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readerjenn's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
shannonscotteditorauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Just.... SWOON!!
It's been ages since a romance novel made me literally squeal and applaud at the happy ending, but this finale in the trilogy certainly did just that! While it was slightly disappointing that the bad guy got taken out so easily, I was ecstatic to see the main trio of girls all get their happily ever after! HIGHLY recommend!!!
It's been ages since a romance novel made me literally squeal and applaud at the happy ending, but this finale in the trilogy certainly did just that! While it was slightly disappointing that the bad guy got taken out so easily, I was ecstatic to see the main trio of girls all get their happily ever after! HIGHLY recommend!!!
thebookberrie's review against another edition
1.0
Ewww this book was straight up disgusting and also wild and ridiculous. Also I was almost done this book before I realized I missed the second book, o well.
The smut, the characters, the INSANE drama, and the cartoon villain just round this book up into "wtf is this shit" territory. I don't know why it has such a high rating and why so many people love it so much but we clearly like different things.
Charlotte wasn't as super cringy as the MC from the first book, who was hilariously in this book and STILL annoying as hell saying random weird things. But I still hated her. She was instantly in love with Lance and just loved taking his shit and she loved his dirty talk that was creepily related to food. And calling her vagina a cupcake??? Ew. All of the sex scenes were flat out disgusting and their language and "flirting" made me want to throw up.
WHO WANTS A MALE POV IN A ROMANCE NOVEL WHERE WE HAVE TO READ ABOUT HIM JERKING OFF, thinking about Charlotte's vagina, and then it feels like all of the smut is from his POV??? Who is this for??? So n a s t y.
For the first part of this book, it was all about Charlotte's bakery and running it and all that boring stuff. But then the book remembered that batshit plot points were a thing and then we had buildings being set on fire, the mustache twirling villain literally blowing up an entire building just to kill one guy and None of it made any sense and I have no idea why it was even in this book. Who wants all of this in a romance novel? Calm down and go back to fucking and making cupcakes, damn.
As for the retelling bit? lol no. At first there is an attempt to make it a modern day cinderella retelling and then there was no attempt at all. Even calling this a retelling is a joke. This entire book and series is a joke and flat out gross.
The smut, the characters, the INSANE drama, and the cartoon villain just round this book up into "wtf is this shit" territory. I don't know why it has such a high rating and why so many people love it so much but we clearly like different things.
"I take that challenge and dive in with every intention of owning Charlotte, body, mind, and soul, wearing her out as I fuck her all night, and I'll eventually put a ring on her finger"The romance is seriously ALL like that quote. It wasn't even cute! He thinks endlessly about how he wanted to own her from the first time they meet and it was gross and toxic as fuck. Lance goes on and on about how horny he is ALL THE TIME. When he meets Charlotte, he ends up with her broken bracelet. Do you know what this nasty ass man does? He jerks off with the bracelet while thinking of her and then gives it back to her. That's not even counting how he straight up rubbed his boner on her when they were dancing and said it was "her fault for seducing him" when she was just talking about goddamn cupcakes.
Charlotte wasn't as super cringy as the MC from the first book, who was hilariously in this book and STILL annoying as hell saying random weird things. But I still hated her. She was instantly in love with Lance and just loved taking his shit and she loved his dirty talk that was creepily related to food. And calling her vagina a cupcake??? Ew. All of the sex scenes were flat out disgusting and their language and "flirting" made me want to throw up.
WHO WANTS A MALE POV IN A ROMANCE NOVEL WHERE WE HAVE TO READ ABOUT HIM JERKING OFF, thinking about Charlotte's vagina, and then it feels like all of the smut is from his POV??? Who is this for??? So n a s t y.
For the first part of this book, it was all about Charlotte's bakery and running it and all that boring stuff. But then the book remembered that batshit plot points were a thing and then we had buildings being set on fire, the mustache twirling villain literally blowing up an entire building just to kill one guy and
Spoiler
then of course murdering said villain and framing it as a suicide which everyone is there for and of course cool with.As for the retelling bit? lol no. At first there is an attempt to make it a modern day cinderella retelling and then there was no attempt at all. Even calling this a retelling is a joke. This entire book and series is a joke and flat out gross.
readlovereviewblog's review against another edition
5.0
This book is explosive, a perfect ending to this trilogy. The dirty talk, independent characters make it fun to read and not know what to expect next. This book so hot, sinful, funny, and swoon-worthy. But the relationship and characters' focus isn't the only thing going on. As you get further into it, the gentle or not so gentle reminder about the previous conflicts comes to the surface. It was thrilling to see that get played out and finished. I love a good happy ever after, but this one will always be awe-inspiring. I loved seeing how the author wrapped this up and brought all the emotions with it.
The author is a true story writer. She fills the books with humor, action, romance, and even heartbreak. I definitely was intrigued when the story started off with a Navy Seal and even more interested when the new bakery owner comes into the account. The food innuendos are fantastic and well thought out. The family scenes are realistic and relatable. The way trouble is mentioned but not at the forefront is impressive as you get more interested in their love story. The highlight for me was the scenes where the characters really stood out. I also enjoyed how she brought all our favorites stories intermingled with this one. So far, I have loved everything Lauren Landish has written and look forward to reading more of her spellbinding romance stories.
The author is a true story writer. She fills the books with humor, action, romance, and even heartbreak. I definitely was intrigued when the story started off with a Navy Seal and even more interested when the new bakery owner comes into the account. The food innuendos are fantastic and well thought out. The family scenes are realistic and relatable. The way trouble is mentioned but not at the forefront is impressive as you get more interested in their love story. The highlight for me was the scenes where the characters really stood out. I also enjoyed how she brought all our favorites stories intermingled with this one. So far, I have loved everything Lauren Landish has written and look forward to reading more of her spellbinding romance stories.
75_sweetestbook's review against another edition
5.0
Wow what amazing read that that is a page turner that will have you loving this amazing story. Ive not read all the story’s up tell this one. This is amazing read.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
Happily Never After, this title caught my eye! I love fairy tales and this third in the Dirty Fairy Tales series winds things up with a bang! This Cinderella story introduces us to Lance and Charlotte. Lance is home from the military to help get his family business back in order. When Charlotte's family hears this, there are designs to have Lance set up with her stepsister. The only problem is Lance has eyes for Charlotte, the cupcake baking woman, and has no intention of being told he can't have her. True to the story, we tie into the evilness of Mr. Blackwell and get to have appearances of characters from the first two books come into play. The suspense runs high and some unsuspecting friends and enemies. All the while, we have the a heightening romance that captures your heart. It's a wonderful ending to this trilogy as Charlotte finds her Prince Charming!
I am so happy the narration team of this series continues to bring the story to life. Carly Robins is so vibrant when she narrates that I get completely caught up in her character. Lance Greenfield has that growlie rasp for the alpha male and he lends that possessive sound so you feel his protectiveness. And Tor Thom, never thought I would hear him as the evil one, but as Blackwell, he shines. That wickedness comes out of him with his deep baritone voice sending chills up your spine, waiting to see his next move! A wonderful narrating team that makes the story shine.
I am so happy the narration team of this series continues to bring the story to life. Carly Robins is so vibrant when she narrates that I get completely caught up in her character. Lance Greenfield has that growlie rasp for the alpha male and he lends that possessive sound so you feel his protectiveness. And Tor Thom, never thought I would hear him as the evil one, but as Blackwell, he shines. That wickedness comes out of him with his deep baritone voice sending chills up your spine, waiting to see his next move! A wonderful narrating team that makes the story shine.
tj_darkreads's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really good story by Lauren it had me turning pages, laughing one min and fanning myself the next phew those hot as hell, sexy and dirty dirty times. This story will suck you in from start to finish and it even has some suspense just to keep you on your toes as someone is cleaning up loose ends.
This is just my opinion and my review.
This is just my opinion and my review.
klindtvedt's review against another edition
4.0
Slow but Still Superb...
For the first time in my life I am unsure how to feel about a book I ultimately really liked! I fully understand how odd that sentence must sound, but it’s true, and I have been toiling over this review for several hours now unsure of what to say… Don’t get me wrong here, I liked “Happily Never After” I truly did, but after the rapid-fire, intelligent, dominating glory of “Beauty and the Billionaire” and the absolute heart pounding brilliance that was “Not so Prince Charming” I was left unsatisfied with the pacing of this third installment.
I had extraordinarily high hopes for this book. And well, parts of it were indeed extraordinary and kept me riveted just as the other two had. However, the emotional landscape of Charlotte and Lance throughout the first dozen chapters just does not match the overall intensity of the book or the series.
Landish’s prose here is still impeccable, her overarching plot of the sadistic evil rival and corporate sabotage reaching a crescendo of intensity worthy of a 007 movie. But the underlying romance of Charlotte and Lance begins at such a slow pace I found myself glancing ahead to acquire a better idea of the overall stride of the story. Furthermore, the connection between Charlotte and Lance, as well as, their place in the overall lexicon of the Blackwell/Goldstone story line did not feel as natural as the first two, especially given Charlotte’s initial connection to Blackwell. But perhaps that is by design. After all, this is the conclusion to the battle between Thomas and Blackwell. And as a result Landish seemingly purposefully dials back on the involvement of the romance pairing within this book so she can swing back around to this larger, juicier plot point.
It’s almost as though she’s implementing a bit of a shadow plot, each book within this series having a different level of overall human intensity reminiscent of Goldilocks and her bears. Billionaire was explosive and hot, raw, and domineering, Mia and Thomas both portraying their individual alpha in an alluring and captivating way. Prince Charming, remained equally captivating but in a more subtle disciplined approach with Izzy and Gabe slowly building an unshakable foundation while stalking their safety from Blackwell, but without the super high alpha intensity of the first, Gabe being almost sweet to Thomas’ salty. Happily Never After lowers the intensity even further, to almost unintelligible levels and features Charlotte’s insecurities above all else, something rather unique given the damaged but powerful heroines making up the other two-thirds of their friend trio. Charlotte is almost timid and naive in her approach at times, a stark contrast to the unrelenting Mia and unshakable Izzy.
And while I don’t mind sweet and patient (I’m not completely heartless after all), I found myself internally snapping at Charlotte and Lance both throughout this book to keep pace with the action happening around them. But again, perhaps that is by design, a cooler level to contrast the warm and hot that were the two previous installments. A different emotional temperature to suit the specific roles each character is meant to play within the larger battle to persevere over Blackwell and his evil. Pushing us face first into the epic Blackwell/Goldstone conclusion! A conclusion that keeps this book in the must read category.
For the first time in my life I am unsure how to feel about a book I ultimately really liked! I fully understand how odd that sentence must sound, but it’s true, and I have been toiling over this review for several hours now unsure of what to say… Don’t get me wrong here, I liked “Happily Never After” I truly did, but after the rapid-fire, intelligent, dominating glory of “Beauty and the Billionaire” and the absolute heart pounding brilliance that was “Not so Prince Charming” I was left unsatisfied with the pacing of this third installment.
I had extraordinarily high hopes for this book. And well, parts of it were indeed extraordinary and kept me riveted just as the other two had. However, the emotional landscape of Charlotte and Lance throughout the first dozen chapters just does not match the overall intensity of the book or the series.
Landish’s prose here is still impeccable, her overarching plot of the sadistic evil rival and corporate sabotage reaching a crescendo of intensity worthy of a 007 movie. But the underlying romance of Charlotte and Lance begins at such a slow pace I found myself glancing ahead to acquire a better idea of the overall stride of the story. Furthermore, the connection between Charlotte and Lance, as well as, their place in the overall lexicon of the Blackwell/Goldstone story line did not feel as natural as the first two, especially given Charlotte’s initial connection to Blackwell. But perhaps that is by design. After all, this is the conclusion to the battle between Thomas and Blackwell. And as a result Landish seemingly purposefully dials back on the involvement of the romance pairing within this book so she can swing back around to this larger, juicier plot point.
It’s almost as though she’s implementing a bit of a shadow plot, each book within this series having a different level of overall human intensity reminiscent of Goldilocks and her bears. Billionaire was explosive and hot, raw, and domineering, Mia and Thomas both portraying their individual alpha in an alluring and captivating way. Prince Charming, remained equally captivating but in a more subtle disciplined approach with Izzy and Gabe slowly building an unshakable foundation while stalking their safety from Blackwell, but without the super high alpha intensity of the first, Gabe being almost sweet to Thomas’ salty. Happily Never After lowers the intensity even further, to almost unintelligible levels and features Charlotte’s insecurities above all else, something rather unique given the damaged but powerful heroines making up the other two-thirds of their friend trio. Charlotte is almost timid and naive in her approach at times, a stark contrast to the unrelenting Mia and unshakable Izzy.
And while I don’t mind sweet and patient (I’m not completely heartless after all), I found myself internally snapping at Charlotte and Lance both throughout this book to keep pace with the action happening around them. But again, perhaps that is by design, a cooler level to contrast the warm and hot that were the two previous installments. A different emotional temperature to suit the specific roles each character is meant to play within the larger battle to persevere over Blackwell and his evil. Pushing us face first into the epic Blackwell/Goldstone conclusion! A conclusion that keeps this book in the must read category.
read_on_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Fairy Tale Love
This was a cute quick read that put a spin on Cinderella. Lance is coming home from the military to help his family’s business, his mom wants to fix him up with someone but once his eyes land on Charlotte he knows she’s the one. Charlotte is a hard worker opening up her own bakery and has a horrible step mom and step sister but she loves her own life and has created a family out of her friends. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I haven’t read the books previous to this one but I wasn’t lost at all. Now I’m going back to read books 1 & 2.
This was a cute quick read that put a spin on Cinderella. Lance is coming home from the military to help his family’s business, his mom wants to fix him up with someone but once his eyes land on Charlotte he knows she’s the one. Charlotte is a hard worker opening up her own bakery and has a horrible step mom and step sister but she loves her own life and has created a family out of her friends. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I haven’t read the books previous to this one but I wasn’t lost at all. Now I’m going back to read books 1 & 2.