The third lost princess. The final key to the treasure. And a battle for the throne.Growing up deep in the forest as a poor charcoal burner’s daughter, Emmeline has always known her identity as a princess of Mercia, and she lives in fear of being caught and killed. When her adopted father returns from town with news regarding the imminence of war, Emmeline has no wish to join the rebellion … the rebellion against King Ethelwulf.
Prince Ethelrex, the strongest warrior in the land, has done everything he can to prove his loyalty to his father, including searching for the last lost princess. When Ethelrex finally captures Emmeline, the king commands his son to marry the princess in order to win the support of the people and undermine the rebellion.
Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and has no intention of letting Emmeline get away. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?
YA books by Jody Hedlund:
The Lost Princesses
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost
Book 3: Hereafter
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 (March 2020)
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
It is finally here! The last book in Jody Hedlund’s amazing series, The Lost Princesses. I was so excited for Hereafter and it does not disappoint. Hereafter follows the adventure of the younger twin, Emmeline. She has had an upbringing much different from either of her sisters. She was brought up knowing who she was, she was raised by the elite guard and the lady’s maid that saved her life and the lives of her sisters.
Emmeline has lived in hiding her whole life, she has grown up as a sheltered daughter of a charcoal burner. She was taught by her father, Lance, how to survive and to hide. But she can no longer hide and ignore her heritage. She is now the only princess eligible to marry King Ethelwulf’s son, Ethelrex. Her parents warned her that she must run and take refuge with her sisters, but Emmeline doesn’t want to run. She doesn’t want things to change. And so she finds herself the wife of King Ethelwulf’s son, Ethelrex.
Emmeline was a great character, I loved her for her strength but also for her fear. She was like me, always wondering if she was really doing what was right or if she was just giving in to her fears. I felt her pain as she tried to make the best of her circumstances. She was afraid but she didn’t let her fears control her. She learned how to forgive and love those who had hurt her and how to find courage in God to do the hard things.
Ethelrex, or Rex, is the heir of King Ethelwulf. He has grown up away from his father, taking his training in Warwick, the land of his home. Though he is a commander and has grown up under the pressure of his father, Rex is reasonable and he protects his own. Rex has lived his whole life trying to please his father and prove his worth. He now has the chance to prove himself to his father by finding Emmeline and making her his wife. But as he gets to know Emmeline, he finds himself falling deeper and deeper in love with her. He wants her to not just be his wife because she was forced to be, but because she wanted to be with him and because she loved him.
Rex was such a complex character. I loved him for the beginning. He was trying to figure out what was right and what was wrong. He had spent his whole life believing that his father was a harsh king, but a good king. Unfortunately as he serves his father in Mercia, he finds himself doubting the king. He starts to wonder if his father has been in the wrong this whole time. As he finds himself struggling with these doubts, he starts to see his father in a new light. His father starts making him choose between his wife, Emmeline, and obeying the king.
Emmeline and Rex will have to fight to stay alive as they navigate these rocky waters. Emmeline learns not to let her fears control her, but that God will give her the courage she needs. Rex learns to do what is right even when it is hard. He will have to give up everything before he can bring peace to his home.
There were so many great quotes to choose from in this book, but these ones really stuck with me. “Courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to preserve when the circumstances are at their worst” and “Was it possible that when we made up our minds to face our monsters, God gave us the right amount of courage at the exact moment we needed it?” These two quotes reminds me to find my courage in God. It is only through his power that we can do anything.
This was a great book, even better the ones before it. I fell in love with these characters. I would recommend this book to girls, 13 and up. This is a good, clean christian book.
I received a free copy from the editor, this review is my own. I was not obligated to write a good review.
This final book in this “fairytale” series is everything the ending to a series like this should be. The “Lost Princesses” are finally together, but there was a twist to this reunion that I wasn’t quite expecting that ramped up the anticipation a little bit. Each of the princesses has her chance to show courage and compassion in her own special way.
This book is focused on Emmeline. She has some tough choices to make as far as her loyalties are concerned, and her path to romance and happily-ever-after turns into a road with deep crevasses. She’s the princess who fears she lacks courage, yet finds herself needing to find a way to save both her family and the kingdom. There’s quite a suspenseful scene in this final chapters that had my complete attention until the end. I also loved the fact that we got to meet up again with Lance and Felicia from the very first book, “Always”, and find out the rest of their story.
You could read this book on your own and enjoy it, but I’d recommend reading the books in order. You’ll enjoy the adventure and sweet, clean romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
‘God oft gives us more than we deserve. I can do no less for others.’
Jody Hedlund definitely saved the best for last in her Lost Princesses medieval series. The medieval setting is my favorite, I think, and she does it so very well. This time we have Emmeline’s story, she who is a twin to Princess Maribel. They both, along with their older sister, Princess Adelaide, were spirited away when the evil King Ethelwulf killed their parents and took control over the kingdom. For 18 years they have been hunted, for each holds a part of a puzzle that will bring great riches to the kingdom and also peace. Adelaide and Maribel were never found in time but now Emmeline’s hiding has been discovered and she is forced to wed the evil king’s son, Rex. Rex, however, is not the evil prince she thinks he is.
This one was so good! I was on the edge of my seat, so to speak, especially during the descent into the Labyrinth of Death. Hedlund gives us a wonderful and oh so satisfying conclusion to her very good series. And we learn that sometimes fear is just courage trying to emerge. I personally hope she returns to her medieval tales soon. Truly, it is her forte.
*My thanks to the author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
The third lost princess. The final key to the treasure. And a battle for the throne.
“Hereafter” is a beautiful ending to an exhilarating, romantic, and compelling series. Author Jody Hedlund excels in blending faith with adventure and passion, and this story is no exception. Filled with inspirational characters, lessons in faith and love, and a story that reminds readers of what is important in life, readers won’t be able to put this book down. Although I wish the series didn’t have to end, Hedlund leaves readers satisfied and cheering for the heroines and heroes. Don’t miss this wonderful conclusion to an amazing series!
“Hereafter” is the fourth installment of the Lost Princesses series and follows “Always,” “Evermore,” and “Foremost.”
Disclaimer: I received a free advance copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was not obligated to write a positive review.