An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

This review is is told from the perspective of the two main characters: Alard Fairchild and Razi Miller.


Alard Fairchild : Ah, my dear readers, where to begin? I suppose at the beginning, as is fitting for a tale titled A Happy Beginning. I, Alard Fairchild, am no ordinary man, but a prince from the Kingdoms of Earth and Sky, masquerading as a poverty lawyer in the vibrant heart of New Orleans. I gotta say, the city's legends of vampires and witches are not just stories to keep you up at night; they're closer to reality than you might think.

Razi Miller: And I'm Razi Miller, just your average tourist looking for a bit of adventure. But let me tell you, I got more than I bargained for with this one! One night, one unforgettable night, and I wake up with a magical tattoo that binds me to Alard. Yeah, you heard that right. A marriage tattoo. We’re practically hitched, and I didn’t even get a say in the decor!

Alard Fairchild: Indeed, neither of us knew how this bond came to be, but the implications were immediately clear. Our union, accidental as it was, held the power to ignite wars between realms. Imagine my surprise, my distress, when I discovered that I am already betrothed to Meyda, the fierce Princess of Fire and Ice.

Razi Miller: And there I am, caught in the middle of some interdimensional political drama. Suddenly, I’m not just Razi, the guy who likes a good party; I'm a pawn in a game I didn't even sign up for. But, you know, there’s something about being thrown into the deep end with someone like Alard. The stakes are high, the dangers are real, but the adventure? Unmatched.

Alard Fairchild: Through this chaos, Razi and I had to navigate treacherous waters. We found ourselves in hidden worlds with creatures of legend, facing challenges that tested our very souls. Yet, in the midst of all this turmoil, we discovered a connection that neither of us could deny or control. Love, it seems, has its own magic, doesn't it?

Razi Miller: Love, huh? Yeah, that's the kicker. Here we are, trying to undo a spell that's literally tattoo'd onto our skin, and instead, we're falling for each other. It's like, the more we tried to untangle the mess we were in, the more we got tangled up in each other. But let’s not kid ourselves, it was all kinds of intense – dark magic, high stakes, and some seriously sizzling romance.

Alard Fairchild: B.A. Richards crafts a world where every page turn is a dance between danger and desire. The blend of urban fantasy with the rich tapestry of New Orleans culture makes for a setting that's as enchanting as it is perilous. The characters are diverse, their relationships complex, and the narrative keeps you hooked, desperate to see how our story unfolds.

Razi Miller: And don't get me started on the twists! Richards doesn't just throw you into a fantasy; she keeps you guessing with every chapter. It's like you're on this rollercoaster, and just when you think you know where you're headed, bam! Another loop or drop. But it's all part of the ride, and trust me, you won't want to get off until the very last page.

Alard Fairchild: So, if you're looking for a tale where magic isn't just in the spells but in the connections between people, where love can be both a curse and a salvation, then A Happy Beginning is your gateway. It's a story of unexpected bonds, of chaos and control, and ultimately, of finding where your heart truly lies.

Razi Miller: Yeah, and if you’re into stories that mix fae, fantasy, and a dash of human messiness, this book’s for you. It’s quirky, it’s magical, and it’s got enough heart to make you feel like you're part of the story. So, dive in, see if you can unravel the mystery of our tattoo, or better yet, see if you can handle the heat of New Orleans with a side of love and danger

★★★★
"A Happy Beginning" takes readers on a thrilling ride through a magical reimagining of New Orleans where ancient fae politics collide with modern life. I found myself completely drawn into the romance between Alard, a fairy prince masquerading as a poverty lawyer, and Raz, a tourist who accidentally ends up married to him through mystical means. While the premise might sound familiar to urban fantasy fans, Richards brings fresh energy to the genre with sharp writing and well-crafted world-building.
The strength of this novel lies in its ability to balance the supernatural elements with genuine emotional depth. The chemistry between Alard and Raz crackles from their first meeting, and their relationship develops naturally despite the supernatural chaos surrounding them. I particularly enjoyed how the author wove New Orleans' rich cultural tapestry into the fairy realm mythology.
However, some of the political intrigue involving Meyda, the spurned Princess of Fire and Ice, occasionally feels rushed, and a few subplots could have been more fully developed. That said, the main story remains engaging throughout, with enough tension and romance to keep pages turning well into the night.
Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Seanan McGuire, this urban fantasy romance offers a delightful escape into a world where magic lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. Despite its few pacing issues, the unique setting and compelling characters make this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for an eArc of this book in exchange for a honest, unbiased review!

Thank you to NetGalley, City Owl Press, and B.A. Richards for providing me with an ARC of A Happy Beginning in exchange for my honest review.

A Happy Beginning is an urban romantasy with great LGBTQIAP+ representation. I wouldn’t say it’s “insta-love” but more “insta-connection.” The smut scene at the beginning took me by surprise.

The plot and idea is great, but could have gone more in depth. It’s pretty one note for the majority of the book. Everything was surface level and didn’t feel too high stakes. But, I do love the main characters. I enjoyed how different Alard and Raz are from eachother and bringing their own flare. It’s evident that they care for each other, even though they only just met. The character development is subtle and climbs at a slow pace, but it’s there.

The introduction to Meyda was fantastic! It really turned the story around and brought more energy that lacked at first.

As for the world building, I did like how I could feel myself leaving the real world and transporting into Alard’s world. The feelings are different in both places. Again, I do feel like there could been more with the details.

For a debut author and book, the ideas are there and I hope we can explore more of the characters and their world in the future.

This was a cute romantasy with modern and olden themes. Alard is a lawyer who comes across Raz, a handsome businessman in NOLA for a conference. After a passionate hook-up, the two come to find they are linked together in a way Raz wasn't expecting and Alard didn't mean to happen. Complete with fairies and magic, this story is fun to read and even more fun to imagine yourself in!

I did enjoy reading this book, though I feel the story lacked a bit of depth. The characters were fun, there were a few plot twists I wasn't expecting, and I did care about the story and have a good time...but it felt a little flat/dull if I'm being honest.

Definitely a great choice for anyone new to romantasy or looking for an easy enjoyable read!

What can I say about ‘A Happy Beginning’. Well, when I first requested this book, I didn’t look at the genre or plot (my mistake) and was just pulled in by the cover. It turned out this book included romantasy. I’m not much of a romantasy reader so when these very passionate smut scenes cropped up (between Alard and Raz) I did very quickly skip over these in a hope to get on with the remainder of the book. If someone else who enjoyed smut were reading, I think they would have enjoyed it however it did also feel very quick to action between these two, I mean they had basically just met.

Aside from that, I did enjoy this book. It was a good fantasy book including both the human and fairy realm and the LGBTQIAP+ subject, including characters who truly cared for each other’s happiness in the end. The fact that my favourite female character (Meyda of course) had a strong sense of leadership and wanted Alard to be happy and have true love did make me melt a little inside.

The ending of the book was good but I do feel some of the plot did end up becoming a bit long winded or even a bit too quick to action but the adventure made up for it all the same.

I do recommend this book to any romantasy and LGBTQIAP+ readers who love smut, however due to the fact that it can become quite passionate in these smut scenes I do believe this book is not for the faint hearted (unless you quickly skip over them like I did).

(This is my first proper book review so I apologise if it isn’t great…)

This is a debut novel and, well, it kind of reads like one. Now, I don’t necessarily mean that in a rude or degrading way. I simply mean as a seasoned reader, it’s pretty easy picking out new authors because their voice is more on the flatter scale and their writing style is either all over the place or nonexistent—sometimes at the same time.

A Happy Beginning was truly a unique and interesting love story. An urban fantasy that felt kind of retro with very human problems. I really liked Alard and Raz at the beginning and at the end, but the meat of the story was a bit slow and disjointed. I’m all about details in relationships on page and they just weren’t there with this story. And that’s okay.

Overall, I enjoyed this new novel by a debut author. And I’m looking forward to what they write next.

{I received a complimentary copy of this book.}

DNF at 20%

The premise of this book is highly intriguing, but it just didn’t fit my personal tastes. I had high hopes for this queer romantasy set in New Orleans, featuring accidental marriage. I’m not a fan of urban fantasy and the instant love trope just didn’t feel genuine to me. I also sometimes felt the amount of description was a little excessive, bogging down my reading pace. I think the idea has a lot of potential, but the execution wasn’t my style.

This book is perfect for readers looking for fae stories in urban settings, quick love arcs, and unique magic systems. It wasn’t my personal taste, but I hope you still give it a try!

Thank you to NetGalley, City Owl Press, & B. A. Richards for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Stay tuned for the release of A Happy Beginning on January 20, 2025.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and B.A. Richards for providing me with an ARC of A Happy Beginning in exchange for my honest review.

A Happy Beginning is an urban romantasy with a queer twist, set in the vibrant city of New Orleans. The story follows Alard, a fairy prince, and Raz, a human, as they navigate their magical bond following a night of passion. Alard is betrothed to Meyda, a princess from another realm, making his love for a human a potential catalyst for political disaster and inter-realm conflict.

The writing style is simplistic and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow. The seamless blend of urban and fantasy elements is executed well, immersing the reader in a world that feels both magical and grounded. The relationships between the characters are thoughtfully constructed, adding depth to the narrative.

However, the story fell a little flat for me. The "insta-love" trope didn’t resonate, and I found myself wishing for more development in the romance. While the premise has potential, it doesn’t feel particularly unique within the romantasy genre, leaving me yearning for a more distinctive or surprising narrative.

Overall, while A Happy Beginning offers an intriguing setting and diverse representation, it ultimately didn’t fully deliver on its promise for me. With further development, this story could truly shine.

Such a cool book!!!
A Happy Beginning by B.A. Richards is a masterpiece! Such a cool book. The plot and characters are so cool! I loved reading this story.

I loved this book. The writing is impeccable. The author writes in a way that's both accessible and thoughtful. The story flows well, and there are no slow parts. The chemistry between Alard and Raz is excellent. Each has his own voice and personality that make you believe they're real.

The author in spots gets caught overdescribing, but it didn't affect pacing that much. Aspects of the world building weren't fleshed out (such as the vampires and werewolves), so that caused the story to suffer. The story could have done with a fewer side characters. That would have allowed the author to tighten the writing more.

I really enjoyed how the story arc split itself between the two realms. The introduction of Meyda gave new energy to the story that helped balance the unlikable parents.

Overall, this is a fun book. I hope the author gives more stories of Alard, Raz, and Meyda. Even with the book's shortcomings, it still deserves five stars.

This is an ambitious book that I thought needed more work. I'm rounding up to four stars because it had a lot of good, interesting ingredients (three cheers for ace representation!). I hope a lot of the misspellings (lay lines for ley lines and parlay for parley are two that spring to mind) and punctuation errors (I love semicolons, but they need to be used correctly) will get caught before publication. I'm definitely side-eyeing some minor choices (using the Salvation Army as an example of goodness; getting a kitten from a pet store rather than a shelter), too. But my main issue is that I'm not persuaded the story made sense. I'm not sure I ever bought the insta-love, for starters. Then, as the story progressed, there was just too much going on, and the MCs seemed to alternate between being easily overpowered and being close to omnipotent. Moreover, I'd like to have learned more about Ray's background, in particular, in a more elegant way (we got a few doses, but they verged on info dumps). And finally, we occasionally jumped into another character's POV (I think we got Catherine at one point?), which was odd and seemed like taking the easy way out.

So, yeah, I liked the concept, but I thought the story needed a lot more editing (developmental and otherwise) before it was ready to go out into the world.

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Ok so I made it to 10% into this book. I really wanted to love it, and I think it's well-written and romantasy lovers will enjoy this one.

I have realized I am not a huge smut lover or romantasy lover in general, so this book just was not for me. The smut is basically immediate, so if that is what you want, this is amazing!! I should have probably known from the title "A Happy Beginning" ;) LOL.

If you enjoy romantasy, I heavily recommend picking this one up!

Fantastic take on the myths and legends on New Orleans
With vampires werewolves and fae this will be great for any fantasy readers

This book will suit people looking for a urban fantasy romance, with creatures of legend. Set in New Orleans, we follow our two heros as they meet and accidentely ends up married. They need to find a way to break the bond, because one of them is supposed to get married back home, in fairy land.

It's a fun book. Not something I would pick again, not because it is bad or anything, but simply because it isn't for me anymore. It feels like I've read the story many times, with the "villains" being a little too flat for me, but working good enough for the story the author wanted to tell. Similarly, the worldbuilding is quite common, or at least I get that feeling. Classical fairy realm, hidden creatures in our world and such.

That being said, the romance is cute, though quick. The characters are your typical urban fantasy romance, overly very nice and good, a little sexy and fun. The supporting characters are present, with their quirks. Highlight to the aroace rep !

This was such a great take on fantasy. New Orleans, full of creatures many don't know exist outside of legends. Razi is pulled in so deep after what he thinks is just a one night stand, but it becomes so much more.

This is a fantasy book that has for the most part Fae but also vampires, werewolves, and fairy godmothers. The conflict is very cute, very oh no we got married in Las Vegas vibes. The poly relationship along with the ace side of it was very cool, I enjoyed it. Overall I 100% enjoy this read and will be recommending it.