Thank you MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

The more I think about this book, the more annoyed I get.

On paper it has everything I love: epic fantasy, romance with a morally gray king who is a secret softie, FMC who wants to protect her sisters, magic, training scenes, and rich worldbuilding.

But this book was not it. It was messy and rambling. If it hadn't been for the excellent narration by Brittany Pressley, I probably would have DNF'ed it.

There are no completions of any of the story arcs. Everything is left hanging but not even in an omg what a cliffhanger type of way. Instead the book ends IN THE MIDDLE OF A BEDROOM SCENE FROM A SIDE CHARACTER'S PERSPECTIVE.

The Courting of Bristole Keats by Mary E. Pearson

3 stars

This was an okay read, but I honestly had expected this to probably be a 4 or 5 star read, so I was a little let down unfortunately.

I liked the fantasy elements, and even the main character and her plight. The story also overall was interesting and enjoyable. It is beautifully written, but just lacking in some areas.

This book felt a little too long-winded unfortunately. I found it to be quite a bit slow in the middle sections and while I don't normally care about page numbers or chapters, this book had 110+ chapters and only 500 pages makes it feel a bit heavy handed. Also, this just didn't feel like anything super unique. It wasn't awful by any means - but it just didn't feel like anything faerie wise that I haven't read before, and while the characters were interesting and well written, this just was lacking a bigger luster to fully draw me into the world.

This was also a slow-burn romance - and it felt a little too slow for me, and not only that, but I just was expecting a little bit more out of an adult book and this one felt a little more YA than adult.

The audiobook was great though! The narrator was good and helped me progress through the story better, but again, it just was a bit long in the middle and I found myself hoping it would move a bit faster or get more interesting.

So, all in all, definitely not the worst book I've read by any means, but not my favorite either. Worth a read if you love fantasy, fae, romantasy, etc.

I am curious enough to see where the story is going and I will be reading the next book, if there is one, I just hope it wraps up and moves a bit quicker than this one did.

Thank you to NetGalley for and Macmillan audio for the audiobook ARC copy provided to me for this fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Courting of Bristol Keats, by Mary E. Pearson was the first book that I read by this author. I am glad that I took a chance with this book. The author, with great skill, developed the characters, and creating a vivid scene for the reader. This was a long, yet enjoyable story that provided plenty of twist and turns to keep the reader captivated. After loosing her parents, Bristol was working at the pizza parlor to earn a living to take care of herself and her sisters. Financial hardship is a touch position for anyone, especially someone so young. When she linked with a distant relative of her fathers-- an aunt, via the promise of financial assistance, that she introduced to the fae king-- Tyghan. Bristol promises to help him save the word. Bristol learns that everything she knew is not as it seemed.
You must read this book!!! You will not be disappointed. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher.

What a hard book to review 😬

On the one hand, we have the beginning of a new fae fantasy series that could end up being one of my favorites. The set up is really intriguing. Bristol is a contemporary human, just trying to make ends meet. She’s living with her sisters, barely scraping by until one day when she’s propositioned(ish) by fae, finds out a whole slew of magic and other worlds are in-fact, real, and oh yeah- her recently-dead dad may actually be alive and in the fae world. So naturally, she agrees to cross over into the fae realm and help them find this mysterious door (that apparently only she can find?), in exchange for help finding her dad. And the fae to make the deal? Obviously we are talking about a fae king (Tyghan- said TEAgan, right?! Idk) who’s super chiseled, smoldering-hot, but a wounded warrior type. What could go wrong? Definitely no secrets being kept there…..🍿 I eat this stuff up! Let’s goooooo

Unfortunately, like many other reviewers, I struggle bussed by way through the greater part of the book. I didn’t fully understand why Bristol really needed to go to school?! Like in order to survive and thrive in Elphame (yes yes, I got the Cruel Prince thing, but it’s also super common in traditional fae folklore- look it up), Bristol must also go to Hogwarts? That’s the vibe I got. Good old school of magic. Hearing about her teachers and what they learned in class- which btw off page exposition, I know, is an annoyance for some so be aware it’s A LOT- felt disjointed. Much like my sentence structure. And yet, we push through. So, aside from a lot of time training, we also get a few POVs that, while not explicitly annoying, aren’t all necessary maybe? I give the author full benefit of the doubt, hoping that when we read the next book or two, we will all be really happy with the amount of book we had to push through to get there. Because, woof. It felt like a lot. BUT, I didn’t hate it. I still enjoyed it and I still want more.

The romance- meh. I wish the slow burn had continued for better pay off in future books, however, I’m banking on major conflict or a love triangle or something good to be a driving force in the next book. Having said that, the romance was bad- it just wasn’t amazing. It’s solid, no butterflies but still compelled me to root for them. There’s some relatively tame spice which also maybe felt too soon considering the pacing of the story vs the pacing of the romance. But again, if we have a middle book separation or breakup type conflict in the future, it will all be warranted. 🙏🏻

The moral of my story is…….
There’s a next book….right? Because we all agree the ending was 🫣🫠

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for this arc audiobook, in encouragement of my unbiased review.

To start, I loved the narrator for this book! She did a phenomenal job with different voices and storytelling. As for the story itself, I loved it. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. It definitely ends on a cliffhanger so I cannot wait until the next book. I will be buying this for my bookshelf and recommend it highly.

I had the privilege of ARC reading this and also getting the ALC. I immediately fell in love with the story while I was reading the book but then also listening to the audio, the story was taken to new level that made me love it even more. The narration was fantastic and kept me engaged the whole way through!

It's another faerie magic and romance story. Parents die, FMC is reconnected with long lost family, finds out there are faeries, goes to faerie world. Add in miscommunication, enemies to lovers (on two plot lines) political power hungry fae, and some of that chosen one type of feel. Add in some slow burn and spice, and you will get "The Courting of Bristol Keats."

I saw many people relating this to Cruel Prince. Unfortunately I have not read that series yet, though it's on my TBR. There was one character that reminded me a lot of Liam from FW. Once that was established, it was hard for me not to think that they might have an untimely ending.

If the book did not end in the way that it did, it would be four stars. But to say that I did not enjoy the ending without giving spoilers, it's three stars. Like why? We couldn't just have a normal cliffhanger like any another book leading to a the next? Maybe the final will be different?

Despite the ending, I enjoyed the book overall. I would recommend it to others if faeries and slow burn romance is your thing. Will I be on board for book 2? Yeah, sure. Why not?

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved listening to this book! The different voices give you a great visual of everything that’s happening. I had this book on my wishlist, so I was extremely eager to listen to it when I came across it on NetGalley!
I love the amount of detail the book gives and the characters are great too! The book had me hooked from the first few chapters! I really enjoyed it!

I will definitely be recommending this book at all of my friends and family. I also may purchase just to have in my collection!

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary R. Pearson is a captivating fantasy novel that blends elements of adventure, family secrets, and romance with the allure of fae and magic. The story takes readers on a thrilling ride through an unfamiliar realm filled with gods, fae, monsters, and dark secrets—though it’s Bristol Keats’ emotional journey that ultimately makes the book stand out.

Bristol, the protagonist, is a young woman reeling from the loss of both of her parents. Along with her sisters, she is trying to make do in their quiet, unassuming town of Bowskeep, until she receives a series of letters from an unknown “aunt.” These letters promise to help her and reveal things about her family she never knew, including a shocking revelation: her father might not be dead but kidnapped by terrifying creatures and taken to another realm. Desperate for answers, Bristol embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, only to find herself thrust into a world filled with gods, magic, and dangerous creatures she never knew existed.

The strength of the novel lies in Pearson’s world-building. The realm Bristol is drawn into is richly imagined—dark, dangerous, and full of tension. There is a palpable sense of mystery as Bristol is pulled deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems. The author does an excellent job of weaving a plot filled with intrigue, offering just enough clues to keep readers hooked without giving away too much too soon. The fantasy elements—particularly the fae—are explored with a mix of wonder and dread, giving the story a perfect balance of awe and tension.

Bristol’s character is compelling. She starts as a young woman defined by her grief and her loyalty to her family, but over the course of the novel, she grows into someone with an inner strength and resilience she didn’t know she had. Her determination to find the truth about her father and uncover the hidden secrets of her family is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The dynamic between her and her sisters also adds depth to the story, highlighting the importance of family bonds and personal sacrifice.

The romance between Bristol and Tyghan, the fae leader, is an intriguing and complex subplot. Tyghan is both a source of temptation and a figure shrouded in mystery. As Bristol navigates her relationship with him, the reader is never quite sure whether he is a trustworthy ally or a dangerous adversary. His history with Bristol’s parents, including his role in driving them to live in hiding, adds a layer of tension to their interactions, making for a slow-burn romance that is equally filled with distrust and undeniable attraction. Their relationship is far from straightforward, and that’s what makes it so compelling—neither character fully knows the other’s true motives, creating an emotional push and pull that keeps the reader invested.

The pacing of the novel is well-handled for the most part, though there are moments when the plot slows down as Bristol learns more about the realm and its politics. While these sections are important for world-building and establishing the stakes, they can occasionally feel a bit drawn out. That said, the tension in the narrative always picks up again when Bristol is faced with new revelations or confrontations.

The primary drawback of the novel, however, is that some of the secondary characters—particularly the fae and gods Bristol encounters—could have been fleshed out a bit more. They are intriguing, but at times they feel more like plot devices than fully realized characters. It would have been nice to see more depth to these figures, especially given the importance of the world Bristol enters and the conflicts she faces within it. Additionally, while the romance is central to the plot, some readers may find the emotional stakes of the relationship with Tyghan to be a bit drawn out, as the tension between attraction and distrust goes unresolved for longer than expected.

Despite these minor issues, The Courting of Bristol Keats is an engaging and entertaining read with a strong emotional core and a compelling narrative. Mary R. Pearson succeeds in crafting a world that is both captivating and mysterious, with characters who are flawed, complex, and memorable. Fans of romantic fantasy with a strong sense of adventure and intrigue will likely enjoy this book, as will readers who appreciate complex relationships and the exploration of family secrets. The book sets up an intriguing world, and with its strong cliffhanger, it leaves the door wide open for future installments, which will surely have readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Bristol’s journey.

This is peak high fantasy. I absolutely adored this immersive story of a complicated family and a fae world. It had so many of the things I'm looking for in fantasy romance, including enemies to lovers, training sequences, and major plot twists! I had an excellent time reading this and can't wait to recommend it to others.

I was so fortunate to receive an audio ARC of The Courting of Bristol Keats. The narrator brings this story to life in such a powerful way. I absolutely think readers should consider consuming the story this way.

I loved the inclusion of tricksy fairies alongside the ‘high fey’ that we more often see in the genre.

I really enjoyed Bri as a character, and the group of recruits she meets once she’s in their world gave me that found family energy I need in a story.

The magic system was interesting and included the traditional along with unique aspects - like the portal windows and the way that animals sometimes make them - which kept me intrigued.

The plot was fast paced and easy to follow, but included lots of twists and turns. My only disappointment, slightly, was the ending, which felt quite abrupt and left me a bit wrong-footed.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the book and will continue the series when the sequel comes out.

Listening on 2x speed, I had no issues with any of the narration. Enjoyed the pacing and inflections

This one was interesting. Some twists I saw coming, some I didn't. The time element of the time in fae lands working differently than in human lands also had an interesting effect on the plot. I wouldn't necessarily say that I enjoyed Bristol as a MC, but I did like the story overall and would continue the series.

Overall: 3 stars (I liked it)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Bristol and her sisters have always been on the run — their family packing up and moving from one place to the next. Bristol has always chalked it up to her eclectic artistic parents, but after both her parent’s untimely deaths and the appearance of a long lost aunt, things are not exactly as they seem. Couple the need to care for her sisters, the urge to find the truth, and the possibility that her father might just missing in a different world, Bristol travels to faerie. Here she must navigate truths and omissions, history and revenge. Will she come out on the other side with her family whole once more?

First, I was instantly in love with this audiobook. Narration is spot on and engaging — super clear and easy to listen. The narration supplements the world building creating a much more expansive feel to it. No issues listening at 1.5x speed.

The novel itself is well written. The world and character building was excellent. You instantly are pulled into the story and are attached to both Bristol and Tyghan. Their polarizing roles, attraction and secrets are laid out perfectly and keep you turning pages. Definitely a great romantasy! 5 stars.

Review based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. Thank you!

Was this book completely unique? No... Did I still enjoy reading it? Yes...

We follow Bristol, who is struggling to support herself and her sisters after their parents die. She gets a lucrative financial offer she can't refuse to enter the realm of Elphame after she finds out her father might not be dead, but taken there as well. The story is pretty predictable if you've read a lot of romantasy, and for being Pearson's debut into adult, it read pretty YA to me except for a few spicy scenes. This isn't necessarily bad, I read a lot of YA, just not exactly what I was expecting. It is well-written, which I think is why I had a good time reading it. I'm torn between a 3 or 4 star, but I did get attached to the characters by the end, and I will be continuing the series, so I'm bumping it to a 4. I loved her Dance of Thieves duology, so I have confidence that she can write a great ending to this duo!

The audiobook narrator kept me engaged and helped bring the story to life. I usually prefer dual narration when switching POVs so frequently, but she did a good job distinguishing the voices so I wasn't distracted.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy in exchange for this honest review.

4.5 Stars!!

I was lucky enough to receive the ebook and audiobook to review!

Brittany Pressley did an amazing job at narrating all the characters and showcasing their personalities. She really helped me differentiate the characters better. Lastly I highly recommend readers to pair the novel with the audiobook you will not be disappointed.

If you’re a fan of Dance of Thieves, the YA duology by Mary E. Pearson, then you absolutely need to dive into The Courting of Bristol Keats, the first book in her new adult fantasy duology!

The Courting of Bristol Keats is packed with adventure, action, forbidden romance, magic, fae, portals, treacherous kings, betrayal, dark secrets, and promises that must — and will — be kept. Although the book is thick, don’t let that intimidate you! You’ll be immediately drawn into Bristol’s journey as she navigates the Fae world and a magical school, all while uncovering family secrets and discovering her true identity. ✨

I especially loved the dynamic between Bristol, the heroine, and Tyghan, the king, as they were refreshingly honest with each other about their feelings, which led to little to no miscommunication between them. The chemistry and banter between them are fantastic, not to mention their magical moonlit dances.

I’m eagerly awaiting book two, because I can't wait for even more jaw-dropping moments as new secrets are revealed — and of course, I’m dying to know if their love will survive the trials ahead!

3.75⭐ rounded up to 4. I have mixed feelings about this one. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t feel compelled, mostly due to tired tropes and flat characters.

❤️ Interesting worldbuilding
❤️ Easy, entertaining, and addictive read
❤️ Lots of sexual tension
❤️ Great narration
❤️ Relatability due to the multi-world setting
❌ Lack of likeable characters
❌ Weird switch from slow burn to instalove
❌ Predictable plot twists and weird ending
❌ Confusing POV shifts
❌ Cringey smut

Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death and grief (including of a parent), war, injury and injury detail, body horror, poverty, abandonment, car accident, toxic relationship, etc.

Plot:
Bristol has been struggling to make ends meet for her and her sisters. One day, she starts receiving letters from a generous aunt she’s never heard of and decides, out of desperation, to meet with her. She is exposed to a world she never knew existed, where magic exists and where Fae and monsters live. Following a lead on her (supposedly dead) father’s whereabouts, she makes a bargain with the dangerously attractive Fae king.

Fans of The Cruel Prince will probably enjoy this book. But, for me, it felt like a plot written around popular tropes (hate-to-love, slow burn, instalove, obliviously superpowered, secret legacy, villainous lineage, trainer/trainee romance). In the end, it was easy to listen to, entertaining, and addictive, but many things annoyed me and I already forgot most of it. I don’t think I will continue this series.

Characters:
Maybe it’s just me, but it felt like the set of characters was too large. They remained surface-level, and I never grew attached to any of them. I liked Bristol at first, but halfway through the book her character had a drastic personality change. (Why do many authors confuse rude/confrontational with feisty/strong? I don’t get it.) I couldn’t quite ship her with the Fae king, considering how manipulative and secretive they are toward each other. Finally, the sudden shift from a hate-to-love slow burn to an instalove dynamic was also offputting. I know this is fiction and all, but I can’t deal with ILYs after sooo little time.

Writing:
Pearson is clearly good at building tension and angst, describing action scenes, and knowing when to keep it simple and when to elaborate. I enjoyed the pace and storytelling, but I found some dialogues and the steamy scenes a little cringey. (There’s something about “the enormity of his desire pressing against her” that made me guffaw for a good 7 minutes.) I’m also not a fan of the 110-chapter format, nor the mid-chapter POV switches.

Audiobook:
I enjoyed the narration. The actor’s voice was very smooth and soothing. (However, her “male” voice made every man sound like a goblin—but I listened at 1.5 speed, so it might have something to do with that as well.)

I have so many thoughts about this book. Please excuse the misspelling as I listened to the book and did not have the correct spellings to refer to.

First off, I love Mary Pearson. She is one of my favorite authors. I have read six of her works and each one would be an easy 5 stars from me.

As I was listening to The Courting of Bristol Keats, I kept on feeling like this wasn't really Mary Pearson's ideas, as if she's been pushed to be more this and more that and it really bothered me.

The main protagonist, though her decisions were commendable; she was very unlikable. Even though she was in her 20's, she was rash, dramatic and had morals of an alley cat.

As far as Taigen goes, he felt very one dimensional. As if his own trait was his personal trauma. He reminds me of a version of Rowan Whitethorn from Throne of Glass series.

The plot was very clunky, Not only did it take far too long to take shape, but I was constantly confused by what the actually goal was. What door were they looking for? What bloodmarked actually meant? Why, if there's such an urgency do they spend all this time training and not looking for the door? Why are they spending every evening dancing?

The slow burn of the romance was far too stretched, and when they finally admit feelings; what do they even have to build on? And suddenly they are in bed? I felt there was way too many spicy scenes, it was over the top. And to put the chapter of her father having sex with her mom directly after Taigen and Bristol's coupling was really uncomfortable.

Bristol has an interesting back story, but her experiences are almost unused to her character. The friends she meets, Why wasn't there more development with them. But at the same time, why are they even there. Why isn't Bristol constantly wondering why they want her in Elfhame if she was only a mere mortal? And if Elfhame knew who her mother was, wouldn't they check her for ticks to begin with? And what about the monsters she witnessed in the beginning, where did they go?
Where's the urgency? Troes are never explained. The plot isn't even really explained. It finally became interesting when Bristol finds her dad, but instead of moving the plot forward it turns to drama and going back to training? Just why?

And then the book ends. Just ends. Why would you alienate your reader like that?

Bristol Keates just wants a normal life. She is the middle sister helping to raise her younger sister Harper, along with her older sister Kat. Bristol is always worrying how they are going to keep the lights on and food on the table when she gets a letter from a long lost aunt. Bristol finds that what her parents told her was all lies and now she must enter a portal to another world to hep the fae people and somehow find her father whom was thought to be dead a year ago. Bristol is just a mere mortal being trained as a knight for Tyghan's army, so that they can fight the monsters that are hunting them. Will Bristol reunite with her father and sisters when her promises are fulfilled? The Courting of Bristol Keats is book one in the series by Mary E Pearson you will not be disappointed by this book where magic, mystery, and romance are all abundant throughout the book. I can't wait for the next installment and where Bristol's journey will take her. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me have an advanced copy of this audio book..

I did like this first book overall. Yes, I did get frustrated at the way Bristol and Tyghan's relationship bloom so quickly, mostly because I knew it was built like a house of cards, with a bomb at the bottom that would definitely explode by the end of the book and everything would come crumbling down and their love would take a major hit. Too many secrets and with the time differences between the mortal world and fae realm, caused so many problems (especially with how Tyghan felt about Bristol's dad) That was pretty obvious. What I did like was the training and Bristol making friends with the other recruits. That was a much better made relationship.

So, putting aside disastrous loves doomed to fail (at least till the second book I am sure). I did like the mystery of hunting down Bristol's father, learning about her heritage, and the discovery of her magical fae side (though the tick is so gross!). Plus the training and her fellow recruits who have awesome abilities too and are always ready to spring together and help each other out. And there was a nice buildup of trying to find the door to the abyss and stop the restless dead from consuming everything. Though as this is the first book, do not expect anything to be resolved ( a bit disappointing, I wish something could have been fixed). Quite the cliffhanger.

I will say, I am glad I got the chance to listen to this book, rather than read it. The narrator did a great job with voices and building up the scene for the listener to see. It would have been harder to read it, especially when I was yelling at the characters to stop keeping all the secrets, and also get over themselves (mostly Tyghan) and see things from other people's points of view because that makes a big difference. I will be interested to see what happens in the next book and the final transformation of Bristol.

What a breathtakingly beautiful and vividly written Romantasy. I enjoyed the writing style very much, and the characters were multi dimensional and relatable. I loved how resilient Bristol was. She overcame so much and was very easy to root for. I also liked that she had flaws. She wasn't perfect by any means, and because of that, she felt very real.

The fae lore was intriguing, and it worked very well to learn it along with Bristol as she came to this world unaware of her background. The romantic aspect was enemies to lovers and fit in nicely within the context of the story.

Overall, this book was well written, and the world building was exceedingly well done. Brittany Pressley, as the narrator for this audiobook, was phenomenal. She brought a lot of humor and understanding to the story as a whole and to Bristol in particular.

From what I understand, this is to be a duology, and I'm super excited about book two. I can't wait to read it!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for this ALC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.