The writing was good and immediately drew me into the story. I was invested in what happened and the quirky characters in the manor were fun.
I think part of the issue is I didn’t quite know what kind of a book it was. Mostly mystery, some romance, but very mild on the romance. While the first half was engaging, I was losing steam near the middle. There was a lot of waffling about decisions that felt repetitive. Some of the big reveals and turns were wrapped up a little too neatly.
I wanted the main character to take on some more agency. I wanted the side characters to have a little more dimension. Otherwise, it was an entertaining story.

Jane Lovering is known for her heartfelt witty storytelling and this book is no exception!! The main character is a strong, relatable character that brings both humour and vulnerability to the story. Happily Ever After feels grounded, rather than sweeping grand gestures like other romance novels and the novel feels layered, balancing both humour with deep emotional moments which provides a very satisfying read. Overall, it is a charming, witty, and emotionally engaging romance that undermines some of the usual genre tropes. This book is totally worth picking up if you enjoy love stories that have a touch of realism and a lot of personality.

“Real life doesn’t have a narrative”

Andi has always had her nose in a book since she was a little girl. Her parents work in showbiz and are often on the road with their tv show. Andi has lived a bit of a neglected childhood and often found an escape, and the answers to life’s little problems, in the characters and stories in the books she reads… that is until she takes a new job cataloging the library at Templewood Hall, working for Lady Tanith.

Templewood Hall is a Downton Abbey type old stately home which has lacked a bit of TLC over the years. Lady Tanith has tasked Andi with not only tidying up the library but finding the lost set of diaries of Lady Tanith’s now deceased lover.

Since the death of her lover, Lady Tanith has found herself very much stuck in the past unable to move on. This has consequences for the other characters in and around Templewood Hall, including Lady Tanith’s son, Hugo, who Andi strikes up a friendship.

Can Andi find the lost diaries and help Templewood Hall find its magic again?

(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)

Publication date: 17 February 2025
Publisher: Boldwood Books

Hmm... did I expect too much from this book?

Andi Glover, a bookworm raised by unconventional parents valued imagination over academics. When Andi lands a live-in job at the eccentric Lady Dawe's estate, Templewood Hall, she feels like she's stepped into a gothic novel. But reality soon surpasses fiction as Andi encounters a series of unsettling events: bumps in the night, whispers of a missing heir and a house steeped in secrets. Andi must navigate a world of mystery and danger, all while questioning whether a happily ever after is truly possible in this eerie and captivating setting.

Honestly, I picked up "Happily Ever After" expecting a cozy mystery with a dash of romance. I mean the title alone screams 'happily ever after,' right? The idea of blending reality with the fantastical elements of Andi's novels was promising. However, the plot felt predictable and the characters were a bit one-dimensional. Andi, despite being a bookworm seemed surprisingly naive and easily swayed. While the setting had potential, it wasn't fully accomplished. I did miss a touch more romance too.

Overall, I found the story to be underwhelming and lacking the charm and intrigue I was hoping for.

This quirky novel blends gothic mystery and self-discovery rather than traditional romance. Andi, a book lover with no formal experience, takes a job cataloging a collection for the wealthy and aloof Lady Dawe. Growing up with parents who traveled constantly for their TV show, Andi found solace in books but struggled to build a life of her own. Upon arriving at the eerie estate, she meets Lady Dawe’s handsome son Hugo, a rude housekeeper, a deaf gardener, and a cat named The Master.

Andi soon realizes she was really hired to locate secret diaries revealing a long-ago affair between Lady Dawe and her late father-in-law. Gothic elements—mysterious noises, flickering lights, and literary chapter titles like Rebecca—add intrigue. Though Andi is interested in Hugo, the novel focuses more on her personal journey. A subplot about Hugo’s struggles feels somewhat distracting but is handled well. While Andi doesn’t fully find love or her life’s passion, the story is humorous and engaging, with a fitting conclusion that leaves room for new possibilities.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review. I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 here.


This book is a cross between a Gothic mystery and a quirky self-actualization romcom. Our heroine Andi grew up traveling the world on a bus and raising herself with classic literature, and is pretty resentful about it. With no real world life experience or qualifications, she is forced to accept a job at the mysterious Templewood Hall where everyone has a secret, ostensibly cataloguing books for the absolutely bonkers Lady Tanith, while actually hunting for Tanith’s dearly departed father-in-law slash lover’s hidden diaries.

Andi could very easily have been an annoying character - fish out of water, jumping to some pretty ridiculous assumptions and making some pretty dumb decisions, but Lovering makes these character flaws make sense. Of course she has ridiculous flights of fancy - she is trying to impose a narrative structure on her life because that’s all she knows. More importantly, she is aware that she is doing this, and actively tries (and succeeds!) to grow as a person throughout the book. While I did not agree with all of Andi’s thought processes, I enjoyed her character arc immensely.

While I figured out some of the secrets early (Hugo and Jasper’s secrets, specifically), the big mystery of the diaries and what was in them completely subverted my expectations, which is pretty much the theme of the book, and I was pleasantly surprised with how that wrapped up. The romance was definitely a subplot but I enjoyed it nonetheless, although it did take time for the hero (no spoilers!) to grow on me. Their romantic meet cute was just a little too crass for me to fully enjoy - it was cute, but not my style of humor at all.

If I had to nitpick, Andi’s perseveration on Hugo’s secret/struggle was a bit much and seemed more insensitive than it needed to be. We got it, his <spoiler> crossdressing is a turnoff </spoiler>. But do you need to point that out three times a chapter? To be honest, a lot of Andi’s internal monologue is repetitive and I found myself skimming in some places, only because I had read it all before

Things I loved: How Lovering managed to make every character, even the ones you think you should hate, sympathetic in their own right. I also loved how zany the story was - she managed to subvert most of my expectations in a way that felt natural for the story, and not like an unearned “gotcha!”. I also really really loved Mrs Compton. I also loved how Jay’s deafness was just part of who he was, not an inspirational character arc

Things I didn’t: Like I mentioned above, Andi’s internal monologue was a little too repetitive to me. The story also started off slow, and it took me until like 35% in to really engage with the characters.

Perfect for fans of: Hot gardeners, sprawling estates, haunted houses, soap operas, vintage dresses, cats with main character energy, dramatic family secrets, and classic literature

Summary: A light and pleasantly surprising read, perfect for fans of classic literature who will appreciate the many references throughout (including the chapter titles). Less predictable than expected, with interesting character development. A perfect read for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

What I really appreciated about this book was the way it kept surprising me. Something seems to be going in one direction, and a fairly predictable direction at that, and then Lovering pulls the rug out from under you - and she does this consistently throughout Happily Ever After.

This was true from the very first line, spoken by a taxi driver: “‘Are you sure this is right? Only this is Lady Dawe’s place, and she’s bonkers.’” Ugh, I thought - casual use of terms like “bonkers” - maybe this isn’t for me. And then immediately it’s like our narrator, Andi, has read my mind: “The taxi driver… was clearly not au fait with current medical terms and disability discrimination.”

It still took me a few chapters to really fall into the rhythm of Andi’s POV. At first I struggled a bit with some of the vocabulary - this didn’t feel like the type of novel where words like “roseate” and “obsequious” were really necessary - but I quickly came to realise that this is all part of Andi’s character. She was raised by books, and the way she thinks, speaks, and even the way she sees the world, is affected accordingly.

As the story unfolds, the surprises keep coming. I thought I had worked out who a particular character really was - then when Andi came to the same conclusion, I suddenly realised this was now too obvious and must be a red herring. Secrets are revealed and characters react to things in ways I never expected, but that somehow feel believable once they’ve happened.

There’s also some diversity amongst the characters - I don’t want to give away any of the specifics, but there’s a real thread of acceptance running through Happily Ever After, with a message that we are all different, have different preferences and different ways of doing things, and that’s OK. There are also some interesting, if brief, explorations of trauma and grief.

I particularly enjoyed the begrudging way in which Andi comes around to “The Master”, a chunky Siamese cat whose breath stinks of sardines. The way in which Andi’s relationship with the cat develops mirrors the way she comes to realise that things aren’t always what they seem, and that life doesn’t always unfold the way you expect.

Andi (Andromeda) has had an unconventional upbringing. A childhood with no fixed abode filled with reading all the classics but with little or no schooling and no friendships to tie her. In order to get herself a life and the beginning of a career, Andi takes a job cataloguing books in the library belonging to Lady Dawes. The problem is the mansion is crumbling, the housekeeper sinister, there is a stinky cat that rules the roost, several ghosts or presences that go bump in the night, Lady Dawes is unpleasant and secretive and to top it off the son and heir is gorgeous but seemingly uninterested in his new houseguest. Nothing like the romantic and fright free visions that Andi had been holding. As the story goes on seen through Andi’s literary rose tinted glasses we find misunderstood heroes, tortured heroines, secrets and lies that ensnare the inhabitants of the estate.

The narrative is highly descriptive setting the scenes and characters well adding to intrigue with more than a sprinkling of humour as Andi describes the crazy family who seem to have more than one foot in the past, rarely leaving the house. There are romantic moments between characters but the main themes of the book are in fact grief, obsession, guilt and loneliness. I found myself fully ensconced in the drama, keen to keep reading, always willing Andi and her strange new “housemates” to find their own happy ever afters.

This book was painfully slow for me. The description sounded interesting and I love anything to do with books but I just couldn’t quite get into the mystery while Andi was looking for romance.

Happily Ever After

Andi takes a job cataloguing books in a worn out, dusty house thinking she will live out a life straight from the books she has consumed since childhood. Think Pride and Prejudice meets Briderton but the reality is anything but.
Instead, her company is a smelly cat , an eccentric elderly lady not really residing within the realms of her reality, her son, a mystery in himself and some ghosts possibly?
Will she find the Mr D'Arcy to her Jane Eyre?

The author has a great talent for descriptive writing and paints very clear pictures of both setting and characters throughout.
I found myself relying quite a bit on the dictionary function while working through the novel as the author showcases their incredible vocabulary. I have no doubt that my own store of vocabulary has improved immensely from reading this book. I think the word choice and style of writing ties in with the upper class/regal/classic novel theme that's ever present throughout.
I think my favourite character has to be the aptly named "The Master " who provides moments of brilliance and levity throughout.

I struggled a bit with this book as it is quite slow paced and I didn't find myself connecting with or rooting for any of the characters. Very little happens in the early stages of the book. I did think it was slightly lacking in romance for a romance novel. I normally fly through cosy, light hearted romances. I have to admit that after getting halfway through, I had to mark it down as DNF for me. It just wasn't my kind of book and I was struggling to return to it each night. Would definitely not rule out this author in the future but this book just wasn't my personal taste.

“Happily Ever After” was a fun and lighthearted story about a girl who takes a job at an estate to input an extensive library. While juggling the secrets of the family she begins to find more hidden secrets than she can bear. Finding friendship and love after feeling alone all her life this story is hopeful and fun. I especially loved that each chapter was named after famous houses in literature.

Andi is a woman raised by books. Mostly by gothic romances, by the sound of it. She gets a job cataloguing the library at Templewood house, and sees everything through the prism of the books she's read.
But the house is spooky - there are phantom footsteps in the night and a ghost that walks around at night and a gardener who pops up at odd times. The people in the house are pretty strange too. There's a the love lorn, but scary, Lady Tanith and her handsome son Hugo, a disagreeable housekeeper, and a slightly whiffy siamese cat called The Master.
This book was a lot of fun - there were many odd twists and turns. Andi is extremely naive, which is understandable because of the way she grew up. Hugo and Jay are both lovely, too.
I really enjoyed the story. It does have a happy ending.

A lovely light hearted read. I loved Hugo’s secret. Master the cat was a great character. Some good twists and a perfect ending. . A real slow burn love story . Perfect beach read .

A stately home, an eccentric family, a scene-stealing cat and a gorgeous romance - this could be my perfect book! I think Jane Lovering is one of the best romantic novelists around. Her books are always written with intelligence and humour and her characters behave and speak in a real, relateable way and are just the sort of people you’d like to spend time with down the pub. The bookish theme of this story and all the literary references made it even more special. It was an utter delight to read.

A delightful blend of romance, humor, and intrigue, this book is a true gem for those who love a good story – especially when it feels like one you’d find between the pages of a beloved novel.

Andi Glover is a character you can’t help but root for. Raised by unconventional parents and surrounded by the safety of fictional worlds, Andi’s journey to discover her own "happily-ever-after" feels both relatable and charming. Her move to Templewood Hall, a quirky estate with a rich history and even richer secrets, sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure. As Andi begins to uncover the mysteries of the hall, we’re pulled into a story that feels like a mixture of gothic romance and thrilling whodunnit. From ghostly apparitions to hidden heirs, the plot twists are deliciously unpredictable, and you’ll find yourself turning the pages, eager to see what happens next.

Lovering’s writing is witty and full of heart, with a strong sense of atmosphere that brings Templewood Hall to life. The characters, particularly the enigmatic Hugo and the charming gardener, add depth and intrigue to the story. Their interactions with Andi are rich with humor, warmth, and just the right amount of tension, keeping the narrative both engaging and enjoyable. There’s an effortless charm in the dialogue, and the relationships are carefully developed, giving the story emotional weight without ever feeling too heavy.

In short, Jane Lovering has delivered a beautifully written, captivating read that will make you smile, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear. It’s a must-read for anyone in need of a little hope, a little laughter, and a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected twists lead to the most wonderful endings. Highly recommended!

Happily Ever After follows Andi Glover, a book lover who has had a somewhat unconventional upbringing. With nomadic parents, and no formal education, Andi has found herself as an adult struggling to gain meaningful employment. When she sees an advert for someone to catalogue the library in an old manor house, that doesn't require any qualifications and offers pay, room and board - she jumps at the opportunity.

Upon arrival, Andi quickly learns that things at Templewood hall are not as they seen. She meets the eccentric lady of the house and her mysterious son and quickly learns her new role won't be as easy as she had imagined.

The book is a cozy mystery with a mix of some romantic elements. There are lots of twists and turns and is a nice enjoyable read.

For me, I found aspects to be slightly predictable, however this didn't stop me for enjoying the book for what it is. My main issue with the story is our protagonist Andi's obsession with relating everything to the books she's read, which i found to be very child like and made it a struggle for me to get on side with her. The only other thing I would say is that the pacing is quite slow for most of the book, but then picks up towards the end.

I rated this book 2.5 stars, it was a fine read, but not obsessed with it.

Jane Lovering’s Happily Ever After has an intriguing premise, blending gothic mystery with romantic comedy. Unfortunately, its execution is marred by a protagonist so deeply lost in her own fantasy world that it’s difficult to take her seriously.

Andi Glover, raised in an unconventional household, prefers fiction over reality—a relatable trait at first. However, her complete inability to distinguish between the two becomes frustrating. She stumbles into Templewood Hall, convinced she’s living out a novel, but instead of using any common sense, she barrels ahead. I mean, which girl goes to a manor, hired to sort out the library, and is convinced that she will marry the heir and become the new Mrs of the house?

The novel does have its strengths—the atmosphere at Templewood Hall is intriguing, and the mystery elements are engaging enough to keep the reader going.

For readers who enjoy lighthearted, whimsical stories with eccentric characters, this might still be a fun read. But if you prefer a protagonist with even a shred of self-awareness, Happily Ever After may leave you more frustrated than entertained.

With the anticipation of reading a romance that could have taken place in a Gothic novel setting, I was a little disappointed with the overall result of Happily Ever After. Andi is like most females who love books; she's looking for an adventure and love. She takes a live-in job as a library curator at Templewood Hall. The Lady of the manor and her son are the eccentric type, and their family has secrets, as any good gothic novel would include. But for me, there was a lack of chemistry and not too much of a mystery to really hook me into the story. And of course, this was not the romance it led me to believe.

There were many times the story lagged as well as just confused me. Too many themes were attempted, and it just fell flat for me. I really did not like the main characters, even though they had a bit of quirkiness to them. Without the chemistry a good romance needs, I definitely would not call this a romance to live up to its title of Happily Ever After.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Tw - homophobia

I liked the idea of this book; a modern version of a gothic novel that makes fun of the common tropes just like northanger abbey did. I do think the cover and title are a little bit misleading into thinking it’s a romance novel when it isn’t. There was no need for the various types of homophobia in the novel.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this arc.

The last few books of Lovering's I’ve read have been more fiction/women’s fiction with less romance than I’m used to. In this book there are a few possibilities for heroine Andi, that is if she is actually going to get a romance and not just live in her book induced fantasy dreams. But for the longest time, I didn’t know if Andi was going to pull her head out of her book-induced expectations or not.

I can see that with her #VanLife and #LivinginaCaravan upbringing, Andi has turned to books to be both her friends and her source of information given that her parents don’t believe in standard schooling. Andi arrives at Templewood with stars in her eyes and dreams of the son of the house falling for her, marrying her and then living her romance book dream best life. As Jay the gardener says during one of their conversations, life isn’t like that.

Still Andi’s head remains in her daydream clouds for a long, long time. That Lady Tanith’s son Hugo likes her is one point in Andi’s favor. That the Master likes her is probably several points in her favor as Lady Tanith seems to believe that the overweight Siamese cat, who usually smells of fish, is the reincarnation of the man Lady Tanith loved and lost but whom, even fifty years after his death, Lady Tanith still loves with feelings that border on obsession. As the taxi driver who drove Andi to Templewood said – bonkers.

Once most of the main plot points got laid out, the book sort of repetitiously circled around on itself, spun its wheels in the mud and didn’t go anywhere for a while. We read the story through Andi’s first person POV and there is a lot of telling here. So much telling. It’s also hard to tell exactly what the book is supposed to be – mystery, romance, gothic, women’s fiction. There’s a touch of all of that.

After a slow middle, the finale picks up its pace, guns it, and charges to the end. Andi finds her future albeit, yes, after a man suggests it and offers it to her. Other characters discover a new way forward as well and this part sort of charms me, too. Who knew the secrets a family can have? I certainly hope, though, that one person will remain in a better headspace. But I do love the cat. C+