Cursed Ever After

The Royal Gold Keepers #1

by Lacey Carter Andersen

A stubborn man. A clever woman. And a forbidden love that could destroy their world.

As the daughter of one of the two most powerful families in Paradise Falls, Elora has the unique ability to slip into another world and bring resources back to her people. Unfortunately for her, the only other person with this ability is her enemy, the alluring Callum himself.

So when their fathers go missing in that other world, they have a choice: search alone or together.

Obviously, they chose to work alone, but fate has other plans for them. Thrown together against their wills, injured and lost, they will have to learn to trust each other... or die from their pride.

What's more, their search for their fathers unearths dark secrets and even darker lies. If the two survive, they'll never be the same again. And if the wrong people discover what they know, they might just disappear right along with their fathers.

Cursed Ever After is a MF fantasy romance with a tough heroine, an alpha hero, and strong enemies-to-lovers vibes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Ebooks, Enemies To Lovers, Paranormal

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2023

About the author

Lacey Carter Andersen loves reading, writing, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She spends her days taking care of her husband, three kids, and three cats. But at night, everything changes! Her imagination runs wild with strong-willed characters, unique worlds, and exciting plots that she enthusiastically puts into stories.

Lacey has dozens of tales: science fiction romances, paranormal romances, short romances, reverse harem romances, and more. So, please feel free to dive into any of her worlds; she loves to have the company!

And you're welcome to reach out to her; she really enjoys hearing from her readers.

You can find her at:
Email: laceycarterandersen@gmail.com

Mailing List: www.eepurl.com/cVwDNP

Website: https://laceycarterandersen.net/

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Lacey-Carter-Anderse...

Reviews

[astarion's bhaal babe (wingspan matters)]

heard this is a slow burn and ran here faster than sonic the hedgehog

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the FMC being 5’10, she’s somehow still tiny and small (he’s 6’8)

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf once I got to this and I rolled my eyes so hard that I broke them.

“I hope your dick starts burning from all the dirty pussy you’ve been shoving it in.” He lifts a brow. “And I hope some guy finally fucks the cobwebs out of your pussy and puts you in a better mood.”

[Darcey · Rating 3 out of 5]

this could've been great if only the author had stopped hating women 😔

anyway, this was alright. banter was good but... refer to the point above. would've been better sans slut shaming and misogyny. the sexual tension was definitely there though, and i actually did find the world-building and overall mysterious plot quite intriguing. i was definitely more invested in the two mc's than i expected to be, and that's always good!

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was too much happening in this book and it left on too big of a cliffhanger. But because of that, I guess I am going to have to read the next one to figure out what happens next

[Filippa Söderström · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idk what it was with this book but it just didn’t catch my attention until the final two chapters.

[sophie . ݁₊ · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER😔😔

[Mrs R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 of the series and does end on a cliffhanger. It is slow burn m/f, so don't expect lots of smexy times.

Elora and Callum have spent their entire life training to take over as Gold Keepers, collecting Goldarium from the dangerous Neverwood. But when their fathers don't return from their latest trip to, they are called to start earlier than expected.

Their age isn't mentioned as such, but I take them to be around 20ish. Still living with parents but independent, and attending a college.

There is a rivalry between the two families and this has set how they have always interacted when growing up, but man is there some serious sexual tension between these two characters.

The world-building is really interesting, and we have two completely different worlds from each other. Paradise Falls has become so dependent on Goldarium, with only two families being able to collect the resource, pressure is high and there is a pecking order. The residents seem to be almost prisoners, not being able to leave and being put to work for the good of the city. Neverwood is a bizarre place and it was an adventure following these two as they navigate the world, you really don't know what would be around the next bend.

There is so much going on that we don’t yet know, but little snippets are starting to come to light. The council leaders are definitely hiding lots of secrets and it looks like the previous Goldkeepers are too.

Elora and Callum's relationship changes so much in this book as they find out secrets and realise that they know less than they thought. They have to work together but it's against everything they've been taught.

I'm looking forward to finding out what is really happening, in both worlds, and why it's been kept so quiet.

[Ann Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After is one of the best books I've read in the last year or better! I'm generous with my stars, but stingy with my reviews, and this book deserves both! I absolutely loved Elora's naivete and strength and Callum's realistic acceptance of their world. Paradise Falls is not the utopia the council wants the citizens to believe in, and when Elora and Cullum stumble upon a darker side to their world while in Neverwood, they have to decide whether to trust their fathers or believe everything else they've been told their entire lives.

Neverwood itself is a character all its own, where the unique setting takes on good and bad aspects and is almost like another being trying to hurt or help Elora and Cullum. I couldn't believe some of the nuanced differences between Paradise Falls and Neverwood, especially the magical beings who live in Neverwood. The place can literally chew you up and spit you out. But Elora's determination and Callum's pride work together to make it through their first Goldarium gathering expedition mostly in one piece.

I also have to say that the friendships between Cullum and Teth and Elora and Bev are refreshing and valuable. It is wonderful to see that not only superficial people live in Paradise Falls and that Callum and Elora have friends they can count on when they have to pretend they are are enemies. I cannot wait for the next book, and I really hope the author moves up the date for release based on the success of the first book! I really don't want to wait a year for the conclusion!!

[Marybeth Buskirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I overall really enjoyed this world, the characters, and the story! I feel like the pacing could have been improved upon, but all of the characters minus the step mom felt fully fleshed out and had backstories that made me feel invested in them. The strongest point of this book for me was the world building and the slow burn of the romance, though I do feel it was rushed towards the end. I also love any sort of story that partially or fully takes place in a forest so this got bonus points for that, too!

[Kaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only carried on reading because people kept mentioning a plot twist WHAT PLOT TWIST ??!!
THE TIME I WASTED 🥲

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After
The Royal Gold Keepers book one
Lacey Carter Anderson
Stars:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: .5
Burn level:.5
Time to read: 6 hours
Cliffhanger
My review may contain spoilers
Read Trigger Warnings

Tropes:
Enem1es to l0vers
F0rced Proximity
Forbidden
Sunshine/grumpy
Fairy tale

Elora Walker, 20s, Walker Gold Keeper heir
Callum Runefall, 20s, Runefall Gold Keeper heir

Plot: When their fathers, the current Gold Keepers disappear into Neverwood, Elora and Callum are tasked with becoming the next Gold Keepers, even though their training is not yet fully completed. Now having to go into Neverwood in search of Goldarium, a substance in which they need in order to survive, sworn enemies Callum and Elora are forced to lean on each other for help. When they discover things may not be quit what they appear to be back home, the lines in Neverwood tend to blur.

My thoughts: Wow! This book reminds me of why I love reading so much and why fantasy is by far my favorite trope type! Lacy Carter Anderson has created a completely unique world and plot. It is truly hard to write books that feel like they haven’t already been written, but this one is truly unique. There is half of one s3x scene so this is a completely slow burn romance, but it is so good! I will absolutely be continuing the series.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning to this new series is insanely good and exciting. We really get to know the two main characters and I have a feeling that is only the tip of the iceberg. There land seems to part of our world but is locked away. We are only given a few clues so far but they don’t paint a very happy place if you happen to be Elora or Callum. There have been so many secrets and lies that they are only now finding. And then there is the world of Neverwood. A world that is both dangerous and beautiful. I can’t wait to return to this new series and discover more and to see where our heroes will go next.

[Fanny Mae Voss-Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the story slow burn with a lot of twists and turns . Some spicy parts and the end around page 200, but that book is amazing without any spice .

[Josy Lasorsa-Godmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lot of characters that aren’t fully developped yet…
the books ends so abruptally, i almost got whiplash from it
love the Neverwood world building and can’t wait to see more of it!

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this is a good discovery ! I really liked the story and to see Elora and Callum interactions.
Both are from opposite family, in their city it's nearly forbidden for them to speak to each other, everything is made to make sure the families are ennemies. Only both of their family are able to go in another world/dimension full of danger to bring back a substance dangerous but powerful : the golarium that the city use to everything ...but the ideal city is not as ideal as it seems people different " disappear", you are supposed to act like they want you to etc.

For Elora, becoming a gold Keeper is an honor, she can' wait until it's her time but her father is dragging his feet...then suddenly he disappear and while she is not fully trained the city council dictate that she goes. While away she is determined to look for her father who went missing but she also start to realise that not everything is as it look....she understand better why she should not tell the city everything she sees in that foreign place but also that both family are more linked that it seems and in neverwood rules are completely different.

Callum knows the city darker side and lost his illusions long ago.... he knows he is supposde to be Elora's ennemy but at the same time he was always protective of her. He is not looking to become Gold keeper even if he knows its his responsability as the sole heir. When is father went in the neverwood and went missing he was secretely told to trust Elora... he is lost but soon discore that he needs her more that he imagined.

This book is setting the premise of an excellent story we understand quickly that a lot is still secret and something big is going on so the cliffhanger makes the angsty feeling even stronger.
It's original and i can't wait to discover more

[Natward1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This book was okay. I did want to keep reading, so it had that going for it! The biggest problem though was the writing. It felt like it was 1% conversation and 99% monologues and monologues and monologues of explanations and descriptions and clarifications and analyzations given in way too much detail. For instance, anytime anyone would say a single sentence it would always be followed up with at least a paragraph of explanation about what that person just said or why they said it or what they thought it might mean or the back story of why that person would say what they just said or the back story of the person themself etc etc etc. Every. Time. And it was always too long winded. The author could have gotten the message across using 1/4 of the explanations given. Imagine if you were watching a movie with someone, and anytime anything happened or anyone said anything the person you were with paused it and then explained exactly what was happening and why it was happening and the whole backstory on whoever said it or the back story of why they would say the thing they just said. That’s what the writing felt like. It was tedious and just kept taking me out of the story. I’m not even talking about the world building aspect of it. Because obviously you need to be descriptive when introducing the readers to a brand new type of world, but this was different than that. And even those descriptions need to be done in a way that flows, not in a way that stops the progression every two seconds. So that was hard to get through.

Also, the neverworld they go into, basically this fantasy world, seemed juvenile for a book that is more for adult readers given the sexual nature and language. The bad guys were trolls and giants that eat people and then there were also tree beings and clouds that smile down at you. It was just sort of unoriginal as far as a fantasy world goes.

I did like everything that happened the first time Elora and Callum go into the neverworld. That was exciting and adventurous and meaningful.

I am not a big fan of enemies to lovers however. I don’t like people who are mean and I don’t like reading mean things being said to another person excessively. So I didn’t love that aspect but it also wasn’t too bad. The author did an okay job of not making them too nasty to eachother, but still not what I love personally. I’d rather have more of an indifference first or they can not like eachother but are at least civil. Above all I am glad it wasn’t insta love at least. However, it wasn’t a true slow burn romance either. Because yes the characters are enemies but after one day of being together they do start lusting after eachother and it progresses quickly after that. The situation they were in would have given them plenty of time to go slow and go from hate to respect to like then to love. I wish the author would have spent less time over explaining every little thing that didn’t matter and spent more time truly developing the romance. It wasn’t done horribly, but still quicker than I would have liked. Also, I hated the way they “got together”. They get together twice, but we only read through one of them as one happened in the past, but both times it doesn’t happen as intentionally and meaningful as i would have liked. Without giving away spoilers, it just felt disappointing that what could have been a meaningful, impactful event didn’t feel as satisfying because of the circumstances that happen when they do get together. To me, the first time they get together should be full of clarity and love and desire and more than just a drunken, anger filled lust session. I wouldn’t have minded this scenario if it wouldn’t have been the first one we are reading of. I would have liked for them to get together meaningfully in the never world first, then as they leave they agree to pretend to still hate eachother, then have this other time that happened happen because of the pretending. It just would have given their relationship more levels.
I do sort of want to keep going with the series, but there are enough problems that I’m not sure if I will or not. I don’t love elora. She’s okay but she’s always talking about how she’s always getting hit on or how every guy wants to be with her. She does say a lot of that is only because of her family name but a lot of times it doesn’t come across that way and it just feels like the author is over emphasizing her good looks. She isn’t even particularly nice, even though at the end there’s a character that says she has always been nice. We just don’t really see that side since she’s always trying to brush off every guy that talks to her or she’s angry at Callum. She’s okay but I don’t love her as much as I could had the author given her more situations to show that kindness to her classmates instead of being so worried about everyone hitting on her or her being so bothered by everyone asking her questions about her dad and never world and stuff. She just always seems annoyed with life.

Also, I’m confused at one thing. It is emphasized that everyone including elora thinks they live in this nice perfect amazing peaceful place. Yet, it’s incredibly restrictive and scary! You aren’t allowed to leave unless you go to college, but even then you are almost required to return and work, if you have a flaw you “disappear”, the social classes are distinctly divided to the point that the poor sections don’t even have clean air. So, why on earth would anyone, especially elora, think that this is a perfect place to live? You’d think everyone would hate it and would be living in constant fear. That part just didn’t make much sense to me.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75*

[Gianna Coraluzzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what i was expecting when i picked this up. More adventure less romance…am not a fantasy girlie:/

[✧.*Emma✧.* · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 3.5 stars
I enjoyed the story but the ending felt a bit off!

[Angela Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was. Ot sure what to expect when I read this book. It was very different but pulls you in very quickly. Lots of action, drama and some steam. Love the main characters and how they learn to depend on each other. Interested to see how the unravel all the secrets surrounding them.

[Dru · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know what to say about this book….

2.5/5

Tropes:
✔️No virgins or surprise pregnancy
✔️Touch her and die 💀
✔️Enemies-to-lovers
✔️Steam 🔥/5
✔️No 🌶️ (but could be in second book?)
✔️One bed
✔️Dual First Person POV


So I couldn’t fully grasp this book. It is like mixing a fae world with Gilmore Girls. There is a portal that only two rival families can use to get a special substance that keeps their town running. Once the fathers go missing, Elora and Callum had to go into this fae world by themselves to find the special ore to try to save their town.

The town is set up, called Paradise Falls. It felt like it was a set from Gilmore girls. Both main characters are going to college there, but the town is so small, it really feels like almost a high school that they’re going to. So I was a little bit thrown off by the age when they’re supposed to be in their 20’s going to college. The rival between the two main characters is just a weird set up, and when you read both of their POV‘s, it shows even a cringier relationship. Some of their banter lines were great, but for the most part they sounded forced. It was sometimes rough to get through. The town is supposed to supply this perfect oasis and of course we always know that is not the truth but in this book, we never even get a hint at what might be wrong. As I read it myself, I do want some sort of path or inclination of what might be happening behind scenes so I can come up with some theories I can match. Without any information given it kind of felt boring and I didn’t really care to think much of what the town could be hiding.

Now talking about the setting of both places were underwhelming. First, if you’re talking about the town, it truly felt like one of those small town places you would find in a soap opera. I found it really didn’t match the theme of the story even though I understand it’s supposed to be an urban fantasy. Then when they get into Neverwood, it is a fae world that was so drastically horribly described that it sounded like everything was rainbows and no uniqueness about the place at all. I had a really hard time picturing this world and understanding how the characters navigated it. I also thought the tools that they needed to use were so off base or just plain weird (even if it is a fae land and it doesn’t need to make sense). When running into the different creatures in Neverwood, they also lacked detail, and the author just assumed you would know what they look like. When every fantasy world is different, depending on the author, I wish they really took the time to write about the different creatures and World itself within Neverwood. Everything from their interactions with each other, to the World building, just felt immature and unfinished.

Romance: it wasn’t there. There is also no spice, but maybe it will happen in the second book. I can see where the author tried to build some tension and steam, but that also fell flat with the characters.

The ending of the book also seemed unfinished. The book did leave on a cliffhanger, however, I think it should’ve been longer and added the second part of the plot instead of stopping where it did. Even with the cliffhanger I don’t know if I’m really interested in reading the second book to the series. I will note that the further you get towards the end you may get more invested, which is probably why I would say this is a 2.5/5 instead of a 2/5. But with the beginning of the book being so atrocious it was hard to be redeemable by the end.

I wouldn’t recommend this book but if you like urban fantasy and maybe some tropes within it you may have a different opinion. I however, probably will never think about this book or remind myself if the second one comes out. I just wish it didn’t feel like a daytime soap opera, mixed with an unfinished fantasy world.

[Brittany Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elora and Callum have spent their entire lives training to take over as Gold Keepers when their fathers can no longer do it. Goldarium is what they collect from the dangerous Neverwood, which helps power the whole of their land and only Gold Keepers can collect it. Their fathers go on a trip to the Neverwood once more at the beginning of this book but they don't return from their latest trip. Elora and Callum are then thrown into this dangerous game earlier than expected.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the two main characters and their families. They are the only two children of the two families of Gold Keepers. There is a long and often violent history between the two families, though not much has been disclosed.

There is a lot that hasn't been stated all around and that is the main reason I gave it four stars. Though I will be reading the second book as I found the story very intriguing and can only imagine more information will come out with it.

The world-building is fantastic, the writing flows really well and is quite seamless. There is a cliffhanger so be warned if you don't like those! Great writing and original ideas.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basis of the story is interesting. I don’t think it can be considered an enemies to lovers because it doesn’t seem like they ever really were enemies or ever actually hated each other. Some of the interactions seemed immature. Still deciding if I’ll continue when the next book comes out.

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ever After, the first book in the Royal Gold Keepers series by Lacey Carter Andersen was a fabulous fantasy, star crossed, enemies to lovers forbidden romance that is sure to please any dystopian fantasy romance fan out there! Anderson did a phenomenal job at creating an amazing new world and her character development was definitely on point! Full of tension, angst, action, tragedy and endless growing emotions this story is definitely an intriguing one that will draw you in and keep you entertained till the end!

Growing up in a utopian town isolated away from others, this is the story of Elora and Callum, two characters that soon find themselves thrown together on a mission to save their home—if they can do it without killing each other first since they are from two opposing families that have a very sorted past. Especially since Elora and Callum are part of the only two families that possess the special ability to access another realm, Neverwood, in order to collect Goldarium—something extremely crucial to the running of their town.

So needless to say, when each of their fathers mysteriously disappear, that job falls on their shoulders. Determined to set off on their own and to keep their distance from each other, they soon realize that everything they thought they knew may not be accurate after all. I loved watching their relationship grow and evolve throughout the story, as they slowly learned to lean on each other and to trust each other throughout all the obstacles and trials they encountered.

Overall this action packed story is a fun quick fantastic read featuring a new fantasy world with a fierce heroine, a strong alpha hero and of course lots of drama, intrigue, danger and deceit. With strong Romeo and Juliet vibes, this story is sure to please any enemies-to-lovers fan out there! And that ending?!? I need the next book stat!

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of The Royal Gold Keepers series and the main characters are Elora Walker and Callum Runefall, the last two heirs of the Gold Keeper dynasty. The two families are the two most powerful in the town of Paradise Falls, a place only the elite and those who work to produce everything they need live, using a rare resource, Goldarium for all their needs. Only members of the Walker and Runefall families are able to handle this substance and enter the other world of Neverwood, which is where they collect it from. It is a place with many dangers, but also amazing scenery of such unusual colours and tones. Callum and Elora have grown up with the people in town always treating them as heroes, and having been trained for their future roles since the age of four. Training by a Council member called Vyn that was rather gruesome and horrific in manner! They have accompanied their fathers on short trips into Neverwood over the years, but the last trip their fathers went on was different. Just before they both went through the wall separating Paradise Falls with Neverwood, they insisted on going alone and the two fathers even had a fight and were arguing. Other vehicles could be heard coming to the isolated spot and their fathers both raced off through the wall, just before loads of armed security personnel came up the hill, looking really angry. They surround Elora and Callum and make threats, as they ask questions, even shooting Callum with a stun gun as he tries to protect Elora. He has to fight them off until his mother, who is seemingly the head of the Council, gets them to stop. No reason is given for the apparent attempt to stop their fathers leaving Paradise Falls and they have to return to their normal lives and college in town.

The Walker and Runefall families have always been enemies and the two have been taught to have nothing to do with the other, and to hate the other without even really knowing why. They have very few good friends, one of Elora’s is Beva, who as a young child tried to touch the Goldarium to be just like Elora, but it burnt some of her fingers off! In Paradise Falls, anyone who is not perfect will be removed by the security forces and will never be seen again. Only because Elora spoke out for her best friend, Beva, was she allowed to stay. People don’t leave Paradise Falls any other way, unless they manage to get to study at an outside university. A long path out of the town is spoken of as folklore and nobody knows if it even exists anymore. When it becomes clear their fathers are not going to return, certain things happen, which raise questions about how the town is being run by the Council and what other lies might have been told to them. A blackout means they are running out of Goldarium, when there was supposed to have been a huge deposit kept in the town, enough to last at least ten years! Other people try to be with either of them, for the rich life and status they will receive, especially if they have Callum’s child or impregnate Elora! The Gold Keepers are gifted with additional strength and faster healing, amongst other gifts. Elora lost her birth mother aged just five and has had a repeat nightmare about how her mother died, but has always been told her mother died in a fire at her lab. She was never allowed to talk about her mother after that and shortly afterwards had a stepmother taking her place! All evidence of her mother’s existence was removed, all that was left was a plaque at the site of the fire.

The Council call Elora and Callum to the Council HQ, but something weird is going on, as all the other Councillors are leaving as they enter, leaving just Callum’s mother behind. She tells the two to get ready to go into Neverwood as they desperately need more Goldarium, but Elora wants to search for her father to see what happened. The Councilwoman agrees she can follow her father’s path, but only if they return with lots of the resource they so desperately need. Callum ad Elora are going to follow the same rules their father’s and their upbringing has told them, which is to work separately. The safe paths in Neverwood are marked by blue or yellow flowers along the sides. They have been taught that they are safe, so long as they stay on the paths, and they have been taught some of the dangers of the place, but not all of them. The two could have been friends, but anytime they came together, they were reminded not to be! Elora had hoped they could work together on the other side, fearing what she might find on her first solo trip, but their usual comments towards each other after years of practice, end up pushing them apart! They enter their own family’s cabins as soon as they are in Neverwood and pick up the rest of their supplies. The most important is the different colour seeds, which they drop as they walk along their path, to demark safe or dangerous areas. But they are about to find out that everything they had been told, even by their own fathers, was lies and there are far more dangers awaiting them, both in Neverwood and in Paradise Falls. Elora finds her family’s path has changed and that the creatures are acting in ways she never knew of. Traps and dangers are waiting for them at every turn and they end up badly injured and have to rely on each other to survive this trip! They have always been told by their fathers to never tell anyone else about what they see or find in Neverwood, as their own fathers clearly knew that the Council and scientists would no doubt try to use it for their own advantage. The way they both thought things should work is forever changed, but when they return to Paradise Falls, they will have to go back to being enemies and pretend nothing is wrong!

A fascinating world for the two to explore and lots of questions about what the town is doing with all these resources of Goldarium and why lies have been told about their family’s relationships for so long. I can’t wait to see what happens in their worlds next and whether the unknown person will be able to help or hinder them! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Kayli | spookybookgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wasn’t sure what to expect when i picked this book up, but i ended up really enjoying it! i love the family rivalry. this book had me on the edge of my seat from the start. i love the modern-day fantasy, it’s extremely refreshing to read after so much trad fantasy.

[Erin Rogoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to get into, but my interest was lacking, if only in part, the more into this book I read. Yes, I finished reading Cursed Ever After and refused to place it in my Unfinished Reads Zone; no, I didn’t read it in full, only if you consider skipping a few pages here and there of almost “too much” description of the layout of the magical realism landscape, but I enjoyed this overall.

I didn’t have a favorite character, because very few of them had a plethora of redeeming qualities about them; however, I would consider my favorite part in this novel being the moment I appreciated the realization Elora and Callum came to when discovering their families weren’t enemies ever. Discovering that tidbit had me wondering who and why started that rumor between Elora’s Walker bloodline and Callum’s Runefall bloodline… It’s a titillating detail I’d like to know so much more about, so yes, I’ll be reading the rest of this series… but if I don’t like the second book as much as the first, I’ll be left debating afterwards if I should dedicate myself to finishing this series.

As a whole, I felt interested in this book from the start to the halfway point, but after that, all I wanted was to get to smut, which there wasn’t to the quantity I normally like, so that was a slight letdown in this romantasy series. Is this meant for new adults? Yes. Is there smut? Not really. But is the enemies-to-lovers trope something to look forward to when you start reading this book? Absolutely!

There was one scene in this book that had my blood boiling, and not in a good sort of way. When I read certain books, I’m undoubtedly a literary masochist (like when I read a whole bunch of on-point BDSM dark romance novels with happy endings of all sorts), but what had my blood boiling and head exploding negatively was the flashbacks Elora and Callum had to when they were initially trained as Gold Keepers (they’re the only two of “special bloodline characters” who hunt a fictional other-worldly element called Goldarium, which fuels the existence of their parallel world of Paradise Falls). I might go into that later, but guess what? In their training to enter the parallel-parallel world to find the gold substance, their trainer was abusive in so many unspeakable ways, and whenever Elora and Callum went to their families to expose the horrific abuse they went through, no one believed them. That broke my heart for them and fueled my desire to see their trainer pay for what he did to them.

This book was a page-turner novel up to the halfway point, but my interest faded quite a bit more than I’ll ever admit to. I came here for romantasy smut and got nothing but flashbacks of would-be quickies if not for untimely interruptions, but I was skipping several pages at a time to get to the end, which was a plot twist and added mystery to the identity behind a third character with a POV who wasn’t Elora or Callum. I have a feeling I know who the person is, but I won’t tell you my thought there. Was this book predictable? In some regards, yes, but I know how hard it is to write fantasy and magical realism fictions, as a writer myself who dealt with world-building and intricate descriptions, so when I came to the point of giving this book a rating, I felt it was only fair to rate it 4/5 stars at minimum, because I know the difficulty of writing something so detailed and intense. Kudos to you, Lacey Carter Andersen; even if I didn’t like all of the book, I respect your dedication to the story and development of the writing style. Keep on writing, because I’m here for it, regardless of my liking or disliking of this series’ content.

If I was the author of Cursed Ever After, there isn’t a lot I’d change to make this book better, but I’d make the middle to eventual end quicker than it was, and I’d add a scene or two of steam to entice readers to stick with the series and not merely this book alone.

Consider this book a forbidden romance with an enemies-to-lovers trope. Also, add in a bit of the Hunger Games meets an alternate world parallel to ours, with magical realism aspects, and a perfect society of lies, sort of like The Giver by Lois Lowry mixed in. Very complex, quite fascinating, definitely thought-provoking, and one of those books you read and feel like you’re not merely reading, but experiencing the magical realism yourself. All-around awesome; I can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Leslie L. Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sincerely don't know how to describe Cursed Ever After. It was amazing, but it's so much more. It was a little slow to start, but once Elora and Cullen (MC's) were in Neverwood, the parallel world only members of two families in their town can go, it blew my hair back. I can't write much about what the story was without spoiling a plot that sneaks up and grabs you by the throat, so I won't do that, but the mystery of their town, Paradise Falls, the mystery of Neverwood and the growing heat between the MC's combines until it's 4 a.m., you can't put it down and you're cursing the author bc you have to read just one more chapter. To be honest, I'd forgotten I'd promised to read and review this book and it would have been a tragedy if I hadn't bc stunning, amazing, incredible doesn't do it justice. I cannot wait to read the next one and if you're smart and like romantasy, you'll do the same. Elora, the FMC, is one of the kindest, yet strongest female leads I've read in a long time. She made me cheer, groan and tear up a hundred times during this story and Cullen, the MMC, is tragic, strong and possessive in all the best ways of classic male characters. If Hollywood doesn't come knocking on this author's door to remake this into a movie, they're bigger idiots than even I thought they were, bc the story has all the makings of a blockbuster film. It's dark sometimes, funny, happy, dangerous, action heavy once in Neverwood, and filled with the kind of intrigue that makes you want to jump onto the page and demand answers from the villains trying to pretend they're the good guys. This is my all around favorite book of the year and I say that as someone who reads voraciously. There's a little heat toward the end but nothing you can't let your 16yo read, but I have a feeling that grows as the series progresses, so beware of that. Otherwise, you must read this book and follow the author bc you'll kick yourself if you don't. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lumie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Book Sirens and Lacey Carter Anderson for the ARC.

Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4.25/5

Overall 4/5

-I really liked the premise of the book. The two enemy families having the ultimately same mission and secretly working together. Very entertaining, although, I don’t really understand why they are supposed to be enemies. It seemed like a family feud type thing but I guess I don’t really see how deep it runs and should run for them. Other than that, I really like the story of going into a magical and dangerous world to retrieve specific substances for their people’s survival. It even felt like a dystopia at times, and I love those.

-The characters were interesting but again, I don’t really understand why they can’t be together or at least work together to earn what they need. I lay have missed something but in my head, it doesn’t truly make sense to me. Individually I like the characters, they’re both a bit too cocky and such for my liking but they create entertaining banter. Together, I feel the passion that crosses the line between hate and attraction but it felt very physical. It was nice when they were each taking care of each other whilst they were in danger but it very often was brought back to someone looking physically attractive so ultimately it all felt very physical between the two of them.

-I didn’t like the party. It was very weird and I feel like we could have done without having to read that. It’s probably a paradise for them but I really did not care for that party or anything that happened there. The ending itself leaves room for unanswered questions and unresolved conflict between the characters and their lifestyle. If I get the chance, I would like to read the sequel. I believe it’s a duology so I think something really good can come out of it.