This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher was just that - a really fun book to read!

The book starts ten years after the end of our heroes great defeat of the bad guys and we find out what's happening to them now. It's not all fun and glory, it seems.

We see our main characters, Clare and Beatrice, still trying to deal with the adulation that came with their big win, trying to figure out who they want to be and how they want to live their lives. Their romance was integral to the story, but not THE story, which made it even better to me. It gave their lives more than just each other.

It's a perspective I haven't read before and I enjoyed it very much. I really liked that all of the secondary characters were fleshed out and were a great addition to the story - there wasn't a lot of fluff inserted to just fill pages.

I ended the book thinking about other characters from other books and wishing for more of their end-stories as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5 🌟 The title of this book couldn’t be more appropriate. This book was an absolute delight. It reminded me very much of some of my childhood favorites like Shrek 2 and the Ella Enchanted movie with Anne Hathaway. If you love character driven stories, this is for you. I loved every single one of the characters and their perspectives. It is a quest story, but also so much more. It deals with important topics of grief, isolation, betrayal, and the need to prove oneself. Each of the characters grows so much from the beginning. It is about a family finding each other again, which is written so well that I feel like I as a reader became apart of the family. One of the main focal points of this cozy fantasy is the romance/friendships between characters. They have been separated for 10 years and are dealing with hurt feelings, miscommunications, and betrayals. Though they struggle with it, they also become stronger because of it. I loved everything about this book. It was hilarious, comforting, adventurous, dramatic, and entertaining. Everything I could ever want in a lower stakes fantasy. The part that really gripped me was the romance between two of the characters. The yearning and how down bad one of them was had my heart in agony. They made my heart sing. This book was such a good time and one I think a lot of people will enjoy.

First let me start by thanking NetGalley, Avon Books publishing and E.B. Asher for this electronic ARC of “This Will Be Fun”.

It was indeed a lot of fun and got a 4.25/5 stars from me!

Have you ever gotten to the end of a book, the heroes have just defeated evil and the land is celebrating, but you think to yourself what happens to these characters now? This is what “This Will Be Fun” gives you! A look into the heroes lives ten years later and how the happy ending we thought they were going to have isn’t always the case.

This book immediately pulled me into the story with multiple character storylines coming together, including getting 3 POVs. There’s romance, adventure, but also real emotion in dealing with the loss of a loved one and living with regret.

In the story expect to see these characters go on an adventure in a land with not only magic but coffee shops! Our main characters are challenged with facing their past, while once again being the heroes of the realm and trying to figure out who they want to be for the rest of their lives/what a happy ending looks like.

The book comes out September 10,2024 and if you’re a fan of the romantasy genre this book is going to give you everything you want!

Things to look forward to in the book:
Adventure and Romance
Magic powers
Old enemies and new challenges
M/F and F/F relationships
Slowburn/lots of tension into mild spice
Dealing with grief/loss of a loved one

3.5 ⭐️ This book was, as promised, very fun. I love a silly little fantasy where we have things like Sexiest Man Alive and delightful phrases like "Ghosts." I really enjoyed Clare's character growth throughout the story and it was very important to me that he find his back to being himself. He and Beatrice were my favorite parts.

This concept is really interesting. What *does* happen to a group of heroes once the battle is won? How do they adjust to real life? I think more books should explore this. I'd read them all.

I do wish we had gotten to the conflict of it all a little sooner (we don't get there until 50%). The journey to the castle with former friends and all if fun but it could've moved along a little faster and I think this would've given us more time to build out the quest and the final moments more. I also, unfortunately, think the ending cheapens the story a bit. We brought everyone back together and they all grew and found love and then they return to the comfortable. It was a twist I saw coming and one I didn't need. Happy books can still mean living with grief. It's life and I think it's important.

If you want a silly, good-time fantasy, pick this up!

This felt like a book from my childhood. It was cheesy in the best way and totally fun. I was rooting for Clare and Beatrice while also rooting for Elowen and Vandra. Their journey to becoming heroes once again was fun! They didn't have nearly as many obstacles as one would expect, but they were busy overcoming previous hurts and tragedies. The twist at the end is certainly not one I expected and if you don't think about it too much it's a fun ending.

This was SOOOO good! The writing was perfectly witty and romantic with such eloquent descriptions of our characters and their world. I don't like the idea that a hot person (re)enters your life and you're all of a sudden fixed. Regardless, I loved the characters so much and their depth, even if I couldn't relate with any of them. This is my favorite type of fantasy -- not much world building, one and done.

I tried really hard to like this one, but unfortunately I could not get into it. I didn't like that the author tried to insert real world things into this fantasy setting. It really ruined the immersion of the world for me and felt cheesy. For example, shadows plays=tv, message tapestries= social media, Harpy & Hind=Starbucks, etc. (I could go on and on.) I did like Beatrice and Vandra a lot and the overall story was interesting, the execution was just a bit lacking for my taste.

2.5

This was a nice little cozy fantasy. I found the mixture of fantasy and modern-day technology to be interesting. Other than that, I struggled to get into this. I found the characters to be bland and immature, except for Vandra. I felt like nothing was really happening throughout the book. By the end of the book, i was struggling to finish because the fight scene felt rushed and sloppily written, and I found the ending to be pointless and unnecessary, in my opinion.

This was such a fun and cozy read. The premise is so unique. Life after saving the world but wait here’s a new quest. Overall I enjoyed it but I found some parts to be a little slow paced for my liking.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can confirm - this one IS fun. Still reeling from a tragic loss a decade prior, the members of a legendary band of heroes find themselves reluctantly reunited for a new quest. What ensues is a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale with heart and humor reminiscent of Shrek and The Princess Bride. I always enjoy a book told from multiple perspectives, and I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of character development for each of The Four.

4.5/5

2-3 stars

I’ve seen a few comparisons of This Will Be Fun to Shrek and I definitely think those vibes are in here! The worldbuilding, elements of the romances, and even some of its themes are similar to the iconic movie and I loved the worldbuilding in particular. The mix of modern elements with fantasy was just enough to be fun and cozy while still being original. However, I do think the pacing of this book becomes pretty slow after the halfway point and the two central romances are muddled.

E.B. Asher’s characters are heroes that have saved the realm but who can’t bear to be in the same room together anymore. Once great friends, the death of their leader amongst their own interpersonal issues have caused them to split. A new threat brings them together and forces this quartet to confront their pasts and each other on this adventure.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and I felt the setup was pretty much perfect–there’s enough intrigue there that I wanted to know what happened between all of them that caused such a rift but I also was invested in the two couples within that group too and wanted to see them reconcile. I will say that romance is really the central focus and the adventure fades pretty quickly into the background. Because of this, the plot was very weak at times and the last 25% of the book in particular was a speedrun through some shenanigans. I also hated the reveal at the ending and thought it completely undermined so much of what the quartet went through and one of the book’s central themes: grief.

I liked most of the characters and think Clare and Beatrice in particular are charming and have some pretty fun interactions. However, their misunderstandings and the will they-won’t they wore me down after the halfway point pretty quickly. This was also the same arc progression that the other couple, Elowen and Vandra, had and I wish there had been only one couple to follow since I wasn’t invested in Elowen and Vandra at all. If anything, I was more invested in Elowen and Beatrice’s fractured friendship and I believe that exploring a broken friendship and a romance would’ve been more interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed most of This Will Be Fun but felt the book was bogged down by slow pacing, oversaturated romance, and a terrible ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review will be published on my blog (clearsummers.wordpress.com) and Goodreads on August 27, 2024.

This delightful romantasy, brimming with wit and second chances, transported me to the whimsical realm of Mythria! A world where enchanted truth or dare exists, coffee shops are commonplace, and bath bombs contain magic? Sign me up! Little things like "spell service" really sold the realm for me. Also, I just know Harpy and Hind's makes a delectable iced chai. I want t0 go to there.

The unique premise of a "successful" quest having devastating consequences for the heroes is refreshing. The aftermath explored the characters' trauma and subsequent growth in a believable way. Clare's transformation from people-pleaser to his authentic self was particularly satisfying. Clare's character arc specifically shines as he sheds the burden of expectations culminating in the hilarious Clare Convention. Beatrice's journey from quilt-ridden warrior to a woman embracing vulnerability resonated deeply. Her interactions with Clare sizzled with a "Much Ado About Nothing"/"Anyone But You" energy, a potent mix of past hurts and undeniable chemistry. Further. doing a sequel-esque story without actually having the first book is a tricky-task, which was executed skillfully in this book. The history of each character was made evident, and details of their past were revealed with excellent timing.

I didn't expect to fall in love with the characters quite as much as I did, but the felt incredibly real. And to find out after finishing this that the authors (yes, plural) don't have real experience in this genre? Just, wow. They honestly did an amazing job convincing readers that they are extremely capable romantasy writers. The seamless collaboration between three authors is a testament to their storytelling talent, leaving you eager for their next adventure.

With its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and surprising depth, This Will Be Fun is a must-read for fans of fantasy romcoms.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and E.B. Asher for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a story about what happens after a life-changing, world saving big quest. Each of the characters have such an interesting reaction to the end of the quest and to each other- and suddenly they’re forced on a second big quest and needing to deal with all the things they didn’t ten years ago after they split up. I liked how different but also similar their motivations were and the romances that developed along the way were captivating as well. I will say, /SPOILER/ I did not like that Galwell was brought back. I thought that was pandering and completely unnecessary- leave him dead. Please.

A group of friends that once saved the realm have to team up again after so many years of no seeing each other.

This fantasy book was so fun to read. If you like cozy romcoms, this book will definitely be the book for you. This book is filled with magic, adventure, second chances, and lots of banter.

Was it fun? Yes, it was.

Am I conflicted? Yes, I am.

I loved the beginning premise of the story. The way you got the reflection and memory of the Quest, but in the afterward, so it wasn’t as it was happening? I loved that! It was so unique to me. Pieces kept getting filled in from what happened on the Quest to what was happening in the current day, and it was being done in a really fun and entertaining way.

It was the second Quest that bothered me a little bit. And although that’s the part that brought about a lot of closure it just didn’t sit right with me. I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet.

Vandra was hilarious though - provably my favorite character.

“There was nothing she could say other than she did not want to be seen, or known. She wanted to be safe.”

The acknowledgments call it a rom-quest which is a perfect phrase. The whole book felt like a hug, a perfect low stakes romantic read.

I love the character development and how therapists are called heart healers.

The aspects I struggled with was some of the world building and a little more information about how the magic aspect works would have been helpful.

I can’t recommend this enough.

This was a fun book to read and kick off the summer! It was a light hearted read with good character development and a fun adventure for the reader to follow along with. I enjoyed the romance and found family aspects of the story the most. I did feel like the book had a lot of dialogue and I would have enjoyed more individual reflection through the book. Overall, a worthwhile read!

Based on the title, I expected less grief and hurt! This is about three old friends reuniting after not seeing each other for ten years following the death of their friend/brother. So much hurt and resentment to overcome, but also lots of adventure! And that ending ♥️

This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher
Standalone
NA/Adult fantasy romcom

𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙁𝙀𝘾𝙏 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙎 𝙒𝙃𝙊 𝙒𝘼𝙉𝙏:
• A fun, cozy romantic comedy with magic and quests.
• Interesting plot of ex-friends having to save the world while processing grief.
• Friends-to-lovers romance with a little steam.
• Found family and banter.
• 3 POVs.

This Will Be Fun is a cozy romantasy about a group of friends who once defended their magical land together but haven’t spoken since. Ten years later, they are reunited to attend a royal wedding and end up on a new quest to save the realm (again). This book reads like a YA book, but I would say it is more NA/Adult because some of the themes throughout.

Contemporary cozy adventures are not my go-to read but this book was fun. I had to keep reminding myself that this book is not supposed to be a high fantasy and to read it like a true romcom. Lol The story got a little slow for me in the middle, but it picked up and had a great ending. For a book written by three authors, I anticipated the writing to be choppy, but it wasn’t at all. The writing flowed and was enjoyable.
There are lots of discussion of feelings in this book with each main character getting over grief in their own way. But there is also romance and comedy with a splash of steam. This book has a great group of main characters. I enjoyed the similarities of this world to ours…coffee shops, texting, reality tv shows, uber/ride shares. Overall, I enjoyed the easy, fun read.

Thank you to E. B. Asher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC.

indeed fun, with humorous characters mixed with emotional scenes and situations they deal with. a very very wholesome ending for this cozy fantasy that spins a tale on aftermath of a team of heroes that reunite a decade later. the history was so fun to explore.