*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for providing me this e-book in exchange for an honest review*


Even though there a lot of books written with fae, "Dance with the Fae" captured my mind and heart in an instance. Kit was a really well-developed character, dealing with PTSD, having returned from WWI, but Hobbes managed to deal with such a triggering psychological state masterfully. I loved and hated some of the characters, but overall this was a wonderful story.

Dance with the Fae is a fabulous romantasy read, that follows Charles (Kit) Arton-price, who is a soldier wounded in WW1. Subsequently, he starts a life with his fiancée Adelaide, however things start going wrong when she is struck by “the sleeping sickness” Kit then finds himself drawn to the fae world where nothing is as it seems.

This is a perfect mix of fantasy and historical fiction. (Two of my favourite genres). Hobbes builds a world with intricacy and magic and I loved the descriptions of the fae world. The characters were loveable and I found them to be relatable and full of diversity. The only issue I had with this book was the pacing, it fluctuated from fast paced and me wanting to pick up the book all the time, to me really struggling to get into it, which was such a shame. That being said it was still a thoroughly enjoying read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to have an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kit Arton-Price returns from the war with a medal of honour, but he does not feel like a hero. He longs to retreat to a quiet life but is drawn into the limelight at his engagement party thrown by his willful fiancée Adelaide. Kit is determined to be a wallflower at his own party and watches as Adelaide dances with a strange who calls himself Mr. Wilde. While Mr. Wilde and Adelaide drift off together Kit meets Mr. Wilde's companion Ms. Dove. Ms. Dove imparts just as many strange sentiments and fanciful stories as his mad great aunt Merelda. But when Adelaide succumbs to the Sleeping Sickness, Kit learns there may be more to the stories told by Ms. Dove and his aunt. Kit travels the realm of the fae to returnAdelaide back to their own world. But will they want to return after their adventures?
Dance with the Fae is a historical romance that will appeal to readers of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries and The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and Elisabeth J Hobbes for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a little while to get into, especially whilst life has been hectic and I've had to read as and when I can. The pace is initially slow but once Kit travels to the new realm things picked up and it was exciting to see if any theories I had were correct (only one was which meant nice surprise on other plot points).

I loved the world Elisabeth had built and the characters within it. The mixture of historical fiction and fantasy blended nicely I thought and I enjoyed the queer representation.

I've knocked a star purely because the pace was slow initially and then almost went too fast by the end!

If you like fantasy and historical fiction this is a good one for you!

I started reading Dance with the Fae, but have DNF'ed at 38%. I couldn't get into the ebook version of this one due to the slow pace. In addition, I was a bit in a reading slump, so might try later with my hardcover copy.
Dance with the Fae was one of my anticipated released, but I have to admit the slow pace was killing me. All i could think about is when will Adelaide finaly go to sleep. I really loved Mr. Wilde's character so far, but couldn't really relate to Kit.
I have a feeling this story would be really awesome so I will give this a try later on, since I feel like I will love this when trying again

I requested this one, so excited for the title, however completely forgot to download it as life got in the way. Luckily, it came in a booksub box and I can leave a review.

I was really excited for this one, and the premise seemed fascinating. If you know me, I'll read a book as soon as fae are mentioned.
This is definitely an interesting read, being set shortly after WWI, This felt like an old fairytale, which is good. It was definitely unique in itself, even if it took me a few attempts to get going with the story and to vibe with it.

I loved the LGBTQ representation in a historical fiction with fae. This book definitely didn't let me down

This book was a great historical fantasy with a relatable main character and a very interesting and unique plot. Kit is a soldier who survived World War I and suffers from PTSD. The plot seems to be loosely inspired by the story of Eurydice which is a story I hold close to my heart and I really appreciated the way that the author painted this story. The worldbuilding in a historic setting was very enjoyable and the fantastical fae world made for the perfect escapism. This was a very fun read, and I would recommend to someone looking for a humorous and enjoyable historical fantasy novel.

Elisabeth J. Hobbes' Dance with the Fae is an enchanting blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in early 20th-century Great Britain. The story weaves together elements of fae lore with the societal norms of the time, creating a unique and captivating narrative.

Hobbes' writing is atmospheric and evocative, bringing both the historical setting and the mystical fae realm to vivid life. Her characters are well-developed and complex, with nuanced relationships that add depth to the story. The exploration of identity and societal expectations is particularly compelling, offering a fresh perspective on traditional fae tales.

The pacing is thoughtful, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world Hobbes has crafted. While some sections may feel slower, the narrative builds towards a satisfying conclusion. Overall, Dance with the Fae is a must-read for fans of historical fantasy who appreciate imaginative world-building and character-driven stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This was different than the typical fae book out these days and I liked it for that. The world building was good and I fell into the story easily.

Dance with the Fae is a historical fantasy that takes us back to 1919. Following the story of Kit, who has recently got engaged to Adelaide.

Whilst celebrating their engagement, Adelaide suddenly falls ill, falling into an unknown deep slumber, which occurs after her dancing with the elusive Mr Wilde.

Wanting nothing more than to find a cure for his beloved, Kit finds himself venturing into the world of the Fae in search of a cure for Adelaide, but this world itself is full of dangers and challenges he never dreamed he would have to face.

I loved this book! The way in which the story is told is captivating and keeps you entranced throughout. I enjoyed the way in which Kit's character developed as the story progressed, really allowing us to see his growth and the lengths he would go to for the woman he loves. A brilliant read I would definitely recommend to others.

*Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins and Elisabeth J. Hobbes for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.*

Enthralling romance, fantasy book with an interesting take on the Fae.
Slow start, but picks up half way through. Totally worth reading.

Dance with the Fae is the latest romance release about fae, a staggeringly popular category at the minute, but this was different to the rest.
Following the lives of Kit, or Christopher, an ex-soldier who just returned from fighting in World War 1. He is literally and figuratively scarred and traumatised from his time at War. The book opens at his engagement party to his longtime friend Adelaide. The pair grew up together, always understanding that one day they would be married. It doesn’t really appear that there’s a romantic relationship between the two but they both understand that the union is part of a greater responsibility than their own relationship but there is a clear platonic love between them. After two mysterious guests attend their engagement and cause a bit of a stir, the pair keep bumping into them, causing tensions not just between the betrothed but with other family and friends. After a strange interaction out in public the next morning, Adelaide seems to fall into a deep sleep unable to wake up. As the reader, we know something occurred with her and Silas where it seemed she was going back to the fae kingdom with him as his plan to seduce and entice her worked. Unfortunately Kit was harder to convince and ultimately he was left behind dealing with Adelaide as she was stuck in this trance state that the doctors were unable to help. One mysterious stranger remains, Miss Dove or Valentine as she’s called, remained behind. She was only given a week to try and get Kit to come back with her otherwise she was to return alone so they could resume the greater plan of rebuilding their word after the destruction of the war.
The pair embark on a journey to save Addie and Kit discovers a whole new world he didn’t know existed. Along the way he tries to deal with his grief and trauma from the war while managing the trials and rules of this new kingdom.
This was a promising read. I loved the setting and how the war played a part in the destruction of the fae kingdom. Kit’s character was promising. Recovering from mental trauma that wasn’t really recognised at that time and dealing with his sexuality which again wasn’t accepted. Unfortunately at around the 30% march I felt the pace slowed right down. I wasn’t fully engaged with the story and lost some of the enjoyment I had at the beginning.
Thank you for the eARC

Another I didn’t know if I’d like but again I thoroughly enjoyed it! Different in the best way! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This book was brilliant in its world building, transporting me into what was like a fairytale! I adored Kit's character and his attitude as well as his relationship with Addie.

My 2 favourite Categories are historical war books and fantasy/romantasy books so this combining them for a hybrid category was chefs kiss for me. The story didn't quite live up to the expectation for me though mostly due to pacing making it hard to get into initially. Their relationship was beautiful though and felt sk authentic.

Elisabeth J. Hobbes delivers a mesmerising blend of historical fiction and fantasy in Dance with the Fae, an enchanting story that bridges the real and the mythical with effortless grace. Set in 1919, in the aftermath of the Great War, the book follows Kit Arton-Price, a man scarred by battle, both physically and emotionally, as he stumbles into a world beyond his understanding.

At his engagement party, Kit watches as his fiancée, Adelaide, dances with the mysterious Mr Wilde. By morning, Adelaide cannot be woken, and the local doctor attributes it to the baffling Sleeping Sickness, a real but little-understood epidemic of the time. But Kit soon learns that Adelaide’s fate is far more otherworldly. Drawn into the realm of the fae, he finds himself in a place of magic, danger, and deception—one that challenges everything he believes in.

What makes Dance with the Fae truly stand out is Kit himself. As a war survivor, he carries deep trauma and scepticism that makes his gradual acceptance of the fae realm feel natural and immersive. His resistance allows the reader to slowly uncover the wonders and perils of this world alongside him. Hobbes expertly balances the fantastical elements with a deeply authentic historical setting, making both the war-torn England and the fae court feel equally vivid and compelling.

With beautifully drawn characters, a rich atmosphere, and a story that feels both haunting and hopeful, Dance with the Fae is a unique and captivating read. A perfect choice for fans of historical fantasy and folklore-inspired tales.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Kit Arton-Price transports readers into a richly atmospheric world where post-war land collides with the magical realm of the fae. After surviving the horrors of war, Kit's life takes a strange turn when his fiancée, Adelaide, falls into a mysterious Sleeping Sickness. What begins as a tragic mystery soon leads Kit into a hidden world of magic, danger, and secrets he never imagined. With a compelling mix of historical intrigue and enchanting fantasy, this novel is perfect for readers who enjoy stories of love and otherworldly adventure.

Dance with the Fae by Elisabeth J. Hobbes was a unique storyline with a somewhat rare male main character.

It was at around 25% in before Dance with the Fae pulled me in. The relationships between the characters grow naturally. The romance is very sweet. This ends without a cliffhanger and is wrapped up nicely.

The romance has a very modern fluidity that some will appreciate. It is subtle and natural.

The magic is explained really well.

Highly recommend.

I really liked this take on the fae word, and some of it reminded me of Holly Black. The setting postwar makes it for a welcome change of scenery, and it was lovely to read from a perspective of a young man stuck between the changing times.

The dialogues felt a bolt stilted at times, and the writing somehow disjointed - lack of description for example. But overall that didn’t have a huge impact on the story which was lovely, with some unexpected and welcomed twists.

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.