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And They Lived Happily Ever After
Fans of Payback’s a Witch and The Ex Hex won’t want to miss this charming and humorous novel featuring a South African writer facing her past and literally living her dreams—and conjuring a real-life hero.
A USA Today Best RomCom of 2021
A Goodreads Most Hotly Anticipated Romance
One unexpected kiss . . .
Successful romance author Gaia Anders has a secret: anything she dreams at night is magically written into her bestselling novels. After a lonely childhood in foster care, her dream life is the only one she trusts. Gaia’s waking life just can’t compare—until she gets caught in one utterly surprising, crazy-passionate, real-life kiss . . .
One near-perfect guy . . .
Workaholic businessman Jacob Scott has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Gaia, since forever—but he never expected to literally share her dreams. Living out their magical nighttime fantasies is explosive, but it’s their waking desire turning his single-minded ways upside down. It’s making him want a future he didn’t think was possible . . .
One dream that could come true . . .
But Gaia has secrets from her past she won't reveal. And Jacob's attempts to keep the peace in his own fractured family puts him up against her deepest fears. Soon, they’re facing hard truths about who they are and what they’re running from. And the only way to break this curse is realizing true love's real-life power . . .
A USA Today Best RomCom of 2021
A Goodreads Most Hotly Anticipated Romance
One unexpected kiss . . .
Successful romance author Gaia Anders has a secret: anything she dreams at night is magically written into her bestselling novels. After a lonely childhood in foster care, her dream life is the only one she trusts. Gaia’s waking life just can’t compare—until she gets caught in one utterly surprising, crazy-passionate, real-life kiss . . .
One near-perfect guy . . .
Workaholic businessman Jacob Scott has had a crush on his brother’s best friend, Gaia, since forever—but he never expected to literally share her dreams. Living out their magical nighttime fantasies is explosive, but it’s their waking desire turning his single-minded ways upside down. It’s making him want a future he didn’t think was possible . . .
One dream that could come true . . .
But Gaia has secrets from her past she won't reveal. And Jacob's attempts to keep the peace in his own fractured family puts him up against her deepest fears. Soon, they’re facing hard truths about who they are and what they’re running from. And the only way to break this curse is realizing true love's real-life power . . .
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
161 people are currently reading
13692 people want to read
About the author
Therese Beharrie
109 books360 followersTherese Beharrie is a South African romance author of several acclaimed novels, including her One Day to Forever series. She takes pride in writing diverse characters and settings, and her books are often recommended for their heart and banter. She lives in Cape Town with her husband, her inspiration for every hero, and two adorable baby boys. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook or visit her at theresebeharrie.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
November 30, 2021
Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book for an honest review.
Here’s the funny thing about reading this book: even though I didn’t find the writing super compelling and rolled my eyes a little at the dialogue, the actual plot was so interesting that I had to power through to the ending.
So, Gaia is a successful romance novelist with magical abilities - when she writes down a scene, she gets to live it out in her dreams as the main female character, and no character but her can deviate from the storyline she wrote. I mean, how is that not everyone’s fantasy??
But it gets crazier! She goes to her best friend’s party one night and ends up hiding in his bedroom because of her social anxiety, where she finds his very hot younger brother, Jacob, dressed in only a towel. They spend a couple chapters flirting and eventually making out, and, when she gets home, Gaia starts plotting a new book, envisioning Jacob as the male lead.
So that night, as she’s living out the first scene in her dreams, as she does, she spots the character she imagined as Jacob - except it’s actually Jacob, who’s dreaming himself, and is not following along to the scene as Gaia wrote it. How is he invading her magical dream? What does this mean for her ability?
Like I said, the writing didn’t really do it for me and I felt like the scenes dragged on too much at times, but I was super charmed and engaged by the story.
Here’s the funny thing about reading this book: even though I didn’t find the writing super compelling and rolled my eyes a little at the dialogue, the actual plot was so interesting that I had to power through to the ending.
So, Gaia is a successful romance novelist with magical abilities - when she writes down a scene, she gets to live it out in her dreams as the main female character, and no character but her can deviate from the storyline she wrote. I mean, how is that not everyone’s fantasy??
But it gets crazier! She goes to her best friend’s party one night and ends up hiding in his bedroom because of her social anxiety, where she finds his very hot younger brother, Jacob, dressed in only a towel. They spend a couple chapters flirting and eventually making out, and, when she gets home, Gaia starts plotting a new book, envisioning Jacob as the male lead.
So that night, as she’s living out the first scene in her dreams, as she does, she spots the character she imagined as Jacob - except it’s actually Jacob, who’s dreaming himself, and is not following along to the scene as Gaia wrote it. How is he invading her magical dream? What does this mean for her ability?
Like I said, the writing didn’t really do it for me and I felt like the scenes dragged on too much at times, but I was super charmed and engaged by the story.
August 5, 2022
4 stars
December 17, 2021
And They Lived Happily Ever After is a contemporary romance with a magical twist that addresses anxiety and family pressure. It's also very meta and feels personal to the author.
Gaia is a successful romance author with a secret- she has vivid dreams of every scene she writes. When she goes to a party and hooks up with Jacob, her best friends brother, he ends up in her dreams as well, and is fully aware of what's happening. It's a fun setup for a plot and I liked their relationship, but the subject matter of the book is definitely on the heavier side. Gaia grew up in the foster care system and deals with severe anxiety and panic attacks (depicted on page). Jacob is a workaholic and internalizes the responsibility of keeping his family and his father's business together. They both have a lot to work through and I was probably hoping for a lighter story than what I got. That said, I think it's important to talk about this side of mental health, just know that's what it is, and at times those elements do overshadow the romance. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Gaia is a successful romance author with a secret- she has vivid dreams of every scene she writes. When she goes to a party and hooks up with Jacob, her best friends brother, he ends up in her dreams as well, and is fully aware of what's happening. It's a fun setup for a plot and I liked their relationship, but the subject matter of the book is definitely on the heavier side. Gaia grew up in the foster care system and deals with severe anxiety and panic attacks (depicted on page). Jacob is a workaholic and internalizes the responsibility of keeping his family and his father's business together. They both have a lot to work through and I was probably hoping for a lighter story than what I got. That said, I think it's important to talk about this side of mental health, just know that's what it is, and at times those elements do overshadow the romance. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
January 9, 2022
I want to start this review by disclosing my close friendship with Therese Beharrie. That being said, my thoughts on this book are my own and were not influenced by our friendship - I was a fan of hers first and then forced her to become my friend. :) But I still think it's important to let you all know about our relationship so you can make the informed decision as to whether you choose to read this review or not.
As I said, I'm a big fan of Therese Beharrie, so it was obvious that I was going to want to read And They Lived Happily Ever After, even more so after reading the premise. The author has a writing style that is poignant and one that I click with. I think this book is her most ambitious and creative yet, with how she weaved the paranormal elements to explore this story of grief and love.
Gaia is a successful romance author with a secret of her own: every scene she writes, she ends up magically dreaming up. After one steamy kiss with her best friend's brother, he begins to play a starring role in her dreams, and neither Gaia nor Jacob know how to deal with this. Friendship turns into love. Secrets are revealed. But will Gaia and Jacob find their HEA?
As you can imagine, And They Lived Happily Ever After is a very meta novel what with Gaia being a romance novelist herself. She's led a lonely life growing up in the foster care system and in a sense, these dreams of hers are her escape from the loneliness of her real life. Essentially, these dreams are her safe space. Therese Beharrie truly puts her feelings and emotions with a deft hand into Gaia's story. Some of the more introspective scenes pertaining to publishing and being an author were so raw that I had put down my Kindle to take a breath.
Having led the life that she has, Gaia is obviously guarded with her feelings. She has a hard time opening up to people and this becomes a hurdle in her relationship with Jacob. I think Gaia might be one of my favorite characters from this author. She's not perfect by any means, and despite her success, she has a lot of growing up to do in order to move forward in life. We all know know how much I love a flawed and emotionally-reserved heroine. I just wanted happiness for her so much, which is a sure sign that I loved the character.
I think I was happier than everyone in this book when she forms a connection with Jacob. What a patient and loving sweetheart! He is her best friend's younger brother and he has had a crush on her since forever. His dreams come true when they share a passionate kiss, but getting Gaia to open up isn't the easiest task. I think Therese did a lovely job with Jacob's character too. There's a gentleness and pushiness (not in a weird stalkery way) to him that Gaia needs in her life. He constantly shows her that she is deserving of love and he goes out of the way to make her happy and feel protected.
I loved the romance here just as much as I loved Jacob and Gaia. It's a slow-burn romance that feels like an uphill battle at times, but it's ultimately emotionally rewarding. There's lightness here to this story in the form of the back-and-forth banter between the two and their chemistry simmers all throughout the book. If tender romances are your thing, you're going to love this one.
You're also probably wondering what I thought of the dreams. At first, I wasn't entirely sure of their role in the book but as they progressed I realized that they spoke to Gaia's mental state at the time. I appreciated so much that these dreams, which at first glance seem like a cutesy magical ability that we'd all love to possess, actually felt invasive at times to Jacob. And he is not shy about speaking out about how uncomfortable they sometimes made him. All in all, I thought they were a clever way to build up Gaia's character.
If you've read Therese Beharrie before, then you know that her books tend to be heavy on the emotions and And They Lived Happily Ever After brought all the damn feels. I'm really eager to read the next book which will feature Gaia's sister, who was introduced in this book, and her ghostly romance. If you're looking for a unique romance read with the friends-to-lovers trope, this one's for you.
Content notes: grief, anxiety, heroine part of foster care system, loss of parents
Relationship disclosure: Therese Beharrie & I are friends.
As I said, I'm a big fan of Therese Beharrie, so it was obvious that I was going to want to read And They Lived Happily Ever After, even more so after reading the premise. The author has a writing style that is poignant and one that I click with. I think this book is her most ambitious and creative yet, with how she weaved the paranormal elements to explore this story of grief and love.
Gaia is a successful romance author with a secret of her own: every scene she writes, she ends up magically dreaming up. After one steamy kiss with her best friend's brother, he begins to play a starring role in her dreams, and neither Gaia nor Jacob know how to deal with this. Friendship turns into love. Secrets are revealed. But will Gaia and Jacob find their HEA?
As you can imagine, And They Lived Happily Ever After is a very meta novel what with Gaia being a romance novelist herself. She's led a lonely life growing up in the foster care system and in a sense, these dreams of hers are her escape from the loneliness of her real life. Essentially, these dreams are her safe space. Therese Beharrie truly puts her feelings and emotions with a deft hand into Gaia's story. Some of the more introspective scenes pertaining to publishing and being an author were so raw that I had put down my Kindle to take a breath.
Having led the life that she has, Gaia is obviously guarded with her feelings. She has a hard time opening up to people and this becomes a hurdle in her relationship with Jacob. I think Gaia might be one of my favorite characters from this author. She's not perfect by any means, and despite her success, she has a lot of growing up to do in order to move forward in life. We all know know how much I love a flawed and emotionally-reserved heroine. I just wanted happiness for her so much, which is a sure sign that I loved the character.
I think I was happier than everyone in this book when she forms a connection with Jacob. What a patient and loving sweetheart! He is her best friend's younger brother and he has had a crush on her since forever. His dreams come true when they share a passionate kiss, but getting Gaia to open up isn't the easiest task. I think Therese did a lovely job with Jacob's character too. There's a gentleness and pushiness (not in a weird stalkery way) to him that Gaia needs in her life. He constantly shows her that she is deserving of love and he goes out of the way to make her happy and feel protected.
I loved the romance here just as much as I loved Jacob and Gaia. It's a slow-burn romance that feels like an uphill battle at times, but it's ultimately emotionally rewarding. There's lightness here to this story in the form of the back-and-forth banter between the two and their chemistry simmers all throughout the book. If tender romances are your thing, you're going to love this one.
You're also probably wondering what I thought of the dreams. At first, I wasn't entirely sure of their role in the book but as they progressed I realized that they spoke to Gaia's mental state at the time. I appreciated so much that these dreams, which at first glance seem like a cutesy magical ability that we'd all love to possess, actually felt invasive at times to Jacob. And he is not shy about speaking out about how uncomfortable they sometimes made him. All in all, I thought they were a clever way to build up Gaia's character.
If you've read Therese Beharrie before, then you know that her books tend to be heavy on the emotions and And They Lived Happily Ever After brought all the damn feels. I'm really eager to read the next book which will feature Gaia's sister, who was introduced in this book, and her ghostly romance. If you're looking for a unique romance read with the friends-to-lovers trope, this one's for you.
Content notes: grief, anxiety, heroine part of foster care system, loss of parents
Relationship disclosure: Therese Beharrie & I are friends.
November 12, 2021
I’m thankful for this arc but I’m quite disappointed with this supposedly “best friends brothers” romance. This did not feel like a best friends brother romance at all. Actually, Seth is a terrible best friend and I did not like this book. Seth and Gaia have been best friends for 12 years. She has no family or friends other than Seth. She gets caught kissing his brother and Seths reaction was awful. Rant review time.
1. Seth goes an entire month without speaking to her. They don’t speak to each other until the 77% mark. Seth knew for a fact (he later admits) that Gaia was waiting for the day that Seth didn’t want her anymore. That she’s used to people leaving her due to her experience in foster care but he goes an entire month not speaking to her?? Letting her feel rejected once again but by her supposed best friend if 12 years?? It was actually a little over a month. How is that a best friend?
2. At 91% (yup best friends for 12 years but we don’t get the apology until the 91% mark) Seth says, and I quote “I know you expect me to stop being your friend” and then he says it’s because he inherited his fathers need to be wanted. What’s worse is that he says “I knew for a long time that you had anxiety problems - panic attacks when things got overwhelming - and I did nothing about it because it meant that you needed me” so he let her go years without therapy because HE wanted to feel wanted??
He hurt her by ignoring her for a month WHICH HE KNEW HE WAS DOING. And on top of that he knew she needed therapy for her panic attacks but he was selfish and needed to feel wanted so he let her go all these years with panic attacks and self isolation instead of legit help. Not a best friend
3. So Gaia meets her sister at the 86% mark. Her sister was adopted but not Gaia and she never knew any of her family. Her family refused to adopt her so she was in foster care until she turned 18. So she meets her sister and goes two weeks ignoring her and then finally had a conversation with her at the 98% mark and they barely talk and then the book abruptly ends. That’s it. Gaia spent her whole life feeling rejected but doesn’t speak to her sister for a few weeks and then we the readers FINALLY get to see them sit and talk with each other but it was at the last page and just small talk??
Honestly, when I read that last page it felt like the book was incomplete. It just abruptly ends and was unsatisfying. Not only that but the romance wasn’t good enough. It was just Gaia having anxiety problems and Jacob suffering with keeping his family together and them sharing dreams together but as Gaia’s characters. It wasn’t them, it was her characters and it wasn’t a romance. Her own best friend barely spoke to her making it not even feel like a true best friends brother romance. I’m grateful to have received this arc but did not like this book
Edit: and no they do not “live happily ever after” the book just ends. So the title was a lie hahahah
1. Seth goes an entire month without speaking to her. They don’t speak to each other until the 77% mark. Seth knew for a fact (he later admits) that Gaia was waiting for the day that Seth didn’t want her anymore. That she’s used to people leaving her due to her experience in foster care but he goes an entire month not speaking to her?? Letting her feel rejected once again but by her supposed best friend if 12 years?? It was actually a little over a month. How is that a best friend?
2. At 91% (yup best friends for 12 years but we don’t get the apology until the 91% mark) Seth says, and I quote “I know you expect me to stop being your friend” and then he says it’s because he inherited his fathers need to be wanted. What’s worse is that he says “I knew for a long time that you had anxiety problems - panic attacks when things got overwhelming - and I did nothing about it because it meant that you needed me” so he let her go years without therapy because HE wanted to feel wanted??
He hurt her by ignoring her for a month WHICH HE KNEW HE WAS DOING. And on top of that he knew she needed therapy for her panic attacks but he was selfish and needed to feel wanted so he let her go all these years with panic attacks and self isolation instead of legit help. Not a best friend
3. So Gaia meets her sister at the 86% mark. Her sister was adopted but not Gaia and she never knew any of her family. Her family refused to adopt her so she was in foster care until she turned 18. So she meets her sister and goes two weeks ignoring her and then finally had a conversation with her at the 98% mark and they barely talk and then the book abruptly ends. That’s it. Gaia spent her whole life feeling rejected but doesn’t speak to her sister for a few weeks and then we the readers FINALLY get to see them sit and talk with each other but it was at the last page and just small talk??
Honestly, when I read that last page it felt like the book was incomplete. It just abruptly ends and was unsatisfying. Not only that but the romance wasn’t good enough. It was just Gaia having anxiety problems and Jacob suffering with keeping his family together and them sharing dreams together but as Gaia’s characters. It wasn’t them, it was her characters and it wasn’t a romance. Her own best friend barely spoke to her making it not even feel like a true best friends brother romance. I’m grateful to have received this arc but did not like this book
Edit: and no they do not “live happily ever after” the book just ends. So the title was a lie hahahah
September 12, 2021
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and I’m reviewing it voluntarily. This is the first book I have read by Therese Beharrie and I really wanted to love this book. I actually enjoyed the writing and will probably read another book by her, but there is so much that just doesn’t work with this story. Gaia Anderson is an author of romance novels who does not believe in love but has a unique gift that has helped propel her books to popularity. She also has debilitating anxiety from childhood trauma, a possible obsessed fan/stalker, and comes a cross a bit delusional and out of touch with reality. Jacob is her best friend’s younger brother and dealing with his own trauma and guilt working for his family business that he hates.
This story is quite frankly all over the place and not in a good way, it attempts to be a story within a story as we get a glimpse onto Gaia’s writing of one of her books, but it is so clunky and poorly navigated. I forced myself to finish this and give it two stars.
This story is quite frankly all over the place and not in a good way, it attempts to be a story within a story as we get a glimpse onto Gaia’s writing of one of her books, but it is so clunky and poorly navigated. I forced myself to finish this and give it two stars.
November 30, 2021
I wanted to give myself time to reflect on this review because I had a lot of thoughts...I updated from a 4 star to 5 star. There were a few things that I didn't connect with me but what stood out for me was the creativity in the storytelling..
This romance novel is meta (romance novel author writing about romance). I can easily see this book being adapted. However, if you don't like this application, you might not enjoy it BUT it was a clever way to work through Gaia's coping. She literally was creating/writing the story she wished she had, which includes love, safety, a sense of stability, and a family. We are in her head and in the pages of her current WIPs. We get to see her struggle, adjust (rewrite), and then try again. I have pages and pages of highlights. Needless to say I rooted for Gaia to see that she could trust again. Gaia's time in foster care scarred her and the theme of being enough, will people leave, loneliness leapt off the page. The clever part (I think) was the use of magic as a coping strategy. Her desires for all those things gave her a new/different narrative. However, overtime those stories became her reality and we know as the reader that there will be the inevitable conflict. Midway through Gaia had to force herself to live in her reality/in the present and trust that her reality will or could be part of the HEA. Insert ALL THE FEELS!!!
Jacob on the other hand firmly lives in the present but is stuck. When he's pulled into Gaia's magic his reality becomes more uncertain. Is he doing what he loves and can he make room for love? Jacob is dealing with grief and guilt, so his attraction to Gaia is so cautious but tender.
I could be a bit biased because their relationship is technically friends to lovers and you know that's my jam
Nonetheless, I think the most compelling part of their love story is that while their relationship is central it's almost second to both characters becoming healthy and whole person. The relationship is a happy consequence. Now, for the traditionalist I see your critical reviews about the paranormal parts of this story not being necessary, I would argue that the magic is what helped move their relationship along. What I mean by this is, the magic became a conduit to build trust and intimacy. And it also help provides clarity for why it existed in the first place (my takeaway was it was a tool to help Gaia cope). Very clever!!!!
In the end, this contemporary paranormal romance tells the story that sometimes dreaming about the love you want to have, can help you find love that kind of love in real life.
CW/N: unsolved trauma from foster care experiences (alludes to abuse, neglect (food and supervision), panic attacks on page, loss of a parent, grief, depression, found family, themes of safety (physical and emotional), author impacted by negative reviews
I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This romance novel is meta (romance novel author writing about romance). I can easily see this book being adapted. However, if you don't like this application, you might not enjoy it BUT it was a clever way to work through Gaia's coping. She literally was creating/writing the story she wished she had, which includes love, safety, a sense of stability, and a family. We are in her head and in the pages of her current WIPs. We get to see her struggle, adjust (rewrite), and then try again. I have pages and pages of highlights. Needless to say I rooted for Gaia to see that she could trust again. Gaia's time in foster care scarred her and the theme of being enough, will people leave, loneliness leapt off the page. The clever part (I think) was the use of magic as a coping strategy. Her desires for all those things gave her a new/different narrative. However, overtime those stories became her reality and we know as the reader that there will be the inevitable conflict. Midway through Gaia had to force herself to live in her reality/in the present and trust that her reality will or could be part of the HEA. Insert ALL THE FEELS!!!
Jacob on the other hand firmly lives in the present but is stuck. When he's pulled into Gaia's magic his reality becomes more uncertain. Is he doing what he loves and can he make room for love? Jacob is dealing with grief and guilt, so his attraction to Gaia is so cautious but tender.
I could be a bit biased because their relationship is technically friends to lovers and you know that's my jam
Nonetheless, I think the most compelling part of their love story is that while their relationship is central it's almost second to both characters becoming healthy and whole person. The relationship is a happy consequence. Now, for the traditionalist I see your critical reviews about the paranormal parts of this story not being necessary, I would argue that the magic is what helped move their relationship along. What I mean by this is, the magic became a conduit to build trust and intimacy. And it also help provides clarity for why it existed in the first place (my takeaway was it was a tool to help Gaia cope). Very clever!!!!
In the end, this contemporary paranormal romance tells the story that sometimes dreaming about the love you want to have, can help you find love that kind of love in real life.
CW/N: unsolved trauma from foster care experiences (alludes to abuse, neglect (food and supervision), panic attacks on page, loss of a parent, grief, depression, found family, themes of safety (physical and emotional), author impacted by negative reviews
I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2021
This is a love story that mingles lightheartedness with deep issues and a touch of fantasy.
I loved that the story was based in Cape Town. It was quite refreshing to read a book happening in that lovely city.
However, this was not the right book for me. It just didn't work. I found the writing a bit ... strange. The development of the situations and scenes was unsettling. It wasn't smooth. Plus, I found the female MC hard to like. I know and understand that she has lots of issues, and it's not because of that that I don't like her. I've read lots of complex characters, but she's just hard to like. As for the male MC, he was more likeable.
I like the instant attraction trope, and we see it ALL the time, and I love it. But here, it was a bit too much for my liking. It was way too fast, and it felt a bit forced.
It was nice to see a fantasy element in a contemporary romance, but I think it should've had more development, a bit more foundation. I know it's fantasy, and it's not going to be logical. It doesn't have to. But it just needed more development.
I think the story has potential, and it's a good premise, but there are things that just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved that the story was based in Cape Town. It was quite refreshing to read a book happening in that lovely city.
However, this was not the right book for me. It just didn't work. I found the writing a bit ... strange. The development of the situations and scenes was unsettling. It wasn't smooth. Plus, I found the female MC hard to like. I know and understand that she has lots of issues, and it's not because of that that I don't like her. I've read lots of complex characters, but she's just hard to like. As for the male MC, he was more likeable.
I like the instant attraction trope, and we see it ALL the time, and I love it. But here, it was a bit too much for my liking. It was way too fast, and it felt a bit forced.
It was nice to see a fantasy element in a contemporary romance, but I think it should've had more development, a bit more foundation. I know it's fantasy, and it's not going to be logical. It doesn't have to. But it just needed more development.
I think the story has potential, and it's a good premise, but there are things that just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2021
I. Loved. This. Book. I loved everything about it. I loved the supernatural aspect of writing (now I’m going to assume all my favorite authors experience this while writing) and the love story and the mental health issues and dealing with trauma and ALL OF IT!! I literally don’t want to start another book yet because I want to savor this story. And now I can’t wait for the next one in the series!!! New favorite author y’all!!!
August 1, 2021
A cute fast paced romance! This book was so cute and I loved the characters. I would definitely say this is a contemporary romance with just the right amount of spice.
July 20, 2021
Rating: 3.5 stars.
This was such a cute book! Gaia was such a great character and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book, and Jacob was so sweet and thoughtful. I found the romance pretty good as well, I just think it moved a little too fast in the beginning without much of an introduction to the character's former relationship, so it felt pretty sudden to me.
I also thought the plot was a little all over the place, the concept with the dreams was definitely really fun and unique but also quite hard to follow. A lot of the side storylines felt a little unnecessary to me, and I think if there had been a more singular focus on the romance, I would have enjoyed this even more. Still, I found this really entertaining and it was an enjoyable, quick read.
This was such a cute book! Gaia was such a great character and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book, and Jacob was so sweet and thoughtful. I found the romance pretty good as well, I just think it moved a little too fast in the beginning without much of an introduction to the character's former relationship, so it felt pretty sudden to me.
I also thought the plot was a little all over the place, the concept with the dreams was definitely really fun and unique but also quite hard to follow. A lot of the side storylines felt a little unnecessary to me, and I think if there had been a more singular focus on the romance, I would have enjoyed this even more. Still, I found this really entertaining and it was an enjoyable, quick read.
August 21, 2021
Thanks to Zebra Books for making this book available to me via # Netgalley
I have to start by saying that I am ashamed that I have never read any of Therese Beharrie books before now and I am taking immediate actions to rectify this deficit because she is absolutely phenomenal. Because this book radiates big brain energy.
Let me just tell you about this book in a single line...
A writer whose writing becomes her dreams (yes her actual dreams) and she has the ability to personalize her characters in her dreams, make them do anything, including making a super hot guy she met strip-tease at a strip club in her dream. If you are not interested after that I have another scenario for you.
Said super hot guy refuses to believe that she has magic, so she continues to write him doing insanely hot things that leaves him sexually frustrated when he wakes up or jumping out of his skin in fear. I tell you this book will not only make you laugh your head off but it will pull tears and anger from you faster than peeling and chopping onions.
Gaia is Jacob's brother's best friend so we have that very sexy trope. Gaia is an introvert who doesn't really trust anyone and that might be because she grew up in the system and was never adopted. I do not want to spoil it but this book is a definite must read.
I have to start by saying that I am ashamed that I have never read any of Therese Beharrie books before now and I am taking immediate actions to rectify this deficit because she is absolutely phenomenal. Because this book radiates big brain energy.
Let me just tell you about this book in a single line...
A writer whose writing becomes her dreams (yes her actual dreams) and she has the ability to personalize her characters in her dreams, make them do anything, including making a super hot guy she met strip-tease at a strip club in her dream. If you are not interested after that I have another scenario for you.
Said super hot guy refuses to believe that she has magic, so she continues to write him doing insanely hot things that leaves him sexually frustrated when he wakes up or jumping out of his skin in fear. I tell you this book will not only make you laugh your head off but it will pull tears and anger from you faster than peeling and chopping onions.
Gaia is Jacob's brother's best friend so we have that very sexy trope. Gaia is an introvert who doesn't really trust anyone and that might be because she grew up in the system and was never adopted. I do not want to spoil it but this book is a definite must read.
October 21, 2024
The ending of the book, which I thought was pretty emotional and well done, did not deserve the nonsense of the first part of the book where I kept going WHAT is going on. Choices were made.
May 17, 2022
I have nothing good to say about this book except that some parts are so ridiculous, that they're actually amusing. I nearly DNFed several times but ended up finishing it because it was for a book club. Laughing about how bad it is with others was what kept me going.
The writing is incredibly poor and so, so lazy. Not only does the plot not live up to the expectation, but the characters are under developed and, looking at their thoughts and actions, don't even feel like real people. The worst thing, however, might be the dialogue, which is awkward, unforgivably cringeworthy, and not fluid at all. Everything about this book feels forced and unnatural, from the characters personalities to their relationship and supposed chemistry.
I also got the impression that the mc, who is meant to have an anxiety disorder, was written by someone who doesn't know much about anxiety and mental illness in general, and definitely doesn't understand how it feels. Looking at most of Gaia's behaviour, you wouldn't know of her struggles, and the reactions where it is noticeable are very stereotypical and mostly treated as quirks.
But what bothered me the most about this book, was how the author normalized and romanticized sexual harassment and assault. It's so manipulative and disgusting, but I got the feeling that the reader isn't supposed to think that, and that it's all okay and sexy because they're meant to be. How anyone could find those scenes funny and not problematic is beyond me. I wonder if they would feel the same if the roles were reversed and Gaia was the one experiencing that abuse.
All in all, it's an awful book and not even the resolution is close to satisfactory, as it ends rather abruptly after building up to nothing.
The writing is incredibly poor and so, so lazy. Not only does the plot not live up to the expectation, but the characters are under developed and, looking at their thoughts and actions, don't even feel like real people. The worst thing, however, might be the dialogue, which is awkward, unforgivably cringeworthy, and not fluid at all. Everything about this book feels forced and unnatural, from the characters personalities to their relationship and supposed chemistry.
I also got the impression that the mc, who is meant to have an anxiety disorder, was written by someone who doesn't know much about anxiety and mental illness in general, and definitely doesn't understand how it feels. Looking at most of Gaia's behaviour, you wouldn't know of her struggles, and the reactions where it is noticeable are very stereotypical and mostly treated as quirks.
But what bothered me the most about this book, was how the author normalized and romanticized sexual harassment and assault. It's so manipulative and disgusting, but I got the feeling that the reader isn't supposed to think that, and that it's all okay and sexy because they're meant to be. How anyone could find those scenes funny and not problematic is beyond me. I wonder if they would feel the same if the roles were reversed and Gaia was the one experiencing that abuse.
All in all, it's an awful book and not even the resolution is close to satisfactory, as it ends rather abruptly after building up to nothing.
June 26, 2021
And They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Beharrie is an excellent contemporary romance that has it all: mystery, suspense, romance, chemistry, an excellent character cast, and an added dash of paranormal activity that is nothing short of magic. I loved it!
This book is so unique that any sort of description that I will try here will not be able to do it justice. I was blown away by the special, unique, and extremely addictive and entertaining narrative that the author was able to cook up.
Gaia Andrews is an awesome leading female character. She is independent, smart, ambitious, passionate, and has a flair for the magical realm. Her dreams inspire reality, and in fact have their own sort of reality. I love her wit, banter, and sass. Her inner being just has a fire that one doesn’t see in many novels anymore. And her connection to Jacob Scott is spot on. Their chemistry, connection, dialogue, and pairing is just perfect. I love how they compliment one another, how they improve each other, and their relationship overall. I also like how both have their own complicated pasts and issues that they are working through. It really adds a heavier feel and complexity to the novel that otherwise might not make it what a gem it is today.
I loved this book, hope to see more from this author, and cannot recommend this one enough.
Well done!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Zebra/Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
This book is so unique that any sort of description that I will try here will not be able to do it justice. I was blown away by the special, unique, and extremely addictive and entertaining narrative that the author was able to cook up.
Gaia Andrews is an awesome leading female character. She is independent, smart, ambitious, passionate, and has a flair for the magical realm. Her dreams inspire reality, and in fact have their own sort of reality. I love her wit, banter, and sass. Her inner being just has a fire that one doesn’t see in many novels anymore. And her connection to Jacob Scott is spot on. Their chemistry, connection, dialogue, and pairing is just perfect. I love how they compliment one another, how they improve each other, and their relationship overall. I also like how both have their own complicated pasts and issues that they are working through. It really adds a heavier feel and complexity to the novel that otherwise might not make it what a gem it is today.
I loved this book, hope to see more from this author, and cannot recommend this one enough.
Well done!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Zebra/Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
November 18, 2021
Gaia is a successful romance author who spends most of her time alone at home writing or with her best friend Seth, Seth wants to change that and for Gaia to know more people and make more friends, so he invites her to a party at his house. Gaia goes to this party with a book and spends her time in corners avoiding people until she meets Jacob, Seth's younger brother.
This story is all over the place , there are multiple plots happening at the same time. Gaia Anderson is an author of romance novels who does not believe in love but has a unique gift that has helped propel her books to popularity. She also has debilitating anxiety from childhood trauma, a possible obsessed stalker and comes across a bit delusional.
I did not like the gift the Gaia had where she dreamt anything that she wrote. and wanted to know more about how the stalker (sister) found Gaia and their story together,
This story is all over the place , there are multiple plots happening at the same time. Gaia Anderson is an author of romance novels who does not believe in love but has a unique gift that has helped propel her books to popularity. She also has debilitating anxiety from childhood trauma, a possible obsessed stalker and comes across a bit delusional.
I did not like the gift the Gaia had where she dreamt anything that she wrote. and wanted to know more about how the stalker (sister) found Gaia and their story together,
July 16, 2021
3.5 stars
I love Therese Beharrie's voice and the plot here is imaginative and creative. I loved the setup and going back and forth between the FMCs dreams and reality. I found that to be the best part of the book and it moved the relationship forward each time. I think the dreams were hard to follow but maybe was most likely the formatting issue I blame the ARC for, not the author, and I expect that will be corrected in the final product, and I didn't let that impact my rating.
However, I did think there was just one plot point too many.
- FMC is caught VERY early in a heated embrace with her BFFs brother
- Shortly afterwards her dream writing brings that MMC into those dreams (main plot)
- This leads to a fight between FMC and her BFF
- MMC is questioning his career path
- MMC and his brother have issues because of the romance
- FMC has a
I love Therese Beharrie's voice and the plot here is imaginative and creative. I loved the setup and going back and forth between the FMCs dreams and reality. I found that to be the best part of the book and it moved the relationship forward each time. I think the dreams were hard to follow but maybe was most likely the formatting issue I blame the ARC for, not the author, and I expect that will be corrected in the final product, and I didn't let that impact my rating.
However, I did think there was just one plot point too many.
- FMC is caught VERY early in a heated embrace with her BFFs brother
- Shortly afterwards her dream writing brings that MMC into those dreams (main plot)
- This leads to a fight between FMC and her BFF
- MMC is questioning his career path
- MMC and his brother have issues because of the romance
- FMC has a
December 15, 2021
2.25 stars
The concept for this book - sheltered romance author with a hint of magic falling for her best friend's brother - initially drew me in. I thought that the magic angle was intriguing and would spice up a tried and true trope.
However, I had a really hard time connecting with this story for a variety of reasons. First off, we barely get any exposition before the author launches us into the love story. I never really got a sense of how these people were as individuals other than a few cursory characteristics. On top of that, I found the pacing to be really choppy in terms of jumping from the end of one chapter to another. The massive gaps in time led to a lot of telling rather than showing as we moved through the story, especially with the magic involved. There was such an opportunity to create something exciting and the literary dreams are certainly interesting on a surface level. However, the way that the characters talked about it made it seem like the author didn't know how to fully develop it and figured that it would be easier if the characters just accepted it without really thinking about it too much.
Finally, I had a really hard time buying into the romance. Again, I think this goes back to not getting enough information about the characters as individuals before having them start to build a relationship. Both Gaia and Jason become really one-dimensional as a result, which made me a lot less interested in them as a couple. The fact that this is also one of the most insular books I have ever read also didn't help this matter. There are a few side characters that could have given the story and main couple a bit more to play off of, but they appear in about five or six chapters of the total book. Having a main couple that felt lackluster be the only characters on page for most of the book just really did not do it for me.
I think this book definitely has value in terms of both offering and discussing representation, particularly in how the heroine Gaia discusses the state of romance today. However, I just could not get past what I personally found to be big holes in the book. Hopefully, this book finds the readers out there who will enjoy it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
The concept for this book - sheltered romance author with a hint of magic falling for her best friend's brother - initially drew me in. I thought that the magic angle was intriguing and would spice up a tried and true trope.
However, I had a really hard time connecting with this story for a variety of reasons. First off, we barely get any exposition before the author launches us into the love story. I never really got a sense of how these people were as individuals other than a few cursory characteristics. On top of that, I found the pacing to be really choppy in terms of jumping from the end of one chapter to another. The massive gaps in time led to a lot of telling rather than showing as we moved through the story, especially with the magic involved. There was such an opportunity to create something exciting and the literary dreams are certainly interesting on a surface level. However, the way that the characters talked about it made it seem like the author didn't know how to fully develop it and figured that it would be easier if the characters just accepted it without really thinking about it too much.
Finally, I had a really hard time buying into the romance. Again, I think this goes back to not getting enough information about the characters as individuals before having them start to build a relationship. Both Gaia and Jason become really one-dimensional as a result, which made me a lot less interested in them as a couple. The fact that this is also one of the most insular books I have ever read also didn't help this matter. There are a few side characters that could have given the story and main couple a bit more to play off of, but they appear in about five or six chapters of the total book. Having a main couple that felt lackluster be the only characters on page for most of the book just really did not do it for me.
I think this book definitely has value in terms of both offering and discussing representation, particularly in how the heroine Gaia discusses the state of romance today. However, I just could not get past what I personally found to be big holes in the book. Hopefully, this book finds the readers out there who will enjoy it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
December 26, 2021
I love contemporary romances with magical twists. And this one, following an author with unexplainable magic, was so whimsical and unique.
For years Gaia has lived with the ability to have her writing come to life in her dreams. Containing the comfort of her words and characters, Gaia prefers her dream world, it providing the safety she craves. That is until an electric kiss with Jacob, the brother of her best friend, changes everything ...
Socially awkward and snarky, I really liked Gaia. The blend of her personality with Jacob’s created a funny banter that was so flirtatious and fun. Jacob had his own challenges being constantly under pressure to keep his family and company together. In a way, both Gaia and Jacob were stuck in limbo, and I enjoyed seeing them come together to overcome their fears.
With all that said, from the dream world to the real world, this story was sometimes hard to follow. I'm not sure if it was the transitions between scenes, but something about the writing left me confused at times. It did come together really beautifully in the end, though. And the cliffhanger! I'm definitely curious to continue with book two following Gemma.
For years Gaia has lived with the ability to have her writing come to life in her dreams. Containing the comfort of her words and characters, Gaia prefers her dream world, it providing the safety she craves. That is until an electric kiss with Jacob, the brother of her best friend, changes everything ...
Socially awkward and snarky, I really liked Gaia. The blend of her personality with Jacob’s created a funny banter that was so flirtatious and fun. Jacob had his own challenges being constantly under pressure to keep his family and company together. In a way, both Gaia and Jacob were stuck in limbo, and I enjoyed seeing them come together to overcome their fears.
With all that said, from the dream world to the real world, this story was sometimes hard to follow. I'm not sure if it was the transitions between scenes, but something about the writing left me confused at times. It did come together really beautifully in the end, though. And the cliffhanger! I'm definitely curious to continue with book two following Gemma.
July 24, 2021
I’m rating this book 3.5 stars
This book started out kind of fast paced. Gaia was coaxed into attending a party by her best friend Seth. Seth believes that Gaia works too much. He also believes the same for his brother Jacob so he invited them both to his house party.
Gaia and Jacob meet at the party in Seths bedroom where Gaia has gone to escape the party and socializing all together without realized that Jacob was showering in the En-suite.
There was a lot of self reflection in this book in almost every character. It was really interesting to see how they each worked through this.
The relationship between Gaia and Jacob was cute. There was some miscommunication throughout the book and a lot of trust issues but it was nice seeing them help each other work through their issues.
I wish I would have connected with the characters more but it was honestly a really cute book.
Special thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review!
This book started out kind of fast paced. Gaia was coaxed into attending a party by her best friend Seth. Seth believes that Gaia works too much. He also believes the same for his brother Jacob so he invited them both to his house party.
Gaia and Jacob meet at the party in Seths bedroom where Gaia has gone to escape the party and socializing all together without realized that Jacob was showering in the En-suite.
There was a lot of self reflection in this book in almost every character. It was really interesting to see how they each worked through this.
The relationship between Gaia and Jacob was cute. There was some miscommunication throughout the book and a lot of trust issues but it was nice seeing them help each other work through their issues.
I wish I would have connected with the characters more but it was honestly a really cute book.
Special thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review!
July 29, 2021
A fast-paced read with a sweet romance, lovable characters, great anxiety disorder representation, and a an enticing concept that's basically similar to reality shifting.
Gaia and Seth were both so easy to root for, and they have a classic reunited friends-to-lovers story. We've got a diverse ship with social anxiety representation and even a panic attack on page that I personally think was dealt with in such a good way. It's an OwnVoices story with an addictive romance mixed in, need I say more?
The only thing that made me not give it a higher rating was the fact that I was in a bit of a book slump while reading this book, and it did offer some good places to stop and continue to get into, but sometimes the side storylines made the main direction of the story a little convoluted.
It's still a solid contemporary romance, and I'd recommend it.
Gaia and Seth were both so easy to root for, and they have a classic reunited friends-to-lovers story. We've got a diverse ship with social anxiety representation and even a panic attack on page that I personally think was dealt with in such a good way. It's an OwnVoices story with an addictive romance mixed in, need I say more?
The only thing that made me not give it a higher rating was the fact that I was in a bit of a book slump while reading this book, and it did offer some good places to stop and continue to get into, but sometimes the side storylines made the main direction of the story a little convoluted.
It's still a solid contemporary romance, and I'd recommend it.
March 13, 2022
The author touched on familial dependency and anxiety. I’m really appreciating the fact that authors are addressing trigger warnings in their Author’s Notes.
I’m not too sure how to feel about this book. On one hand, the connection and relationship between Jacob and Gaia evolved too quickly in my opinion; I couldn’t grasp it as quick as it evolved. There wasn’t much character development before they were immediately smitten by each other. However on the other hand their connection was deep. The banter, intense sexual tension, and the way the complimented each other. I guess it did help a little that they had history.
Gaia is a romance novelist who trusts her fictional magical world more than reality. She grapples with trusting the real world and the people who live in it after growing up feeling very lonely in foster care. She able to make a friend, best friend, with Seth who’s been her rock for the last twelve years. He’s also Jacobs older brother.
Jacob has always had a crush on Gaia and never thought his dreams would become his reality. However, he’s been committed for 8 years to his family’s business and doesn’t have time for a new relationship.
They slowly start opening up to each other and find that living a life in fear doesn’t allow one to feel the power of real love.
Overall it was an okay read. Not great but just okay for me. The last 25% of this book made me like it just a little bit more. Most of it was me thinking “okay…” It was an easy read I must say. I’m not sure that I would highly recommend, BUT I might throw it out there to someone looking for a slow burn contemporary romance.
Just like Gaia embodied her fictional characters, one would say the author wrote herself as Gaia. Although I wouldn’t stop what I was doing to read the second book (the desire isn’t that strong) it would be nice to read how the relationship between Gaia and Gemma develops.
So yes I would continue with the series.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington and Penguin Random House for gifting me with an ARC of And They Lived Happily Ever After through the Goodreads Giveaways. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I’m not too sure how to feel about this book. On one hand, the connection and relationship between Jacob and Gaia evolved too quickly in my opinion; I couldn’t grasp it as quick as it evolved. There wasn’t much character development before they were immediately smitten by each other. However on the other hand their connection was deep. The banter, intense sexual tension, and the way the complimented each other. I guess it did help a little that they had history.
Gaia is a romance novelist who trusts her fictional magical world more than reality. She grapples with trusting the real world and the people who live in it after growing up feeling very lonely in foster care. She able to make a friend, best friend, with Seth who’s been her rock for the last twelve years. He’s also Jacobs older brother.
Jacob has always had a crush on Gaia and never thought his dreams would become his reality. However, he’s been committed for 8 years to his family’s business and doesn’t have time for a new relationship.
They slowly start opening up to each other and find that living a life in fear doesn’t allow one to feel the power of real love.
Overall it was an okay read. Not great but just okay for me. The last 25% of this book made me like it just a little bit more. Most of it was me thinking “okay…” It was an easy read I must say. I’m not sure that I would highly recommend, BUT I might throw it out there to someone looking for a slow burn contemporary romance.
Just like Gaia embodied her fictional characters, one would say the author wrote herself as Gaia. Although I wouldn’t stop what I was doing to read the second book (the desire isn’t that strong) it would be nice to read how the relationship between Gaia and Gemma develops.
So yes I would continue with the series.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington and Penguin Random House for gifting me with an ARC of And They Lived Happily Ever After through the Goodreads Giveaways. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
December 7, 2021
This has such an interesting concept that the romance author mc would write out her scenes then dream them that night and she wakes up with the manuscript edited for any improvisations in the reenactment. Um where do I sign up for this magical ability?! It sounds great! I no longer dream since I sleep so little but I used to have vivid dreams and sometimes I would actually be reading books in a dream which honestly is your brain making up a story so I don't know how much rest I was actually getting and all I saw was two pages like ok. But I would have control in my dreams and could fly and do all sorts of stuff.
I love dreams and the power of them since I have randomly felt deja vu my whole life from dreams. The week I had my first daughter I had cluster feelings dating back to high school. I have never had that happen before or since so I thought this book was so fun!
Gaia is a romance author that can literally escape into her books in her dreams. When her best friend Seth tries to get her to socialize at a party she runs into his younger brother Jacob who she hasn't seen in years and who has not gotten any less hot. After a steamy makeout session the friend walks in on them and they get in trouble lol. Then he starts making appearances in her dreams as well. And things start to get interesting fast!
I loved how this book spoke about anxiety and the struggle of feeling like someone can and will love you when you feel like you aren't worth the trouble. Gaia grew up in the foster system and had trouble with change and trusting for good reason. And the magic was an escape and she may not be the only one.
OMG the author's note! I share unsolicited kid pics too! It was so hard to work with kids in the beginning of the pandemic especially since you were a new mom with twins. Everyone deserves something sweet.
Thank you kensingtonbooks and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
I love dreams and the power of them since I have randomly felt deja vu my whole life from dreams. The week I had my first daughter I had cluster feelings dating back to high school. I have never had that happen before or since so I thought this book was so fun!
Gaia is a romance author that can literally escape into her books in her dreams. When her best friend Seth tries to get her to socialize at a party she runs into his younger brother Jacob who she hasn't seen in years and who has not gotten any less hot. After a steamy makeout session the friend walks in on them and they get in trouble lol. Then he starts making appearances in her dreams as well. And things start to get interesting fast!
I loved how this book spoke about anxiety and the struggle of feeling like someone can and will love you when you feel like you aren't worth the trouble. Gaia grew up in the foster system and had trouble with change and trusting for good reason. And the magic was an escape and she may not be the only one.
OMG the author's note! I share unsolicited kid pics too! It was so hard to work with kids in the beginning of the pandemic especially since you were a new mom with twins. Everyone deserves something sweet.
Thank you kensingtonbooks and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
January 27, 2022
Representation on the page matters, and while finding representation that feels exactly like you can be some of the most affirming experiences out there, finding representation that speaks to a component of your life that isn’t exactly how you experience it is also incredibly important. Beharrie includes in her acknowledgements that a lot of what we see on the page in And They Lived Happily Ever After draws from her own experiences with Anxiety, and as usual, when an author so very obviously writes from a place of emotional truth the results have the possibility of being truly outstanding.
I have Anxiety and it looks almost nothing like Gaia’s does in the book. I don’t get classic panic attacks, and because of that it took well into my middle 30s to get it diagnosed and named so that I could start dealing with it actively – and even that only happened because I checked a box on an intake form, expecting it to be an ‘also ran’ to my depression, and not as it turns out the star of the show. Like Gaia though, I spent a long time thinking that this was just how I processed, accepting a certain amount of unspoken shame that I didn’t function like “everyone else”. Its this piece, this beautiful, delicate emotional piece – that is refracted in shame and guilt in Jake’s arc – that makes this such an important read.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/...
I have Anxiety and it looks almost nothing like Gaia’s does in the book. I don’t get classic panic attacks, and because of that it took well into my middle 30s to get it diagnosed and named so that I could start dealing with it actively – and even that only happened because I checked a box on an intake form, expecting it to be an ‘also ran’ to my depression, and not as it turns out the star of the show. Like Gaia though, I spent a long time thinking that this was just how I processed, accepting a certain amount of unspoken shame that I didn’t function like “everyone else”. Its this piece, this beautiful, delicate emotional piece – that is refracted in shame and guilt in Jake’s arc – that makes this such an important read.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/...
August 5, 2021
"Put your mouth to better use than talking." Would he die because of this woman? Possibly. But it would be worth it.
This was a nice read. I really enjoyed our protagonist and her growth of trusting and letting more people close to her. The presentation of mental illness was so refreshing because it was real and not romanticized. The author can reassure you that people will still love you and stand beside you even after they see the full you. The love interest, Jacob, is definitely fictional crush material: he is smart, charming, and he only has eyes for Gaia. It was such a cute dynamic. The story also carries a magical aspect that I found intriguing upon reading the synopsis, however, it made the story confusing, mainly due to the subplots of the dreams that I felt like dragged on too much and I did not quite care about them.
Overall, the story read fast and I quite enjoyed it, however, the insta-love and magical aspect made it a little harder to fall for the book altogether.
~ 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a nice read. I really enjoyed our protagonist and her growth of trusting and letting more people close to her. The presentation of mental illness was so refreshing because it was real and not romanticized. The author can reassure you that people will still love you and stand beside you even after they see the full you. The love interest, Jacob, is definitely fictional crush material: he is smart, charming, and he only has eyes for Gaia. It was such a cute dynamic. The story also carries a magical aspect that I found intriguing upon reading the synopsis, however, it made the story confusing, mainly due to the subplots of the dreams that I felt like dragged on too much and I did not quite care about them.
Overall, the story read fast and I quite enjoyed it, however, the insta-love and magical aspect made it a little harder to fall for the book altogether.
~ 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2023
I was so excited by the concept for this book, and went in expecting to have to temper my impatience to get into the good stuff but -for me at least- it just never came. It felt like the main premise this book was being sold on was more of a subplot than anything else. The dialogue felt unnatural and drawn out without anything actually being said for the most part. None of the relationships between the different characters were particularly compelling, and I found most of them more annoying than anything. I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I just couldn't be bothered by halfway through.
March 23, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
It was so cute, heartfelt and I loved Gaia & Jacob! I also loved the magical element!
It was so cute, heartfelt and I loved Gaia & Jacob! I also loved the magical element!
June 19, 2023
I liked Jacob but that's about it. The magical elements were not my favorite and the long lost twin sister thing was a bit too much.
But nothing was worse than this quote:
But nothing was worse than this quote:
"It isn't a bra," he said deliberately, lowering to kiss the mounds he'd traced, before lifting his head again, "it's a castle, housing royalty."
April 29, 2022
3.5 stars.
December 4, 2021
This year I’ve gotten to read a lot of different types of romances written by authors of color about characters of color, and it’s been so cool. And They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Beharrie is a treat because it features a lot of tropes/themes I love—shared dreams, magic, special powers/gifts, pining/crush, and friends to lovers—in an own voices romance. Plus, it’s also about writing, particularly romance novels. All the things I love! Funny, steamy, poignant, thoughtful, and sexy, And They Lived Happily Ever After explores the aftereffects of growing up in the foster system in a nuanced and imaginative way, as well as how grief fundamentally affects and alters family relationships and family members left behind. Beharrie’s description is vivid, and her narrative style is distinctive.
CW:
South African romance author Gaia Anders dreams her bestselling novels into being, literally. It’s a gift she’s relied on as an escape from the remnants of her time as a child raised in foster care, and she’s never questioned it until a real-life passionate kiss with Jacob Scott changes everything. Crushing on Gaia, his brother’s best friend, since childhood is status quo for Jacob. He’d never expected anything to come of his feelings, until each night after their kiss he begins experiencing shared dreams with Gaia that allow them to live out their fantasies. Though they don’t compare to reality for him. Can he convince Gaia it’s worth taking a risk on love in the real world and leaving her dream worlds to be with him, especially when he has family drama and baggage of his own that he’s struggling to resolve?
An imaginative, gifted, free-spirited, snarky, suborn, dreamer, Gaia is lonely, distrustful of people, socially awkward, and hiding deeper pain and secrets from her best friend, the world, and herself. When she starts spending time with Jacob, those secrets are at risk of being exposed. But being with Jacob also brings light to her life and positive emotions and feelings she experiences in the real world for the first time. From the outside, Jacob is a workaholic businessman, who is dutiful, selfless, loyal, perceptive, and the family peacekeeper. But inside he’s desperately unhappy, trapped between his father and brother, and driven to keep a promise that keeps him from living his own life. Gaia’s and Jacob’s interactions are snarky, hilarious, sparking with chemistry, filled with intimacy and heat, contributing to their excellent character development. Their characters, struggles, and stories are relatable, making it easy for readers to empathize and care for them.
And They Lived Happily Ever After is an emotional, thought-provoking, relatable, laugh out loud, sexy, snarky, and steamy romance about self-discovery, belonging, family, social anxiety, facing your fears, letting go of the past, and opening your heart to accept love into your life.
Advanced review copy provided by Zebra Books via Netgalley for review.
CW:
South African romance author Gaia Anders dreams her bestselling novels into being, literally. It’s a gift she’s relied on as an escape from the remnants of her time as a child raised in foster care, and she’s never questioned it until a real-life passionate kiss with Jacob Scott changes everything. Crushing on Gaia, his brother’s best friend, since childhood is status quo for Jacob. He’d never expected anything to come of his feelings, until each night after their kiss he begins experiencing shared dreams with Gaia that allow them to live out their fantasies. Though they don’t compare to reality for him. Can he convince Gaia it’s worth taking a risk on love in the real world and leaving her dream worlds to be with him, especially when he has family drama and baggage of his own that he’s struggling to resolve?
An imaginative, gifted, free-spirited, snarky, suborn, dreamer, Gaia is lonely, distrustful of people, socially awkward, and hiding deeper pain and secrets from her best friend, the world, and herself. When she starts spending time with Jacob, those secrets are at risk of being exposed. But being with Jacob also brings light to her life and positive emotions and feelings she experiences in the real world for the first time. From the outside, Jacob is a workaholic businessman, who is dutiful, selfless, loyal, perceptive, and the family peacekeeper. But inside he’s desperately unhappy, trapped between his father and brother, and driven to keep a promise that keeps him from living his own life. Gaia’s and Jacob’s interactions are snarky, hilarious, sparking with chemistry, filled with intimacy and heat, contributing to their excellent character development. Their characters, struggles, and stories are relatable, making it easy for readers to empathize and care for them.
And They Lived Happily Ever After is an emotional, thought-provoking, relatable, laugh out loud, sexy, snarky, and steamy romance about self-discovery, belonging, family, social anxiety, facing your fears, letting go of the past, and opening your heart to accept love into your life.
Advanced review copy provided by Zebra Books via Netgalley for review.
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