The fairy tales and the learning about the character were well written but felt like too much of the story. I wanted more of Marty and Bella from the start. Then there was not enough of a transition in their developing feelings. Him going from sleeping with another woman while she was on his couch to wanting only her weeks later was a disappointment.

I went into this wanting to absolutely love it I love fairytale retelling/remixes but I felt like this book needed just a little bit more work. This book started very strong but then dwelled a bit in the middle and don’t get me wrong there were many very funny and enjoyable parts to read but there was a bunch in the middle that dragged for me. Belle had no character development which I found very frustrating has a reader. I found some of Bella‘s choices as a character very frustrating. Overall I did like it, it just needs a little bit more work I would recommend this to some of my friends.
Thank you St Martin press for the arc

I enjoyed the concept of this book. But man did I hate the main character for about 85% of the book. I liked where the story went, but I felt like it took too long to get there. There were a lot of scenes that could have been removed or cut down a lot.

Throughout the book I was not a fan of Bella. Jesus, grow up. Your friend found someone kind, who they love, and your petty and jealous that your not the center of her world constantly. It just feels so clingy and crazy. I liked the story, plot and content. I just didn't like the mc.
I really really don't like how Mark said those things about her deciding what to do you with her body. He doesn't get to have an opinion. Eventually I grew to like him, but it just frustrated me.

To be honest I didn't want Bella to get a happy ending, I didn't want her to win Marty l, I just don't think she deserved it. She's selfish and she realizes it, but then she just continues to make selfish choices again and again after all these big realizations. The fact that her character bothered me so much, and I had such an emotional reaction to her, I think that is a nod to good writing. I would give this book a solid 3.9 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC.

Not That Kind Of Ever After is the story of Bella as she finds herself being forced to grow up through a series of events. She is very immature through her journey, especially for being 29, but does finally come to more mature realizations. It also encompasses several different fairy tale retellings into one book. The book is overall entertaining.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from St. Martin’s Press and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Funny, quirky characters in a fabulous book.

This just made my heart happy. I felt so seen and content. This was heartfelt and made me feel like a little girl waiting for her prince. Truly beautiful

I really liked this book. The main character was a hot mess and was so naive but does eventually come to her senses. It definitely wasn’t the story I was expecting, but it was a fun book to read. It was obvious who she would end up with but I liked seeing her go through the process. The MC is annoying but I liked watching her grow. I thought it was a good read. 3.5 stars.

I was asked to review “Not That Kind of Ever After” by Luci Adams. Most of us growing up believing in the fairy tale. Unfortunately, for most of us, it’s a long, difficult road to “happily ever after,” and sometimes, we do not need Prince Charming to get there.

Bella, an aspiring author, is watching her friends couple up. Even her best friend, Ellie, is moving on. Yet, Ellie’s brother poses the question that many of us have asked ourselves: is it possible to happy without a soulmate? Hence, Bella starts writing twists on those enchanted tales and gains plenty of readers—and a few enemies in the process.

I love the concept of a writer finding her voice while rejecting societal expectations. The story did not quite head in the direction I had hoped, but Bella, though flawed, is also quite likable.

This novel was not perfect. I thought it was a bit too long, but at the same time, tried to push the characters forward a bit too quickly.

Three and a half stars.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and Net Galley for the privilege of reviewing this book.

I enjoyed this book, however I didn’t LOVE it. The beginning felt super slow to me and due to that I had a hard time getting into the story. I also had a hard time connecting to the characters. I felt like it just needed a little bit MORE and it would have made all the difference.

I liked the plot of the story and the romance aspect, however I think I was expecting more from the “fairytale” aspect and that left me a little disappointed.

Either way, this was a cute romcom and great for a light read!

I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC!

"Not That Kind of Ever After" was a decent story. Bella Marble feels stuck in life. Her best friend and flat mate, Ellie, is moving out and has gotten engaged to her boyfriend, Mark, whom Bella has never particularly liked, while Bella has yet to find her Prince Charming, or even a halfway decent guy. Simon, another flat mate, has also started a new relationship with Diego, a gorgeous Spanish musician. Bella's parents have a romantic fairy tale backstory regarding their relationship and the marriage proposal and seem to have the ideal marriage. However, they will soon tell Bella that they are getting a divorce. Bella wants to be a published author, but she is stuck as a receptionist for a publishing company, unable to come up with a marketable story.

At work, she learns about an online site called B-reader, where aspiring writers post stories one chapter at a time and beta readers leave comments and feedback. She decides to give it a try, submitting a story about a very bad date written as a riff on Little Red Riding Hood. She gets some positive feedback and readers interested in what will happen in chapter two, which prompts another fairy tale story about a much more enjoyable evening. Bella decides to continue this theme, but that requires her to arrange dates or romantic encounters that can be portrayed utilizing a fairytale theme, as she feels she has to experience what she is writing about, even though the stories are fiction and embellished. In the process of pursuing a series of one-night stands for her book, Bella will alienate and neglect her friends, including Ellie and Ellie's brother, Marty, who seems always to be available to help out Bella in her time of need.

At times, Bella is incredibly selfish and annoying. However, the story has a good redemptive arc for her, as well as for another character. There are some very funny moments in the story. Bella will get her happily ever after, but it is not what she ever expected.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

⭐️Rating: 2/5
⚠️TW: Cursing, Divorce
❣️Tropes: Best Friend’s Brother, Slow Burn?
Would I recommend this book?: Not really


Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley im exchange for an honest opinion. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!


Review:

The book has a really strong opening hook with great internal dialogue from Bella and setting that tone for the book. However it begins to drag quickly, like the rest of the story does. There was nothing blatantly terrible about the novel but there wasn’t anything good either. Getting through it felt like a fight, one that I wasn’t winning most of the time as I resorted to skimming just to stop myself from quitting.

Throughout the book it felt like there was little positive character development from anyone. Bella, Marty, Ellie, etc. Everyone stayed exactly the same as they were initially set up which doesn’t feel satisfying to read.

As for the actual romance: it was disappointing. Very little solid build up between Marty and Bella. They’re barely friendly and then all of a sudden they have sex around the final 20% of the book. There’s even more of a dynamic set up between Bella, Ellie and Ellie’s fiancée. Both characters lacked growth, both independently and together.

For the most part we watch Bella blossom into the truly horrifying person she seemed to have been the whole time, have a (small) moment of realization and then get ushered into a happy ending.

What a cute romance in which she thinks that she is fairy tales and experiences them with many one night stands. I enjoyed this romance and how she found love with someone she knew already. I loved the friendships and her figuring life out. I enjoyed that she told Henry off and made her own stories .

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book, provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted to like this book. But I was honestly disappointed. The MC was shallow and only thought of herself. And she lived in a bubble. I couldn't identify with her, and I found her quite unlikable. Is it horrible of me to say I really didn't want her to get an HEA? I found her insufferable throughout the whole book, and the humor was too dry for me. Marty. I did like Marty. A lot. He was sweet and funny and real. And he was too good for her. The flow of the book was sort of disjointed, too. I dunno. I just wasn't feeling it. I gave 2 stars because the writing was actually good.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Unfortunately I wasn’t the biggest fan of the main character Bella. However I did appreciate the redemption arc at the end, it was nice to see the growth of the character. All in all I recommended this book, it was a fun and easy read. Thank you Netgally for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought Ellie was the ultimate best friend. I loved how much she supported Bella. I had my fingers crossed for the final match. Great read! Will recommend to my friends!

This was fine but I didn’t love the humor in this one. I can remember feeling like the character so some readers may really connect with that! Super cute cover!

Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams
What a cute book! Main character Bella was funny and witty. Many parts of the book had me literally laughing out loud. I would consider this a textbook rom-com. Overall I found this book to be humorous, engaging, and an enjoyable light read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every rom-com available and I was feeling a bit bored as most have the same very pretty predictable storylines but for my first NetGalley ARC I got lucky receiving a story that was fresh, funny, and kept me interested from beginning to end. It is also not lost on me that by chance my first review for a NetGalley book is for a story about a girl placing her story out into the world for others to read and review!

I really enjoyed Bella’s dialogue which is what pulled me in first and foremost. She was funny, witty, quick, messy but lovable even when she was creating a lot of chaos in her life. The author still found a way to make me root for her success in life and love. I also appreciated that as soon as I felt the main character was bordering a little bit too selfish and messy the author pulled her in at exactly the right time realizing she needed to right her wrongs with everyone she loved.

The supporting characters were so much fun and gave the story all of the fairytale twists and turns.This is what made the story so unique from others! The Seven Smurf’s made me laugh the most for sure. The friendship between Bella and Marty was my favourite though. The dialogue between them made me crack up and you could feel the deep bond from when they were kids. And of course the Ellie and Bella’s friendship. So close to real life when friends start to move on and all the growing pains that come with it.

The love story made my heart happy in the end. You don’t have to always look to far to find love and your best girl-friends will always be your soulmates.

I recommend reading this story if you are bored with the typical rom com tropes and you want an easy, fun read!

This was the first book in a long time that I literally could not put down once I started! Bella is SO relatable, love-able , and a little loathe-able at times. Even when she’s spiraling, I found myself rooting for her. There were a couple unexpected twists and I truly didn’t know where she was going to end up through this adventure. Highly recommend for some great laughs, feel-good moments, and modern fairy tales at their finest!