Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Book Review | THIS WILL BE FUN by E.B. Asher


THIS WILL BE FUN
            BY E.B. ASHER | PUBLICATION: OCTOBER 29,2024
 AVON | GENRE: FANTASY
RATING: ★★★
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Ten years ago, they saved the realm—and it ruined their lives. Now, four former heroes must reunite, and hopefully live to tell the tale, in this charming romantasy about friendship and redemption, perfect for readers of Legends & Lattes and lovers of Shrek.

Everyone in Mythria knows the story of how best friends Beatrice and Elowen, handsome ex-bandit Clare, and valiant leader Galwell the Great defended the realm from darkness. It’s a tale beloved by all—except them. They haven’t spoken in a decade, devastated by what their quest cost them.

But when they all receive an invitation to the queen of Mythria’s wedding, it’s a summons they can’t refuse . . . and a reunion for the ages—with Clare secretly not over his long-ago fling with Beatrice, Beatrice fighting the guilt she feels over how everything ended, Elowen unprepared for the return of her ex-love (the cunning Vandra), and all of them lost without Galwell. And if reuniting with former friends and lovers wasn’t perilous enough, dark forces from their past have also returned.

Dusting off old weapons and old instincts, Beatrice, Clare, and Elowen will face undead nemeses, crystal caves, enchanted swords, coffee shops, games of magical Truth or Dare, and, hardest of all, their past rife with wounds never healed and romances never forgotten.

This time around, will their story end in happily ever after?

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"A Tale of Nostalgia, Adventure, and Missed Potential"

THIS WILL BE FUN by E.B. Asher is a romantasy that blends elements of adventure, magic, and romance into a tale. The premise has so much potential: once glorified heroes, now estranged, are invited together to attend a royal wedding —moreover, for a last mission. The emphasis on friendship promised a cozy read, and I was excited to see how the characters would navigate their past and present struggles.

The story revolves around Beatrice, Elowen, Clare, and Galwell the Great, who once saved the realm of Mythria from darkness. Ten years later, they are invited to the queen’s wedding, bringing them back together for a reunion filled with unresolved feelings and old flames. As dark forces resurface, they must embark on another quest to save their land and confront their past.

Despite the intriguing premise, the book often felt like a collection of unfinished ideas. While the characters are likable, the narrative struggled to bring together the different elements cohesively. The emphasis on Beatrice and Clare's romantic tension overshadowed the adventure, which felt underdeveloped. The repetition of emotional turmoil without advancing the plot became tiresome. As a fan of world-building in fantasy novels, I found the setting lacked the richness and detail I had hoped for. The book has its moments of charm, but it didn’t fully deliver on its potential.

I appreciated the focus on friendship, which added a cozy layer to the romantasy genre. However, I found myself wanting the story to delve deeper into the quest rather than the romantic subplots. The book ironically was not fun most of the time, as it kept circling the same emotional beats. Yet, if you're into burning passion evolving from years of longing (oftentimes) masking as anger, this story is for you.

Overall, THIS WILL BE FUN offers an interesting mix of nostalgia, adventure, and second chances. While it didn't completely live up to my expectations, it might still resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven stories and second-chance romances. For those seeking a richly detailed fantasy world or a tightly-knit adventure, it may leave you wanting more.


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About the Author:
E. B. Asher is the pen name for authors Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegemund-Broka. Bridget Morrissey is the author of the romance novels Love Scenes, A Thousand Miles, and That Summer Feeling, as well as two novels for teens. She lives in Los Angeles, where she coaches gymnastics. Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka are the authors of the romance novels The Roughest Draft, Do I Know You? and The Breakup Tour, as well as several novels for teens. Married, they live in Los Angeles, where they continue to take daily inspiration from their own love story.



*Thanks to HarperCollinsCA for the egalley
in exchange for this unbiased review.






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