Dance with the Fae is not like any fae novel I have experienced before. It felt very realistic and the characters had the same types of reactions I can imagine people would actually have when meeting fae. With that being said, it was so easy to get drawn into the world the author created for readers and I absolutely devoured this story. Kit was such an amazing character and I loved that he didn't sacrifice his morals for anything.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I could put this book down – absolutely loved it.

Good read, though it was not fully my vibe.

- fairy tale retelling vibes with aspects from familiar stories
- historical timeframe
- urban fantasy
- heartwarming, light read

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Elisabeth Hobbes for providing me with an ARC of Dance with the Fae in exchange for my honest review.

Dance with the Fae is a fantasy novel with historical elements and a touch of romance. The story follows Kit Arton-Price, a war hero who returns home with plans to marry his childhood friend, Adelaide. When Adelaide is suddenly taken to the realm of the fae, Kit embarks on a journey to rescue her and bring her back to the human world.

One of the highlights of this book is the fae realm itself. These sections are beautifully described, with an enchanting and magical atmosphere that truly immerses the reader. I also appreciated the inclusion of queer representation, which felt refreshing and thoughtfully incorporated into the narrative.

While the premise is intriguing, the story unfolds at a very slow pace. It doesn't gain momentum until around the halfway point, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged initially. Although Kit is a compelling protagonist, I found it challenging to connect with the other characters, particularly Adelaide. This made it harder to feel fully invested in their fates or relationships.

Ultimately, Dance with the Fae didn’t fully resonate with me. The slow pacing, combined with characters I struggled to connect with, made the story feel less impactful. However, readers who enjoy atmospheric world-building and patient storytelling may find this novel more appealing.

Dance With the Fae is so so good. I couldn't stop reading this book. I rated it 5 stars because I really enjoyed every single second of it.

Dance with the Fae by Elisabeth J. Hobbes, published by Harper Collins UK One More Chapter, is a beautiful piece of art. An historical fiction story that gives all the feels.
Blurb: 1919 May Day
Kit Arton-Price should be celebrating. It's his engagement party and, unlike many young men of his generation, he survived The Great War. Whilst his fiancée, Adelaide, is dancing with one of their guests, the enigmatic Mr Wilde, the scars on Kit's face bear the heavy toll of battle – and the scars on his heart bear a secret he's been forced to carry in silence.
In the morning, Adelaide cannot be woken and the village doctor declares it's the mystifying 'Sleeping Sickness' – an unexplainable epidemic affecting society.
But there is more to this sickness than first appears and it's not long before Kit is lured into a strange new realm. One of magic and danger. The realm of the fae.

A stunningly enchanting, heartwarming and emotional read. Dance with the Fae is unique, I adored Kit, Valentine and Valentin and his heroic efforts to rescue Addie. A five star read.

This is a such a wonderful story full of real history as well as fairytale staples. The whole cast of characters is so unique and well written. I love the world building of Faedemesne in particular as well as Kit’s reaction to it. Kit is such a loyal and protective person and always wants to do what he believe is right, even at a detriment to himself. It’s clear that he doesn’t jive with Addie more than a sisterly bond and has better chemistry with other characters. Great pacing and character development and an enchanting story with great representation. I think I would like Silas more if I saw more of his ‘missing two years’ development. But a wonderful read overall! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.