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Desperately Ever After #3
Skipping Midnight
MP3 CD Format For the women of Marestam, "happily ever after" has always come with a grain of salt. Be it infidelity or aging, deferred dreams or lost love or the pressures of raising a family, they have always seen each other through life's trials with laughter, wine, and a brand-new take on old-fashioned chivalry. But when rage and treachery take over, everything they hold dear comes under attack.
Suddenly, the monarchies are crumbling, Cinderella is missing, Belle is harboring the secret of all secrets, Rapunzel is facing the one dilemma she spent her whole life trying to avoid, and Dawn could lose everything she's finally learned to love. In order to save everyone and unmask the wolf in their midst, this iconic group of friends must follow a dogmatic fairy no one trusts, invoke a magic no one understands, and face a past they thought they had buried long ago.
Rapunzel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the rest of Marestam's favorite females return in this third and final novel in Laura Kenyon's Desperately Ever After series, which takes a whimsical look at our most beloved fairy tale princesses several years after true love's kiss . . . and asks listeners to rethink everything they believe about happy endings.
Suddenly, the monarchies are crumbling, Cinderella is missing, Belle is harboring the secret of all secrets, Rapunzel is facing the one dilemma she spent her whole life trying to avoid, and Dawn could lose everything she's finally learned to love. In order to save everyone and unmask the wolf in their midst, this iconic group of friends must follow a dogmatic fairy no one trusts, invoke a magic no one understands, and face a past they thought they had buried long ago.
Rapunzel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the rest of Marestam's favorite females return in this third and final novel in Laura Kenyon's Desperately Ever After series, which takes a whimsical look at our most beloved fairy tale princesses several years after true love's kiss . . . and asks listeners to rethink everything they believe about happy endings.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
24 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Laura Kenyon
6 books109 followersLike so many women today, I grew up on Disney films and fairy tales. But as wonderful as these were at the time, they always left me wondering what came next. How did Cinderella feel ten years down the road, when her iconic ball gown no longer fit and she had four kids, royal duties up the wahzoo, and a husband who was hardly ever around? How long did it take Beast to return to his old ways when he no longer needed Beauty to break the curse?
My debut novel, Desperately Ever After, takes our most beloved fairy tale princesses, makes them the best of friends, and imagines what happened when the wedding bells stopped ringing. At its core, it’s about honesty and friendship, and how one can never work without the other.
In addition to writing books, I am a freelance journalist and blogger, and enjoy traveling, hiking, and playing with my 92-pound, ridiculously energetic, four-year-old puppy.
I also love connecting with readers on my blog (laurakenyon.com), Twitter (@laura_kenyon), and Facebook (laurakenyonwrites).
Visit my Amazon author page here: www.amazon.com/author/laurakenyon
Happy reading!
My debut novel, Desperately Ever After, takes our most beloved fairy tale princesses, makes them the best of friends, and imagines what happened when the wedding bells stopped ringing. At its core, it’s about honesty and friendship, and how one can never work without the other.
In addition to writing books, I am a freelance journalist and blogger, and enjoy traveling, hiking, and playing with my 92-pound, ridiculously energetic, four-year-old puppy.
I also love connecting with readers on my blog (laurakenyon.com), Twitter (@laura_kenyon), and Facebook (laurakenyonwrites).
Visit my Amazon author page here: www.amazon.com/author/laurakenyon
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 30, 2024
Love love love this series. It's nice to finally see the stories of these characters not end with "and they lived happily ever after." I'm happy with the ending we get, but still hoping for another installment.
November 11, 2020
2.5 Stars...
Oooookay, right off the bat, there's something that I need to address. Do you have any idea how many times the sentence 'She sucked her cheeks in...', or 'Sucking both of her cheeks inward...', or 'He sucked both cheeks in and...', or 'She sucked on the inside of her cheek and...', or 'She chomped down on her cheeks but...'?
18 times. EIGHTEEN. TIMES
The word 'cheeks' appears 47 times in this story. It was annoying and jarring because it's such a bizarre statement. I can't think of a time when I've ever 'sucked on my cheeks.' Try it...when you suck on your cheeks, that gives you fish lips, and why would you do that?!
Anyway, aside from that annoyance, the story was ok. The ending was a rapid-fire maze of information, and everything was wrapped up incredibly quickly and all with a nice little bow.
Cinderella and Aaron were only mentioned at the very end and almost as an afterthought and (no surprise here), everyone got their happily ever after ending.
Overall, it was a decent ending to the series, but as many others mentioned, it felt very rushed. So much happens in the last 15% of the book that it's hard to really focus on any one thing. I'm glad I read it, though. Books 1 and especially 2 were enjoyable.
Oooookay, right off the bat, there's something that I need to address. Do you have any idea how many times the sentence 'She sucked her cheeks in...', or 'Sucking both of her cheeks inward...', or 'He sucked both cheeks in and...', or 'She sucked on the inside of her cheek and...', or 'She chomped down on her cheeks but...'?
18 times. EIGHTEEN. TIMES
The word 'cheeks' appears 47 times in this story. It was annoying and jarring because it's such a bizarre statement. I can't think of a time when I've ever 'sucked on my cheeks.' Try it...when you suck on your cheeks, that gives you fish lips, and why would you do that?!
Anyway, aside from that annoyance, the story was ok. The ending was a rapid-fire maze of information, and everything was wrapped up incredibly quickly and all with a nice little bow.
Cinderella and Aaron were only mentioned at the very end and almost as an afterthought and (no surprise here), everyone got their happily ever after ending.
Overall, it was a decent ending to the series, but as many others mentioned, it felt very rushed. So much happens in the last 15% of the book that it's hard to really focus on any one thing. I'm glad I read it, though. Books 1 and especially 2 were enjoyable.
July 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this series and was sad to read this was the last one. I got to know and like so many of the already familiar characters in a new way. There is so much more that could be written. I found it was hard to get back into the series because it had been a while since I read the second book and this one didn't do a good job of filling in the backstory. When I did get caught up I was disappointed that everything was rushed to put closure to the storyline. I wish we had more info about Rapuntzel and her pure blood fairy. A lot of time was spent taking you to find her and then that was it. There were many things going on with different characters and the stories were cut short and felt unfinished. Overall though the book was a fun read and had a few more twists included that I wasn't expecting. I do hope the author will decide to continue the series at some point and finish some of the subplots that I was curious about. You really get to like the characters and what happens to them. I would recommend the book but you do need to have read the previous two or you may be very lost.
November 30, 2016
FINALLY!! Finally we have an ending to a series I fell in love with a few years ago! I just love the twist on making these characters live in the modern world, yet still having monarchies. I don't want to give too much away in this review. We ended on a major cliffhanger with the last story and this picks up where it left off. My favorite thing about this finale was the redemption of many of my favorite characters. Their stories don't exactly turn out the way that the traditional fairy tales do, but it shows that everyone has their own version of happily ever after that doesn't have to include marrying a prince and having children. I highly recommend this series to fans of chick lit and fairy tales!
June 11, 2017
Mixed feelings on this. I loved the first two books in his series but the last instalment fell short. The first half of the book felt disjointed and I couldn't get into it. The pace picked back up only for a messy climax before the ultimate happily ever after (it is a fairy tale after all). I'd still recommend the series from the strength of the previous books. Shame this one didn't live up to those.
April 17, 2022
I’ve read all three of the Desperately Ever After books and loved them. Even though it’s fantasy, the characters are each flawed in their own way, yet have redeeming traits, that make them so believable. It is such a unique twist on the fairytales and makes me want to re-read the original fairy tales over again. I love Laura’s writing style and I’d love to read more of her books, but I don’t see any on Amazon.
March 25, 2025
I was disappointed by this series. It started so promising, but it got harder to read with each book. I don’t know how, but too much was happening at once, but at the same time nothing was happening. The ending was good – but I feel like it could have benefited from being a duology rather than a trilogy.
June 17, 2019
Loved this series
I love fairy tales. The twists and turns in all 3 books of this series were fantastic. I loved the growth in the characters and the unique story that was presented.
I love fairy tales. The twists and turns in all 3 books of this series were fantastic. I loved the growth in the characters and the unique story that was presented.
June 3, 2017
A satisfying conclusion, but some more Snow and Pen would have been most welcome.
February 12, 2020
What a fantastic ending to this modern magical retelling of our favorite fairytales. I truly enjoyed every moment of it. 😊
April 5, 2022
Full of drama, intrigue, plot twists galore, and ultimately, a happily ever after. Perfect bit of comforting and uplifting reading for a glum day.
February 23, 2017
I enjoyed Laura Kenyon’s first two books in the Desperately Ever After series, so I was eagerly awaiting the concluding novel that picks up where Damsels in Distress left off.
As it had been a while since I read Damsels, I had forgotten some of what happened. Thankfully, Laura provided a lot of reminders and refreshers, almost like the beginning of a TV episode would to say what happened last time. She even included a glossary of names and how each character fit into the story! However, how things worked politically and in the magic realm got confusing sometimes. Especially since loyalties kept getting shifted and I wasn’t always sure who to root for. (The same thing happens on Orphan Black though!)
I felt like Laura had a crystal ball into 2017 when she wrote this novel. A lot of what happens reminds me of some current events. So it hit too close to home sometimes. Nonetheless, it was nice to visit with Rapunzel, Belle, Dawn, Snow, and Penny again and to see where things would end up with them. I can definitely say I’m satisfied with where the story went.
I hope Laura will start another series or write some stand-alone novels. She really is a skilled, creative, and talented writer. Check out her Pinterest board for this series to see where she got some of her inspiration.
I did some casting in my previous reviews:
Desperately Ever After
Damsels in Distress
Here are some more ideas to share with Hollywood…
Perrin: Randy Rainbow (Maybe he can turn the Marestam Mirror posts into songs!)
Angus: Alec Baldwin (I cast Alan Rickman last time, but this was easy to recast based on current events)
Donner: Sam Heughan
Ethan: Chris Hemsworth
Laura shared her casting ideas on Pinterest, as well.
As it had been a while since I read Damsels, I had forgotten some of what happened. Thankfully, Laura provided a lot of reminders and refreshers, almost like the beginning of a TV episode would to say what happened last time. She even included a glossary of names and how each character fit into the story! However, how things worked politically and in the magic realm got confusing sometimes. Especially since loyalties kept getting shifted and I wasn’t always sure who to root for. (The same thing happens on Orphan Black though!)
I felt like Laura had a crystal ball into 2017 when she wrote this novel. A lot of what happens reminds me of some current events. So it hit too close to home sometimes. Nonetheless, it was nice to visit with Rapunzel, Belle, Dawn, Snow, and Penny again and to see where things would end up with them. I can definitely say I’m satisfied with where the story went.
I hope Laura will start another series or write some stand-alone novels. She really is a skilled, creative, and talented writer. Check out her Pinterest board for this series to see where she got some of her inspiration.
I did some casting in my previous reviews:
Desperately Ever After
Damsels in Distress
Here are some more ideas to share with Hollywood…
Perrin: Randy Rainbow (Maybe he can turn the Marestam Mirror posts into songs!)
Angus: Alec Baldwin (I cast Alan Rickman last time, but this was easy to recast based on current events)
Donner: Sam Heughan
Ethan: Chris Hemsworth
Laura shared her casting ideas on Pinterest, as well.
February 3, 2017
Originally posted o: http://www.albainbookland.com/2017/01...
A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reading Desperately Ever After, a super fun book that caught up with some of my favourite Disney princesses a few years after their happily ever after. I found the idea genius so I have been following the series and getting to know the princesses in their new roles ever since. With Skipping Midnight we reach the end of the series so all characters are getting a bit of closure in their stories.
It had been a long time since I had finished Damsels in Distress, the previous installment, but I remembered it had ended with a huge cliff-hanger, with pregnant Belle rushed to hospital. When I started Skipping Midnight, I was a bit lost though. So many things were happening at once and I wasn't sure who was who any more. But as I got to know the characters again, it all came back and I started enjoying the story again.
I think this one is the most ambitious book of the three. All stories are open and the author even manages to open a few more before we slowly start reading about the endings (and what endings!). But I think that this installment has lost the fun spark that I enjoyed so much in the other books, especially in the first one, and it's probably the one that dragged the most. However, it was great fun being back with the princesses again and I was really happy with most of the stories, it definitely makes for a very entertaining story.
If you are a Disney fan yourself and haven't picked this series yet, I'd highly recommend you do. There are so many surprises in store for you!
A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reading Desperately Ever After, a super fun book that caught up with some of my favourite Disney princesses a few years after their happily ever after. I found the idea genius so I have been following the series and getting to know the princesses in their new roles ever since. With Skipping Midnight we reach the end of the series so all characters are getting a bit of closure in their stories.
It had been a long time since I had finished Damsels in Distress, the previous installment, but I remembered it had ended with a huge cliff-hanger, with pregnant Belle rushed to hospital. When I started Skipping Midnight, I was a bit lost though. So many things were happening at once and I wasn't sure who was who any more. But as I got to know the characters again, it all came back and I started enjoying the story again.
I think this one is the most ambitious book of the three. All stories are open and the author even manages to open a few more before we slowly start reading about the endings (and what endings!). But I think that this installment has lost the fun spark that I enjoyed so much in the other books, especially in the first one, and it's probably the one that dragged the most. However, it was great fun being back with the princesses again and I was really happy with most of the stories, it definitely makes for a very entertaining story.
If you are a Disney fan yourself and haven't picked this series yet, I'd highly recommend you do. There are so many surprises in store for you!
November 22, 2016
it's okay, not the best but more for fun.
Entertaining, but not a fan. Felt the characters were not well developed and not very smart. Their thought process and emotional trauma was not realistic. The book was to be about a fairytale world with realism, but the actions and emotions does not touch much on it. All I can say is that it's entertaining.
Entertaining, but not a fan. Felt the characters were not well developed and not very smart. Their thought process and emotional trauma was not realistic. The book was to be about a fairytale world with realism, but the actions and emotions does not touch much on it. All I can say is that it's entertaining.
May 30, 2020
Loved every word
Read all 3 books in this series in 2 days...could not put down...witty, magical and contemporary sequel to all your childhood favs...happily ever after...maybe not...but as we all know life is not a fairytale...well done Laura, you definitely have a new fan and off to Amazon to read more of your fabulous writing
Read all 3 books in this series in 2 days...could not put down...witty, magical and contemporary sequel to all your childhood favs...happily ever after...maybe not...but as we all know life is not a fairytale...well done Laura, you definitely have a new fan and off to Amazon to read more of your fabulous writing
June 7, 2020
The end of a fairy tale
What an interesting and adventurous spin on everyone's favorite fairy tales! Great plots in the series and exploration of characters to add depth beyond happily ever after. The princesses come alive as they struggle with real life challenges. Very enjoyable highly recommended.
What an interesting and adventurous spin on everyone's favorite fairy tales! Great plots in the series and exploration of characters to add depth beyond happily ever after. The princesses come alive as they struggle with real life challenges. Very enjoyable highly recommended.
May 26, 2020
Such a good build up for an honestly crappy ending. Everything was rushed and not fully hashed out. Some problems were glossed over or not addressed at all. A disappointing end to an overall good series.
May 26, 2020
I was totally enthralled
What a great way to turn fairy tales into a crossover between reality and tales. You're characters were well drawn and fleshed, your stories were hard to put down. Thanks!
What a great way to turn fairy tales into a crossover between reality and tales. You're characters were well drawn and fleshed, your stories were hard to put down. Thanks!
June 20, 2020
Great ending forum series
Have you ever wondered what living happily ever after would really be? This 3 part series gives a very entertaining answer to that question. I loved every minute of the continuation of these famous fairytales! Enjoy!
Have you ever wondered what living happily ever after would really be? This 3 part series gives a very entertaining answer to that question. I loved every minute of the continuation of these famous fairytales! Enjoy!
July 21, 2017
A fun new look at fairy tale princesses. An addictive series, I read all three books in just a couple of days.
April 3, 2017
This wrapped up pretty nicely, heavy focus on Belle and Rapunzel with Dawn kind of being the runner up. The other princesses are more side note characters. Things were a bit rushed towards the end, but overall I liked the conclusion.
April 16, 2017
Sad to see it end
This is a great little series for light reading meant to entertain. Perfect for a long winter or a good beach. Simply fun and engaging. A wonderful way to imagine the fairy tales in a more modern world.
This is a great little series for light reading meant to entertain. Perfect for a long winter or a good beach. Simply fun and engaging. A wonderful way to imagine the fairy tales in a more modern world.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews