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Ever After: A Gay Fairy Tale (Forbidden Love Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Christina Lee (Author), Riley Hart (Author), Jay Aheer (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 686 ratings
As next in line for the Evergreen crown, Prince Merrick Davendall’s future involves ruling, marriage, and producing an heir of his own. But he’s long been tormented by desires that are far from princely. Especially when the beautiful Cassius is promoted to be his new valet, and Merrick is struck by a longing like never before—a longing to know him far beyond royal and servant.

After his father’s passing, Cassius Havendale’s sole duty is to provide for his family. A promotion to serve a pampered prince is something he endures only for their sake. Surely Prince Merrick has no understanding of the true suffering of the common people, nor could he possibly understand what it’s like to desperately desire something he cannot have.

Except the prince is not at all what Cassius imagined. Kind, humorous, and caring to those in need, he also shares Cassius’s affinity for the arts. In fact, Merrick understands his deepest vulnerabilities in a most remarkable way.

As their affection deepens, the underlying tension between them becomes unbearable and they’re unable to ignore it any longer. But when the queen prepares a lavish ball with all the eligible ladies in the land in attendance, Merrick must fulfill his obligations to his country, and Cassius has the needs of his family to consider. They’ve long known their stolen moments would have to come to an end, but are they ready to give up one another and the idea of a happily-ever-after?


***PLEASE NOTE: EVER AFTER is a romantic fairy tale—minus the magic—that features one compassionate prince, one brooding valet, and plenty of angsty, forbidden love. It’s loosely based on a certain treasured fairy tale in a wintery make-believe setting that wouldn’t be considered contemporary but also isn’t based on any specific time period and doesn’t play by any traditional rules. *Please be sure to read the Dear Reader letter in the book before you begin.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Forbidden Love
  2. Print length
    268 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 26, 2018
  6. File size
    5.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07B413R98
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Christina Lee and Riley Hart
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 26, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 268 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Forbidden Love
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 686 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Riley Hart

    Riley Hart

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Riley Hart’s love of all things romance shines brightly in everything she writes. Her primary focus is Male/Male romance but under various pen names, her prose has touched practically every part of the spectrum of love and relationships. The common theme that ties them all together is stories told from the heart.

    A hopeless romantic herself, Riley is a lover of character-driven plots, many with flawed and relatable characters. She strives to create stories that readers can not only fall in love with, but also see themselves in. Real characters and real love blended together equal the ultimate Riley Hart experience.

    When Riley isn’t creating her next story, you can find her reading, traveling, or dreaming about reading or traveling, and spending time with her two perfectly snarky kids, and one swoon-inducing husband.

    Riley Hart is represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. She’s a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Of Sunlight and Stardust.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Christina Lee

    Christina Lee

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Christina lives near Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio and her writing life happens somewhere between a cup of strong coffee and a glass of good red. She writes steamy slow burns with plenty of swoon, because who doesn't melt for those small, tender moments or grand, sweeping gestures?

    She has books available through Penguin/Random House as well as self-published works in different sub-genres of romance, including the LGBTQ community because representation matters and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
686 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this fairy tale romance, describing it as a classic Cinderella story with a spicy twist. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's an easy read. Customers praise the writing quality and character development, with one review highlighting the nicely paced character and relationship development. They appreciate the book's beauty and emotional depth, with one customer describing it as a gorgeous MM fairy tale, while others mention being moved to tears.

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Story qualityReadabilityBeautyHeartfeltnessWriting qualityCharacter development
30 customers mention "Story quality"30 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a passionate, classic Cinderella tale with a spicy romance. One customer notes it's an amazing twist on a rewritten fairy tale, while another mentions it's a perfect combination of classic fairytale tropes.

"...It’s a beautiful story that left a smile on my face after I read it." Read more

"...It’s a pretty classic “Cinderella” fairytale story with a happy (if predictable) ending. I loved: the slow build-up. The writing is great...." Read more

"...That's the only negative surprise I got in an otherwise insightful, funny, compassionate, steamy and total fantasy." Read more

"...After by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a sweet, magical, and passionate story all wrapped with a happily Ever After. No pun intended...." Read more

28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as off the charts with sweet couple days, and one customer noting its breathtaking ending.

"...when you find a retelling of fairytale that is so wonderful it truly feels magical...." Read more

"...up by minor characters and circumstances is a bit eye-rolling but also sweet...." Read more

"This was an all right read, but I must've read the majority of it with a bit of trepidation that this wouldn't end happily...." Read more

"Ever After by Riley Hart and Christina Lee is a sweet, magical, and passionate story all wrapped with a happily Ever After. No pun intended...." Read more

13 customers mention "Beauty"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful and endearing, with one describing it as a gorgeous MM fairy tale.

"...Overall Rating: 5 Stars. The writing was so lovely and pretty, and the characters so well developed and crafted...." Read more

"...Not only is Cas a man, but he’s also a commoner. What follows is a beautiful, angsty story of forbidden love as these two men try and fight their..." Read more

"...It’s sweetly endearing, passionate and sexy, a bit angsty, and even made me a little teary-eyed...." Read more

"...I laughed too! The main characters’ love for each other was the most beautiful thing and it showed in their actions...." Read more

10 customers mention "Heartfeltness"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as compassionate and loving, with one customer noting its brilliant tenderness and another highlighting its exquisite relationship development.

"...only negative surprise I got in an otherwise insightful, funny, compassionate, steamy and total fantasy." Read more

"...-Exquisite relationship development. -The dialogue. The way Merrick and Cas spoke to each other would hit me right in the feels...." Read more

"...It’s sweetly endearing, passionate and sexy, a bit angsty, and even made me a little teary-eyed...." Read more

"...This book packs a lot of feeling. You'll laugh. You'll smile. And you'll swoon. You'll get mad at the obstacles that stand in their way...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderfully written and easy to read, with one customer noting the strong character development of the sisters.

"...Overall Rating: 5 Stars. The writing was so lovely and pretty, and the characters so well developed and crafted...." Read more

"...I loved: the slow build-up. The writing is great. The scenes were set up nicely and it was easy to follow plot-wise...." Read more

"...The chemistry between Merrick and Cas is incredible, & the writing and plot is stellar...." Read more

"...And the supporting characters - the sisters were written so strong and I fell in love with them too." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer particularly enjoying Merrick and Cassius, and another noting the nicely paced character and relationship development.

"...The secondary characters were wonderful as well, and I enjoyed seeing strong, supportive women who helped Merrick and Cas achieve their happy ending...." Read more

"...There are two exceptionally well developed characters, however, and a few ancillaries who really move the story along...." Read more

"...I'd find myself sighing or grinning. -The characters were lovable- even Merrick's dad, the king, who could come across as gruff...." Read more

"...The supporting characters are all wonderful, and just that, supportive. Great read. I'm on the the next fairy tale by these authors." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • L.D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Fairytale in a Non-Magical World
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Fairytales have been told and retold in so many different ways. Sometimes the retelling is mediocre, sometimes it falls flat, but the special moments are when you find a retelling of fairytale that is so wonderful it truly feels magical. Ever After is one of those wonderful, magical retellings.

    In this fairytale world there is no magic, and no easy solution to the dilemma Prince Merrick and Cas face. They are in love, but a gay relationship for the heir to the throne is unthinkable. Prince Merrick must marry a woman and have children for the good of his kingdom. It is an agonizing fate for a man who finds no attraction to the opposite sex, and has already found his one true love in Cas, his handsome valet. As a reader I felt the agony and heartbreak Merrick and Cas experienced as they fell in love knowing their love had no future. I felt the joy and elation when, in true fairytale fashion, Merrick and Cas had their happy ever after.

    The writing in this book was phenomenal. The prose was gorgeous and flowed smoothly. The authors were able to create such a magical tone throughout the book - I truly felt like I was transported into the fairytale - even without any use of magic within the plot. The characters were well developed and not only did I like them, I became invested in their happiness. The secondary characters were wonderful as well, and I enjoyed seeing strong, supportive women who helped Merrick and Cas achieve their happy ending. There was no evil stepmother tropes or wicked villains in this story. There was no need for that, and I did not think the story lacked anything with their absences.

    Overall Rating: 5 Stars. The writing was so lovely and pretty, and the characters so well developed and crafted. It’s a beautiful story that left a smile on my face after I read it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jessee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read and soooo sweet, wish the characters were more interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you’re reading for sweet, sticky romance, this is the book for you! The main pair fall in love slowly and naturally, all the while fighting societal standards and family expectations. It’s a pretty classic “Cinderella” fairytale story with a happy (if predictable) ending.

    I loved: the slow build-up. The writing is great. The scenes were set up nicely and it was easy to follow plot-wise. The descriptions of their emotions really pulled me in and made my anticipation grow.

    I didn’t like: the universe overall. Although there’s a disclaimer in the start of the book, it’s hard for the reader to associate the environmental cues with something their familiar with. They live in a castle, but they have a car. There’s no other obvious technology, but it’s an age that should be revolutionized by gay acceptance. It really pulled me out of the story more than once. The characters also aren’t particularly interesting. A pure good-hearted prince meets a pure good-hearted peasant. They are so good with no flaws other than loving the same sex. At least I can say they stayed true to these characteristics until the last page.

    If you’re looking for a quick and easy read about righteous soul mates, this is 100% for you.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Bo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Total Escapism
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This one threw me for a few loops, not the least of which it is a mashed up fairy tale that is set in an era which seems to combine three or four different times, and in a country where it seems it's always very cold. It is also quite different from the authors' "Forever More," which parodied Snow White. This one might be a take on Cinderella, but I took that with a huge rock of salt.

    There are two exceptionally well developed characters, however, and a few ancillaries who really move the story along. Prince Merrick and his new valet Cassius are very well met as far as age and attraction is concerned. But there was very little indication that the Prince, who is being hounded to select a bride and propagate, has a gay bone in his body. Cassius is openly gay (at least to the reader) from the start, and the electricity that runs through the chapters that concentrate on his feelings is quite good.

    That these two young men are basically set up by minor characters and circumstances is a bit eye-rolling but also sweet. That Merrick comes out of his closet in one spectacular chapter is a bit dampened by the fact that it turns out he is no same-sex virgin. That's the only negative surprise I got in an otherwise insightful, funny, compassionate, steamy and total fantasy.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Aldrea Alien
    3.0 out of 5 stars I must've read the majority of it with a bit of trepidation that this wouldn't end happily
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was an all right read, but I must've read the majority of it with a bit of trepidation that this wouldn't end happily. And that happy ending came nearly at the last minute followed by a large jump in which the ending was summed up, but not in a neat bow. After all they went through, I guess I expected more.
    The fairytale aspect was quite thin, with a masked ball near the end that I guess was supposed to be Cinderella-like. The story spends much of the time leading up to it, but so little at the ball that it could've been any social event really. For me, it read very much like a historical set in a mash of regency, victorian and 1920 times. And, my word, did these two gasp a lot.
    Cassius' family felt more like window-dressing, especially the mother who was "confined to a wheelchair". As did Merrick's charity works, especially when it came to how much he spoke of the orphans. With the time-jump, I rather expected to discover they'd adopted a few, but no.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Karen (Au Boudoir Ecarlate)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un joli conte qui donne le sourire
    Reviewed in France on March 6, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Une très jolie histoire placée dans un monde mi-contemporain mi-fantasy pour une ambiance très conte de fée moderne. J'ai adoré !
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  • Sylexlibris
    5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 🌟
    Reviewed in Italy on July 1, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Quando ho comprato e iniziato questo libro mi aspettavo una cosa leggera e un po frivola.
    Ma devo ammettere che sono rimasta molto, molto sorpresa.
    Il fatto che sia un libro piuttosto breve e lo stile molto semplice e sciolto la rende sicuramente una storia facile da leggere, ma ci ho trovato all'interno tanti insegnamenti importanti, degli ottimi personaggi e una storia d'amore davvero carina.
    Molte scene mi hanno trasmesso molta tenerezza, l'amore tra Cas e Merrick è davvero genuino e, perché no, anche romantico dato che infondo si tratta di una fiaba con tematiche lgbt+.
    Vengono affrontati anche altri temi però, per esempio il superamento di un lutto, la paura di non essere accettati dai propri cari e la difficile scelta tra cosa vorresti fare e le responsabilità.
    Attraverso tutti i personaggi, molto ben delineati e ognuno con la propria personalità ben scritta, tutte queste tematiche vengono trattate in modo serio ma mai pesante.
    Sia Merrick che Cassisus sono due ragazzi estremamente gentili, pieni di fantasia e di altruismo ma nonostante questo sono molto diversi tra loro e li ho amati entrambi, anche se forse il mio preferito è il principe Merrick.
    Inoltre qui si sta parlando di un amore proibito, dato che la società del mondo fantastico in cui è ambientato il libro non vede di buon occhio le relazioni omosessuali e men che meno una relazione tra un principe e un valletto...e dato che il forbidden love è il mio trope romantico preferito ho sclerato come una matta.
    Un sacco di punti vanno alla sorella di Merrick, Marjorie che si merita tutto il bene del mondo e se non c'era lei sarebbe andato tutto a quel paese ♡
    E anche Emily, la sorella di Cas, merita davvero tanto. Due donne molto forti che amano i fratelli ♡♡
    Tra l'altro non mi aspettavo le scene di sesso esplicite ma ce ne sono più di un paio e sono tutte molto belle e con la giusta quantità di dolcezza ed eros, quindi ho approvato alla grande 😎
    Il libro perfetto per concludere il pride 🏳️‍🌈
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  • Henna R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning and adorable story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ever After is a sweet fairytale with adorable and likable main characters. It's all around a feel good romance, which was just what I needed at the time I read it, and I fell for it. There's plenty of angst because of the forbidden love: Merrick is a prince and his parents are waiting for him to choose a lady to marry, and Cassius is Merrick's new valet, who can loose everything with a wrong move, because the society is homophobic. There's also the power imbalance between Merrick and Cassius, although Merrick never missuses his power.

    Ever After gives serious Downton Abbey vibes. The book is described by the co-authors as wintery make-belief setting that isn't based on any specific time period, but for me it gave a lot of Downtown Abbey, especially when it came to the servants interacting with each other and with the people from upstairs. Anyway, while I liked the ambiguous setting and time period, I loved Cassius and Merrick, and their developing relationship. Merrick is a prince but he's all around a good guy, who prefers to be more modern and involved with the staff and subjects; instead of being cold and distant, he likes to play around in snow with orphan children and so on. Cassius is an introvert, who's a bit broody and prefers the company of his family and one friend at the castle, Valor. Together Cassius and Merrick are adorable, and I kept turning pages to see what will happen next. Another great point is how family is included and quite central for both Cassius and Merrick, for different reasons for both of them, although both have a loving family and devoted sisters.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Ever After if you're in need for something cute, adorable and sweet romance with a side of angst. It certainly is stunning one that deserved praise.
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  • Shelley H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fairy Tales Are Not Just For Children
    Reviewed in Canada on March 1, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a beautifully written MM fairy tale that captures your heart from the beginning. Follow the journey of Prince Merrick and his valet Cassius as they fight their feelings for each other, give in to their lust and then fall in love. Christina Lee and Riley Hart have created an imaginary world in no particular timeline allowing this book to be timeless. Ever After is an absolute joy to read.
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  • Soulgal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, emotional, amazing
    Reviewed in India on February 17, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Incredibly moving rendition of all that we've come to expect from fairy tales in general. Only that a gay fairy tale is so much more. Meaningful. I think everyone should read this.
    Report

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