Thank you to Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I don't typically read many romantsy books unless I'm familiar with the author. However, I had an enjoyable time reading this! It was fast-paced, and the world-building was easy to get into. However, the characters and the romance did fall flat for me in a few places, so I'm not too sure that I'll be reading the next book. However, if you're looking for a book that has common romance tropes like enemies to lovers and slow burn, with magic thrown in there, then definitely give this book a look!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

This book follows Jasmine who is training to be a keeper and protect a Starvein. I wish I had a lot of more world building. It felt a little rush to me. I didn’t feel much connection/chemistry between the main characters and I feel like the banter was forced at times. I do believe this world and the magic system have potential. It read more like a YA with a little spice.

Based on the blurb I thought this book would be right up my alley, however, it fell really short.

It was really hard to get into this story, there was a weird dynamic between the characters at first, and not really any development into why that was there. There wasn't much world building (picture you are dropped at Hogwarts without knowing anything about what Hogwarts is, or why).

The whole idea of cursed magic was cool, but wasn't as cool as I hoped.

There were some good plot moments, but it just didn't really hit the mark in general for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Aethon Books for my DRC.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Keeper of Scarlet Petals by A.N. Skye tells the story of Jasmine, a former thief now training as a Keeper, responsible for protecting mages. Reluctantly, she is tasked with guarding Asher, a nobleman with a tragic past. Though they initially clash, their relationship grows as they face deadly threats together. The book mixes action, romance, and magic, with Jasmine's growth as a fighter and protector driving the plot. The magical elements aren't fully explained yet, but the complex relationship between Jasmine and Asher adds depth to the story, making it a captivating read for fans of romantic fantasy.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book, but unfortunately it was not for me. The idea for the story was great, but ultimately it left much to be desired and it kind of fell flat for me.
Thank you again for the opportunity.

While life events derailed me, I was finally able to finish this book, and it was fun! A bit unrefined, and slow at times, but solid characters and an entertaining world. I think this series has potential, with some editing and development. Would like to see more from the romance (not fully embodying the "Romantasy" label at this point). Definitely a fun ride, overall!

A fun fantasy with a unique storyline and romance! This book was so fun and I really love books about protectors. A slow burn bodyguard romance. Yes PLEASE. Reverse grumpy/romance? YESSS PLEASEE. This book is a must read.

"Keeper of the Scarlet Petals" by A.N. Skye has an imaginative premise, but falls short due to superficial character development, uneven pacing, and over-descriptive writing. The romance lacks chemistry, and the abrupt climax leaves many threads unresolved. Despite its potential, the book fails to engage, resulting in a two-star rating.

i loved our characters journey through her quest, and ultimately this book flew by, it was a blast. eager to pick up more from this author in the future.

This one just wasn't for me. I struggled to get into it and just found it lacking in my personal opinion.

Rating: ⭐⭐.75

Tropes:
🌹Forced Proximity
🌹Strong Female Lead
🌹YA
🌹plot twists
🌹Cursed Magic
🌹romantasy

This was an overall good romantasy novel. I enjoyed the action and adventure aspects and the mystery component too, but found that many other areas felt a little rushed and unexplained, including the world building, romance, chemistry between the two main characters and some dialogue. I think this book has alot of potential, but as it is right now, it's only a 2.75 for me.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book, I was really looking forward to it but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I liked the idea of this book, the plot sounded good which is why I requested it, but it just wasn't for me. The world building and story line seemed a bit wishy washy for my liking, I think this may be more aimed at YA as opposed to NA

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within this book. The main characters were Jasmine and Asher.

Jasmine is a keeper that grow up in the slums. She is going to school to become a keeper. While there she meets others. A keeper is someone that protects and takes care of a magic person.

Asher was a keeper but had to quit it and go into a magic class that are called Starviens. He also has bad people that want something from him. So he needs a keeper to look after him. He is surprised who they send to him.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, suspense and mystery throughout.
There were a few giggles within. It is the first book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

honestly i feel like it had potential but it just didn’t do it for me. there was just something about especially about the FML that just threw me off. i couldn’t even finish it. DNF

"The first and final steps in the path of a Keeper were death. Their order was not one of glory, nor was it one of joy. To be a Keeper was to dedicate one's life, completely and utterly, to protecting another. They were far more than mere bodyguards. When the time came for thought, they were advisors. When the time came for war, they were soldiers. When the time came for peace, they were butlers. They were what they needed to be- and more."

I felt like the storyline was intriguing and original. While the story itself is strong, the technicalities of the writing need some additional polishing. Some moments in the book felt a bit rushed and it needs another thorough read through with editors for spelling and grammar errors. With some additional advisement, I firmly believe that this story can become a 4.5/5 star book in the future!

Keeper of Scarlet Petals is a romantic fantasy following Jasmine. Training to become a keeper after a chance opportunity from the King himself, she is surprised to find herself assigned to a Starvein Noble less than a year in. Even worse, she can’t stand him. Lacking in all Keeper skills outside of combat, Jasmine quickly find balancing her training, protection of her charge & her own desires to be a unique challenge.

I really enjoy this story and the characters on a surface level, however it doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny. The romance is cute enough & while I do want to see where the mystery leads, I found myself needing loads more information and depth. Characters do end up falling pretty flat and the enemies to lovers is more of a “they’re already in love they just don’t know it until 50% in” thing. The side characters forgettable, but charming in the moment.

I think you’ll like this if you’re looking for a quick kinda-rivals to lovers romance with a splash of magic where she protects him.

3⭐️ for me.

Overall, I think this would have been a great book if it had been properly marketed in the right category. I think being listed as NA is inaccurate. This is a YA book and as a YA book it was great. As an NA book it was ok. I had a hard time connecting with our main characters because I found them both to be incredibly immature and childish (hence my suggestion that this book should be marketed as a YA series). I did get major Vampire Academy vibes from this book, just without the vampires…and everything else that made it Vampire Academy.

I do appreciate a good reverse gendered bodyguard storyline on top of our normal favorite tropes (enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, magic, fighting, etc.). I don’t want to say anything really about the plot or else I’ll end up giving away spoilers. I’ll just reiterate what I said at the beginning, this would be a GREAT YA book. I would have been more prepared for that type of vibe/maturity level of the characters rather than going in thinking they’d actually act like adults. I think the author wrote a great story, it was just marketed to the wrong age group/literary group. So far me, I’d give it 3 stars, but I think it is a good book/story, so I’m giving it 4 stars overall.

Friends to Lovers
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Fantasy
Romance

I really enjoyed this fast-paced easy fantasy read. The plot was good, the character building and world building could have been better. It just left me wanting more. I do look forward to reading the second book.

I recently read "Keeper of Scarlet Petals" and found it a fast-paced romantic fantasy read with likable characters and engaging action. However, the book's new adult (NA) classification felt more like a young adult (YA), and the romantic development seemed rushed and, at times, confusing. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic and badass heroine elements didn't come through as strongly as expected. The story had potential, but I struggled to connect with the characters, and the world-building felt lacking. With more depth and world-building, the story could truly shine.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. My thoughts are my own.