Thank you, Mixed Plate Press, Maci Aurora, and Netgalley, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Omg, I'm hooked. I can't wait for the third book! The beginning starts out slow for the world building & character intros. The FMC is a side character from the first book in the series. Once the scene was set, everything moved along pretty quickly. So much information, I loved it!

"In the Shadow of a Hoax" is a fantasy fairytale geared for adults. In it, our heroine, Tarley, lives in a poor/middle-class family in a small village, part of a kingdom with an incredibly sexist policy--women can't be alone, can't own things, can't even own themselves. A GOP dream, in other words.

One day, events propel Tarley to run to the nearby woods to hide from an angry male villager. And eventually, her life collides with that of a prince who happens to have been lost from his traveling party. Said prince doesn't reveal his name at first, because who would? And you can guess where we go from there.

What's good: It's a straightforward fairytale. The main characters aren't idiots, which is my #1 grievance with a lot of romances.

What's iffier: It feels like 2/3 of the book are the characters just getting to know each other in the woods after their initial meeting.

In addition, frankly, the title is not memorable. (I couldn't suggest a better one myself, to be fair.)

The second installment in the series about the Fareview family does not disappoint! Maci Aurora masterfully combines spicy romance, magical creatures, family secrets, and political drama into a fast-paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I received a copy of In the Shadow of a Hoax via NetGalley to read and review.


The first half the book or so was more a close proximity romance with hints of fantasy but the story was good so I didn’t mind. The last half though! I flew through it and am looking forward to the next book so we finally get some answers!

Thank you Net Galley for sending me a ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, however I did not read the first one. I still found it easy to follow along and enjoy this book. I loved the characters and thought this was a great fantasy book.

The second installment in the series about the Fareview family does not disappoint! Maci Aurora masterfully combines spicy romance, magical creatures, family secrets, and political drama into a fast-paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!

What a lovely sequel!

The political stuff in here was so well done. The explanation was clear, answers to who is on what side was concise and little to no duplicity. Loved that.

Also, the pacing of this book, top notch. Like honestly, chefs kiss. So well done.

However, I felt like I was missing chapters. There were a lot of gaps in the stories that were not the main characters. WHAT DID AURI AND NIX FIGHT ABOUT?! Why did he leave? What happened to Mathias? Why can no one see Jessamine? WHY ARE THE RIBBONS FALLING OFF???

Even with the holes, I'm still screaming for more of this story. Is it 2024 yet?

I was very excited when I saw that Maci Aurora was releasing the second Fareview Fairytales book. I read the first one and I was immediately in love. The second one was just as tantalizing. The Fareview sisters are an amazing group of girls and I can't wait to follow the family's exploits further! This book totally ended with a build up to a major plot point that arcs through the whole series! I'm glad the characters in the first book made appearances in the second and I want more of their story, too!

The second in the Fareview Fairytales series, In the Shadow of a Hoax is an exciting and engaging fantasy romance. Tropes of mistaken identity, close proximity, and marriages of convenience are delightfully explored, bolstered by a wonderful chemistry between leads Tarley and Lachlan.

The pacing is slow but perfectly suited to the growing relationship, as Tarley nurses an injured Lachlan back to health and as he, hiding his identity, discovers more about Kaloma, the woman who saved him, and what it really means to be a prince. The action leans more towards the spice rather than the sword variety and it is, happily, well written and well timed.

Though it's the second in a series, you won't need to track down book one - In the Shadow of a Wish - to understand what's at play here. While I'm certain there'll be an Easter egg or five for dedicated readers, author Maci Aurora's world is well crafted and her explanation of back story strong enough that first time readers can make this their first trip to Kaloma without any issue. That being said, I have a feeling you'll want to go back either way - I know I will be!

If you like your fairytale romances with a side of political intrigue and a healthy smattering of spice, you'd do well to pick up In the Shadow of a Hoax when it reaches bookstores later this month.

5/5 stars! I devoured this book. It was such a new and refreshed take on Beauty and the Beast and the world-building was out of this world (I find myself punny). I fell for Lachlan immediately and just wanted him to get his happily ever after and Tarley was more considerate than I probably would be in her shoes. I mean, would I leave an old man to die? Maybe not???? But in this world where women are basically property, the possibility is high. Instead, she stepped up and did the right thing. Their slow-burn romance felt so believable and the spice (once it was introduced) HOLY COW! Run, don't walk, to read this masterpiece.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

When the Crown Prince of Jast, Lachlan Nikolas-forced by the king to attend treaty negotiations with the kingdom of Kaloma in disguise-is attacked, his horse bolts, and they both careen over a cliff, falling to their deaths in a raging river below. Only, miracle of miracles, Lachlan doesn't perish, and instead is given a second chance at life, but at a price. When he wakes, he's not only been stripped of his clothes but also his identity. Saved by a strange woman-in a terrible disguise because she looks nothing like a boy-Lachlan must learn very quickly how to survive in a world where he isn't a prince anymore and with zero skills other than his entitlement and his charm

If you though Aurora's first book was good, hold on because Lachlan and Tarley are about to blow you away.

Aurora is the Queen of fantastic storytelling and steamy romance, and has you blushing from ear to ear.😊

So far, each book I have been enthralled with and devour them in almost one sitting.
I'm curious as to how she finds a way to make each one better than the next.

And have you figured out what happened to the girls ribbons?
Did they lose them? 🤔

Maci Aurora has me hooked and a fan for life. I cannot wait for book 3.💜

That little blurb at the back, oh! I wanted to 😱
Now I have to wait!!! Noooo!!!

Until book 3 my friends. Sigh!!!

Thank you, NetGalley\Maci Aurora\Mixed Plate Press\ For this FANTASTIC eARC in advance for my honest opinion. My opinions are of my own volition!

https://www.goodrI received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

I requested this one, not realizing it was the second in a series. After reading the first, I started this. The series overall was a but smuttier than I expected lol but I enjoyed it overall. I liked that this one picked up with a different sister and her story. I feel like this one had more action compared to the first but it was nice to see some of the characters return for this one. Curious to see where the series goes!eads.com/review/show/5231441135

It was quite an exciting adventure. I haven't read the first book in the series and felt pretty overwhelmed by all the names. The characters' names and the different creatures in this story were a lot of information.
The love story was cute and actually the premise was interesting.
It left us with more questions than answers, so it is not a standalone. Even though the books are focused on different couples, there is a main plot that they follow.

I'm not sure that I was really intrigued by this story but I was definitely entertained.

Thank you @netgalley for the copy.

Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Even though it's the second book of a series and I still haven't read the first one the narrative is so very intriguing and captivating, I was hooked at the very first pages. The characters and world-building is interesting and we have electricity, and chemistry between the main characters that feels like floating in the air! Very captivating read and I loved it!

This is a good book to read. Action, magic, romance and intrigue. Interesting storyline with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page.

I read this book so quickly. Swoony, full of wonderful fantasy and great romancing elements, suspense, magic.... a great read.