4 Smiling and Feel Good Stars!

Life is not a fairytale...

Rory is a mother to 16-year-old Belle and a teacher. She has no time for romance, and quite frankly, she doesn't really want any - she just doesn't have time for it! She has way too many problems going on in her life right now. Rory just bought a fixer-upper, and boy, does it need fixing up. Her mother is the typical nagging mother who insists on calling her Aurora, and loves to butt in on her love life every chance she can. Rory's daughter is all grown up and has discovered boys and the dating scene. One day out of the blue Rory meets a handsome contractor, John Prince, in the local hardware store. Could love be in the air? Rory's mother, daughter, and friends seem to think her prince charming has finally arrived. But one day she hears a story that makes her question everything about this perfect man. Is he really the prince charming everyone seems to think he is?

This was a cute feel-good story about family, friends, and love with the added bonus of some funny moments mixed throughout. Highly Recommend!

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud. The story itself is about a single Mom a teacher, family, fixing up and buying your first house. Being single and looking for a partner was very relatable. The different ways to meet people totally true and funny. Some words were different than those used in America. However, it wasn't hard to discern the meaning in the context of the story. I really enjoyed the book!

Here's a quick confession: there's a lot of Disney-films I've never watched. And even if I watched them? I never really identified with Disney princesses the way so many girls my age seem to do. Well, you know... Apart from Belle. Her love of books is #goals. Sure, I loved the pretty dresses, but somehow the whole Disney-craze kind of passed me in that aspect. Now, when High School Musical came out? I was all over that. But that's neither here nor there. The point I'm making: I've never been one too fond of the whole-fairytale thing, so the play on that classic ending in Happily Never After? That just had me all over it. And luckily - it delivered!


The story
Rory closed her eyes. Think with your head. Your heart can’t be trusted. Life is not a fairytale…

Rory doesn’t believe in love. She’s got far too many real problems to deal with.

She’s just bought a tumbledown house. Her mother is generally behaving like a wicked witch, insisting on calling her Aurora, and generally interfering in her (admittedly pitiful lack of) love life. And her 16-year-old daughter has finally grown out of Disney princesses and discovered dating…

But Rory’s adamant that she doesn’t need saving. In fact, the only thing she’s wishing on a star for is a bit of practical help. However, when she meets a builder whose name is John Prince and who seems to be in the habit of rescuing her (right down to finding her lost shoe one evening) she might have to face a truth as uncomfortable as hobbling home barefoot – that maybe there’s something enchanted in the air.

Her mother, daughter and friends are convinced her prince has come, but Rory just wishes everyone could let it go. Especially when she hears a story that makes her question whether he is really the hero everyone thinks he is…

The opinion
There is something to be said for a novel which basically just features women being pretty darn amazing in all ways. Considering Rory is 100% pro "women can do anything", that's exactly what this novel turned out to be. From Rory herself, who wants to redo an entire (mess of a-) house, to her daughter, whom she named after a suffragette, to her friends, who keep daring to put themselves out there, to her mother, who is just amazing ... The fact that these women can accept they don't necessarily "understand" each other's logic, but are still willing to support each other anyways? Loved that :)

As per the usual, I would have liked to have known more about some of these characters. John Prince and his mother? Their life basically sounds like it could be a Hallmark Movie. The same can actually be said for Charlie, one of Rory's students, and his mother. And then there's Belle, Rory's daughter, who could have done with some more screen time. But again: that's just me - I often need to know more about the characters.

The one place where more information might have been nice, was the ending. The author did an excellent job of shining a light on different characters and their story. Those last couple of pages, though, seemed kind of rushed. There's a conflict that's been building since approximately the second chapter of the book. And I can't really tell you anything about it, because it gives too much away about too many characters. But basically: there's this conflict that's had such an excellent slow build up. And then, somehow, in a matter of 2 pages, it gets resolved completely. And as a quick bonus, the romantic side of the story? Takes about half a page to get its climax (no pun intended).

I honestly just kept checking whether maybe I'd skipped a page, or there was an epilogue I hadn't seen. It's a bit of a petty, really, because - again - the build up of that conflict? Especially those last couple of pages before its resolution? They had me "on the edge of my seat", "scared to read" kind of looking forward to seeing whether I was right in guessing who this one person was...

(Btw: yes, I know, this kind of vagueness is annoying. But, honestly? That one plot line is amazing and I would kind of recommend you read the book based on just that one thing. So naturally I don't want to spoil it!)

The rating: 3.5/5
All in all, I really enjoyed Happily Never After. The narration and the character development were executed really well. The attention to detail, the amount of "screen time" for some of the secondary characters gave the story the kind of extra schwung that authors often leave out in exchange for "let's have all the attention on this one couple". Would I have liked to see the last couple of pages about doubled in length? Absolutely. Did that, all in all, lessen my appreciation for this book? Absolutely not! (Goodreads)

-Saar

I really, really liked this story. It is a simple story but it is also a story that I didn't want to put down. I loved that it gave me that  "warm" feeling you get when you read a book about different family dynamics and the lives of simple people.

I especially enjoyed Emma Robinson's writing. It has a natural flow and a "lightness of touch" although she explores some tricky subjects such as single parenting, loneliness, grief, consent (in a brilliant twist in the plot), the challenges of different generations and the difficulties of raising a teenager.

A lovely story to lose yourself in! I will definitely buy any other subsequent books by this author!

Rating: 4/5

Bonus: Due to the fact that the main protagonist is a teacher, and a really good one, I think that this book would make a wonderful gift for a teacher friend!

The perfect read for summer - light, but interesting enough to keep my attention. I love a book that makes me cheer for the characters and this did just that!

Perhaps it is the fact that the characters in this book are British, or perhaps there's just no better word to describe this book - but it was delightfully cheeky.

Rory (Aurora) and her daughter Belle (named after a woman's right-to-vote crusader, not a princess, of course) have taken on a huge fixer-upper of a house. They had planned to do it all themselves until Rory happens to run into a Prince - one John Prince, a contractor by trade - at a hardware store. Whether it's swooping in to help Rory with her kitchen install or rescuing her on the side of the road, John always seems to be at the right place at the right time. But is he too good to be true?

The characters in this book- from Rory's busybody mother to her zany colleagues to her incorrigible students are all so lovable. The best part of the book comes in the subtle references to the fairy tales we all know and love -Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Snow White, Goldilocks, Hansel and Gretel - all scenes seamlessly incorporated into the narrative. Very clever and yes, very cheeky.

The one issue I had with the book - besides rescuing Rory many times over, we rarely get a read or personality on our Prince and the ending felt a bit rushed, a mystery and drama thrown in at the end of the novel.

Overall I definitely recommend for a light and adorable read. Thank you Netgalley for this preview!

Rory is fed up with her friends trying to fix her up with a man, she can get on perfectly well on her own thank you even though she knows she’s taken on too much with her new house she can’t admit it. Luckily for her the person helping her at the DIY store isn’t actually an assistant but a builder who insists on helping her out. However, as time goes on she wonders about his true intensions. I did really enjoy this book, found myself wondering what was going to happen and missed my stop on the tube, always a good sign if annoying.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I absolutely loved this book from the first page to the last! As a fellow teacher, I was very amused by the deputy head character who was brilliant at paperwork but totally inept at teaching. I could also relate to the trials and tribulations of an Ofsted inspection and the difficulty in finding a work:life balance. Rory was a wonderful character who it was easy to identify with and you could sense the chemistry between her and her ‘prince’ right from the start. I found this very uplifting and an enjoyable, easy read. I can’t wait to read other books by this author!

This was a great, light summer read. While I found some of Rory’s opinions frustrating, the author really rounded out her character well and I found myself rooting for her in the end. The characters were complex enough to connect with without having to overanalyze and overthink anything. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

Happily Never After is a charming spin on the Cinderella story. Emma Robinson pens a fun summer read that is perfect for the beach or the pool. Rory is a lovable single mom who readers will root for in this book. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

A nice refreshment from a steamy romance books...I liked it... more about it on my blog https://heyjustreadit.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/happily-never-after-a-laugh-out-loud-romantic-comedy-by-emma-robinson-review

I haven't read anything by Emma Robinson before but this was a well written and entertaining story about a woman who needed a little love in her life! Rory is a lovely character who is trying to juggle a million things at once including caring for her students, who need a little attention both inside and outside school, as well as raising her daughter and helping her mum. I loved all her relationships, even if she didn't always say the right thing at the right time! I also thought the relationship between the husband and wife with dementia was so sweet and that made me tear up a little. I'd happily read something by Emma again.

This was a sweet book but I wished Rory was stronger and believes in herself more. Quite sad. She had no confidence and too much chin wobbling to my liking.

I really enjoyed reading this fabulous feel good book that made me smile, roll my eyes, cringe, laugh out and well up with tears.

Rory was a brilliant character, one that I could identify with in so many ways, the sort of person I’d love to be friends with. I loved that she was a kind, independent woman, who knew exactly what she wanted out of life, and wasn’t expecting anybody else to do it for her.

Rory’s Mum was lovely and so was Belle, Rory’s 16 year old daughter, although she did have her teenage moments. Reading about her made me quite relieved that I’m a Mum to a teenage boy not a teenage girl! I also liked John Prince, the friendly builder, although I must admit I did wonder just like Rory if he was all he was cracked up to be.

I loved all the different strands of Rory’s life, teaching, renovating the house, parenting, keeping an eye on her Mum and supporting her friends.

I thoroughly recommend this if you’re looking for a ‘feel good’ book that will make you laugh out loud.

Rory has a lot on her plate. She’s just bought a rundown house that will surely make a fabulous home in time. But time is exactly something Rory doesn’t have in abundance. Her job as a teacher is increasingly demanding, not helped at all by the new deputy head, who’s more interested in statistics and spreadsheets than anything else. On top of that, her sixteen year old daughter Belle has just discovered dating. Rory doesn’t have time for anything, least of all finding love. She’s perfectly fine without a knight in shining armour coming to her rescue, even if his name happens to be Prince. Or is she?

These characters are all delightful and it was such a joy to get to know them. Rory is fiercely independent, to the point of being stubborn. Her colleagues Susi and Penny are very different as both seem to think the only thing that can make them happy is a man in their lives. Susi especially comes across as rather desperate. But the one who elicited some chuckles from me was Sheila, Rory’s mother, and her gossip about the retirement home she lives in.

Even though there are some funny moments, I wouldn’t exactly call this a laugh-out-loud comedy though, to be honest, but I did thoroughly enjoy it. It’s sweet and a little dramatic and sometimes even a little sad but also realistic as it tackles numerous topics from teenage drama to illness.

Not quite as light and fluffy as I expected it to be but a wonderfully entertaining summer read nonetheless, and for me, the perfect palette cleanser before diving back into the gruesome crime genre.

OH EM GEE. WOW! After reading Emma’s debut The Undercover Mother, this was a must read for me. Boy was this bloody brilliant! Very impressed. I loved every second of reading Happily Never After. A must buy. A must read. You will not be disappointed at all.

This story had me laughing out loud throughout. I fell in love with all of the characters especially Rory with her strong determination and will. She is a very relatable character at times and a hardworked, overtired teacher… Which I can relate to, been there, done that. But phewwww. Did it just get hot in here? That John Prince character sounds the dream doesn’t he? Getting me all hot and bothered. A real life little hero! Phew.

I devoured this way too quickly within a day and now have to wait till her next book. Sigh. But I already know it will be a belter. Happily Never After is an easy read, fast paced and hilarious story for all chick-lit, romance lovers. A well deserved five stars. Highly recommend if you need cheering up and diving into someone else’s crazy world, it worked for me. Perfect. Outstanding. Just what I needed. Thank you Emma.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Happily Never After was a refreshing change that I welcomed with open arms from the usual romances I'm used to reading. You know the ones, those scorching hot, fast-paced and instant-lust ones *sigh* I love them.

Completely opposite to what I just described, we have this book by Emma Robinson. Slow build romance where you don't really have a sure shot as to whom the female MC will choose until the end of the story.

More character development focused on telling you the story of this people without rushing. Sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and read away because it's really transporting you into the world of Rory, the single mom that doesn't want to have a man, with the single teenage girl to take care off.

Rory is a teacher and she just bought an old house with the idea of renovating it herself. Bad idea? She doesn't know how to renovate the house on her own but she's set on her ways. She's also the mother of a sixteen years old that just got her first boyfriend and it's becoming different in front of her very eyes. Introducing John Prince, a builder that's at the store Rory was in and helped her find the things she needs.

During the book, you don't know if Rory is going to pick John, Nathan or someone else as her happily ever after. I loved the mystery about the romantic elements and how the author builds it up until the end.

I don't know how to express that the dialogue in this book took me a couple of chapters to get used to. I'll admit it feels more fluent when I'm reading but I'm not used to it, so until I did it was a little bothersome. *sigh* Now I'm just being picky, it was using (') instead of (") what caused this.

Recommending this book will be a for sure answer for me. It' was fun, entertaining, realistic, relatable, adorable, sweet, intriguing and I just plain adored it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

What a cute, light-hearted read!

I loved the multi-generational aspect to this sweet twist on the Cinderella story. Robinson has a witty writing style and I enjoyed all the fairytale elements sprinkled throughout.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a very charming story... filled with some pretty amazing characters along with some pretty compelling drama... and the drama is multi generational grandma, Mom, and daughter all find them cells involved in some kind of sticky situation... I thought this was a lot of fun and I really liked the relationship between Grandma and mom, and grandma and granddaughter... the relationship I struggled with a little was between mom and daughter, Mom needed to step up and be a little more aware... perhaps because her mother was a little overbearing she was trying to not be that way, but a few questions should have been asked... just saying....

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book. I loved Emma's Last book The Undercover Mother so when I saw this one I jumped at the chance to be part of the tour.

Rory is quite sick of everyone trying to get her to find a man. She's single mum to 16 year old Belle, works all hours as a teacher and has just taken on a 'project' house. She hasn't got time for a man even is she wanted one. I really liked Rory. She genuinely cares about her students, she wants to help everyone but she just doesn't seem to have time for herself. 

I loved the fairytale references throughout the book. I love fairytales and retellings and all things like that so these little references made me smile.

This might be a rom-com but its not your average rom-com. It also looked at some real serious issues like grief, loneliness, life limiting illnesses just to name a few. This is not by any means a heavy story but  it wasn't all roses and fairytales either.

This book has a tag line of laugh out loud funny. I would say it has some funny parts but not laugh out loud, ROFL kind of funny. However it's a brilliant story which I struggled to put down.