Thank you so much to Netgalley and the authors for a digital arc!

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I absorbed this book in two days mainly as I really enjoyed the mosen, sharp dialogue between the fae prince and the human MC.

Things I really enjoyed:
⚔️ ❤️ The Enemies to Lovers trope. Some great back and forth and 🌶️ scenes!
👄 How every character was easy to remember because their voice was so different. I got straight into the story without having to remember lots of names and settings.
❤️ I really enjoyed the romance. There is a lot of chasing but I love a good chase scene!
✨ The magic. There was so much subtle magic throughout that the world developed easily.
😡 Some great characters/villains to truly hate/rile you up!

Things that confused me:
* I really liked her bestie but wasn't sure on him cropping up and was even more confused if he was ever truly there or not.
* Pace - some chapters I wanted more but overall I LOVED that it was short and easy to read.
*Solas King - I wanted to know more about the Unseelie Court but I'm ready for book 2!

I'd recommend this book to adult fans of The Cruel Prince and also fantasy lovers to enjoyed The Twisted books.

I will be reading the sequel!!

Thank you @netgalley and @loreleijohnsonauthor for a chance to give this my honest review. Prince of Never is the captivating first book in the Curse of Fate and Fae series with Duel POV, fated mates, political intrigue, and star-crossed love.

💭Review: This is the story of Imogen feeling out of place or abused her whole life and unsure of how to move forward. When she is taken from her home by her fated mate seeking her out to kill her, she is willing to risk everything to leave him for the comfort of her home.
The biggest problem with this book is that we just feel sad or Imogen the whole time. There is nothing (other than fated mate bond) that makes the reader root for Imogen and Tarian to be together. They hate each other, he treats her terribly, they both have poor communication, and side characters have to explain a lot to Imogen.

Some good parts of this book include the spice being interesting, the banter is cute when they get to know each other better, and that there are real consequence for characters actions. Overall, I think that the second book has room for improvement ❤️

This was a quick read that was pretty straight forward. The dual POV is nice as it breaks things up a bit, but overall it could lean a bit cheesy. I'm not sure if one author wrote one POV and the other author the second POV, or if it was a complete joint effort. Nice palate cleanser after reading some complex, heavy books lately.

This high-fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance, between a human woman with a whip-smart tongue and the broody fae prince who steals her away from everything she once knew, is an enchanting, imaginative, and sexy new read for romantasy lovers to sink their teeth into.

When Imogen, a seemingly shy librarian with a muddled past, finds herself kidnapped from our world by Tarian, a fae prince with ulterior motives, she is quickly thrust into a magical realm full of danger and duplicitous royal scheming. To make matters worse, she finds herself saddled with a fated mate bond to the moody prince—who can’t seem to decide whether he wants to kiss her or kill her—made more complicated by a foretold prophecy that marks Imogen as the destined downfall for the unseelie court Tarian is meant to one day rule.

The romance aspect of the story had a fun push-and-pull to it that always makes me favour enemies-to-lovers pairings in my romance reading. Imogen was ballsy and combative, not taking a single shred of Tarian’s bossy demands, fighting at every turn to try and get home and out of the mythical hellscape she finds herself a pawn in amongst the powerful high fae. Tarian, also stubborn and headstrong, and trying to deflect the prophecy he’s weighted under, doesn’t expect Imogen to be his mate and is rightly perplexed over the increasingly complicated dynamic he now shares with his destined lover AND destroyer.

I’d argue that the shift from disgruntled enemies to impassioned star-crossed lovers came perhaps a bit fast for my personal liking, but the fact this is an ongoing series and the last act left their relationship and their fate up in the air to be continued, settled any qualms I initially had, knowing that there will be a lot more obstacles and growth to be found for these two before they reach any sort of well-earned happily ever after. What can I say, I like to make them work for it and I think this series will deliver in that respect.

As far as fae storytelling and world-building is concerned, this felt both familiar and compelling to me. With warring fae courts, Beltane festivals, and depraved high fae hunts of the lesser beings for their own twisted delights, this story kept a decent pace and wove many fae folklores, themes, and archetypes nicely into the story.

This story does essentially end with a cliffhanger (of sorts), and the wait for book two will no doubt be a pain in my arse, but I think I enjoyed myself enough to be intrigued by the road this story will take in future sequels.

Also, that cover! *chef's kiss*

This was a pretty easy read. A little bit boring and cheesey. I typically don't love enemies to lovers either.
Didn't necessarily love it and it took me a while to finish. Thank you Netgalley & Lorelei Johnson for the ARC.

I liked the idea of this book – not that it’s anything new, of course – but I’m not sure it was executed that well.

The plot was simple, and mostly what you would expect. I did like the fae realm setting, and it felt a bit different other other fae-heavy books I’ve read. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it was quite fun to read in that respect.

Overall, it was an okay fantasy read. While it didn’t grab me in perhaps the ways I thought it would, after reading the synopsis, I did enjoy reading it. I wouldn’t read it again, and I probably won’t read the second in the series (I assume there will be more than one book), but I appreciate not every book is for everyone.

I have been reading way too many romantasies lately because this one did not hit the mark for me. I miss the ache of love and yearning.

I first want to thank NetGalley and the author for making it possible for me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let's start by talking a little about the plot itself.
Imogen is a simple, yet complicated human that works at a university and often feels a little crazy (well... if we all had been attacked by a supernatural force that left a mark we can only see ourselves... we would all think to be a little loony too). She’s seen things others can’t... so it is obvious she is imagining it. Right?

Wrong.

Enter Tarian, a fae prince. He’s the prince of darkness, and people fear him (I must admit I did not see or found a funded reason for this nor did I feel other people were scared of him. I think it felt like the natural always seen and read respect among someone who is the boss with super powers and mommy issues). His mother, queen of the unseelie court, won’t let him have his birthright until he takes care of the one who has been fated to make him destroy the unseelie court as it is (again, mommy issues. Hello? Freud ... anyone?. Since none of his people can’t seem to take care of the issue in the human realm, he’ll have to do it himself. Only he did not. Cause of the whole mates for life thing.

This is a two POV book, alternating between Imogen and Tarian. Which I love because I always like to check perspectives when reading an enemies to lovers book. Just to check the toxicity level of it all. Jk.

It ends on a cliff-hanger with heartbreak and betrayal and questions left unanswered.


Things I liked:
- Enemies to lovers
- Double POV
- A strong, independent, stubborn enough main character.
- The betrothed was a well grounded, not full of herself woman. And I'm always here for it. I hate when the supposed "bride by order" is stuck in the mindset of power and being Queen and lover of the King. And also we could have a future sequel with her finding her mate.
- Tarian was not the monster, abusive, scary monster he was painted to be in the synopsis.

Things I did not like so much:
- I feel there was so much missing. I would have loved for Tarian to have been a part of the human world a while longer before taking Imogen to his realm. I didn't have time to grow fond of Ethan or her other friends. Felt too quick.
- Why was Tarian feared? I felt like everyone said it, but did not show it. His mother was the b****. She was the ruthless, mean girl, powerful feared queen. Not Tarian. Felt like that title was just imposed on his character by default of the whole enemies to lovers/ mates/rulers of realms scenario.
- And why not making a scene where Imogen finds Tarian after being tortured by his mother?
- The betrayal was just a fault in the communication between main characters. And I hate that. IMOGEN was also a victim of being forced to say and do things against her will by the queen and she still did not understand Tarian did not betray her on purpose?

I give this 3 stars because it did its purpose and entertained me. I would like to have an amazing SEQUEL, so I will be waiting for that.

A quick and easy fae fantasy read. I love fast pacing, but I couldn't connect to any characters in this one. If you need a quick romantasy read to get you out of a slump, this could be the book for you.

I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers or fated mates/soulmates so this was right up my alley. I love the sassy banter between the characters and the fact that we have a morally grey love interest is hook line and sinker for me. Loved it, had everything I was looking for, strong female character, morally grey love interest, fae, slow burn enemies to lovers and more!

sweet and sexy! loved the feel of the star-crossed lovers!! new author for me and i really loved the writing style!

⭐⭐rating
?? spice

DNF-ed @ 38%. Was so fucking corny. Could not handle this story.

REALLY TRIED TO HOLD ON FOR THE SPICE. I just cannot do these types of books where the FMC is touted as being a strong female character but just sucks? Author really tried hard with the librarian trope but also she doesn't seem to be particularly well-read (and I say that as unpretentiously as humanly possible).

Absolutely hated her desire to escape at all times (with zero to no plan btw), always be rescued by the love interest where he tells her repeatedly not to do it again, and she responds the.same.way.every.time.

What probably didn't help was that imprisonment romances aren't really my vibe. Piled on with the maid aspect in the vein of "you might as well work while you're here" really were the straws that broke my desire to try to get through this. It was giving vibes that the spice would be good, but I hated both of the characters I ultimately didn't care.

Regardless, grateful to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Voluntary ARC review
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ /5
Top emojis used: 😂😏🥹
Spice level: 🌶🌶/5
Favorite highlight: ‘You know, Tarian, they say that a man often meets his destiny on the road to avoid it. Do you think that’s true?’

This was such a cute story. Dual POV, which I love, but does end on a cliffhanger. But after reading this book, I will definitely be reading the next installment to piece together the 🍞 crumbs that were dropped all over. The plot was a bit predictable but to me, this was a fairly decent story.

Thanks to Netgalley, Xpresso Book Tours, Lorelei Johnson and Hailey Jade for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Prince of Never, it was everything you need in a great fantasy romance: Strong, loveable characters, magic, intrigue and mystery, a sizzling, punchy storyline and off the charts chemistry between the main couple.

Imogen and Tarian have the potential to be a favourite fantasy power couple, up there with Feyre and Rhys from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas and Mac & Barrons from the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.

I highly recommend and I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment.

5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The first book in the Curse of Fate and Fae series and I was immediately drawn in at the mention of Fae!!

I really loved this book but it definitely picked up in the second half and I sped through that part in a few hours! There were some plot twists but also some parts that I guessed but I was still really captivated by the story and I love the whole fae / enemies to lovers tropes so can't wait for the next one in the series.

[Might contain spoilers]

It has been a so-so read for me. The beginning of the novel reminded me somehow of the scene in the Twilight movie - Bella driving her car, then *Bam!* Edward gets hit and leaves a dent on her car, but he’s nowhere near the car when Bella checked. That sort of thing.

I’m all for strong, independent female leads and Imogen later realizing her real identity reminded me of Aelin in the ACOTAR series. I enjoyed a little bit the push and pull interaction between the love team, their banters, and eventually, their confessions, however, all these did not seem to make the whole thing “romantic”. It felt like the only “foundation” of the budding romance is them being “mates”. I think that it could have been better if they may have had an adventure together or some experience that will let them establish their togetherness, other than the “mate” thing or the spicy/ physically intimate scenes.

Although, initially, Imogen was painted as a strong female lead, I ca’t help but notice, that somehow, Tarian has the upper-hand - even when they already are aware that they mutually like each other. Early on, I already guessed that Imogen may be fae and possibly, of Royal blood given the interaction she had at the ball with *I’m sorry I forgot* the King something.

Anyway, perhaps due to its similarity to some of the plots I am already aware of, that’s why it was not as exciting as it should have been for me. Perhaps, the good part is yet to come especially on the next book in the series. I got curious with the ending being a cliffhanger, but is not extremely drawn to picking up the next book.

I still enjoyed it for the most part.

This book was interesting to say the least. I am not a fan of the Stockholm syndrome trope and it does not work for me here. I hope someone else is able to enjoy this story.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. I found myself immersed in the beginning of the book but faded rather quickly. It just didn't keep me hooked as much I wanted it to and I truly love fantasy books.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for the opportunity to read and review.

I greatly enjoyed the worldbuilding and story progression! I'm interested in seeing how to world will continue to develop in the upcoming stories!

The first book in the Curse of Fate and Fae series, Prince of Never was a fun journey into the realm of fantasy romance. If you're a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this book has it all. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked, and I couldn't put it down.

The story revolves around Imogen, a librarian whose life takes a sudden turn when she claims to have been attacked by fantastical creatures. Unfortunately, no one believes her, until she's kidnapped by Tarian, an Unseelie Prince who has no desire to be tied to the mate destined to bring down his kingdom.

What I loved most about this book were the well-crafted characters. Imogen's growth throughout the story is a joy to witness as she becomes more confident and assertive. Tarian's character arc hints at a redemption journey, which keeps you engaged and wanting more.

The book does a great job of keeping you on your toes with intriguing twists and a dose of sexual tension between the main characters. I appreciated the unique approach of keeping the human and Fae realms separate, connected only by a portal. The addition of changelings in the plot added an interesting layer not commonly found in modern Fae romances.

However, I would have preferred a bit more world-building before diving into the narrative. The first chapter moved swiftly, which was exciting but left me slightly confused. Additionally, I wanted more details about Imogen's past and a more elaborate exploration of the prophecy that brings Tarian into her life.

Despite these minor shortcomings, 'The Prince of Never' is a compelling fantasy read that promises more exciting developments in the series. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, as there's potential for greater detail and elaboration. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series

Thank you for providing me a copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.