Omg I loved this book! Everything about it was just perfection! Everything about the characters and the world around them was just done perfectly!

To begin with, I was definitely drawn in by the gorgeous Mucha-inspired cover! But to me, the book was fine. I think, after reading the Author's Notes, that the heavy editing it went through actually aligned with what I would have wanted more or less of (Pacton references that originally they were only in Faerie for like 20 pages), but in a ~300 page book there wasn't so much room to breathe or blossom really as we had what felt like a while learning the girls being very "but they were roommates! We must not!" (a bit heavier when neither of them have anywhere else to go, really, either), and then suddenly we're doing three quick quests over the course of a day in a magic house and a museum and a wardrobe that's there just so the two DON'T kiss and then we're depending on several very convenient factors to get us into and out of the world of Fae. We know they're unspokenly in teenage love with each other (fair) and then we're doing a high stakes one-day-turnaround quest-of-questionable-intent (but we need the money!) and!

I think as a story if you just sit back and enjoy what it is without thinking too hard that can be fine, or maybe it's that I kept forgetting it was YA and then being like, "what do you mean she's like seventeen" but the teenage-ness probably also fed into the ride or die feelings these girls had, bonding over the trauma of being orphans/half-orphans, scraping together from nothing into building a little life with each other.

Additionally, I found it strange to mix named parts of real-life Paris into a fantasy city inspired by that very artsy era OF Paris and wish it had gone full fantasy instead.

It was fine! Would I have enjoyed this as a teen? I'm not sure because as a teen the YA world was SO different so I was reading full adult by then, but honestly I'm always happy these kids have so many choices nowadays! I think I would have enjoyed the friends-with-feelings aspect as a queer teen, so maybe this wasn't just for me personally, but I appreciated the characters (I wish we got more of Lucien! He seemed fun) best of all.

Thank you to Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink | Peachtree Teen for the eARC in exchange for review!

3 stars.

*The Absinthe Underground* offers a unique and whimsical premise, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to its full potential. Set in the vibrant Belle Époque city of Severon, the story follows Sybil and Esme—two young women navigating a life of poverty and secrecy, while also grappling with the allure of danger and opportunity. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they’re invited into the world of the Green Faerie, Maeve, who offers them a heist job in the magical Fae realm that promises unimaginable wealth.

The setting is intriguing, though I found myself craving more details about both Severon and Fae. While the world-building is creative, particularly the concept of stealing rare posters, it doesn’t feel fully fleshed out. I had a good sense of the atmosphere in Severon—lively, artistic, with a touch of mystery—but the details about Fae and its customs were a bit sparse, leaving me wanting more depth.

The character dynamics are another highlight, especially the contrast between Sybil’s adventurous spirit and Esme’s more introverted, clock-tinkering nature. Their friendship (and possibly something more) is the heart of the story, but I struggled to feel fully connected to them. They’re interesting, but I didn’t find their personalities or motivations as deep as I’d hoped. The romance, though a slow burn, didn’t quite hit the emotional beats I was expecting. Their relationship felt somewhat static, with little development beyond the initial pining.

The plot holds promise, but it didn’t always deliver. Some twists were predictable, and certain moments felt rushed or disjointed. While the heist plot and the twist were intriguing, the execution felt a bit scattered, making the overall experience feel a bit loose. That said, *The Absinthe Underground* has a cozy charm to it and could be a fun, light read for fans of whimsical fantasy with LGBTQ+ elements and slow-burn romances.

It’s a book that starts with a lot of promise but doesn’t fully realize its potential. The magic and adventure are there, but the connections between characters, plot, and world-building felt too shallow to leave a lasting impact. Still, if you’re looking for something with a touch of magic and mystery, this could be an enjoyable, easy read.

This book is what I would call a typical Cozy Fantasy which are pretty common in adult but not YA. A little slow to start and you never are really scared about the situations they end up in. The worldbuilding of Severon is beautiful but the worldbuilding of the Fae world is somewhat lacking.

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this. I liked the characters and I liked them together. This book is incredibly atmospheric and I loved the world that was created. I am new to cozy/low stakes fantasy, so it will take me some time to adjust my expectations. I am expecting to change my rating to something higher once I become more acquainted with the sub-genre. I am very eager to read more by this author though.

(sorry for the delay, I have been very unwell this year)

The Absinthe Underground is a novel about two best friends, Esme and Sybil, pining for the other and getting roped into stealing items from the Fae realm.

I didn't enjoy this book, unfortunately. There really wasn't a lot of meat to this book. The description I provide is basically what you get with little other conflicts happening, internal or external. This also makes it hard to distinguish characters from each other. Sybil is worried about her secret getting out and Esme is thinking about what Sybil is hiding. Even their pining for each other is also basically the same; they met at the same time and starting falling in love as they started living together. They had slight different interests in painting vs clockwork, adventure vs staying at home, but it barely comes up as the novel is focused on the heist.

I did enjoy both the human and Fae settings. I thought both were appropriately descriptive. I especially enjoy books that let Fae look different than just handsome humans with wings. They were mostly set dressing, but there were very non-human faes mentioned.

I rated this book 2 stars. I'm sure this is the perfect book for people who need less complicated fantasy storylines and characters, but it wasn't for me.

Okay, I liked and disliked this book all at once, so I'll keep this short.

The book had a unique setting and concept, especially with how the Fae were integrated into the world. It was a very cozy read and outright cute at some points. However... The descriptions of the places left -- for my taste -- too much room for imagination, and the plot and characters felt rather shallow md flat. It seemed neither story nor character driven. So while I did enjoy this book as a cozy cutesy read, it felt like eating empty calories. It scratched the itch but didn't satiate or fill me up. I'd still recommend it though if you're looking for something cozy along the lines of Legends and Lattes.

This is a heist of jewels from the fairy castle, with sapphic main characters. that is the good of it. the bad is that my enjoyment and attention dwindled as father as I got into it. That being said I dnfed it at 37 %.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

With a cover this beautiful I wish I loved this book! I just found the story so boring, slow, and surface level. I know it is YA, but this felt too simple. I did not really feel the chemistry between Sybil and Esme (a bit at the end though!) but the plot was really what did not work for me. I will say that I did love the setting, however, and I thought the author created the magical vibe of this time period very well. Overall, just not for me.

I read about 20% of this before putting it down for something else. I've since forgotten everything that has happened so far and I did not enjoy it enough to go back and start from the beginning. What I read was perfectly fine I'm just not interested enough.

This read was a cozy sapphic heist and it’s just the read I needed when I was looking for something short, low stakes, and cute.

This story follows roommates Sybil, an adventure seeking thief, and Esme, who prefers cats and clocks and staying at home, as they navigate the struggle to afford life in early Paris-like Severon. Soon after the story begins, they will meet mysterious woman, Maeve, and find themselves delving into the world of the Absinthe Underground on a quest that promises them enough fortune to never pay rent again. But much is not what it seems. LGBTQ+ romance and fae adventure.

This story had I’m interested immediately upon reading, as I found the early Paris-esque world, Severon, and the contrasting and relatable characters easy to fall in tune with.

This heist story was cozy and cute, which was exactly what I was needing. (Note: if you’re looking for a thrilling high stakes page turner, this might not be the book for you.) Snd the sapphic romance was bubbly and heartwarming (no smut, just light, budding romance).

My one critique of this read is that I wish it would have been longer and more in depth. I wanted to see much more of the Absinthe Underground than we were given.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

2.5 stars Fast-paced and enjoyable for someone wanting a quick story that involves a heist but other aspects that are introduced in the story as possible plot pieces are left behind.

The Absinthe Underground is a compelling action adventure that will boggle the mind and tickle your soul. I couldn't put this book down and read it in sitting before reading it all over again days later. Jamie Pacton is an extremely talented writer who knows her target readers well and never fails to give us what we want in our stories. One of best Sapphic novels I've read in a very long time

This was fun read. If you like whimsical characters and with a touch of historical fiction I think you should pick this up.

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton is a wild ride of mischief, mystery, and rebellious flair, set in a world where absinthe-fueled intrigue meets high-stakes adventure. Pacton plunges readers into a neon-lit, underground society dripping with bohemian charm and danger, where the drinks are as strong as the personalities, and the secrets are even stronger. The setting feels like a heady mix of Moulin Rouge and a steampunk speakeasy, complete with swirling mystery and razor-sharp banter.

At its core, the novel thrives on its fearless protagonist, whose snark and audacity are matched only by her knack for getting into—and barely escaping—trouble. The chemistry between characters crackles with wit and flirtation, making even the tense moments feel like a stylish tango. Pacton masterfully juggles humor and high drama, peppering the narrative with laugh-out-loud one-liners even as the stakes rise. The themes of rebellion, identity, and sticking it to the establishment are explored with just the right amount of irreverence, making the book feel like a rebellious toast to anyone who’s ever wanted to break free from convention.

However, if you prefer your novels tightly wound and methodically paced, The Absinthe Underground might feel a bit like a chaotic night out: it’s fast, it’s frenetic, and at times, you’re not entirely sure where you’re headed. Some plot threads are more decorative than essential, and while the whirlwind pacing is part of its charm, a few moments could use a bit more breathing room. But with its cocktail of humor, intrigue, and high-octane fun, this is a book that invites you to sit back, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy the ride—just don’t expect to get out of it without a few surprises along the way.

This was such a creative read! There was fantastic world building and the characters felt so unique I can’t wait to read more by this author!

"The Absinthe Underground" by Jamie Pacton is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and the vibrant allure of the artistic world. Set against the backdrop of a bohemian Paris, Pacton skillfully brings to life the intoxicating atmosphere of the time, immersing readers in a world filled with intrigue and creativity.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, each grappling with their own dreams and dilemmas. Pacton’s protagonist is particularly compelling, as she navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and the pursuit of artistic passion. The plot is expertly paced, with twists that keep you eagerly turning the pages, while the themes of self-discovery and the struggle for authenticity resonate deeply.

Pacton's writing is both lyrical and accessible, painting vivid imagery that transports you to the streets of Paris. "The Absinthe Underground" is not just a story about art and ambition; it’s an exploration of the human spirit and the lengths we go to in pursuit of our dreams. This book is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a richly woven narrative filled with heart and soul!

It pains me to say this because I really wanted to like it but this book just wasn't for me. For such a sort book I cannot believe that it took me so long to read through the first part when basically I devoured the second part.

The two things that draw me to the book the comparisons to Moulin Rouge and the sapphic relationship and those were the ones that disappointed me the most. The writing felt too superficial and I could never connect with the characters, while we get some information about how they met they way that one of them acted felt toxic sometimes and because the writing doesn't go deeper in the characters feelings it's hard to build that care for the characters relationships.

Another issue I had was with the pacing, the books takes place in just a couple of days but 2/3 of the book were just the events happening on the first two days and the rest was just the remaining days which made the ending feel too rushed and way to convenient. I wish we could've gotten more about the fae world and the fae courts to learn how they work.

The book had potential and I really wanted to like it, but unfortunately it didn't work out for me.

I loved this book! Fair warning it is marketed pretty inaccurately, it isn't thrilling or action packed but it is sweet and cozy as hell! It's a cute friends to lovers romance featuring cats, tea and faeries and is very character driven.

A Very Interesting spin on what we know both about fantasy genres and about heist stories. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters. I ling for more stories like these with two women who are romantically involved as the center.