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.
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.
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ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ preread ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐
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
Sometimes romantasy authors try to be Game of Thrones, which is all well and fine, but sometimes all you want is The Princess Bride or Stardust.
Both charming and funny, this was a pretty quick read that kept me delighted the entire time. A cozy little romantasy where the leads are fun and have great chemistry. A bit of spice but it wasn't overly descriptive or graphic, nor did it take up the entire story. It was just super cute!!!
Maybe a little too short to have any real world building or do anything groundbreaking, but it's a nice little treat that's light and filled with fluff. The type of story you want when everything else around you is doom and gloom.
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
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!
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
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!
Neurodivergence in the form of fantasy romance. I inhaled every bit of it. Ely and her Knight Guardian, Faron, and a dumb decision when they were teenagers and thought they were about to die saving their kingdom. Now that decision has come back to haunt them. They must sneak away on a new quest to undo their teenage mistake so that Ely can marry, thus securing their safety of her kingdom from war.
It is beautifully written, following the sort of all over the place thought process of Queen Elysande. “That was why the Goddess liked Ely. Because her mind was never particularly tethered to one time or place, she was more open to receiving magic and interpreting her will—at least, she had been, once. In the temple, Ely had passed hours of study in a dreamlike state, tucked in close to the presence of the divine.”
Til Quest Do Us Part, though wonderfully witty and comical, tackles the idea of giving of oneself until there’s nothing left. It explores loss of religion/faith and reconciliation in a very palatable way. The whole this is pure fantasy, but I related so much to the characters and their struggles. Ely is every woman who wants to do what’s best for everyone else. Ely’s fretful and humorous self-talk a window into anyone’s mind with ADHD. The story is equal parts silly and a soul journey. The misadventures of Ely and Faron kept me invested the entire time.
This is perfect for anyone who wants a cozy fantasy romance that delves deep into self-discovery, has some on the edge of your seat scenes (with dragons!), and some spicy spice. I highly recommend it!
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 Berkley and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!
This was very cute! Maybe a 3.25? I LOVED the plot line and was excited to see how everything would pan out, but it started falling a little flat around the middle. Faron felt a bit half-baked as a character (still hot though🙂↕️), and the ending was pretty abrupt. I was also a little bummed that they broke their vows before figuring out they wanted to be together (but that's just personal preference!!)
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!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for the advance copy of Til Quest Do Us Part
Ten years ago, Princess Elysande fell in love with Faron - her knight, guardian, and best friend. On a mission to defeat an evil sorceresses and facing almost certain death, the two were wed in a secret, impromptu ceremony performed by Ely herself … only, they didn’t die. Having to face reality, with Ely becoming Queen, the two separated.
Fast forward to the present, Ely is required to enter into an arranged marriage with a Prince from another kingdom to maintain a peaceful alliance and protect her people. Ely had assumed her secret wedding was not binding, but her Goddess sends some rather unsubtle signs that she is well aware and will not allow Ely to wed another while already married. Thus, Ely and Faron depart on a quest to have their marriage unbound.
This was a really unique story for me, and I think the author did an excellent job with the writing style. A fantasy standalone is incredibly difficult, especially being as character driven as this one is, but the writing style really helps keep you invested - the narrative is packed full of dry humor and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout. I liked that the main characters were not your standard fantasy main character cut-outs, physically or mentally; Faron is a warrior, but he defied all odds to become one, and he’s not the tallest or the strongest, but he absolutely will defend Ely the fiercest. They are flawed, they aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and together they complemented each other so well. Where one falls short, the other is there to step in. They are so aware and respectful of each other. I also appreciated how things were represented, even if not outright labeled; Ely seems to struggle with some PTSD from the events of her past, Faron struggles with crowds and public speaking, and the two do a fabulous job of supporting without overstepping, always leaving room for the other person to metaphorically take up the space they deserve. Also shout-out to the author for actually having proper horse care depicted along their quest, and Faron being appalled at the idea of two people riding one horse!
I did find myself wondering if I was reading a sequel in the beginning with the story taking place after such major events, but it was really unique to read the parts you wouldn’t usually get in a fantasy series. Generally you’re reading all the world-ending drama and original falling in love, but in this story you’re starting after all that has taken place. The flashbacks were a bit jarring, but once I realized what was going on, the placement made sense and added to the story. I will say that while their communication was amazing on so many levels, there were a few conversations that definitely could have saved them from the whole entire quest … but then we wouldn’t have had all the yearning or been stuck with only one bed to stay warm along the way! Overall, a very unique story with a sweet rekindling of romance between two former lovers.
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.
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.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this arc!
I have...mixed feelings about Til Quest Do Us Part. On the one hand, the description sounded so appealing, so attractive to me. A post war/adventure premise with two protagonists that have had to grow up and take control of their own lives, only to have that control taken away from them. A knight and a princess romance that can't be together because the princess is now a queen and has to marry for the sake of her kingdom. A goddess that appears to be intervening to keep the two together...its such a fun premise. And, in fairness, I do think there's a lot to like here. I think the world building is interesting and has a lot of potential. I'd have loved to explore the different lands and their own laws and traditions.
I also liked some of the romance! I think if it were built up more previously, I would've adored it. But I don't think it was executed well enough until the last part of the book. There's definitely hints towards it that builds up over time, and I do give the author credit for keeping their characters consistent through out, but...I just don't think it really panned out well, at least in the early chapters. I wish the build up was more noticeable and I wish we got that from the flashbacks. But not only is it hard to tell when flashbacks actually happen, they appear pretty sporadically, and not for long. For a relationship that has so much hanging on past promises and history, it feels like the reader is expected to just...follow along with them without much of a look into who they were originally.
And I think that leads into another problem: characterization. To give credit where credit is due, both main characters feel very consistent through out. The issue is, for me, when the main character continues to act like she did 10 years ago. Which wouldn't be an issue if this was highlighted, but its not, not really. It has an unintentional effect of making Ely seem somewhat unlikable while she's trying to be selfless to her kingdom. Not to mention her shoot first, ask questions later attitude towards certain events where discussion would be a lot more helpful. I think Faron is better, but a lack of POV chapters for him means I never really connected with him either. Which is a shame, because I would've loved to see inside his head and to see what he actually wanted. I still think (and know) that people will like these two, but I myself couldn't connect to them like I wanted.
Still, I don't think this puts me off the book and I do want to give a second change after it release. There's still a lot of promise here! And I just know there is an audience who will love this anyway. It's cute, it's charming and there is a lot of potential from this author.
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.
I think this is a book with clear shining strengths as well as noticeable flaws.
Ely, the female lead, is the queen of a country facing many political challenges. She is also blessed with the power of the goddess. The male lead, Faron, is the queen’s Knight Guardian. They first met ten years ago when Ely was still a princess, and they married soon after. However, they eventually decided they were too young and were better suited as friends. Since then, they have continued working closely together as queen and knight.
Now, ten years later, Queen Ely has decided to marry a prince from another country for political reasons.
**What I loved:**
1. I absolutely loved the setting and the chemistry between Ely and Faron. They have been friends for years and know each other better than anyone. But with Ely’s decision to marry another prince, their relationship also carries the tension of a forbidden romance. Ely holds the power in their dynamic. She is strong, capable, and independent. Meanwhile, Faron is incredibly sweet and devoted. The yearning between them is beautifully done.
2. The writing is gorgeous. You can truly feel the longing, hesitation, and internal conflict between Ely and Faron through the author’s words.
**What didn’t work for me:**
1. There are some contradictions in the story’s setup. For example, at the beginning of the book, it is clear that Ely and Faron often sleep together (without sex). However, later in the story, they struggle with whether or not they should even share the same bed. Similarly, Faron is initially described as the kind of person who fades into the background, but later he is portrayed as devastatingly handsome, with many women hoping to catch his attention.
2. Personally, I would have loved to see more of Ely and Faron’s lives as queen and knight, how they handle political enemies, protect their country, and rule together. Instead, the book focuses about 80% on the romance.
Overall, I think this is an enjoyable read if you can overlook the inconsistencies and simply enjoy the romance between Ely and Faron.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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.
Sometimes I wonder what happens to the characters in romantasies after their happy ending. Often, the protagonists are in their late teens or early twenties, and they have a lot of responsibility thrust on them. Do they stay together? Does the weight of their experiences affect them? This story begins a decade after the end of a typical romantasy. The war has been won, good has prevailed, and that main couple who yearned for each other and made secret promises when they were about to head into battle? Well, they aren’t quite together anymore.
Ely is a queen, and Faron is her knight. It’s pretty obvious that they still love each other, but duty, the past, and fear keep both of them silent. They are friends and nothing more, but when it’s revealed that they are actually married, and the goddess clearly doesn’t want them to divorce so Ely can enter into a politically arranged marriage, the pair set off on a quest to dissolve the vow they made ten years ago.
Much of the story takes place during the quest, and both Ely and Faron go through not just physical but emotional journeys. I love their time together, from their more intimate and vulnerable moments to the multitude of shenanigans they get involved in. There are also some flashbacks that reveal more about their relationship and what happened between them, which I liked because it provided some of the context that was missing at the start of the story. In both the flashbacks and the present, they have a wonderful connection and relationship, and their affection for each other is so genuine.
I did wish there was a little more worldbuilding, and at the start, you're kind of thrust into this world with not much context. I actually stopped to check if it was a sequel because the first few chapters read like one. The star based magic system was interesting, which is why I had hoped it would delve into it more. That being said, you can definitely tell that this is a Zelda-inspired story. It’s entertaining and cozy with adventure and chaos and a great romance.
Thanks to netgalley and Berkeley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thought are my own.
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.
I think I went into this book with VERY high expectations because the synopsis sounded incredibly fun. Former teen heroes who secretly got married young, separated for the good of the kingdom, and then reunite ten years later?? That setup had so much potential for angst, tension, and emotional history between the characters.
And honestly, the first 30–40% was fun. The story was light, easy to read, and had a very cozy low-stakes fantasy vibe. I could definitely see myself enjoying the characters reconnecting and navigating their complicated history together.
Unfortunately, after that point, the story started to drag quite a bit for me.
One of my biggest struggles was with the characterisation. Even though the main characters are meant to be adults nearing their thirties, a lot of the dialogue and behaviour felt much younger to me. With the exception of Faron, who I actually liked, many of the characters came across as somewhat immature, and I personally found Ely frustrating at times as an FMC.
The writing style also leaned much more YA in tone than I was expecting. And to be clear, I enjoy YA fantasy from time to time, so that isn’t necessarily a criticism on its own. However, this book is marketed as adult fantasy romance, and I personally never fully felt that “adult” tone while reading. Honestly, if the more explicit scenes had been removed, I probably would have assumed this was a YA fantasy novel.
I also felt the ending was a little rushed and anticlimactic. After all the buildup surrounding Ely’s arranged marriage and the emotional tension between her and Faron, the resolution happened very quickly. Once she decides not to go through with the wedding, the story wraps up within only a handful of pages, and I was left wanting a bit more emotional payoff after all the angst leading up to it.
That said, I do think this book will work better for readers looking for a softer, lower-stakes fantasy romance focused more on relationship dynamics than political tension or epic fantasy stakes.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Dragons Friends to lovers Slow burn Prophesy (kinda)
“To us, ten years ago–Because sometimes, the person you choose at eighteen is the right person.”
Can I just start with how much I appreciate having MCs who are older than 18? I mean, they aren’t yet 30 but that’s something!
I will admit that I struggled for the first couple of chapters but once I was in, I was all in! It’s fun and it’s cozy and we have a resolution at the end. (Although that ending comes hard and fast–I kept looking at the page number I was currently on thinking, “We better hurry up and wrap this up!”) Be ready to move back and forth in time–from 10 years ago, to one year ago, to the present day. It’s not marked as such–you just have to use your context clues to stay with the program. 🙂
Ely and Faron fought to save the kingdom–but they never thoughbookt they’d survive. So they married in secret. But they lived and Ely became Queen and Faron her Knight Guardian. That wasn’t a problem until a political marriage is agreed upon….and it seems that the Thousand-Eyed Goddess does NOT approve. Now they must figure out how to sever the bonds of marriage. But, is it ever that easy?
There isn’t a lot of world-building here. You get a little as you go along. I’d love to know more about what happened ten years ago and more about the magic system. But those aren’t real criticisms, just my own personal appreciation for a complex world-building and magic system!
I recommend this one if you are looking for a one-and-done romantasy that doesn’t require you to become fully invested in the characters and the world.
(ALTHOUGH, I wouldn’t mind a second book with more about the dragons…..)
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!