LJ Andrews did it AGAIN! I absolutely fell in love with Jonas and Skadi and I am sad to have reached the end.

The banter, smut and everything in between was perfect!

Every MMC written by LJ Andrews will probably be a favorite for me. The way they support their woman and defend them is my weakness. “My wife” has me swooning so hard.

I loved we got so much of the alvers and their world. It’s so well written and makes me want to visit and become family with them all!

I haven’t read the broken kingdoms series yet and now I’m wanting to jump into them because I love Kase and Mal so much and wanna know more of their story. Every love story is so well done I’m not sad when we switch to another. UPDATE: I read books 1-3 and can’t wait to continue the rest!

Im already wanting more of everyone and hate saying goodbye even if it’s just for now. I can’t wait for Mira and Taits story and I would absolutely love a Sander book! It’s not a want it’s a need!

all I have to say is that LJ doesn't MISS. I've read 4 books (halfway through book #5) and I have thoroughly enjoyed EVERY SINGLE word I've read by her. It's truly crazy to me that LJ doesn't get more hype because trust me, she's worth it all. The way she weaves stories, the qualities she gives her characters (especially the "burn the world for her" vibes with every male 👀), I truly can't get enough. Jonas and Skadi's love story is just 🤌 their banter and refusal to fall in love, knowing full well they were already falling. I've hyped up The Ever King and The Ever Queen a lot here, and The Mist Thief topped them for me 🙈 The bright side to The Mist Thief? It can be read as a standalone! This means you don't HAVE to read TEK & TEQ beforehand. However, I highly suggest you do.

“I promise you, if I burn, so will you.” The green of his eyes brightened. “I can hardly stand the wait”

Jonas has entered the building! Plus we still get to hang with the rest of the Ever crew and faves from The Broken Kingdoms (hello Kase!) I absolutely love these books about the next generation, this is Jonas & Skadi’s story 🖤 enemies in an arranged marriage, twists, morally grey cinnamon roll and epic found family in the Alvers & Kryv! I love it all!

✨𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨
📖: The Mist Thief (The Ever Seas Book 3)

It seemed simple enough…their marriage alliance would secure peace between the fae/Alver realms and shadow Elven clan.

The playboy Nightmare Prince with a heart of gold and the cold, broken Elven Princess are resigned to honor their duty but are adamant that their hearts are non-negotiable. Clearly, neither party accounted for the stakes and the wildfire burning in their hearts…

Tropes/themes:
👀 Dual POV
🩶 Morally Gray Cinnamon Roll MMC
👸🏼 Misunderstood & resilient FMC
💍 Marriage of convenience
🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found family
🗣️ Banter
💫 Magic & mesmer
💥 HEA
🌶️: open door

I could hardly contain my excitement to delve back into the Ever Seas world. In this installment, we find ourselves visiting the Alver Lands. This devious clan of thieves, killers, and crooks is colorful and chaotic in stark contrast to the refined and deferential shadow elven.

I was already drooling over Jonas in The Ever King/Queen and The Mist Thief made me fall for him fast and hard. I loved seeing the different facets of our Nightmare Prince- the haunting effects of his power, playfulness, and off-the-charts charisma. Skadi was groomed to be docile and obedient, reigning in her power and never having the freedom to choose anything for herself. She’s never felt worthy, seen, or loved, until Jonas.

Mistrust and tensions run high as they trade barbs and fight their unwelcome attraction to each other. While they struggle with their inner demons, their darkness also calls to each other. As Skadi slowly embraces her fiery edge, she also finds acceptance in the most unlikely place and a kindred spirit for her dark monster.

This story beautifully captures the intensity of their passion. LJ delivers electrifying chemistry, sizzling tension, and the most delicious 🌶️. Jonas, Skadi, and their family would burn the world for each other and not even the bleeding gods can stand in their way. I could live in this world forever!

This book is a perfect balance of detailed world building, incredible characters, and swoon-worthy romance. Visceral, raw, and completely engrossing, The Mist Thief will steal your heart!

I cannot wait for the next standalone installment. Huge thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, Ace Books, and NetGalley for the review copy opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
4⭐️
This installment strikes a great balance of genres—blending romance, action, politics, and mystery with a character-driven, cozy feel that draws you in. The new setting is a standout, offering a refreshing contrast to previous books in the series with its unique systems and layered schemes. It felt like a breath of fresh air.

The pacing starts a bit slowly, but once the story finds its rhythm, it’s rich with intricate world-building and compelling family dynamics. Readers will especially appreciate how the two main characters feel authentic and relatable—each facing personal challenges while learning and growing together.

Perfect for fans of fantasy series that focus on found family, slower-burn plots, and character depth, this one adds warmth and heart without losing momentum. A strong continuation that’s hard to put down.

The Mist Thief is definitely one of my top reads this year! I absolutely devoured this book, staying up well past my bedtime because I could not put it down.

I adored Jonas and Skadi’s relationship. I love the arranged marriage trope and the execution of that trope in TMT was perfect! There was the perfect amount of tension between Jonas & Skadi, the slow burn was done so well with such a great payoff. Jonas is such a golden retriever and I really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The character development was well done, both of the characters opening up themselves to their respective races (Elvish and Alver) and bringing their kingdoms together.

I also enjoyed learning more about the Elvish world that LJ has incorporated into her Broken Kingdom and Eversea world! The story was well paced and a perfect stand alone romantasy with the best blend of romance, action, mystery, and of course LJ’s classic banter! I cannot wait for more stories in this world!

Review update! I just finished my re-read of The Mist Thief with the upcoming traditionally published edition. I did a marathon reading The Ever King and The Ever Queen first and I am officially now back in my LJ era!

I have never been let down by LJ Andrews. Each time I pick up one of her books I am blown away by the characters, banter and amazing storylines.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

LJ Andrews is a master at sassy females leads, morally grey MMCs and the best banter you can find in fantasy romance. Her prose flow effortlessly leaving you with a feeling of total immersion into the story and characters.

Ok enough of my author gushing, you’re here for the details on the story!

First Kase and Malin are my favorite couple from The Broken Kingdoms series so I was instantly intrigued by having a story about Jonas because if he has any traits from either parent I knew I would love him.

For those that don’t know, Kase and Malin are not your typical royal, they are orphans turned thieves turned king and queen and they base their Kingdom and morals on those they learned on the streets and with their crews. Make not mistake they live by respect and love but also are masterful schemers and they have taught their sons all of this!

Jonas and Sander are the twin son princes and you will see a lot of Sander but this story focuses on Jonas, our fun, sarcastic, crafty Alver who loves deeply and fiercely and is scared to let anyone in for risk of loosing them. At the end of The Ever Queen Jonas offered himself in a deal to marry the princess of the Shadow Elves to prevent war and ultimately any loss that may happen with war.

Skadi is our Eleven princess, orphaned as a young child who has spent her life trying to prove to her adoptive grandfather and king that she is worthy of being his heir.

I know this is long, bear with me here ok.

I way soooo happy to see the role that Kase and Malin had throughout this book. One of my favorite scenes is when Kase takes Skadi on a little heist in the castle. It was so funny and so perfect. Each interaction Kase and Makin have with each other, their kids and Skadi shows their pure devotion they have for their family and found family. They will stop at nothing to see who they call "theirs" are safe.

This story is a slow burn but I don’t think you can expect anything else going into a marriage of convenience situation. The tension and banter between Skadi and Jonas is perfect. Seeing their characters grow separately as well as together was so great to watch and when the tension snapped, holy gods it was perfect. Ohh and the spice. LJ write some of the best spice out there. It is perfectly incorporated into the story, does not feel forced and does not overshadow her expertly crafted story

If you love the nicknames micro trope then your in luck every time Jonas called Skadi fire I nearly melted in my seat. And I loved that Jonas got his own nickname too!

I loved The Mist Thief, and I'm so glad we got to explore more of Jonas Erikkson. This book has some of my favorite tropes: Arranged Marriage, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Morally Grey MMC, One bed, bathtub scenes... I could go on and on.

The banter in this book is elite! Jonas never lets his new wife, Skadi, have the last word, despite her best efforts. Seeing them learn about each other was so much fun. Jonas is a cinnamon roll MMC with a dark side. He may not be the most morally grey MMC out there, but he's no angel. And you better not mess with his wife.

One of my favorite aspects in this book is how much the two main characters love all sides of the other. They love the good and the bad, the light and the dark. They give each other silly nicknames and remind one another to be monstrous.

I definitely recommend The Mist Thief. The story is contained, even though it's a continuation of The Ever Seas series.

You know those books that have you simultaneously wanting to DEVOUR the book in one sitting and also wanting to read slow, take your time, savor every word. This is one of those books. LJ Andrews has this way with words that is just pure magic. The depth she manages to portray in each and every character (a feat considering just how many characters live within this world) is incredible and you have no choice but to fall in love with them all! The world of The Ever Seas and The Broken Kingdoms is so elaborate, but LJ has successfully made both words coherent and blended them together beautifully in this book, while even adding another Elven land!
I don't want to go on and on about Jonas and Skadi's story for fear of not being able to contain myself and letting things slip, but just know that Jonas is the perfect cinnamon roll. Willing to do anything, torture anyone, for the ones he holds most dear, and Skadi is the bookish girls best friend who has a traumatic past but with the help of Jonas, and the love of her new family, comes to see herself as the incredible woman she truly is, be it monstrous or kind.

I devoured this book—The Mist Thief is everything I adore in a fantasy romance and more. LJ Andrews continues to deliver heartbreakingly beautiful stories in the Ever Seas world, and this one just might be my favorite yet.

From the very first page, Skadi and Jonas stole my heart. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is sharp, emotional, and addictive in the best way. Skadi is fierce and fractured, the kind of heroine who fights her fate at every turn—and Jonas? He’s a morally gray cinnamon roll (yes, it’s a thing) who somehow manages to be deadly and tender all at once. Their chemistry is electric, their banter is perfection, and the emotional slow burn? Utterly chef's kiss.

The political intrigue, magical tension, and looming war against the light elves kept the stakes high, but it’s the romance that had me swooning and gasping and flipping pages long into the night. This book made me feel—joy, pain, betrayal, longing—and I loved every second of it.

The Mist Thief is a stunning, emotional, and addictively romantic ride that only LJ Andrews could deliver. If you love epic fantasy, complicated love stories, and strong heroines paired with soft-hearted warriors, this one is a must.

🖤⚔️🖤 ARC REVIEW 🖤⚔️🖤

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

“Be monstrous, be gentle, and be kind. I want you every way.”

REVIEW:

It is not a secret that I'm absolutely OBSESSED with everything LJ Andrews writes. When I found out this was going to be Jonas' book I audibly squealed! If you've read The Broken Kingdoms then you know his parents. They are without a doubt my favorite couple from TBK so I knew this one was going to be special. What I didn't realize was the absolute CHOKEHOLD this book was going to have on me! Seeing Jonas all grown up and turning into the man he is was just amazing and then you add in the Elven lore and magic and the relationship between him and Skadi and I was an absolute puddle. No joke I have over 400 highlights in this book. I am unwell in the best possible way. The way LJ Andrews creates worlds that draw you in and writes characters you can't help but love is truly a talent. She creates a full cast of characters that you can't help but adore and want to see more of. If you've read TBK you'll also enjoy all the little nuggets of connection she sprinkled in. I cried more than once at a few *cough cough Asger* - I know you enjoy our pain ma'am but that hurt 😭😂

This story is full of tension, angst, betrayal, touch her and 🔪 moments, and more. While it is a standalone in the Ever Seas world, I HIGHLY recommend reading The Broken Kingdoms first, it will make this all the more special, I PROMISE.

TROPES:
⚔️ Dark Fantasy Romance
🖤 Vikings, Pirates, and Elves
⚔️ Arranged/forced marriage
🖤 Touch her and 🔪
⚔️ Forced proximity
🖤 "My Wife"
⚔️ Morally Grey but Cinnamon Roll MMC
🖤 Warrior FMC

“The only reason I fear you, is because of how swiftly you had me on my knees. If you’ve stolen anything from me, it is my heart.”

Andrews has done it again. I didn’t think I could love a pair more than Livia and Eric, but Jonas and Skadi have sure given them a run for their money. I’m going to call it a tie because I love both couples and their storylines so much. Skadi stole my heart though with her love of reading and Jonas for his gift to Skadi. I really enjoyed how The Mist Thief tied in so many characters from the original series. I absolutely adored how Kase welcomed Skadi to the family by involving her in a heist. It’s one of my favorite moments from the entire book. Speaking of, with everything Skadi endured there really was no better place for than among Jonas’s people where she could be sweet or free to be a monster if she chose without fear of judgement. I also really enjoyed getting to explore more of the Elven side of things. Andrews continues to show her skills with world building and developing complex magical systems. The plot itself moved along well balancing the slower get to know you moments with high stakes twists and betrayals. Additionally, The Mist Thief features arranged marriage, who hurt you, touch her and die, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, banter, and found family. I highly recommend reading The Mist Thief.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ++

Holy hells! What an amazing addition to The Ever Seas!! LJ Andrews never ceases to amaze with her exquisite stories! The Mist Thief was no exception!
I wasn’t sure anything could live up to Erik and Livia; but let me tell you…this book was EPIC!!

I was sucked in and held captive from the very beginning! Her worlds are so immersive and engaging!

Her prose in this book is absolutely magnificent! This book was so well paced; never rushed, never slow! It is utter perfection. The characters were so beautifully written! I mean, come on, Jonas is 🔥 and
I loved Skadi so much! Even being Elven, she adapted and fit in so gloriously with the Alver clan! A “family” she came to love! Their romance is engaging and beautiful! The banter was amazing and had me giggling so many times! And, of course, the spice is perfectly on point!

I really can’t state strongly enough how much I love this world that LJ Andrews has created! I have been invested since the first Broken Kingdoms book I picked up! It will be utter torture waiting for Mira and Tait’s story after that cliffy ending!

Be kind. Be gentle. And be monstrous

I went into this book not having any expectations and boy was I blown away. I absolutely loved this book! I devoured it in less than a day.

This story was so beautiful to me. Skadi is such a hurt and broken soul who is quite literally loved back to life by Jonas, the fierce, yet tender, Alver Prince. I loved watching their relationship grow and develop and turn into an incredible bond. The message behind their relationship is so powerful for me, as I related a little too much with Skadi. So, I was thrilled when she came into her own and was healed by true, unconditional love and adoration. The way that he loved her so wholly instead of making her believe there was something wrong with her was so lovely.

The found family vibe in these books is next level, and I really enjoyed how well all the characters from other books are woven into each Ever Seas story. It’s an incredible experience reading any LJ Andrews book, and The Mist Thief was no different. Andrews has the ability to write in a way that makes the reader feel as if they’re living the tale themselves.

Tropes:
Touch her and die
Who did this to you
“Where is my wife!?” Moment
Marriage of convenience
Found family
Epic battle
Incredible banter

𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙨, 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢. 𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙄’𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣.

In an effort to protect the alver folk and fae from the Ljosalfar light evles, Jonas agrees to an arranged marriage to Skadi, a princess of the Dokkalfar dark elves. Their union would provide protections to their people and kin and prevent another war - but neither of them anticipate their sacrificial political alliance to become a passionate, wicked love straight out of a nightmarish fairytale.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝗯𝗲 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙒𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚.”

Okay, mark me down as officially obsessed with LJ Andrews and her writing. The only complaint I have is how long it took me to finally read The Ever Seas duet - thank goodness I got this arc because it has completely derailed my TBR in the best way possible. Jonas is an absolute top-tier book boyfriend, the nightmare prince of my dreams. And Skadi! Oh Skadi - my sweet baby. Their romance is everything... The instant, reluctant attraction, the tender bath scenes, the hurt-comfort while overcoming their trauma together, the banter and titillating dirty talk... The heart wrenching declarations of love and devotion. This is the book the rest of my 2024 romantasy reads will be compared to.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥.”

This book took me on a wonderful journey and I loved everything about it. This is the third book following The Ever King and the Ever Queen.
I was sad at first that we were saying goodbye to Livia and Bloodsinger being the main characters but Jonas and Skadi and their banter was amazing. I loved seeing that banter and burn grow and now I'm sad that I'm saying goodbye to them too.

On the bright side I know they'll show up as supporting characters and won't completely be gone.

I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy:
Morally grey character x cinnamon roll character
Arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
Sloooow burn
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Found family

I love Jonas and Skadi, they might be my new favorite couple. Jonas is so possessve and protective but in the sweetest ways, he also does the kindest things for Skadi and ALWAYS has her back.
Skadi is a strong independent woman who deserves to be loved how Jonas loves her. Their love story was so natural, even with an arranged marriage lol.
There were twists in this book that I expected but also didn’t lol.
I also love that Kase really treated Skadi like his own daughter, I legitimately teared up it was so sweet.
This is full of found family, marriage of convenience, morally grey cinnamon roll MMC, one bath, and so many more good tropes!
Honestly LJ Andrews is one of my favorite authors and each book keeps getting better and better, so go read this asap!
The bonus scene in this book has me even more excited for the next couple! Cannot wait for that book release!
Thank you Berkley for the arc!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group|Ace Books, NetGalley & LJ for the ARC.

This is an updated review for the added bonus material 💕


Updated Review:
Rereading this book had me at awe. In my original review I mentioned this book being slower than Liv & Erik’s story but rereading this book had me appreciating the slowness. It was gentle and soothing- it was meant for healing.
The bonus material❗️ Gasping for what this might mean for us. I was screaming in joy and excitement.

Original review:
First & foremost, it was a challenge not to compare Skadi & Jonas to Liv & Erik.
This book is your typical marriage for convenience story. There wasn’t much action or plot like the Ever King & Ever Queen. However, I’m glad we got to see Skadi get a happy ending. Her character did annoy me a little bit but her behavior was realistic given how she was raised. And I loved that she eventually grew into a badass FMC!
Jonas- meh. He was too soft for me but he was the perfect match for Skadi.
This story had my favorite trope: found family 🩶 Jonas’s family and clans were so adorable, funny, and supportive. Loved the side characters.
Overall, enjoyed the book.

Another *chef’s kiss* book! Okay fine, THIS one might be my favorite.

This stand-alone Dark Romantasy had all the Banter and Tension, swooooooonworthy moments, Burnt Cinnamon Roll MMC Nightmare Prince, with a headstrong, powerful FMC, Marriage of Convenience, Enemies to Lovers, Touch her and you know, Pirates and Vikings, Fae and Elves!

It had me kicking my feet in excitement and squealing the entire book!

LJ Andrews is always an immediate grab off the shelf and this one was no different!

Jonas may be a cinnamon roll, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be ruthless. And Skadi?! She’s thaaaat bish. She gives Jonas a run for his money, but there’s no way the nightmare prince will back down.

If you like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, magic of all sorts, found family, hot, hot spice, and touch her and d!e vibes, this is for you.

It’s the third book in The Ever Seas series which follows The Broken Kingdoms series, but it can also be read as a standalone! If you do, I can guarantee you’ll be sucked into all the amazing side characters and want to go back to read the entire catalog.

Don’t skip this one—it’s everything and more!