Disclaimer: This is the Review of an advance copy (ARC) received from NetGalley!
If you’ve ever looked at a fictional man and thought, “He is obviously my soulmate. He just doesn’t know it yet,” congratulations!!!!!!! You and Emmaline have something in common.
The only difference? Most of us eventually close the door on our fantasy or shut whatever we are watching or reading and move on. Emmaline is avery strong-willed person, so she doubles down.
Blurb
Emmaline is deep in her stalker era, fully convinced Lord Caelith is her fated mate.
Sure, Caelith has no idea she exists. mate bonds haven’t been a thing for centuries. And sure, his mother would rather sacrifice a small village before letting her precious son marry a low-level clerk with wildly average magic.
Luckily, Emmaline’s got a squad of three dangerously loyal friends who will cover her tracks, clean her messes, and absolutely help her ruin Caelith’s life if he breaks her heart.
The real problem? Caelith isn’t her mate. Not even close. Her actual fated mate is out there, watching this trainwreck unfold—and when fate finally smacks Emmaline in the face, it comes with blood, curses, and a very inconvenient body count.
A bit about the world
The Vale is a post-war, mythical city loosely inspired by Welsh folklore, where Ellyllon (elves) and other fae creatures live under a rigid, caste-like system that prioritizes Light magic and noble bloodlines.
Blending ancient traditions with magical technology, the city features grand castles, enchanted ballrooms, and ley-line-powered transportation alongside enchanted crystals for communication.
Though the early 21st-century human world exists beyond its borders, contact is minimal, leaving the Vale to operate as a self-contained realm shaped by its own politics, power struggles, and the ever-watchful presence of the Goddess.
Genre
Dark Fantasy/ Romantasy
Tropes
- Chaotic FMC
- The Wrong Fated Mate
- He doesn’t know she exists
- Morally Questionable Decisions
- Protective Best Friends
- Magical Curses
- Slow-Burn Romance
- Found Family
My Review
If you’re wondering whether this chaotic dark fantasy is worth adding to your TBR, here’s my honest review of Emmaline, the book that asks one very important question:
What happens when fate ships you with someone… and you’re busy stalking the wrong guy?
Emmaline is fully committed to her stalker era, armed with delusion, determination, and three ride-or-die best friends who treat breaking into places and covering up questionable decisions like it’s a perfectly normal Tuesday. Lord Caelith……..his stupid eminence, meanwhile, has absolutely no clue she exists. Which is awkward… considering Emmaline has already planned their happily ever after. I was really trying to understand what exactly she sees in him……He is, well, a pretty boring and stupid person….anyway…let’s continue!
Here comes the plot twist that made me put my book down for a second: Caelith isn’t even her fated mate!!!!!!
Fate is laughing from the sidelines.
So what happens next?….. Instead of the swoony romantasy romance Emmaline imagined, she’s thrown into a whirlwind of curses, bloodshed, dangerous secrets, political intrigue, and a magical world where social status matters almost as much as your magic. Set in the enchanting Vale: a Welsh folklore-inspired city filled with fae, ancient traditions, magical technology, and enough noble drama to fuel several therapy sessions, this story quickly proves it’s much more than a romance built on delusion.
Let’s talk a little about the found family part….the girl group was one of the best friendship groups I ever read about. These girls are so protective of each other and loyal to the teeth, and not to mention they are badasses. I was so proud of the way they were always on standby to help Emmaline in any way possible and to sort out all her chais and dramas. I love all the girls in the group so much. Every scene of these friends made me tear up. It was so perfect..
P.S. Have you seen the cover of this book? I love it so much. Happy publication to this beautiful story, so don’t forget to add this to your TBR.
My Rating
- Overall: ★★★★ | 4 Stars
- Plot: ★★★★| 4 Stars
- Romance: ★★★★| 4 Stars
- Characters:★★★★ | 4 Stars
- Pacing: ★★★★| 4 Stars
- Ending: ★★★★| 4 Stars
- Spice Level: 🌶🌶| Level 2
- Book Cover:★★★★★| 5 Stars ( Perfection)
The Best Part
- Emmaline’s delusions were so damn funny to read about
- The chemistry between Emmaline and the bodyguard
- The ending is just too satisfactory!
The Worst Part
- There is no worst part. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
