Give me all the pirate romantasy!! 🦜🏴‍☠️ I've been wanting to read this series, since I heard great things about it from friends who read it's indie release, so I was so happy to get an ARC for the trad published version! It will be officially out on August 5, 2025.

I feel like this book is quintessential romantasy--enemies on opposite sides of a war to lovers with a broody, mysterious, & dark MMC with a strong & caring FMC. There's so many great side characters, high stakes, and surprising twists. The world building feels detailed but not tedious. I've been in a bit of a slump recently and reading super slowly, but I ate this one up so fast!

The story starts with the FMC and MMC as children--I love this trope! It gives their relationship more depth and back story, and we get more insight into how both have been affected by the events of the story as they become adults.

Be warned, though, the ending will have you ready to throw out your TBR to continue reading the series!

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

LJ Andrews has once again delivered the perfect recipe for a romantasy binge-read: one morally gray king, one fierce heroine with a dagger (and a plan), and enough political intrigue to keep your heart racing like you’re storming the castle yourself.

The Ever King is a story of high-seas adventure, stolen thrones, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers tension that could set fire to an entire fleet. Our heroine? Smart, sharp, and playing a dangerous game with the very man she should be running from. Our hero? Brooding, powerful, and—of course—hiding secrets that could change everything. Add in a lush world of magic, betrayal, and slow-burn romance that burns, and you’ve got a book that’s impossible to put down.

If you loved The Bridge Kingdom or Fourth Wing, you’re going to devour this one. But fair warning—prepare for the book hangover. And possibly some light emotional devastation.

This book is amazing and deserves all the hype! The perfect romantasy with compelling characters and a well executed enemies to lovers trope. Definitely a must read!

Book Review: The Ever King by L.J. Andrews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Thank you @acebookspub and @berkleypub for an eARC of this book!

💭QOTD:

HI. LJ?? What kind of magic did you put in this book because I am obsessed. Seriously, this was one of my favorite reads! L.J. Andrews delivers an adventure packed with danger, heart-stopping twists, and swoon-worthy moments that had me glued to the pages. And the tropes? Chef’s kiss. This book checked every box on my favorites list, and I loved every second of it!

The dual POV was masterfully executed—I loved getting inside both Livia and Erik’s heads, adding so much depth to the story. And speaking of Erik… I’m obsessed. His unwavering loyalty and willingness to do anything for Livia made my heart ache in the best way (and the gifts he gives her… IYKYK!). Every interaction between them was pure electricity—I was cackling, kicking my feet, and absolutely feral (except for the moments that wrecked me—this book will have you feeling everything).

Livia’s journey was just as captivating. Watching her grow, uncover the history of her people, and step into her own strength was both beautiful and empowering. She’s the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for—fierce, resilient, and deeply human. The way her anxiety and past trauma unfolded resonated with me in such a profound way, making me feel truly seen. That was one of the most meaningful parts of this book for me. LJ weaves these experiences with such care, portraying them not as something to hide or be ashamed of, but as challenges to face and overcome. It was powerful, and it left a lasting impact on me.

Even though I haven’t read the 9-book series that came before (yet!!), I had no trouble diving into this world. The story was easy to follow but rich in lore, and now I can’t wait to go back and binge the rest of the series.

From start to finish, this book kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly yearning to know what would happen next. The twists, the tension, the romance—everything was perfection. Thank you LJ for adding another book for me to obsess over. Can’t wait to read book 2 (and to go back to read the Broken Kingdoms!)

Pirate fae king?? Say less.
I sure did have a good time especially with the captor/captive aspect. I don’t think enemies to lovers was in the room with us though but I didn’t enjoy the romance with the hints of fantasy as per usual. Running to book 2 after that cliffhanger.

The Ever King by LJ Andrews is a thrilling start to the Ever Seas series, blending high-stakes revenge, forbidden romance, and enchanting world-building. From the very first page, Erik—the vengeful, scarred king—commands attention as he seeks retribution for the betrayal that trapped him beneath the waves. His ruthless determination collides with an innocent yet strong-willed heroine, creating a tension-filled, slow-burn romance that kept me turning the pages.

Andrews crafts a mesmerizing, immersive world with rich lore and a dark, oceanic setting that feels both eerie and magical. The dynamic between Erik and his captive is layered, offering emotional depth beyond the typical enemies-to-lovers trope. Their chemistry sizzles, but it’s the gradual unraveling of their trust and vulnerability that makes their connection compelling.

While the plot is gripping, some moments felt slightly predictable, and I wished for deeper exploration of certain side characters and their motivations. However, the pacing and high-stakes drama make up for it, delivering a story filled with adventure, betrayal, and heart-wrenching choices.

Overall, The Ever King is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy romance with morally gray characters and intense, slow-burning passion. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!

I cannot recommend The Ever King enough, LJ Andrews writing style is absolutely delectable. She has a way of making you feel entirely immersed in the world as you're reading. In this case, I felt like I was living there on that ship. I felt the same mix of thrill and anxiety as Livia was taken. I felt the connection between her and Erik from the second they met. Her attitude was hilarious and his energy was unmatched. I really love the amount of respect he has for women in general and I think it adds depth to his character that we don't often see from an MMC. The side characters in this series are some of my favorites, each has a strong personality and contributes to the plot in more than just a way of filling pages, unlike so many other series, especially in this genre. The overall vibe of the book was fun and exciting while also being emotional and thought-provoking. High praise for LJ Andrews!

Holy Cliffhanger Batman! I love the symbolism of the songbird and the serpent. I think that paints such a great picture. Also, the betrayal in the book was insane! Overall I think it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading The Ever Queen!

My first pirate romantasy and definitely not my last! I loved every piece of this book! Truly ate this up. The concept of this world was very different to other fantasy novels I have read and it was refreshing.

Erik is the fae king of the Ever Seas, a world that has been sequestered from the rest of the fae under the sea after the Great War twenty years ago. Erik is planning his revenge on the other fae kingdoms and needs to get his father’s old medallion back from the other fae king. Livia, the only daughter of his enemy, accidentally breaks open the barrier dividing their kingdoms and Erik will stop at nothing to get revenge.

This was heavy on the romance with really just a sprinkle of fantasy. Erik Bloodsinger is added to my list of book boyfriends!! He is dark, possessive, and kidnaps our FMC and I loved every second of it.

Tropes:
“Who did this to you?”
Touch her and d!e
Enemies to lovers
Morally Dark MMC

Something to note: this was my first LJ Andrews book! This book starts about 20 years after the ending of the author’s other series The Broken Kingdom. That being said, the Ever Seas series can be read separately but feel I did miss some pieces of the world building by skipping The Broken Kingdom series. I was able to comprehend fairly quickly once the story got going, but maybe would have understood it slightly better if I read her first series. However, this did not detract at all to the story for me!!

Erik Bloodsinger, OH MY GOODNESS. Officially obsessed, need more, and not just him ALL the characters! This book is amazing, and honestly perfect in every way!

“Careful with your threats of my untimely death, love, or you might end up stealing my heart.”

Enemies to lovers- check
Banter- check
Spice- check
Amazing plot- check!

The world building was so immersive, the intricate magic system was so intriguing, the character building, the relationships, and everything in between... all of it was absolutely amazing!

I loved the nicknames, the lore, the history, the absolute torturous slow burn... everything that was Erik and Livia's story was so beautiful.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading this. The worst part of this whole experience was that cliffhanger and knowing I have to wait till spring of next year to find out what happens next! This is an absolute must-read for pirate fantasy lovers!

The Ever King thoughts 📖

This was such a refreshing read for me. I did not expect that I would enjoy it so much going in. The world building is exquisite, main characters very likable and the story so beautiful.

I was invested very early on and kept coming back. Loved the plot and the magic system was so easy to follow yet so unique! Also, that plot twist at the end!! I cannot wait to read the next books in this series. As of now it is a 4 book series with 3 books out. ✨

Rating - 4 / 5 ⭐️
Spice - 2 / 5 🌶️
Vibes - Pirates of the Caribbean x ACOTAR

A beautifully written fantasy romance that will have you flipping pages into the wee hours of the morning.

LJ Andrew’s prose is on point creating a vivid world of fae, pirates, and romance with each written description. I soaked it up like a sponge and was able to remain immersed throughout the entire book. When I read the last sentence I squawked unaware it was, well, the last sentence.

And, oh my, oh my. Erik. Blood. Singer. The Ever King with a dirty mouth and a darkness within that will have you swooning, daydreaming about being whisked away by the filthy hands of a pirate. Specifically Erik’s hands.

“I am in your hands, I am at your command, for you have made me love you, and you will be my destruction because of it.”

I absolutely adore Livia and getting to live through her while reading this was a joy. She has a fire and unique quality about her that makes you want to see her succeed. I love her banter with the Ever King and the beautiful way she accepts him for who he is.

Now about that cliffhanger!

If you’re looking for spicy pirate romantasy, then stop your search because The Ever King is everything.

I loved both the plot and romance happening in this book. It takes place in the same world as The Broken Kingdoms series, but you definitely don’t need to have read them to know what’s going on.

Let’s talk about Erik Bloodsinger. I don’t think I have ever had a complete 180 from “ugh, this guy” to “we must protect him at all costs” so fast in my entire life. He thinks he’s a monster, but the best ones always do, am I right? You’ll like him if you go for:
✅ Banter ✅ Brooding ✅ Tragic Backstory


Read if you like:
pirates
spice
fae
morally grey characters
found family

This snuck up on me! This is an indie book that is getting republished, and I am always a bit hesitant when that happens because sometimes the turnaround is too quick in my opinion. While a bit rocky at the beginning, this book easily became something I could be obsessed with. It felt a bit like fanfic where I didn't care as much about the world building and writing as I cared about the character dynamics, and I need to get my hands on book two because of course there is a cliffhanger.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Ever King by L.J. Andrews.

Honestly I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to read this book. I loved the relationship between Livia and Erik, it’s slow going and has lots of push and pull tension. They complement each other quite well, not exactly opposite but not so much alike. I loved the way their story began, it really drew me into their bond and made it feel so strong.

I absolutely loved the pirates and the crew’s song, and I’m not usually one for songs in books. It sorta gave me chills the first time I read the lyrics, it’s perfect for the story. The characters grabbed my attention and ever the side characters made an impact to the story and stayed in the back of my mind as I read, which is something I loved.

This was a great read and I recommend to any romantasy reader who likes dad with unique elemental magic and pirates. I can’t wait to see the republished hardcover edition of this book!

This book was so fun to read. I love pirate fantasy but The Ever King brought that to a whole new level. I FLEW through this because I could not put it down. Its high stakes, fast paces, anxiety inducing and all around a good time.

I loved watching the FMC bond with members of the MMC's inner circle. Celine was the girl bestie all of us wanted and SEWELL - I would literally die for this man.

If anything happens to him I will riot.

There were many plot twists that I did not see coming and as someone who reads a lot of fantasy/fantasy romance it's always refreshing to be surprised with an original story. Especially in response to the past and the revelations uncovered in the FMC/MMC's relationship.

It's one of those "everything I know is a lie" books and hits you out of nowhere.

This is an absolute must read if you are an enemies to lovers girlie like me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.

They stole his crown, so he stole their daughter...
She is innocent. He is vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Livia accidentally broke the chain of the Evar and gets kidnapped for her troubles. Taken by the Evar King he plans to use her to bargain for what he lost.

I thought this was going to be way more pirate-y than what it actually was. I gave this book another star because I like the magic system but unfortunately this is just not my thing. Maybe I just don't like fae?

Well shiver my freaking timbers! The Ever King was fantastic from beginning to end with nary a dull moment! LJ is second to none when it comes to character development, and she had me falling for and feeling for Erik and Livia even when I wasn't quite sure in the beginning I was going to connect with them. The spice.. THE. SPICE... There are smut books and there are Passionate books and this one was 100% a passionate book. The moments between the MC's (both spicy and non) are brimming with a passion that stuns me every time! The Ever King is by far a must read!

I loved this book! I finished it in one sitting. This was the perfect pirate fae, never land, dark romance fairytale. Destined/fated enemies to lovers is my favorite trope. PEAK pirate romantasy! I highly recommend this book.