1st reading: Well written from the standpoint of grammar, sentence structure, etc. Characters are fairly well developed.
However, the plot is a bit cliche. It's a mashup of the Selection (Bachelorette-type contest for a king or prince's hand) with an "I need a pretend wife" plot. The twist is twofold: the king is under a curse - he's fated to kill any woman he loves - and the heroine turns out to be a long lost member of the enemy band of Fae (the Unseelie) who cursed the king and his family. It didn't take me long to figure it out.
Regardless, I'm enjoying the banter, so I will continue with the next book to see how they manage to resolve the story. ( )

4.5*

A new series from CN Crawford? Don't mind if I do! And if you cba reading the review, TLDR: get it!

Worldbuilding:
The fae walk among us, and they are much more popular now than when Ava grew up. So popular even that when the King announced his search for a queen, the human media bought the rights to broadcast it. We now have a Fae version of Hitched and Stiched (if you don't know what that is, check chapter two). Only, the fae are a lot more ruthless and lethal.
While this is only the first book in the series, and the stage is still being set up, a lot of stuff happens, and we get a lot of information (gradually). The scenes and environments were detailed and clear, perfect for complete immersion.

Character development:
Ava is having the worst birthday ever. Seriously, I'm pretty amazed she didn't go on a rampage. Instead, she goes on a night out and gets stupidly drunk. Aaaaaaaaaand, as luck would have it, meets the Seelie King (yep, our handsome Torin). Let me tell you, that scene was priceless! :D
With her life in shambles, she has nowhere else to go and nothing to do but take the King's deal (I mean, who wouldn't). And thus, she embarks upon a quest of self-discovery with her best friend in tow... Or well, she discovers little pieces of who she is and what she can do, which is kicking ass, by the way.
Torin has a big secret, and on top of that, he really doesn't want to get married. But as the lives of his realm and people hang in the balance, there is little else he can do. So he offers the girl whom he really can't stand a big pile of money to compete to be his queen. Yeah... it's pretty obvious where this is going, right? :D

I love the interaction between these two!! It's so well written and had me grinning one minute and facepalming the next (yeah, blame that on Shalini!). Also, all the characters, Ava and Thorin, and the secondary characters, were amazing and felt alive!

Pacing and flow:
It felt so smooth. There was enough action, drama, and romance, and it was all perfectly balanced.
I read this in 2 sessions (alas, I really needed the sleep) and found the story very engaging. Please be aware, though, that it ends on a cliffhanger.

The book:
The book was well written with 278 pages spread over 35 chapters and told from Ava's point of view. We have some chapters from Torin's point of view, but they are sparse.

Final thoughts:
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, and all in all, I loved it! I can't wait for the second book to be released (yeah... I know... patience is a virtue, I guess?).
If you love the fae, don't mind a bit of blood and mutilation, and you want an unlikely couple? Then this is your next read! ( )

Amazing start!

I love practically everything I have read by CN Crawford, but this book really whet my appetite for the next one. Can't wait! ( )

COVER = 5/5
PACE = 4/5 - pretty face paced, boring at times
PLOT = 3/5 - it was OK, kinda basic, did not like the "bachelor" tv show concept
CHARACTERS = 3/5- some characters were annoying, FMC/MMC were fun
WORLD BUILDING = 4/5 - really pretty world, did enjoy the descriptions
ROMANCE = 3/5 - felt forced tbh, their chemistry was nice tho

OVERALL = 3/5 stars
I'm not sure what to say about this one tbh. Hoping book 2 is better? ( )

i never would have read this if i’d known it’s the only one in the series out ( )