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Deadly Ever After
Two dead princesses must find true love's kiss to bring them back to life in this heart-stopping romantic fantasy debut. For fans of Cinderella Is Dead and Girl, Serpent, Thorn.
Amala has spent her whole life trying to be the perfect delicate, quiet, obedient. But when she’s murdered on the night of her wedding, her story is cut short before it begins.
Kha’dasia has been told her whole life that she is too rough, too loud, too much. She’s no ordinary princess but a ruthless warrior on a quest to fulfill her late brother’s dying wish. Except she dies before reaching her destination.
When both girls wake up in a cursed forest, the gods offer them a second chance at life—if they can find true love’s kiss. But there’s a catch, the gods warn. While the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you.
On their journey, the princesses must overcome challenges that force them to face the truth of their lives…and their deaths. And as Amala and Kha’dasia grow closer, they can’t help but wonder if true love has been standing right in front of them all along.
Amala has spent her whole life trying to be the perfect delicate, quiet, obedient. But when she’s murdered on the night of her wedding, her story is cut short before it begins.
Kha’dasia has been told her whole life that she is too rough, too loud, too much. She’s no ordinary princess but a ruthless warrior on a quest to fulfill her late brother’s dying wish. Except she dies before reaching her destination.
When both girls wake up in a cursed forest, the gods offer them a second chance at life—if they can find true love’s kiss. But there’s a catch, the gods warn. While the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you.
On their journey, the princesses must overcome challenges that force them to face the truth of their lives…and their deaths. And as Amala and Kha’dasia grow closer, they can’t help but wonder if true love has been standing right in front of them all along.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
69 people are currently reading
12036 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
November 5, 2025
Sapphic princesses on a quest?! Could this get any better?!
Deadly Ever After isn’t a book, it’s a dose of magical healing disguised as a fairytale adventure through a cursed forest, where two princesses find true loves kiss.
This book is thick with themes of healing, self-discovery, and identity exploration and it perfectly balances whimsy with darker themes. It screams, “you’re allowed to be you, no matter how sad, soft, angry - every version of you is valid and you are seen.” This is the book young Jenny needed and the book adult Jenny needed too.
is the perfect book for young audiences.
Whats to love…
- sapphic princesses
- a QUEST
- queer normative world
- dark yet whimsical
- fairytale vibes
- cursed forest setting
- perfectly paced
- opposites attract
- interesting world
- exploration of grief and healing from trauma
I loved every moment of being in The Garden and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
A note for my adult readers: this book is for ages 12+ and fits that age range well, the themes, complexity of world building, romance, prose, etc are all meant for young adults. If you’re looking for a healing YOUNG ADULT novel, look no further, but if you’re looking for an adult book mis-categorized as YA this is not it.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Deadly Ever After isn’t a book, it’s a dose of magical healing disguised as a fairytale adventure through a cursed forest, where two princesses find true loves kiss.
This book is thick with themes of healing, self-discovery, and identity exploration and it perfectly balances whimsy with darker themes. It screams, “you’re allowed to be you, no matter how sad, soft, angry - every version of you is valid and you are seen.” This is the book young Jenny needed and the book adult Jenny needed too.
is the perfect book for young audiences.
Whats to love…
- sapphic princesses
- a QUEST
- queer normative world
- dark yet whimsical
- fairytale vibes
- cursed forest setting
- perfectly paced
- opposites attract
- interesting world
- exploration of grief and healing from trauma
I loved every moment of being in The Garden and I cannot wait to read more by this author.
A note for my adult readers: this book is for ages 12+ and fits that age range well, the themes, complexity of world building, romance, prose, etc are all meant for young adults. If you’re looking for a healing YOUNG ADULT novel, look no further, but if you’re looking for an adult book mis-categorized as YA this is not it.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
November 9, 2025
quick and fun read, the ending was a bit more melodramatic than it needed to be but i also think it fit the story.
November 28, 2025
This one pulled me in from the very beginning. One thing I loved most was the character development. Both Amala and Kha’dasia had such powerful & emotional hurdles to cross, that made me adore them even more as the story unfolded. Their growth felt organic, heartfelt, and perfectly layered.
Let me just say, Queen Dominique & Calvin absolutely infuriated me! Every time they were mentioned, I felt my blood pressure rise 😂.
The audiobook narration was impeccable! The narrators delivered emotional depths to perfection. It enhanced every moment of tension, romance, and self discovery.
If you love YA romantasy, especially stories featuring arranged marriage tropes, this one should be added to your list. I really enjoyed these characters as they embarked on their journey of self discovery, identity, and connection. Thank you Penguin Teen, Brittany Johnson & Storygram Tours for a gifted physical copy! & Penguin Random House Audio for an ALC!
Let me just say, Queen Dominique & Calvin absolutely infuriated me! Every time they were mentioned, I felt my blood pressure rise 😂.
The audiobook narration was impeccable! The narrators delivered emotional depths to perfection. It enhanced every moment of tension, romance, and self discovery.
If you love YA romantasy, especially stories featuring arranged marriage tropes, this one should be added to your list. I really enjoyed these characters as they embarked on their journey of self discovery, identity, and connection. Thank you Penguin Teen, Brittany Johnson & Storygram Tours for a gifted physical copy! & Penguin Random House Audio for an ALC!
January 27, 2026
absolutely ate this up. rtc.
October 13, 2025
a cute quick read! i rlly enjoyed the concept and the setting it felt just like a fairytale. the romance was veryyyy instalovey but i still enjoyed myself
January 9, 2026
This was a cute fantasy adventure story. Nothing amazed me or angered me, I just left this book wanting a more fleshed out story, but we move.
February 24, 2026
Deadly Ever After by Brittany Johnson
I didn’t read the plot or summary before hand so I had no idea what the tropes was in this book but it allowed me to go in blind and get fully immersed in the world and I absolutely loved it more.
Amala’s growth throughout the book was fantastic. I love when a female main character overcomes her struggles and has a good growth through her personality and out view in life. Her childhood was absolutely heartbreaking as it was unravel piece by piece but you wouldn't know it since Amala was so positive and cheery. I love watching her overcome that trauma and standing up for herself at the end.
Kha’dasia’s journey was powerful in a quieter way. Her story of grief and how she continues life after her brother's passing was strong in her own way. Everyone grieves differently and she felt like she lost time with her brother before he passed away because her parents didn't tell her about how sick her brother was. She comes across as stubborn and a reclose but she gradually opens herself to the Amala.
I definitely recommend this read to anyone who enjoys:
Queer romance
Strong female main characters
Fun twists
overcoming childhood trauma
Thank you NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and PenguinCA for the ARC.
#DeadlyEverAfter #NetGalley
I didn’t read the plot or summary before hand so I had no idea what the tropes was in this book but it allowed me to go in blind and get fully immersed in the world and I absolutely loved it more.
Amala’s growth throughout the book was fantastic. I love when a female main character overcomes her struggles and has a good growth through her personality and out view in life. Her childhood was absolutely heartbreaking as it was unravel piece by piece but you wouldn't know it since Amala was so positive and cheery. I love watching her overcome that trauma and standing up for herself at the end.
Kha’dasia’s journey was powerful in a quieter way. Her story of grief and how she continues life after her brother's passing was strong in her own way. Everyone grieves differently and she felt like she lost time with her brother before he passed away because her parents didn't tell her about how sick her brother was. She comes across as stubborn and a reclose but she gradually opens herself to the Amala.
I definitely recommend this read to anyone who enjoys:
Queer romance
Strong female main characters
Fun twists
overcoming childhood trauma
Thank you NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and PenguinCA for the ARC.
#DeadlyEverAfter #NetGalley
November 3, 2025
A fairytale. A Black fairytale. A Black sapphic fairytale. This is Deadly Ever After.
Two princesses. One murdered on her wedding night, the other dies on personal mission. They're given a second chance at life if they can fulfill the quest of finding true love's kiss. And the kiss must be true love because if it's not, they'll die instead.
It was entertaining reading the journey Amala and Kha'dasia had to go on and the obstacles they faced along the way. In beginning, they were leery and untrusting of one another. Of course, that changed along the way as they worked together, opened up to each other, and learned about the trauma they each carried around. Warnings for child abuse and grief.
Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group for this ARC.
Two princesses. One murdered on her wedding night, the other dies on personal mission. They're given a second chance at life if they can fulfill the quest of finding true love's kiss. And the kiss must be true love because if it's not, they'll die instead.
It was entertaining reading the journey Amala and Kha'dasia had to go on and the obstacles they faced along the way. In beginning, they were leery and untrusting of one another. Of course, that changed along the way as they worked together, opened up to each other, and learned about the trauma they each carried around. Warnings for child abuse and grief.
Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group for this ARC.
February 2, 2026
Deadly Ever After aimed to show that the life of a princess is not all glitz and glamor. It starts off very interesting with two princesses ending up dead and being forced to go through a series of challenges to restore their life.
Since this was a shorter book and fairytale inspired I expected the romance to develop quickly. However the romance here basically developed out of thin air. I thought I had missed a chapter when they suddenly went from immediate dislike of each other to gushing over how the other was cute. They also just had little chemistry with each other. The cartoonishly evil dad is an over-used trope in sapphic stories.
It also had the same problem as Cinderella is Dead in that for the majority of the book it reads like it's for an audience much younger than YA.
Since this was a shorter book and fairytale inspired I expected the romance to develop quickly. However the romance here basically developed out of thin air. I thought I had missed a chapter when they suddenly went from immediate dislike of each other to gushing over how the other was cute. They also just had little chemistry with each other. The cartoonishly evil dad is an over-used trope in sapphic stories.
It also had the same problem as Cinderella is Dead in that for the majority of the book it reads like it's for an audience much younger than YA.
December 7, 2025
Thank you to PRHAudio for my gifted ALC.
A sapphic fairy tale fantasy about two BIPOC girls with a diverse cast of characters written by a person of color? I have needed this since the moment I saw the cover reveal and what an incredible cover it is.
If Once Upon a Broken Heart and Cinderella is Dead had a baby, it would be this book. It’s full of fairy tale whimsy, a beautiful romance that started with a little knife to throat action (well sword and not exactly throat, but that’s not the point!), and a murder mystery that has to be solved… but it’s actually her own murder she’s solving.
Amala has had years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of her father. The only mother figure she ever knew was sent away (her hand-maiden) and her upcoming marriage is the only thing she has to look forward to. But on her wedding day she’s murdered.
Kha’dasia had a brother once. He was sick, but she wasn’t aware and before she knew it, he was gone. She’s runaway to get away from his memory, but then one night she goes to sleep feeling awful and wakes up dead. (Side note: the scene with her horse mourning her BROKE ME!!!!!!)
They both find themselves in a limbo of sorts. Or maybe their version of Heaven. It’s the home of the gods of their world. To be able to return home, they have to travel across the land and find true love’s kiss. If they kiss someone who isn’t their true love, they die. But if they find and kiss their true love, they can return back to their bodies and survive.
Along the way, they have to solve Amala’s murder, because if she returns to her body, the killer may try to finish the job they started.
Let me start by saying that I couldn’t help imagining the gods as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Khaling from A Wrinkle in Time. I know that it wasn’t supposed to be them, but that’s where my mind went.
I, of course, am Brittany Johnson’s biggest fan now. This read like a fairy tale, as I’m sure it was meant to, and I ate it up… word for WORD! I couldn’t stop reading until the end. Did I realize who the villain was long before Amala? Yes! We all did. But she’s a little dreamer and I love her for it.
I really want to go back and read it again immediately, tbh. It was that amazing!
A sapphic fairy tale fantasy about two BIPOC girls with a diverse cast of characters written by a person of color? I have needed this since the moment I saw the cover reveal and what an incredible cover it is.
If Once Upon a Broken Heart and Cinderella is Dead had a baby, it would be this book. It’s full of fairy tale whimsy, a beautiful romance that started with a little knife to throat action (well sword and not exactly throat, but that’s not the point!), and a murder mystery that has to be solved… but it’s actually her own murder she’s solving.
Amala has had years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of her father. The only mother figure she ever knew was sent away (her hand-maiden) and her upcoming marriage is the only thing she has to look forward to. But on her wedding day she’s murdered.
Kha’dasia had a brother once. He was sick, but she wasn’t aware and before she knew it, he was gone. She’s runaway to get away from his memory, but then one night she goes to sleep feeling awful and wakes up dead. (Side note: the scene with her horse mourning her BROKE ME!!!!!!)
They both find themselves in a limbo of sorts. Or maybe their version of Heaven. It’s the home of the gods of their world. To be able to return home, they have to travel across the land and find true love’s kiss. If they kiss someone who isn’t their true love, they die. But if they find and kiss their true love, they can return back to their bodies and survive.
Along the way, they have to solve Amala’s murder, because if she returns to her body, the killer may try to finish the job they started.
Let me start by saying that I couldn’t help imagining the gods as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Khaling from A Wrinkle in Time. I know that it wasn’t supposed to be them, but that’s where my mind went.
I, of course, am Brittany Johnson’s biggest fan now. This read like a fairy tale, as I’m sure it was meant to, and I ate it up… word for WORD! I couldn’t stop reading until the end. Did I realize who the villain was long before Amala? Yes! We all did. But she’s a little dreamer and I love her for it.
I really want to go back and read it again immediately, tbh. It was that amazing!
November 26, 2025
Didn’t love this book as much as I thought I would.
This reads as "early" YA and felt juvenile at times…
I did like how much the author leaned into the fairytale aspect and how everything felt like a dream. I guess this is also this book’s downfall.
The character development was the strongest element of the book and the romance was really cute but I expected more intricate storylines and challenges. A lot of the characters and situations felt two-dimensional and I didn’t feel like we had a real resolution. I think this book frustrated me more than anything.
This book’s saving grace is the sapphic romance and representation. The main characters really complete each other and I feel like young queer Black girls need to know that they belong in this world and for this reason I’m not rating this book lower than three stars.
This reads as "early" YA and felt juvenile at times…
I did like how much the author leaned into the fairytale aspect and how everything felt like a dream. I guess this is also this book’s downfall.
The character development was the strongest element of the book and the romance was really cute but I expected more intricate storylines and challenges. A lot of the characters and situations felt two-dimensional and I didn’t feel like we had a real resolution. I think this book frustrated me more than anything.
This book’s saving grace is the sapphic romance and representation. The main characters really complete each other and I feel like young queer Black girls need to know that they belong in this world and for this reason I’m not rating this book lower than three stars.
January 1, 2026
FIRST RATING OF 2026!!! woooo wooo happy new year!!
this book was SUPER cute!! an original fairytale with a lot of fantasy and an AMAZING enemies to lovers story.
i love the contrast of amalas soft “damsel in distress” personality vs kha’dasias more hard “doesn’t need anyone to protect her” personality, and how by the end of the book we see amala very strong and protective and kha’dasia open to talking about her feelings and being vulnerable, I LOVE IT
one of my favorite parts of this book is how protective kha’dasia constantly is of amala, its SOOO cute. overall i think the yearning is soooo good and the chemistry of the characters is EVIDENT
i think this might be a niche thing to have really enjoyed about the book, but as someone (who did not grow up religious) in a queer relationship (with someone who did grow up religious) i love how this book handles kha’dasia sort of navigating amalas religious trauma and fear of god. they went about it in a very relatable and realistic way.
there’s also a lot of very beautiful and sad elements of navigating grief and lost loved ones, that’s a very big part of the story at least for kha’dasia, and the way it’s written is So heartbreaking especially since it’s a sibling dynamic
i think the end of the book was drawn out just a little, i think there could of been maybe 1 or 2 less battle/fight scenes that just felt excessive, and i think there could be more work on the world building and descriptions, but other than that i really really liked this book. it was funny and cute but also deep and heart wrenching and i just love gaybo princesses
this book was SUPER cute!! an original fairytale with a lot of fantasy and an AMAZING enemies to lovers story.
i love the contrast of amalas soft “damsel in distress” personality vs kha’dasias more hard “doesn’t need anyone to protect her” personality, and how by the end of the book we see amala very strong and protective and kha’dasia open to talking about her feelings and being vulnerable, I LOVE IT
one of my favorite parts of this book is how protective kha’dasia constantly is of amala, its SOOO cute. overall i think the yearning is soooo good and the chemistry of the characters is EVIDENT
i think this might be a niche thing to have really enjoyed about the book, but as someone (who did not grow up religious) in a queer relationship (with someone who did grow up religious) i love how this book handles kha’dasia sort of navigating amalas religious trauma and fear of god. they went about it in a very relatable and realistic way.
there’s also a lot of very beautiful and sad elements of navigating grief and lost loved ones, that’s a very big part of the story at least for kha’dasia, and the way it’s written is So heartbreaking especially since it’s a sibling dynamic
i think the end of the book was drawn out just a little, i think there could of been maybe 1 or 2 less battle/fight scenes that just felt excessive, and i think there could be more work on the world building and descriptions, but other than that i really really liked this book. it was funny and cute but also deep and heart wrenching and i just love gaybo princesses
November 3, 2025
I really thought I would like this book, so much so that I requested it on NetGalley. However, I was left disappointed. I could definitely see others enjoying this book, but it wasn’t for me. Let’s get into it…
First off, I didn’t really like either of the main characters. It felt like they both had one main personality trait that dictated how they reacted to everything with Amala being naive and Kha’dasia being stubborn. They did have character development based on these traits but it felt very heavy-handed and basic.
They both had very interesting and traumatic backgrounds that I’m sure other readers would find meaningful, but it wasn’t enough to change my opinion on these characters. I do feel bad for being such a hater about these characters because I could definitely see them being relatable and impactful to others as we follow them heal from their grief and trauma, but I just couldn’t get invested in their story for some reason.
The romance between Amala and Kha’dasia also felt very forced and kind of insta lovey. I hated that it felt very based on physical attraction with them constantly thinking about how pretty the other one is and staring at each other.
A majority of the story takes place in this magical world called the Garden. It puts the main characters through several random challenges as they try to reach their destination. I didn’t find these challenges exciting or interesting because they were always provided with a way to get out of each sticky situation and it just felt very on the nose that their purpose was for Amala to realize she’s stronger than she thinks or Kha’dasia to learn how to be vulnerable. I also found the world building to be kind of lacking and the magic just really random.
The concept of them both being dead and trying to get their true love’s kiss to come back to life was very intriguing, but as you can tell I wasn’t happy with the execution of this storyline. The only part of this story that I found compelling was the mystery of who killed Amala, but we found that out about halfway through the book. There was some exciting action, but I totally expected the “twists” at the end. I also found the pacing throughout to be inconsistent. And my final complaint was the use of some modern language that really took me out of the story because why were they saying gaslight???
So yeah can’t say I would personally recommend this book. I could see it maybe being better for the younger side of YA, but as someone who reads a lot of YA they’re usually more complex and in depth than this. Although I could see the topics covered making this impactful to a young reader. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this early.
2.25/5 ⭐️
First off, I didn’t really like either of the main characters. It felt like they both had one main personality trait that dictated how they reacted to everything with Amala being naive and Kha’dasia being stubborn. They did have character development based on these traits but it felt very heavy-handed and basic.
They both had very interesting and traumatic backgrounds that I’m sure other readers would find meaningful, but it wasn’t enough to change my opinion on these characters. I do feel bad for being such a hater about these characters because I could definitely see them being relatable and impactful to others as we follow them heal from their grief and trauma, but I just couldn’t get invested in their story for some reason.
The romance between Amala and Kha’dasia also felt very forced and kind of insta lovey. I hated that it felt very based on physical attraction with them constantly thinking about how pretty the other one is and staring at each other.
A majority of the story takes place in this magical world called the Garden. It puts the main characters through several random challenges as they try to reach their destination. I didn’t find these challenges exciting or interesting because they were always provided with a way to get out of each sticky situation and it just felt very on the nose that their purpose was for Amala to realize she’s stronger than she thinks or Kha’dasia to learn how to be vulnerable. I also found the world building to be kind of lacking and the magic just really random.
The concept of them both being dead and trying to get their true love’s kiss to come back to life was very intriguing, but as you can tell I wasn’t happy with the execution of this storyline. The only part of this story that I found compelling was the mystery of who killed Amala, but we found that out about halfway through the book. There was some exciting action, but I totally expected the “twists” at the end. I also found the pacing throughout to be inconsistent. And my final complaint was the use of some modern language that really took me out of the story because why were they saying gaslight???
So yeah can’t say I would personally recommend this book. I could see it maybe being better for the younger side of YA, but as someone who reads a lot of YA they’re usually more complex and in depth than this. Although I could see the topics covered making this impactful to a young reader. Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this early.
2.25/5 ⭐️
November 10, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
after amala and kha’dasia, two princesses from different kingdoms, end up dead, they are brought together in a unique form of the afterlife and sent on a journey to uncover their second chance at life — if only they can find true love’s kiss.
this sapphic romantasy was very creative and cute!!! i love a story with trials and there were so many in this one. so much of this book was about the characters coming to terms with the realities of their lives, in terms of events and also feelings. especially for amala, realizing love was not meant to be a situation where you settle for safe (*raises eyebrow iykyk*), but one where you’re lit on fire in the best way and made to feel alive. together, amala and kha’dasia brought out the best sides of each other and found the beautiful love they deserved.
while the end was satisfying, i felt it was rather predictable and also very rushed. in 20%, a lot was stuffed together to create a conclusion that just kind of left me feeling eh. additionally, there were definitely some points in the book that dragged and felt like they were filler to extend the scene.
overall, this was an enjoyable read and i loved my iconic sapphic princesses! for a debut fantasy, this was good work, and i look forward to seeing what brittany johnson does next!
after amala and kha’dasia, two princesses from different kingdoms, end up dead, they are brought together in a unique form of the afterlife and sent on a journey to uncover their second chance at life — if only they can find true love’s kiss.
this sapphic romantasy was very creative and cute!!! i love a story with trials and there were so many in this one. so much of this book was about the characters coming to terms with the realities of their lives, in terms of events and also feelings. especially for amala, realizing love was not meant to be a situation where you settle for safe (*raises eyebrow iykyk*), but one where you’re lit on fire in the best way and made to feel alive. together, amala and kha’dasia brought out the best sides of each other and found the beautiful love they deserved.
while the end was satisfying, i felt it was rather predictable and also very rushed. in 20%, a lot was stuffed together to create a conclusion that just kind of left me feeling eh. additionally, there were definitely some points in the book that dragged and felt like they were filler to extend the scene.
overall, this was an enjoyable read and i loved my iconic sapphic princesses! for a debut fantasy, this was good work, and i look forward to seeing what brittany johnson does next!
June 1, 2025
thank you putnam & penguin teen for the ARC + me winning my first goodreads giveaway 🤭🫶🏾 this was an entertaining read, let’s go black sapphics 🙌🏾🩷!! love dual pov of unlikely characters forced to work with one another & then they end up falling in love at the end of it all :) & the fairytale backdrop & lush and ever-changing setting of The Garden didn’t hurt either! however…the writing style is just not for me. it read very juvenile like something straight from wattpad (which isn’t always a bad thing but), but that’s probably bc i’m not the target audience lol. the pacing was also pretty terrible but i did enjoy amala and kha’dasia’s character arcs—though i hate weak characters, so sorry amala. the romance between them was cute but cheesy & don’t even get me started on the laughable cliche ending. but like i said, this was entertaining has a clear message for younger readers!
January 12, 2026
3.5⭐
i went into this book mostly blind, and the premise immediately captured my interest. i genuinely enjoyed the sapphic, adventurous story centered on the two princesses, and I found their journey engaging and fun to follow. watching both amala and kha’dasia navigate their circumstances and face the obstacles in their path was a major highlight, especially given how distrustful they are of one another at the start. i loved seeing that tension slowly evolve into cooperation as they learned to work together in pursuit of their own chosen fates.
the timeline, particularly the distinction between the alternate state and reality, felt a bit murky at times. while it wasn’t overly confusing or difficult to follow, it did slightly impact the emotional pacing of the story. because of this, the bond and romance between the two princesses felt a bit rushed, as though it developed more from shared trauma than from deeper, intentional moments. even setting aside their clear attraction, i would have enjoyed seeing their relationship build more gradually.
with that said, the story was still entertaining throughout. while some plot beats felt predictable and the conclusion didn’t land with the full impact i was hoping for, the journey itself was engaging and full of drama. the queer representation was a definite highlight for me and added a refreshing, joyful energy to the story, giving it a fun and tasteful twist. overall, this was an enjoyable and adventurous read with strong sapphic elements, and i’m glad i picked it up.
thank you to PRH audio for the gifted audiobook and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
i went into this book mostly blind, and the premise immediately captured my interest. i genuinely enjoyed the sapphic, adventurous story centered on the two princesses, and I found their journey engaging and fun to follow. watching both amala and kha’dasia navigate their circumstances and face the obstacles in their path was a major highlight, especially given how distrustful they are of one another at the start. i loved seeing that tension slowly evolve into cooperation as they learned to work together in pursuit of their own chosen fates.
the timeline, particularly the distinction between the alternate state and reality, felt a bit murky at times. while it wasn’t overly confusing or difficult to follow, it did slightly impact the emotional pacing of the story. because of this, the bond and romance between the two princesses felt a bit rushed, as though it developed more from shared trauma than from deeper, intentional moments. even setting aside their clear attraction, i would have enjoyed seeing their relationship build more gradually.
with that said, the story was still entertaining throughout. while some plot beats felt predictable and the conclusion didn’t land with the full impact i was hoping for, the journey itself was engaging and full of drama. the queer representation was a definite highlight for me and added a refreshing, joyful energy to the story, giving it a fun and tasteful twist. overall, this was an enjoyable and adventurous read with strong sapphic elements, and i’m glad i picked it up.
thank you to PRH audio for the gifted audiobook and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2026
This was so cute and so good! Perfect for fans of Holly Black!!! I loved how I didn't know this was a queer novel either till I read it so that was a nice surprised too.. This was a fun standalone and kind of a nice changed because I've either been reading a lot of first of a series, and/or sequles and having to wait for the next installment. Thank you to penguin teen for sending me a finished copy!! I'm sorry it took me 2 months too read it, but I should've read it sooner cause I read it in 2 days!! Check this one out if u haven't yet. Will totally be buying/reading more of Brittany's work! 4 out of 5 stars first book of 2026!!!!
July 15, 2025
Deadly Ever After follows Amala and Kha’dasia, two princesses who find themselves in a cursed forest and offered a second chance at life. Amala has spent her life being quiet and obedient and is about to free herself from her father by marrying Vincent, her true love, when she’s murdered. While Kha’dasia is the opposite—she’s loud and rough and on a mission fulfill her late brother’s dying wish. If they can make it through the forest alive and kiss their true love at the end, they’ll be free, but if they kiss the wrong person, they’ll die.
This was such a lovely debut!! This reads like a fairytale and has a beautiful message of empowering girls and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and discussions brought up. The world building was great for such a short book. It was so easy to fly through although it was predictable. But it had lovely prose and atmosphere. I really loved the gods realm and the quest they went on. Especially with the twist to true love’s kiss. It was a really unique and exciting take on fairytales!
I love a good dual-pov book especially when it’s a romance. Seeing them both fall for each other was so sweet. Amala and Kha’dasia have such a wholesome romance that starts off rocky and is so satisfying to watch them fall. I loved their ending. Both girls go through such good growth through the novel and I loved seeing where they started to where they ended. It felt very realistic and relatable and definitely inspiring for younger readers. I think is this such a good fairytale romantasy for teens!
If you love sapphic fantasy romances I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
This was such a lovely debut!! This reads like a fairytale and has a beautiful message of empowering girls and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and discussions brought up. The world building was great for such a short book. It was so easy to fly through although it was predictable. But it had lovely prose and atmosphere. I really loved the gods realm and the quest they went on. Especially with the twist to true love’s kiss. It was a really unique and exciting take on fairytales!
I love a good dual-pov book especially when it’s a romance. Seeing them both fall for each other was so sweet. Amala and Kha’dasia have such a wholesome romance that starts off rocky and is so satisfying to watch them fall. I loved their ending. Both girls go through such good growth through the novel and I loved seeing where they started to where they ended. It felt very realistic and relatable and definitely inspiring for younger readers. I think is this such a good fairytale romantasy for teens!
If you love sapphic fantasy romances I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
July 20, 2025
Deadly Ever After took me on a journey I didn’t know I needed. It’s more than just a dark fairytale retelling it’s a story about identity, healing, and learning to love yourself after being told for so long that you’re “too much” or “not enough.
I related so deeply to Amala. Her quiet strength, her need to please, her fear of taking up space. I saw so much of myself in her. Watching her slowly find her voice and fight for her own story nearly brought me to tears. And then there’s Kha’dasia rough around the edges, full of fire, but hurting in ways she doesn’t always know how to express. They were complete opposites on the surface, but it became so clear that they needed each other to grow.
This story holds lessons on top of lessons about survival, self-worth, and redefining what “true love” really means. It was magical, romantic, and heavy in all the right ways. The cursed forest setting gave it an eerie, fairytale vibe, but the emotional depth? That’s what stayed with me the most.
Brittany Johnson gave us two layered, complex girls and let them be soft, angry, scared, brave, and in love. I can’t stop thinking about this book.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC! 💖
I related so deeply to Amala. Her quiet strength, her need to please, her fear of taking up space. I saw so much of myself in her. Watching her slowly find her voice and fight for her own story nearly brought me to tears. And then there’s Kha’dasia rough around the edges, full of fire, but hurting in ways she doesn’t always know how to express. They were complete opposites on the surface, but it became so clear that they needed each other to grow.
This story holds lessons on top of lessons about survival, self-worth, and redefining what “true love” really means. It was magical, romantic, and heavy in all the right ways. The cursed forest setting gave it an eerie, fairytale vibe, but the emotional depth? That’s what stayed with me the most.
Brittany Johnson gave us two layered, complex girls and let them be soft, angry, scared, brave, and in love. I can’t stop thinking about this book.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC! 💖
November 4, 2025
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and NetGalley for the early copy. All thoughts are my own.
I've been looking forward to this since I heard about it and I really really enjoyed it. Having the main character die in the first chapter is a sure way to get me hooked. This was a quick read with a beautiful message and I highly recommend!
This had a fun quest with challenges and obstacles that needed overcoming. I really liked that both of our main characters learned and grew a lot. Amala spent her whole life trapped and forced to fit into the mold her father created for her and, after being murdered on the night of her wedding, she had to learn to trust and fight for herself. Watching her courage grow was both beautiful and inspiring. Kha'dasia had spent the last few years consumed and driven by grief. Her journey through that grief was heartbreaking and emotional and I spent a lot of time crying throughout it. I loved watching her face her grief and grow from it. Overall, this was a story of self-discovery and healing, and I feel like it was done very well.
I've been looking forward to this since I heard about it and I really really enjoyed it. Having the main character die in the first chapter is a sure way to get me hooked. This was a quick read with a beautiful message and I highly recommend!
This had a fun quest with challenges and obstacles that needed overcoming. I really liked that both of our main characters learned and grew a lot. Amala spent her whole life trapped and forced to fit into the mold her father created for her and, after being murdered on the night of her wedding, she had to learn to trust and fight for herself. Watching her courage grow was both beautiful and inspiring. Kha'dasia had spent the last few years consumed and driven by grief. Her journey through that grief was heartbreaking and emotional and I spent a lot of time crying throughout it. I loved watching her face her grief and grow from it. Overall, this was a story of self-discovery and healing, and I feel like it was done very well.
April 6, 2025
“Loving others and allowing yourself to be loved is the strongest magic in the world.”
this debut novel is MAGIC! not only does it have all the fairytale/romance goodness you’d expect, but it’s funny, adventurous, and deep af. i am so excited for this book to make it into the hands of young readers especially, because so much of this story has the power to influence how they view themselves in the world. such a fun, emotional, beautiful journey - can’t wait for you all to experience it when this is released!!
this debut novel is MAGIC! not only does it have all the fairytale/romance goodness you’d expect, but it’s funny, adventurous, and deep af. i am so excited for this book to make it into the hands of young readers especially, because so much of this story has the power to influence how they view themselves in the world. such a fun, emotional, beautiful journey - can’t wait for you all to experience it when this is released!!
July 21, 2025
This book is pure magic. The way it offers teenagers a space to confront their trauma, where they are forced to take the time to come to terms with themselves and their place in the world, deeply touched me. It allows both princesses to be soft, to be angry, and to be hurt. It is so unapologetic in healing and the discovery of your place in the world. I loved it so much.
November 17, 2025
This is the kind of story my younger self would’ve loved. Two princesses who die before their stories even begin and wake up in a cursed forest with a second chance, provided they can find true love's kiss.
What really made this shine for me was how proudly it centers diversity. There’s something incredibly affirming about seeing these girls take up space as the powerful heroes who get to choose their own destiny.
The opposites dynamic between Amala and Kha’dasia is lovely. Their journey has plenty of tenderness, frustration, and unspoken longing as they confront their past traumas and discover that maybe their quest isn't as straightforward as it seems. I adored how the story leans into self-worth, healing, and connection, and the sapphic romance adds that extra sparkle.
That said, this is very much a younger YA novel and that absolutely will work for its target audience. Younger readers are going to eat up the adventure, the emotional beats, and the deliciously dramatic fairytale atmosphere.
I do think the pacing stutters a little bit. The jumps felt abrupt at times, like we were racing from one challenge to the next before a scene could fully land. The ending, while satisfying, had that slightly predictable, rushed quality that made me wish the story had lingered just a little longer.
Still, this is a charming fairytale remix with big heart and healing vibes; the kind of book that feels like reclaiming the princess stories you grew up with and reshaping them into something more honest and empowering. It may be written for younger teens, but it holds a timeless softness that makes it easy to love.
Add to your TBR if you love:
👑Princesses save themselves
👑Healing journey, grief and family trauma
👑Opposites (Grumpy/Fierce and Naïve/Sunshine)
👑Modern Fairytale with Disney vibes
👑They're on a quest
Thank you to Penguin Teen, the author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary review copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
What really made this shine for me was how proudly it centers diversity. There’s something incredibly affirming about seeing these girls take up space as the powerful heroes who get to choose their own destiny.
The opposites dynamic between Amala and Kha’dasia is lovely. Their journey has plenty of tenderness, frustration, and unspoken longing as they confront their past traumas and discover that maybe their quest isn't as straightforward as it seems. I adored how the story leans into self-worth, healing, and connection, and the sapphic romance adds that extra sparkle.
That said, this is very much a younger YA novel and that absolutely will work for its target audience. Younger readers are going to eat up the adventure, the emotional beats, and the deliciously dramatic fairytale atmosphere.
I do think the pacing stutters a little bit. The jumps felt abrupt at times, like we were racing from one challenge to the next before a scene could fully land. The ending, while satisfying, had that slightly predictable, rushed quality that made me wish the story had lingered just a little longer.
Still, this is a charming fairytale remix with big heart and healing vibes; the kind of book that feels like reclaiming the princess stories you grew up with and reshaping them into something more honest and empowering. It may be written for younger teens, but it holds a timeless softness that makes it easy to love.
Add to your TBR if you love:
👑Princesses save themselves
👑Healing journey, grief and family trauma
👑Opposites (Grumpy/Fierce and Naïve/Sunshine)
👑Modern Fairytale with Disney vibes
👑They're on a quest
Thank you to Penguin Teen, the author, and Storygram Tours for the complimentary review copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
February 19, 2026
An absolute perfect YA fantasy. Especially for those who like minimal to no spice because the story itself was so entertaining that spice isn’t even necessary. Everything I wish fairytales looked like growing up.
Black female characters, a sapphic love story, tension, & high stakes? What more could you ask for?
Deadly ever after while at its surface may seem whimsical and like something straight out of a storybook, Brittany touches on a few darker themes you could miss if you’re not paying attention.
Truly I did love the magic of it all, the garden, all the lessons taught by the elders, even the touch on spirituality.
One thing I loved about this book was the fact that Amala and Kha’dija start off as polar opposites. Where one believes in love and fairytales, the other is a realist. Where one is confrontational and takes no shit, the other is softer and more timid. Overtime you come to realize they fill eachother’s weak spots. Amala’s strengths are Kha’dija’s weaknesses and vice versa.
By the time you reach the end of the book as you’re following their journey and all of the obstacles they face, you start to see their strengths blend together. Things they’ve learned from eachother show in their actions and it actually made me smile and root for the characters.
Something I noticed in the author’s note was that when Brittany was giving her acknowledgments, at the very end she said “and to myself, I’m glad we stayed”
Brittany, I’m glad you did too. Thank you for your art and giving the world two beautiful and bad-ass princesses they could see themselves in.
Black female characters, a sapphic love story, tension, & high stakes? What more could you ask for?
Deadly ever after while at its surface may seem whimsical and like something straight out of a storybook, Brittany touches on a few darker themes you could miss if you’re not paying attention.
Truly I did love the magic of it all, the garden, all the lessons taught by the elders, even the touch on spirituality.
One thing I loved about this book was the fact that Amala and Kha’dija start off as polar opposites. Where one believes in love and fairytales, the other is a realist. Where one is confrontational and takes no shit, the other is softer and more timid. Overtime you come to realize they fill eachother’s weak spots. Amala’s strengths are Kha’dija’s weaknesses and vice versa.
By the time you reach the end of the book as you’re following their journey and all of the obstacles they face, you start to see their strengths blend together. Things they’ve learned from eachother show in their actions and it actually made me smile and root for the characters.
Something I noticed in the author’s note was that when Brittany was giving her acknowledgments, at the very end she said “and to myself, I’m glad we stayed”
Brittany, I’m glad you did too. Thank you for your art and giving the world two beautiful and bad-ass princesses they could see themselves in.
February 16, 2026
This was such a fun read that covers some dark themes and lessons about strength and empowerment. I breezed through this fairytale adventure story and really enjoyed it.
I loved following both Amala and Kha’Dasia. They were both so different from each other, but had a lot in common at the same time. I think this is what gave them a strong connection and built the foundation for what was to come between them.
This story had a lot of components from classic fairytales we know and love woven into the story. Some elements were predictable, but there were some twists and surprises along the way.
If you are looking for a quick, fairytale inspired fantasy romance, consider giving this one a try.
Read this if you like:
🗡️ Dual POV
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Family Trauma
🗡️ Second Chance at Life
🗡️ Sapphic Romance
Thank you @penguinteen for sending me a copy of the book.
I loved following both Amala and Kha’Dasia. They were both so different from each other, but had a lot in common at the same time. I think this is what gave them a strong connection and built the foundation for what was to come between them.
This story had a lot of components from classic fairytales we know and love woven into the story. Some elements were predictable, but there were some twists and surprises along the way.
If you are looking for a quick, fairytale inspired fantasy romance, consider giving this one a try.
Read this if you like:
🗡️ Dual POV
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Family Trauma
🗡️ Second Chance at Life
🗡️ Sapphic Romance
Thank you @penguinteen for sending me a copy of the book.
October 30, 2025
An entertaining and cutesy story with a great meaning!
We see how our two FMC’s have been hurt in the past by those they loved and trusted and how they must overcome that trauma by working together. Forced to work together, they peel layers back of each other in order to move forward with their quest. As they learn more about each other, a true friendship (and maybe even more) begins.
The way in which the quests were written felt too rushed and all over the place. I felt like we were jumping from one thing to another.
Also, Amala, girl, get over Vincent I beg!!! Every time I felt like we were getting somewhere she just had to bring up Vincent. *biggest eye roll known to man* Anyways, glad she came to her senses but I felt like it took way too long for her to get there.
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House for the ALC.
We see how our two FMC’s have been hurt in the past by those they loved and trusted and how they must overcome that trauma by working together. Forced to work together, they peel layers back of each other in order to move forward with their quest. As they learn more about each other, a true friendship (and maybe even more) begins.
The way in which the quests were written felt too rushed and all over the place. I felt like we were jumping from one thing to another.
Also, Amala, girl, get over Vincent I beg!!! Every time I felt like we were getting somewhere she just had to bring up Vincent. *biggest eye roll known to man* Anyways, glad she came to her senses but I felt like it took way too long for her to get there.
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House for the ALC.
July 27, 2025
I was so glad to receive an ARC for this book! The plot where one kiss can kill them and one will save them is so intriguing and definitely makes the reader want more. However, this story wasn't really my cup of tea.
Amala is finally getting married to the man of her dreams after spending her whole life compliant and quiet. That is until she gets murdered on her wedding night, leaving her with no happily ever after with her prince. Kha'dasia, other the other hand, is known for being too rough and aggressive. She is on a journey to fufill her dead brother's dying wish, but she dies before finishing. Both girls wake up in a whole new world and are given another chance at living if they find true love's kiss. However, one kiss will save them while the other kill them. Throughout their journey, the girls grow closer together and face multiple challenges that make them both realize how strong they are.. together.
LOVED✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹
• All the obstacles that Amala and Kha'dasia gothrough that brought them together was so endearing. It really strengthened their relationship and made them both realize how much they underestimated the other. They bonded, vented, and had great character arcs that made the book more enjoyable.
• Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and the way it was carried out through this book was smooth and practical. Both girls misjudged each other, which set them off on the wrong foot, but while they were forced to stay together they recognized how much they had in common.
NOT QUITE LOVED✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹
• The timing throughout the girls' travels felt very off. The pacing of how long night and day didn't quite add up. In the beginning, the author makes it seems as if they have very little time to find true love but during most of the book they're lollygagging and barely getting anywhere.
• The ending felt very rushed. So much (I would say too muchh) happens all at once when they return to the real world and it makes it very difficult to understand a person's motive for doing certain actions.
If you're looking for a cheesy and cliche romantasy book to read I'd definitely recommend this one!Thank you so much Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for accepting my request for an ARC in exchange for a honest review!
➷₊✧˚★★★꒱
Amala is finally getting married to the man of her dreams after spending her whole life compliant and quiet. That is until she gets murdered on her wedding night, leaving her with no happily ever after with her prince. Kha'dasia, other the other hand, is known for being too rough and aggressive. She is on a journey to fufill her dead brother's dying wish, but she dies before finishing. Both girls wake up in a whole new world and are given another chance at living if they find true love's kiss. However, one kiss will save them while the other kill them. Throughout their journey, the girls grow closer together and face multiple challenges that make them both realize how strong they are.. together.
LOVED✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹
• All the obstacles that Amala and Kha'dasia gothrough that brought them together was so endearing. It really strengthened their relationship and made them both realize how much they underestimated the other. They bonded, vented, and had great character arcs that made the book more enjoyable.
• Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and the way it was carried out through this book was smooth and practical. Both girls misjudged each other, which set them off on the wrong foot, but while they were forced to stay together they recognized how much they had in common.
NOT QUITE LOVED✦ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹
• The timing throughout the girls' travels felt very off. The pacing of how long night and day didn't quite add up. In the beginning, the author makes it seems as if they have very little time to find true love but during most of the book they're lollygagging and barely getting anywhere.
• The ending felt very rushed. So much (I would say too muchh) happens all at once when they return to the real world and it makes it very difficult to understand a person's motive for doing certain actions.
If you're looking for a cheesy and cliche romantasy book to read I'd definitely recommend this one!Thank you so much Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for accepting my request for an ARC in exchange for a honest review!
➷₊✧˚★★★꒱
January 10, 2026
If you watched OUAT and shipped Mulan and Aurora you’ll LOVE THIS!!
January 30, 2026
another win for the sapphics
August 1, 2025
I'm a sucker for a sapphic romance and this one was top tier. It was just the perfect mix of fantasy, dark themes, and whimsy. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. I also loved that the characters had range and went from unlovable, to lovable, and back again.
Thanks to Penguin publishers for this ARC!
Thanks to Penguin publishers for this ARC!
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