Is it possible to read too many books? A strange question for a book blogger to ask and, before I read Happily Ever After, I’d have said absolutely not. But Andi Glover isn’t a normal reader. Brought up by unconventional parents, she has never lived in a house or been to school. Instead, she has travelled around in a converted bus in a nomadic lifestyle and has learnt about life from reading novels. This hasn’t necessarily given her the most grounded approach to life and she often lets her imagination take over. Which may have not been a problem before she ended up at Templewood Hall, inhabited by the eccentric Lady Tanith, her secretive son Hugo and possibly a plethora of ghosts. The most down-to-earth creature in the house is a cat. Andi starts to feel like she might be living in her own Gothic romance novel and lets her literary tendencies take over…

This book is a quirky wild ride through the mind of a hopeless book addict who finds herself surrounded by the cast of one of her books and isn’t really equipped to deal with it. She wants her life to be like a novel, but the characters won’t play ball and the plot isn’t linear and obliging. What do you do when the world isn’t parcelled up into neat chapters and a happy ending isn’t guaranteed? Andi is too quick to jump to conclusions and assume that tropes are a fact of life and it makes things extremely complicated until she meets someone who can pull her back down to earth.

This book is a clever idea which takes a romp through the plots of some of the greatest literary romances ever written, but shows us how we need to learn to separate fact from fiction and keep a firm grip on our sanity when other people seem to be spiralling into madness. The real world isn’t always fun but it is where we have to live, for better or worse.

The book is populated by a small but mighty cast of bonkers characters, particularly Lady Tanith, who is the epitome of rewriting history to suit your own narrative, and the truly appalling housekeeper who is firmly cast in the mould of all sinister literary housekeepers through the ages. Even the house itself is alive with all the gothic nightmares that fiction has given us through the decades. By the end I would not have been surprised if Dracula himself had been found stalking the grounds.

A romantic comedy for anyone who has ever fancied herself the heroine in her favourite literary novel and is in need of a sharp wakeup call. Tremendous fun and I continue to be in awe of Jane Lovering’s skills and imagination.

Two and a half stars.

The blurb:
Andi Glover loves nothing more than a good book.

Any book in fact because when you’re raised by unconventional parents who think school’s for squares, alongside a deeply conventional sister who escapes home as soon as she can, fiction is eminently preferable to reality.

The only problem is that fiction isn’t the best way to learn about the real world. When Andi starts her new live-in job at Templewood Hall for the eccentric Lady Dawe and her enigmatic son Hugo, it’s tempting to think she’s fallen into the pages of one of her favourite gothic novels.

But the plot twists at Templewood Hall are stranger than fiction and it’s not long before Andi questions if she’s living in a romance novel or a whodunnit.


I rarely use the blurb for books - because that's not a review - but in this case I felt it was the only option. This book vaguely reminded me of Northanger Abbey, a naïve young woman with a vivid imagination goes to stay in a stately home and lets it run riot. The trouble is, all of the characters are eccentric, Lady Dawe who is in love with her late father-in-law, her mysterious elder son Jasper who renounced his inheritance, the skittish younger son Hugo, the surly cleaning lady/cook Mrs Compton, and the vaguely threatening gardener. Don't even get me started on the cat ('the Master') who appears to be the only sane creature there. This really is a case of throwing the kitchen sink at a plot with almost every conceivable protected characteristic (if I can put it that way) thrown in. Yes there was some misdirection but also some of it was blindingly obvious to this reader from an early stage.

I've got to say I think I preferred Jane Lovering's earlier novels, I have been underwhelmed by her most recent novels. Maybe I should stop requesting them and accept we have moved in different directions.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

In Happily Ever After, Jane Lovering delivers a delightful and intriguing blend of gothic mystery, romance, and the kind of introspective storytelling that leaves you both entertained and reflective. Andi Glover, the book’s endearing protagonist, is a book lover with an unconventional upbringing—raised by parents who think formal education is overrated and constantly at odds with her more conventional sister. Andi’s world is one of fiction, where she’s far more comfortable getting lost in novels than navigating the unpredictability of the real world.

Her new live-in job as a caretaker at the atmospheric and mysterious Templewood Hall seems like the perfect setting for a novel—and Andi, who’s long used to viewing life through the lens of her favorite books, quickly starts to see the mansion as a page out of a gothic romance. Templewood is filled with strange occurrences—ghostly whispers, a missing heir, and an air of mystery that would make any fiction enthusiast swoon. Add to that Lady Dawe, the eccentric matriarch, and her enigmatic son Hugo, and Andi’s new life starts to feel like something plucked straight from the pages of a classic novel.

As Andi navigates the eerie, haunted halls of Templewood, she discovers that life can be far stranger than the fiction she’s grown so fond of. Secrets buried for generations, ghostly apparitions, and bumps in the night have her questioning if she’s caught in the plot of a romance novel or perhaps a twisty whodunnit. With all the mystery swirling around her, Andi also finds herself captivated by the inscrutable gardener, a man who seems to appear just when needed and whose presence might hold the key to her own version of a "happily ever after."

What Jane Lovering excels at in Happily Ever After is the perfect balance of lighthearted charm and deeper emotional insight. Andi’s journey of self-discovery as she faces the contrast between her bookish idealism and the messy reality of life is both funny and poignant. While the plot does lean into some familiar gothic tropes—mysterious estates, hidden family secrets, and spectral hauntings—it’s the emotional journey and Andi’s personal growth that elevate the story beyond just a fun mystery. Lovering is excellent at weaving humor and romance into a narrative that remains engaging without ever becoming overly formulaic.

The slow-building tension between Andi and the gardener adds a welcome touch of romance to the book, and readers will find themselves rooting for the pair as they navigate the ups and downs of what feels like an almost too-perfect fairytale. The chemistry between them provides just the right amount of intrigue, and the subtle hints of romance that emerge amidst the twists and turns will leave readers hoping for a satisfying "happily ever after" conclusion.

While some of the plot twists may feel predictable to readers who enjoy gothic mysteries, the book’s charm lies in the journey rather than the destination. The narrative is not just about uncovering the secrets of Templewood, but about Andi’s growing understanding of herself, her place in the world, and the realization that real life, with all its messiness, can still be just as rewarding—if not more so—than the neatly wrapped endings in her beloved novels.

Happily Ever After is a heartwarming, entertaining, and occasionally suspenseful story that will appeal to fans of romantic mysteries and those who love a book with a touch of magic and mystery. Jane Lovering has crafted a charming tale full of wit, wisdom, and just the right amount of intrigue, making it a perfect read for anyone seeking a little escape—and perhaps a happy ending of their own.

This was so cutie! I really liked the two main characters too 💕 the cover is what drew me to this book as it is adorable🥹

Happily Ever After is the third book I've read from Lovering. It was the perfect book for someone who is an avid reader like myself, as it's all about books and a reader called Andi!

I found the book flowed at a moderate pace with the romance taking a back seat, simmering away in the background. The story kept me entertained and I loved the mystery and intrigue the plot threw up.

It has a great cast of characters, main and supporting with the Master being my favourite. Such a distinguished...cat!

Templewood Hall was the perfect backdrop for the story. It was full of gothicky goodness and even had its own library! Perfect!

A thoroughly enjoyable read, amusing and entertaining.

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 enjoyable. However, I found the ending a bit abrupt. I would have liked to read an epilogue, like a year or so later. :)

Andi Glover was raised by very unconventional parents who lived in a bus and moved from town to town. Andi’s schooling was bare minimal while her sister begged to be sent away to boarding school. Now, Andi’s parents have their own TV special and they are away in Canada filming shows. Rather than live with her domineering sister, Andi has responded to a job for someone to catalog their library.

Arriving at a rather rundown mansion called Templewood Hall, Andi meets Lady Tanith Dawe. The woman is haughty but her son, Hugo, is quite nice and welcoming. Tanith is mourning the loss of Hugo’s grandfather whom she dearly loved. Her big task for Andi is to find the man’s missing diaries that she feels are hidden somewhere in the library.

Andi soon finds the dusty books a nightmare but the family cat has taken a liking to her. Hugo has told her that the place is also haunted. Then there is Mrs. Compton, the housekeeper who has been with the family for years. With the dust and constant mess, it’s obvious the woman doesn’t do much. Even the Gardner she meets seems different. So, her work is cut out for her.

The characters are well written which makes the reader really get into the story that is full of quirkiness. Do check this one out and enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

One of the weirdest books based off book themes that I’ve read. I’ve never read the classics mentioned in here but for a rom-com, this book will have you laughing where you least expect it. A magnificent cast of characters that will fit nowhere yet everywhere. The plot will have you feeling like you should peak around corners. Watch out for The Master…this is a must read if you love humorous romance.

Something a little different from one of my favourite authors – that’s certainly not the first time I’ve said that, and it’s one of the (many) reasons I love her books. This time there’s a particularly Gothic vibe, a theme that real life can be rather less predictable than books would have you believe, an intriguing mystery, a very slow-burn but authentic-feeling romance – and bags of fun and laughs aplenty throughout.

Living at Templewood Hall and cataloguing Lady Dawe’s neglected library could just have been Andi’s dream job. Her upbringing was rather unconventional (her sister made a stand and walked away, while young Andromeda – her name an indication of her parents’ hippy-dippiness – was happy just to take refuge in the world of books): and life in the converted bus, her parents on another extended jaunt, was just starting to get a bit uncomfortable. And there’s always a chance she might find romance with gorgeous Hugo, the heir to the estate, and live happily ever after as the heroines in the books she loves so often do – but although he’s friendly enough, that looks increasingly unlikely. And she really hadn’t reckoned on her ladyship being such an unstable presence (and demanding employer), the freezing cold, the housekeeper from hell, the starvation diet, the things that go bump in the night, the stinky cat insistent on sharing her bed (but what a great character!) – or the real reason for her employment, a quest that looks increasingly impossible, until it becomes even more difficult. Although she might just find the romance she was hoping for – but not quite where she expected to find it.

The story is frequently laugh-out-loud funny – but not without those touches of particular poignancy the author always does so well. The setting of the neglected mansion is just wonderful, and the character development is excellent too. Andi really is rather less than likeable at first (I worried a little… although I loved her distinctive voice, quirky take on life, and dry humour), but the way she tackles the many challenges in her path see her growing, taking chances, and becoming increasingly sympathetic. But every single character is really well-drawn, and I very much enjoyed the unpredictable twists and turns of the story: the pacing is just right, and the story’s ending is pitch perfect with the real possibility of a happy ever after, but that’s only after an unexpected touch of particularly well-written drama. The literary chapter headings were a nice touch too. And I really must mention again that smelly but wonderfully characterful cat, The Master – I just loved his every intervention, especially when it actually seemed he was very much in Andi’s corner.

This book, I’ll admit, certainly wasn’t quite what I expected it to be – but I also think that’s also why I so thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s different, it’s quirky, it’s as beautifully written as always, with lots of warmth, and it’s tremendous fun – I’d highly recommend you give it a try.

Andi takes a job at Templewood Hall, a job that seems impossible, all while getting to know Hugo and being mistreated by Lady Dawe and Mrs. Compton, the cleaning lady.

This was an interesting book that I cannot really label. It has some romance and some mystery, but is really more of a family drama. It started off slowly, but then picked up about halfway through. Andi is an interesting character and I had a lot of compassion for her growing up the way she did and wanting out of that life. I loved Hugo and Jay, but did not like Lady Dawe at all. In fact, I think she really needed some help for her mental health issues. With that said, it was interesting to learn the characters’ stories and I really wanted happy endings for Andi, Hugo, and Jay. Ideally, happy endings that did not include Lady Dawe. And my favorite character? Hands down, the Master! Best cat ever!

This story has classic literary influences that complement the humour, quirky characters, and gentle romance. Set in a gothic style, crumbling manor in Yorkshire, it takes the reader on an original journey. Literary houses and books head each chapter, but the story is contemporary. Andi's unconventional upbringing has given her reliance on books and an expectation that life mirrors them. Out of desperation, she takes a job cataloguing books in Templewood's library for Lady Dawe but has been employed for something else entirely. Wondering if her future lies with Hugo, the attractive heir, she soon finds nothing as it first seems and that there is a web of secrets and surprises to uncover. It's an unusual book and perfect for an afternoon of escapist reading.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Jane Lovering is a firm favourite of mine so I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of this book.

Our main character, Andi, is a girl after my own heart who has always been a great reader, finding escape and solace in books and is a firm believer in a happily-ever-after. Life hasn’t always been too kind to her though and when she is faced with having nowhere to stay, she takes on a position at Templewood Hall, cataloguing a library of old books and searching for some missing diaries.

Well of course Andi immediately has thoughts of all those classic novels where there’s a slightly faded, slightly forbidding old mansion, a batty older woman, Lady Dawe in this case, a mysterious heir and where the hero falls in love with the heroine no matter the difference in their social class. Throw in a ghost or two and it’s just like fiction. Well, not really of course and Andi soon discovers that what she has learned about love from her beloved books don’t really reflect love in the real world. I loved the little touch that all the chapters were named after famous houses from fiction from Manderley to Northanger Abbey, and from Pemberley to The Burrow from Harry Potter!

Happily Ever After is funny and romantic, with quite a few unexpected twists and turns. There are echoes of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Rebecca, Jane Eyre and so many more classic novels. I enjoyed spotting the way Jane Lovering wove so many familiar elements from these books into the narrative. With the author’s trademark dry humour, quirky characters including a rather haughty cat called The Master and a delightful slow-burn romance, Happily Ever After is a most enjoyable read. Does Andi find her happily-ever-after? Well, that would be telling. You’ll need to buy yourself a copy to find out!

I just loved the premise of this story. The setting was beautifully imagined, with all the elements that created a depth of atmosphere helping to make me believe in the chance of ghostly encounters and finding a place in life with only the experience of books and non-conforming parents to guide the way.
Andi is socially inept but determined to step outside of her restrictive cocoon and experience all that life can offer. Sadly, taking a job cataloguing a library was not the best option for someone wanting to spread their wings and discover more about the life available if only she could take a chance.
Jane Lovering creates amazing, flawed characters, and I think Andi may have shot into my list of favourites. She desired to break out from the shadows but did not have the skills required. This led to a mishmash of events that included misidentifying a ghost and assumptions about the gardener's sexual proclivity. All told with Jane’s trademark humour and keen grip on the story.
Once again, the setting is a character in its own right, and exploring the grounds of Templewood Hall and the adjoining village was fun. Even though the elements were revealed slowly, this ensured that the pace of the story remained controlled but never restricted.
The search for some missing diaries takes the lead, along with the quirks of both Lady Dawe and her son, Hugo. Eccentricity is a word that could have been coined in their honour.
Despite the slightly alarming manner in which the family interact and the strange housekeeper who seems to set her own rules, the household runs well, and there is good reason to believe that there is a chance of Andi living happily ever after. Did I mention the gardener?
Definitely a contender for one of my books of the year.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this story.

We meet Andi who is offered the job to work for Lady Tanith, where she will be tasked with cataloguing an enormous collection of books.

But, apart from that she’s asked to find something hidden in the library. Andi has viewed her thoughts on relationships through books that she’s read.

Therefore when she meets Hugo, who is Lady Tanith’s son, she thinks that now she’ll live happily ever after.

But, real life isn’t what’s read in books, so what she’s thinking doesn’t happen in the same way.

I loved the twists and how the chapters were named.

I recommend this book.

“Life wasn’t like the books. Books assumed that people would be rational, that they would behave in accordance with the narrative. Books didn’t allow for the messiness of human nature and life had an inbuilt hatred for narrative causality.” A heartwarming, funny and emotional story. The quirkyness of the main character, Andi, and all the people surrounding her makes for a great reading. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC copy. This is my honest review.

This was a decent read, but it didn’t really stand out for me. I liked Jane Lovering’s descriptive writing—she really knows how to set a scene and create atmosphere, which made certain moments feel really vivid. But overall, the story itself just felt kind of... fine. The characters were well-developed, but I never felt fully invested in them, and the plot didn’t do much to keep me hooked. It's for sure at least partially due to the fact that this just isn't one of my favorite genres.

It wasn’t a bad book by any means, just not one that really stuck with me. If you’re into cozy, slow-burn romances with strong descriptions, you might enjoy it more than I did!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Andi Glover has spent her life traveling with her parents and living out of a van, something the family has learned to monetize and gain fame for on television. She aches for something different, so she takes up a job at Templewood Hall for Lady Tanith cataloguing her massive home library. Andi, upon meeting Lady Tanith's son Hugo, is fully convinced the pair will fall in love and engaged in six months time, since that is how life works in the books she read growing up.

In addition to the library organization, Lady Tanith wants Andi to locate the personal diaries of her late father in law, who also happened to be the love of her life prior to their marital relation. These diaries may or may not contain details that Lady Tanith wants to keep secret from her sons, but also she plans to publish the diaries. The diary hunt must be kept a secret, which Andi finds conflicting as she becomes friends with Hugo. Luckily, she befriends the gardener Jay, who is excellent at keeping her secrets. As Andi continues her hunt for the diaries and makes small strides with the library catalogue, she uncovers strange family secrets and comes to a few revelations of her own.

I found this book hard to get into initially, but I did speed through it once my interest was piqued. I found that there was a lot of vocabulary used that I was not familiar with; having to frequently Google definitions negatively impacted my reading experience. I found Andi pretty unenjoyable as a FMC, and would have liked to read from another POV, such as Lady Tanith's since she was delusional. The Master was my favorite character, which tracks as I'm a cat lady myself. I was very upset when I thought he wouldn't get out of the house in time, IYKYK. Hugo and his father's shared interest was a nice twist, and I'm glad he got a happy ending after all. I would have loved an epilogue, following up with the characters at least one year later. Overall, the book was fine, but not something I would be interested in re-reading.

This book was a classical literature nerd's dream! I know I missed several of the references, but each chapter references a manor in classical literature. Andi is mix of beloved heroines, while being self aware of the flaws that differ from those heroines. She throws herself into manor life, with potential ghosts, an eccentric owner, and many secrets.
A very fun and refreshing read

A mixture of characters associated with the crumbling home leading you into this taleof Andi striving to find her way in life it certainly packs a punch with its characters but the supreme one for me is the cat!!
The book title may lead people to the wrong conclusion

I’m usually a fan of Jane Lovering’s books, but this one didn’t really hold my interest. I found it slow moving and a bit too gothic-inspired for my taste.