Ever After: Book One

By Jonathan J Howard

First Place Winner of the 2026 International Firebird Book Award in the category of African-American Fiction

One woman. Two lives, but only one can make it to the altar

Amanda Reese is no stranger to being in control. She's spent her entire life building walls around her reputation, heart, and the fractures others have left her with. As a therapist, she has all the right answers for everyone... but herself.

Now, with the help of her fianc , Derrick and her new therapy practice, Amanda is able to overcome thoughts of unworthiness and is learning to love again. Unfortunately, with her wedding day being weeks away, the protective walls she has built are quickly beginning to crumble.

With each passing moment, elements from her past are slowly resurfacing, potentially derailing Amanda's pursuit of her heart's desire - marriage. Now unraveling, she is forced to choose between desire and duty, secrets or survival, and love or lust. Can she finally convince herself to believe she can be the "perfect wife", or will her past transgressions be the time bomb to destroy her life?

Before the altar, Amanda must confront a crucial decision before finally reaching her happily Ever After.

Ever After is a provocative, sensual psychological contemporary romance, told through the psyche of a woman torn between her mind and her body, her past and her future, and her truth and the lies she tells to keep them hidden.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FD8J5CPL
• ISBN13: 9798288042676
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"