this book! It doesn’t take itself *too* seriously while still hitting the important emotional beats and without compromising the heart of the story.

Ely and Faronn fell in love and got married in secret 10 years ago, the day before they were supposed to die, except…they survived. Now Queen Elysande is meant to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom to secure an alliance, but the goddess she has dedicated her life to has other plans. Only a quest could make Ely and Faron confront the last 10 years of yearning, but will they finally follow their hearts?

I thought this book was adorable, cozy, fun, romantic and just great vibes all around! The world building is just enough to prevent confusion but doesn’t bog you down with the details, keeps the kingdom/magic very fun and light. Ely and Faron are so obviously obsessed with each other from page one, and everyone around them is just so good and kind.

*spoilers*

The wrap up was so neat and cute and just overall good, which normally I’d probably complain about, except it really fit the overall vibes of the book itself and I love that everyone just gets an uncomplicated happy ending. There are no bad guys, they were all vanquished long ago, and all of our characters just get to exist in peace and fall in love with who they want and man I just loved reading it.

*end spoilers*

If you like whimsy, cozy fantasy, and lovers-to-friends-to-lovers you’ll enjoy this one!

Big thanks to Berkley for the e-arc

[Skyler Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Til Quest Do Us Part was a story I thoroughly enjoyed! For me it started a bit slow, and I found myself taking some time to adjust to the writing style, but I quickly became invested, and the payoff was 100% WORTH IT, and didn’t take long AT ALL!

This book does a phenomenal job at showcasing neurodivergent MC’s and their behavior, as well as how it comes across both internally and externally. As a neurodivergent person myself, I really enjoyed this representation!

Most of the story our FMC Ely struggles with her sense of duty to her kingdom, and doesn’t tend to think of what would make her happy. I can 100% relate to this on a much smaller scale which made her enjoyable and personal to read.

The MMC, Faron, is probably the most lovable character I’ve read in awhile. It is so easy to love him. He is so true to his own character and what he believes in, and it’s incredibly admirable. Being neurodivergent, he shows his love in atypical ways, but it never felt lost on me as the reader.

This was my first ARC read ever, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to experience this story and these characters, and love them longer! I cannot wait for the BEAUTIFUL physical edition to be on my bookshelf when it comes out!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Ivelisse Housman, and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to review this ARC! Til Quest Do Us Part will be published in December 2026

[Ariel Pattee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ As someone who is a big fan of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, I was OBSESSED with the concept of this book. I had so much fun catching onto all of the subtle Zelda and Link references.

The book starts off with giving us a little bit of background knowledge that the characters fought the big bad when they were 18 years old, and exchanged marriage vows in secret when they thought they were going to die. Now it’s 10 years later, the princess is now the queen, and they are no longer together.

It’s a slice of life story of a second chance romance and best friends to lovers. The fantasy plot of everything that happened when they were 18 is not important for us, we don’t need to know the depths of the politics of the world and all the characters that played a part in what happened. We are observing these two characters and how they are slowly going to rekindle what they once had. The author does such a good job of making you feel and understand that these characters have history and care for each other. We unpack pieces of their history slowly through the story, but I never felt like I didn’t know enough about them, even with the little information about their past we are given. We don’t need a lot of world building or political intrigue because it just feels like a little peak into these characters lives. I felt the chemistry and history between these characters so intensely, even with the little backstory we have of their original romance. I was absolutely giggling and kicking my feet. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

[Memz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Till Quest Do Us Part”, we explore a side of the story we oftentimes forget — what happens after the happily ever after? What if our main couple has responsibilities greatly than they realized — and must make painful choices in the name of the greater good?

I absolutely lovedddd this story, it was so whimsy and magical and Zelda-coded, I could see every single scene play in the back of my mind as I read. The relationship between Ely and Faron was full to the brim with yearning, laughs, and sighs — and while the conclusion felt a litttle.. “simple”, and I would’ve loved to explore the world a little more, I enjoyed it all the same. And I will be SAT for when the second book comes out (set in the same world! Probably different cast of characters? Who knows)

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

[Amy]

This cover is CRAZY. someone buy this for me for Christmas

[Lucia]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Til Quest Do Us Part - 5 ⭐️

A Zelda-inspired fantasy where a queen and her knight are secretly married.

She is a queen, and he is HER GUARD.

This book has the perfect touch of charm, humor, and tenderness.

Ely, a lost heir to the throne and the Voice of the Thousand-Eyed Goddess, must set out on a journey to defeat the evil alongside her guardian, chosen by the goddess herself.

We follow the story of Ely and Faron, who ten years ago, along with a group of adventurers, set out to defeat an evil sorceress threatening their kingdom.

In the past, they fell in love and impulsively decided to get married, because according to the prophecy, the Guardian always falls to save the Voice.

But after the battle, when they unexpectedly survive, the weight of their responsibilities forces them apart.

The story begins in the present, where Ely must marry a prince from another kingdom in a political marriage arranged when she was a child.

Throughout the book, we get glimpses of Ely’s past, which only make their love story even more compelling.

It’s incredible how the author captured every complex emotion that led them to this situation. The misunderstandings, the silence, the lack of communication, and everything that kept pulling them apart until they were finally able to face their feelings and talk.

This book is beautiful, light, and above all, so fun.

The romance is at the center of the story. Ely and Faron are two blind fools in love, completely unable to see their feelings for each other.

The journey they embark on is meant to find a way to separate, yet it only strengthens their feelings and makes them realize they might not want a future apart.

— My thoughts —

I loved these two fools in love, their love felt so tender and enchanting.

Faron is the sweetest, gentlest, and shyest MMC I’ve ever read!

Despite all the misunderstandings and lack of communication, everything resolves quite easily, and their feelings are always so clear that there’s never any doubt they both want the best for each other.

I adored their chemistry, the romance felt soft and cozy.

One of my favorite details is that the protagonists are close to their 30s, yet the romance still feels so innocent and beautiful.

I also loved their old companions. They appear at the beginning and at the end, and they were easily some of the most fun parts of the book.

Valiant and Prudence, their horses, added such a charming touch to the story.

The final chapter was my favorite. It’s where things finally get cleared up, and everything feels so fun and so heartwarming.

This is a standalone, and I definitely plan to read more from the author because I loved this book.

A truly comforting and charming read, it absolutely deserves a chance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

From the summary, you may think this is a much more serious romantasy novel, but I would personally classify this one as more of a cozy romantasy. Our two main characters are Ely, queen and Voice of the Thousand-Eyed Goddess and her knight and Guardian Faron. Their roles were etched in stone and cyclical in that the Guardian always dies defending the Voice against the wicked sorceress--but in this cycle, Ely already broke it by killing the sorceress and Faron is still alive. Ten years later, they're not teen protagonists any more, and Ely is a serious queen who needs to fulfill her betrothal contract with the prince of a neighboring kingdom, but there's a slight catch--Faron and Ely were married 10 years ago, and in the eyes of the Thousand-Eyed Goddess they still are.

From the start, there is so much yearning and affection between Ely and Faron. There's the protectiveness between a knight and a queen, but there's also just the friendship and camaraderie of being companions on a life-or-death quest and working together for over a decade. You can't really see why they aren't together besides out of duty, and there is so much UST in their journey to get to the Thousand-Eyed Goddess temple that when they finally do kiss, you're going to cheer. (And the smut is quite nice too). Along the way, there are also many fun scenes of clearing ghosts from manors, attending small winter festivals, and tending to ornery horses.

However, I have to say that the worldbuilding of this novel is a bit sparse. You get the barest flashbacks of the quest that made Ely and Faron heroes, you get a few references to their other friends, and a few throwaway comments about things the evil sorceress did, but nothing about the cycles that came before or what makes this one so different. Tying into that is my biggest issue with this novel: when you finally get the flashback of why Ely and Faron decided to not really stay married before, it's that what ultimately drove Ely and Faron apart in the beginning was miscommunication, and it's still their biggest problem. They do get some lovely love confession scenes and words of devotion, but over and over again, their biggest problem is that they just can't talk about their honest feelings for each other, and while that makes some sense back when they were 19 and taking on new, hard duties, it makes much less sense now. The main conflict gets wrapped up in like the last 5% of the novel, which also seemed so fast.

For all of my issues with this novel though, it is a fun read that I read deep into the night, and I do recommend it if you want a knight/queen romance with lots of yearning and a more cozy setting.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars⭐️ (rounded down but PLS goodreads give us half stars)

‘Til Quest Do Us Part’ was a refreshingly unique and fun read that had commentary upon how it’s insane to think the new adults in fantasy stories actually end up together post storyline.

Ely and Faron were 16/17 when they began their quest to save their land from an evil sorceress, then 18 when they prevailed and fallen in love. While we only get glimpses of that past/told what had happened, not long after their epic adventure life took hold as Ely was Queen and Faron a skilled guard/hero went about the country to check on its people…. The inevitable breakup due to the drastic differences of their roles taking off.

This story picks up 10 years later, with Ely and Faron tiptoeing around each other and never talking about what happened all those years ago. They’re the epitome of idiots in love. (They’re def the trope of duty bound people to a fault). Because how in 10 years of him still being your personal guard does the conversation not come up?😅

I saw some comps comparing this to the likes of Zelda x Link and I think if you’re looking for a dynamic similar, this would be a good book! It’s evident though that this book is written purposely lighter and with humor (i’m guessing it’s a fantasy-romance-comedy?), so it won’t be crazy in depth but I still found the writing descriptive and well done. This was an emotional rollercoaster at time from being entertaining to fully having me tear up at the end. I felt for Ely so hard pushing aside her wants and needs to what was best for her people,, and finally finding out what happened between them a decade prior??

I think the only drawback of being plopped in 10 years after their quest to save the country, can cause you to feel some disconnect between the characters and their romance. If you don’t have any stakes in the characters, why would you want them to be together? But I think this book did a good job of hooking me in so that I wanted to read to find out more of their past as the plot unfolded. And it definitely did as we got to know the characters better, I found them to be sweet and felt their emotions and all the angst between them.

Some drawbacks I had was some pacing towards the middle bogged down a little and I had to sort of push through it, whereas the last 30% ish took off and was sooo good.

While not totally comparable, I would say if you enjoyed the Villains & Virtues series (another fantasy-romance-comedy) you should check this out!

*ARC courtesy of netgalley*


(also really really love this cover!)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first impression of this book was a good one. The opening chapter reads like the intro sequence of a Disney film—whimsical and warm. It is a genuinely delightful beginning, and for a moment I thought I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Sadly, that was where my enjoyment largely plateaued.
The premise is original and I want to give it full credit for that. Set ten years after a world-ending battle, the story asks a question that is both simple and genuinely interesting—what happens to the people who saved the world once the saving is done? The commentary on choices made at eighteen versus choices made at thirty is handled with more self awareness than I expected, and I understood the motivations behind most of what happened and why. The plot itself was never really the problem. The tone was. The humor simply did not land for me. I could see the jokes coming—could identify the exact moments I was supposed to laugh—but the actual laugh never arrived. Comedy lives and dies on execution, and something in the delivery consistently fell just short of connecting.
The characters are likeable enough. Ely is a queen who makes time to crochet, which I appreciated enormously, and Faron is a perfectly decent love interest. The secondary cast from the friend group are engaging in theory. The problem is that by the time we meet all of them, they already share a decade of history that the reader has no access to—and rather than easing us into that history, the book seems to assume we already feel the weight of it. The emotional connections between these characters arrive pre-established and essentially static, which made it difficult to feel genuinely invested in what happened to any of them.
The book also simply needed to be longer. It reads closer to a novella than a full novel, and the brevity works against it at every turn—the world, the magic system, the relationships, the aftermath of a battle that sounds considerably more epic than anything contained in these pages. I wanted more of all of it and was given very little of any of it.
For an adult debut, this reads as though it was always meant to be YA—which is not a criticism so much as a clarification of expectations. Readers who enjoy light, whimsical romantasy with a gentle comedic touch may find more to love here than I did. For me, it was a charming start that never quite became the book it promised to be.

[The Nightwatch Desk · Rating 3 out of 5]

At eighteen, Princess Elysande and Ser Faron married in secret. It was an impulsive decision when they thought their kingdom was about to be destroyed. After surviving the attack, they agreed to pretend it didn't happen so they could focus on their positions as Queen and Knight Guardian.

Ten years have passed, and now Ely needs to marry for political advantage. Except she's still married to her best friend, and for some reason their goddess refuses to accept the divorce. As they try to fix the situation, they find themselves unable to let go.

👑Adult Fiction
🐎Quest Romantasy
👑Queen x Knight
🐎Friends to Lovers
👑Second Chance
🐎Duty vs Desire
👑Neurodivergent MCs
🐎Open Door

'Til Quest Do Us Part' is a dreamy romantasy set in a magical kingdom with a constellation inspired religion. It explores themes of desire, duty, friendship, and growing up too soon. The story is sweet and warm, verging on cozy in a way that vaguely reminded me of 'Frozen.'

Princess Ely is struggling to be a worthy ruler. She's made a lot of sacrifices for her people, and she's weighed down by responsibility. It's the reason that’s she's been feeling extremely lost, purposeless, and disconnected from her goddess. She's someone who playacts as being the queen instead of it coming naturally.

The first chapter starts off abruptly and it was hard to follow the multiple summaries of previous events. It felt like I was entering the second book in a series without any warning. After the first quarter, the story settles into itself, and the pacing improves. But some elements, especially Ely’s personality, might have been better suited for a young adult novel.

Ely and Faron are full of soft yearning for each other. The romance is both the focus and the highlight of this story. Faron is loyal, devoted, and observant. They have incredible chemistry, especially in the intimate scenes. It's like they're two magnets that are constantly pulled together. I enjoyed seeing them rediscover their love for each other.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ace Books for providing this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for the ARC!

When I saw this book on Netgalley, I knew it was up my alley. The fact that it was Read Now made my day. So, I downloaded it and read it almost as soon as I got it. And I’m glad I did.

I’m a sucker for a cozy fantasy romance (especially with characters over the age of 25. I’m in my 40s…reading about 21 year olds gets a little tiring and makes me feel like an old lady). This one was adorable, sweet and a great palette cleanser after some darker reads. I also liked that this book focused on what happens after the chosen one and her friends save the kingdom. Mostly, just day to day life.

Our heroine, Queen Ely, was chosen as the voice of the goddess and went on to help save the kingdom. Now, it’s ten years later, she’s about to get married and she’s just kind of existing. Her best friend is her guard, Faron. He’s also her ex…sort of. When she tries to formalize her engagement, things don’t go so smoothly. Turns out the vow her and Faron made just before they went to face their possible doom is still holding strong. So, the two of them head off on a quest to end their marriage so she can wed someone else. On the way, both of them realize it won’t be that easy.

I found this book easy to read with a few laughs, some dry humor and two leads who are incredibly likeable. I was rooting for them to figure out their whole vibe and where they fit into the world as well as each other’s lives. Ely is easy to relate to because she’s like so many people in their late twenties: not sure what she’s doing and struggling with her choices. My favorite scene is near the end and it’s bananas (in a good way). I also loved their friends and kind of hope there’s maybe another book in this world with them in the future.

Overall, it was a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend Til Quest Do Us Part to anyone looking for a light-hearted fantasy romance with a good friends-to-lovers plotline and characters that are well into their 20s.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time I would read fantasy books and love the characters, but never understand why they did the things they did. What a time to be alive, when fantasy books with neurodivergent main characters are getting traditionally published!

As someone with auDHD in a long-term relationship with someone with autism, Ely and Faron's dynamic really hit home. This misunderstandings and chaos of Ely using probing jabs as a means to try and get Faron to soothe her fears, and Faron taking it literally and trying to show her his love by directly complying.

I'd describe the premise of this book as what happens in the years after the fated teenage hero has "won" against the big evil, and has to deal with the adult consequences. The amount of yearning in this book is off the charts; Ely and Faron impulsively married at 18, separated romantically based on a misunderstanding but have remained in direct proximity as he is her pledged guard, and they are "just friends".

There are points of this book where I wanted to scream at Ely to get out of her own way, that the kinder thing for the kingdom is to be kinder to herself and to stop putting on the ill-fitting mask of the "good girl". Ok, perhaps this book is a bit TOO relatable...

Til Quest Do Us Part knows exactly what sort of book it wants to be, and allows itself to revel in the campy, quest-laden, romantic, romping fun that makes you feel like you're at the DND table.

I had a fabulous time coming along for the ride, and would highly recommend if you wished that Zelda would kiss link, if you like seeing characters defy their fate, if you like wholesome found family and if you chuckle at witty, sassy, funny prose.

Thank you to Ace/Berkley (Penguin Random House), Netgalley and the author for the eARC in return for my honest review! Til Quest Do Us Part publishes in December 2026.

4.5 stars rounded up

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Til Quest Do Us Part hooked me immediately. the writing style is so engaging and easy to sink into. it just flows in a way that makes you keep going “one more chapter” and suddenly you’re halfway through. it’s fast-paced but still super character-driven, which is exactly what I want. and the world-building is quick and clean - you get everything you need without it ever slowing things down.

and the yearning??? OFF. THE. CHARTS. you feel it right away.

Ten years after a battle they didn’t think they’d survive, the Queen now needs to enter a political marriage… only problem? the night before that battle, she married her best friend and guardian. they went their separate ways after, tried to move on, whatever… and now it’s all crashing back in on them. the tension?? immediate. the mess?? incredible.

Queen Elsysande really stood out to me. she’s young, ambitious, and constantly choosing her country over herself, even when it hurts. I found her so relatable, especially the way her thoughts drift and spiral at the worst possible times. it felt SO honest. and then there’s Faron… quiet, stoic, completely devoted - but also such a soft loverboy under it all. and yes, we absolutely love a short king!!

their journey is full of longing and heartache as they try to unbind themselves, and that tension carries through the entire book. the dual timeline was done perfectly too - it always came in at the right moment and added so much emotional weight without pulling me out of the story.

this is such a solid standalone, but I won’t lie… it definitely feels like there’s room for more if the author ever wanted to expand it. I’d go back to this world instantly!!

thank you so much to Berkley/Ace Books for the ARC!! all thoughts are my own.

[Christina L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often that I read a book that takes place in what is typically the "after" of stories, but I absolutely loved how this book played out. This book does not take place in the time when the main characters are teen heroes trying to overthrow the great evil of the land, but ten years after when Ely has been queen for quite some time and has to get married to a prince that her parents betrothed her to. However, due to her secretly marrying her guard, Faron ten years ago, she is not able to wed her betrothed until her marriage with Faron is broken. So naturally, she goes on a quest with Faron, and has to confront all her history and lingering feelings for him.

Although this book takes place in a fantasy world with dragons, monarchs, and magic, the focus of this book is definitely on the romance and the quest itself, so I would highly recommend it if you are looking for "light fantasy" and some great romance. Speaking of the story, although there is not a ton of fantasy elements, the story was super engaging, and there was no time in the book where I lost interest. Most of the story took place as Ely and Faron were traveling and running into various hijinks throughout.

Now on to the highlight of the book: Ely and Faron. I loved seeing these characters in the aftermath of all they went through in the typical teen heroes stage. They have so much history (and chemistry) and the trust between them, despite their history was so heartwarming. And there was only one bed "for safety" (but mostly by choice). I loved how their story progressed, and how it came to a close.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and NetGalley for an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bea Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever played Legend of Zelda and yearned for a story in which Link and Zelda actually get together—Til Quest Do Us Part is the perfect book for you.

The parallels to Zelda are pretty obvious, but this didn’t feel like fan fiction. Housman took the classic Chosen One trope and gave it a fresh twist—the world has already been saved, but now its saviors, Princess Ely and her Knight Guardian Faron, must deal with the consequences of a reckless decision made when they were 18.

This is what I would call a low stakes fantasy. While there is a vague feeling of potential war should the characters fail, I never felt truly concerned in the way I would reading, say, A Song of Ice and Fire. The whole plot is basically centered around Ely and Faron learning to properly express their feelings while on a quest. And I ADORED it.

To start, the writing is beautiful. It’s accessible but sprinkled with lovely bits of prose that really dig deep into the emotional struggles of the characters. Everything flowed nicely, and the pacing is pretty snappy. There are very few slow moments, and at about the 40% mark I found myself unable to put it down and just read straight through to the end.

If I had to criticize anything, it would be that sometimes I felt myself wanting more. More about Ely’s and Faron’s friends who joined them in saving the world. More about the world in general. This isn’t what I would classify as epic fantasy simply because even though there is a journey, it all happens fairly quickly and is pretty self-contained.

Overall, this was a wonderful read and I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet romantasy to escape in for a little while. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Til quest do us part reads like an adult fairytale. That was my first impression in the first chapter of the book. The whimsy at the start of a Disney movie intro where there’s a montage of the FMC and what her world is. I could basically hear the theme song!!

Sadly that’s where my enjoyment started and ended. Something about the plot and pacing just did not work for me and I wish it would have because knight x queen plus rom com is technically one of my favorite things. The humorous tone just absolutely did not hit for me. I didn’t find myself laughing at any point tho I could see the cues and the moments that were supposed to make me want to like giant X marks the spot. And maybe that’s why it ended up not working for me.

Now about the plot. Very original and enjoyed a lot of aspects of it. 10 years after the big battle world ending event so on and so fort and ohhh what do you know maybe you won’t end up with the person you pick at 18 *shock and horror*. Or as it turns out, maybe you will. You just need to be a bit more mature to make said choices. I didn’t have an issue with the plot in this book, truly. I even understood why some things that happened happened and the motivation behind them and the commentary about choices you make as a young adult versus the ones you make as an adult.

I truly entree characters as well, both Ely and Faron and the secondary ones from the friend group. I believe my issues with this particular book stem from not being able to connect with the writing for one reason or another.

All in all 2.5⭐️ rounded up to a 3 and the comment that what is not for me might very well be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc!

[April Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ I received an advanced copy of this ebook on Netgalley ✨️

This was a really fun twist on the "chosen ones" trope that's so popular in romantasy, because our main characters aren't out saving the world...they already HAVE. This story is about what's come to pass since then.

Faron, our MMC is a little bit Westley (The Princess Bride), a young man who's fallen madly in love with a princess who's far above his station in life. He's also quiet, steady, and selfless.

Ely, our priestess-turned-queen FMC is very "eldest daughter who stepped up and put everyone else first," even though she doesn't have siblings. What she does have is an entire kingdom that she feels responsible for.

We spend the whole journey in Ely's point-of-view, so we get to witness her struggle with the notion of her duty to her kingdom (including marrying a man she has never met, and does not love, rather than allowing herself to be with Faron who she clearly loves). But Faron's feelings are pretty easy to read, too, even when Ely tries not to see them.

Their task is a bit like a Dungeons and Dragons adventure—to find a way to absolve themselves of the marriage bonds they made to one another on the eve of their great battle to vanquish the evil sorceress. Now those vows are preventing Ely from marrying a prince from a neighboring kingdom and securing peace for her people.

Of course, it's not that simple, thanks both to the adventures that find them on the way, and more so to their own hearts.

It's sweet, fun, and manages to stay pretty light and cozy.

[Cayce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Til Quest Do Us Part was such a fun read and honestly had way more heart than I expected going into it. It has that cozy fantasy adventure vibe mixed with romantic comedy energy that makes it incredibly easy to fly through. I kept picking it up thinking I’d read one chapter and then suddenly realizing I was way farther in than I planned.

The humor worked really well for me because it felt natural instead of overly forced or random. The banter between the characters was genuinely entertaining and gave the story a lot of personality without taking away from the emotional moments underneath everything.

I also really loved the relationship development. The chemistry built gradually in a way that felt believable, and I liked that both characters were allowed to be awkward, flawed, and vulnerable instead of perfectly put together all the time. Their dynamic ended up being very sweet while still keeping enough tension to stay engaging.

The fantasy setting added a lot too. It felt cozy and adventurous at the same time, with enough worldbuilding to make things immersive without becoming overwhelming or overly dense. The whole book had this very charming energy to it that made it hard not to enjoy.

Overall this ended up being a really comforting and entertaining read for me. If you like fantasy romances with humor, adventure, lovable characters, and a softer cozy feel mixed with emotional moments, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I learned this was a Legend of Zelda inspired love story, I knew I had to drop everything and read it! Til Quest Do Us Part certainly delivers on the intended Princess x Knight trope and while it is Zelda inspired, the world and the characters still feel distinct apart from a few similarities a fan would pick up on.

Til Quest Do Us Part answers the question, what happens after the “evil” is vanquished? What comes next, how does everyone move on? For Ely and Faron, it doesn’t look much different than it did before — except they may have gotten married the night before the big battle and didn’t tell anyone and now that’s causing a *little* bit of a problem for Ely’s impending political marriage with a neighboring kingdom. What follows is a secret quest with Ely and Faron while they try to fix things and in true quest fashion, not everything goes as it should.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read that I would call “cosy romantasy.” There are stakes but they are not world ending and there is a good amount of longing and some spice. My one complaint is the use of the miscommunication trope (for lack of a better term) at the end that felt clunky and I felt could have been avoided without changing the story much. That said, this one is for the Legend of Zelda fans or anyone who can’t get enough of the Princess x Knight trope and watching true love prevail.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy fantasy with the story style of post journey that reminds me of the novel This Will be interesting or the anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The story starts off ten years after a quest to defeat evil. Elys now a queen is betroth to a neighboring prince that was contracted when she was a little. Unbeknownst to everyone she is already married. A secret between to youths - a promise before a final battle long ago.

The style of this story structure is one I particularly do not enjoy because I am always wondering what I am missing. I want the journey! How the friendships became and the little gesture and secrets that come from reading how the characters blossomed.

This is definitely a cozy fantasy. I was anticipating conflict and major betrayal - ironically like Elys but it was comically all a misunderstanding.


I think if my imagination was not anticipating the worse I would have enjoyed it more. However, the miscommunication (my least favorite trope) kept rearing its ugly head time to time again.

I think the connection and romance between Elys and Faron were precious. I love how their actions of love were thoughtful and kind, even it if lingered under the guise of friendship and tried to not appear more than what it is. This is a second chance romance.

Luckily a happy ever after.

[jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book absolutely started out strong, but I felt increasingly like it was far too short and simple. For the first 25% I felt like I was reading a sequel in a world I was supposed to already know, because so much of the main cast has history that feels inaccessible to the reader. I totally see what the author was doing with the "former world-savers a decade later" concept. I just felt like the emotions and connections between these people were established in a way that invited no change. It was like I was supposed to know them, just because they had been Ely's friends for a long time. I did like Ely, for the most part, and I did enjoy that the book was only from her perspective. Yay for a queen that makes time to crochet! Overall it just felt way too short! Possibly novella length, somehow. Faron was a likable love interest. For both him and Ely, I just don't feel like I had enough time with them or the story. The magic and background and the epic battles fought years ago sounded like a more engaging plot than this had (plus, the magic was basically only visions and magical hands, I would've liked more detail!) Because I know this is an adult debut, I do feel like this story was meant to be on-the-nose YA, but grown up.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantasy has an intriguing premise: a queen and her knight must go on a quest to get a magical divorce so she can enter a political marriage with a prince from a rival country. Even more interesting, that queen and her knight saved the world with their friends 10 years ago on an epic quest.

All of that sounds quite epic, however, the story is on a relatively smaller scale. Ely and Faron’s relationship takes center stage, and the worldbuilding is very light. We get glimpses of the past, but those are brief. The present timeline is actually rather cozy with moments of humor and a sprinkle of action.

Ely is a delightful FMC. She’s a competent leader and magic wielder trying to do the best for her people. She can be prickly. Faron is more of the strong and silent type, but he’s soft. If you don’t like the miscommunication trope, you may want to look away. This second chance romance is built upon the two not having an in-depth discussion about their feelings for 10 years.

This is a standalone, surprisingly, tied up neatly in a bow. It’s an easy read to dive into, and I can see it being popular with romantasy readers.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[tai ⋆☀︎. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a light read that tugs at your heart just right, then fear not — Til Quest Do Us Part has you covered 𑣲⋆

We get so many stories about the journey to save the world — but what happens after? This book answers that question beautifully: consequences don’t disappear, even if you’ve spent ten years pretending nothing ever happened.

The author skillfully guides us through two parallel timelines, delivering just the right amount of information at the perfect pace. It never feels overwhelming; everything unfolds naturally and remains well-balanced.

The story moves at a quicker pace, which suits the narrative and it's mostly character-driven. I devoured Til Quest Do Us Part in two big bites, and I still wish we’d gotten even more of their adventures! Ely, Faron, Sana, Lark & Tam share a fantastic group dynamic, and I can't help but crave more!!!

Fondly, I consider Ely and Faron as two dorks in denial love. Their relationship was such a joy to follow, especially watching them find their way back to each other. 10/10. The yearning, the tension, the longing? More than satisfactory.

Thank you Ivelisse Housman, Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC. 𑣲⋆

[mich · Rating 3 out of 5]

To save the future yet again, Ely and Faron, who once saved their world, must embark on one final quest: unbinding the vows that tie their hearts.

A decade ago, expecting to die in battle, they impulsively swore vows to each other, only to survive and spend the next ten years pretending it never happened.
Now, to secure a political alliance through marriage, Ely must find a way to annul their oaths. They embark on one final quest undo their "I do’s," only to realize that the one thing they aren't ready to lose is each other.

~

The yearning present throughout this whole story made my heart ache!
The barely being able to hold back, the lingering glances, the eyes meeting across a crowd, the concern, the love that was present was so beautifully subtle yet obvious.

On another note, the story had a bit of humour intertwined as well! The haunted manor antics, and the horses with their dramatic flair or dumb traits, as in the case of Prudence.

The writing is not overly descriptive and yet the perfect blend to really immerse the reader into the setting. And the setting was gorgeous. Imagine dreams you're able to walk through, the stars and the magic they work. Overall, a short, cozy, ethereal read.

~

3.97 / 5 ★

Thanks to Ace Berkley and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Given how obsessed the internet is right now with the “knight watches his princess marry another” trope, I think Til Quest Do Us Part will be FLYING off the shelves. Jumping into Ely and Faron’s story ten years after they fulfill their roles as saviors of the realm gives us a rare look at what happens after the heroes win: the politics, the messy relationship fallout…and, most dreaded of all, the paperwork. It makes their quest to break their bond almost feel like a vacation. Exorcising haunted houses, snuggling up in frozen mountain caves, and visiting an inn to find out there are only two beds?! (One of my favorite trope inversions I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud.) This book was sweet, funny, and touchingly tender all at once. My only complaint was that the ending seemed to go from 0 to 100 right back to 0 with enough force to give me whiplash. If you’re looking for a cozy romantasy with demisexual representation, you’ll want to grab Til Quest as soon as it hits stores.

[Meaghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

** Received an ARC from Netgalley. My views are my own.**

I'm torn about this one. The premise is intriguing - following the two main characters ten years after defeating the Big Bad. I enjoyed the quest to seek how to break a magical binding.

However, Ely was just insufferable. She constantly zoned out during rather important discussions, only to return with a 'shocked pikachu' expression of 'oh I totally blacked out for two hours', which pulled me from the action: she took no part in leading her country; and she seemed numb to everything her people were experiencing. There is one scene where she is shocked *shocked* that they have a food kitchen for the poorer folk of her country. Her poor friend zoned Guardian Faron has to suffer through her 180° personality changes for a whole week, even though he has a magical horse that anticipates his every need.

I made it to the end, where I was rewarded with what amounted to a poor imitation of the ending to Shrek. Perhaps this story may find a happier review from someone else. But not from me.

[Tiffani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

Publication date: December 1, 2026

I recommend this to anyone who’s looking for something with fairytale vibes -- it's a short and cozy read!

Ten years ago, childhood sweethearts Ely and Faron impulsively married each other the night before a big battle expecting they would die. Problem is they survived and instead of officially undoing their marriage, they mutually agree to be just friends and never speak of it again. Now, as Queen, Ely needs to fulfill an arranged marriage with a prince from a neighboring kingdom. Ely and Faron must now go on a journey to undo their vows to each other.

👑 Queen x knight
👑 Second chance romance
👑 Friends to lovers
👑 One room/bed

Spice 🌶️.5

My main issue with this book was the pacing and world building. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story and was reading a sequel for the first 30% of the book because all the events were shown in flashbacks/summaries. We also didn't really get an explanation of the full extent of Ely's magic or the magic in this world.

As for the romance, I'm a sucker for the bodyguard trope. The pining, tension and desire to be with each other but not able to? I eat that up every time, but in this case, it just didn't really hit. Ely and Faron were cute but I didn't get those butterflies in my stomach when reading about them. I just feel like the stakes in this book weren't that serious, and honestly the biggest hurdle that kept them from each other was themselves.