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.

A delightful, cozy fantasy with a fair amount of twists and shenanigans. The pacing of the book was a bit erratic (plodding at the beginning, rapid at the end), but all in all it was a really enjoyable read.

A magical romantasy book brimming with charm, romance and a vivid and mysterious world that I just know would be begging me to be returned to. I so loved read it.

Ten years ago, four heroic adventurers prevented an evil group from taking over the realm. Yay! But what became of The Four after their retirement from heroics?

Beatrice: broke alcoholic divorcée
Elowen: hermit obsessed with soap operas
Clare: mercenary-turned-knight who profited immensely from fame but is a sad lonely rake
Galwell: dead

Now the remaining three in their 30s and estranged, but decide to briefly put the past aside and attend the queen's wedding. But oh no, disaster has struck, and right before the wedding too! Looks like our MCs have to band together, get over their differences, rescue a damsel in distress (the queen's abducted fiancé), and become heroes again!

Also included:
Second chance love x2
Spicy scene x2: one between Elowen and Vandra (FF) and one between Clare and Beatrice (MF)
Survivors guilt x infinity
Magical Ubers
Truth or Dare
An eagle pet
Las Vegas
Cosplay
And one very happy ending!

The first part of the book was the funniest for me, where the characters are introduced and then reunite. The middle slowed down a bit, but the magical Vegas finale was very entertaining, and the ending was so heartwarming I cried. What fun!

3.5⭐️ This honestly would have been 4 stars for me, if it weren't for the ending. I also struggled with the POV changes that took place every. single. chapter. I really liked the characters and the general plot of "ex-friends in forced proximity having to save the world while processing grief and betrayal". I also loved the quirkiness and relatable traits given to each character as well as the unpredictable and ridiculous situations they often found themselves in. Overall a good, but not great, read.

The Princess Bride meets the Princess Diaries in this entertaining rom com set in a fictional land. In a sweeping friends to enemies to lovers tale, will the main characters be able to reconcile their differences and find happiness, or will the past get in their way? This Will Be Fun certainly lived up to its name. I couldn't put this book down!

This was, in fact, very fun!! I have ZERO complaints or criticism about this book. Seriously. It was perfection. The writing, the banter, the world building, the ending - absolutely incredible. I fell in love with each and every character and their connections to one another. I will be buying a physical copy once this is released so that I can read it again! A huge thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

True to its name, this was a really fun read! I’m all for a good genre mashup and this hit the mark to a T. This is very much a romcom, but what makes this different is that it’s a romcom with magic and a quest! There are feelings, lots of discussion of feelings, but also romance, comedy, and a little steam. A great group of main and side characters. A cute pet and witty banter.

I loved the world building in this seemingly parallel universe to ours, complete with their own versions of ride share, “brew” (coffee) shops, texting and TV shows. The book starts out 10 years after the group’s first quest, and they are not in a good place. The story got a little slow for me through the middle, but once it picked up it was a great read and an ending that had me teary.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, E. B. Asher and NetGalley for the digital ARC to review.

You had me at cozy fantasy! From a "getting the gang back together" quest to the whip-smart banter, This Will Be Fun does indeed live up to its title.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

"This Will Be Fun" delivers exactly what its title promises—a delightful and entertaining read. The authors excel in world-building, making the fantastical setting easy to envision. With a mix of cozy fantasy, adventure, and a hint of romance, this book offers something for everyone. While some may find the cast of characters overwhelming, the witty banter and dynamic relationships keep the story engaging. Overall, a recommended read that will leave you smiling. Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager, E.B. Asher, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Avon/ Harper Voyger, E.B. Asher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of "This Will Be Fun" in exchange for an honest reveiw*

I loved this. It was so fun! I think everyone will find something to enjoy.