Review: Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid

Posted July 14, 2020 by Kate

Review: Happily Ever Ninja by Penny ReidCheck out on Goodreads | Buy on Amazon
Also by this author: The Cad and the Co-Ed (Rugby, #3), Motion (Laws of Physics, #1; Hypothesis, #2.1), Space (Laws of Physics, #2; Hypothesis, #2.2)
Series: Knitting in the City #5
Publisher: Cipher-Naught, SmartyPants Romance
Source: My shelves

There are three things you need to know about Fiona Archer… I would tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you.
But I can tell you that Fiona’s husband, the always irrepressible and often cantankerous Greg Archer, is desperately in love with his wife. Yet as the years' pass, Greg has begun to suspect that Fiona is a ninja. A ninja mom. A ninja wife. A ninja friend. After fourteen years of marriage, Greg is trying not to panic. Because Fiona’s talent for blending in is starting to resemble fading away.
However, when unexpected events mean Fiona must take center stage to keep her family safe, her response stuns everyone—Greg most of all. It seems like Greg’s wish has come true. Except… not.
Happily Ever Ninja is book #5 in the Knitting in the City series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the misadventures and exploits of seven friends in Chicago, all members of the same knitting group.

I have been a long-time Penny Reid fan for YEARS. I’ve read all of her books at least once… except for this one! Her Knitting in the City series is one of my favorites for contemporary romances (my review of book one). The prequel book, Ninja at First Sight, was sooo good! I loved Fiona and Greg back in college, but for this book, romance stories within an established romance always make me verrrryyyy nervous, even if they involve characters I already love by authors I adore (looking at you US by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen…)

But! I actually totally adored this established relationship romance. I didn’t even mean to actually read this one in the first place… eeep! I randomly opened to a page just flipping through, then had to start the scene over because I was intrigued… then had to start the book from the beginning because it was so good ?

The book follows Fiona and Greg, a married couple. Greg who travels internationally for months at a time for work, and Fiona, who’s left at home raising the kids and most nights for her remote engineering job to supplement their income. They’ve been doing the long-distance thing almost since the beginning of their relationship and most of their 14-year marriage, but Fiona – and their relationship – has hit a breaking point. And it’s at this point that Greg got kidnapped, and Fiona has to strap on her ex-CIA skills to get him out.


“Marriage is the ultimate sport in emotional multitasking. I’m never only mad at Greg. I’m mad and madly in love; angry and concerned for his wellbeing; he frustrates and delights me in the same second. We were arguing, but we were still a team.”


Yeah… you thought this was a fluffy rom-com novel, didn’t you? Not going to lie, it does have those rom-com vibes, as it is a Penny Reid novel, which means it’s often hilarious. But it’s also largely romantic suspense, as most of the book is spent abroad as they run and hide and fight their way back to the States, while also working out their problems. I’m not going to say this was a ~ hard and fast romantic suspense novel~ because it wasn’t. This is not a heart-stopping, action-packed espionage thriller, but it was an enjoyable and refreshing backdrop for this book.

Fe is so incredibly tough, but it’s hard for anyone to essentially be a single parent more often than not. Especially when you’re still expected to make dual decisions and treat it as an inclusive relationship when the other partner is rarely around. She took the weight of the world and never complained or asked for help, even when she should have. She’s very pragmatic, but I loved when she let her head explode and spoke her mind. Greg was one of my favorite parts in the prequel, Ninja at First Sightbecause his personality is so unique. But those very character traits that I love about him make him an easy irritation when it comes to marital problems, especially when it comes to his iron-clad and unconventional beliefs when he’s not around to enforce them. Nonetheless… I still love him <3

This book was a bit of a turn from Penny’s other books, but the writing is just as interesting, smart and strong as usual. It features her quirky cast of characters with insightful, unique stories, and that’s why she’s a favorite of mine. I always balk at and run from established romance stories initially, even if I know I’ll enjoy them later, and this was no exception! Because I DEVOURED this one!! On accident ?

Other books you may enjoy…

   

Do you enjoy established relationship romances? Have you read a book by Penny Reid? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!


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