Happily Ever After: A Day in the Life of the HEA

by J.A. Huss

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional BookviewsFucking Huss! I cried so many happy tears during this novella! It was like coming home! Happily Ever After was like I had never left Rook & Ronin, Ford and Ashleigh, Spencer and Ronnie behind, reading other stories. And kids growing up too fast hit me in the chest - that is SO true. And I wish this novella was a boxed set of several full novels - I didn't want to leave again.
My Happily Ever After review:
Re-visiting with the Rook and Ronin gang in Happily Ever After was like hanging out with really good friends I hadn't had a chance to see for a while. And I loved how each of the couples shared some intimate Christmas moments with us. We had Ford and Ashleigh, Rook and Ronin, Spencer and Ronnie. And of course their added brood of ten children in various ages. The feeling I got from reading was nostalgic, because I just love this series so much! And seeing them fifteen years later was like the best Christmas present ever!

Each couple get their own chapters, from the male character's point of view, and I wish I could have stayed with them for much longer! Five has some of his own chapters, too, and it was eery to see how like Ford he is. Happily Ever After showed so many things that are true in real life, too! Couples can still be hot after staying together for a long time. The love between them - both inside of the couples and among the friends is so strong it's palpable. I could also relate to them all on some many levels! Kids always grow up too fast - and sometimes, parents think they have missed out on things. Not always feeling sexy after having children is something that many of us struggle with every now and then, too - so a little reminder is never something to leave out!

The happy banter, the characters still being true to themselves, and seeing them all together for Christmas made my heart sing! If you're a Rook and Ronin fan, this novella is a must! It's beautiful. And now I think a re-read of the whole series plus the spin-off is in order! I want more, of course the way we want more time with our friends, spending time eating, drinking and relaxing together. I also loved seeing how the kids have grown, and I think I love Five almost as much as I love Ford. He's one smart kid, that one! Both when it comes to school-stuff and life in general.

Written in first person present tense, reading Happily Ever After offered me some unique glimpses into my favorite characters' lives.

Some of my favorite Happily Ever After quotes:
"Whatever," I say, turning back to the mirror to check my tie again. "You should take our advice,Five," Oliver says. "I'm a girl expert. I have five sisters, I live with them. Rory likes boys who wear t-shirts. Like that Marshall kid in her class."
"Marshall?" I squint at myself in the mirror, my mind whirring to try and place a kid named Marshall. "Who is Marshall?"
"Quarterback for the varsity team," Oliver says. "She went to the library with him last week."

I don't ask what that means. I know what it means. She's gong to do all her teen things without me. I'm going to be thousands of miles away all engrossed in computer engineering, and she's going to be thinking about football games and Marshall. It's research labs and college life for me and dances and note passing for her. 

I catch a mischievous grin as she leans over to grab a strawberry, my hand never leaving her soft breast. I twist her nipple a little and that makes her close her eyes and draw in a breath.