This low-stakes fantasy twists a Fairy Tale HEA gone wrong, with the North and West witches teaming up. The witty pranks and letters charmed me, though Ida and Hector’s miscommunications dragged. Still, the resolution was satisfying. Light, quirky, and mischievous—perfect for whimsical fantasy fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

Wickedly Ever After turned out to be a delightful surprise. Set in a whimsical, richly built world, it delivers a fun, witchy tale full of magic, romance, and sharp banter. The humor leans a bit on the nose but still feels underrated. I especially appreciated that the protagonists are older—not just in age, but visibly so—a refreshing break from the typical fantasy mold.

The fairy-tale setting, laced with snark and satire, cleverly plays with genre tropes. I loved the in-world magazine excerpts; they added flavor and depth. I do wish we’d seen more of the darker side of the world, which felt underexplored.

Hector and Ida’s dynamic was a highlight—his gentlemanly nature contrasted nicely with her subtle wickedness. That said, Hector felt more fully realized than Ida, who occasionally came off as frustrating. Still, seeing older characters act just as immature as younger ones was oddly endearing. The side characters were compelling, and I think the story would have benefitted from their perspectives, too.

Overall, Wickedly Ever After is a fun, charming read perfect for fans of classic fairy tales with a twist.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this arc!

I don't know what I expected when I opened up Wickedly Ever After. Perhaps I didn't expect this book to be as charming as it actually is! Set in a vivid world, Wickedly Ever After takes up its broom and sets off for a delightfully witchy adventure. It's full of magic, romance, and a lot of bickering filled with boiling tension. Its got a wit that will seem obvious to most readers, but I think its also severely underrated as well. The characters, while simple in concept, are also rather complex. Not to mention, they're older than your standard fantasy protagonist! And not just in the thousands of years they've lived, but that they've also visibly aged! Its a nice change up from other titles in its genre.

I'd be remiss not to show appreciate for the worlds setting. The classic whimsy of Fairy Tales, mixed in with suitable snark make for a lived in world, where not everything is black and white. For each classical trope mentioned, the next line will deconstruct you. And often, it got a laugh out of me. The sensational magazine sections were also very fun, and I thought they added a lot of colour to the world where it needed it. I do wish we got to see more aspects of the world, especially when we do get to see the 'wicked' side of things more fleshed out.

As for the characters, I thought the dynamic between Hector and Ida was quite fun! I liked how Hector was a lot more of a gentleman than his title would imply, and that Ida was quite secretly wicked (although I'm not sure if that was the authors intent). That said, I think Hector was definitely way more developed as a character than Ida was, and I wished Ida was a tad bit smarter because her attitude was somewhat grating at times. However, seeing that two older characters could be as immature as the younger ones was refreshing. As for the side characters, I honestly think they would've benefitted from perspectives of their own, because I found their plots just as interesting as the main one.

All in all, I thought Wickedly Ever After was a great read! Its very fun, very charming and definitely for fans of classical Fairy Tales.

2.5 stars

This book was sadly not what I was expecting. I was hoping for a T. Kingfisher-esque snarky, twisted fairytale, and instead got two tired immortals who should have either grown up by now or given up.

The writing was solid, the side character's love stories were all so interesting (and angsty), but sadly the two main characters just felt bland and whiny and their romance lacked chemistry - it wasn't really built up enough for me to buy into it and enjoy it.

The pacing of the story was slow, and combined with us spending most of the time in Hector and Ida's heads, I didn't find this a fun romp :(

thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC.

fun, interesting romcom. the chemistry between the main character is abit more sudden than you'd expect, but the plot in total is cool. did kinda wish i was following Amber and Alistair though. 3.5 stars. tysm for the arc.

3.5 Stars!

What happens when the Wicked Witch and Good Witch decide to take Happily Ever After into their own hands? Well, nothing good and what they experience is not like the Happily Ever After's you read in your standard fairytales!

Whilst I enjoyed this book and reading more about the tale of the witches that we don't get to read about in our usual fairytales, it fell short due to uneven pacing and not enough into the backstory of the wtiches and what Happily Ever After was actually for. The world-building was also lacking, I felt that I couldn't really understand where the story was taking place and that pulled me out of the story.

If you're looking for a fairytale with a twist, then this worth a read, but if you're looking for a fantasy which fully brings you nto the world, along for the journey, I would not recommend this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for allowing me the chance to read this and give my honest opinion.

3.5
This book was one that is a little rough for me to share my thoughts on. I really enjoyed most parts, but it felt somehow too long and not long enough somehow. The fairytale tie-ins, the Happily Ever After, the main conflict all worked fairly well. What was missing was a lot of backstory, which is strange because there was an attempt at telling the story of the witches, but didn’t get to the important matters. There was a lot of over explaining details that didn’t necessarily need to be explained, or at least not where or how they were. Overall, the story was great, I just didn’t feel a connection to the mmc and fmc or their relationship. The side characters were really where the heart of this story was, and a little reworking would have made it run a lot better! Thank you to NetGalley and R. Lee Fryar for the advanced copy!

In a world where the tradition of Happily-Ever-After is the only thing that keeps the realm from falling apart, Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North have maintained its delicate balance for almost a thousand years. But when their "innocent" prank war hex goes too far, they have to team up to solve the mess that they caused, or it could be the end of Happily-Ever-After.

I think that the part I enjoyed the most was all the little sides of love shown in this book, from Hector and Ida's banter, to Hari and Tinbit's care for each other and their respective witches, to Amber and Alistar's beautiful story. Also, the world-building and part of the Happily-Ever-After gave me major Shrek vibes, and I really liked it. Anyway, it was a really fun read, even if it was sometimes a little slow.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Wickedly Ever After immediately caught my attention with its premise—I’m a big fan of Wicked and fairy tale retellings, so I couldn’t resist picking it up. I really enjoyed spotting all the clever nods and winks to the stories we know and love. The world felt familiar yet twisted in fun ways, and that’s always my favorite part of a retelling.

While not every element hit the mark for me personally, I still appreciated the creativity and the playful take on classic tales. Readers who enjoy fractured fairy tales and a little bit of wicked charm sprinkled throughout will likely have a great time with this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this magical story.

While I found this book enjoyable overall, there were a few areas that didn’t quite land for me. As a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, I was hoping for more chemistry and tension between the two leads. Their romance felt a bit flat and lacked the playful spark or emotional depth I typically look for in that dynamic. That said, the references to Disney and classic fairy tale characters added a nostalgic charm that made the world feel both familiar and refreshingly new. As someone who enjoys retellings, I appreciated that blend of whimsy and reinvention.
The writing style is easy to follow and has an inviting tone—at times, it almost felt like I was part of the story myself, which I really enjoyed. One of my favorite touches was the letter exchanges between Hector and Ida; that detail brought a sweetness and intimacy to the story that stood out. However, I often found myself frustrated by the main characters' poor communication and emotional immaturity, which made it harder to connect with their journey. I actually found myself more invested in the side characters and their outcomes, which is probably what kept me turning the pages.
There were also moments where the world-building felt patchy or underdeveloped, like I’d missed key context or backstory. It made parts of the plot feel confusing or incomplete. In the end, while I wasn’t fully drawn into the central romance, the supporting cast and the fairy tale framework gave the book enough charm to keep me reading.

Summary:
Wickedly Ever After blends fairytales with modern charm, following two rivals caught up in the Ever After campaign. With playful nods to beloved stories and a touch of magical whimsy, the book promises sparks of romance, clashing personalities, and the search for that elusive happily ever after.

Honest Review:
I wanted so much to love this book, but the pacing felt uneven and I struggled to really get into it. What did work beautifully were the fairytale references and the whole Ever After campaign, which was genuinely adorable. I enjoyed the rivalry and relationship between the main characters, but overall I wasn’t fully wowed. Honestly, the gnomes ended up stealing the show for me.

“No longer will war take its toll,
Not famine make the round
Two hearts combined do make a whole
When hammer weds the crown
Preserve this pesce with truelove’s kids
In a rose conceal
Red rose will bring eternal bliss
Black rose will make it real”

This book is basically what happens if the Wicked witch of the west (a man) and the witch of the north (a woman) start an uncommon friendship and maybe something more, while preparing the kingdom of the best celebration of the year which is the Happy Ever After when even a commoner can become princess … it is so entertaining !!! And so absolutely beautiful. It’s witty. It’s funny. It’s crazy. It’s magical. It’s wicked and it’s romantic. It’s everything I would have wanted and then some. Ida and Hector are absolutely amazing leading characters but my favourites were Hari and Tinbit by far. I devoured this book in a couple of hours and I had the time of my life. Every page was another witty banter. Every chapter was another proof that love is what beings made of it, not a magical spell. And hope … hope is always there and can change anything. Everyone needs to read it !!!

“And if there is one thing Hector understood about love, it was this: Love meant losing people”

“My horrible, horrible Hector”
“My dear detested Ida”

Wickedly Ever After is a refreshingly quirky fairy‑tale romp that blends whimsy, romance, and magic with a devilishly delightful twist. The story centers on two rival witches—Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North—who have kept the realm balanced for nearly a millennium thanks to a ritual known as the “Happily‑Ever‑After,” which holds their world together. But their playful antagonism turns perilous when Ida’s latest “harmless” hex goes awry—and Hector’s revenge curse makes her choose the wrong princess for the ceremony. Soon, they’re tangled in a quest starring a reluctant prince, a dragon gone rogue, and their own lovesick gnome advisors. Together, they must fix love magic gone wild before the kingdom falls apart—and reckon with whether their centuries‑long feud might’ve been their greatest mistake.

From page one, the tone is charmingly screwball—think Shrek, but for romantasy aficionados. The narrative bursts with warmth, playful banter, and imaginative twists on familiar fairy‑tale tropes. The dynamic between Hector and Ida shines, blending snark, reluctant allies, and slow‑burn romantic sparks that are both touching and amusing.

The worldbuilding is equally engaging. The premise of witches staging magical pantomimes to uphold cosmic balance is delightfully fresh, and the presence of dragons, gnomes, and fairy‑tale conventions reimagined with playful humor breathed a vibrant life into the setting.

That said, the story isn’t without its rough edges. While the pace is brisk and the tone fun, some emotional beats—especially the evolution of Hector and Ida’s relationship—could have used deeper grounding. A few readers found that the connection sometimes felt more convenient than earned.

Still, the book’s endless charm carries it forward. It’s a cute, cosy read—full of magical mishaps, cheeky rivalry, and enough fairy‑tale flair to make it perfect for fans of light-hearted romantasy. The delightful storyline and lovable characters ensure you’re left smiling, even if a few plot corners remain unpolished.

Summary

Tone & Style: A joyful, screwball fairy‑tale adventure with humor and heart—Wickedly Ever After feels like a rom‑com wrapped in magic.

Characters: Hector and Ida’s centuries-old rivalry and slow-burning attraction drive the story, though their emotional arcs lean toward playful more than profound.

Worldbuilding: Witty and whimsical, with creative touches like pantomimed ceremonies, dragon antics, and lovesick gnomes making fantasy feel fun.

Drawbacks: A few character moments and emotional arcs could be fleshed out more fully for greater impact.

I was super excited to be approved for this one, so thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This low stakes fantasy has some interesting world building, and I loved so many aspects of it. The story follows a Fairy Tale Happily Ever After gone wrong, and it’s up to the wicked witch of the west and the good witch of the north to fix it. The premise alone sounds great and it started off strong. I enjoyed the pranks and letters through the beginning, it laid a good foundation for us to understand Ida of the North and Hecter of the Wests relationship/rivalry.

However, through the middle, I wasn’t as invested as what I’d hoped. I felt like I was constantly waiting for Ida and Hector to get their act together, and their miscommunications were at times frustrating. Of all the romances going on in this book, I just wasn’t as interested in theirs and I found myself wishing for more of Amber and Allistair.

The ending did come good though, and everything was nicely resolved.
If you love light hearted but strange and mischievous books, then this one is for you.

Wickedly ever after that, explain how good and evil technically have to work together to keep the balance in the world. Are two main characters are on opposite sides with one being the good witch, and one being the bad witch.

Everyone in the world has a job to do including the evil side in the good side. Things have been done the same way to ensure happily ever after is the end result. That means that evil has to do their part in the good has to do theirs to ensure everything Goes as planned.

This year, something’s different. Or two main characters have been in a prank war for many many years, which has in my opinion been their way of flirting throughout time. Sometimes the pranks can’t get out of hand, which leads do unintended consequences

If you’re looking for a cute, random, mischievous and strange, read this book will give you everything you want. You’ve got magic in abundance. You’ve also got pranks that bring out the best and the worst.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the way it was written and that it kept you guessing while hopping all over the place, but still seamlessly worked with every piece of information given.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to get this E-ARC

[ ARC REVIEW ]

First thoughts:

I so hate when I hate an ARC. I desperately wanted to like it. I did. But I leave honest reviews, and the truth is I wanted to be done with this book after the first 10%. Unfortunately, I made myself finish it. It’s a mess. I couldn’t for the life of me get myself to care about the main characters. They really don’t have any redeeming qualities. The way they treated Tinbit and Hari made them irredeemable in my eyes early on. Someone you care about is happy and in love and you do everything you can to force them apart?? Pretty much say “suck it up and move on”? Make decisions FOR them for their own good?

The romance was nearly nonexistent. Tinbit and Hari were much more romantic than the two main characters. Where’s the yearning? The tension?

Why do the main characters have no personality?

The truth is, I’m not a fan of this book, but I’m grateful to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me the opportunity to give it a try anyway.

So funny, original, and heartwarming. I love a rom com in fantasy form and that's exactly what thus book was.

Wickedly Ever After is a hilarious and magical fairy tale adventure that I truly enjoyed! It’s full of quirky characters, wild spells, and unexpected twists.

The story follows Wicked Witch Hector West and Good Witch Ida North, who have spent nearly a thousand years keeping the magical balance in their kingdom and annoying each other every chance they get. But when one of Ida’s spells goes too far, Hector responds with a curse that backfires, causing a major mix-up in the kingdom’s Happily-Ever-After magic.

To fix things, Hector and Ida must team up (reluctantly!) and go on a quest with their two lovesick gnome sidekicks. Along the way, they face magical chaos, a botched dragon kidnapping, and a surprising moment when they realize their centuries-long rivalry might be hiding something deeper.

This book is perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings that combine humor, heart, and a touch of chaos.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC! Hector and Ida have been rival witches keeping the balance of magic in check for thousands of years, but when hexes and curses aimed at one another go awry, the magic that they've been tasked with keeping in check starts to go haywire. Can the two find a way to work together and restore happily ever after or could there be another option to save everything? Wickedly Ever After is filled with humor and heart and offers a nontraditional love story sure to please fantasy fans looking for something a little different.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC.

This book was a chance I took, and I was left dissatisfied. First of all, the tonal whiplash between the prologue and following chapters got me to drop this book.

The high stakes and sacrifice at the very beginning in a grim world was replaced with humor and trope/cliche confines. With no transition between. It takes a lot for me to permanently set aside a book, and that abrupt schism managed it.