- Main criticism of the book's marketing is it needs to be clearer that this is a book 1, not a standalone read.
Who to recommend this to: romantasy readers that are fans of different retellings. I liked the characters in this a lot, and I think the author tied up the different plot threads well together. I wish the historical setting was more fleshed out, a bit more of the events and culture of the 6th century brought into play.

One of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint.

I'm a huge fan of the King Arthur story and I loved this unique POV from Guinevere. Magical escapism!

I've also pre-ordered the traditionally published copy as I need the trophy on my bookshelf.

Thanks to Paula Lafferty and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Paula and NetGalley for the ARC!

First of all, what a commendable journey for Paula and the story she kept with her for so many years. I was so happy to be able to be one of the first people to read and appreciate it. Jumping into the story, I did not know what to expect. I have always been a fan of Arthurian stories, so I was sucked right into the world. The plot and premise of the story were very intriguing. My favorite character was Lancelot. I cannot wait for the next book.

I have loved the world of Arthurian legend since middle school-- from CS Lewis to Tolkien to elementary reader versions, I'll pretty much read anything related to the Knights and Ladies of the Round Table. Paula Lafferty has done a wonderful job of recreating the lore of the original legends, updated with a modern, time-traveling twist. The magic is intact, even with the addition of a diverse set of characters (Lancelot's story arc? *swoon*). This is a classic strangers-to-lovers romance, plus jousting, intrigue, and horses.
I will admit that I felt the first few chapters were a bit of a slow start, but the rest of the book more than made up for it. I cannot wait for the next book to come out! Definitely one of my top ten favs of 2024.


I've reviewed on Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, Threads, Edelweiss, and Goodreads:

This was my favorite read of the year. It’s fresh, fun, thrilling, romantic and extremely well written. I am so excited it's a trilogy. I cannot wait for the next installment and I will be screaming about it to all of my friends for the extended foreseeable future.

I was so so intrigued by the premise of this book!

I am so grateful that it was a fresh take and did not dissapoint.
These stories of King Arthur and Guinevere have been saturated with the same tale told in different ways which do not feel true, and tell a narrative of the man who took a particular perspective when writing.

I did struggle for the first few chapters with the tenses and writing style but soon adjusted as the story got more involved.

I really enjoyed the connection with Guinevere and Lancelot and not how you would think, you'll have to read to find out! Their playful banter was exactly what was needed for Guinna's growth and trust to build.

The pace of the story is slow to rise but it has a depth that keeps you coming back for more. The romance is slow burn which is right up my alley. There is reasons behind this and it would have been off putting if there was even a hint of insta-love.
I really appreciated the adoration that grows between Arthur and Vera.

The ending was a bit abrupt for me, one page, I'm fully invested into reading and the next is the acknowledgements. It felt a little like the book had been cut off instead of readying for the next book or a cliff hanger.

This and the start was the reason for my 4 stars out of 5 instead of 5.
The beautiful story and charactets was definitely a 5, but the flow and consistency was a 4.

I am anticipated high things for the next book and can't wait to see what Paula comes up with.

A fun and engaging take on Arthurian legend that gives you a perfect leading lady.

Adventure, mystery, slow burn romance, betrayal, and bonds of friendship that will warm your heart.

This was a beautifully written retelling of Arthur, Guinevere, and the knights of Camelot. It was full of adventure, magic, and romance, and I could not put it down. I am not a reader who typically enjoys time travel stories, but this had me hooked from the first few pages.

The chemistry not just between Guinevere and Arthur, but between the entire supporting cast was so much to read, and the elements of humor were perfectly balanced with more emotional moments. I loved reading Guinevere's and seeing the change and growth she experienced throughout the book.

The ending had me on the edge of my seat, and I'm so ready for the next book in the series to find out what happens next!!

Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Avalon Books for the advanced copy. Looking forward to more of this series!

<i><b> "Forever grateful to Paula Lafferty and her beautiful mind for creating a debut novel that has established permanent residency inside my head!!"</b></i>

<b>One Line Review:</b> Is everything that surrounds us actually what it seems? OR, ORRRR…!!! Could we actually be Queens from another time, enchanted to forget our power and magic, but inevitably destined to save the world we’ve been charmed to have forgotten? When I tell you this book weaved some kind of mystical spell on me and refuses to let go, even at this very moment…

<b>Synopsis:</b> Vera is trying to navigate the tumultuous road that exists after losing her boyfriend and the mundane life that is working as a hotel housekeeper day in and day out (speaking from personal experience here, working in a hotel in any capacity has it’s definite negatives.) Her life is never the same after someone pays her a visit from another century, proclaiming that SHE, Vera, is actually Queen Guinevere. With absolutely no memory of this, she begins the journey of uncovering the clues that lead her to who she may truly be, all while trying to save her kingdom and it’s people.

<b>My Thoughts:</b> Where do I even start with how much I loved this book… I backed the Kickstarter campaign as soon as it opened and have absolutely adored following along with Paula’s journey as she navigated the countdown to her publish date. All of the fun of that aside, I recall a time that a book has occupied as much space in my brain as this one has, consistently, even after I read the last pages over a month ago. I am working my way into the fantasy realm of books, and if every one of them is like THIS, I might just be a fantast girly after all!!

I thought the first 1/3 of this was PERFECT but then it got really convoluted and dramatic. I wanted it to stay feeling rom-com-y like the first third. Didn't find the romance believable at all - Arthur wasn't giving much in terms of personality.

I really really enjoyed this book. It was a fresh take on the Arthurian legend with well written characters and a compelling storyline. This is a superb debut novel by Paula Lafferty. Bonus points for portraying modern day Glastonbury properly, clearly the author has visited or researched very well!

I could see the direction the narrative was going and did guess a few of the twists at the end but I was engaged and immersed in the story. I really hope there will be a book 2 because that ending was excellent!

Arthur did start off a bit of an ass but he redeemed himself. Vera was funny and strong and had a really good relationship with the knights. I did love how Vera still kept in touch with her modern roots but adapted well to Arthurian times.

Overall great characters, a good storyline and well paced. There are still a few unexplained bits that I hope are addressed in book 2 (if there will be a book 2!).

Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book.

I will probably add more to this review when I have processed the ending of this book!

Very unique story! The time-travel element made me nervous about picking up this book but I really enjoyed it. I loved the deep connections between the characters that sprung up as the story went. The (platonic!) relationship between Lancelot and Vera was one of my favorite parts. The worldbuilding was cool, the hints at the legend, the tension and conflicts all came together. This was a version of Camelot I really liked.
Way to overcome the ghost of BBC Merlin and make me love an Arthurian legend!
Mild warning: not a standalone like I thought and I would really like book two now.

I finished this book a few weeks ago, and it’s still so hard to find words for how much I absolutely love the story. Paula is writing is beautiful, the characters all spoke to me in so many ways and I felt all the emotions. Easily one of my top reads of the year!

I am not too familiar with Arthurian lore, I only know some of the basics, so I cannot compare the stories. It's like I've met most of these characters for the very first time. I daresay, I understand how Vera felt about not having prepared for her quest, lore-wise. I do not say this in a bad way though, as Paula Lafferty does not require the reader to have any prior knowledge of the legends to enjoy this story.

But let's start at the beginning. While the revelation of Vera's true identity as well as her transportation into the past all happen rather quickly, I still feel like we didn't necessarily need more time in the present. Lafferty gives us enough context throughout the story to learn of Vera's feelings towards the future, her parents and Vincent.

I love the way that Vera adjusts to medieval life. It makes sense that her modern day values are too 'new' for the past, and she does struggle because of it. I think that is very realistic and makes absolute sense in the context of the story. I especially love how close she becomes with Lancelot. He truly is a pillar of support for her, and it feels like he is what she truly needs: a good friend. I adore that her life in the past does not solely revolve around Arthur. She does have a life outside of Arthur's existence and Lafferty portrays that beautifully. Very feels like an actual person with thoughts and feelings that are more than just her feelings for the MMC, which I really like.

Talking about Arthur, Vera's relationship with him is very confusing, but not in a bad way. It's a constant push and pull, and Merlin's meddling doesn't help. What about their attraction is real, and what is only brought about by magic? Lafferty does a good job at blurring the lines, and I guess we will only find out the truth in a future book. (Please, I need answers! xD)

Which leads me to the end of the story. How can Lafferty leave us with a cliffhanger like that? I need the next book in my hands right now! While most of the book is rather slow-paced, the last few chapters give us revelation after revelation. The end is especially action-packed which stands in stark contrast to the previous chapters. I really enjoyed that change in pace. Both parts of the book serve a purpose and I believe that Lafferty's pacing serves the story she is telling very well.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next one to come out. This was a solid 3.5 star read for me, rounded up because I have high expectations for the book(s?) to come! Paula Lafferty is truly an author to look out for. :)

La Vie de Guinevere is the first book in a series following Guinevere from her life in modern day back to seventh century Camelot. How can she possibly be Queen Guinevere, and why does Camelot look different from what little she knows from stories? Guinevere unravels mystery after mystery to piece together what happened before her reappearance. I loved these characters wholeheartedly, and I will absolutely continue the series. I did struggle a tiny bit with the length/pacing at times, but there was always an exciting chapter immediately following those times.

Perfect for fans of immersive fantasies or Arthurian retellings.

I received an ARC from Paula Lafferty | Avalon Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been following Paula for quite some time and I’ve been looking forward to this book for so long and it did NOT disappoint!! From the characters, to the banter, to the tension, and everything in between. This story was such a fresh take on the Arthurian legend we all know and love. I especially loved the back and forth with connecting old ancient times with modern references. I also loved all of the layers to the plot. The reveals throughout the story had me gasping and truly kept me on my toes!

Vera is such a fantastic FMC and unexpected in so many ways. She is strong, rebellious, and not about to let those around her dictate her outcomes. The relationships she found throughout the book were done so well. I really loved how fun, easy, and beautiful her relationship was with Lancelot and how tension filled, difficult, and yet equally beautiful her relationship was with Arthur. Vera is such an easy character to root for and I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store for her.

Arthur and Lancelot are both truly so unexpected and I LOVED IT! These characters are so similar and yet so so different from how we know them to be. Paula truly did a beautiful job of showcasing the characters we loved while still making them her own. I don’t want to say too much to avoid any possible spoiling but just trust me when I say these characters were truly so well done!

You can truly tell so much love and care was poured into this book and I’m so excited for it to be out and for everyone to check it out. Huge thank you to Paula for allowing me to be an ARC reader! I cannot wait for my Kickstarter editions to come in🤭

Thank you so much for the arc, here’s my honest review!

Oh my goodness gracious this book was INCREDIBLE. I was kicking my feet and squealing during every chapter while reading this book. Paula put so much care into this retelling and it payed off!

The characters are easily my favorite part of this book. Vera was someone who I could root for and while she made some silly decisions, I couldn’t hate her for making them. I do wish her memory storyline furthered before the end of the novel, but other than that, I loved her and her POV. Arthur… I am in LOVE with him. Literally every single interaction or line he had made me swoon. He was the absolute best character and I feel so many emotions towards him, he truly went through it but that made him one of the best characters here. The others that get notable mentions are Lancelot, the fiercely loyal best friend, and Gawain, the extraordinary weirdo mage. They both add so much life to this story and I love them both so much too.

As for plot, I love how Paula put so many modern twists in the story. Even things as simply as rock paper scissors and poker being the round table is truly such a unique and wonderful way to retell this tale. Her magic system is something I haven’t read before and while at times it got a tiny touch confusing, particularly at the end, she still managed to justify it within the world and create a cohesive story following it. I found the magic super interesting and cannot wait to see how it will unfold in book 2.

My only complaint is that this book ended too soon with too little resolve. It was less cliffhanger and more just an abrupt stop in momentum. That being said this book was 5/5 stars and I will be DYING until I get the next book. 🫶

I was hooked when I stumbled upon this author and her book on Instagram. This book did not disappoint! The idea, the plot, the writing, the characters- all so good. I had to sit for a few days to let it all sink in. I need more books like this in my life. Note: this is not a complete retelling of King Arthur and Camelot; these points were used as background. I recommend this book if you like romantasies.

A tale of magic, knights, found family, and romance.

This is a fantastic take on the Arthurian legends. Paula Lafferty has created a very well-written debut. I quite enjoyed the characters and the world-building. The pacing was fairly good, although I felt the opening was slightly rushed. I'm really curious to see where the author will take this story next.

Note that there is quite a bit of swearing in this book. This is one of the reasons it ended up being a 4/5 stars for me.

Thank you to Paula, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is straightforward and easy to read, and the characters are full of depth. I enjoyed the world-building, and the magic system. I did find the pacing at times was off for me. Some parts I wish were drawn out with more detail, while others felt a tad slow. Arthur and Vera's relationship was a struggle for me as well, as I struggled to connect with Arthur, and he seemed very wishy-washy.

Overall a good cozy read.