A fast-paced, emotionally fraught story that balances court politics, romance, and rebellion.
A death-marked fae prince and a mortal with a cursed ring must outwit gods, assassins, and court conspiracies in Lee’s high-stakes fantasy sequel.
Lachlan “Lach” Gage, who recently became a target of mercenaries, races against time to rescue Cate Holloway—the mortal woman he loves—from the clutches of the manipulative Hallow Court. As Lach fights to stay alive and arm himself for war, Cate is held captive by dangerous fae twins Oberon and Titania, who plot to use her as a pawn in their own bid for power. The novel shifts between Lachlan’s and Cate’s first-personperspectives, building suspense and emotional stakes in parallel arcs: Lach’s violent encounters in New York City’s magical underworld and Cate’s psychological cat-and-mouse game behind enemy lines. Lee’s prose is slick and cinematic, pulsing with tension, sensuality, and sharp dialogue. The worldbuilding is expansive and immersive, blending fae mythology with urban grit and palace intrigue. The romance, still central to the story, leans into longing and loyalty, although the threat of separation and betrayal keeps emotions running high. Cate’s voice is especially strong as she navigates captivity with strategy and heart (“I’d been here for dayswhile Lach was being hunted. The realization made a dull pain radiate through my chest even as my heart continued to race”), while Lach’s arc is driven by guilt, rage, and his fading access to magic. Themes of sacrifice, survival, and chosen families ground the action-heavy plot, and supporting characters, such Titania and vampire boss Durant, add dimension. At times, the pace threatens to become overwhelming—particularly during extended action sequences or lore-heavy passages—but emotional clarity keeps the story accessible. Although this sequel builds on the previous book’s momentum, new readers may feel lost without having read Filthy Rich Fae (2024).Still, fans will find much to savor in this continuation, including its cliffhanger ending.
A fast-paced, emotionally fraught story that balances court politics, romance, and rebellion.Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9781649376930
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A steamy, romantic summer read with a charming setting.
A florist attempts to avoid her best friend’s brother—and their powerful chemistry—on Prince Edward Island.
When Lucy Ashby visits her best friend Bridget’s family home on Prince Edward Island for the first time, Bridget gives her three rules: Eat your weight in oysters….Leave the city behind. And, most importantly, Don’t fall in love with my brother. Unfortunately for Lucy, she sleeps with Felix basically the second her plane lands, unaware that he’s Bridget’s brother until it’s too late. Lucy has never felt understood or accepted by her immediate family, and Bridget is one of the very few people she allows into her inner circle, so Lucy’s desperate to abide by these rules. And so she and Felix try to avoid each other on every one of Lucy’s visits to PEI over the years. And, of course, they fail spectacularly, always returning to each other when they’re in between relationships. But it’s never been anything serious…Lucy makes sure of that, backing off whenever her emotions feel too strong. In her “real life” back in Toronto, it’s easier for Lucy to avoid thinking of Felix as she runs a busy floral shop, working herself into the ground. But when Bridget asks Lucy to come to PEI for an emergency girls’ trip less than two weeks before Bridget is supposed to get married, Lucy drops everything to be there for her best friend. She doesn’t expect to find Felix there, along with feelings that are stronger and more difficult than ever to ignore. Even more than jeopardizing her relationship with Bridget, Lucy is afraid that giving in to her feelings could ruin the life she’s worked so hard to build. Fortune, the author of hits like Every Summer After (2022), gives readers another refreshingly summery story full of angst, romance, and sex scenes aplenty. The PEI setting is a beautiful backdrop for Lucy and Felix’s secret hookups and Lucy’s journey of self-discovery as she learns how to stand on her own two feet as a business owner, friend, and daughter. In addition to frequent (and welcome) Anne of Green Gables references, there are oysters galore and many sandy, windy scenes that transport readers straight to the island.
A steamy, romantic summer read with a charming setting.Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780593638880
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
A warm and winning "When Harry Met Sally…" update that hits all the perfect notes.
A travel writer has one last shot at reconnecting with the best friend she just might be in love with.
Poppy and Alex couldn't be more different. She loves wearing bright colors while he prefers khakis and a T-shirt. She likes just about everything while he’s a bit more discerning. And yet, their opposites-attract friendship works because they love each other…in a totally platonic way. Probably. Even though they have their own separate lives (Poppy lives in New York City and is a travel writer with a popular Instagram account; Alex is a high school teacher in their tiny Ohio hometown), they still manage to get together each summer for one fabulous vacation. They grow closer every year, but Poppy doesn’t let herself linger on her feelings for Alex—she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship or the way she can be fully herself with him. They continue to date other people, even bringing their serious partners on their summer vacations…but then, after a falling-out, they stop speaking. When Poppy finds herself facing a serious bout of ennui, unhappy with her glamorous job and the life she’s been dreaming of forever, she thinks back to the last time she was truly happy: her last vacation with Alex. And so, though they haven’t spoken in two years, she asks him to take another vacation with her. She’s determined to bridge the gap that’s formed between them and become best friends again, but to do that, she’ll have to be honest with Alex—and herself—about her true feelings. In chapters that jump around in time, Henry shows readers the progression (and dissolution) of Poppy and Alex’s friendship. Their slow-burn love story hits on beloved romance tropes (such as there unexpectedly being only one bed on the reconciliation trip Poppy plans) while still feeling entirely fresh. Henry’s biggest strength is in the sparkling, often laugh-out-loud-funny dialogue, particularly the banter-filled conversations between Poppy and Alex. But there’s depth to the story, too—Poppy’s feeling of dissatisfaction with a life that should be making her happy as well as her unresolved feelings toward the difficult parts of her childhood make her a sympathetic and relatable character. The end result is a story that pays homage to classic romantic comedies while having a point of view all its own.
A warm and winning "When Harry Met Sally…" update that hits all the perfect notes.Pub Date: May 11, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-9848-0675-8
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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