This Will Be Fun is indeed fun. Memorable characters on a quest while dealing with the fallout of their previous outing takes current details and places them in the context of this undefined, rather-medieval time. Twists and turns while we are taken back and forth between the different character's perspectives from the past and now.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book.

This Will Be Fun was a book that piqued my interest when I first started to see the arc's circulating social media. The description sold me as soon as I read it was The Princess Bride meets People We Meet on Vacation. But after finishing this book I think it's a bit more than that. This reminded me of Shrek, Ella Enchanted, The Princess Bride, and many other movies that held that "traditional Fantasy" setting with quirky and fun representations of the modern world but "medieval-ized".

We follow 3 different POV's of former friends and realm "heroes" 10 years after their greatest and last adventure together to save their realms Queen. Reunited to attend a royal wedding, they never thought to speak again but happen to find themselves on a new adventure.

This is classified as a cozy fantasy and I would say that it leans more in this direction despite the plot running around an adventure. This is much more of a character driven story than a plot driven and while I enjoyed myself it took me at least halfway through the book before I could become fully invested.

It normally doesn't bug me when we jump into the center of an already existing story where all the characters have history and a backstory but I still feel like this book just scraped the surface level of the depth it could've gone. I love a cozy fantasy, I don't even mind character driven stories instead of plot based ones. But, while I enjoyed this book I had pre-set my expectations lower after reading a couple reviews before starting my own arc. This focuses almost exclusively on the 2 separate second chance romances in the story and while there is action and adventure it is very much glanced over or solved relatively quickly. The romance is also almost exclusively pining and sometimes repetitive in their fretting over the same things. I was also left a bit unclear on how the magic system actually functioned, at times it felt like magic was extremely common but then at the same time only a select few possessed it and it was rarer.

Unlike a few others the modern day ideas but made medieval didn't bother me, I enjoy this type of tongue in cheek humor and thought they had achieved that well. It was a cute story, I was surprised to find out it was written by 3 different authors and I think that may have been part of the reason some ideas didn't quite connect for me. Maybe a couple more passes, or even a prequel novella would've helped me connect a little deeper.

I do recommend this book, especially for those who are looking for a character driven cozy fantasy that has very minimal spice and light adventure.

<i>This Will Be Fun</i> is a tale about three ex-friends who once saved the realm. It features incredibly lovable characters (both main and secondary), a lot of character growth and healing, and some hilarious scenarios and timing. But it's also accompanied by poor pacing, a plot that isn't well laid out (or perhaps thought out), and a questionable ending. I'm having the hardest time rating this book because while the character work was top notch, and the cozy fantasy vibes were on point, the storyline really struggled, which made it hard for me to stay focused.

A cozy romantasy novel about a group of heroes after their heroic deeds, This Will Be Fun is an enjoyably-contemporary work of magical fiction. The novel starts just before the heroes save the city, and then jumps a decade into the future, where they are grappling with fame (or infamy) and the messy parts of life. I particularly enjoyed the stand-ins for technology in this world, with their own Uber-style chariot services, magical text message alternatives, and so on. In all, it was a thoroughly clever novel.

Content warnings: divorce, grief, past loss of a sibling, kidnapping, violence

Elowen, Beatrice, and Clare are heroes of the realm -- three quarters of the mythical Four that saved the kingdom of Mythria. The fourth who didn't live to see their success was Elowen's brother Galwell, who sacrificed himself to save the world.

But what happens when the quest is over and the heroes have to return to regular life? The novel joins the heroes a decade later, with each shouldering the burden of the past in different ways. Clare is a celebrity who's often voted as the Sexiest Man Alive, Elowen lives as a hermit with her online friends for company, and Beatrice is witnessing the end of her marriage to a nobleman.

When they cross paths again, a new threat is growing and our antiheroes are the ones most equipped to save the day once again. They must also face their shared loss and the past that drove them apart.

The novel reads like a fantasy set in modern times; you can hire an Uber (wagon), magazines are published, there's an online community, and shadow plays are like modern TV. The modern-but-not world gives this book a very different feel from typical sword and sorcery fantasy novels. Recommended for fans of contemporary fantasy and humorous fantasy.

This was a cute story, and the characters were likable. It has multiple POV's, which I personally enjoy, and all the characters had interesting back stories.

They are on a quest to save the land, but I felt like I needed a bit more world building.

This story reminded me of the Dungeons and Dragons movie. Four heroes who lose their leader on their quest to defeat an evil reunite for the queen’s upcoming nuptials. But when her fiancé is kidnapped, they must cooperate and trust in their own abilities to defeat the re-emerging evil that they thought they had defeated already.

Funny, adventurous, and romantic. The pacing g For the first half of the story was a little slow but overall a fun read.

I enjoyed THIS WILL BE FUN. It’s about three friends who went on a successful quest 10 years ago, that changed their lives (not for the better. They haven’t spoken for 10 years and they are brought together for a new quest. It’s very entertaining and each chapter is written from one of their perspective. It has some humorous moments and some touching. It was a good story.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an E-Arc!

This book was indeed very fun, and I found myself smiling throughout it; I told my husband before I was even half way through I wanted to buy a copy once it's published.

I love these 2 authors. Their romcom’s are my favorites. I honestly don’t really know how I felt about this book, I can appreciate that authors want to try new things. I just wasn’t super hooked with this one.

I am so honored I got the chance to read the ARC of this book. Ever since I first heard of it I was so intrigued by the story and I’ve never read anything by these authors before. What happens next after saving the world? It’s such an interesting concept for a fantasy book and I loved how it went. I really did enjoy reading this book. It was a little hard to get into but that’s mostly because of all the things I had going on in my life. Once I got going I was really invested in the story. It’s definitely a book I would recommend if it sounds appealing to you. There were some parts that I was squealing over and getting upset over but the show of a good book is the emotions it gives you. I love the ending and think it is a very nice cozy fantasy read!

I was hooked in by the "Princess Bride vibes" of the cover blurb and promise of queer representation, and This Will Be Fun *mostly* delivered. The downside was that I did take a while to get into the swing of the characters and story--when we meet Beatrice, Clare, and Elowyn, they are the emo-est stages that mostly-grown adults can be having experienced major comedowns after "The End" of an epic quest. Also, bringing us into the story directly from Galwell's perspective...and then focusing almost entirely on the other three (for, admittedly good plot-related reasons that I will not spoil here) was a bit jarring.

However, once I was able to settle into the worldbuilding and the characters got all their moping out, things started to improve. The flirting and banter between Vandra and Elowyn was charming and I found myself more enchanted by Vandra's role in the story than in learning about how the Main Three healed their friendship. I also really wished for more background on how the magic (hand, heart, and head) works in the world--we're given a dive into the POV characters' specific talents, but there aren't many other magic users mentioned in the story which leaves this element feeling a bit shallow. I did enjoy the sly nods to get to the premise of hybrid fantasy/modern--Harpy & Hind for Starbucks, Rent-a-Wagon for Uber/Lyft...but bachelor parties are universal! Overall, a charming take and an interesting concept, but seemed to lack a bit of depth and polish.

4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book because it crossed pathways between genres and time periods . It had a distinctly modern feel in a magical period story. The humor made the story flow and made the characters more appealing. The quest to save the realm was secondary to the interactions of the characters.

"The Princess Bride meets People We Meet on Vacation"

A group of ex-friends who once saved the realm a decade ago are invited to their Queen's wedding. Despite 10 years of unspoken words and tension, the group is tasked with one last adventure to save the realm again. Will they succeed or will their broken friendship get in the way?

Thoughts
What a sweet mix of comedy and adventure in this cozy romance novel! You get a lick of steamy scenes after the super long drought of a slow burn from both couples.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It took me a slow bit to finish however, I'm so glad I did it!! I love a hea and you truly will get one at the end. I was not expecting the wide range of personality that the characters have. Nor can I choose which one is my favorite.

You've got Elowen the moody closed off friend; Beatrice the one stuck in the past; Clare the overly optimistic friend that wants the gang back together; and lastly Vandra the hot lesbo assassins that looks like they can kill you but is really a cinnamon roll!! All so different but fit together so well.

I for sure got Shrek mixed with the Scooby Doo gang vibes from this story. Which I love so much!! Give me a fantasy with a good bit of humor and a splash of adventure that doesn't end in a heartbreak. I might have to add this to my recs list for anyone that needs recommendations for what to read next. It's just a fun book to read with a nice escape from the real world.

Small Mention
Wagons-For-You (Fantasy version of Uber Ride Share)
This had me cackling for no reason. I love the small drops of modernity that the author added into the story. It was a fun twist that I rarely see in fantasy books.

Quotes
~ “He wanted her to be the living proof that he was worth loving.”
~ “If he could prove himself to Beatrice, the woman who’d once known him best, he might finally feel like the hero the rest of the realm deemed him.”
~ “Elowen found herself not just moved by all she learned but deeply invested in Vandra’s hope for a better life.”

Song that summaries the book
I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth
[Verse]
I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get me
That's the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all my dreams

[Chorus]
And then I saw her face, now I'm a believer
And not a trace of doubt in my mind
I'm in love, I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins publishing for allowing me to give an honest review in exchange for this arc!!

This story was a cozy, humorous adventure. It had rich characters, and felt like a party from Dungeons and Dragons, only instead of meeting them all during a quest you get to meet them 10 years after. They succeeded in the quest objective, but at a heavy cost, and each character is still dealing with that trauma.

I love how the story really digs deep into the emotional fall out that each of the adventurers has been struggling with. You meet Elowen locked away from the world, Beatrice dealing with her new divorce, and Clare continually alone and masking his true self from everyone.

With humor and dialogue reminiscent of the Princess Bride, you are pulled into a reunion of these quest mates and former best friends. The 2nd chance for love for Vandra and Elowen, and Beatrice and Clare, are beautifully crafted with all the right tropes.

I found the way the world is crafted, similar to the modern world in many ways, but fantasy, to be engaging and fun. There is little to no actual world building, the locations and understanding of it come through all from the characters interactions. Like the Harpy & Hind coffee chain, and Desires of the Night shadow plays, of which Elowen is a mega-fan.

There is over the top comedy, true touching moments that will have your eyes misting, and romance that has your heart skipping a beat. A truly enjoyable tale.

This book gave the best vibes, I loved the characters and the atmosphere it created. It combined all of my favorite aspects of these types of books in a way unique to itself.

I was very excited about this book, but ultimately did DNF it. I wish it had been revealed in the blurb that it heavily centers on a LGBTQIA character, because then I would have saved everyone time and not have requested it. I usually choose to skip these books and so I will be skipping this one. Thanks for the opportunity.

Read this if you like:
- Cozy fantasy
- Second chance romance
- Medieval vibes, with modern touches
- Quest
- Witty banter

3.5/5 rounded up!
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Pub Date Sep 10 2024

Thank you to the author, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

An angsty second chance story about getting the band back together in a cosy fantasy world that needs saving…again.

This story was a mix for me. To start off with the great bits, I loved the world. It was a perfect cosy fantasy world that I really hope I see more of in the future. In addition the characters in the world were very well done. You got each major characters POV and the authors did a great job of slowly releasing information from the past. I connected and understood Elowen, Beatrice, and Clare and I was rooting for them the whole way.

Now the not so great. Personally, I didn’t realize how angsty this book was going to be. I knew it would have angst, but I guess I thought it would be over sooner and that the actual saving bit would be a bigger plot. This book is heavily on interpersonal relationships between our main characters and less on what is going on around them. Also, I had a few issues with the whole “saving the world” plot. I won’t give anything away but let’s just say I knew the end was going to happen, but I didn’t necessarily appreciate how it was done. There was no hints that I saw that would make the ending of that plot feel rooted. Maybe I missed something, but I read it in one day so I know I’m not forgetting anything.

Overall, I did really enjoy the book and its characters. It was a solid 4 stars for me and I look forward to more of what this trio of authors cook up under this pen name.

I wish I could describe how fun this book is, but seriously anything I could say would undersell it! The characters are top tier and hilarious. The storyline, the romance, the coziness, the fact that it takes place AFTER they rescue the realm. It's perfect! 10/10 recommend!