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The Lives of Guinevere #1
The Once and Future Queen
Not yet published
Expected 16 Dec 25Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 07:49:27
25 copies available
U.S. only
DELUXE LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER with stenciled edges, a beautiful foil-stamped hardcover, exclusive interior design with full-color illustrated endpapers, and a reversible dust jacket!
Outlander-meets-The Princess Bride plus Camelot in a fresh, big-hearted, feminist, timeslip adventure reimagining the epic saga of King Arthur, as told from the perspective of his spunky and surprising queen, Vera – complete with time travel and good running shoes!
Vera always knew she didn’t fit in. When she learns that she is meant to be in another time, she leaps at the chance to embrace a new life in a world of valor, intrigue, and unexpected magic in this bold and romantic retelling of Arthurian legend . . .
22-year-old Vera is at a crossroads: waiting tables, grieving her previous relationship, and jogging aimlessly each morning as if toward an uncertain future. Then an odd man shows up at her workplace, insisting that she was once the legendary Queen Guinevere of Camelot, and that her lost memories hold the key to changing both the past and the present. Somehow, it all feels like the direction she’s been looking for. But when she asks the mysterious man to tell her more about Lancelot, Arthur, and a faithless queen, he can only say that much of what she’s heard about Camelot is wrong. The truth, he claims, is something she must see for herself.
After jumping through a portal in Glastonbury’s historic center, Vera is not prepared for what she finds. Magic is everywhere, but a curse on the kingdom means it dwindles every day. She has no idea how to perform a queen’s duties. Her fast friendship with Lancelot sets gossip flowing, and the stranger she must call “husband” often refuses to meet her eye. Arthur is a puzzle: cold, forbidding, and, while angry to her face, keeps leaving secret tokens of tenderness in her chambers. Worst of all, Vera’s memories—and the answers locked within them—show no signs of returning. If Vera is truly destined to save Camelot, she’ll have to trust her instincts. And her king will have to trust her . . .
Outlander-meets-The Princess Bride plus Camelot in a fresh, big-hearted, feminist, timeslip adventure reimagining the epic saga of King Arthur, as told from the perspective of his spunky and surprising queen, Vera – complete with time travel and good running shoes!
Vera always knew she didn’t fit in. When she learns that she is meant to be in another time, she leaps at the chance to embrace a new life in a world of valor, intrigue, and unexpected magic in this bold and romantic retelling of Arthurian legend . . .
22-year-old Vera is at a crossroads: waiting tables, grieving her previous relationship, and jogging aimlessly each morning as if toward an uncertain future. Then an odd man shows up at her workplace, insisting that she was once the legendary Queen Guinevere of Camelot, and that her lost memories hold the key to changing both the past and the present. Somehow, it all feels like the direction she’s been looking for. But when she asks the mysterious man to tell her more about Lancelot, Arthur, and a faithless queen, he can only say that much of what she’s heard about Camelot is wrong. The truth, he claims, is something she must see for herself.
After jumping through a portal in Glastonbury’s historic center, Vera is not prepared for what she finds. Magic is everywhere, but a curse on the kingdom means it dwindles every day. She has no idea how to perform a queen’s duties. Her fast friendship with Lancelot sets gossip flowing, and the stranger she must call “husband” often refuses to meet her eye. Arthur is a puzzle: cold, forbidding, and, while angry to her face, keeps leaving secret tokens of tenderness in her chambers. Worst of all, Vera’s memories—and the answers locked within them—show no signs of returning. If Vera is truly destined to save Camelot, she’ll have to trust her instincts. And her king will have to trust her . . .
512 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2024
233 people are currently reading
39193 people want to read
About the author
Paula Lafferty
3 books458 followersPaula lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, daughter, and Otto (the sweetest dog there ever was). She received a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University and a Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology. She has a taste for finding magic in "the ordinary" and a spark for discovering stories at every turn. Telling stories is the thread that runs through Paula's life, and La Vie de Guinevere is her debut novel which she originally funded through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 577 reviews
October 13, 2025
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Before I start my review I want to mention that I never read or watched anything about Arthurian legends and can't say if this book is an accurate depiction of the original and a 'good' or 'bad' re-telling. I believe the author knows a lot more about the legend(s) than I do and I also believe that she loves them as it's her very first book she wrote and I could see the passion behind it.
I went in with almost no expectations just with the expectation that I will experience a beautifully early Middle age atmospheric read which was unfortunately not granted to me. My reasoning for it will be listed below.
The Review
Themes
Themes in this book include: Dead love, guilt, regret, living an unnoticeable life vs living a noticeable life, living an insignificant life vs living a significant life, losing interest in somebody, feeling lonely, forgiving oneself, feeling insecure, betrayal, haunted places, ghosts, magic, time travelling, Arthurian legend and early Middle Ages.
Likes
• Creative writing style. Sometimes it reads really weird if the surroundings are described but it was also interesting to imagine what the author meant by it.
• If you are here to read a romantasy I think you will enjoy this one. The romance wasn't really for me, but I see the potential for it to be loved. It's not dark or overly dramatic (though it's a bit dramatic) but rather slow at the start with lots of tension. Later on it turns into many passionate moments but also rising conflicts. I was quite indifferent to it, but I believe that some others who are more lovers for romantasy books could find this book to be quite enjoyable.
• The friendship between Guinevere and Lancelot can be really beautiful to read about. It's common that romance overshadows the more simpler and calmer relationships in stories but this time it's the other way around. The friendship overshadows the romance. This could be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on what one prefers to read. Since I prefer friendship I liked that it had a bigger focus. There is a great possibility that the romance will be more of a focus in the future installment(s) for this book series.
Dislikes
• Immediately thrown into the story without any explanations or build-up to make it more exciting.
• Too much swearing (ruined the supposedly early Middle Age atmosphere completely).
• Read sometimes like it's a teen book even though it's supposed to be for adults. The characters didn't behave like they were adults oftentimes.
• One couldn't connect to the characters as their interactions with eachother felt extremely shallow and most had no real personality. They were simply put just uninteresting.
• I expected that the characters would talk and behave like people from that time, but they did neither which left me very disappointed and dissatisfied with this read. Not even once did I catch myself vibing with the book which I originally wanted to experience. It doesn't read like some early Middle Age story, it reads like most modern fantasy books.
• What bothered me a lot was how the vocabulary wasn't changed after the time travelling to adjust to the new setting but instead used a lazy excuse that the magic would let them talk to eachother perfectly fine without Vera needing to learn old English. I would have preferred for the author to actually take the time to sit down and include some older English vocabulary to enhance the reading experince. Without that the past timeline felt just like the future timeline. They only dress differently and everything looks a bit older around them, but that's basically it.
(They all also talked pretty much the same 'cause of this. How could I pick a favourite character if they are almost all the same characters?)
• It takes a long time for events to unravel. I don't want to imagine how much the pacing will be lacking for the other books in this series. Maybe one could have just written one big book, leaving out the unnecessary scenes? There was also no real build-up, just scenes that weren't needed at all. At least it felt like they weren't needed as all the characters were uninteresting to me and I just wanted the plot to go faster to see if there is something that might catches my attention.
• The magic and the time travelling had oftentimes plot holes which made the story inconsistent and hard to follow.
• Too much spicy scenes (for me personally).
Final thoughts
This book isn't focused on Arthur at all but rather Guinevere, so if you expected to read an Arthurian legend re-telling where Arthur is in the focus, you might re-consider reading this one. If you are here for a historical romantasy then this might be to your liking.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader copy of The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty.
StoryGraph review
Started the book: 11. October 2025
Finished the book: 11. October 2025
Wrote the review: 11. October 2025
Before I start my review I want to mention that I never read or watched anything about Arthurian legends and can't say if this book is an accurate depiction of the original and a 'good' or 'bad' re-telling. I believe the author knows a lot more about the legend(s) than I do and I also believe that she loves them as it's her very first book she wrote and I could see the passion behind it.
I went in with almost no expectations just with the expectation that I will experience a beautifully early Middle age atmospheric read which was unfortunately not granted to me. My reasoning for it will be listed below.
The Review
Themes
Themes in this book include: Dead love, guilt, regret, living an unnoticeable life vs living a noticeable life, living an insignificant life vs living a significant life, losing interest in somebody, feeling lonely, forgiving oneself, feeling insecure, betrayal, haunted places, ghosts, magic, time travelling, Arthurian legend and early Middle Ages.
Likes
• Creative writing style. Sometimes it reads really weird if the surroundings are described but it was also interesting to imagine what the author meant by it.
• If you are here to read a romantasy I think you will enjoy this one. The romance wasn't really for me, but I see the potential for it to be loved. It's not dark or overly dramatic (though it's a bit dramatic) but rather slow at the start with lots of tension. Later on it turns into many passionate moments but also rising conflicts. I was quite indifferent to it, but I believe that some others who are more lovers for romantasy books could find this book to be quite enjoyable.
• The friendship between Guinevere and Lancelot can be really beautiful to read about. It's common that romance overshadows the more simpler and calmer relationships in stories but this time it's the other way around. The friendship overshadows the romance. This could be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on what one prefers to read. Since I prefer friendship I liked that it had a bigger focus. There is a great possibility that the romance will be more of a focus in the future installment(s) for this book series.
Dislikes
• Immediately thrown into the story without any explanations or build-up to make it more exciting.
• Too much swearing (ruined the supposedly early Middle Age atmosphere completely).
• Read sometimes like it's a teen book even though it's supposed to be for adults. The characters didn't behave like they were adults oftentimes.
• One couldn't connect to the characters as their interactions with eachother felt extremely shallow and most had no real personality. They were simply put just uninteresting.
• I expected that the characters would talk and behave like people from that time, but they did neither which left me very disappointed and dissatisfied with this read. Not even once did I catch myself vibing with the book which I originally wanted to experience. It doesn't read like some early Middle Age story, it reads like most modern fantasy books.
• What bothered me a lot was how the vocabulary wasn't changed after the time travelling to adjust to the new setting but instead used a lazy excuse that the magic would let them talk to eachother perfectly fine without Vera needing to learn old English. I would have preferred for the author to actually take the time to sit down and include some older English vocabulary to enhance the reading experince. Without that the past timeline felt just like the future timeline. They only dress differently and everything looks a bit older around them, but that's basically it.
(They all also talked pretty much the same 'cause of this. How could I pick a favourite character if they are almost all the same characters?)
• It takes a long time for events to unravel. I don't want to imagine how much the pacing will be lacking for the other books in this series. Maybe one could have just written one big book, leaving out the unnecessary scenes? There was also no real build-up, just scenes that weren't needed at all. At least it felt like they weren't needed as all the characters were uninteresting to me and I just wanted the plot to go faster to see if there is something that might catches my attention.
• The magic and the time travelling had oftentimes plot holes which made the story inconsistent and hard to follow.
• Too much spicy scenes (for me personally).
Final thoughts
This book isn't focused on Arthur at all but rather Guinevere, so if you expected to read an Arthurian legend re-telling where Arthur is in the focus, you might re-consider reading this one. If you are here for a historical romantasy then this might be to your liking.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader copy of The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty.
StoryGraph review
Started the book: 11. October 2025
Finished the book: 11. October 2025
Wrote the review: 11. October 2025
August 3, 2024
WOW. JUST WOW. HOLY CRAP. I AM A WRECK RN. THIS WAS SO GOOD 😭
I had to give this a few days to sink in, but here we go :D
Firstly, I want to sincerely thank Miss Paula for giving me the opportunity to be one of her ARC readers. I've followed her journey from fairly early on and seeing her achieve what she has has been really inspiring as an aspiring self published author myself. I cannot express my thanks enough.
The story starts with Vera, a resident of modern day Glastonbury, who is struggling after the death of her boyfriend. So when a mysterious man shows up claiming to be the wizard Merlin and offers to take her back in time to the seventh century, she agrees. There's only one problem, Vera is apparently the legendary Queen Guinevere and she has no memories of her past life. And so begins the quest of recovering Guinevere's memories, memories that could hold the key to saving the kingdom and their last chance to save magic before it disappears from the world for good.
As someone who's read, watched and studied various versions and retellings of the legends of King Arthur, I absolutely adored this take and its creative aspects. Paula changed just enough for it to be riddled with new and exciting twists while keeping enough for it to feel true to the source. The time travel aspect helped to add another layer of intrigue that was woven with a rather fascinating magic system that I'm really hoping we learn more about.
But I definitely think that while the world building was great, this book was character driven in all the best ways. The characters were so well written, they had very distinct personalities and were individuals that felt relatably human and realistically flawed. I fell in love with (most of) our main characters right away, particularly Lancelot and Gawain just because they were so sweet, but I adored our heroine Vera as well and couldn't help but feel for her as she battled so many things, her strength was incredible but so was her weakness, she felt truly human in all the best ways. All the side characters were amazing as well and made their own impact on the story, they weren’t just cardboard cutouts there to advance the main characters development or the main plot line, they were each memorable in their own way. Everyone's emotions had an impact on the story (and me considering I cried an ungodly amount of times for various reasons) and the relationships between the main cast were so pure. The found family was absolutely adorable and balanced humor and genuinely emotional moments really well and you could just feel that they truly cared for one another. Those tender moments, whether purely platonic or romantic or something else entirely, were so touching to me. And obviously I can't say much but I will say one particular relationship really touched me as an aromantic because it was this easy intimate relationship between friends (forehead kisses and all). So seeing that relationship held just as high as the romantic ones, acknowledged as equal, really meant a lot to me because you don't see that done often and it was so beautiful. So for me personally, the emotions and relationships as well as that found family was definitely a huge part of why I loved this book so much.
The deeper themes of acceptance and healing made me cry more than once and I think it was the perfect time for me to read this because I ended up starting it shortly after my first suicidal thought after a year clean. Which was… really hard if I'm being honest. And I can't explain why but it really really helped me get through the fact that I was starting all over again.
Another thing that really stood out to me was the pacing. I have ADHD, which lately has been making it really hard to read, so much so that it feels like a curse. But I had absolutely no problems reading this in every minute of my spare time! And this isn't a short book. The questions and mysteries had me spinning theories like crazy (maybe half of which were correct lol) and looking back there was some really good foreshadowing there.
Overall this was an incredible debut novel that absolutely will live up to the excitement! La Vie de Guinevere was full of mystery and humor, wholesome relationships and bitter rivalries. A top tier found family and a mysterious villain. I would highly recommend it to fantasy fans who enjoy character driven stories with deeper themes and lessons, or just those who like Arthurian tales or fantasy retellings.
PRE-RELEASE
JAN 30 // aaaahhhh I've been waiting for this book to show up on goodreads!!!! cannot wait till October (hopefully I can get an arc, we'll see :)
JUL 21 // I have been blessed with an ARC!! I could cry (still in that stage where you're in shock you actually got it lol) thank you so much Miss Lafferty 🤍
I had to give this a few days to sink in, but here we go :D
Firstly, I want to sincerely thank Miss Paula for giving me the opportunity to be one of her ARC readers. I've followed her journey from fairly early on and seeing her achieve what she has has been really inspiring as an aspiring self published author myself. I cannot express my thanks enough.
The story starts with Vera, a resident of modern day Glastonbury, who is struggling after the death of her boyfriend. So when a mysterious man shows up claiming to be the wizard Merlin and offers to take her back in time to the seventh century, she agrees. There's only one problem, Vera is apparently the legendary Queen Guinevere and she has no memories of her past life. And so begins the quest of recovering Guinevere's memories, memories that could hold the key to saving the kingdom and their last chance to save magic before it disappears from the world for good.
As someone who's read, watched and studied various versions and retellings of the legends of King Arthur, I absolutely adored this take and its creative aspects. Paula changed just enough for it to be riddled with new and exciting twists while keeping enough for it to feel true to the source. The time travel aspect helped to add another layer of intrigue that was woven with a rather fascinating magic system that I'm really hoping we learn more about.
But I definitely think that while the world building was great, this book was character driven in all the best ways. The characters were so well written, they had very distinct personalities and were individuals that felt relatably human and realistically flawed. I fell in love with (most of) our main characters right away, particularly Lancelot and Gawain just because they were so sweet, but I adored our heroine Vera as well and couldn't help but feel for her as she battled so many things, her strength was incredible but so was her weakness, she felt truly human in all the best ways. All the side characters were amazing as well and made their own impact on the story, they weren’t just cardboard cutouts there to advance the main characters development or the main plot line, they were each memorable in their own way. Everyone's emotions had an impact on the story (and me considering I cried an ungodly amount of times for various reasons) and the relationships between the main cast were so pure. The found family was absolutely adorable and balanced humor and genuinely emotional moments really well and you could just feel that they truly cared for one another. Those tender moments, whether purely platonic or romantic or something else entirely, were so touching to me. And obviously I can't say much but I will say one particular relationship really touched me as an aromantic because it was this easy intimate relationship between friends (forehead kisses and all). So seeing that relationship held just as high as the romantic ones, acknowledged as equal, really meant a lot to me because you don't see that done often and it was so beautiful. So for me personally, the emotions and relationships as well as that found family was definitely a huge part of why I loved this book so much.
The deeper themes of acceptance and healing made me cry more than once and I think it was the perfect time for me to read this because I ended up starting it shortly after my first suicidal thought after a year clean. Which was… really hard if I'm being honest. And I can't explain why but it really really helped me get through the fact that I was starting all over again.
Another thing that really stood out to me was the pacing. I have ADHD, which lately has been making it really hard to read, so much so that it feels like a curse. But I had absolutely no problems reading this in every minute of my spare time! And this isn't a short book. The questions and mysteries had me spinning theories like crazy (maybe half of which were correct lol) and looking back there was some really good foreshadowing there.
Overall this was an incredible debut novel that absolutely will live up to the excitement! La Vie de Guinevere was full of mystery and humor, wholesome relationships and bitter rivalries. A top tier found family and a mysterious villain. I would highly recommend it to fantasy fans who enjoy character driven stories with deeper themes and lessons, or just those who like Arthurian tales or fantasy retellings.
PRE-RELEASE
JAN 30 // aaaahhhh I've been waiting for this book to show up on goodreads!!!! cannot wait till October (hopefully I can get an arc, we'll see :)
JUL 21 // I have been blessed with an ARC!! I could cry (still in that stage where you're in shock you actually got it lol) thank you so much Miss Lafferty 🤍
September 8, 2025
4.75 ★— I love time travel in fiction! It’s one of my favorite tropes because it opens the door to so much chaos, fun, and a myriad of exciting possibilities when written well.
So when I saw that this book combined time travel with Arthurian legend — in an Outlander‑style story where the heroine is thrown back in time — I was immediately hooked.
This book didn’t disappoint. The FMC, Vera, is a young woman working at her parents’ inn. She’s always felt like someone on the outside looking in, until she learns why: she’s actually Queen Guinevere from the Camelot legends. That’s what the mysterious guest, who turns out to be Merlin, tells her as he insists she must return to the past to fulfill her role as King Arthur’s queen
The story kept surprising me in the best ways. When Vera arrives in Camelot, she meets Arthur, a cold, stoic-seeming man who seems almost dismissive of her presence. While Vera begins to find a sense of belonging there, she’s also thrown straight into a complicated web of problems and expectations, all tied to Merlin’s mission for her.
One of my favorite parts was how the author handled the legendary characters surrounding Arthur. Lancelot, Gawain and the others were instantly recognizable in their essence, but also felt fresh and thoughtfully re‑imagined. Magic was seamlessly woven into the world too, making Camelot feel both enchanting and alive.
And even though the book dives into some heavy themes, there’s this lovely sense of lightness in Vera’s interactions with the people she befriends. Lafferty did such a great job balancing the weight of the story with moments of humor and warmth. I also really liked how Vera’s modern outlook had ripple effects (often unintended) on Camelot and its people.
Arthur and Vera’s relationship was another part of the book I really enjoyed. Their development felt organic — full of progress, setbacks, and quiet moments of longing. It never felt rushed, and by a certain point I could really sense Arthur’s quiet yearning for her, which made their ups and downs hit even harder.
The only part that didn’t quite work for me was what led up to the ending. The final chapters had so many twists and revelations that they started to blur together a bit. Because there was so much happening, some of the big moments didn’t resonate as hard as they could have.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
_____________
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
So when I saw that this book combined time travel with Arthurian legend — in an Outlander‑style story where the heroine is thrown back in time — I was immediately hooked.
This book didn’t disappoint. The FMC, Vera, is a young woman working at her parents’ inn. She’s always felt like someone on the outside looking in, until she learns why: she’s actually Queen Guinevere from the Camelot legends. That’s what the mysterious guest, who turns out to be Merlin, tells her as he insists she must return to the past to fulfill her role as King Arthur’s queen
The story kept surprising me in the best ways. When Vera arrives in Camelot, she meets Arthur, a cold, stoic-seeming man who seems almost dismissive of her presence. While Vera begins to find a sense of belonging there, she’s also thrown straight into a complicated web of problems and expectations, all tied to Merlin’s mission for her.
One of my favorite parts was how the author handled the legendary characters surrounding Arthur. Lancelot, Gawain and the others were instantly recognizable in their essence, but also felt fresh and thoughtfully re‑imagined. Magic was seamlessly woven into the world too, making Camelot feel both enchanting and alive.
And even though the book dives into some heavy themes, there’s this lovely sense of lightness in Vera’s interactions with the people she befriends. Lafferty did such a great job balancing the weight of the story with moments of humor and warmth. I also really liked how Vera’s modern outlook had ripple effects (often unintended) on Camelot and its people.
Arthur and Vera’s relationship was another part of the book I really enjoyed. Their development felt organic — full of progress, setbacks, and quiet moments of longing. It never felt rushed, and by a certain point I could really sense Arthur’s quiet yearning for her, which made their ups and downs hit even harder.
The only part that didn’t quite work for me was what led up to the ending. The final chapters had so many twists and revelations that they started to blur together a bit. Because there was so much happening, some of the big moments didn’t resonate as hard as they could have.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
_____________
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
October 23, 2025
⚔️ Bookish Thoughts
I’m not usually a fan of Arthurian fantasy, but I really enjoyed this one. Vera was absolutely hilarious, and Lancelot was a whole damn vibe 🤣🤣🤣
Even Arthur grew on me by the end!
The ending had me completely 🤯🤯🤯 Now I’m desperate for book two to release. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is because a few sections dragged a bit, but overall it was such a fun read.
💚 What to Expect
• Arthurian reimagining
• Time travel
• Feminist fantasy
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: December 16, 2025
📝 Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I’m not usually a fan of Arthurian fantasy, but I really enjoyed this one. Vera was absolutely hilarious, and Lancelot was a whole damn vibe 🤣🤣🤣
Even Arthur grew on me by the end!
The ending had me completely 🤯🤯🤯 Now I’m desperate for book two to release. The only reason this isn’t a full five stars is because a few sections dragged a bit, but overall it was such a fun read.
💚 What to Expect
• Arthurian reimagining
• Time travel
• Feminist fantasy
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: December 16, 2025
📝 Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
November 29, 2024
I didn't take notes on this book, so apologies if this review seems a bit scattered.
This book is not bad but it has a few major flaws that detract from it. The worst of these flaws made me dock it from a 3 to a 2 star, and is a spoiler at the end.
What's good:
- The characters are overall enjoyable to read. It was easy to root for them as the good guys. None of them were particularly deep, however, and sometimes I felt they acted young for their age (they are all adults). But at the end of the day it's inoffensive. I'd much rather read a book like this than a book where all the characters are awful but the author gaslights us into thinking they are pure-hearted saviors.
- I didn't have to slog through this book. Just expect some simple fun. Maybe read this book as a palate cleanser after reading something heavier or more difficult?
- I did appreciate that Vera had a personality and was TRYING to solve the main plot problem, even if
What's questionable/bad:
- Going into this book I thought it would be an "adult fantasy" book. I was slightly confused when I started reading and quickly realized the prose was at a middle grade level. The characters all act with the complexity of what's expected in a middle grade novel too, and same with the plot. But at the same time...swearing in abundance. All of the major characters drop the F-bomb, even the ones that are supposed to be more stoic and reserved. And then there is . So who is this book really intended for? I'm not sure. A mature teenager maybe?
- Related to the fact that all of the characters swear regardless of their personalities, all of the characters talk using modern turns of phrase. This has an in-universe explanation, in that there is a spell that translates Vera's speech so that others can understand her, and in turn Ye Olde English is translated so that she can understand it. The unfortunate side effect is that this book does not feel like it takes place in the Dark Ages England. I love atmosphere, vibes, and immersion in my setting. This feels more like modern day people who are LARPing as ancient knights, but they're also new to LARPing because they haven't figured out how to get truly "in-character" yet.
- There are quite a few scenes in this book that are just slice-of-life with everyone just goofing off. There's a scene where Vera is teaching everyone to play rock-paper-scissors, there's a scene where they are playing some sort of ball game (forget which kind), and a scene where they are jousting. That's it. I don't hate slice-of-life on principle. BUT when I do enjoy slice-of-life scenes in media, it's because I love the characters dearly and know them deeply, and even when the scene is mundane there is always an underlying thread of tension/contrast between the character dynamics, or humor. I didn't get that here. Everyone just...gets along. HR-approved fun. I ended up skimming these scenes (and they are long, some of them lasting whole chapters) and wishing they would get back to the main plot. Speaking of main plot, some of these scenes happened around the 50-60% mark, which is when the plot should really be picking up. Slice-of-life scenes are usually reserved for the earlier sections of the book, where things haven't heated up yet.
- My last complaint is a big one, one that made me dock a star, and it's a spoiler, so I'll leave it below.
SPOILER SECTION
I feel bad giving a self-published book by such a nice author a low rating. But I have to be honest when I say this really detracted from my overall enjoyment. It's such an odd decision to make. Which is a shame because I really wanted to know about the real Guinevere. Oh well.
This book is not bad but it has a few major flaws that detract from it. The worst of these flaws made me dock it from a 3 to a 2 star, and is a spoiler at the end.
What's good:
- The characters are overall enjoyable to read. It was easy to root for them as the good guys. None of them were particularly deep, however, and sometimes I felt they acted young for their age (they are all adults). But at the end of the day it's inoffensive. I'd much rather read a book like this than a book where all the characters are awful but the author gaslights us into thinking they are pure-hearted saviors.
- I didn't have to slog through this book. Just expect some simple fun. Maybe read this book as a palate cleanser after reading something heavier or more difficult?
- I did appreciate that Vera had a personality and was TRYING to solve the main plot problem, even if
What's questionable/bad:
- Going into this book I thought it would be an "adult fantasy" book. I was slightly confused when I started reading and quickly realized the prose was at a middle grade level. The characters all act with the complexity of what's expected in a middle grade novel too, and same with the plot. But at the same time...swearing in abundance. All of the major characters drop the F-bomb, even the ones that are supposed to be more stoic and reserved. And then there is . So who is this book really intended for? I'm not sure. A mature teenager maybe?
- Related to the fact that all of the characters swear regardless of their personalities, all of the characters talk using modern turns of phrase. This has an in-universe explanation, in that there is a spell that translates Vera's speech so that others can understand her, and in turn Ye Olde English is translated so that she can understand it. The unfortunate side effect is that this book does not feel like it takes place in the Dark Ages England. I love atmosphere, vibes, and immersion in my setting. This feels more like modern day people who are LARPing as ancient knights, but they're also new to LARPing because they haven't figured out how to get truly "in-character" yet.
- There are quite a few scenes in this book that are just slice-of-life with everyone just goofing off. There's a scene where Vera is teaching everyone to play rock-paper-scissors, there's a scene where they are playing some sort of ball game (forget which kind), and a scene where they are jousting. That's it. I don't hate slice-of-life on principle. BUT when I do enjoy slice-of-life scenes in media, it's because I love the characters dearly and know them deeply, and even when the scene is mundane there is always an underlying thread of tension/contrast between the character dynamics, or humor. I didn't get that here. Everyone just...gets along. HR-approved fun. I ended up skimming these scenes (and they are long, some of them lasting whole chapters) and wishing they would get back to the main plot. Speaking of main plot, some of these scenes happened around the 50-60% mark, which is when the plot should really be picking up. Slice-of-life scenes are usually reserved for the earlier sections of the book, where things haven't heated up yet.
- My last complaint is a big one, one that made me dock a star, and it's a spoiler, so I'll leave it below.
SPOILER SECTION
I feel bad giving a self-published book by such a nice author a low rating. But I have to be honest when I say this really detracted from my overall enjoyment. It's such an odd decision to make. Which is a shame because I really wanted to know about the real Guinevere. Oh well.
October 10, 2024
For her debut novel Paula did a great job!
The good:
I really enjoyed the first half of the book when Vera learns of who she is and Merlin allowed her to bring items from her time back into Arthur’s time. I got a kick out of Lancelot getting excited over her shoes. I also like how Merlin brought books back for her to read so she could feel a little more at home.
I enjoyed feeling the anticipation of Arthur and Vera as they tried to mend their relationship through the story. I especially liked the small tender moments between the
like when Vera found out Arthur changed out the flowers every week in the vase.
I liked the twist of Vivian being Lancelot’s mom and the story of his orb.
I knew Vera had powers, I called it!
Don’t let anything happen to Grady. He is sweet and innocent and deserves a happy ending.
Gawain is a better mage than Merlin will ever be. I didn’t like him at first but he’s grown on me.
Honest thoughts:
the second half of the book felt more slow up until the last 2 chapters.
I felt a little more lost and confused when it came to the world building and understand magic. I think I understand how magic is used and how it works in this world but it felt confusing at times when reading about it and wish it was simplified a little better to bring better understanding.
For me, this is just my opinion. I was a little uncomfortable with how friendly Lancelot and Vera’s relationship became. I like he was there for her to support and encourage her and be a friend for her and I know it’s strictly platonic, but It felt more intimate and more touchy feely in some areas than it should have and just didn’t feel right. Also I didn’t quite understand why he became so attached and protective of her. I know he ended up killing one of her variants that Merlin created but would that cause him to suddenly have this emotional attachment to her? They had no relationship previously I guess it just didn’t make sense in my mind.
I didn’t understand why Merlin did what he did half the time. His character is very complex, raised a lot of red flags for me and left me feeling very untrustworthy of him(and I think that’s the authors intention) I felt he used Vera more as a tool and didn’t think of her as a human being. He was absent for over half the book and I felt as though he didn’t contribute to anything unless it had to do with getting Vera’s memories back or off trying to help a town. I didn’t understand why he decided not to help save Arthur. His excuse made no sense to me, unless he was hinting at Vera helping him? I also didn’t quite understand why 3 veras were created and not just one when he saved her life. I felt it didn’t really add to the story and don’t think it was necessary.
The good:
I really enjoyed the first half of the book when Vera learns of who she is and Merlin allowed her to bring items from her time back into Arthur’s time. I got a kick out of Lancelot getting excited over her shoes. I also like how Merlin brought books back for her to read so she could feel a little more at home.
I enjoyed feeling the anticipation of Arthur and Vera as they tried to mend their relationship through the story. I especially liked the small tender moments between the
like when Vera found out Arthur changed out the flowers every week in the vase.
I liked the twist of Vivian being Lancelot’s mom and the story of his orb.
I knew Vera had powers, I called it!
Don’t let anything happen to Grady. He is sweet and innocent and deserves a happy ending.
Gawain is a better mage than Merlin will ever be. I didn’t like him at first but he’s grown on me.
Honest thoughts:
the second half of the book felt more slow up until the last 2 chapters.
I felt a little more lost and confused when it came to the world building and understand magic. I think I understand how magic is used and how it works in this world but it felt confusing at times when reading about it and wish it was simplified a little better to bring better understanding.
For me, this is just my opinion. I was a little uncomfortable with how friendly Lancelot and Vera’s relationship became. I like he was there for her to support and encourage her and be a friend for her and I know it’s strictly platonic, but It felt more intimate and more touchy feely in some areas than it should have and just didn’t feel right. Also I didn’t quite understand why he became so attached and protective of her. I know he ended up killing one of her variants that Merlin created but would that cause him to suddenly have this emotional attachment to her? They had no relationship previously I guess it just didn’t make sense in my mind.
I didn’t understand why Merlin did what he did half the time. His character is very complex, raised a lot of red flags for me and left me feeling very untrustworthy of him(and I think that’s the authors intention) I felt he used Vera more as a tool and didn’t think of her as a human being. He was absent for over half the book and I felt as though he didn’t contribute to anything unless it had to do with getting Vera’s memories back or off trying to help a town. I didn’t understand why he decided not to help save Arthur. His excuse made no sense to me, unless he was hinting at Vera helping him? I also didn’t quite understand why 3 veras were created and not just one when he saved her life. I felt it didn’t really add to the story and don’t think it was necessary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
This unique Arthurian retelling took me by surprise - I was entranced.
A 16 hours audiobook and I finished it in one and a half working days…
I went into this blind and, whilst it was mostly predictable, the author’s writing is magical and the descriptions whimsically beautiful.
It starts with Vera who is happy enough running and scrubbing toilets in Glastonbury only for Merlin to turn up and tell her she’s 7th century Guinevere.
Vera is such a likeable heroine. She doesn’t want to let anyone down, but she also wants to go back home to her parents and, you know, mobile phones and the internet.
She stumbles around in an entirely believable manner trying to find her footing as only Merlin, Arthur (who’s supposed to be her husband?!), and Lancelot.
I also found it funny that Vera has only the basic knowledge of the myth, so she’s meeting all these people, seeing all these famous places and either weeing herself in fear or laughter.
You kind of just have to ignore the magic use and time travelling inconsistencies and flimsy explanations. You’re in it for the characters.
I LOVED how friendships are portrayed, especially between Vera and Lancelot. I was so scared this was being set up for a love triangle, even Vera knows the rumours, but I loved how the author just went in a completely different direction.
As someone who values platonic relationships which are often underrepresented in fantasy romance, especially across genders, I loved how easy and natural it was.
I did have some gripes with Arthur in the first half of the book, but I also understand why there was such a wall between them.
I would hesitate to call this a romance quite yet.
BUT this is not a standalone. I did not know that and I wonder if my thoughts might have changed with that expectation.
I can’t get over how useless Merlin is.
The audiobook is relaxing and cosy, but you won’t be able to press pause.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
A 16 hours audiobook and I finished it in one and a half working days…
I went into this blind and, whilst it was mostly predictable, the author’s writing is magical and the descriptions whimsically beautiful.
It starts with Vera who is happy enough running and scrubbing toilets in Glastonbury only for Merlin to turn up and tell her she’s 7th century Guinevere.
Vera is such a likeable heroine. She doesn’t want to let anyone down, but she also wants to go back home to her parents and, you know, mobile phones and the internet.
She stumbles around in an entirely believable manner trying to find her footing as only Merlin, Arthur (who’s supposed to be her husband?!), and Lancelot.
I also found it funny that Vera has only the basic knowledge of the myth, so she’s meeting all these people, seeing all these famous places and either weeing herself in fear or laughter.
You kind of just have to ignore the magic use and time travelling inconsistencies and flimsy explanations. You’re in it for the characters.
I LOVED how friendships are portrayed, especially between Vera and Lancelot. I was so scared this was being set up for a love triangle, even Vera knows the rumours, but I loved how the author just went in a completely different direction.
As someone who values platonic relationships which are often underrepresented in fantasy romance, especially across genders, I loved how easy and natural it was.
I did have some gripes with Arthur in the first half of the book, but I also understand why there was such a wall between them.
I would hesitate to call this a romance quite yet.
BUT this is not a standalone. I did not know that and I wonder if my thoughts might have changed with that expectation.
I can’t get over how useless Merlin is.
The audiobook is relaxing and cosy, but you won’t be able to press pause.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
November 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
As a kid growing up, I LOVED both King Arthur and time-travel stories, so this book felt a little like it was written just for me. The Once and Future Queen is a fresh take on Arthurian legend, pulling a modern Guinevere into the past and letting her step into her own power.
The writing style starts out a bit on the flowery side, occasionally more ornate than the scene really needed, but that largely smooths out as the book progresses. Once the ‘prose’ settles, the storyline moves along much more naturally.
Character-wise, I found a lot to enjoy. Vera/Guinevere is essentially two versions of the same soul, but the book treats them like distinct entities: Guinevere has the weight of legend, and Vera is the modern woman trying to make sense of it. Watching Vera navigate those expectations made her easy to root for.
Arthur himself is written well, though his arc is less about growth and more about revelation. The further you read, the more you understand him, but mostly through Vera’s shifting perception, not because he actually changes. I appreciated that the weight and focus of this story was about Vera, and not Arthur, in a very “behind every great man is a great/strong woman” kind of way.
Lancelot is an absolute standout. The author manages to respect the original legend while still giving him a spin that feels modern and emotionally resonant. He’s not just a side character; he’s essentially a co-lead, and his presence adds a lot of heart to the story. His dynamic with both Guinevere and Vera was one of my favorite elements.
Sir Gawain also became an unexpected favorite for me. Without spoiling anything, his storyline added so much depth, and I appreciated the author’s interpretation of him. Merlin, on the other hand, kept me… unsure. He’s written just ambiguously enough that I wasn’t certain how I felt about him, which felt intentional.
The central relationship left me a little frustrated at times, but I suspect that was deliberate. As Vera learns more about Guinevere’s past, and the consequences of choices made, the emotional tension becomes more clear and understandable. This is not a sweeping romance, but more of a relationship being built amidst a bigger story.
The magic system is straightforward and accessible: enough detail to feel realistic, but not so complex that it bogs down the story. And while the ending makes it very clear this is setting up a book two, I didn’t mind, as it felt intentional, rather than just an unfinished story.
Readers who enjoy fantasy retellings, especially Arthurian legend with a Romantasy tilt, will likely have a great time with this story. If you prefer entirely new worlds, dense epic fantasy, or romance-forward stories, this might feel lighter than you expect. But as someone who came in with a love for both Camelot and time travel, I really enjoyed the story and will absolutely pick up the sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy - It was a delightful read!
As a kid growing up, I LOVED both King Arthur and time-travel stories, so this book felt a little like it was written just for me. The Once and Future Queen is a fresh take on Arthurian legend, pulling a modern Guinevere into the past and letting her step into her own power.
The writing style starts out a bit on the flowery side, occasionally more ornate than the scene really needed, but that largely smooths out as the book progresses. Once the ‘prose’ settles, the storyline moves along much more naturally.
Character-wise, I found a lot to enjoy. Vera/Guinevere is essentially two versions of the same soul, but the book treats them like distinct entities: Guinevere has the weight of legend, and Vera is the modern woman trying to make sense of it. Watching Vera navigate those expectations made her easy to root for.
Arthur himself is written well, though his arc is less about growth and more about revelation. The further you read, the more you understand him, but mostly through Vera’s shifting perception, not because he actually changes. I appreciated that the weight and focus of this story was about Vera, and not Arthur, in a very “behind every great man is a great/strong woman” kind of way.
Lancelot is an absolute standout. The author manages to respect the original legend while still giving him a spin that feels modern and emotionally resonant. He’s not just a side character; he’s essentially a co-lead, and his presence adds a lot of heart to the story. His dynamic with both Guinevere and Vera was one of my favorite elements.
Sir Gawain also became an unexpected favorite for me. Without spoiling anything, his storyline added so much depth, and I appreciated the author’s interpretation of him. Merlin, on the other hand, kept me… unsure. He’s written just ambiguously enough that I wasn’t certain how I felt about him, which felt intentional.
The central relationship left me a little frustrated at times, but I suspect that was deliberate. As Vera learns more about Guinevere’s past, and the consequences of choices made, the emotional tension becomes more clear and understandable. This is not a sweeping romance, but more of a relationship being built amidst a bigger story.
The magic system is straightforward and accessible: enough detail to feel realistic, but not so complex that it bogs down the story. And while the ending makes it very clear this is setting up a book two, I didn’t mind, as it felt intentional, rather than just an unfinished story.
Readers who enjoy fantasy retellings, especially Arthurian legend with a Romantasy tilt, will likely have a great time with this story. If you prefer entirely new worlds, dense epic fantasy, or romance-forward stories, this might feel lighter than you expect. But as someone who came in with a love for both Camelot and time travel, I really enjoyed the story and will absolutely pick up the sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy - It was a delightful read!
August 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, I was so excited about this book and not disappointed! This book was all I wanted from an Arthurian retelling and more.
From the characters to the plot, this story had me hooked. This book and the themes of friendship, loss, and love completely consumed me.
For a debut author, Paula Lafferty nailed things that even seasoned authors have difficulty doing, like seamlessly weaving in threads of a bigger plot brewing behind the pages, tension amongst the characters, and staying true to her own voice.
I have read so many stories over the years that they all start to sound alike. But, with the unique premise of this book and Lafferty’s unique and clear writing style, I can safely say I have never read anything like this before. While it takes a few pages for the story to set off and the writing to find its flow, once you reach Camelot, there is nonstop action, drama, and fun waiting for you.
The fairytale and urban fantasy elements will surely please fans of shows like Once Upon a Time and those who prefer something more epic like Lord of the Rings. Above all, I think this book is for those who understand the importance of friendship and good storytelling. I was absorbed by this book and truly loved it so much. There is nothing I love more than a great adventure and finding my home in a book, and that's what this was for
me.✨
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow, I was so excited about this book and not disappointed! This book was all I wanted from an Arthurian retelling and more.
From the characters to the plot, this story had me hooked. This book and the themes of friendship, loss, and love completely consumed me.
For a debut author, Paula Lafferty nailed things that even seasoned authors have difficulty doing, like seamlessly weaving in threads of a bigger plot brewing behind the pages, tension amongst the characters, and staying true to her own voice.
I have read so many stories over the years that they all start to sound alike. But, with the unique premise of this book and Lafferty’s unique and clear writing style, I can safely say I have never read anything like this before. While it takes a few pages for the story to set off and the writing to find its flow, once you reach Camelot, there is nonstop action, drama, and fun waiting for you.
The fairytale and urban fantasy elements will surely please fans of shows like Once Upon a Time and those who prefer something more epic like Lord of the Rings. Above all, I think this book is for those who understand the importance of friendship and good storytelling. I was absorbed by this book and truly loved it so much. There is nothing I love more than a great adventure and finding my home in a book, and that's what this was for
me.✨
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
May 3, 2025
Paula Lafferty how dare you leave me hanging like this! These are some of the most likeable and endearing characters I’ve read in a long while and I want to be back with them on their imaginative, high stakes adventures as soon as possible! The slow burn was absolute perfection and the friendships had me tearing up. I feel for Vera—she’s truly torn and I am so invested in what she’ll decide and how her future will play out. I love how Lafferty took a story we’re all familiar with and played with what to keep and what to turn on its head. I’m trying to resist looking up the story of King Arthur to get clues about what might be coming but I know it’ll be different so maybe I’ll need to in order to survive waiting for book two!
October 11, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Paula Lafferty for the ARC!
The truth is, I don't know how I feel about "La vie de Guinevere". It wasn't the masterpiece I was waiting for, but it also wasn't a bad book. I am not a big fan of romantasy, but as I love Arthurian legend, I thought this book was made for me... but in fact, it wasn't.
Firstly, I would like to say that during my reading, I felt the love of the author for her characters and her story. It seems like she did a lot of research to write about this time.
The writing was good, easy to read, and easy to imagine.
My favorite part was at the beginning when Vera learns who she is and how she comes to Camelot.
The plot was the most interesting part for me, full of mysteries!
Despite all the good things, I didn't like the characters. We are talking about king/queen/knights, but most of the times they all act like teens. While they are supposed to think about their people/have great experience about war and politics, they are more preoccupied about who is in love with who or drinking game...
I liked the bit of slow life we experienced with them, a ruler has a right to enjoy life, but at the same time I thought that they didn't act their age at all.
I also didn't feel the bond between characters because everything was kind of rushed.
Vera isn't a bad FMC, but I couldn't bond with her... I don't know why because she wasn't blank, she has so much background (and a good one) but everything felt rushed for me... I rather like the way the "original" Guinevere was described than Vera.
I don't understand why the book is described as a Camelot retelling because for me, it wasn't. I don't doubt that Paula Lafferty has a deep love for the Arthurian legend, but I wouldn't describe this book as a retelling. In fact, because of this characterization, I spent a lot of time comparing this book with other retellings that I deeply love.
"La vie de Guinevere" is a romantasy that uses Camelot and Arthurian legends as a background, but it doesn't retell anything.
It's a good romantasy and I'm sure people will love it! But I wouldn't recommend this book to people looking for a deep dive into Arthurian legends.
The truth is, I don't know how I feel about "La vie de Guinevere". It wasn't the masterpiece I was waiting for, but it also wasn't a bad book. I am not a big fan of romantasy, but as I love Arthurian legend, I thought this book was made for me... but in fact, it wasn't.
Firstly, I would like to say that during my reading, I felt the love of the author for her characters and her story. It seems like she did a lot of research to write about this time.
The writing was good, easy to read, and easy to imagine.
My favorite part was at the beginning when Vera learns who she is and how she comes to Camelot.
The plot was the most interesting part for me, full of mysteries!
Despite all the good things, I didn't like the characters. We are talking about king/queen/knights, but most of the times they all act like teens. While they are supposed to think about their people/have great experience about war and politics, they are more preoccupied about who is in love with who or drinking game...
I liked the bit of slow life we experienced with them, a ruler has a right to enjoy life, but at the same time I thought that they didn't act their age at all.
I also didn't feel the bond between characters because everything was kind of rushed.
Vera isn't a bad FMC, but I couldn't bond with her... I don't know why because she wasn't blank, she has so much background (and a good one) but everything felt rushed for me... I rather like the way the "original" Guinevere was described than Vera.
I don't understand why the book is described as a Camelot retelling because for me, it wasn't. I don't doubt that Paula Lafferty has a deep love for the Arthurian legend, but I wouldn't describe this book as a retelling. In fact, because of this characterization, I spent a lot of time comparing this book with other retellings that I deeply love.
"La vie de Guinevere" is a romantasy that uses Camelot and Arthurian legends as a background, but it doesn't retell anything.
It's a good romantasy and I'm sure people will love it! But I wouldn't recommend this book to people looking for a deep dive into Arthurian legends.
Want to read
October 12, 2025˖ ࣪ ⟡˚ pre-read ˚⟡ ࣪ ˖
THE COVER, THE SPRAYED EDGES, THE BLURB?!?!?
i’m SAT 🙂↕️
THE COVER, THE SPRAYED EDGES, THE BLURB?!?!?
i’m SAT 🙂↕️
August 3, 2024
« guinevere met her end here. »
first of all, i would like to thank paula lafferty for this advance reader copy. it was my very first and what a first to start with!! i have had SO much fun reading this i could not put it down, i have read it all in one go.
it was such a nice little read, i didn't expect Much and was so very pleasantly surprised all throughout my read.
the characters were charming, funny and they had depth. even the side characters did not feel like they were just there and then they weren't anymore, they had a backstory and a personality and i loved that.
of course my favourite character had to be lancelot, and it's not even because i'm biased when it comes to him, i just really genuinely enjoyed his character. he was funny, he was complex, he was just really well written in my opinion.
this book hasn't even come out yet (go preorder it or get in in stores on october 29!) and i'm already eagerly waiting for a sequel. that's how much i enjoyed myself.
first of all, i would like to thank paula lafferty for this advance reader copy. it was my very first and what a first to start with!! i have had SO much fun reading this i could not put it down, i have read it all in one go.
it was such a nice little read, i didn't expect Much and was so very pleasantly surprised all throughout my read.
the characters were charming, funny and they had depth. even the side characters did not feel like they were just there and then they weren't anymore, they had a backstory and a personality and i loved that.
of course my favourite character had to be lancelot, and it's not even because i'm biased when it comes to him, i just really genuinely enjoyed his character. he was funny, he was complex, he was just really well written in my opinion.
this book hasn't even come out yet (go preorder it or get in in stores on october 29!) and i'm already eagerly waiting for a sequel. that's how much i enjoyed myself.
August 23, 2024
Thank you to Paula Lafferty and Net Galley for this ARC!
Full review coming soon when I can sort out my feelings about this. On one hand, this was a really fantastic story and I was surprised around the halfway point that I was enraptured. On the other hand, I really wish this wasn’t a Camelot retelling, rather I wish it was just a story, and the first half was a slog to get through.
Ok updated review, I’m leaving the above in for honesty’s sake. Potential spoilers below, I’m not sure what will come out when I start writing. (Definite spoilers now that I’ve finished writing 🤣)
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first:
- I stand by my original assessment that I wish this was just a story and wasn’t a Camelot retelling. Having real characters/people to compare this to was a major disservice to Lafferty’s otherwise awesome story.
- I liked the story a lot, save for some of the time travel elements which didn’t feel fully thought out or well described, and a small bit at the end where medieval characters are tasked with addressing homophobia which was not convincing and largely I don’t think was necessary.
- I didn’t relate to or even really like Vera all that much. She was an oddly written character. Self pubs are a tough nut to crack and I hate to say that this book would have benefited from an editor, but Vera’s characterization was very contradictory and not fully fleshed out.
- Arthur read as a side character and ended up being largely unimportant to the novel aside from lending a command as king to make characters reveal pertinent info - another reason I think this story would slay if it wasn’t a Camelot retelling
- definitely spoilers now that I’m writing it, (here’s your warning…exit now if you don’t want spoilers) but there was something I hated so much about the twist of there being 3 Vera’s. Conceptually, I don’t even really mind that being a plot point. But practically, it was not well written. It ended up being a throwaway line to explain Arthur’s increased pain at seeing our Vera when she arrives. It read as a cheap character building bullet point rather than a staggering revelation which is how I believe it was intended.
Now onto the good:
- Lafferty’s writing has a TON of potential, there were a lot of bits that needed editing, but I find myself thinking about some of the lines/prose she wrote that have stuck with me since finishing the book.
- despite some of the elements I didn’t like regarding the way the time travel was employed, etc. The plot weaved by Lafferty in this novel was spectacular. I believed a lot of the story and the motivations of the characters, or rather, I would if this was a standalone story and not a retelling. I would really love to read this again with characters we’re not familiar with!!
- Lancelot was a boon. I loved him so much! He was clever and funny and loyal, really a spectacular character. He took almost all of the slack left behind by arthur’s weak lead character energy.
As I mentioned before, the first half was a slog for me. The world building was poor, and getting us to the point where the action picked up was a gargantuan task. I let days go by between reading chapters in the first half because nothing energized me to keep reading. After the 50% ish mark, I finished the rest at lightning speed. Once we got there, the plot was killer. I loved the puzzle we needed to solve and had plenty of theories, some right and some wrong. I always enjoy when an author keeps me guessing. If there’s more novels planned in this series, I will certainly give them a shot. I would be more inclined to prioritize them if Lafferty gets picked up by a traditional pub and an editor, but I will still keep reading even if they’re all self pubs.
Overall giving this a 3/5, verging on a 4
Full review coming soon when I can sort out my feelings about this. On one hand, this was a really fantastic story and I was surprised around the halfway point that I was enraptured. On the other hand, I really wish this wasn’t a Camelot retelling, rather I wish it was just a story, and the first half was a slog to get through.
Ok updated review, I’m leaving the above in for honesty’s sake. Potential spoilers below, I’m not sure what will come out when I start writing. (Definite spoilers now that I’ve finished writing 🤣)
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first:
- I stand by my original assessment that I wish this was just a story and wasn’t a Camelot retelling. Having real characters/people to compare this to was a major disservice to Lafferty’s otherwise awesome story.
- I liked the story a lot, save for some of the time travel elements which didn’t feel fully thought out or well described, and a small bit at the end where medieval characters are tasked with addressing homophobia which was not convincing and largely I don’t think was necessary.
- I didn’t relate to or even really like Vera all that much. She was an oddly written character. Self pubs are a tough nut to crack and I hate to say that this book would have benefited from an editor, but Vera’s characterization was very contradictory and not fully fleshed out.
- Arthur read as a side character and ended up being largely unimportant to the novel aside from lending a command as king to make characters reveal pertinent info - another reason I think this story would slay if it wasn’t a Camelot retelling
- definitely spoilers now that I’m writing it, (here’s your warning…exit now if you don’t want spoilers) but there was something I hated so much about the twist of there being 3 Vera’s. Conceptually, I don’t even really mind that being a plot point. But practically, it was not well written. It ended up being a throwaway line to explain Arthur’s increased pain at seeing our Vera when she arrives. It read as a cheap character building bullet point rather than a staggering revelation which is how I believe it was intended.
Now onto the good:
- Lafferty’s writing has a TON of potential, there were a lot of bits that needed editing, but I find myself thinking about some of the lines/prose she wrote that have stuck with me since finishing the book.
- despite some of the elements I didn’t like regarding the way the time travel was employed, etc. The plot weaved by Lafferty in this novel was spectacular. I believed a lot of the story and the motivations of the characters, or rather, I would if this was a standalone story and not a retelling. I would really love to read this again with characters we’re not familiar with!!
- Lancelot was a boon. I loved him so much! He was clever and funny and loyal, really a spectacular character. He took almost all of the slack left behind by arthur’s weak lead character energy.
As I mentioned before, the first half was a slog for me. The world building was poor, and getting us to the point where the action picked up was a gargantuan task. I let days go by between reading chapters in the first half because nothing energized me to keep reading. After the 50% ish mark, I finished the rest at lightning speed. Once we got there, the plot was killer. I loved the puzzle we needed to solve and had plenty of theories, some right and some wrong. I always enjoy when an author keeps me guessing. If there’s more novels planned in this series, I will certainly give them a shot. I would be more inclined to prioritize them if Lafferty gets picked up by a traditional pub and an editor, but I will still keep reading even if they’re all self pubs.
Overall giving this a 3/5, verging on a 4
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! It definitely has a slower, softer start, but honestly it worked for me, it felt like the story was taking its time to settle me into Vera’s world before everything shifts. Once things start moving, the emotional layers and the character arcs hit so much harder because of that slower build.
And Lancelot? Absolutely stole the show for me. His dynamic with Vera was hands down my favorite part of the whole book. Their friendship is warm and steady and just… wholesome in a way I wasn’t expecting. Every scene with them had this quiet comfort to it, and I would’ve happily taken a whole novella of just those two navigating Camelot together.
I also loved how this retelling leaned into the emotional side of the legend rather than the big, dramatic battles. It’s cozy, a little bittersweet, and full of introspective moments that caught me by surprise. The themes of purpose, identity, loss, rebuilding were woven in so naturally.
If you like Arthurian retellings with more heart than spectacle, meaningful character bonds, and a story that takes its time, this one is definitely worth picking up. And did I mention Lancelot? Because… Lancelot. Thanks to Kensington for the gifted Arc.
And Lancelot? Absolutely stole the show for me. His dynamic with Vera was hands down my favorite part of the whole book. Their friendship is warm and steady and just… wholesome in a way I wasn’t expecting. Every scene with them had this quiet comfort to it, and I would’ve happily taken a whole novella of just those two navigating Camelot together.
I also loved how this retelling leaned into the emotional side of the legend rather than the big, dramatic battles. It’s cozy, a little bittersweet, and full of introspective moments that caught me by surprise. The themes of purpose, identity, loss, rebuilding were woven in so naturally.
If you like Arthurian retellings with more heart than spectacle, meaningful character bonds, and a story that takes its time, this one is definitely worth picking up. And did I mention Lancelot? Because… Lancelot. Thanks to Kensington for the gifted Arc.
November 14, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Heavy themes explored under the cover of a cozy romantasy retelling.”
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. This book surprised me with both its strong writing and the unexpected emotional depth beneath its cozy romantasy surface.
I’ll be honest: I requested to review this book mostly because I saw the gorgeous sprayed-edge hardcover coming out. The synopsis didn’t fully convince me. I love retellings, but Arthurian ones usually aren’t my thing — they tend to feel too cheesy or simply "deja vu". I’m a reader who loves true novelty, not stories that paste familiar elements together and call it new.
Surprisingly, this one doesn’t fall into that trap. Even though the characters share familiar names, the book never feels like a traditional Arthurian tale. If you’re expecting epic quests, medieval battles, or a high-fantasy Camelot, what you’ll actually get is a much more “cozy” (and emotionally fractured) romance with light fantasy elements that intensify toward the end.
Also, the romantasy blend is unusual:
• The first 60% feels like a romance set inside a gentle fantasy world.
• The fantasy starts light, then becomes more important.
• When the romance finally blooms, it oddly feels secondary — intentionally so, I think, to give more space to the emotional and magical arcs.
So, at first, I wasn’t very engaged. The setup felt familiar: a modern-day queen thrown back in time to Arthur’s era. Not the most original premise. But the writing and editing are excellent, and very quickly I realized that beneath the medieval décor, the author is exploring heavier, meaningful themes — family, grief, depression, the pressure of expectation, suicide, identity.
Finally, a romantasy adult book that doesn’t rely only on sex (or an endless slow burn) to move the story forward. I appreciated being emotionally challenged, and that’s what kept me reading.
And yes, be prepared: you are not going to like Arthur for a while. He is not your typical epic, testosterone-filled MMC. He’s a heart-wounded king trying to navigate his complicated emotions — which means he often falls into the classic “emotionally unavailable man” behavior.
What I enjoyed most:
Guinevere’s struggle to find her place. She isn’t entitled to her role, she’s rejected by many, and she’s constantly trying to understand who she is beyond everyone’s expectations of “Queen Guinevere.” She carries the weight of being the “sacrificial lamb” the previous High Queen once was, expected to face the same tragic fate for the good of the kingdom. Her journey of identity and self-worth resonates deeply — and watching her reclaim her humanity, refusing to be just a tool to be used and discarded, was one of my favorite aspects.
What didn’t work for me:
• The ending felt incomplete. Too many elements were left open, and I wasn’t sure whether this was a standalone or the start of a series. Just when I was fully hooked… the book ends.
• The Lancelot–Guinevere dynamic felt a bit too close for comfort and slips into a predictable stereotype — you’ll know it when it happens.
• I wanted more development in some emotional and fantasy arcs.
Overall:
A strong debut that feels genuinely fresh. It brings something new, something you likely haven’t read yet, and I appreciate it for that. It’s not the Arthurian retelling I expected — and that’s exactly why I liked it.
“Heavy themes explored under the cover of a cozy romantasy retelling.”
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. This book surprised me with both its strong writing and the unexpected emotional depth beneath its cozy romantasy surface.
I’ll be honest: I requested to review this book mostly because I saw the gorgeous sprayed-edge hardcover coming out. The synopsis didn’t fully convince me. I love retellings, but Arthurian ones usually aren’t my thing — they tend to feel too cheesy or simply "deja vu". I’m a reader who loves true novelty, not stories that paste familiar elements together and call it new.
Surprisingly, this one doesn’t fall into that trap. Even though the characters share familiar names, the book never feels like a traditional Arthurian tale. If you’re expecting epic quests, medieval battles, or a high-fantasy Camelot, what you’ll actually get is a much more “cozy” (and emotionally fractured) romance with light fantasy elements that intensify toward the end.
Also, the romantasy blend is unusual:
• The first 60% feels like a romance set inside a gentle fantasy world.
• The fantasy starts light, then becomes more important.
• When the romance finally blooms, it oddly feels secondary — intentionally so, I think, to give more space to the emotional and magical arcs.
So, at first, I wasn’t very engaged. The setup felt familiar: a modern-day queen thrown back in time to Arthur’s era. Not the most original premise. But the writing and editing are excellent, and very quickly I realized that beneath the medieval décor, the author is exploring heavier, meaningful themes — family, grief, depression, the pressure of expectation, suicide, identity.
Finally, a romantasy adult book that doesn’t rely only on sex (or an endless slow burn) to move the story forward. I appreciated being emotionally challenged, and that’s what kept me reading.
And yes, be prepared: you are not going to like Arthur for a while. He is not your typical epic, testosterone-filled MMC. He’s a heart-wounded king trying to navigate his complicated emotions — which means he often falls into the classic “emotionally unavailable man” behavior.
What I enjoyed most:
Guinevere’s struggle to find her place. She isn’t entitled to her role, she’s rejected by many, and she’s constantly trying to understand who she is beyond everyone’s expectations of “Queen Guinevere.” She carries the weight of being the “sacrificial lamb” the previous High Queen once was, expected to face the same tragic fate for the good of the kingdom. Her journey of identity and self-worth resonates deeply — and watching her reclaim her humanity, refusing to be just a tool to be used and discarded, was one of my favorite aspects.
What didn’t work for me:
• The ending felt incomplete. Too many elements were left open, and I wasn’t sure whether this was a standalone or the start of a series. Just when I was fully hooked… the book ends.
• The Lancelot–Guinevere dynamic felt a bit too close for comfort and slips into a predictable stereotype — you’ll know it when it happens.
• I wanted more development in some emotional and fantasy arcs.
Overall:
A strong debut that feels genuinely fresh. It brings something new, something you likely haven’t read yet, and I appreciate it for that. It’s not the Arthurian retelling I expected — and that’s exactly why I liked it.
December 5, 2024
Nedaudz pārslavēta, jā.
Var just, ka debija? Jā.
Bet bija interesanti un aizraujoši.
Pirmā trešdaļa lasījās kā parastais laika ceļošanas vēsturiskais romāns, kur meiteni aizsūta uz vidusslaikiem tikai ar tamponiem ķešā. Tad intriga paaugās, spriedze, likmes un emocionālā piesaiste pastiprinājās, un bija labi.
Bet ļoti var just, ka tā ir autores pirmā grāmata. Rakstības stils nav nekas īpašs. Sižetiskā ziņā svaigs skatījums uz Karaļa Artūra leģendām, bet tikai tik daudz kā pamainot saskaitāmo kārtību.
Beigas pārsteidza ar to, ka tās nemaz nebija beigas, jāgaida nākamā grāmata. Laikam.
Var just, ka debija? Jā.
Bet bija interesanti un aizraujoši.
Pirmā trešdaļa lasījās kā parastais laika ceļošanas vēsturiskais romāns, kur meiteni aizsūta uz vidusslaikiem tikai ar tamponiem ķešā. Tad intriga paaugās, spriedze, likmes un emocionālā piesaiste pastiprinājās, un bija labi.
Bet ļoti var just, ka tā ir autores pirmā grāmata. Rakstības stils nav nekas īpašs. Sižetiskā ziņā svaigs skatījums uz Karaļa Artūra leģendām, bet tikai tik daudz kā pamainot saskaitāmo kārtību.
Beigas pārsteidza ar to, ka tās nemaz nebija beigas, jāgaida nākamā grāmata. Laikam.
December 2, 2025
I loved this so much! More of a 4.5 rounded up. Thank you Kensington Pub Corp for the arc :)
This book has great vibes:
⚔️Arthurian legends
⚔️cozy/slice of life (with a hint of adventure)
⚔️time travel
⚔️yearning
⚔️lovely friendships
Plot:
Vera is asked to come back to Camelot from the 21st century to fulfill her purpose: save Camelot. Magic is dwindling and she must unlock Guinevere's (hers?) memories in order to save the day. The thing is she can't seem to do it. Arthur (swoony king) expects her to! Or does he? Does he just want her to be happy and healthy and...in his arms? Sorry got carried away there, but that's what this story did to me!
Thoughts:
I had so much fun reading this! It was easy to read and the story and magic were explained well. The will they/won't they yearn fest between Vera and Arthur was everything to me. That and Lancelot and Vera's friendship was so fun. I also love the Arthurian characters sprinkled about :)
This book has great vibes:
⚔️Arthurian legends
⚔️cozy/slice of life (with a hint of adventure)
⚔️time travel
⚔️yearning
⚔️lovely friendships
Plot:
Vera is asked to come back to Camelot from the 21st century to fulfill her purpose: save Camelot. Magic is dwindling and she must unlock Guinevere's (hers?) memories in order to save the day. The thing is she can't seem to do it. Arthur (swoony king) expects her to! Or does he? Does he just want her to be happy and healthy and...in his arms? Sorry got carried away there, but that's what this story did to me!
Thoughts:
I had so much fun reading this! It was easy to read and the story and magic were explained well. The will they/won't they yearn fest between Vera and Arthur was everything to me. That and Lancelot and Vera's friendship was so fun. I also love the Arthurian characters sprinkled about :)
September 25, 2024
WOW
Oh boy, where do I start?! This was genuinely such an entertaining and fun read. I would have read it all in one sitting, if I didn’t have boring life stuff, like work to do...smh.
This story was well written, fun and the characters were so enjoyable and loveable. There were complex relationships, sweet romances and I would even describe one of the bonds as queerplatonic—which I’m a sucker for—it felt so deep and genuine, like it went beyond friendship but still very much platonic; I have to say, the love and bonds between the characters are the jewel of this story!
Though the story, the world-building, was also fascinating. The way the author explained and played with the misinformation around “the dark ages” was interesting. It’s definitely more of a modern take on Arthuriana, but it worked well with the magical medieval setting created here. It doesn’t always take itself—and by that I mean the Arthurian lore—too seriously, and plays with it in fun ways; like the origin of the round table…no spoilers but let’s just say they were thinking of a different type of equality and it was pretty funny to make those modern connections in a medieval setting. It felt modern but not too out of place, a bit silly at times but in good amounts.
For my niche: I really believe BBCM fans will like the pace, adventure, romance, queerplatonic bonds and found family dynamics of this story!
Honestly, I was getting stresses out the last 20%, as I did not remember this being anything other than a standalone, and there was still so much to resolve and explore...but thank god this is planned as a series!!
Highly recommend for an escape into a wonderful world. I can’t wait to discover and uncover more of this magical world, the mysteries, and spend more time with these characters <3
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC. This is my honest review.
The only thing I would add is that it lacked diversity. Though descriptions aren't always too explicit so I guess you could imagine more ethnic diversity than probably intended.
Oh boy, where do I start?! This was genuinely such an entertaining and fun read. I would have read it all in one sitting, if I didn’t have boring life stuff, like work to do...smh.
This story was well written, fun and the characters were so enjoyable and loveable. There were complex relationships, sweet romances and I would even describe one of the bonds as queerplatonic—which I’m a sucker for—it felt so deep and genuine, like it went beyond friendship but still very much platonic; I have to say, the love and bonds between the characters are the jewel of this story!
Though the story, the world-building, was also fascinating. The way the author explained and played with the misinformation around “the dark ages” was interesting. It’s definitely more of a modern take on Arthuriana, but it worked well with the magical medieval setting created here. It doesn’t always take itself—and by that I mean the Arthurian lore—too seriously, and plays with it in fun ways; like the origin of the round table…no spoilers but let’s just say they were thinking of a different type of equality and it was pretty funny to make those modern connections in a medieval setting. It felt modern but not too out of place, a bit silly at times but in good amounts.
For my niche: I really believe BBCM fans will like the pace, adventure, romance, queerplatonic bonds and found family dynamics of this story!
Honestly, I was getting stresses out the last 20%, as I did not remember this being anything other than a standalone, and there was still so much to resolve and explore...but thank god this is planned as a series!!
Highly recommend for an escape into a wonderful world. I can’t wait to discover and uncover more of this magical world, the mysteries, and spend more time with these characters <3
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC. This is my honest review.
The only thing I would add is that it lacked diversity. Though descriptions aren't always too explicit so I guess you could imagine more ethnic diversity than probably intended.
September 3, 2024
La vie de Guinevere
Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Summary: La vie de Guinevere is about Vera, who is living her ordinary present-day life when she finds out that she’s actually from the 7th century and she’s the legendary Queen Guinevere. And when she comes back to her time, she sees Arthur for the first time, his reaction is: « It’s not her ».
Review:
The first time I saw this book was on TikTok, Paula Lafferty viral TikTok when she’s writing all her chapters and putting them on top of the others until she’s completely finished writing the book. When I learned it was an arthurian book, I was like 1000% hooked.🙌🏻 I love the tv show Merlin and I always liked the arthurian story. At the time, I was like October cannot come soon enough. When I saw Paula comments about ARC and I was so excited because I knew that maybe I could be lucky enough to get it and I was.🩷 Thank you so much @paulalafferty_writes and @netgalley for this ARC.
More about the book, it was the book I was waiting for. 🥰 It didn’t disappoint one bit and I was hooked immediately. I was reading it like my life was depending on it. The storyline and the characters were exactly what I needed in this book. Lancelot was so nice and funny. He gave puppy energy haha. Vera/Guinevere was such a good main character with her complexe situation that she had to deal with. The pressure to fit in this new life was so real… 🥺 Arthur was so cold at first but the more you learn the more you understand where he is coming from. And for Merlin, I never thought I could be mad at him but I was. 😡
This story is so magical and compelling.✨ Arthurian retelling fan will be so pleased and happy to read this book. But I would totally recommend it to every fantasy lover or anybody who want to get into fantasy. 🩷
La vie de Guinevere is out October 29 and is available to preorder on Amazon and many bookstores.
Happy reading!
Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Summary: La vie de Guinevere is about Vera, who is living her ordinary present-day life when she finds out that she’s actually from the 7th century and she’s the legendary Queen Guinevere. And when she comes back to her time, she sees Arthur for the first time, his reaction is: « It’s not her ».
Review:
The first time I saw this book was on TikTok, Paula Lafferty viral TikTok when she’s writing all her chapters and putting them on top of the others until she’s completely finished writing the book. When I learned it was an arthurian book, I was like 1000% hooked.🙌🏻 I love the tv show Merlin and I always liked the arthurian story. At the time, I was like October cannot come soon enough. When I saw Paula comments about ARC and I was so excited because I knew that maybe I could be lucky enough to get it and I was.🩷 Thank you so much @paulalafferty_writes and @netgalley for this ARC.
More about the book, it was the book I was waiting for. 🥰 It didn’t disappoint one bit and I was hooked immediately. I was reading it like my life was depending on it. The storyline and the characters were exactly what I needed in this book. Lancelot was so nice and funny. He gave puppy energy haha. Vera/Guinevere was such a good main character with her complexe situation that she had to deal with. The pressure to fit in this new life was so real… 🥺 Arthur was so cold at first but the more you learn the more you understand where he is coming from. And for Merlin, I never thought I could be mad at him but I was. 😡
This story is so magical and compelling.✨ Arthurian retelling fan will be so pleased and happy to read this book. But I would totally recommend it to every fantasy lover or anybody who want to get into fantasy. 🩷
La vie de Guinevere is out October 29 and is available to preorder on Amazon and many bookstores.
Happy reading!
December 3, 2025
Thank you so much to Kensington Books and Between the Chapters book club for sending me the ARC!
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK! 5 HUGE STARS ⭐️
From the start, the story drew me in! These familiar characters were not what I expected at all. The story of King Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, and Merlin was told in such a way that we’ve never seen before! The twists were twisty, the deceptions were cunning, there was time travel, and even LGBTQIA+ representation!
I’ve always enjoyed Authurian legends and lore so this book was already on my radar and I’m kicking my feet at the cliffhanger and can’t wait to read the next book! What a wordsmith I’ve found in Paula Lafferty!
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK! 5 HUGE STARS ⭐️
From the start, the story drew me in! These familiar characters were not what I expected at all. The story of King Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, and Merlin was told in such a way that we’ve never seen before! The twists were twisty, the deceptions were cunning, there was time travel, and even LGBTQIA+ representation!
I’ve always enjoyed Authurian legends and lore so this book was already on my radar and I’m kicking my feet at the cliffhanger and can’t wait to read the next book! What a wordsmith I’ve found in Paula Lafferty!
December 17, 2024
4.5⭐️
Booktok has done me dirty too many times in the past that I was so hesitant to buy this one. But I needed a debut novel for Book Club and I didn’t want to reread one so I took a chance. And boy am I happy I took that chance.
I can’t say that I’m well versed in King Arthur lore, I mean “The Sword in the Stone” was my favorite Disney movie and I watched it almost every weekend as a kid, but that was about it. This book breathed a whole lot of life into the characters whose names i knew and that was it. Lancelot was goofy, Gawain shy and nerdy, Marion a boss babe, Tristan the jock we love, Percival loyal to a fault, and Arthur, wise, kind, and courageous. I loved getting to know all of them in this book, I loved the time traveling aspect and the liberties taken with the storyline that didn’t ruin anything but instead gave a fun alternative. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for book 2.
The ONLY complaints I had was that all I wanted to do was give Guinevere a good shake to get her to SEE that she wasn’t everyone’s problems, and to stop finding faults in everything and just live in Camelot, but it all worked itself out in the end, mostly
Booktok has done me dirty too many times in the past that I was so hesitant to buy this one. But I needed a debut novel for Book Club and I didn’t want to reread one so I took a chance. And boy am I happy I took that chance.
I can’t say that I’m well versed in King Arthur lore, I mean “The Sword in the Stone” was my favorite Disney movie and I watched it almost every weekend as a kid, but that was about it. This book breathed a whole lot of life into the characters whose names i knew and that was it. Lancelot was goofy, Gawain shy and nerdy, Marion a boss babe, Tristan the jock we love, Percival loyal to a fault, and Arthur, wise, kind, and courageous. I loved getting to know all of them in this book, I loved the time traveling aspect and the liberties taken with the storyline that didn’t ruin anything but instead gave a fun alternative. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for book 2.
The ONLY complaints I had was that all I wanted to do was give Guinevere a good shake to get her to SEE that she wasn’t everyone’s problems, and to stop finding faults in everything and just live in Camelot, but it all worked itself out in the end, mostly
December 6, 2024
I have no words. This book was exceptionally amazing! & I cannot wait till the next book comes out! Thank you Paula for creating this story and bringing it to life for us. This was such a special read for me. I can’t thank you enough. I have literally all the versions of this book also. The audio, deluxe edition, ebook, & hardback! I even have my name in the back of the book as an early supporter and that means so much to me. Thank you for this amazing adventure of a book! I want to hug this author for creating this story lol 😂
November 1, 2024
3.5 rounded down
The first third of this was so great! I had all those feeling you feel when you’re reading something you know you’ll love. But a third of the way through it got needlessly complicated and had too many twists, turns, side moments - felt like a hard edit was missed there at the end. It went from clever-time-traveling-historical-romcom to something overly complicated and less romancy. But still so impressive for a debut author and I love the buzz she’s worked up online.
The first third of this was so great! I had all those feeling you feel when you’re reading something you know you’ll love. But a third of the way through it got needlessly complicated and had too many twists, turns, side moments - felt like a hard edit was missed there at the end. It went from clever-time-traveling-historical-romcom to something overly complicated and less romancy. But still so impressive for a debut author and I love the buzz she’s worked up online.
September 18, 2024
I am so enamored with this book. It is the King Arthur legend retelling I’ve been waiting for my whole life. It was magical, adventurous, romantic, nostalgic, and heart-wrenching all in one in the best way possible! I am extremely impressed with author Paula Lafferty’s debut novel, and I will be recommending this one to everyone! Well done.
November 23, 2024
This is an amazing debut, and I am already dying for a sequel. Arthur. Magic. More please!!
September 25, 2025
The Once and Future Queen
by Paula Lafferty
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Here’s the thing: I didn’t dislike this book. I read it, I enjoyed pieces of it, I even found myself grinning at a few moments. The premise—Guinevere in modern clothes with modern baggage, tossed headfirst back into Camelot—had me hooked right away. A bold idea, and honestly, one I hadn’t seen spun this way before.
But here’s where the crown slips: this book takes forever to get going. The first chunk is Vera stumbling around like she’s in the wrong movie set, waiting tables, running, pouting over her life until—finally—she gets thrown back in time. Once Camelot shows up, the story definitely improves. Suddenly there’s intrigue, curses, and Arthur himself being an absolute puzzle box of a man—cold, grumpy, vaguely insufferable, yet somehow sneaking sweet gestures into Vera’s chambers like the world’s most emotionally constipated husband. That dynamic worked for me.
The problem is… Vera. She’s not hateable, she’s just—flat. For someone who’s supposed to literally save Camelot, she spends a lot of the book as a passive observer. Meanwhile, everyone around her—Arthur, Lancelot, the side characters—are out there doing things, having goals, stirring the pot. She’s the window we watch through, but rarely the one actually opening the door. And when Guinevere is supposed to be the star of the show, that’s a problem.
Now, let me not sound like I didn’t have fun. The author clearly adores Arthurian legend, and there are clever twists sprinkled in that I genuinely appreciated. There’s atmosphere, there’s drama, and there’s a sense that something bigger is always looming. It does deliver a romantic fantasy romp in Camelot, exactly as promised.
But… it never fully enchanted me. The pacing drags, the romance doesn’t burn hot enough, and I kept wishing the whole thing would lean harder into its own premise. Give me a Guinevere who storms, schemes, commands—not one who spends half the time blinking her way through plot developments.
And yet… this is clearly the author’s lovechild. It’s written exactly the way she wanted it to be—slow burn, reflective, heavy on mood and less on fire. That’s admirable in itself. Not every retelling needs to roar and reinvent; sometimes it just quietly reimagines. You can feel her heart stitched into the pages, even if the execution didn’t quite crown it as a favorite for me.
Would I recommend it? Sure—if you’re looking for a lighter, modern spin on Camelot and you don’t mind a slow build. Just don’t expect the earth to move under your feet. This isn’t Excalibur being pulled from the stone—it’s more like admiring the sword through the glass and thinking, “Well, that’s nice.”
3.5 stars: a decent, sometimes charming read, but not the once-in-a-lifetime queen I was hoping for.
Thank you Netgalley Kensington Books and the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
by Paula Lafferty
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Here’s the thing: I didn’t dislike this book. I read it, I enjoyed pieces of it, I even found myself grinning at a few moments. The premise—Guinevere in modern clothes with modern baggage, tossed headfirst back into Camelot—had me hooked right away. A bold idea, and honestly, one I hadn’t seen spun this way before.
But here’s where the crown slips: this book takes forever to get going. The first chunk is Vera stumbling around like she’s in the wrong movie set, waiting tables, running, pouting over her life until—finally—she gets thrown back in time. Once Camelot shows up, the story definitely improves. Suddenly there’s intrigue, curses, and Arthur himself being an absolute puzzle box of a man—cold, grumpy, vaguely insufferable, yet somehow sneaking sweet gestures into Vera’s chambers like the world’s most emotionally constipated husband. That dynamic worked for me.
The problem is… Vera. She’s not hateable, she’s just—flat. For someone who’s supposed to literally save Camelot, she spends a lot of the book as a passive observer. Meanwhile, everyone around her—Arthur, Lancelot, the side characters—are out there doing things, having goals, stirring the pot. She’s the window we watch through, but rarely the one actually opening the door. And when Guinevere is supposed to be the star of the show, that’s a problem.
Now, let me not sound like I didn’t have fun. The author clearly adores Arthurian legend, and there are clever twists sprinkled in that I genuinely appreciated. There’s atmosphere, there’s drama, and there’s a sense that something bigger is always looming. It does deliver a romantic fantasy romp in Camelot, exactly as promised.
But… it never fully enchanted me. The pacing drags, the romance doesn’t burn hot enough, and I kept wishing the whole thing would lean harder into its own premise. Give me a Guinevere who storms, schemes, commands—not one who spends half the time blinking her way through plot developments.
And yet… this is clearly the author’s lovechild. It’s written exactly the way she wanted it to be—slow burn, reflective, heavy on mood and less on fire. That’s admirable in itself. Not every retelling needs to roar and reinvent; sometimes it just quietly reimagines. You can feel her heart stitched into the pages, even if the execution didn’t quite crown it as a favorite for me.
Would I recommend it? Sure—if you’re looking for a lighter, modern spin on Camelot and you don’t mind a slow build. Just don’t expect the earth to move under your feet. This isn’t Excalibur being pulled from the stone—it’s more like admiring the sword through the glass and thinking, “Well, that’s nice.”
3.5 stars: a decent, sometimes charming read, but not the once-in-a-lifetime queen I was hoping for.
Thank you Netgalley Kensington Books and the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
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December 2, 2025The Lives of Guinevere #1
The Once and Future Queen
By Paula Lafferty
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Historical Fiction, Retellings, Arthurian, Mythology
⭐️ Ranking: No rating (DNF at 30%)
🤓 Do I own the book? No
🎧📖 How I read it: eARC via NetGalley
🌶 Level: unknown
📚 Would read again? Unsure
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Paula Lafferty for the early copy. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this one early, and while I was excited for it, especially with time travel and magic being two things I usually love, this unfortunately wasn’t the right book for me at this time. Due to not finishing the book, I’m not giving a star rating, but if I had to, it would land around 2 stars based on what I read.
I soft DNF’d around 30%. I found myself skimming pages and struggling to stay engaged. A lot of the story felt very day-to-day without moving the plot forward, and the pacing made the book feel longer than it needed to be. It’s a very character-driven story, which is totally valid, but I’ve been reading a lot of character-driven books recently and was really hoping for more world-building and plot momentum here.
When Vera travels back in time, I expected the setting to feel distinctly historical, but it still felt very modern, especially in the dialogue. There is an in-universe explanation for this (a translation spell that adjusts her speech and the speech around her), but the side effect is that Camelot never truly reads like Dark Ages England. That pulled me out of the story.
I also noticed repetitive explanations. The author would thoroughly explain something, and then in later chapters, as it came up again, there’d be another full paragraph re-explaining it. I found myself skipping those repeated sections.
One of my biggest struggles was the lack of urgency. Vera is brought back in time because something important must be fixed, urgently, but once she arrives, there’s no real pressure or push toward that task. That added to the sense of filler and made me wish the pacing were tighter.
What I did enjoy:
The time-travel premise is genuinely fun, and the moments of magic we do get were intriguing. I wanted to love this, and maybe one day I’ll try again when I’m looking specifically for a slow, character-driven read. But for now, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me.
The Once and Future Queen
By Paula Lafferty
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Historical Fiction, Retellings, Arthurian, Mythology
⭐️ Ranking: No rating (DNF at 30%)
🤓 Do I own the book? No
🎧📖 How I read it: eARC via NetGalley
🌶 Level: unknown
📚 Would read again? Unsure
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Paula Lafferty for the early copy. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this one early, and while I was excited for it, especially with time travel and magic being two things I usually love, this unfortunately wasn’t the right book for me at this time. Due to not finishing the book, I’m not giving a star rating, but if I had to, it would land around 2 stars based on what I read.
I soft DNF’d around 30%. I found myself skimming pages and struggling to stay engaged. A lot of the story felt very day-to-day without moving the plot forward, and the pacing made the book feel longer than it needed to be. It’s a very character-driven story, which is totally valid, but I’ve been reading a lot of character-driven books recently and was really hoping for more world-building and plot momentum here.
When Vera travels back in time, I expected the setting to feel distinctly historical, but it still felt very modern, especially in the dialogue. There is an in-universe explanation for this (a translation spell that adjusts her speech and the speech around her), but the side effect is that Camelot never truly reads like Dark Ages England. That pulled me out of the story.
I also noticed repetitive explanations. The author would thoroughly explain something, and then in later chapters, as it came up again, there’d be another full paragraph re-explaining it. I found myself skipping those repeated sections.
One of my biggest struggles was the lack of urgency. Vera is brought back in time because something important must be fixed, urgently, but once she arrives, there’s no real pressure or push toward that task. That added to the sense of filler and made me wish the pacing were tighter.
What I did enjoy:
The time-travel premise is genuinely fun, and the moments of magic we do get were intriguing. I wanted to love this, and maybe one day I’ll try again when I’m looking specifically for a slow, character-driven read. But for now, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me.
November 26, 2025
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I am honestly so surprised by this book in the best way. It was amazing. I love Arthurian legends so much, King Arthur is one of my all time favorite movies, and this felt like such a fun and fresh twist on the whole legend.
First of all I was shocked it had time travel. I swear I really need to start actually reading blurbs. I am usually really picky with that trope but I loved it here. It is written so well and the whole story keeps this perfect little intrigue where you never fully know what already happened, what will happen, or what might change.
The world building was great, the characters were so lovable. I had this little theory about two characters that did not come true, so I was sitting there like awww okay then, but it was still sweet and fun and cozy and I had the best time.
Lancelot has my whole heart. I absolutely adore him.
The ending got me emotional, a little teary, a little shocked, and then just sad that it was over. I am definitely picking up book two.
I am honestly so surprised by this book in the best way. It was amazing. I love Arthurian legends so much, King Arthur is one of my all time favorite movies, and this felt like such a fun and fresh twist on the whole legend.
First of all I was shocked it had time travel. I swear I really need to start actually reading blurbs. I am usually really picky with that trope but I loved it here. It is written so well and the whole story keeps this perfect little intrigue where you never fully know what already happened, what will happen, or what might change.
The world building was great, the characters were so lovable. I had this little theory about two characters that did not come true, so I was sitting there like awww okay then, but it was still sweet and fun and cozy and I had the best time.
Lancelot has my whole heart. I absolutely adore him.
The ending got me emotional, a little teary, a little shocked, and then just sad that it was over. I am definitely picking up book two.
December 4, 2025
Thank ya Paula and kensington books for an arc of this! I loved this retelling of Guinevere. I loved that alot of the things I have grown up hearing and knowing was done very differently. The magic system was not confusing and I am so excited to read the next one! And the love that grows between them is so good.
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