So This Is Ever After

Written by F.T. Lukens

Narrated by Kevin R. Free

An instant New York Time bestseller!

Carry On meets Arthurian legend in this subversive, “delightfully original and whimsical” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult fantasy about what happens after the chosen one wins the kingdom and has to get married to keep it…and to stay alive.

Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.

As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.

With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797136479

F.T. Lukens

F.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YA speculative fiction including the novels Spell Bound, So This Is Ever After, and In Deeper Waters (2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist; Junior Library Guild Selection), as well as other science fiction and fantasy works. Their contemporary fantasy novel The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction and won the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction. F.T. resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats.

Reviews for So This Is Ever After

[m · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I spent years looking for fun fast paced character driven queer romance fantasies without any homophobia or transphobia and this was it. Thank you, author

[V Amos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cute book about first love and looking in all the wrong places for love. Delightfully sweet LGBTQ+ book. Worth a listen/read.

[F · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A light reading, as in both style and plot-wise, heart-warming and fast-paced. Made me smile long after, wishing for more. Drama is a bit stretched but that's expected in playing with various tropes. Distinct characters, valid imposter syndrome.

[Lindsey Tewksbury · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Completely adorkable characters. It’s a fun and heartwarming quick read and an excellent commute listen.

[Aleh Mendoza · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book got me out of a reading slump, it was super cute and fun ? easy read, highly recommend it ?.
Would have love a little bit of more world building plot, but I mean it is what it is ??‍♀️
It's very character driving, but if what u need it's a little bit of fluff moments, friends to lovers, lot's of pinning and miscommunication, this is can be your next reading. ☺

[Elnito Tolkvé jcerm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful romancebetween oblivious king and his ever best friend for life

[ForFor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Without this audio recording, I’m not sure I’d have given this book it’s fair shot, but I ended up adoooring this to pieces! Please give this book a shot! It was cute even if you wanted to slap some characters upside the head! I wish there was another book in Matt’s POV!

[Dana Soltan · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I loved the premise and heard a lot of good things about it from others, so initially it seemed very promising- but overall it was very frustrating. Huge miscommunication plot that I could sense from a mile off, every conflict or battle felt like an obviously convenient segue to the next part of the plot or conveniently resolved something just by happening, and the writing overall just wasn’t for me (it was very “tell” and less “show”). I also felt like I missed out a lot on the side characters- everything seemed to revolve around the main character and everyone accompanying him (despite seeming very interesting and having a lot of potential) felt very flat and glossed over. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for something with good character development or a likable protagonist or just a realistic plot, without conflict that could have easily been avoided by a s i m p l e conversation, but if you just want a book to fill 5 to 8 empty hours of your life, then, by all means, go right ahead

[Constantino GrandE · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.75**It was alright, the word "wooing" was overused but it was ok, not my favourite. But i had high hopes after in deeper waters. So yeah. Acceptable

[Jana Kleine-Beek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the two lovebirds soooo much, they're so oblivious xd

[keighley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.25

I love the humor. The vivid world building. This is my second book and each on just fills me with warmth and happiness.

[Lady T · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Miscommunication at it’s finest right here. Get ready to pine bc this book defo brings it haha!

[Elena A · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good as a light audiobook
Writing, characters, plot rather flat

[AJ Jaegli · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet and heartfelt, tons of misunderstanding romance and similar tropes and I am all for it. If you're looking for a story about what happens to the group of adventurers after the magical legendary quest is finished that's simple yet charming and has a happy ending, look no further.

[David Joseph Neville · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The concept is delightful to think of what happens after the villain is vanquished and the Kingdom needs to be rebuilt?

[Charity · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty much what it says its after they kill the evil king and this is just him trying to find a soul mate.....but you know everyone is oblivious to the obvious

[Kiley Wight · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I stopped listening to the audio book an hour or so in. The narrator made the only black woman in the book have a deeper voice than any of the other characters including the men. It make me uncomfortable so I stopped reading.