3.75 ⭐️ almost a 4 star for me. Thank you to the authors and Netgalley for a copy of the book. Tiktok full review to come.

This book has a mix of fae meets vampire angst with a dash of fated love and spice.

At the beginning I got whiplash on how Imogen’s character changed once she was in the Fae lands. You could say is because she was on the other side but she went from shy to a outgoing and snappy.

Tarian was Mr hot and cold most of the book. With a bit of snarling and possessiveness. Not like much else to say. I got hints there of self doubt or a lost of pride or sense of control but it wasn’t really explored just thrown there for exposition. Probably said once or twice.

The Satyr, other oracle, and Ves were amazing. Loved their witty banter.

Overall the writing was bare bones. It got the point across with occasional flourish.

The world building wasn’t really there as much. It had some of it which is okay for a Romantasy.

However, I did enjoy the story. It was fast paced and it kept me going once I hit 30% mark. The only thing that bothered me was that MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE! But that is a me thing. I just don’t like that trope.

Overall if you like Romantasy books that have fated love, enemy to lovers, kidnapping, fae curses, villainous villain, you will enjoy this book.

Would I re-read it? Possibly. I will definitely read the next book.

3.5 stars.

First, thank you to Netgalley, Lorelai Johnson, and Hailey Jade for an ARC of this book!

I was a bit conflicted on how to rate this book. The beginning of the book was somewhat confusing - I felt like I was dropped into book 2 of a series, even though this is the first book, and I felt like I was missing a lot of context. The prophecy kept getting brought up but never explained, I'm still not really sure what the differences between the Seelie and the Unseelie are (other than being light and dark), and the characters weren't fleshed out. I found it hard to root for Tarian when I knew so little about him. However, the story really picked up and I felt myself thinking about this book even when I wasn't reading it.

Imogen's storyline was extremely captivating as it unraveled and I can't wait to learn more about her in book 2. I really hope we see more of Solas, Ethan, and Briyala in book 2 as well, these characters were all so interesting and I'd love to see them explored more.

This book was amazing! The authors did a wonderful job of making you care for the characters and give great detail to help you picture every scene as you read.
The story is beautiful and I promise you won't be disappointed.
It was a fairly quick read as well.
One of the best books I've read in a while!

I LOVE a fated mate trope. Once Imogen sees the magical, dark creatures lurking around that somehow slipped into their world she doesn’t feel as crazy as every one says. However, when you report that you were bit by a vampire in the human world… I can understand why people thought she was out of her mind.

Imogen’s fate of taking down Tarian’s court should he be crowned throws a wrench in things, especially when it boils down to the fact that he is her mate

The lack of details in some areas of the novel left a lot to be desired and some of them were simple in nature. Describing the castle and the forest were nowhere to be seen and I feel that did this novel a disservice. Overall, I feel like this could have been significantly more immersive should the world building been richer.

However, the characters were wonderful and I did like Imogen’s quick wit. This gives off ACOTAR vibes with cursed prophecies and politics. The cliffhanger is a doozy and definitely leaves you impatient for the next book.

I want to first thank NetGalley for giving me a digital copy of this to read and review.

This is a fated mate troupe book. A woman Imogen who is raised her whole life to believe she is crazy when she sees the magical, uncanny, and dark creatures that lurk in the night that have slipped into the human world. Imogen who is destined to bring Tarians court down around him if he is ever crowned king of the unseelie court. Tarian goes to murder this threat to his throne but alas Imogen is his mate and the prophecy seems more complicated than it seems and his whisks her away to the Fae realm to decide her fate.

This book for me needed more detail. Everything at its core was described basically. The towers were gothic, there was a table that was oak, the characters details hard to grasp and introduced later than would seem necessary. I wanted to know what this palace looked like, I want to know more about the Shadowmire's forest, I needed more details of the characters. There were even ommition to details like "I was swept through so fast I couldnt take in the details of the room". With more definition I think I could've easily immersed myself in this world and given this book 5 stars.

That being said I did enjoy this book and would read book two, though I do hope the writers give us a more rich world with descriptions and details. This is my honest feedback and I would encourage others to still pick this up and make their own opinions.

“The Prince of Never” by Lorelei Johnson and Hailey Jade [not to be confused with the book of the same title by Juno Heart and also happens to be a Fae romance] is a slow-burn, enemies to lovers, fated mates fantasy romance read. The novel follows Imogen, a university librarian, who’s attacked by a vampire as a teen. After suffering at the hands of psychiatrists and doctors who don’t believe her story, she goes through much of her young adult life seeing things that no one else sees. A second attack years later and subsequent kidnapping finds Imogen in the Fae realm and at the mercy of the dark Prince Tarian, heir to the Unseelie Court.

Imogen’s quick wit, sassiness and general fire paired nicely with the equally strong, morally gray Tarian, who’s drawn to the human newcomer since their first touch. The banter between the two and the fact that Imogen just can’t stay out of trouble leads to some precarious situations between the two of them. I also loved that despite being a bookish librarian (which I also loved), Imogen didn’t take shit from anyone - including the Unseelie Queen or her son; she consistently spoke her mind and didn’t back down from anything or anyone.

The secondary characters just made me love the story more. Ethan - the best friend who coincidentally is also a halfling - swoops into the Fae realm to rescue his bestie. Sarah is the quintessential friend that softens Imogen’s imprisonment at Dreadhold. And Vesryn, the courtly cousin of Tarian and general troublemaker and antagonizer is a perfect mirror to Tarian and everything he’s trying to deny.

I appreciated that the world building was uncomplicated and allowed the reader to easily visualize what this Fae realm looked like, along with all of its magical inhabitants, from the flesh-hungry pixies to the prophecy-wielding comedic satyr. The pacing of the novel was also spot-on; it had me hooked early on in the reading and led me right off that cliff-hanger at the end. (Like, when is book two supposed to be out!?)

I know that there are so many Fae “romantasy” books out there and it's a challenge to stand out among the masses, but this book surprised me in all the right ways. If you’re a fan of ACOTAR or The Cruel Prince, this book - filled with cursed prophesies, political intrigue and rival Fae courts - will be right up your alley. Seriously…when does the second book come out?!

Wow!! This book had me in a trance within the first 10 pages. Imogen-the human, is fated with the grumpy, Unseelie Prince.

I enjoyed how the two worlds collided in this epic story of fated mates/enemies to lovers. I am already counting down the days until book 2 is released.

Note-this book ends in a cliff hanger and book 2 isn't released until August 2024. That's a long time to wait when I am so invested in these characters.

I need book two now! Absolutely delectable enemies to lovers and we love a fated mates trope. Everything about this book is basically a blue print for any romantasy, fated mates book. I've read this book in so many form and yet I can't get enough of it. A perfect, easy, extremely enjoyable and addictive read.

Disclaimer: I did receive an ARC through Netgalley but all opinions are my own.

I was really disappointed by this read. I stuck through it but I felt like there were so many things going on, and I didn’t care about either Tarin or Imogen to bother trying to understand the plot line. This was no different to any of the thousand Fae romances on the market and it had absolutely no unique selling points. Super disappointed.
Tropes
- enemies to lovers
- fated mates
- key to the prophecy

Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

First off I would just like to say: What was that ending!? I need more asap!!!

This book was honestly fantastic. I fell in love with the characters, even the ones I didn’t expect to love. I loved discovering all the little details of the fae realm.

Imogen is honestly so frustrating but I wouldn’t change that! She is so stubborn but she is a strong female character who won’t let people walk all over her.

Tarian is the perfect grump👀 I can’t say much about him without giving spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.

The pacing of this book is honestly so perfect, I was pulled into the story from the very start until the last word. I truly devoured this book. And I am patiently (impatiently) waiting for the next one!

This book was amazing it’s a good read had me wondering what’s gonna happen next had me on the edge of my seat it had I’ve loved it i just wasn’t something that I could stop reading it was kind like I had to make myself keep reading but over all it was good Imogen was my favorite character I’ve posted it on my instagram and snap

Prince of never 4⭐️ 3🌶️

Romantic Fantasy
Australian based FMC
Dual pov
Fae realms
Magical beasts
Enemies to lovers
Prophecy
🏳️‍🌈side characters
Fated mates
Found family
Secret identities
Seelie/Unseelie Politics
Cliffhanger


I was thoroughly entertained by this story!

Imogen started off timid and second guessing her every move. Her growth into someone who stood her ground and didn’t back down was satisfying and hints to where her personal power will go. I love a powerful FMC.

Tarian starts off as a determined to kill the FMC. You can sense the uncaring and politically ambitious nature he falls into. His character arc is done in degrees, with a long way to go, and I’m here for it.

The romantic tension was definitely nice. I appreciated that the fated mates gave the characters more agency with their own fates by having thing click in because of active choices made by the characters. It was like dated mates, but with consent.

The politics were fairly standard for a Seelie/Unseelie kingdom. Not much was laid down, but I’m excited to see how the differences will be explained as Imogen discovers it.

I was excited to see the magical creatures and fae lore featured rather than just hunted at. It definitely made this fae based story stand out in the genre.

The pacing was good. I just wish that the hunt had been flushed out and made into more. It seemed out of place and as a tool for the plot rather than integrated into this fae realm’s traditions and way of life. It stuck out to me like a little sore thumb.


Thank you Lorelei Johnson and NetGalley for an advanced eReader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Prince of Never is book 1 in the Curse of Fate and Fae series by Lorelei Johnson, Hailey Jade.
This book was entertaining, it had my complete attention.
With magic, destiny, and unexpected plot turns, this book is a must-read for fantasy romance fans. I eagerly await the next installment to continue this enchanting adventure. The plot the characters were magnificent I will definitely be reading more from this author! Overall, this was a fun, exciting, interesting world with some fascinating characters.

Thank You NetGalley and Lorelei Johnson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

To start, I’d like to thank Net Galley the publishers for providing an ARC for me to read!

Jumping right into things, I’d like to point out that this was a very easy fantasy read that harkens true to fae mythology (Seelie, Unseelie, Portals, Whisps) and it was really quick to pick up on the world building. This first installment exclusively revolves around the Unseelie court, and so the surroundings are more moody and dark, which I like.

Our leads are Imogen the librarian, and Tarian the far Prince. I have to be honest and say I didn’t fully love either of them, as individuals or as a couple. The timeline in which Imogen leaves the human realm is so swift, and we don’t really have a developed idea of who she is as a person. What are her hobbies? What’s up with the vampire story from 12 years ago? As we advance in the story her sarcasm and snappiness are fun to read through, but I still don’t fully come to terms with who she is. Tarian is so grumpy that it’s eye roll inducing. Even his vulnerable moments are always plagued with stiffness and anxiety. I couldn’t fall head over heels for him because, similar to Imogen, I don’t understand him or what motivates him. Yes, there’s a prophecy, but does he not have friendships? Interests?
As the series grows I would like to learn more about them, and hopefully in turn their relationship could grow stronger because it’s *toxic*.

I think it’s apparent that this book is just setting the foundation for much more to come, as nothing really happens except for mating bonds, will-they-won’t-they tension, a very vague prophecy, and major mommy issues. This isn’t unpleasant at all, it leaves you wanting more! I really want to see more action and magick.

Some questions that I hope are answered:

•Ethan, he is friends with Imogen in the human world and finds her in the fae world, but claims he didn’t know she was a glamoured high fae, and has no idea what’s going on. Suspicious? What role does he play in both worlds? And didn’t he see the marks on the car? Hmmmm…

•The Unseelie Queen, are we just going to skate past the fact that she admitted to murdering her one true love that she was mated to? So she could rise to power? Are we meant to dig deep and see that something sad is underlying? What secrets is she hiding? Is she actually a caring mother putting on a front to protect her son? For now, I hate her.

•Tarian, what is his power anyways? Why is everyone so scared of him? Where is his dad? Who is Arun and why is he the only one nice to Tarian?

•Imogen / Aurelia, who are you girl? Who were the gods that she visited in the ceremony? Why did she get bitten by a vampire?


Overall, I recommend this read for anyone who is just beginning their decent into the ride of fantasy reads. This book is just long enough to skim the surface of a fae world without being overwhelming, and has tons of mystery to keep you intrigued.

X

Review | Prince of Never
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: I zipped right through this fantasy and it was a nice switch up from the books I’ve been reading lately. It actually got me back into reading fantasy and hopefully, I’ll be able to put a dent in my lengthy tbr.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it had everything I wanted from an enemies to a lovers novel. There was a hot morally grey MMC and a feisty and fun FMC. One thing I didn’t love was how the FMC seemed to go from shy to bold in such a short amount of time. At the beginning of the novel, she is this reserved librarian, but then as soon as she meets the MMC, she becomes a completely different character. There wasn’t a lot of character development or at least it wasn’t drawn out enough to be believeable. Also, there were moments when I cringed at some of the stuff the FMC was doing and it felt like she was falling into the same song and dance that every fantasy lead does.

I did love how this book explores different concepts of fae folklore and that was one thing I found unique about this novel. I feel like ever since ACOTAR took off, authors keep trying to do variations of that story but I felt like this book didn’t do that. Also, the cliffhanger was good, but kind of predictable. Either way, I’m excited to read the next book and see what happens next!

Imogen is a librarian at a local university. When she was younger, she was attacked by a vampire and bitten. The only problem with this story is... no one believes her. And nobody can see the scars on her throat. For years now, she's struggled with the truth she remembers and the fact it makes everyone else think she's crazy. Is she crazy? If you enjoy romantic fantasy with enemies to lovers, fated mates, a steamy cramped storage room moment, and witty banter between a sassy human librarian and morally grey fae prince then this book is for you!

Imogen, a simple librarian, has been marred by the torment of seeing things that others claim doesn’t exist. Her struggles have led to stints in mental hospitals and strained relationships with her parents. Her reality is forever altered when she is repeatedly attacked by inexplicable entities, ultimately being transported to the Fae realm against her will. All Imogen longs for is a return to her life in the human realm.

Tarian, Prince of the Unseelie Court, is on a mission to prevent a prophecy that foretells the downfall of his kingdom at the hands of a human girl. However, when he encounters Imogen, he is met with an unexpected twist of fate—she is his destined mate. Struggling with their attraction to each other they navigate the Unseelie Court to find a way to both get what they want.

“Prince of Never” by Lorelei Johnson was really good. I loved the main characters fighting their bond and the slow burn. I do wish there was more depth beyond the central relationship between Imogen and Tarian. The ending made me want to read the next book and cannot wait to delve in. This book did not disappoint with the Fae lore or the characters. 4 out of 5 stars.

Everyone in Imogen’s life thinks she’s crazy. She swears she was attacked by a vampire and has seen all manner of beasts in her life - only no one believes her. Then, a strange, ethereal male is waiting for her in her apartment to kill her - except after he touches her, he can’t bring himself to do it and instead he portals her back to the faerie realm - of which he is the heir and prince of the Unseelie court.

Imogen isn’t about to just stick around though, so she fights him every step of the way - until she realizes she is drawn to him in a way that isn’t totally natural. Oh, and she might just be prophesized to be the downfall of the entire Unseelie court, too bad for that pesky mate bond getting in the way of them harming each other. As if things weren’t enough of a mess already, Imogen gets herself tangled up with the evil Unseelie queen and the handsome but untrustworthy Seelie king.

I actually quite enjoyed this book. It was a definite good time read. I read through it quickly with basically no notes except that I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the release of book two!

Tropes: enemies to lovers, captor and hostage, fated mates, secret heritage and secret power, evil queen, found family

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Prince of Never is a fast-paced, slow burn romantasy that is certainly worth your time. I found the characters to be frustrating at times, but only because I was rooting for them. I thought the authors did a great job of leaning into the fae lore and bringing traditional stories to light in a new way. I am eagerly awaiting the second book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

3.5. The beginning was slow but it picked up. I could have used a bit more world building but I'd read the next one as I'm curious where it'll go after that ending.