An ancient key. A secret treasure. And a princess destined to use them both to fight evil and restore peace.Raised by a noble family, Lady Adelaide has always known she’s an orphan. Little does she realize she’s one of the lost princesses and the true heir to Mercia’s throne…until a visitor arrives at her family estate, reveals her birthright as queen, and thrusts her into a quest for the throne … quest for the throne whether she’s ready or not.
Unable to tolerate King Ethelwulf’s cruelty and lawlessness, Christopher Langley left Mercia years earlier, training a group of rebels in neighboring Norland. When he returns home after his mother’s death, he discovers that not only is Adelaide all grown up, but she’s also the rightful queen of Mercia.
When King Ethelwulf discovers Adelaide’s location, he’ll stop at nothing to capture her and the key she holds to the ancient treasure. Christopher is just as determined to protect Adelaide so she can lead the growing rebellion. When feelings ignite between the two old friends, forces threaten to destroy their love and rip them apart forever.
YA books by Jody Hedlund:
The Lost Princesses
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost (Sept 2019)
Book 3: Hereafter (Oct 2019)
The Noble Knights
Prequel Novella: The Vow
Book 1: An Uncertain Choice
Book 2: A Daring Sacrifice
Book 3: For Love and Honor
Book 4: A Loyal Heart
Book 5: A Worthy Rebel
Other books by Jody Hedlund:
The Bride Ships Series
Book 1: A Reluctant Bride
Book 2: The Runaway Bride
The Orphan Train Series
Prequel Novella: An Awakened Heart
Book 1: With You Always
Book 2: Together Forever
Book 3: Searching for You
The Beacons of Hope Series
Prequel Novella: Out of the Storm
Book 1: Love Unexpected
Book 2: Hearts Made Whole
Book 3: Undaunted Hope
Book 4: Forever Safe
Book 5: Never Forget
The Michigan Brides Collection
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Captured by Love
The Hearts of Faith Collection
The Preacher’s Bride
The Doctor’s Lady
Rebellious Heart
Historical
Luther and Katharina
Newton and Polly
more
This is the first in Jody Hedlund’s new series, The Lost Princesses. I definitely recommend reading the prequel before this book as it sets up what happens here, helping the reader to understand the political climate and culture, as well as the backstory to the individual princesses and why they had to be raised separately and with no knowledge of who they really are.
That being said, this novel is about the Crown Princess Constance, who has been living under the assumed name of Adelaide, unaware of her heritage but knowing she is an orphan. She has become a spirited young woman who excels in many things: she is a fierce warrior, smart, beautiful, and has a heart that cares for people, even above what may be best for herself, often putting herself in danger to protect others around her.
Her fiercest protector is Christopher, a young man who left the country and his family behind, rather than be subject to the evil King Ethelwulf’s reign any longer. When he returns and finds his “cousin” is really the rightful queen, he wants to help her to the throne, even if it costs him his life, or his heart. I truly enjoyed this character, even if he sometimes left me wanting to knock some sense into him.
What follows those revelations is a breathtaking ride of a story that kept me turning pages long after I should have been doing other things! The book drew me in and wouldn’t let go; even when things seemed hopeless, I wanted to read just a few more chapters to see if they’d survive this latest obstacle. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy stories of royalty, young adults and up. While perhaps marketed as YA, these books hold a wide appeal and are certainly great reads for anyone teen or older, due to some battle sequences that may be disturbing for younger readers.
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Oh my goodness! Ms Hedlund has a talent of drawing the reader in from page one and holding attention through the last page. Excellent story telling-filled with suspense, intrigue, honor, wisdom, and romance. This is the perfect YA book (that isn’t just for young adults-)!! The ending was such a cliff hanger, I can’t wait for the next book to be released!!! My daughters will love this series-they are already anticipating it since reading Always.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
“There are times when we need to hold out faith and hope even when the circumstances seem impossible.”-Jody Hedlund, Evermore
I very rarely read a book in one day; however, Jody Hedlund’s Evermore is the exception. What a riveting story! It was irresistible! I couldn’t put it down.. Evermore is Ms. Hedlund’s upcoming release in her new YA series, The Lost Princesses. Its prequel novella, Always, was also a compelling read.
Ms. Hedlund is a masterful storyteller. The author’s historical details, heart-stopping descriptions, and the tale’s unpredictable twist and turns captivated me. I enjoyed the character development of Lady Adelaide, Christopher Langley and Mitchell Langley. I especially enjoyed Lady Adelaide’s character. She is a firecracker! She portrays great strength, courage, and wisdom rooted in God’s care and His provision.
I really admired Ms. Hedlund’s thoughtful inclusion of forgiveness and reconciliation between the characters, as well as the characters firm resolve to obey God in His role for them and trust Him to equip them to carry out their roles. Another element I appreciated was the sweet romance the author developed between Lady Adelaide and Christopher. It was a beautiful love story. Something about Ms. Hedlund that I greatly admire is that she writes lovely and clean romance, and it still makes my heart skip a beat!
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of Ms. Hedlund’s books. She is an excellent author. Evermore contains depth and fullness, something I appreciate about Ms. Hedlund’s writing. I’m so excited about her Lost Princesses series! I’m a mother of three daughters and I cannot wait to share these wonderful books with them! As the school year begins, enjoy Evermore. You’ll be swept away on a magnificent medieval adventure that will remain with you long after you finish its last page.
“If only love came more easily. But then, love wouldn’t mean as much if one could gain it without any cost whatsoever.”-Jody Hedlund, Evermore
*I am grateful to the author and publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book. I was not obligated or expected to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*
Continuation of the series (read Always first) this being the story of the oldest Princess Constance, now known as Adelaide. A strong girl, raised along her boy cousins, equally able to fight and compete in tournaments. Yet she is also kind and compassionate towards others. From a Noble family, Christopher left home when his father pledged his loyalty to King Ethelwuf who usurped the good King. He came back after serving another good King from the north, intending to say his goodbyes to his family and never return. But it being Adelaide’s 20th birthday, things progressed quickly as it was quietly revealed who she really was, rekindling her old memories in the process. A momentous change and revelation for her and her family. Since she is the rightful heir to the throne, evil King Ethelwuf wants to kidnap her and get the key she holds (one of 3) to the treasure of Solomon. A tense, twisting depthful story unfolds that will keep you on edge till the end of the book. Highly entertaining Recency with Christian lessons.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#Evermore #JodyHedlund #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #NorthernLightsPress
“Evermore” by Jody Hedlund is the first book in the “Lost Princesses” series. This series is one you won’t want to miss! Ms. Hedlund has created a new Young Adult world (that adults also love) with a fairy tale-esque feel. The series is not only “un-put-down-able,” but is also free from a lot of the edgy content one finds in Young Adult books today.
“Evermore” is about the oldest princess, Adelaide. Readers will quickly fall in love with this heroine who is beautiful, noble and kind; but can also hold her own in a sword fight (and often dresses as a man to win tournaments). The hero, Christopher, is swoon-worthy; to say the least. Combine these two characters with a stunning revelation, a mystery and a daring escape (with lots of action). Throughout the story, one learns about honor, family, forgiveness, love, faith and sacrifice. I’m already eagerly waiting for the next book in the series!
Content: I give this book a PG rating. There is some gore related to battle and people who are tortured.
Rating: I give this book 5 stars.
I want to thank Jody Hedlund and Northern Lights Press for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
Evermore is the start of Jody Hedlund’s newest young adult Medieval era series, The Lost Princesses. Readers are introduced to Lady Adelaide, an orphan, who soon discovers she is heir to Mercia’s throne and soon finds her life is in danger when this secret is revealed. I loved that her old friend, Christopher, comes to her rescue and does whatever it takes to protect her.
Evermore is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I enjoyed Adelaide’s story and can not wait to read the next installment from The Lost Princesses series.
Great read!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Evermore is the first book in a new young adult series by Jody Hedlund called The Lost Princesses. The series tells the tale of an evil king who takes over the kingdom and will not rest until he has eliminated the previous royal bloodline. The three young princesses are split up and hidden in different areas of the kingdom for their safety. Deeply intertwined with each other, these three novels, and the prequel novella Always, are designed to be read as a set, so do yourself a favor and start with Always and then binge the rest.
In the first pages of Evermore, we meet Adelaide on horseback, disguised as her cousin, preparing to participate in a jousting tournament. That scene immediately draws you into a story full of twists and turns that proves nearly impossible to put down.
All her life, Adelaide has believed herself to be an orphan of parents who opposed the cruel king. She grew up playing with her adopted cousins, Christopher and Mitchell, and has become quite the tomboy. She is better at jousting than Mitchell, so whenever the tournament is on the line, they switch places. She has always viewed Mitchell as a brother… not so with Christopher. But she buried her feelings for him deep inside when Christopher left home because he believed his father too weak to stand up to the king.
Christopher left home to make a stand. But he was unaware his parents’ supposed compliance with the king was actually a cover for the most daring defiance of all… training Adelaide to be both a lady and a warrior, so she would be equipped when the time came to take her rightful place with her true identity… as Crown Princess Constance. On her adopted aunt’s deathbed, Adelaide and Mitchell finally hear the truth.
So begins a chain of events that brings Christopher home and forces Adelaide to accept the truth. Time is not on their side as Adelaide and the brothers must race against the king’s forces to find her sisters and an ancient treasure hidden that will give them what they need to take back the kingdom.
Adelaide must confront her deepest fears, a surprise betrayal, her feelings for Christopher, and the overwhelming responsibility of the kingdom in this not-just-for-young-adults novel. I enjoyed seeing her mature in the pages of this book with everything she went through. And it was hard stuff. The king’s cruelty and that of his elite guard knows no bounds.
I truly enjoyed every aspect of this story and I’m truly grateful I don’t have to wait too long for the rest of the series to come out! I can’t wait to be introduced to the twins now that they’re young ladies and not infants and I certainly can’t wait to find out how everything is going to play out in the Lost Princesses’ quest to regain the kingdom.
A huge thank you to Jody Hedlund for allowing me to preview this book for the purpose of promoting it. I was not required to write a positive review, but this story is absolutely wonderful. The only thing is I would caution younger advanced readers in the 9-12 age range to be aware of a few potentially disturbing scenes illustrating the cruelty the princesses are fighting against.
I can’t wait for the next two books!
I loved this story! I highly recommend that you read the novella (Always, #0.5 in the series) preceding this book as it gives details about the background of Adelaide and her role as heir to Mercia’s throne. This story then picks up years later and allows us to keep reading about grown Adelaide and her compassionate heart, wise ruling, and strong spirit. I could not put the book down! Adelaide is not the wimpy female waiting for her knight in shining armor—she can fight better than most men and has a brave and strong soul! The series may be marketed to young adults but I can attest to the fact that the stories will grab you no matter your age. With daring knights, beautiful princesses, and picturesque kingdoms, it will not take long for you to be pulled into the story. There is depth to the romance and characters. I really enjoyed the plot, which had moments that made me cry and moments that made me smile, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I most highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As Adelaide’s “aunt,” who has raised her since she was a small child, lays dying, she tells Adelaide she is really Constance, the true heir to the throne of Mercia, which taken over by the invading Ethelwulf when she was a child. Now aware of who she truly is, Adelaide must figure out how to find her two sisters, also hidden away as children, as well as Solomon’s lost treasure, which is supposed to help her regain her rightful place. With her dear friend Mitchell and his brother Christopher, recently returned from neighboring Norland, where he has made a name for himself as a mercenary knight, she sets out to claim her birthright–but quickly finds Christopher claiming her heart as they work together to thwart Ethelwulf.
This is an exciting book with a bit of a fairy-tale type feel to it–except it’s cooler than most traditional fairy tales because the princess isn’t sitting around waiting for a happily ever after.
Adelaide isn’t your typical princess; she’s tough and has trained like a knight, even secretly competing in jousts, while being very compassionate and tender-hearted at the same time, which made her a really interesting character. I liked how Christopher was a good balance for her–he respected her but also worried about her and wasn’t afraid to tell her when he thought she was wrong. This book was a lot of fun to read, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I read a copy of the book provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness, I cannot get enough of this series already! I was already hooked with the prequel, so going in I knew I was in for a great ride, but Hedlund even exceeded those expectations! There were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, romance, loyalty, surprises, and a few moments that I did see coming. And yes, this is a YA book, but even so there were some smooches that are going in my swoony scenes list. I’m not sure if it was my hype about the kiss, the way Hedlund wrote the scene, or a combination of the two, but yeah – I was totally sighing afterwards.
Lady Adelaide isn’t your typical princess, and I think that’s why I liked her so much. She isn’t afraid to get dirty, to fight, to do all the things a guy does essentially – a tomboy in our day. And that’s me to a T. Yes I can get dressed up, but I love doing guy stuff too! But here’s the thing I liked about her even more – she was not afraid to stand up for what was right. From the very beginning she had this stance, and Adelaide would not back down from her decisions. She is just such a strong character and I look forward to seeing what comes next for her.
Then you have Christopher. Boy did he have a past that was weighing heavy on him, and it got me thinking – he did what he felt was right, but it still weighed him down. Are there things in my life like that, and how can I get rid of them? I think perhaps Christopher had the most character development out of any of the characters, and I really enjoyed seeing his changes throughout the story. He was strong, yet vulnerable – especially when it came to Lady Adelaide. But at the end of the day he really just wanted to right his wrongs and be able to move on with his life. Something I’m sure we all can connect with at one time or another in our life.
Hedlund keeps readers on their toes with tons of action as our characters try to stay hidden from the King’s army. There’s not much time to breathe here folks, so make sure you have plenty of reading time. I think you’ll find you do not want to put the book down. The only downside to reading so quick is that it’s over, and I’m just not ready to say goodbye to these characters. Now I just have to wait (impatiently I might add) for the next release!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This medieval tale had my attention from the beginning. The adventure and suspense kept me turning pages as the lost princess begins her journey to becoming the queen. But I think it is Jody Hedlund’s wonderful characters and their interactions that continue to draw me back to her stories. Through trials, these characters learn lessons about courage, wisdom and love. The romance in this book was so well written. It was constructed with a combination of struggles and tension and I got right on the roller coaster with this couple. I love that this YA fiction is really for people of all ages and I look forward to reading the next two novels. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
After reading the prequel novella, Always, I knew I wanted to read the entire Lost Princesses series. Book One, Evermore, did not disappoint. When the woman who raised her is on her deathbed, she discloses Adelaide’s rightful identity with this request, “God saved your life, Adelaide. And now it is time for you to give it back in service to Him as the ruler you were born to be. Promise you will do so.” Is it true, is she one of the three lost princesses? Will she be able to find her two sisters before the evil King Ethelwulf? Author Jody Hedlund is a skilled storyteller transforming an exciting page-turning adventure with an element of romance into a true fairy tale. The Lost Princesses Series is not just for young adults. I am far removed from that age group and I am loving it. I do suggest you begin this series by reading the prequel novella first. I’m eagerly looking forward to Books Two and Three!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author. The opinions are completely my own.
I am loving this new series from Jody Hedlund! The story is captivating, the characters are dynamic and endearing. First of all, let me say that you will want to make sure to read Always (The Lost Princesses 0.5) before picking up this story. As the stories build on each other. Always is a pure delight. A stunning, fast-paced story that you don’t want to miss. But let’s return to talking about Evermore!
This story is written in the first-person narrative that shifts between the two main characters. It really invites the reader behind the curtain and offers an intimate, personable view of what is going on in the mind of the characters. The story fairly leaped off the page an into my imagination and I was along for the blissful ride!
Lady Adelaide is a force to be reckoned with. She is tough, yet tender. Fostered by Sir Langley and his wife Lady Susanna and raised with their three boys, she isn’t afraid to ride faster and swing a sword against a foe. Adelaide isn’t afraid to face difficult challenges and she takes time to pray and ask God for wisdom before making decisions. She has a big heart for others and wants to help those less fortunate. She isn’t perfect, but she learns from her mistakes and grows.
I loved all the characters in this book!! The plot twists, the narrow escapes, and so much more! Trust me you won’t want to miss out on a moment of this exciting story. I can’t wait to read more and see which sister is the focus on the next story!
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
I read the prequel to this book entitled “Always” and I loved that story so much that I knew I wanted to read the rest of this series. (You will not have to read that novella before reading this book, but it’s excellent.)
This fairytale book has strong characters and a suspenseful, romantic storyline. Constance’s character is the driving force of this book. Even though she was not aware that she is one of the “lost princesses”, she was trained by her adopted parents to someday take over the throne that is rightfully hers. Constance has grown up into a woman of courage, grace, and compassion. She’d also trained with her adopted brothers in warfare, and her skills rival theirs. When Constance finds out her true identity as Queen, she immediately begins seeking for her two previously unknown sisters. But she is in great danger, and it will take all the skill of her two adopted brothers to keep her safe on her journey.
The romance in the story between Christopher and Constance does not always run smooth, and they find themselves depending on each other as they make the perilous journey to a neighboring kingdom. This clean and sweet book has all the romance and suspense you’d expect in a fairytale by Jody Hedlund.
I’m looking forward to continuing the story of the sisters in the upcoming books in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
After reading Always, which really sets the stage for Evermore and the rest of the series, I couldn’t wait to read this book! I loved the character development between Adelaide, Mitchell and Christopher. I couldn’t help but fall in love with all of them. Evermore is filled with intrigue, action, tragedy and most importantly, clean but swoon worthy romance,
I would definitely recommend reading the prequel Always first! It is so good! Evermore did not disappoint! I can’t wait for the next book in this series!!
‘Do not underestimate me. I have never cowered from danger and I shall not start now.’
Jody Hedlund’s first book in The Lost Princesses is so good! The prequel novella, Always, sets the stage for this one, so it really needs to be read first. Adelaide, who is in reality the Crown Princess Constance, has been hidden for 17 years with a family loyal to her late father and mother, the king and queen of Mercia. When her adoptive mother dies, she reveals to Adelaide her true identity. From then on, danger follows her as the evil King Ethelwulf is set on killing her.
Sir Christopher of Langley, adoptive brother of Adelaide, left his home thinking his father supported the evil king, and swore his fealty to the King of a neighboring country. He has now returned and discovers that Adelaide is no longer a young girl and he has developed feelings for her. But he determines not to act on those feelings because as a queen, he cannot come near to being near her station.
Hedlund has excelled once again with her medieval tale. Truly, I think this is her forte. She does a magnificent job with these stories. I love this time period and she is wonderful at it. I loved every minute and now I can’t wait for the next lost princess’s tale!
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.