This book was not for me.

The writing was not to my liking. I felt that the story did not always make sense and the pace was too fast. The characters felt flat and everything they did just felt so unrealastic.

The romance is based on lust and does not develop. It is just there and it was super cringy.

I feel bad that I did not enjoy it more.

This book is so addicting. I had been putting it off for nearly a year until I made a tbr jar, and pulled this book in my current short list of reads to finish. And I ATE this up. Usually I don't like a main character who can't seem to get a hold of herself in the fantasy world, but I love Gwendolyn. Maybe it is because her anxiety and panic attacks are really relatable to my personal experience. The main male character is a dark and morally grey person, but he is also lovable and worms his way into your heart.

I really enjoy different references and also how this uses a lot of element of the King Arthur legend to bring this new story into the world. I love the layering of world building as we slowly get to know more about Avalon and other worlds that exist within the space. I enjoyed the mystery of who the cat is, and so much more.

I'm now on the third book as we speak, since I didn't immediately make my review. I highly recommend picking this book up.

The romance in this book was amazing, this is in my group of books if im in a Book Depression I will go back to re read this

I requested a copy to review this book as I read a few of the books in the Harrow Faire series, and I enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately I can't say the same about this one. I did not connect much with the mmc and I actually disliked him quite a bit, maybe because it is hard to name redeeming points to his not charming personality.
I did not finish the book.

I had no idea this was an Arthurian retelling and it was the best surprise! It had a super unique twist on it with portal magic and simple world building. I immediately connected to the story and read it in less than a day.

Mordred is the definition of morally grey. The entire book I couldn’t decide who was right and who was wrong because both had valid points. I loved that it wasn’t black and white. His POV’s were my favorite and I hope we get a few more in book 2.

I wasn’t expecting the end to go the way it did and really enjoyed the twist! I can’t wait to start the next book to see what happens!

Thankyou to Netgalley and the publishers Second Sky or providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Most of the way through this it felt like almost a 4 stars, however unfortunately the last 15% really did not work for me and I've ended up deciding on a 3.

Let's get the bad out of the way first, how quickly everything moves but especially the sexual relationship between our main characters moved in the last 15% was not for me, it had been really nicely paced the rest of the book but then just felt like thing after thing after thing in the last 15% without any breathers. Unfortunately the ending also was not for me, it felt extremely unsatisfying for the book to end this way especially with having worked towards a goal for the whole book and the villain monologue as this "twist" was happening did not help.

Then the good, I really liked our two main characters and liked seeing things from there perspectives they were very different so we got a good range. The world itself was interesting it was a take on Avalon that I haven't seen before and it felt fun and fresh. The secondary characters were also interesting and even though we didn't see much of them they all felt very distinctive from each other. 'merlin' was an odd addition but not in a bad way I enjoyed the mystery surrounding them but do wish we knew more by the end!

Overall I would say it was a solid first book in a series and I don't think the unsatisfying ending will hinder enjoyment of the next book.

I would say if you enjoyed cinder by Marissa Meyer then you may also enjoy this in terms of voice and in terms of the 'tinkering' with metal.
I also think of you enjoy the more slow burn flirtation style romance you see in books like a very secret society of irregular witches you may enjoy it.

I tried. Honestly.

2023 left me with a 'villain gets the girl' itch that needed to be scratched. Villain, morally grey, misunderstood- I thought this was going to help keep me satiated. I was wrong.

I have tried not once or twice but three separate times to get into Kingsley's story. Perhaps I should have read a little closer, but there were three prevailing issues I could not seem to overcome:

1. Gwen, our protagonist, is 19 but reads like she is 16. I had to remind myself frequently that there weren't ridiculous age-gaps and that everyone was at the age of consent. (Plus her maturity is questionable at the best of times.)

2. The early chapter's inciting incident felt very forced-tragic-backstory. Plus the transition from modern world to Avalon was very herky-jerky. It pulled me out of the story so entirely that it was difficult to stick things out.

3. The 'dream lover' 'fated-mate' trope is not my jam, jelly, or even my marmalade.

There are plenty of people who love this series, and perhaps someday I will attempt it from a new headspace. However, I was not feeling the characters or their perceived plight at this time.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

📖: To Charm A Dark Prince
🖋️: Kathryn Ann Kingsley
⭐️: 5 of 5
💬: “Boyfriend’s betrayal. House on fire. Portal to somewhere. Falling to her death. Waking up in a flaming crater unable to burn. Naked. And now her cat could talk. Sure. Okay. Fine. Why not?“

From being stuck in her hometown and left behind. To her boyfriend cheating on her.

Gwen finds herself wishing for a better life where magic exists. That is until her house catches on fire and the only way to survive is to jump into a portal.

“Lady Gwendolyn, I am going to remove your chains. If you run, I will catch you. Do you understand?”

Waking up in a new world, Avalon, with powers and taken by the iron prince, Mordred.

Gwen finds herself trapped between following her heart and working with her cat.

“Do you spoil your lovers the same way you spoil animals?” Lancelot is one of my favorite characters! From his flirting and charm, I couldn’t get enough of him.

Magic, mystery, and mayhem.

Will revenge overpower change? Can Gwen choose between a side? Or will Avalon be doomed forever?

Grab To Charm A Dark Prince to find out!

The slow burn was torture but I absolutely loved it!🔥🔥 This was fun, fast-paced and the banter was hilarious. I could not stop laughing! You won’t be able to put this book down!

Thank you Second Sky for allowing me to join this tour and read the books from the series. As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts.

I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I requested for an ARC since I was fascinated by the book's description and cover. I had a great time reading this. Gwendolyn and Mordred each have a point of view in the book. Gwen, an Earthling, is sent to Avalon after being bound to Merlin, a grumpy cat. Mordred is also revered by his people as the Prince of Iron in Avalon. Mordred and Gwen dance around their enticement to one another and their shared destiny to mould Avalon.

I have to admit that the way Kingsley crafted the prologue from Mordred's perspective made me eager to begin reading the following chapters. It was very pumped up for me by the world-building and foreshadowing. Additionally, when Gwen's character was initially introduced in the first chapter, I was also immediately drawn to her. While reading the chapter, I felt a connection to her right away. For me, the way that Kingsley wrote the plot of her book and slowly started off to foreshadow certain things made me even more curious to stay up late at night and keep on reading. Honestly, there were times when I could not stop reading, as the chapters left me wanting to know more.

I was drawn into the developing enemies-to-lovers relationship between Mordred and Gwen as I started reading. I was captivated by the way they teased one another as they started to slowly get to know each other. The book's conclusion leaves you curious as to how the plot will develop in book 2, as it is certain to take some unexpected turns. I am looking forward to reading book 2 to see how the story continues between Gwen and Mordred. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Second Sky Books, for providing me with an e-ARC of the book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!

Really good read, characters and plot are well developed but I feel it was a bit too slow burn for me. I struggled a little at times but it was a really good story.

Pretty good read! Gwen is a good character and I love Mordred! Their chemistry was pretty good and the story good. It took a little while to read but it was still good. I definitely want to read more by this author.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

DNF
I didn’t like this
The communication between main characters was not well done, they would lightly flirt in a tense environment; the MMC kills people in front of FMC and puts her in a cage, but at dinner they have light banter and flirting (the FMC throws a grape at MMC because of some jab comment made).
MMC behaviour and demeanour feels completely out of character only with FMC. I am all for softies only for the FMC but it needs to somehow fit into the MMC existing personality
There’s a lot of repetition of personality traits instead of showing or using different descriptions

I loved this book! Kathryn Ann Kingsley has masterfully woven the perfect fantasy to break a reading slump. From the characters to the worldbuilding, this book is everything a romance fantasy needs to be. I cannot wait to read her next books!

I can see where some people are going to love this series. I really wanted to be one of them. The synopsis was compelling, and I've been in a serious Arthurian retellings mood, so I had high hopes when I started this. Unfortunately this one just didn't hit for me. I wasn't really a fan of the FMC and I felt like the voice of the story was too YA to be the dark romance it's advertised as.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. So this book, I was invested in the synopsis of it, I truly had high expectations for it and was inherently let down. The FMC, Gwen read like a pick me and she just read way too young for me, I almost thought I was mistaken and it was a YA book I was reading. I honestly felt like I was reading a fanfiction and honestly not even a good one. It was unfortunate, BUT I might have to give this author's other books a try before completely making my decision on her writing style not being for me.

It was entertaining and it also has a interesting premise. However I don't think it was for me. I had great expectations and although it was a good read, it wasn't my favorite one so far.

Slow burn enemies to lovers 🔥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

We follow Gwen in her deceptive plan to find true freedom but instead watch her fall for the man she loathes - Mordred. Mordred is an angry brood of a Prince giving his all to ensuring he is feared by all.....until Gwen hits his radar.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read on a Sunday afternoon with a glass of wine.
Definitely will need book 2 (this is book 1 of The Iron Crystal). Some slow parts, but it wasn't enough to stop me from eating this up!

🥀Slow Burn
🥀Enemies to Lovers
🥀King Arthu / Avalon setting
🥀Betrayal & heartache
🥀Romance with a little spice

DNF 10%

I picked this arc up because I really enjoyed one of Kathryn Ann Kingsley's other series but this one's writing didn't work for me. Merlin was just flat out annoying, I also don't like fantasy where the FMC is transported into a world she knows nothing about and then is treated like a child because she knows nothing about this brand new world.

This might work for some but it wasn't for me and I have decided recently to not push through books I don't enjoy.

So the long and short of my thoughts on this book are that I honestly enjoyed it for a number of reasons. The first being that it was an interesting take on the Arthur legend, it made it stand apart from other's that I have read this year. The second being the length, this is a short read, but it is a compelling read. The plot never really lulls or stops, so it makes it a fast read as well. The characters were all just a little over the top in personality, but when we are dealing with legends, I feel like that is okay.

My only gripe with it, is that it ends on a very strong cliffhanger. So I am certainly going to come back for the next book because I want to see what happens next.