Let’s start with: I love an alliterative title 😍 The fantasy world of this novel is very similar to our own, but with Fae living in secret among us. The world building is fluid and the magic system is subtle enough that it works within the setting. The conflict of land fae vs water fae was an interesting departure from the typical separation of shifters by “species.” The pace of the novel kept me engaged.

FMC Bria has just moved away from home and her adoptive parents to start college. In the small town outside the university, she sees MMC Rune for the first time and is instantly drawn to him. They run into one another again at a nightclub and their chemistry is undeniable. But things take a strange turn and they end up in a financial arrangement. I love a fake dating trope. 💖 The author does sometimes “tell” about their relationship when I wish she would “show,” but for the most part I enjoyed their banter and chemistry. 

However, it has to be said: Bria is a little clueless. When there are questions about her identity, it takes *forever* for her to consider that she is adopted and doesn’t know anything about her parents. Like seriously, I aged 10 years waiting for her to figure it out. 👵🏻 There are other circumstances that are a flashing neon sign about her identity and she overlooks those as well. Maybe our girl needs glasses? 🤓 And she keeps putting herself in incredibly dangerous situations, armed with her car keys and delusion. 🙄 When she starts to consider not going to Italy to study art, I wanted to reach into the Kindle and shake her. (Okay, maybe I am working out some issues of my own there. 🤐) But even so, Bria, girl, do NOT give up this once in a lifetime opportunity for a boy! 😂 So, yeah, I guess you could say that I found her a little frustrating.

That said, as I mentioned, her dynamic with Rune works well. And her friendship with Akira and the other land Fae is a lot of fun. And I love that she’s so creative and flourishing around people who support her. And she does start to take responsibility for her own wellbeing, even if she is slightly overconfident. So she’s not all bad 😉 

The spice in the book is a slow burn, but with lots of teasing moments. I do not know at all what to make of the fact that I am enchanted by one character’s little tail and ears! 😳😂 I give it 🌶️🌶️.

For diverse representation, there is some racial diversity among the secondary characters - one Asian American, one Black character, and one an Egyptian. One of them, Akira, is queer-coded but I don’t think they ever actually say for sure (I could have missed it), and another character is bi. Bria seems to deal with PTSD-like effects of a trauma and one of the characters that we have not met yet is described as having a stutter. 

All in all, I liked the book and will read the next two. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 🌶️🌶️