this wasn't a central romance type book and I did not like it. I found it boring and hard to go through and there was no character development. I didn't like it.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, and even had some laugh out loud moments, however the last half wasn’t super enjoyable for me. The main character was beyond unlikeable, which is usually fine, but it went a level further even. She was by far the most self absorbed lead character I’ve ever read, but there didn’t seem to be much character development in the end. The ending with the male lead felt a little rushed.

This was a cute book, but I doubt I would read it again or a sequel if one was written.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Quick Summary: A modern day Dating Game wo-fi ro

My Review: Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams is a hilarious take on finding "the one." It is contemporary, fast-paced, and totally out there. It is about wants, needs, dudes, duds, friendship, and more.

About the Book: Bella Marble is stuck. Both her private life and her professional life are at a standstill, until something amazing happens. Even as it happens and she learns how to maneuver, it takes a toll on her and her relationships. How will she get back to self, as well as to her "one," and what will it cost her?

My Final Say: This book started with a bang. The author definitely took a bold, in-your-face approach to introducing the lead character. She was interesting, that's for sure. Some readers will like this book, while others may not be able to connect. I think it's an in between read that could toss up in the yea or nay categories.

Rating: 2.75/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: A

Thanks to the author, to the publisher (St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin), and to NetGalley for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I found Bella an extremely immature main character. She is over 29 years old.. apparently. The first part of the novel she is complaining on everyone being happier than her. She also is so unhappy for her best friend when she is engaged and claims her friend is only her best friend. Constantly complaining on her friends' fiance, for no good reason other than jealousy. I was so over it at this point I did not finish the book.

I almost stopped reading this at both 30% and 50%, but decided to keep going to give accurate review. Overall, this book was okay. The protagonist wasn't someone I could relate to, who I would want to be like, or look up to. It seemed like her main redeeming quality was a wonderful and loving community / support system. As someone the same age as the main character, I felt misrepresented.

This was a cute rom-com where the true love story is about the way friendships change as lives change. I enjoyed the ridiculous dates Luci had. There were times where Luci annoyed me because she was so wrapped up in herself and her wants. But, when you think about it, we’re all the main character in our own story, so it made sense. Luci grows a lot throughout the book and by the end, I was happy where she ended up.

This book was… fine. It was cute and an easy read. Had a cute premise, but got redundant at times. It probably could’ve used another round of edits. I liked it but it isn’t one I’ll recommend.

Good book but not great.
Some characters were good, some really obnoxious. The story is okay, good prose but that was it.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

Romance novels can be so touch and go for me, and while I liked this one, it didn't really stick with me in any substantial way. It was fun and enjoyable while reading, but I wouldn't add it to my list of favorites.

Previously dnf’d but almost wish I didn’t pick it back up. I found that I still hated Bella. She was immature and comes off as whiny and intruding. I wanted to yell at her to stop trying to create writing material. While some parts were funny, I just wished I like Bella more.

Not That Kind of Ever After" by Luci Adams is a lighthearted and easy read that provides a pleasant escape into the world of romance. The story is filled with charming moments and witty dialogue that keep you entertained throughout. Adams has a knack for creating relatable characters, and their dynamics add a touch of authenticity to the narrative. However, the plot itself follows a somewhat predictable formula, and at times, it feels like it lacks depth. While enjoyable, it doesn't leave a lasting impression or offer a unique perspective on the romance genre. If you're looking for a quick, feel-good read, this book delivers, but don't expect it to redefine the genre.

I was excited about this one because of the forced proximity element and I love a woman who takes control of her future, but Bella's desperation for love was not it. She so badly wanted her happy ever after, she became a little delulu and searched in too many places. I love this concept at times, I am a rom-com baby, but this was too redundant for me.

A fun quick-read romcom with laughs to spare! This story had a good plot but it felt like something was missing by the end of it.

The description of this book sounded right up my alley - a woman with a life that hasn't at all worked out at all as planned and hilarity ensues. The reality is it missed the mark for me. I didn't fall in love with the characters and it was a chore to finish.

Rom Coms that are a perfect read are few and far between. This one hit all the marks. I found the fmc relatable and the mmc was not insufferable.

This was a fun read! I really enjoyed the characters and the book aspect of the story. Definitely bought a copy for the library collection at work.

"Not That Kind of Ever After" by Luci Adams is a quirky and delightful twist on the concept of happily ever after. This novel offers a fresh take on romance and relationships that had me thoroughly entertained and engaged.

Adams' writing style is witty and charming, infusing the story with humor and authenticity. The characters in the novel are wonderfully unique, each bringing their own quirks and personality traits that make them stand out.

At the heart of the narrative is a playful exploration of the unexpected and the unconventional. The author skillfully navigates the challenges and surprises that come with finding love in unexpected places and embracing the unanticipated twists of life.

"Not That Kind of Ever After" delivers a whimsical and lighthearted narrative that celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the joys of embracing the unexpected. The novel's embrace of the unpredictable adds a layer of excitement to the story.

In conclusion, "Not That Kind of Ever After" is a charming and amusing read that offers a refreshing perspective on love and life. If you're looking for a book that challenges traditional notions of romance while delivering a dose of humor and heart, this novel is a delightful choice that will leave you with a smile on your face.

This has been on my NetGalley list for a while so I’m glad I finally got to it. This was a really entertaining book. This is the story of Bella, who has always wanted the fairy tale wedding love story. She has not found her Prince Charming and after her best friend gets engaged and moves out of their apartment, decides to take a different approach and just have a bunch of one night stand.

This was a pretty funny romcom. I enjoyed the different fairy tales and how it all unfolded. It was pretty predictable and the ending wrapped up a little too quickly but overall was a sweet romance. I did find the main character a little annoying and seemed more YA than a 29 year old woman. A few parts were a tad cringey too but it was entertaining and fun. 3.5 rounded up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I did not enjoy this one as I was very bored. I didn't think that there was good character development as the main character didn't grow at all and the romance wasn't really there until the end despite it being marketed as a romance.