The Once and Future Queen
On sale
29th January 2026
Price: £20
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Hardcover / ISBN-13: 9781399745994
Epic romance. Love that transcends time. Magic and destiny collide in this spellbound fantasy that readers can’t stop talking about.
“You have given me everything. I wouldn’t trade my time with you for a long life.”
SOME LEGENDS DON’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY
When tragedy shatters Vera’s world, she’s content to disappear into the quiet hum of hotel laundry rooms in Glastonbury. But when a mysterious guest reveals himself as Merlin and claims she’s the long-lost Queen Guinevere, everything changes. As she is whisked back in time to seventh-century Camelot, she finds a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin, and a dark curse threatening to consume the realm.
As memories of another life begin to stir, Vera is thrown into a web of betrayal, power and heartbreak. The handsome King Arthur – the stranger she now calls “husband” – often refuses to meet her eye, keeps her at arm’s length. He is cold, forbidding…yet tender, and she soon finds herself longing for his touch.
In a world built on legends and lies, Vera must choose between the woman she was and the one she’s become, before history repeats itself.
This compelling and lushly written book is the first in an addictive new romantasy series that offers a wholly original retelling of Guinevere and Arthur’s love story, perfect for fans of Outlander.
Arthurian Legends
Romance
Strong FMC
Found Family
Time Travel Fantasy
Magic
Quests
Knights
JOIN THE READERS WHO LOVE THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN
‘Prepare to have Arthurian retellings ruined for you because THIS version is the one true Queen!’
‘OH MY GOSH…. I am going to need 5-7 business days to fully process the work of art that this Camelot retelling/time-travel/magical realism/romantasy epic ‘
‘WOW. JUST WOW. HOLY CRAP. I AM A WRECK RN. THIS WAS SO GOOD’
‘Actually sobbing right now because I finished this book and I’m so sad I’ll never get to read it for the first time again’
‘I am so enamored with this book. It is the King Arthur legend retelling I’ve been waiting for my whole life‘
‘THIS BOOK IS PERFECT‘
“You have given me everything. I wouldn’t trade my time with you for a long life.”
SOME LEGENDS DON’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY
When tragedy shatters Vera’s world, she’s content to disappear into the quiet hum of hotel laundry rooms in Glastonbury. But when a mysterious guest reveals himself as Merlin and claims she’s the long-lost Queen Guinevere, everything changes. As she is whisked back in time to seventh-century Camelot, she finds a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin, and a dark curse threatening to consume the realm.
As memories of another life begin to stir, Vera is thrown into a web of betrayal, power and heartbreak. The handsome King Arthur – the stranger she now calls “husband” – often refuses to meet her eye, keeps her at arm’s length. He is cold, forbidding…yet tender, and she soon finds herself longing for his touch.
In a world built on legends and lies, Vera must choose between the woman she was and the one she’s become, before history repeats itself.
This compelling and lushly written book is the first in an addictive new romantasy series that offers a wholly original retelling of Guinevere and Arthur’s love story, perfect for fans of Outlander.
Arthurian Legends
Romance
Strong FMC
Found Family
Time Travel Fantasy
Magic
Quests
Knights
JOIN THE READERS WHO LOVE THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN
‘Prepare to have Arthurian retellings ruined for you because THIS version is the one true Queen!’
‘OH MY GOSH…. I am going to need 5-7 business days to fully process the work of art that this Camelot retelling/time-travel/magical realism/romantasy epic ‘
‘WOW. JUST WOW. HOLY CRAP. I AM A WRECK RN. THIS WAS SO GOOD’
‘Actually sobbing right now because I finished this book and I’m so sad I’ll never get to read it for the first time again’
‘I am so enamored with this book. It is the King Arthur legend retelling I’ve been waiting for my whole life‘
‘THIS BOOK IS PERFECT‘
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Reviews
Lafferty successfully weaves together multiple genres in this story of King Arthur's time as seen through the eyes of a modern-day Guinevere. Like Vera, the reader does not have to be an expert on Arthurian legend to follow the story. The fresh takes on legendary characters and propulsive plot twists make this a page-turner that will leave readers hoping for a sequel. An original and fascinating take on the romance of Arthur and Guinevere
Paula Lafferty crafts a unique and deeply romantic take on Arthurian legend with a modern twist. The Once and Future Queen brings readers along on an empowering, whimsical adventure into the mythical and magical past, through the courts of King Arthur and the beauty of the English landscape, with the relatable Vera as their guide.
Lafferty's prose casts a magic spell as she takes Arthurian legend somewhere fresh and completely unexpected. Her Camelot is deeply romantic, layered with secrets and surprises, and incredibly fun. Long live the queen!
An entirely new and entirely riveting Arthurian retelling, with a wonderfully relatable Guinevere at its heart! A fantastic read!
Lafferty's prose casts a magic spell as she takes Arthurian legend somewhere fresh and completely unexpected. Her Camelot is deeply romantic, layered with secrets and surprises, and incredibly fun. Long live the queen!