⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The perfect palette cleanser.

I have to say I am a sucker for a magical cozy world full of fantasy, romance, witches and Fae. But add in a magical bookshop and you have me sold.

How to Fake it with a Fae follows our enemies to Lovers, Witch Addie Thornerose and the Fae King himself Feylin and their adventure into a fake engagement.

This book almost has a beauty and the beast vibe, think the scene where he takes her to his own personal library. I loved the quirky characters, the arrival of magic and the beautiful ride their love story went on.

Definitely recommend if you love magic, witches, faeries, cozy vibes and fluffy romance.

Thank you to Amy Boyles for gifting me an ARC to read.

I LOVED THIS.

I don’t care what anyone says, fake relationship is one of my favourite tropes and that will never change. Pair that with a witch and a fae? I am SOLD.

This was such a fantastic mix of Romance and Fantasy and I loved every minute of it. This is the book that has convinced me to give Romantasy a proper chance.

The world-building of this book and the fact that it’s possible to jump inside books is the highly of this for me. I think we have all had our moments where we wish we could disappear into a world we are reading.

Only criticism is I wish the conflict between Feylin and Addison wasn’t so easily resolved because I personally would’ve handed Feylin’s ass to him after what we did.

I am so excited to read the rest of the books that will be featured in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ladybugbooks LLC for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5/5

i thought this was a pretty fun read! it was a bit predictable at times, but i didn't feel like that took anything away from it. my biggest issue was the conflict at the end. it happened quickly and felt very rushed, but i found myself often questioning a lot of what happened. the actions weren't what i would have expected from a lot of the characters and it felt like i didn't know them as well as i thought i did - and not in an "i've been hiding my true self" kind of way. but it did wrap itself up (mostly) in a neat little bow and i'll likely read the next one to see what happens.

"What makes you happy?"

"What's that have to do with anything?"

He runs his finger along the rim of the glass. "Magic isn't something you can touch, and often the only way to get at it is to free yourself, to be who you were meant to be. That means feeling something primal, like joy."

Who I was meant to be? Who is that person? "I don't know who I'm supposed to be, but what makes me happy? That's easy. Books."

Amy Boyles, How To Fake It With a Fae


How To Fake It With a Fae by Amy Boyles is a fun fae fantasy that I really enjoyed. The witch versus fae battle was interesting and I loved how the magical systems worked, especially in the enchanted bookstore. Addie was immediately likable as a character and I completely identified with her love of books, especially pride and prejudice.Feylin Is the perfect Fae Prince and seemed quite aloof and unapproachable at first. Thankfully he showed a software side and it was adorable. Watching him and Addie try to figure out each other. I loved the family dynamics as well. And especially getting to know Addie's sisters. I think it's going to be so much fun to see the rest of the Thornerose women get hitched.. the book had a nice twist at the end and I really didn't expect Nana to be so interesting!

An exciting romance where a powerless witch must make sacrifices for the sake if her family. But the sacrifices involve living with a Fae King who just can't seem to keep away from her, despite both their misgivings. I am not a fan of the fake dating/ engagement trope but the author executes it so well that I loved it. Their chemistry is establish early and their trust develops at a believable pace. The book started a big slowly, but once the the protagonists meet each other, you can't stop reading. The arrival of third act conflict might be expected but the way it plays out is far from predictable. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!

Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

OMG, I think I have found my newest favorite series and all I have done is read the first book, but wow this book has action, romance, magic, shapeshifters, a villain, and some great banter between characters.

This was the first book that I read by Boyles, and it will not be my last. I loved that Boyles knows how to grab a reader with her words and keeps you wanting to read more and more and before you know it you have already finished the book and are sad that the amazing fantasy romance is all over now.

The characters are amazing, I thought they were well developed, and I found myself being able to relate to both of the MCs in their own ways. I thought Addison was a great female character, she has no magic and being born first out of six sisters, who have all had their magic show up, she feels like she has let her family down. She finds that living in the mortal world to be easier for her, until she was summoned to her family’s house because of a death. She then finds out that the whole family is losing their magic and the only way to restore it is to have the sisters marry and the first one is Addison. She is not happy to be forced to marry and isn’t happy when she has to dress up for balls. She even tries to escape her ball and runs into the one person that she really wishes she didn’t, Feylin.

Feylin, he is the fae king, and all he wants is to make sure that there is peace between his people and the humans. Well, and to make sure that he gets his revenge on the Thornrose family for taking away the one that he loved. However, he did not expect to run into a beautiful, smart mouthed, funny, and kind Addison. Could things be looking a little different for Feylin now? I loved the banter that was thrown around those two, and I loved that you could see Feylin was changing for something better.

I loved the force-proximity, the enemies to lovers, all the betrayals, secrets, tension between the two MC, the magic, and the slow burn romance. I loved every second of this book and it will be on my top 2024 reads. As I said I know that this is just book one, and if the other sisters’ books are going to be amazing and hoping the next one comes out soon, I know that they will be on my list as well.

I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed this modern day witchy/fae fairy tale. The heroine, Addie, is a witch whose magic never developed and the hero, Feylin, is a fae king. Their instant attraction is hampered by a tragedy from Feylin's past that Addie knows nothing about, but despite their best efforts they just can't seem to resist each other, especially when they are magically joined by accident! Throw in a cast of likable characters and a magical book shop, and this was a lot of fun to read. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books in the series

A fun, cozy fantasy with the perfect amount of sexual tension. It’s not my favorite read; indeed, at many times it felt a bit cringe, but it wasn’t awful. It was an easy read. I enjoyed the magic and the Fae, the characters were fun, albeit predictable.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me.

I liked aspects of the romance (forced proximity/slow burn), but by the end the male protagonist really just wasn't for me...

Overall vibes were cute, I just wasn't rooting for the characters by the end of the book and the ending really didn't resonate with me.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

This was a fun read and I enjoyed the reading journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ladybugbooks for providing the ARC.

This book was a cute and serviceable rom-com.

I enjoyed reading this book for what it was - a grumpy/sunshine forced proximity love story set in a world where witches and fae exist albeit not peacefully (although that is only touched on, never truly seen on the page).

There were definitely aspects of the book that I liked: the magical bookstore that allowed people to jump into the pages, the witchy town with all of its witchy goodness, Addison's sisters to an extent (there are plot reasons for this), anything that had to do with Ryals, and the overall relationship between Addision and the king, Feylin.

What I didn't like: the "black sheep" of the family trope where she's not actually the black sheep, but she just doesn't it yet, how some of the more darker elements of the plot are completely glossed over and either forgotten about completely or fixed within pages and have no lasting effect on any of the characters, even if they're awful. The fact that the witches fly around on cast iron skillets, not broomsticks, because they're southern (what?). The fact that Addison's family didn't tell her a single gd thing the entire book and essentially let her go into everything blind.

That being said, I still enjoyed reading the book. It was cute and it had charm. I just wanted a bit more meat than I got, which is more personal preference than anything the author did. It's a light romantic comedy, and it definitely reads like one, but that is not to its detriment.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me. I didn't feel any connection with the characters, or care at all about what happened to them. Their connection wasn't believable to me as the pacing was all over the place. And there were a lot of relationship red flags that I can't get past.
I found the plot itself extremely predictable, and that sex scene was very cringey and the circumstances in which is happened really didn't sit right with me.
I would compare the general idea to the Stay A Spell series by Juliette Cross, or books like "A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon" by Sarah Hawley.

Quick Summary: A magical, enemies to lovers fantasy romance

My Review: How To Fake It With A Fae by Amy Boyles is book #1 in an exciting new series. The series is called Seven Suitors for Seven Witches.

About the Book: Addison Thornrose has had the absolute worst day of her life. Not only does she lose what seems to be her final opportunity for happily ever after, but she also loses her beloved gran. Surely, things could not get any worse. Unfortunately, a twirly mishap, an encounter with an arrogant being, an ancient binding and a bargain of sorts changes the trajectory of her existence.

My Final Say: Applause and more applause is heartily given for How To Fake It With A Fae. I loved this book! I knew it would be sensational when I saw it and when I read its premise. Addie and Feylin do not disappoint. They brought all the feels from the moment they met until the end.

* I would love to hear the audiobook for this story. I know it will be quite the listening experience. I cannot wait.

Other: I am well and truly hooked. Bring on book 2!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Series: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Ladybugbooks, LLC), and to NetGalley. Thank you for allowing access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity.

REVIEW
In a world where magical and non-magical folk live alongside each other in harmony, witches receive their magic once they reach thirteen. Addie Thornrose is from a prestigious magical family but is the only one who didn't receive her magic. Seen as inferior marriage material, her family throws a ball to find her a husband. King of the Fae Feylin sees the ball as a way to infiltrate his enemy, the Thornrose family, and take them down. But the last thing he expects is to fall for Addie.
I was excited to read this story, as it sounded like a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I tried several times, but I found a lot of the dialogue quite clunky. The magical descriptions didn't feel fresh or interesting, and I felt like I'd seen a lot of it before but done better. I don't like it when authors outright say an MMC looks like a certain actor. To me, that feels lazy. But my biggest issue was that I didn't like Addie. I could see what the author was going for, but rather than banter, it came across as whiny and annoying. What I read of the romance felt superficial and instalove. Not for me, unfortunately, but others might enjoy it. I DNF at 50%

Overall Rating: N/A

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own

Amy Boyles' "How to Fake it With a Fae" is like a charming spell that whisks you away into a world of delightful romance and whimsical magic. Set in a modern-day where witches run a magical bookstore and fae kings brood in opulent castles, this book is a delightful blend of fantasy and romance that left me smiling.
From the moment I met Addie, with no magical powers, and Feylin, the grumpy fae king with a hidden soft side, I was hooked. (Who doesn't love a grumpy-sunshine trope?) Their fake engagement and forced proximity had me chuckling, while their slow-burn romance had me swooning. Boyles' writing is light-hearted and witty, filled with banter and charm that made me fall in love with the characters and their story.
While the plot may unfold at a leisurely pace, it's a comforting and satisfying read. And the modern-day setting adds a refreshing twist to the usual fantasy , with references to technology and pop culture .
Overall, "How to Fake it With a Fae" is a delightful read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. If you're looking for a feel-good romance with a magical twist, look no further than this enchanting book.

Such a great slow burn romantasy! I loved the characters - a fae king who's grumpy and a witch with no magic! The writing was wonderful and really drew me in. Can't wait for more!

GENERAL INFO

How To Fake It With a Fae- Book #1 of Seven Suitors for Seven Witches

Year Pub/Re Pub: 2/25/24, Read 2/26/24

Book's cover: Love purple, it's the reason I decided to to request it!

Format: eBook, 360 pages

Source: Thanks to NetGalley and Ladybugbooks LLC for this ARC💜 !  I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: paranormal romance, fantasy, rom-com

Tropes: fake relationship, grumpy/sunshine, family drama/sisterhood, enemies to lovers

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Addison "Addie" Thornrose is the oldest of seven sisters, all witches. Because Addie doesn't believe she has any magic she lives among humans and works at a bookstore called Bookworm. When her beloved grandmother dies, she is transported back home to Castleview, Tennessee. Her aunt Ovie tells her that she must marry to keep the Thornrose magic in the family. Her aunt plans a ball for her and her sisters to find husbands . Addie throws up on Feylin-The King of the Fae- at their first meet cute. It's time he married as well to continue his bloodline. They agree to a fake engagement, but end up" joined" where they can't be physically apart. As they get to know each other sparks fly, but will their fake relationship turn into something real?

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : yes, Feylin is very protective cinnamon roll.

Amount of Sex In The Book: kissing, 1 good scene between H/h-their 1st time together

OW/OM/Exes: Edward for Addie and Tess for Feylin (his wife who died)

AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Amy Boyles-1st time author for me

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: I have missed some good PNR and this does it for me! I loved the sisterhood between Addie and her sisters, and even Feylin's protectiveness over Ryals. Their romance is slow burn because Feylin wanted revenge on her family. Once they confess their feelings, there's a 3rd act break up that's quickly resolved. I can't wait for Blair and Devlin's book!

An overall satisfying slow burn romance with a whimsical prose that made me chuckle more than once. Normally I'm offput by romance conflicts that would have been easily solved if both parties would have taken a deep breath and discussed things calmly, but I enjoyed the rest of the story enough to overlook it in this case. I would gladly read the next in this series.

This book hit me so hard in my bookish heart. A huge thank you to NETGALLEY and to the author, Amy Boyles, for this ARC.

“Every part of me wanted her. I wanted to own her completely, brand her with my body, fill her and hear her moan my name.”

"How To Fake It With a Fae" by Amy Boyles, the first instalment of the "Seven Suitors for Seven Witches" series and its premiss made me giddy with excitement.

Addie Thornrose is such a bookworm and sooo relatable! A witch with no powers that reads, smells and lives for books. Feylin, or shall I say, King Feylin, is a handsome and mysterious fae that "bumps" into Addie, leaving her with a mixture of want and anger with how can't a "man" be so insufferable. But this is not as simple as it seems. This "meet cute" is more than what it seems. And it may break your heart.

With a funny, witty humour and scorching hot chemistry between the two main leads, this is such a worthy read. BUT BEWARE. This love story is not for the faint of heart. So prepare yourself for a heartbreaking scene in this novel.

In this book, the reader will find these troupes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Fake engagement
- Unbreakable spell

Very entertaining

Addison was certain her boyfriend was going to propose. But instead, he dumped her shamelessly because of her lack of magic. Unfortunately, she has to marry or else her family will lose their magic forever. That's when they decide to host balls in order to find Addison and her sisters appropriate suitors. And Addison finds herself accidenly bound in magic to a strange fae who only wants revenge on her family. The only solution to break the bond is to be in a fake relationship. If only they don't catch actual feelings...

This book was a delight from start to finish. I really enjoyed the way the author blended together modern times and the medieval aesthetic of fae fantasy. It was a very entertaining read, full of humor, twists and turns and unexpected surprises. The tension between our two protagonists was definitely there from the beginning, and even if the enemies became spouses and then lovers quite quickly, I really enjoyed the spark between them and especially the sexual tension that had me blushing a lot. The world the author built was very interesting and the lore and magic surrounding the accidenytal engagement was quite fascinating. I liked that the characters had the time tp get to know one another emotionally and personally despite the desire between them and the spice was definitely worth it. It was overall a very enjoyable read that brought a smile to my face!

I really recommend this entertaining fake-dating enemies to lovers fantasy romance!

"Because if this isn't true love, then true love doesn't exist."