SO THIS IS EVER AFTER

King Arek pines after his court mage Matt.

Arek’s destiny was to defeat the Vile One and save the kingdom, but with that task done, he agrees to temporarily be the king until the true heir can be found. With the princess—the rightful heir—found dead in her tower, a magical inheritance clause keeps Arek tied to the throne. He must bind himself to his soul mate before his 18th birthday in three months—or die. Matt is his first choice, but, convinced that Matt doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, Arek turns to the princess’s diary for advice on courtship. While looking for love among his adventuring party–turned–royal advisers, Arek struggles to prove himself a worthy king to the mistrustful populace and avoid war with other kingdoms. A magical bard, prophecy-pushing wizard, and giant monster in a moat serve as a backdrop for a slow-burn romance. The casual acceptance of LGBTQ+ nobles and a central gay romance makes this a refreshing departure from the usual heteronormative feudal fantasies. Comedic moments abound without overshadowing or undermining the more high-stakes elements. Reading like the love child of a late-night D&D session gone awry and a romantic drama, Lukens' book is a delightfully original and whimsical narrative. Most characters default to White; one member of Arek’s group has dark skin and black hair.

An enticing read for both romance aficionados and D&D lovers.