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The Once and Never #1
The Once and Never King
Neve Ashford never believed in fairy tales… until she fell into one.
One minute, she’s rewriting history. The next, she’s ripped from her world and dropped into a fae court where monsters wear crowns. And one just claimed her as his queen.
Artorius Pendraco is a half-fae king with a crumbling throne, a prophecy he refuses to believe in, and enemies circling like vultures. When a rival lord demands Neve’s hand, convinced her blood holds ancient power, Arthur does the only thing more dangerous than refusing.
He takes her for himself.
A mortal in a court of fae, Neve is trapped in a marriage built on lies and politics, bound to a husband she can’t trust, but can’t seem to resist. And while their alliance was meant to be nothing more than a convenient deception to keep the wolves at bay, every glance, every touch, threatens to unravel the game they’re playing—leaving her to decide if their love was just another myth… or if Arthur was always meant to be hers.
In a world where love and loyalty are as fragile as Arthur's hold on the crown, Neve must uncover the truth of her past and the strength of her heart before it’s too late.
🔥 Perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, A Fate Inked in Blood, Ruthless Vows, and anyone who thought Klaus and Caroline from The Vampire Diaries were totally endgame, this slow burn romantasy delivers a brutal (but hopelessly devoted) fae king who would burn the world for her if only she’d let him, a marriage of convenience built on lies, all the pining, and two souls bound by fate… even if they don’t know it yet.
One minute, she’s rewriting history. The next, she’s ripped from her world and dropped into a fae court where monsters wear crowns. And one just claimed her as his queen.
Artorius Pendraco is a half-fae king with a crumbling throne, a prophecy he refuses to believe in, and enemies circling like vultures. When a rival lord demands Neve’s hand, convinced her blood holds ancient power, Arthur does the only thing more dangerous than refusing.
He takes her for himself.
A mortal in a court of fae, Neve is trapped in a marriage built on lies and politics, bound to a husband she can’t trust, but can’t seem to resist. And while their alliance was meant to be nothing more than a convenient deception to keep the wolves at bay, every glance, every touch, threatens to unravel the game they’re playing—leaving her to decide if their love was just another myth… or if Arthur was always meant to be hers.
In a world where love and loyalty are as fragile as Arthur's hold on the crown, Neve must uncover the truth of her past and the strength of her heart before it’s too late.
🔥 Perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, A Fate Inked in Blood, Ruthless Vows, and anyone who thought Klaus and Caroline from The Vampire Diaries were totally endgame, this slow burn romantasy delivers a brutal (but hopelessly devoted) fae king who would burn the world for her if only she’d let him, a marriage of convenience built on lies, all the pining, and two souls bound by fate… even if they don’t know it yet.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2025
59 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 17, 2025
Wow!!! If I’m being honest I was sceptical reading this one, I read 3 chapters and almost gave up. History is not my thing nor is it something I choose to read and I know this isn’t an accurate depiction or the main plot of the book but pushed through and oh am I glad I did!
Human getting thrown into a fantasy world? Sign me up!
Arranged marriage to save her life? Sign me up!
Grumpy king vs stubborn human? Sign me up!
My favourite part is Neve having a “can I pet that dog!?” Moment with a baby dragon that she’s convinced is going to be her pet!
The banter between these 2 had me cackling! I love them! I love the freaking plot twists! I love everything about this book.
Human getting thrown into a fantasy world? Sign me up!
Arranged marriage to save her life? Sign me up!
Grumpy king vs stubborn human? Sign me up!
My favourite part is Neve having a “can I pet that dog!?” Moment with a baby dragon that she’s convinced is going to be her pet!
The banter between these 2 had me cackling! I love them! I love the freaking plot twists! I love everything about this book.
March 24, 2025
*ARC*
Ohmygod, this book was amazing. I was drawn in from page one. I love a good retelling and I was enthralled with this Arthurian retelling.
Neve, our FMC, is so relatable yet so strong. I love how confident and badass she is.
Arthur...Arthur is my new book boyfriend. I absolutely love him. He's funny, he's very much will kill if you touch her. And he's not afraid to let Neve have a little power of her own. But I love his possessiveness.
But just when things were getting to where they needed to be and certain things were aligning, that cliffhanger was so brutal!! I absolutely need book 2 immediately.
Ohmygod, this book was amazing. I was drawn in from page one. I love a good retelling and I was enthralled with this Arthurian retelling.
Neve, our FMC, is so relatable yet so strong. I love how confident and badass she is.
Arthur...Arthur is my new book boyfriend. I absolutely love him. He's funny, he's very much will kill if you touch her. And he's not afraid to let Neve have a little power of her own. But I love his possessiveness.
But just when things were getting to where they needed to be and certain things were aligning, that cliffhanger was so brutal!! I absolutely need book 2 immediately.
March 25, 2025
✨️ARC Review✨️
Neve is a strong, witty, confident & witty FMC character.
Arthur is powerful and possessive. If you touch her, you'll die 💀 character but has a soft side under all the layers that is unseen.
The book has been written beautifully. I love the plots, twists & turns in this book. This book is a page turner. Once you start, you can't stop reading or put the book down.
The end of the book is a cliffhanger & sitting on the edge finish, I seriously can't wait for the second book to be released.
Highly recommended read & a massive 5 stars 🌟
Neve is a strong, witty, confident & witty FMC character.
Arthur is powerful and possessive. If you touch her, you'll die 💀 character but has a soft side under all the layers that is unseen.
The book has been written beautifully. I love the plots, twists & turns in this book. This book is a page turner. Once you start, you can't stop reading or put the book down.
The end of the book is a cliffhanger & sitting on the edge finish, I seriously can't wait for the second book to be released.
Highly recommended read & a massive 5 stars 🌟
March 24, 2025
I’m not going to lie, I know little of the story of King Arthur and the author dictates that it’s not true to history as well, so I was deff along for the vibes. The vibes were givinggg.
I’m a sucker for plots that throw the character into fantasy worlds and this plot had a unique take! I also loved that the FMC is an academic too which lends to her witty personality and ability to handle herself in certain situations. 👀
Umm a baby dragon too? 🐉 yes please!
I loved the twist, admittedly I fully missed some details that I looked back after finishing and now it totally makes sense and some I’m curious to see how it plays out in book 2!
I’m a sucker for plots that throw the character into fantasy worlds and this plot had a unique take! I also loved that the FMC is an academic too which lends to her witty personality and ability to handle herself in certain situations. 👀
Umm a baby dragon too? 🐉 yes please!
I loved the twist, admittedly I fully missed some details that I looked back after finishing and now it totally makes sense and some I’m curious to see how it plays out in book 2!
March 24, 2025
WOW. This book has put me in a chokehold. This book has moved to my number one book of 2025, with a well deserved 5/5 stars. Without giving spoilers: think Outlander mixed with fae in King Arthur Font.
Lady Grim easily weaves this world seamlessly and beautifully. And you can 100% tell she put a lot of thought and research into it. The world is beautiful, the characters wonderfully morally grey, and don’t get me started on the Never King🥵🤤.
When I say I can’t wait for the next book… I am physically shaking: I want it that bad. I have an emotional and unhealthy obsession.
Lady Grim easily weaves this world seamlessly and beautifully. And you can 100% tell she put a lot of thought and research into it. The world is beautiful, the characters wonderfully morally grey, and don’t get me started on the Never King🥵🤤.
When I say I can’t wait for the next book… I am physically shaking: I want it that bad. I have an emotional and unhealthy obsession.
July 20, 2025
When I applied to read this one, it sound everything I would love and more but wow. This book was just INCREDIBLE. From first page, I got hooked and didn’t want to stop. I love stories with fantasy and strong characters, and this had everything I wanted. Neve was amazing, smart, brave, and funny. I liked how she wasn’t afraid of anything, even when things got dangerous. Arthur was totally my favorite. He was strong and protective but also sweet inside. The kind of guy who says don’t touch her or die, which is something I LOVE, but also respects her power. Their connection was great to read, and the slow romance was just perfect. The banter between them was fun, I often myself laughing reading them, and you could feel the chemistry. The world was also super cool, like King Arthur but with fae and some magic and even a baby dragon, loved it. The writing was beautiful and easy to follow, and there were many plot twists that made me keep flipping pages. And that ending? Excuse me. I didn’t see it coming at all and now I’m dying for the next book. I don’t know how I’m supposed to wait.This book is a must read. 5 stars, no doubt. Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy of her book and giving me the opportunity to read it, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
July 30, 2025
“It means that should any man attempt to erase you, especially in my presence, I will reduce his world to ash.”
This book was such a heart racing adventure. Whether it was from the danger Wren found herself in, the anxiety from how overwhelming it was or the pure rage Arthur would radiate should anyone threaten her, I was captivated.
From the very start I was invested in Wren’s story & much like herself, I was not prepared for what was to come.
With that said, I absolutely loved how confident she was in her knowledge & was supported by Arthur. He may have claimed her as her queen but the light that she is could not be dimmed by anyone.
I already ordered a shelf copy, & book two. I was in no way ready to get off the wild ride this story took me on.
March 24, 2025
OMG, this book has everything I love!
The banter? Perfection.
A feisty FMC who holds her own? Yes, please.
A morally grey MMC who lets his guard down just for her? Swoon.
I adored how much he cared for her and was willing to change—for her. The pining and slow-burn development had me absolutely hooked. And don’t even get me started on the fae fantasy meets Camelot setting—so well crafted!
And that ending?! I went through every emotion—happy, sad, mad, and straight-up shook. I need the next book immediately!
The banter? Perfection.
A feisty FMC who holds her own? Yes, please.
A morally grey MMC who lets his guard down just for her? Swoon.
I adored how much he cared for her and was willing to change—for her. The pining and slow-burn development had me absolutely hooked. And don’t even get me started on the fae fantasy meets Camelot setting—so well crafted!
And that ending?! I went through every emotion—happy, sad, mad, and straight-up shook. I need the next book immediately!
March 25, 2025
This book? Absolute perfection. A slow burn that had me practically pacing the room, and just when I thought I had a grip on things—BOOM—surprise shadow daddy enters the chat. I was not prepared, but I am not complaining.
The world-building? Immersive. The tension? Delicious. And that cliffhanger?! Brutal. I’m emotionally wrecked but also counting down the days until June because I need to know what happens next. King Arthur, I’m waiting—impatiently.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and maybe a few tears)
Have you read this one yet? Let’s scream about it together!
The world-building? Immersive. The tension? Delicious. And that cliffhanger?! Brutal. I’m emotionally wrecked but also counting down the days until June because I need to know what happens next. King Arthur, I’m waiting—impatiently.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and maybe a few tears)
Have you read this one yet? Let’s scream about it together!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
This book is phenomenal! It had me hooked immediately! If you like anything to do with King Arthur & Camelot you will love this book.
It has Klaus x Caroline vibes, dragons, marriage of convenience, and a badass FMC!
I devoured this in 1 sitting and need more! The way Lady Grim made the characters come alive and truly made my emotions go all over the place in the best way possible, I just can’t get over it!
I’d say it can cure even a Throne of Glass Hangover 🙈
It has Klaus x Caroline vibes, dragons, marriage of convenience, and a badass FMC!
I devoured this in 1 sitting and need more! The way Lady Grim made the characters come alive and truly made my emotions go all over the place in the best way possible, I just can’t get over it!
I’d say it can cure even a Throne of Glass Hangover 🙈
August 20, 2025
I loved the neve was is Guinevere and that she figured out how to focus her magic but wow at the end
March 24, 2025
As a total nerd for King Arthur, Merlin, and Excalibur and also a huge Vampire Diaries girlie, this book sang to me.
I loved the world and wish I could live inside it forever. I never wanted this book to end.
The characters are so beautifully portrayed that you feel like you really know them, and I was shouting at Neve like she was my best friend.
The banter is top tier and had me squealing and kicking my feet.
Absolutely a must-read!
I loved the world and wish I could live inside it forever. I never wanted this book to end.
The characters are so beautifully portrayed that you feel like you really know them, and I was shouting at Neve like she was my best friend.
The banter is top tier and had me squealing and kicking my feet.
Absolutely a must-read!
March 24, 2025
I love a good King Arthur retelling and this one is phenomenal!!! I couldn’t get enough of this book, it’s that good. The dynamic and banter between the main characters flows so easily and leaves you wanting more when it ends. The twist on the classic tale is perfection, honestly it has me questioning actual history now. Having to wait until June for the next book is going to be torture!!
July 15, 2025
QUICK STATS
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: ❤️❤️❤️ (3.75/5)
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ ℒℯ𝓋ℯ𝓁: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: Mentions of Sexual Aggression, Violence, Blood/Gore, Mentions of Anxiety and Trauma
For TOANK trigger list, check out the Lady Grim's website!
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
OVERVIEW
The Once and Never King is book one in a dark King Arthur retelling that follows Neve, our historian FMC who's been through her fair share of hardships in life, and King Artorious (King Arthur), the calculative, cruel, and authoritative leader of Camelot. Our story is a time-travel romance that focuses on the troubled relationship between the fae and humans, as well as Neve and Arthur's progression from individuals to a couple who are just as fierce with their reign as they are for their passion with each other.
Neve is a historian in a male-dominated field who's used to protecting herself. She's intelligent and savvy, and she knows how to sharpen her words into weapons even if her physical strength can't match Arthur's. She's fiercely passionate about history, and seeing her delve into Arthur's world, a place she'd only read about in books, was exciting to read because it was easy to share Neve's excitement. My favorite part, no doubt, is when she convinces Arthur to let her rescue a baby dragon, except the dragon, Sir Percival, forms an immediate attachment with Arthur 😂It reminded me of those dads who say they don't want pets, and yet immediately become the favorite of the pet.
Arthur is as brutal as they come, but there's no denying his fierce loyalty and obsession over Neve. He's half-fae but entirely brutal, and he doesn't tolerate disrespect or disloyalty to his reign. While his methods may seem harsh, I enjoyed that Lady Grim gave Arthur layers. He wasn't cruel for the sake of being cruel. He had his reasons which were valid, especially considering the time period. His appearance kind of reminded me of Rhysand from ACOTAR, though.
The plot was ripe with tension, not just between Arthur and Neve, but also between the world and Neve. She was new to the fae realm, and it was blatant that they didn't like her. But Neve was able to cement her place by Arthur's side and I enjoyed watching her come into her role as queen! Arthur's possessive streak was also admirable and hot ❤️He leaves no doubt about his feelings for Neve, except maybe toward himself.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃
⚔️Possessive Arthur: This may come as no surprise 🫠But Arthur was the EPITOME of possessive and "touch her and die". From the moment he met Neve, seeing how Calder treated her, he was clear to his people that Neve was his most precious treasure. He didn't tolerate disrespect toward her, and seeing him bring people to their knees because they disrespected her was just so 🥵
⚔️Sir Percival: Okay, the baby dragon was probably the most adorable part of this book 😅I loved Sir Percival and Arthur's dynamic, because as I said before, Arthur made it clear to Neve that he didn't want a dragon, as his people typically slayed dragons before they could be eaten, but Sir Percival weaseled his way into Arthur's heart XD poor Neve had to watch the dragon become just as arrogant as Arthur, but I think she secretly enjoyed it, and so did I! I can't wait to see what role Percival has in the next book. Hopefully by then, he'll be much bigger!
⚔️The Prose: Lady Grim excels at prose! Undeniably, this book has one the best descriptions I've ever read. There are too many examples to give, so I'll just let all you readers reading this review check the book out and pick your favorites 😁Lady Grim uses metaphors and descriptive phrases that may seem familiar, but she twists them to match exactly what she's hoping to convey to the reader.
⚔️Lazriel and Isolde: I know Neve mentions that Isolde ends up with Tristan in the original myth, but even still, I loved Isolde and Lazriel's dynamic. Though they had very little time together, their characters have cemented a place in my heart! Lazriel specifically, and his relationship with Arthur. They're like brothers, and I like that Lady Grim doesn't follow the original story about Lancelot and Guinevere. Though, Lazriel is technically Lancelot, so it leaves me to wonder if he has other plans behind Arthur's back. That would truly be backstabbing, because their dynamic is very amusing XD
⚔️Neve's Strength: It's clear throughout the story that Neve has gone through many troubles in her life, and we see particularly the misogyny she faces at work. But I liked that Neve kept her head high. Even if they bothered her, she didn't show it, and she was the independent, sassy queen we all love to read about! Despite this, Neve wasn't afraid to cry when she had to. She showed readers that being strong doesn't mean that you can't cry.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊
(🇮🇳 🇲🇾 🇴🇵🇮🇳🇮🇴🇳)
⚔️The Pacing: For me, I felt like the pacing was going too fast. There were a lot of scenes, particularly between Neve, Arthur, and the council, where I felt like there was too much information being dumped and not a lot of explanation. I get that this could be for dramatic purposes and will be revealed later, but I think there's just too much that's vague. In particular, the ending scene that has the big twist with Neve came out of nowhere. One minute, she's arguing with Arthur, and the next, she's going about her day in the real world? A lot of the transitions need work.
⚔️Arthur and Neve's Dynamic: While I absolutely LOVE Arthur and Neve as a couple (especially knowing who Neve is), I feel like it all happened too quickly. This is in a similar vein with my previous point, but Arthur is described as someone who's detached and frosty. His immediate obsession of Neve is a bit startling, to say the least. I can understand him being cautious, maybe patient and kind with her, because he reacts similarly to Isolde, but for him to go from commanding Neve to bow to being so obsessed over her within paragraphs was just very sudden.
Additionally, their arguments made Neve seem a bit immature. No matter how Arthur explained it, she kept repeating the same thing over and over again about it not being morally right. However, when he killed Calder, she justified it for the time period. So, when he kills again to protect his people, he's suddenly a monster? But killing for her is okay? I just felt like the arguments brought out the worst in Neve, even when she apologized. It felt wrong to make Arthur look guilty when he didn't do anything wrong.
⚔️The Descriptions: As I mentioned before, the prose is beautiful! I was swooning every time Lady Grim described Arthur, but occasionally, specifically when there's a conversation happening (such as when Arthur is showing Neve to the library), I felt like the descriptions became too overwhelming. On every page, we don't really need to know how the characters are akin to the ocean, or the night, etc. Sometimes, we just need the dialogue without anything extra.
⚔️The Goal: I'm a bit confused about the plot, because for the most part, it's just Arthur and Neve preparing for their wedding and casual mentions about Calder's rebellion, Harald's missing crown, and the growing rift between fae and human. We don't see any of this, though. Arthur's fae magic comes out of nowhere. There isn't really much drive in the story. We don't see how Lazriel found a way to send Neve home. We don't see a lot of Calder's rebellion even though it's mentioned that he's amassed quite a following. A lot of the chapters felt like just filler chapters, and I wish there were more pages to the story because I think there's a lot more that needs to be developed.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this story! What drew me to it was the time/realm travel aspect, and Lady Grim didn't disappoint! Arthur and Neve's growth from friends/allies to lovers is a twisted tale of challenges that bring them closer together, and I loved reading about them! I'm greatly looking forward to meeting Arthur and Neve again, and seeing what happens to them now that they're facing greater challenges!
Looking for more of my reviews? Want to contact me? Check out my blog! Shreya Reads, Reviews, and Writes
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: ❤️❤️❤️ (3.75/5)
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ ℒℯ𝓋ℯ𝓁: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: Mentions of Sexual Aggression, Violence, Blood/Gore, Mentions of Anxiety and Trauma
For TOANK trigger list, check out the Lady Grim's website!
╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝
OVERVIEW
The Once and Never King is book one in a dark King Arthur retelling that follows Neve, our historian FMC who's been through her fair share of hardships in life, and King Artorious (King Arthur), the calculative, cruel, and authoritative leader of Camelot. Our story is a time-travel romance that focuses on the troubled relationship between the fae and humans, as well as Neve and Arthur's progression from individuals to a couple who are just as fierce with their reign as they are for their passion with each other.
Neve is a historian in a male-dominated field who's used to protecting herself. She's intelligent and savvy, and she knows how to sharpen her words into weapons even if her physical strength can't match Arthur's. She's fiercely passionate about history, and seeing her delve into Arthur's world, a place she'd only read about in books, was exciting to read because it was easy to share Neve's excitement. My favorite part, no doubt, is when she convinces Arthur to let her rescue a baby dragon, except the dragon, Sir Percival, forms an immediate attachment with Arthur 😂It reminded me of those dads who say they don't want pets, and yet immediately become the favorite of the pet.
Arthur is as brutal as they come, but there's no denying his fierce loyalty and obsession over Neve. He's half-fae but entirely brutal, and he doesn't tolerate disrespect or disloyalty to his reign. While his methods may seem harsh, I enjoyed that Lady Grim gave Arthur layers. He wasn't cruel for the sake of being cruel. He had his reasons which were valid, especially considering the time period. His appearance kind of reminded me of Rhysand from ACOTAR, though.
The plot was ripe with tension, not just between Arthur and Neve, but also between the world and Neve. She was new to the fae realm, and it was blatant that they didn't like her. But Neve was able to cement her place by Arthur's side and I enjoyed watching her come into her role as queen! Arthur's possessive streak was also admirable and hot ❤️He leaves no doubt about his feelings for Neve, except maybe toward himself.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃
⚔️Possessive Arthur: This may come as no surprise 🫠But Arthur was the EPITOME of possessive and "touch her and die". From the moment he met Neve, seeing how Calder treated her, he was clear to his people that Neve was his most precious treasure. He didn't tolerate disrespect toward her, and seeing him bring people to their knees because they disrespected her was just so 🥵
⚔️Sir Percival: Okay, the baby dragon was probably the most adorable part of this book 😅I loved Sir Percival and Arthur's dynamic, because as I said before, Arthur made it clear to Neve that he didn't want a dragon, as his people typically slayed dragons before they could be eaten, but Sir Percival weaseled his way into Arthur's heart XD poor Neve had to watch the dragon become just as arrogant as Arthur, but I think she secretly enjoyed it, and so did I! I can't wait to see what role Percival has in the next book. Hopefully by then, he'll be much bigger!
⚔️The Prose: Lady Grim excels at prose! Undeniably, this book has one the best descriptions I've ever read. There are too many examples to give, so I'll just let all you readers reading this review check the book out and pick your favorites 😁Lady Grim uses metaphors and descriptive phrases that may seem familiar, but she twists them to match exactly what she's hoping to convey to the reader.
⚔️Lazriel and Isolde: I know Neve mentions that Isolde ends up with Tristan in the original myth, but even still, I loved Isolde and Lazriel's dynamic. Though they had very little time together, their characters have cemented a place in my heart! Lazriel specifically, and his relationship with Arthur. They're like brothers, and I like that Lady Grim doesn't follow the original story about Lancelot and Guinevere. Though, Lazriel is technically Lancelot, so it leaves me to wonder if he has other plans behind Arthur's back. That would truly be backstabbing, because their dynamic is very amusing XD
⚔️Neve's Strength: It's clear throughout the story that Neve has gone through many troubles in her life, and we see particularly the misogyny she faces at work. But I liked that Neve kept her head high. Even if they bothered her, she didn't show it, and she was the independent, sassy queen we all love to read about! Despite this, Neve wasn't afraid to cry when she had to. She showed readers that being strong doesn't mean that you can't cry.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊
(🇮🇳 🇲🇾 🇴🇵🇮🇳🇮🇴🇳)
⚔️The Pacing: For me, I felt like the pacing was going too fast. There were a lot of scenes, particularly between Neve, Arthur, and the council, where I felt like there was too much information being dumped and not a lot of explanation. I get that this could be for dramatic purposes and will be revealed later, but I think there's just too much that's vague. In particular, the ending scene that has the big twist with Neve came out of nowhere. One minute, she's arguing with Arthur, and the next, she's going about her day in the real world? A lot of the transitions need work.
⚔️Arthur and Neve's Dynamic: While I absolutely LOVE Arthur and Neve as a couple (especially knowing who Neve is), I feel like it all happened too quickly. This is in a similar vein with my previous point, but Arthur is described as someone who's detached and frosty. His immediate obsession of Neve is a bit startling, to say the least. I can understand him being cautious, maybe patient and kind with her, because he reacts similarly to Isolde, but for him to go from commanding Neve to bow to being so obsessed over her within paragraphs was just very sudden.
Additionally, their arguments made Neve seem a bit immature. No matter how Arthur explained it, she kept repeating the same thing over and over again about it not being morally right. However, when he killed Calder, she justified it for the time period. So, when he kills again to protect his people, he's suddenly a monster? But killing for her is okay? I just felt like the arguments brought out the worst in Neve, even when she apologized. It felt wrong to make Arthur look guilty when he didn't do anything wrong.
⚔️The Descriptions: As I mentioned before, the prose is beautiful! I was swooning every time Lady Grim described Arthur, but occasionally, specifically when there's a conversation happening (such as when Arthur is showing Neve to the library), I felt like the descriptions became too overwhelming. On every page, we don't really need to know how the characters are akin to the ocean, or the night, etc. Sometimes, we just need the dialogue without anything extra.
⚔️The Goal: I'm a bit confused about the plot, because for the most part, it's just Arthur and Neve preparing for their wedding and casual mentions about Calder's rebellion, Harald's missing crown, and the growing rift between fae and human. We don't see any of this, though. Arthur's fae magic comes out of nowhere. There isn't really much drive in the story. We don't see how Lazriel found a way to send Neve home. We don't see a lot of Calder's rebellion even though it's mentioned that he's amassed quite a following. A lot of the chapters felt like just filler chapters, and I wish there were more pages to the story because I think there's a lot more that needs to be developed.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this story! What drew me to it was the time/realm travel aspect, and Lady Grim didn't disappoint! Arthur and Neve's growth from friends/allies to lovers is a twisted tale of challenges that bring them closer together, and I loved reading about them! I'm greatly looking forward to meeting Arthur and Neve again, and seeing what happens to them now that they're facing greater challenges!
Looking for more of my reviews? Want to contact me? Check out my blog! Shreya Reads, Reviews, and Writes
August 1, 2025
4.5 ⭐️’s
The Once and Never King is a fresh take on the legend of King Arthur. Blending fantasy romance, introspective storytelling, and political intrigue, it leans into the kind of slow-burn dynamic fans of Klaus and Caroline will love: protective instincts, unspoken longing, and layered power plays. What starts as an academic journey rooted in research and loss slowly unravels into an immersive story about legacy, hidden identity, and the thin line between fate and choice.
Neve, a sharp and emotionally guarded academic, is pulled from her world into a fae realm that feels both foreign and eerily familiar. She first encounters Lord Calder, a fae noble who sees her as a pawn to use against the crown. Before he can trap her in a political marriage, King Artorius intervenes by claiming Neve for himself and executing Calder without hesitation. Artorius, the man behind the myth of Arthur, is shaped by loss, bound by prophecy, and trained to be a weapon rather than a ruler. What follows is a slow-burn connection rooted in banter, guarded trust, and growing tension that neither of them is ready to acknowledge.
The romance builds slowly and deliberately. Arthur falls first, hard, fast, and unspoken. Neve resists, not because she doesn’t want him, but because she doesn’t believe she can stay, and because the man in front of her is far more dangerous than the noble king she grew up reading about. She’s constantly reconciling the myth of Arthur with the reality of Artorius: a man capable of ruthless violence and yet increasingly vulnerable with her. Their relationship unfolds through shared glances, reluctant trust, and the kind of protective loyalty that catches them both off guard.
Beyond the romance, the world-building is immersive and layered with myth, politics, and history. Nothing feels like filler. Each reveal builds toward something more personal and more complicated. The story explores the tension between destiny and choice, the fallout of twisted prophecy, and the long-standing consequences of silence, loyalty, and survival. It’s thoughtful without slowing the pace and rich without overwhelming the character arcs.
By the final chapters, the slow-burn tension is at its peak, and just as Neve and Arthur finally give in to what’s been simmering between them, everything unravels because of Arthur’s fears. The ending doesn’t rely on shock value. It leans into character, consequence, and a separation that feels inevitable, heartbreaking, and far from final. It’s satisfying and frustrating in all the right ways, and it left me excited for book two.
The Once and Never King is a fresh take on the legend of King Arthur. Blending fantasy romance, introspective storytelling, and political intrigue, it leans into the kind of slow-burn dynamic fans of Klaus and Caroline will love: protective instincts, unspoken longing, and layered power plays. What starts as an academic journey rooted in research and loss slowly unravels into an immersive story about legacy, hidden identity, and the thin line between fate and choice.
Neve, a sharp and emotionally guarded academic, is pulled from her world into a fae realm that feels both foreign and eerily familiar. She first encounters Lord Calder, a fae noble who sees her as a pawn to use against the crown. Before he can trap her in a political marriage, King Artorius intervenes by claiming Neve for himself and executing Calder without hesitation. Artorius, the man behind the myth of Arthur, is shaped by loss, bound by prophecy, and trained to be a weapon rather than a ruler. What follows is a slow-burn connection rooted in banter, guarded trust, and growing tension that neither of them is ready to acknowledge.
The romance builds slowly and deliberately. Arthur falls first, hard, fast, and unspoken. Neve resists, not because she doesn’t want him, but because she doesn’t believe she can stay, and because the man in front of her is far more dangerous than the noble king she grew up reading about. She’s constantly reconciling the myth of Arthur with the reality of Artorius: a man capable of ruthless violence and yet increasingly vulnerable with her. Their relationship unfolds through shared glances, reluctant trust, and the kind of protective loyalty that catches them both off guard.
Beyond the romance, the world-building is immersive and layered with myth, politics, and history. Nothing feels like filler. Each reveal builds toward something more personal and more complicated. The story explores the tension between destiny and choice, the fallout of twisted prophecy, and the long-standing consequences of silence, loyalty, and survival. It’s thoughtful without slowing the pace and rich without overwhelming the character arcs.
By the final chapters, the slow-burn tension is at its peak, and just as Neve and Arthur finally give in to what’s been simmering between them, everything unravels because of Arthur’s fears. The ending doesn’t rely on shock value. It leans into character, consequence, and a separation that feels inevitable, heartbreaking, and far from final. It’s satisfying and frustrating in all the right ways, and it left me excited for book two.
August 15, 2025
💫
She is a thread in a tapestry of power and politics, and only I know how to keep her from being unraveled. Only I know which rules can be bent and which must be broken to protect her. And the answer is simple. For her, I would break every last one.
💫
The Once and Never King was such a delightful and enthralling Arthurian retelling. Lady did an incredible job developing Neve and Arthur, and I found myself laughing, sighing, and cheering for them. This fast-paced story flowed naturally, and I found myself crying when I reached the end. Thankfully, the next book is out, so I won’t have to wait to reimmerse myself in the world of King Arthur and Camelot.
In this retelling, Dr. Neve Ashford's mentor, Dr. Weston, believes King Arthur once lived and dedicates his life to searching for proof. Upon his death, Neve discovers that Dr. Weston had planned a surprise trip for the two of them to visit the area where he believed Arthur had once lived. Although Neve doesn’t believe the myth, she goes to honor her mentor. She not only finds Arthur but also a realm with similarities to Camelot. As a historian, she cannot help but feel the draw to a world filled with history believed to be lost forever.
I loved how Neve and Arthur's relationship developed throughout the book. You can feel the tension and magnetic pull between them. Stubbornly, they refuse to give in. Neve thinks Arthur’s actions are brutal and heartless.
“You do not get it, Wren. I was never meant for peace. Only violence. And the moment you truly tie yourself to me, that destruction becomes your history too.”
He just wants to return her home, where she’ll be safe from the people of his realm and the prophecy that surrounds him. He’s willingness to sacrifice his happiness to protect her.
“I would rather you live in a world without me than have you die in one where I failed to protect you.”
Arthur has no problem threatening and killing anyone who presents a danger to Neve.
“But if you push me, if you dare separate me from my queen, I will ensure you are not capable of making the same mistake twice.”
The burn is slow, and when they give in, it’s explosive. So worth it!
“There is no me without you, Wren.”
Finally....that ending!
"Fate has a way of setting these things right.”
More people need to discover this hidden gem!
The Once and Never King was such a delightful and enthralling Arthurian retelling. Lady did an incredible job developing Neve and Arthur, and I found myself laughing, sighing, and cheering for them. This fast-paced story flowed naturally, and I found myself crying when I reached the end. Thankfully, the next book is out, so I won’t have to wait to reimmerse myself in the world of King Arthur and Camelot.
In this retelling, Dr. Neve Ashford's mentor, Dr. Weston, believes King Arthur once lived and dedicates his life to searching for proof. Upon his death, Neve discovers that Dr. Weston had planned a surprise trip for the two of them to visit the area where he believed Arthur had once lived. Although Neve doesn’t believe the myth, she goes to honor her mentor. She not only finds Arthur but also a realm with similarities to Camelot. As a historian, she cannot help but feel the draw to a world filled with history believed to be lost forever.
I loved how Neve and Arthur's relationship developed throughout the book. You can feel the tension and magnetic pull between them. Stubbornly, they refuse to give in. Neve thinks Arthur’s actions are brutal and heartless.
“You do not get it, Wren. I was never meant for peace. Only violence. And the moment you truly tie yourself to me, that destruction becomes your history too.”
He just wants to return her home, where she’ll be safe from the people of his realm and the prophecy that surrounds him. He’s willingness to sacrifice his happiness to protect her.
“I would rather you live in a world without me than have you die in one where I failed to protect you.”
Arthur has no problem threatening and killing anyone who presents a danger to Neve.
“But if you push me, if you dare separate me from my queen, I will ensure you are not capable of making the same mistake twice.”
The burn is slow, and when they give in, it’s explosive. So worth it!
“There is no me without you, Wren.”
Finally....that ending!
"Fate has a way of setting these things right.”
More people need to discover this hidden gem!
August 29, 2025
I went into The Once and Never King with so much excitement. I love Arthurian legend and fully expected to love this book, but I’m honestly surprised (and disappointed) that I didn’t. I mean, look how long it took me to read it? 308 pages would normally take me a day or two at the most, but I really had to push through on this one.
My biggest struggles were with the writing itself. The plot felt rushed, important details were overlooked, and there was little to no world-building. The romance, in particular, was underdeveloped. We had barely met either character before they were married with no time to build a believable relationship. Both main characters had the potential to be amazing, and the story itself could have been an incredible twist on a beloved legend. Instead, it felt shallow—like a stone skipping across the surface of a lake, never really sinking in.
There also weren’t any real stakes or meaningful conflict beyond Neve being stuck in another realm. As someone who loves Arthurian legend, I also struggled with how much this retelling diverged from the heart of the original tales. I know reimagining was the point, but I just couldn’t reconcile a lot of the choices this author made. Merlin, a villain? No ma'am. Really, though, it was the lack of depth throughout that left me disconnected.
That said, there were some bright spots. I enjoyed the witty banter between the characters and their romance for what it was. The baby dragon was also a little drop of perfection.
Overall, this book had so much potential, but the execution fell short. A decent read with flashes of charm, but not a series I will continue.
My biggest struggles were with the writing itself. The plot felt rushed, important details were overlooked, and there was little to no world-building. The romance, in particular, was underdeveloped. We had barely met either character before they were married with no time to build a believable relationship. Both main characters had the potential to be amazing, and the story itself could have been an incredible twist on a beloved legend. Instead, it felt shallow—like a stone skipping across the surface of a lake, never really sinking in.
There also weren’t any real stakes or meaningful conflict beyond Neve being stuck in another realm. As someone who loves Arthurian legend, I also struggled with how much this retelling diverged from the heart of the original tales. I know reimagining was the point, but I just couldn’t reconcile a lot of the choices this author made. Merlin, a villain? No ma'am. Really, though, it was the lack of depth throughout that left me disconnected.
That said, there were some bright spots. I enjoyed the witty banter between the characters and their romance for what it was. The baby dragon was also a little drop of perfection.
Overall, this book had so much potential, but the execution fell short. A decent read with flashes of charm, but not a series I will continue.
March 25, 2025
Following on the trail of her mentor, Neve Ashford’s academic career leads her to a second life altering discovery in The Once and Never King.
Author Lady Grim had my attention from page one of this Arthurian retelling and I stayed up really late finishing this book because I couldn't put it down! The author has taken elements everyone would recognize and combined them in such a unique and creative way to give us a mesmerizing fantasy with romance, magic, intrigue, danger, fae, history, and an an academic bent that created a believable foundation for the time travel element.
Trapped in an unfamiliar place and time Neve navigates two different courts in her attempt to remain safe and get home. She finds allies along the way, but her wit and independence are really what carry her through.
There are characters to love and to hate, most of them residing solidly in the darker end of the morally grey spectrum. The romance element of the book plays out so naturally that you get to experience the wide range of emotions Neve herself is struggling with.
It is a romance with a couple of spicy scenes - but if you’re not into that it’s easy to see them coming and skip those pages without losing any of the story.
With a few cute surprises along the way to keep things fun, this story ends with a cliffhanger and book two is on the way!
I received and ARC of this novel, and I loved it so much I pre-ordered the book for myself and another for a friend. Lady Grim is an indie author to watch!
Author Lady Grim had my attention from page one of this Arthurian retelling and I stayed up really late finishing this book because I couldn't put it down! The author has taken elements everyone would recognize and combined them in such a unique and creative way to give us a mesmerizing fantasy with romance, magic, intrigue, danger, fae, history, and an an academic bent that created a believable foundation for the time travel element.
Trapped in an unfamiliar place and time Neve navigates two different courts in her attempt to remain safe and get home. She finds allies along the way, but her wit and independence are really what carry her through.
There are characters to love and to hate, most of them residing solidly in the darker end of the morally grey spectrum. The romance element of the book plays out so naturally that you get to experience the wide range of emotions Neve herself is struggling with.
It is a romance with a couple of spicy scenes - but if you’re not into that it’s easy to see them coming and skip those pages without losing any of the story.
With a few cute surprises along the way to keep things fun, this story ends with a cliffhanger and book two is on the way!
I received and ARC of this novel, and I loved it so much I pre-ordered the book for myself and another for a friend. Lady Grim is an indie author to watch!
July 24, 2025
I think The Once and Never King may be my new obsession!
Here’s what you can expect:
🗡 Arthurian legend
❤ He falls first
🔥 Slow Burn
☠ Touch her and ☠
🗺 Different Realms
🐲 Baby Dragon
💍 Fake marriage
😂 Banter for days
Okay, confession time: my bookish friends would not shut up about Lady Grim’s TOANK, and honestly, they were so loud about it I just had to dive in and see what all the hype was about. Sure, the beginning took its sweet time warming up, but the second we hit Camelot and meet Arthur—BAM! I was hooked and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Neve is an absolute legend. Her sharp mind and quick wit make her stand out from the start. She’s endlessly curious, and her back-and-forth with Arthur is so fun to read. And Arthur himself—wow. I can’t get enough. Fiercely loyal, dark edges, a little bit brooding (maybe more than a little), and haunted by doubts about his worthiness, he’s both compelling and surprisingly relatable.
When these two collide, sparks fly. Their chemistry is off the charts! Their banter had me grinning, and honestly, Arthur falling for Neve is pure heart-flutter territory. He respects her strength and independence, but when things get dangerous, he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe—proving that Lady Grim’s take on King Arthur is as bold as it is unforgettable.
If you’re obsessed with Arthurian legends, crave wild adventures, love a good mystery, and can’t get enough of dragons, quests, sharp banter, and magical fae/human vibes, then do yourself a favor—grab this book ASAP!
Here’s what you can expect:
🗡 Arthurian legend
❤ He falls first
🔥 Slow Burn
☠ Touch her and ☠
🗺 Different Realms
🐲 Baby Dragon
💍 Fake marriage
😂 Banter for days
Okay, confession time: my bookish friends would not shut up about Lady Grim’s TOANK, and honestly, they were so loud about it I just had to dive in and see what all the hype was about. Sure, the beginning took its sweet time warming up, but the second we hit Camelot and meet Arthur—BAM! I was hooked and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Neve is an absolute legend. Her sharp mind and quick wit make her stand out from the start. She’s endlessly curious, and her back-and-forth with Arthur is so fun to read. And Arthur himself—wow. I can’t get enough. Fiercely loyal, dark edges, a little bit brooding (maybe more than a little), and haunted by doubts about his worthiness, he’s both compelling and surprisingly relatable.
When these two collide, sparks fly. Their chemistry is off the charts! Their banter had me grinning, and honestly, Arthur falling for Neve is pure heart-flutter territory. He respects her strength and independence, but when things get dangerous, he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe—proving that Lady Grim’s take on King Arthur is as bold as it is unforgettable.
If you’re obsessed with Arthurian legends, crave wild adventures, love a good mystery, and can’t get enough of dragons, quests, sharp banter, and magical fae/human vibes, then do yourself a favor—grab this book ASAP!
March 24, 2025
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕺𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝕹𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝕶𝖎𝖓𝖌 - ARC REVIEW
Fall into a fantasy world where human history got the story wrong. When Neve goes on an adventure to say goodbye to her mentor, she never expects it to lead her into another realm. A world where fae are real and dragons become house pets! This book is amazing and if you’re a fan of fantasy romance with medieval vibes, you definitely don’t want to miss this!
There are not enough words to describe the love I have for this book. It started out strong, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. Then ended with a cliffhanger I’m still thinking about days later. I laughed. I cried. I cussed with frustration. These characters took me through all of the emotions and I enjoyed every second of it.
The story starts out in a modern day setting. Then changes when the FMC, being the stubborn academic she is, quite literally falls into a portal to another realm. The world building is beautifully done. The characters were captivating and the plot twist was staggering! There were elements of surprise and things that the author foreshadowed well. Then there was the slow burn that sizzled for so long before becoming a blazing inferno! The romance was everything.
I rated this book 5 stars and will absolutely be reading it again.
Tropes for this book include:
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Fake Betrothal
Marriage of convenience
Touch Her &
Broody Possessive MMC
Snarky FMC
He Falls First
Soulbound/Fated Mates
Realm Travel
Pet Dragon
Fall into a fantasy world where human history got the story wrong. When Neve goes on an adventure to say goodbye to her mentor, she never expects it to lead her into another realm. A world where fae are real and dragons become house pets! This book is amazing and if you’re a fan of fantasy romance with medieval vibes, you definitely don’t want to miss this!
There are not enough words to describe the love I have for this book. It started out strong, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. Then ended with a cliffhanger I’m still thinking about days later. I laughed. I cried. I cussed with frustration. These characters took me through all of the emotions and I enjoyed every second of it.
The story starts out in a modern day setting. Then changes when the FMC, being the stubborn academic she is, quite literally falls into a portal to another realm. The world building is beautifully done. The characters were captivating and the plot twist was staggering! There were elements of surprise and things that the author foreshadowed well. Then there was the slow burn that sizzled for so long before becoming a blazing inferno! The romance was everything.
I rated this book 5 stars and will absolutely be reading it again.
Tropes for this book include:
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Fake Betrothal
Marriage of convenience
Touch Her &
Broody Possessive MMC
Snarky FMC
He Falls First
Soulbound/Fated Mates
Realm Travel
Pet Dragon
April 14, 2025
🌟 ARC Review 🌟
4.5⭐
The Once and Never King by Lady Grim is a fun twist on the classic King Arthur tale packed with witty banter, court politics, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience! Think Klaus and Caroline vibes, and trust me, you’ll have a blast reading it.
Lady Grim has really taken the story of King Arthur and Camelot and turned it on its head in the best way possible. She weaves in fresh elements and takes some creative liberties that make this version truly stand apart. Every unexpected turn kept me guessing and anticipating what would happen next!
The banter - sweet baby cherubs, had me cracking up & marking my favorite lines on my Kindle. The sassiness just jumped right off the pages! I could totally picture my own sassy friends fitting right into the mix. Plus, the side characters didn’t hold back either, which added to the fun.
I loved watching Neve grow during the story. She starts off a bit meek, but by the end she finds her strength. There were a couple of scenes where her clap backs had me silently cheering her on! She discovered her voice, & I enjoyed every moment of her journey.
ARTHUR - He’s just so delightfully stabby! Seriously, this guy always seems to have a sword or dagger ready to go, bringing those fierce touch her and die vibes, and I am here for it!
Highlights:
❤ “Or maybe it is due to my silence. I have been told on more than one occasion that I do not know when to keep my mouth shut. And as another question gnaws at me, I find today will not be the day that I learn that particular skill either.”
❤ “Careful,” I say quietly. “I like this dress.”
Arthur gives me a curious look.
“I don’t want to get blood on this one.”
❤ “Isolde. Oh, shit. As in Tristan and Isolde, I would imagine. Because that would just be the icing on the cake at this point. I swear, if I see Lancelot, I’m running. This is all too much.”
❤ “Wait, why haven’t I seen any big dragons?”
“Because we will kill those. You know, on account of the fire breathing, murdery nonsense.”
I squeal, clapping my hands. “Can you ride them?”
“No. Absolutely not. Did you just hear me?”
❤ “And I would ask you to stop flirting with Lazriel as murdering my friend does not seem like a pleasant afternoon.”
❤ “I am too tired to deal with you.”
Lady Grim puts it so well in her RATED WTF section: “This is not the next great American novel…If you’re expecting Pulitzer-worthy prose, I regret to inform you that you got off on the wrong exit.” And sure, there were a few bumps in the road, but honestly? I DID NOT CARE ONE BIT. I loved every second of this book and the adventure that Lady Grim took me on.
I’m so excited for books 2 and 3 because I can’t wait to see where she’ll take me next (cause that cliffhanger! GAH!)
Big thank you to Lady Grim for gifting this ARC to me!
4.5⭐
The Once and Never King by Lady Grim is a fun twist on the classic King Arthur tale packed with witty banter, court politics, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience! Think Klaus and Caroline vibes, and trust me, you’ll have a blast reading it.
Lady Grim has really taken the story of King Arthur and Camelot and turned it on its head in the best way possible. She weaves in fresh elements and takes some creative liberties that make this version truly stand apart. Every unexpected turn kept me guessing and anticipating what would happen next!
The banter - sweet baby cherubs, had me cracking up & marking my favorite lines on my Kindle. The sassiness just jumped right off the pages! I could totally picture my own sassy friends fitting right into the mix. Plus, the side characters didn’t hold back either, which added to the fun.
I loved watching Neve grow during the story. She starts off a bit meek, but by the end she finds her strength. There were a couple of scenes where her clap backs had me silently cheering her on! She discovered her voice, & I enjoyed every moment of her journey.
ARTHUR - He’s just so delightfully stabby! Seriously, this guy always seems to have a sword or dagger ready to go, bringing those fierce touch her and die vibes, and I am here for it!
Highlights:
❤ “Or maybe it is due to my silence. I have been told on more than one occasion that I do not know when to keep my mouth shut. And as another question gnaws at me, I find today will not be the day that I learn that particular skill either.”
❤ “Careful,” I say quietly. “I like this dress.”
Arthur gives me a curious look.
“I don’t want to get blood on this one.”
❤ “Isolde. Oh, shit. As in Tristan and Isolde, I would imagine. Because that would just be the icing on the cake at this point. I swear, if I see Lancelot, I’m running. This is all too much.”
❤ “Wait, why haven’t I seen any big dragons?”
“Because we will kill those. You know, on account of the fire breathing, murdery nonsense.”
I squeal, clapping my hands. “Can you ride them?”
“No. Absolutely not. Did you just hear me?”
❤ “And I would ask you to stop flirting with Lazriel as murdering my friend does not seem like a pleasant afternoon.”
❤ “I am too tired to deal with you.”
Lady Grim puts it so well in her RATED WTF section: “This is not the next great American novel…If you’re expecting Pulitzer-worthy prose, I regret to inform you that you got off on the wrong exit.” And sure, there were a few bumps in the road, but honestly? I DID NOT CARE ONE BIT. I loved every second of this book and the adventure that Lady Grim took me on.
I’m so excited for books 2 and 3 because I can’t wait to see where she’ll take me next (cause that cliffhanger! GAH!)
Big thank you to Lady Grim for gifting this ARC to me!
March 25, 2025
I'm amazed this book is a debut. I found the story intriguing and fast paced. I got through it in one day. As soon as I saw it shared in a book group as a story with Klaus and Caroline vibes I immediately downloaded because I have yet to find such a book.
I'll be honest I didn't get those vibes exactly but I can see why the author is saying that. I did get Reign and Outlander vibes tho.
Neve reminds me of Queen Mary and Claire for some reason. Just her overall presence and confidence.
Arthur....I'm not sure. He's a bit like Klaus I guess but maybe a sweet Klaus. At least to Neve. Now I know what you're thinking....Klaus was sweet on Caroline but not at first. Caroline had to soften him up first and she was mean to him at times lol
I realize it can't be exactly the same and there was a moment where I thought "ooooh ok I see it"
Anyway I'm looking forward to the next book. I've never read a king Arthur retelling and I'm definitely happy this was my first. It was easy to follow along. I didn't come across any editing issues. The formatting and flow was great. The little bit of spice we got was written well. I'm happy to say I've found a new indie author to love.
***Also that author's note at the beginning had me laughing. I immediately thought "ok I like her"
I'll be honest I didn't get those vibes exactly but I can see why the author is saying that. I did get Reign and Outlander vibes tho.
Neve reminds me of Queen Mary and Claire for some reason. Just her overall presence and confidence.
Arthur....I'm not sure. He's a bit like Klaus I guess but maybe a sweet Klaus. At least to Neve. Now I know what you're thinking....Klaus was sweet on Caroline but not at first. Caroline had to soften him up first and she was mean to him at times lol
I realize it can't be exactly the same and there was a moment where I thought "ooooh ok I see it"
Anyway I'm looking forward to the next book. I've never read a king Arthur retelling and I'm definitely happy this was my first. It was easy to follow along. I didn't come across any editing issues. The formatting and flow was great. The little bit of spice we got was written well. I'm happy to say I've found a new indie author to love.
***Also that author's note at the beginning had me laughing. I immediately thought "ok I like her"
July 14, 2025
*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*
I think the relationship she had with Weston is cute, I think older men are adorable and I just wanna be besties with them too however at times it became and seemed very co dependent and obsessive. This dude was a teacher and I understand given your history and having no family, you needed him. If you had mentioned something on the lines of how he felt like family, treated me as a daughter etc etc I feel like it would feel less weird.
When captured and is with Calder, she mentions of them speaking of their future together and lingering glances, etc. I would have liked a chapter to see this, to get more, it felt a bit rushed here.
I am hooked from the beginning. It’s feels like outlander but has its own vibes. I love the addition of King Arthur. I could not put it down. The slow burn is the best. All the touch her and die vibes, I have to read the second book like now.
Love this line/part:
“I imagine you’ll want a bath.”
“Because I am covered in his blood?”
“Because you spent over a week with Calder. And I’d rather not have you smelling like another man when I dine with you this evening.”
4-4.5 stars, well done
I think the relationship she had with Weston is cute, I think older men are adorable and I just wanna be besties with them too however at times it became and seemed very co dependent and obsessive. This dude was a teacher and I understand given your history and having no family, you needed him. If you had mentioned something on the lines of how he felt like family, treated me as a daughter etc etc I feel like it would feel less weird.
When captured and is with Calder, she mentions of them speaking of their future together and lingering glances, etc. I would have liked a chapter to see this, to get more, it felt a bit rushed here.
I am hooked from the beginning. It’s feels like outlander but has its own vibes. I love the addition of King Arthur. I could not put it down. The slow burn is the best. All the touch her and die vibes, I have to read the second book like now.
Love this line/part:
“I imagine you’ll want a bath.”
“Because I am covered in his blood?”
“Because you spent over a week with Calder. And I’d rather not have you smelling like another man when I dine with you this evening.”
4-4.5 stars, well done
March 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up to 5
🌶️.5
Outlander but make it Camelot with a half-fae Arthur. This book was written for those of us with a certain type and, if that's you, this will be a very enjoyable read that leaves you begging for book two. I really enjoyed it once we got the groundwork down. Neve is a very independent woman, which is very admirable considering the times she is dropped into. Artorius would be medicated in modern times, but there are many kings of history who acted no different. The opposites attract idea is very strong here. Bookworm Neve prefers to outsmart and play the game against others, while Artorius would rather just remove them from the game and any who would question it would meet the same fate. The side characters that matter are intriguing and well written. The foreshadowing for some plot twists is very obvious, but it doesn't take anything away from the story. Very interesting idea and book one definitely hooked me for book two.
⚔️Fake marriage
🏰Dual PoV
⚔️He falls first
🏰Court intrigue
⚔️Slow burn
🏰Opposites attract
⚔️Possessive anger issues MMC
🏰Past trauma
⚔️Legend retelling
Author provided an ARC. All opinions are my own.
🌶️.5
Outlander but make it Camelot with a half-fae Arthur. This book was written for those of us with a certain type and, if that's you, this will be a very enjoyable read that leaves you begging for book two. I really enjoyed it once we got the groundwork down. Neve is a very independent woman, which is very admirable considering the times she is dropped into. Artorius would be medicated in modern times, but there are many kings of history who acted no different. The opposites attract idea is very strong here. Bookworm Neve prefers to outsmart and play the game against others, while Artorius would rather just remove them from the game and any who would question it would meet the same fate. The side characters that matter are intriguing and well written. The foreshadowing for some plot twists is very obvious, but it doesn't take anything away from the story. Very interesting idea and book one definitely hooked me for book two.
⚔️Fake marriage
🏰Dual PoV
⚔️He falls first
🏰Court intrigue
⚔️Slow burn
🏰Opposites attract
⚔️Possessive anger issues MMC
🏰Past trauma
⚔️Legend retelling
Author provided an ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 28, 2025
It has been such a long time since I read a book following an Arthurian legend. I forgot how much I love the lore. Throw in some time travel, some pining, an ancient prophecy, and I'm a happy girl.
What happens when you fall into a legend? Since isn't that what King Arthur is, a story, a legend? Neve is reeling after the devastating loss of her mentor, a devout believer. Left with a note and a last wish, Neve sets out to follow the path her mentor mapped out for her only to find herself ripped from her time and into the fae realm. Unknowingly falling into a prophecy that could change their world. Then there is him, Arthur, not just a myth after all. Neve set out to prove that some stories are real, and she just fell right at one's feet, one that has just claimed her as his.
This was a pretty immaculate debut from Lady Grim. The relationship between Arthur and Neve was exquisite. Their slow burn was exactly that. It felt delicate and enticing. Arthur held her in such reverence; it was breathtaking. I loved the rich and cozy world and added fae and mage magic. It was so compelling, and I am thrilled that there are three more books to look forward to in this world. All coming out this year!! I am giddy to get back to Arthur and Neve and see where their story takes me. Oh, and did I mention the dragon...? Now I've got your attention!
Thanks so much Lady Grim for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
What happens when you fall into a legend? Since isn't that what King Arthur is, a story, a legend? Neve is reeling after the devastating loss of her mentor, a devout believer. Left with a note and a last wish, Neve sets out to follow the path her mentor mapped out for her only to find herself ripped from her time and into the fae realm. Unknowingly falling into a prophecy that could change their world. Then there is him, Arthur, not just a myth after all. Neve set out to prove that some stories are real, and she just fell right at one's feet, one that has just claimed her as his.
This was a pretty immaculate debut from Lady Grim. The relationship between Arthur and Neve was exquisite. Their slow burn was exactly that. It felt delicate and enticing. Arthur held her in such reverence; it was breathtaking. I loved the rich and cozy world and added fae and mage magic. It was so compelling, and I am thrilled that there are three more books to look forward to in this world. All coming out this year!! I am giddy to get back to Arthur and Neve and see where their story takes me. Oh, and did I mention the dragon...? Now I've got your attention!
Thanks so much Lady Grim for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
March 26, 2025
Forget about everything you THOUGHT you knew about King Arthur because this romantasy is going to shake things up.
The Once and Never King by Lady Grim is a retelling of the man, the myth, the legend that is Arthur of Camelot. Except we're spoiled with a slow burn romance with an endgame that gives us what TVD refused to do with Klaroline.
The book follows human historian Neve Ashford who embarks on a journey to England after her beloved mentor, obsessed with the myth of Arthur, dies. Neve's superficial take on the trip goes deeper than she ever imagined when she stumbles into the realm of Camelot and encounters the man she refused to believe ever lived. Not only is Arthur (ahem, Artorius) real, he's a fae, super hot, and they have an attraction bolstered by his claims that she is his betrothed. Cue political intrigue and plots, a prophecy that may or may not be true, and a little spice.
The characters were so fun and the setting was beautifully described and I easily pictured the story as a movie (or TV show??) I was fully immersed and didn't want it to end. A great debut from Lady Grim.
Huge thanks and appreciation for the early copy!
The Once and Never King by Lady Grim is a retelling of the man, the myth, the legend that is Arthur of Camelot. Except we're spoiled with a slow burn romance with an endgame that gives us what TVD refused to do with Klaroline.
The book follows human historian Neve Ashford who embarks on a journey to England after her beloved mentor, obsessed with the myth of Arthur, dies. Neve's superficial take on the trip goes deeper than she ever imagined when she stumbles into the realm of Camelot and encounters the man she refused to believe ever lived. Not only is Arthur (ahem, Artorius) real, he's a fae, super hot, and they have an attraction bolstered by his claims that she is his betrothed. Cue political intrigue and plots, a prophecy that may or may not be true, and a little spice.
The characters were so fun and the setting was beautifully described and I easily pictured the story as a movie (or TV show??) I was fully immersed and didn't want it to end. A great debut from Lady Grim.
Huge thanks and appreciation for the early copy!
July 6, 2025
I’m actually sad, because I really wanted to love this book. It’s not that it’s bad, it was just lacking a lot.
The overall premise and plot is amazing, or at least it could be. There is so, so much potential, because the plot is really interesting and kinda genius.
Unfortunately the book felt rushed and superficial. I felt like I was missing something throughout the book, something that kept me from caring about the characters and what happens next.
The world building and character development was just not good enough.
The book is only about 300 pages, but it could easily have been 200 pages longer, it should have been.
I think that both Arthur and Neve could have been fantastic characters, but they just felt shallow. Characters like Isolde and Lazriel just came across as fillers and that was a damn shame.
The story was kind of predictable but I still liked the ending. I don’t think I’ll continue this series though.
The overall premise and plot is amazing, or at least it could be. There is so, so much potential, because the plot is really interesting and kinda genius.
Unfortunately the book felt rushed and superficial. I felt like I was missing something throughout the book, something that kept me from caring about the characters and what happens next.
The world building and character development was just not good enough.
The book is only about 300 pages, but it could easily have been 200 pages longer, it should have been.
I think that both Arthur and Neve could have been fantastic characters, but they just felt shallow. Characters like Isolde and Lazriel just came across as fillers and that was a damn shame.
The story was kind of predictable but I still liked the ending. I don’t think I’ll continue this series though.
July 18, 2025
The Once and Never King by @the.lady.grim book review by M(E).
Full 🛑! This book is 🤯. I am an avid fan of all things King Arthur and Camelot. Give me a rainy night with some Sean Connery and we are golden. This book… oh this book. How do I describe it? Think… Outlander meets King Arthur meets ACOTAR. It was such an amazing read. The world building was perfection. The diaologue, the banter, the adventure, and the tension. Ohhhhh the tension. 🥰 There is nothing better than the longing that finally comes together in such a spectacular moment that it explodes, even on page.
I have it 4.5 stars because I felt like I wanted more resistance from Neve. But, other than that… ugh. I am 100% going to buy this for my shelf trophies. So good. Highly recommend.
Touch her and die
Shadow Daddy
Strong FMC
Stubborn, broody MMC
Time Travel
Epic Love story
Fae
Fantasy
On to book 2…
Full 🛑! This book is 🤯. I am an avid fan of all things King Arthur and Camelot. Give me a rainy night with some Sean Connery and we are golden. This book… oh this book. How do I describe it? Think… Outlander meets King Arthur meets ACOTAR. It was such an amazing read. The world building was perfection. The diaologue, the banter, the adventure, and the tension. Ohhhhh the tension. 🥰 There is nothing better than the longing that finally comes together in such a spectacular moment that it explodes, even on page.
I have it 4.5 stars because I felt like I wanted more resistance from Neve. But, other than that… ugh. I am 100% going to buy this for my shelf trophies. So good. Highly recommend.
Touch her and die
Shadow Daddy
Strong FMC
Stubborn, broody MMC
Time Travel
Epic Love story
Fae
Fantasy
On to book 2…
July 24, 2025
⭐️ 4 Stars — A Wild Ride Through Magic and Myth
I’m not gonna lie—this one had me skeptical at first. In true fantasy fashion, those first few chapters had me blinking like “huh?” But once I settled in and the world-building clicked, Lady Grim got me. She really got me.
If you’re a sucker for anything Arthurian—Merlin, Camelot, cursed kings—I promise this is your vibe. It feels like a love letter to medieval fantasy with a dark, twisty edge. The magic feels ancient. The characters? Broken and powerful. The stakes? Absolutely high.
Just when I was fully locked in—when the betrayal hit, the reveals dropped, and the magic felt real—it ended. Yup, the cliffhanger is brutal. But am I ready to dive into book two the second it drops? Absolutely.
I’m not gonna lie—this one had me skeptical at first. In true fantasy fashion, those first few chapters had me blinking like “huh?” But once I settled in and the world-building clicked, Lady Grim got me. She really got me.
If you’re a sucker for anything Arthurian—Merlin, Camelot, cursed kings—I promise this is your vibe. It feels like a love letter to medieval fantasy with a dark, twisty edge. The magic feels ancient. The characters? Broken and powerful. The stakes? Absolutely high.
Just when I was fully locked in—when the betrayal hit, the reveals dropped, and the magic felt real—it ended. Yup, the cliffhanger is brutal. But am I ready to dive into book two the second it drops? Absolutely.
August 30, 2025
Listen when I tell you.. This is my TOP BOOK of the year. I devoured this book. Literally the fastest I have ever read a book, and honestly if I didn’t have to work I would’ve read it in one sitting. I nearly threw my kindle at the ending.. but fortunately I already have book 2: The Once and Never Throne and! and! Book 3 comes out in September thank goodness because I don’t know if I could handle anymore cliffhangers like that one.
Please please if you get any recommendations from me let it be this one.
It’s got:
🖤 Shadow Daddy
❤️ Slow Burn
🖤 Fae Court
❤️ Touch her and ☠️
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
❤️ King Arthur
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another book to go devour. Or to cry my way through, only time will tell.
Please please if you get any recommendations from me let it be this one.
It’s got:
🖤 Shadow Daddy
❤️ Slow Burn
🖤 Fae Court
❤️ Touch her and ☠️
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
❤️ King Arthur
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another book to go devour. Or to cry my way through, only time will tell.
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