Happily Ever After Rescue Team

Happily Ever After Rescue Team
Sam Hay
Genevieve Koto, Illustrator
Feiwel & Friends, February, 2022
240 pages
Grades 2-5

Fantasy
Agents of H.E.A.R.T series #1

Evie desperately wants to help out at her parent's new seaside cafe, but it seems as if everything she does is wrong. She has great dessert ideas and is friendly with customers, though a bit clumsy. Her stepmom is super patient, but trying to keep Evie out of the way, especially today when the judge for the best cafe in town is arriving. A mysterious book is left behind by a young customer. As Evie examines the book three princes/agents from H.E.A.R.T. (Happily Ever After Rescue Team) appear to save the day. The problem is, the princesses don't really listen to Evie and apply their own stories to the situation. Suddenly, Evie is the proud owner of a dog (okay, that solution isn't so bad) and her hair has grown to monstrous proportions. Before things can get too out of control, the owner of the book shows up and distracts the princesses. Iris left the book on purpose because the princesses are menaces and, though eager,  cause more trouble than they help. Iris and Evie are now set dashing around, trying to dodge the princesses, all while keeping the dog and saving the day at the cafe. Another former owner of the book shows up to lend a hand and the three young people work together to untangle Evie from this royal mess.

This new series start will certainly find an audience among kids who have graduated from Fairy Magic, but may not be ready for Whatever After. The plot is face-paced and fun and readers will relate to and cheer for Evie as she figures out how to be heard and contribute. Not just a fantasy/princess story, this is also a book of friendship, as Evie navigates moving to a new town and trying to make a friend. My favorite aspect of this book is that the author has included recipes and projects that fit in with the story, which readers can try at home. The fabulous dessert that Evie invents to save the day is included, as are plenty of other projects and ideas to keep kids busy. Heavily illustrated with black and white comic-style pictures, reluctant readers will be drawn to this volume and kids that prefer to "do" rather than "read" will rejoice. Madcap humor and outrageous situations will keep the target audience chuckling and a planned sequel will give them somewhere else to go once they finish. The question of whether or not Evie will permanently keep the dog is still unresolved, so readers will need to read the next installment to find out. A fun new series that serves its purpose well.