Andi glover takes a job at Templewood Hall, sorting books in the library. I would call this a cozy read.

This book was so warm and sweet. I loved the bookish vibes as well as the comfort of the cover. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

First off, the chapter titles being named after books? Very cute. That alone had me intrigued. Set in Yorkshire, Happily Ever After gives off serious gothic vibes—crumbling manor, eccentric residents, ghostly happenings (but not really), and a smelly cat with way too much personality. I went in expecting swoony romance, witty writing, and a lighthearted vibe, but I got something a bit different. Let’s dive in.

The story kicks off with Andi Glover, a self-professed book lover who’s completely out of options. With nowhere to live and no clear life plan, she takes a job at Templewood Hall, sorting the very chaotic library of Lady Tanith Dawes. Now, Lady Dawes is a character—think temperamental, unhinged, and the proud owner of Master, the aforementioned smelly cat who immediately adopts Andy as his new bestie, whether she likes it or not.

Templewood Hall itself is like a character, all creaking floors and crumbling grandeur, and there’s a whole lot of talk about ghosts. Spoiler: the manor isn’t haunted—it’s just Andi’s overactive imagination, thanks to a childhood that could best be described as a bit of a mess.

There’s a cast of quirky supporting characters, including a gardener Andi connects with and Hugo, Lady Dawes’ ridiculously handsome yet removed son. Hugo starts out cold but warms up eventually.

If you’re here for a full-blown romance, you might be disappointed. The romance is very much in the background, which threw me because I was expecting something a little more swoon central. Instead, the main focus is on Andi’s job, the eccentricities of the manor, and a mystery hidden in the library.

The writing is sharp and funny, and the gothic undertones add an interesting layer. However, I couldn’t help feeling a little let down by the lack of romantic development. It’s more about quirky characters and atmospheric storytelling than love and chemistry, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it just wasn’t what I was hoping for.

Overall, Happily Ever After is entertaining, well-written, and full of personality. If you’re in the mood for gothic vibes, eccentric characters, and a slow-burn story that’s light on romance and no spice, this one’s worth a read. But if you’re looking for all the feels in the romance department, it might leave you wanting more. Three stars from me!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I gotta say the author’s name did get me feeling all lovering (see what I did there, hehe)

Anywaysss. Aahh. Such a cozy read imo.
U know those cozy feel good reads.

Yeap. This was it.

It starts of really good. Truly hooked me in. A slow and steady buildup and catches you unaware and boom. You’re hooked.

Andi my gal. What a journey.

A great book. Tq for the opportunity

As I started this book, I assumed it was a debut novel from a new author. The beginning was a bit forced and difficult to stick with, and the descriptions tend to reference other books, which often feels like lazy writing to me. Once I had made it to a quarter of the way, I was intrigued, but also a little confused with the various tropes. It often felt a bit overwhelming, between the main character's parents having done YouTube and then moved to TV (I'll be honest-I feel like it would have been the other way around in real life?), her sister going to boarding school, while she stayed with her parents and learned from books, and being determined that she was going to marry the heir to the estate. When I hit 40% through the book, I really buckled down, and wanted to know what happened. The style felt a bit more solid with less references to other novels, and, the reason why I had assumed this was a debut, it felt that the author had really sorted out her style by this point.

As for the story itself, the MC seemed really selfish and totally hung up on her life being like a book. A lot of her life changing revelations seemed repetitive, and I got tired of reading that maybe she wouldn't marry Hugo after all. As a random side note, I also, for the life of me, could not remember the MCs name. It seemed like there were very few times characters referred to her by name, and I could remember everyone else, including the nasty cook's name, but the MC just felt so blah that I didn't really care about her.

Nearing the final chapters, the inner monologue seemed to get longer and longer between actual dialogue, and I often felt lost in scenes when characters began to speak. Ultimately, I did want to know what the ending would be - I really, truly could not see where the author was taking the entire story. I did enjoy the ending, but it did feel a bit rushed in the conclusion of Hugo's story arc, and also a very rushed decision for Andi after she spent so long debating what to ultimately do. Overall, this book was so incredibly odd but also really interesting. I did laugh at some of the "plot twists", and the Master might just be my favourite character of all.

This book has an unusual plot with unexpected twists and turns, and an interesting cast of characters. It started a bit slow, but it picked up and was really interesting. However, I found the ending a but abrupt. I would have liked to read an epilogue, a year or so later. :)

I so badly wanted to love this book but it wasn’t for me. I don’t enjoy the writing style and I was kind of bored honestly. It was relatively cute and pretty cozy so if you’re looking for that, you may love it!

This was a wonderful book .I enjoyed the characters the storyline from beginning to end to end.Jane is an author I will be following.

This was a nice cozy read , I enjoyed all of the characters and little details the author gave them adding to their personalities . This was a nice closed door light romance , thank you for the advance copy!

This was a cute fast read.
While I did ennjoy parts of this book and its story, there were some that fell too short for me.
The premise was good and it started off interesting, the mystery surrounding the family and the mansion was really captivating (At first), but it started to go downhill a few chapters in.

Andi, was obsessed with books and obtaining her happy ending; thinking she will be getting exactly that on her new job. She soon discovers real life is not exactly how books tell us it is. She learns from Jay another point of view about life, and she teaches him how it doesn't need to be that dark like he thinks it is. So they both complemented well and I liked that.

The other characters were interesting enough to keep me reading and wanting to finding out about them and the mystery surrounding their family and the house; but it felt too rush the way they all end in the story... even for our main character. I just didn't get how or why she would be interested in that job offer other than being with her love interest.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of this book :)

This book started out so well and then just petered out into nothing. The premise was good but the revelation was a bit of a nothing and the end came around so quickly that it had me looking for the next chapter.

This was such a charming and cozy read! Andi’s bookish personality immediately made her relatable, and I loved how her new life at Templewood Hall felt like stepping into one of her favorite gothic novels. The blend of mystery, humor, and romance kept me engaged throughout—especially with all the twists surrounding the missing heir and ghostly apparitions.

Lady Dawe and Hugo were great additions to the cast, each bringing their own eccentricities to the story. I also adored the mysterious gardener, who always seemed to show up at the perfect time!

While the pacing dragged in a few places, it was such a heartwarming and whimsical story overall. Perfect for anyone who loves books about books and a hint of gothic flair!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Sometimes, all it takes is a witty writing style, an old manor house, and a well-stocked library to draw me into a story – or so I thought when I picked up Happily Ever After by Jane Lovering.

Andi, the daughter of van-life influencers whose lives seem like pure chaos, gets the chance to work at an English estate. Her tasks: catalog the library and search for some missing diaries. Sounds like the perfect setting, doesn’t it? The house, with its gardens and a cat named “The Master,” is as charming as it sounds – and there are even a few ghostly moments that briefly added some spice to the story.

As a protagonist, Andi is funny, a dreamer, and a book lover with a vivid imagination. Her thoughts are often entertaining, but for my taste, the story dragged on a bit too much because her musings frequently drifted into overthinking. The characters around her – Lady Tanith, Hugo, and the others – were interesting, but not captivating enough to leave a lasting impression on me.

A highlight for me was Jay, the gardener. His conversations with Andi and their growing friendship shifted my perspective on the story. From that point on, the search for the missing diaries became more engaging, and I really wanted to uncover the mystery behind it all.

Despite these bright spots, the story had its weaknesses. The revealed secrets were unusual but didn’t truly resonate with me. And the ending? It felt too contrived, as if everything needed to be wrapped up neatly and quickly.

What I enjoyed most were the literary references, from Jane Austen & Co. to the famous houses used as chapter titles. These little touches were charming and added a lighthearted flair to the novel. But overall, Happily Ever After was a pleasant read, though not one that will stay with me for long.

Ps: I‘m going to add the Links to the Review once it’s published

I have loved every single one of Lovering’s novels and I especially like that no two are the same!

I liked the twists and turns the story took and the subtle hints of storylines from classic novels. It was a bit slow to start with but it’s worth it to stick at it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an ARC of Happily Ever After in exchange for an honest review.

Happily Ever After by Jane Lovering is a cozy, feel-good read that draws you in with its charming atmosphere and delightful characters. The book’s early chapters are a slow but steady buildup, enveloping you in a world that's warm, inviting, and full of heart. Lovering does an excellent job of creating a space that feels almost like home, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.

The characters are one of the book’s strongest assets. They're likable, relatable, and you quickly find yourself rooting for them. Their interactions and evolving relationships are tender and engaging, providing a sense of connection that makes you care about what happens to them. The pacing allows for these dynamics to develop in a natural way, with just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting without feeling rushed.

However, the much-anticipated twist toward the end doesn’t quite live up to the strong foundation laid in the first half. While it doesn't entirely fall flat, it feels a bit lackluster in comparison to the warmth and charm that precedes it. The final half of the book, while still enjoyable, starts to feel a bit more standard and less emotionally gripping. It’s as if the story, which had so much potential for an exciting payoff, ends up coasting to a more predictable resolution.

That said, Happily Ever After excels in creating an atmosphere that’s easy to sink into, and its characters will likely stick with you. While the plot may not pack the punch some readers might expect from a twist, the book’s cozy, feel-good nature makes it a great pick for fans of character-driven stories. The book is an easy, heartwarming read, even if it lacks a bit of the “oomph” that could have taken it to the next level.

Jane Lovering is an author I enjoy reading. Her latest book, Happily Ever After was everything I expected.

Books about books seem to be the big thing lately. I've read a lot of them. This title was super enjoyable and gave off a very cozy vibe. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was quite different from what I had expected but a delightful read nonetheless. Packed full of quirky characters and a fun storyline, I was engrossed right from the start. Each chapter was headed by a quote from a classic romance which gave the book a bit of an ‘old world’ feel. There was the obligatory quiet romance and a bit of a mystery to be solved. A good clean wholesome read which I would recommend for a cosy evening’s read.

I like this book! It was so cute and cozy, and I love the storytelling skill this author has. I did like how all these different books were referenced and how this story flowed, and I loved the themes of growth, love, adulthood

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!