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Feed The Birds: A Gothic Mary Poppins Reimagining
From Best-Selling Author, Dakota Wilde, comes this gothic Mary Poppins reimagining, full of twists, intrigue, and a sprinkle of magic.
Marigold Peppins is bound by a haunting curse that binds her to the ever-changing whims of the wind. She's a woman shrouded in mystery, her past riddled with darkness. Finding comfort in her birds as companions, she wanders the fog filled streets of London in search of a cure to break her dreaded curse.
Barrett Blackford is in need of a new governess, as the last few have been such disappointments. A widower lost in the depths of his grief, he aches to do right by his two small children now left behind without a mother. He places an advertisement, hoping that someone will be able to fill the position and bring some much needed life to the children's lives.
Both have vowed to never love again.
But when Marigold answers the advertisement, their worlds collide, causing sparks of attraction to light in the depths of their souls. Their connection is undeniable, both drawn to the other despite their sound objections.
Yet as their love blossoms, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Secrets buried deep come to light exposing each for who they truly are. Their dark pasts converge, forcing them to face their demons.
In "Feed the Birds" love and darkness converge in a magical tale of forbidden passions, where the winds of fate carry them towards an uncertain future. Will their love withstand the storms, or will Marigold and Barrett be torn apart?
Marigold Peppins is bound by a haunting curse that binds her to the ever-changing whims of the wind. She's a woman shrouded in mystery, her past riddled with darkness. Finding comfort in her birds as companions, she wanders the fog filled streets of London in search of a cure to break her dreaded curse.
Barrett Blackford is in need of a new governess, as the last few have been such disappointments. A widower lost in the depths of his grief, he aches to do right by his two small children now left behind without a mother. He places an advertisement, hoping that someone will be able to fill the position and bring some much needed life to the children's lives.
Both have vowed to never love again.
But when Marigold answers the advertisement, their worlds collide, causing sparks of attraction to light in the depths of their souls. Their connection is undeniable, both drawn to the other despite their sound objections.
Yet as their love blossoms, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Secrets buried deep come to light exposing each for who they truly are. Their dark pasts converge, forcing them to face their demons.
In "Feed the Birds" love and darkness converge in a magical tale of forbidden passions, where the winds of fate carry them towards an uncertain future. Will their love withstand the storms, or will Marigold and Barrett be torn apart?
135 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2023
52 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 2, 2023
Honestly? The premise for this story was great; I'm an absolute sucker for a gothic romance. Sprinkle in a piece of my childhood such as Mary Poppins, but darker? Sold.
Except this was not that at all.
1.5 stars. More paranormal than gothic, the grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors were extremely distracting and so off-putting (creatines ≠ cretins and more sentences than I could count that were BEGGING for commas). This possibly would have been rated higher if it was properly edited and more detailed, as a lot of parts within the plot and character development felt disjointed and, again, distracting. The intimate scenes were weak and the last 30% came off completely rushed. It almost feels like the published print formatting had more thought and focus put into it than the actual words within, which is super disappointing for the potential this story presented. I found my attention and interest fleeting quite a bit, unfortunately - I put it down so many times and willed myself to pick it back up to finish.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed, primarily due to the potential. This story is not at all as polished as I thought (hoped) it would be for the hype that was created for it. What was delivered here just wasn't what I was expecting at all.
Except this was not that at all.
1.5 stars. More paranormal than gothic, the grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors were extremely distracting and so off-putting (creatines ≠ cretins and more sentences than I could count that were BEGGING for commas). This possibly would have been rated higher if it was properly edited and more detailed, as a lot of parts within the plot and character development felt disjointed and, again, distracting. The intimate scenes were weak and the last 30% came off completely rushed. It almost feels like the published print formatting had more thought and focus put into it than the actual words within, which is super disappointing for the potential this story presented. I found my attention and interest fleeting quite a bit, unfortunately - I put it down so many times and willed myself to pick it back up to finish.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed, primarily due to the potential. This story is not at all as polished as I thought (hoped) it would be for the hype that was created for it. What was delivered here just wasn't what I was expecting at all.
June 23, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
WHAT A TRIP
I really loved this insane, trippy, bloody Gothic Mary Poppins retelling. I love the original books, and I particularly enjoy that in them Mary Poppins is a cold, cutting bitch. MY QUEEN. So in this one I was pleased to find Marigold Peppins, a beautiful, efficient murdereress who thoughtfully lets her army of violent birds eat the people she kills.
This is NOT a romance but the smut was excellent, too. Would read more books set in this world for sure.
WHAT A TRIP
I really loved this insane, trippy, bloody Gothic Mary Poppins retelling. I love the original books, and I particularly enjoy that in them Mary Poppins is a cold, cutting bitch. MY QUEEN. So in this one I was pleased to find Marigold Peppins, a beautiful, efficient murdereress who thoughtfully lets her army of violent birds eat the people she kills.
This is NOT a romance but the smut was excellent, too. Would read more books set in this world for sure.
December 7, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect with a Mary Poppins retelling, but this was surprisingly good! It was quite smutty, had deliciously gothic vibes, and it was so unique. Overall had a good time!
Spice:
Spice:
October 25, 2023
Perhaps introduce her to some of the darker parts of my desires and see how far she’s willing to go with me. I’ll bet anything that she’ll be willing to meet me in my fantasies. Merging my darkness with hers.
This was a great spooky season read and I’m so excited to have found a new author who (thanks to the acknowledgements) just happens to be Kat Blackthorn’s bestie! No wonder why I loved the eerie and macabre feel of everything in this one.
It’s a reimagining of Mary Poppins but make it gothic and very much meant to be a horror novel with high heat erotica.
I feel the lightest wet lick down my neck turning me into a puddle, knees buckling from his touch. I’m utterly defenseless against whatever this inescapable pull he has over me. Our bodies yearning to be together. And devil confound it, I’m at his mercy, wanting him like I’ve never wanted anyone before.
I want to dock a star for it dragging just a tiny bit in the beginning but once it got going I was entrapped and spellbound.
Do it with the expectation of horror and erotica, nothing else, if you can read between the lines. This is not a romantic hea.
💕💕💕/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
🤣/5
😳😳😳😳/5
This was a great spooky season read and I’m so excited to have found a new author who (thanks to the acknowledgements) just happens to be Kat Blackthorn’s bestie! No wonder why I loved the eerie and macabre feel of everything in this one.
It’s a reimagining of Mary Poppins but make it gothic and very much meant to be a horror novel with high heat erotica.
I feel the lightest wet lick down my neck turning me into a puddle, knees buckling from his touch. I’m utterly defenseless against whatever this inescapable pull he has over me. Our bodies yearning to be together. And devil confound it, I’m at his mercy, wanting him like I’ve never wanted anyone before.
I want to dock a star for it dragging just a tiny bit in the beginning but once it got going I was entrapped and spellbound.
Do it with the expectation of horror and erotica, nothing else, if you can read between the lines. This is not a romantic hea.
💕💕💕/5
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
🤣/5
😳😳😳😳/5
September 28, 2023
Spice: ♥︎♥︎♥︎♡︎♡︎
This is the perfect book to read when you need a great palate cleanser, as it’s a shorter book! It’s a fast paced, instant love [LOOSE] retelling of Mary Poppins. It’s definitely a dark story, so make sure to read CW before proceeding. I’m not usually a short story, instant love kind of gal, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The book was never dull. It is the perfect book to read when you want an easy and enticing story.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I love that both Marigold and Barrett had similar hindrances that prevented them from feeling worthy of love again, but they still managed to come together and fall in love with each other, regardless of their pasts. Their immediate attraction and magnetic pull to each other was intoxicating.
Jasmine is my favorite 🖤 she’s just so cute and uplifting in Marigold’s dark life. She’s literally her hero, low key.
The story was great, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick, easy, spicy dark read with characters who actually have depth. I feel like most short stories don’t really capture the depth of their characters, but Dakota managed to do it with ease 🖤
This is the perfect book to read when you need a great palate cleanser, as it’s a shorter book! It’s a fast paced, instant love [LOOSE] retelling of Mary Poppins. It’s definitely a dark story, so make sure to read CW before proceeding. I’m not usually a short story, instant love kind of gal, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The book was never dull. It is the perfect book to read when you want an easy and enticing story.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I love that both Marigold and Barrett had similar hindrances that prevented them from feeling worthy of love again, but they still managed to come together and fall in love with each other, regardless of their pasts. Their immediate attraction and magnetic pull to each other was intoxicating.
Jasmine is my favorite 🖤 she’s just so cute and uplifting in Marigold’s dark life. She’s literally her hero, low key.
The story was great, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick, easy, spicy dark read with characters who actually have depth. I feel like most short stories don’t really capture the depth of their characters, but Dakota managed to do it with ease 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
“Our souls may be tainted with the stains from our past, but they meld perfectly together.”
this was such a fun and quick dark gothic twist to mary poppins !! i ate this up so fast wishing for more omg 🖤
with crows for besties, flying umbrella, haunted house, and magical mirrors, this is a dark gothic mary poppins reimagining, paranormal activity, nanny x single dad, instant attraction, dark pasts, cursed lovers, questionable hea, sexy morally grey characters, and dual pov 🐦⬛☂️
marigold is cursed to be forever bound by the wind. she spends her days with her crows searching for anything and everything to break the curse. barrett is a single dad looking for a nanny to help take care of his children. he lost his wife when the second child was born and he is filled with guilt. when he meets marigold, he wasn’t expecting to become so drawn to her. for a full year since his late wife’s death, he made a vow to never replace her and he has honored that until marigold began working for him and living under his roof. barrett can’t stop thinking about marigold. something about her just makes him lose control and a primal urge to be free. they are hauntingly beautiful together 🥹 they both have dark secrets that they keep to themselves. but as they quickly unravel, marigold and barrett have found peace between each other. their chemistry is absolutely insane !! the smut … oh my god 🥵🥵🥵 this man barrett could have me on my knees with a snap of his fingers !!! and marigold is so real for the way she gives. they both put up a wall guarding their hearts, but together they quickly crumble and everything is right in the world.
THAT ENDING ???!! I REFUSEEEEE 😭😩 i threw the damn book omg ?? i wish this was longer but i absolutely LOVED every second of this novella. it was perfectly fast paced and still gave me all the feels.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
this was such a fun and quick dark gothic twist to mary poppins !! i ate this up so fast wishing for more omg 🖤
with crows for besties, flying umbrella, haunted house, and magical mirrors, this is a dark gothic mary poppins reimagining, paranormal activity, nanny x single dad, instant attraction, dark pasts, cursed lovers, questionable hea, sexy morally grey characters, and dual pov 🐦⬛☂️
marigold is cursed to be forever bound by the wind. she spends her days with her crows searching for anything and everything to break the curse. barrett is a single dad looking for a nanny to help take care of his children. he lost his wife when the second child was born and he is filled with guilt. when he meets marigold, he wasn’t expecting to become so drawn to her. for a full year since his late wife’s death, he made a vow to never replace her and he has honored that until marigold began working for him and living under his roof. barrett can’t stop thinking about marigold. something about her just makes him lose control and a primal urge to be free. they are hauntingly beautiful together 🥹 they both have dark secrets that they keep to themselves. but as they quickly unravel, marigold and barrett have found peace between each other. their chemistry is absolutely insane !! the smut … oh my god 🥵🥵🥵 this man barrett could have me on my knees with a snap of his fingers !!! and marigold is so real for the way she gives. they both put up a wall guarding their hearts, but together they quickly crumble and everything is right in the world.
THAT ENDING ???!! I REFUSEEEEE 😭😩 i threw the damn book omg ?? i wish this was longer but i absolutely LOVED every second of this novella. it was perfectly fast paced and still gave me all the feels.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 28, 2024
Actually I had wanted to add this book to the wishlist, but it didn't let me go, so I got it and read it as soon as I could. And although it's an entertaining and enjoyable read, it feels like there is more than enough in this book to turn it into a full novel. Especially because quite a lot of the current pages consist of the characters having sex while there is a lot more that I'd give at least the same amount of page time and attention. There is magic, there is a curse, there is grief, there is some mystery and danger. There are secrets, there is the wind, there is history. This book is nice right now, but I think it could have been epic if everything, including the sex, was fleshed out a little more and was explored and described in a little more detail.
August 5, 2025
What in the imagination of Mary Poppins did I just read? My brain is still burning. This book is a spicy, sugary, and deliciously twisted story. Intense creative talent is on full display here.
I was completely captivated by this gothic, dark, and dirty reimagining. The author takes everything you think you know about the magical perfect nanny and shatters it, building a new, unsettling world from the pieces. This isn't just a simple retelling; it's a bold and brilliant reinvention that feels both shocking and utterly right.
I was completely captivated by this gothic, dark, and dirty reimagining. The author takes everything you think you know about the magical perfect nanny and shatters it, building a new, unsettling world from the pieces. This isn't just a simple retelling; it's a bold and brilliant reinvention that feels both shocking and utterly right.
October 1, 2023
This was unlike a retelling I had ever read before! Such a unique premise to retell Mary Poppins of all things. While I can’t proclaim myself as a diehard MP lover, I still throughly enjoyed this story and the fun little twists Dakota was able to meld into things. A fun and quick read just in time to set the mood for spooky season!
October 6, 2023
Creative and intriguing reimagining. A fast-paced, spellbinding page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, intertwined with some pretty heavy spice.
I'm a little distraught over that ending though....
I'm a little distraught over that ending though....
July 15, 2024
I read this in a day, and it was definitely a fast read. I will say the ending felt a little rushed, and all in all, I felt a little let down by the ending. I loved the vibe of a gothic loose mary poopins retelling, but I don't feel like it lived up to the potential.
January 30, 2024
So very bad. This book had no redeeming qualities.
October 14, 2023
When this book was first announced I was beyond excited and absolutely couldn't wait for it to be released. Set so far apart from the usual "retellings" I knew that this was going to be something special. I was not disappointed.
Loosely based on the Mary Poppins tale, this story takes us on a dark and gothic journey through one woman's quest to break a curse that has been set upon her. Sure, there's enough of the touches of Mary Poppins that you know what you're reading. However, the way that the author spins the details makes it entirely her own. It's so deliciously dark, almost to the point of being inky black. The twists and turns that the tale yanks you through may leave you reeling a bit from whiplash.
Is there a HEA? That depends on your version of it. I'll not give away the ending. I thought it ended beautifully.
👉🏻💥Always check the TW/CW💥👈🏻
Anywho! Time to wrap this up with the goodies:
Read: 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 3🌶🌶🌶
Loosely based on the Mary Poppins tale, this story takes us on a dark and gothic journey through one woman's quest to break a curse that has been set upon her. Sure, there's enough of the touches of Mary Poppins that you know what you're reading. However, the way that the author spins the details makes it entirely her own. It's so deliciously dark, almost to the point of being inky black. The twists and turns that the tale yanks you through may leave you reeling a bit from whiplash.
Is there a HEA? That depends on your version of it. I'll not give away the ending. I thought it ended beautifully.
👉🏻💥Always check the TW/CW💥👈🏻
Anywho! Time to wrap this up with the goodies:
Read: 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 3🌶🌶🌶
September 26, 2023
Man, I was so excited to see this book on Insta and even more excited when I got the email that I was going to receive the arc!! I LOVE Mary Poppins and a loose dark retelling of it was right up my alley!!
Barrett Blackford has just lost his wife and put an ad in the paper for a governess! Marigold Peppins is looking for her next job as governess. After getting the position without any hesitation, or even as much as a proper interview, Marigold and Barrett quickly realize they need each other more than they know. A whirlwind of emotion and trauma bonding bring the two together and secrets are revealed from both parties.
This book a quick read, fun, dark, and spicy!
I really enjoyed it and hope there’s more to come from Dakota Wilde!
Thank you so much Dakota for letting me read this great book before it’s release on Oct 1!!
Barrett Blackford has just lost his wife and put an ad in the paper for a governess! Marigold Peppins is looking for her next job as governess. After getting the position without any hesitation, or even as much as a proper interview, Marigold and Barrett quickly realize they need each other more than they know. A whirlwind of emotion and trauma bonding bring the two together and secrets are revealed from both parties.
This book a quick read, fun, dark, and spicy!
I really enjoyed it and hope there’s more to come from Dakota Wilde!
Thank you so much Dakota for letting me read this great book before it’s release on Oct 1!!
September 27, 2023
So excited to have gotten the chance to read this before release date as an ARC Reader! This is a LOOSE retelling of Mary Poppins. Be sure to read the TWs before diving into the book! When I tell you that this book had me in a chokehold, I am not even exaggerating. This is a dark, spicy book. It's a quick read but so much detail put into it! My heart was all over the place from footing for Marigold and Barrett... to a major plot twist that I was not expecting.
I hope to see more of this couple in the future ;)
Be sure to get the eBook on release date: 10/1/2023!!!
I hope to see more of this couple in the future ;)
Be sure to get the eBook on release date: 10/1/2023!!!
August 20, 2024
This was such a new take, a fresh but dark book. i loved it. I would like to say it was short and sweet but sweet isn't the best word to describe this 'romance' book. I loved the magic, the crows, the spice. My heart got a little broken in the process but hey that's all part of the game, right? ( Wink, wink)
September 5, 2024
This was a pretty wild little reimagining of Mary poppins, very gothic and tragic and I really enjoyed it! Spicy Mary poppins?! Yes please!
July 1, 2024
Well damn that hurt 😭🥹 I knew something like that was possibly going to happen but darn it I want more!
Can we get a chapter where it's years later, they find each other and it's cute and everything!? 😭
Can we get a chapter where it's years later, they find each other and it's cute and everything!? 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
Well that is quite a different twist on Mary Poppins! I LOVED IT! This was a wonderful, spice heavy, dark romance, fairytale retelling. I definitely want more! I devoured this book in one setting. Check trigger warnings before reading this book.
November 2, 2025
I liked the horror aspects of this booking combining Mary Poppins and Bloody Mary but there was a lot of adult "romance" so it's hard to recommend this book.
October 1, 2023
Growing up, Mary Poppins was one of my favorites. If I saw it on TV then I stayed up to watch it. When Feed the Birds showed up in my feed I was instantly curious about the Gotic and Dark retelling.
However, this didn't live up to my expectations. This was an easy read and short enough that I finished but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. The concept and story itself was interesting and had it been fleshed out a bit more I have no doubt that my rating would be much higher.
For what it was, essentially a short novella, it was good. The small references to Mary Poppins were easily recognizable. It was dark, twisted and full of magic, albeit not the sweet magic from the movie that was part of the books inspiration, but magic all the same.
The above is not to say that the book was terrible, it isn't. Just from my own point of view and based on my own preferences I wish that it was longer and a bit more detailed.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
However, this didn't live up to my expectations. This was an easy read and short enough that I finished but it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. The concept and story itself was interesting and had it been fleshed out a bit more I have no doubt that my rating would be much higher.
For what it was, essentially a short novella, it was good. The small references to Mary Poppins were easily recognizable. It was dark, twisted and full of magic, albeit not the sweet magic from the movie that was part of the books inspiration, but magic all the same.
The above is not to say that the book was terrible, it isn't. Just from my own point of view and based on my own preferences I wish that it was longer and a bit more detailed.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2024
2.5 Stars
I was really excited to see a Mary Poppins retelling, as it isn't usually a story that gets retold at all, let alone into a romantic type book. However, it ended up not being a romance, as there was no HEA. I did like the story itself if it would have just been tagged as fantasy or something, but I was so mad at how it ended, that it just ruined the whole experience for me.
I was really excited to see a Mary Poppins retelling, as it isn't usually a story that gets retold at all, let alone into a romantic type book. However, it ended up not being a romance, as there was no HEA. I did like the story itself if it would have just been tagged as fantasy or something, but I was so mad at how it ended, that it just ruined the whole experience for me.
October 15, 2023
⭐⭐.5 - Plot, Characters, Pacing
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Spice quality/quantity, execution
🥵🥵 - Chemistry, HEA potential
“I’ll gladly take your soul, if you promise to care for mine.” - Feed the Birds by Dakota Wilde
Marigold Peppins is like no other governess you’ll meet. With darkness in her heart and abilities beyond mortal comprehension, she decides to take a job at Blackford Manor, where the dreary Mr. Barrett Blackford mourns the death of his wife. But there’s something about Marigold that awakens something in him and craves for more. Will Barrett and Marigold be able to live their deserved happinesses? Or will phantoms from the past put an end to it before it can begin?
Retelling the story of Mary Poppins with dark and erotic new elements, “Feed the Birds” is a supernatural gothic romance that explores two souls tainted by betrayal and tragedy finding each other. Today’s entry holds a lot of promise with twists and turns that will have you wanting to know more, though by the end, I can’t say that I loved the final execution by the time I finished.
But first, let’s talk about the positives; the set-up for Marigold’s historic London was great, with Ms. Wilde’s writing perfectly establishes a gothic atmosphere that nods to the original story while being its own unique entry to dark story writing with an air of mystery. You don’t completely know what Marigold, her family, and her friends are, other than something more than human with magic and relationships that are both enchanting and haunting. I would love to read more about their world and society, as it was definitely the strongest element in the novella.
On the other hand, our romance between Marigold and Barrett was sadly the weakest, as their relationship (as well as the spice) feels rushed and needed some more pages to explore their attraction and build-up before getting to those three important words.
The ending also felt very rushed, with scenes between our heroine and antagonists never fully explained or given little time to let the severity of the situation settle in the story before it’s time to say goodbye to our characters. Along with some grammatical errors, “Feed the Birds” has the potential for a fantastic gothic romance story, but sadly didn’t enchant me as much as I had hoped.
Final Smut Archive assessment: More sugar makes the spice all the more sweet.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Spice quality/quantity, execution
🥵🥵 - Chemistry, HEA potential
“I’ll gladly take your soul, if you promise to care for mine.” - Feed the Birds by Dakota Wilde
Marigold Peppins is like no other governess you’ll meet. With darkness in her heart and abilities beyond mortal comprehension, she decides to take a job at Blackford Manor, where the dreary Mr. Barrett Blackford mourns the death of his wife. But there’s something about Marigold that awakens something in him and craves for more. Will Barrett and Marigold be able to live their deserved happinesses? Or will phantoms from the past put an end to it before it can begin?
Retelling the story of Mary Poppins with dark and erotic new elements, “Feed the Birds” is a supernatural gothic romance that explores two souls tainted by betrayal and tragedy finding each other. Today’s entry holds a lot of promise with twists and turns that will have you wanting to know more, though by the end, I can’t say that I loved the final execution by the time I finished.
But first, let’s talk about the positives; the set-up for Marigold’s historic London was great, with Ms. Wilde’s writing perfectly establishes a gothic atmosphere that nods to the original story while being its own unique entry to dark story writing with an air of mystery. You don’t completely know what Marigold, her family, and her friends are, other than something more than human with magic and relationships that are both enchanting and haunting. I would love to read more about their world and society, as it was definitely the strongest element in the novella.
On the other hand, our romance between Marigold and Barrett was sadly the weakest, as their relationship (as well as the spice) feels rushed and needed some more pages to explore their attraction and build-up before getting to those three important words.
The ending also felt very rushed, with scenes between our heroine and antagonists never fully explained or given little time to let the severity of the situation settle in the story before it’s time to say goodbye to our characters. Along with some grammatical errors, “Feed the Birds” has the potential for a fantastic gothic romance story, but sadly didn’t enchant me as much as I had hoped.
Final Smut Archive assessment: More sugar makes the spice all the more sweet.
September 28, 2023
ARC Review: Feed The Birds by Dakota Wilde
Dakota once again delivers an amazing sinfully dark romance. Feed The Birds is a Mary-Poppins-esque retelling with a gothic-Victorian vibe to it. Set during the Victorian era, Marigold is a witch with a curse she is trying to break. Barrett is a grieving widow who is mourning the death of his wife, but he is struggling with his own demons. When Marigold responds to an ad for a governess position with and meets Barrett, their attraction to each other is instantaneous. Marigold seems very prim and proper on the outside but she is feisty on the inside which I love so much. Barrett is very brooding in the beginning but as the story goes on, his own dark and devious side starts to show.
Dakota knows how to write her spice, that is for sure. I never thought I'd be down for a spicy Ms. Poppins but oh my lord I was absolutely sweating during the smutt scenes. I appreciated the subtle nods to the original story that only people who know the story would pick up on
I loved every single second of this, there was so much detail that really pulled you into the story and made you feel like you were there, from the scent of Marigolds perfume, to the smell of the ran outside. This is a perfect read for ANYTIME of the year, but especially during spooky season when all we want to do is curl up next to a fire with a warm beverage and a cozy blanket (unless you are like me and live in florida..in which case we just turn the AC down and pretend)
If you are looking for a dark-twisted and sinfully delicious story, this is absolutely the one for you. 10/10 would recommend
**while I did receive this as an arc, my thoughts and opinions are my own**
Dakota once again delivers an amazing sinfully dark romance. Feed The Birds is a Mary-Poppins-esque retelling with a gothic-Victorian vibe to it. Set during the Victorian era, Marigold is a witch with a curse she is trying to break. Barrett is a grieving widow who is mourning the death of his wife, but he is struggling with his own demons. When Marigold responds to an ad for a governess position with and meets Barrett, their attraction to each other is instantaneous. Marigold seems very prim and proper on the outside but she is feisty on the inside which I love so much. Barrett is very brooding in the beginning but as the story goes on, his own dark and devious side starts to show.
Dakota knows how to write her spice, that is for sure. I never thought I'd be down for a spicy Ms. Poppins but oh my lord I was absolutely sweating during the smutt scenes. I appreciated the subtle nods to the original story that only people who know the story would pick up on
I loved every single second of this, there was so much detail that really pulled you into the story and made you feel like you were there, from the scent of Marigolds perfume, to the smell of the ran outside. This is a perfect read for ANYTIME of the year, but especially during spooky season when all we want to do is curl up next to a fire with a warm beverage and a cozy blanket (unless you are like me and live in florida..in which case we just turn the AC down and pretend)
If you are looking for a dark-twisted and sinfully delicious story, this is absolutely the one for you. 10/10 would recommend
**while I did receive this as an arc, my thoughts and opinions are my own**
September 25, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
I’m a sucker for a retelling and when I heard this was a dark gothic paranormal romance reimagining of Mary Poppins, I was sold. There’s magic, mystery, deceit, and spice.
𝔉𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔅𝔦𝔯𝔡𝔰 is a novella that follows Marigold Peppins, a nomadic governess who moves from family to family in search of a way to break her curse. After reading that Barrett Blackford is seeking a new governess for his two children, Marigold takes off, quite literally… umbrella in hand à la Mary Poppins style, and charms her way into the position.
Marigold and Barrett are instantly attracted to each other, but both have their reasons they should keep away. Marigold is always on the move and can’t tie herself to one place until she’s free from her curse. Barrett is still mourning is late wife and fighting the guilt from his attraction to Marigold. But in true spicy novella fashion, none of that stops them.
This is my first read by Dakota Wilde, and not only did I enjoy the story, but I love her writing style. It was a delicious treat for the spooky season and a quick read if you’re trying to fit as many season-appropriate books on your TBR, like me. I especially enjoyed the graveyard scene. IYKYK. It’s also fast-paced, so keep that in mind because the romance between the main characters develops quickly.
Thank you, Dakota Wilde, for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
I’m a sucker for a retelling and when I heard this was a dark gothic paranormal romance reimagining of Mary Poppins, I was sold. There’s magic, mystery, deceit, and spice.
𝔉𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔅𝔦𝔯𝔡𝔰 is a novella that follows Marigold Peppins, a nomadic governess who moves from family to family in search of a way to break her curse. After reading that Barrett Blackford is seeking a new governess for his two children, Marigold takes off, quite literally… umbrella in hand à la Mary Poppins style, and charms her way into the position.
Marigold and Barrett are instantly attracted to each other, but both have their reasons they should keep away. Marigold is always on the move and can’t tie herself to one place until she’s free from her curse. Barrett is still mourning is late wife and fighting the guilt from his attraction to Marigold. But in true spicy novella fashion, none of that stops them.
This is my first read by Dakota Wilde, and not only did I enjoy the story, but I love her writing style. It was a delicious treat for the spooky season and a quick read if you’re trying to fit as many season-appropriate books on your TBR, like me. I especially enjoyed the graveyard scene. IYKYK. It’s also fast-paced, so keep that in mind because the romance between the main characters develops quickly.
Thank you, Dakota Wilde, for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, my thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
September 30, 2023
“Yes, my darling. I want those perfect lips of yours screaming my name into oblivion while you wrap your thighs around me.”
Marigold made one decision many years ago that has her bound by a haunting curse that transports her to a new place every so often. She leans on her birds as her only constant companion in her cursed life as everyone else forgets about her the moment the curse transports her away. She is constantly searching for the cure to break her curse.
Barrett needs a new governess after the passing of his late wife. After placing an ad in the paper, Marigold appears on his doorstep to fill the position. There is instant attraction but both have vowed to never fall in love again. Their attraction and connection are too strong to be avoided. As they finally begin to allow their attraction to turn into action, their secrets and dark past come back to haunt them.
“He has a dark and twisted air about him with a hint of danger lurking beneath the surface and I find myself intrigued.”
“She has the type of face that men write poems about and twisted dark begins like me dream of defacing.”
Rating: 5/5
Steam/Spice: 3.5/5
Tropes:
- gothic romance
- magic
- secrets
- curses
- forbidden
- dual POV
- Mary Poppins reimagining
“You can take it. Suck me down, Marigold. You don’t need a spoonful of sugar to swallow what I give you.”
Final thoughts: This story was amazing. I loved the reimagining of Mary Poppins and really fell in love with the characters. For being a novella, this book had SO much in it. I didn’t want it to end and loved the secrets and twists throughout the story as I did not expect some of them. Highly recommend it!
Marigold made one decision many years ago that has her bound by a haunting curse that transports her to a new place every so often. She leans on her birds as her only constant companion in her cursed life as everyone else forgets about her the moment the curse transports her away. She is constantly searching for the cure to break her curse.
Barrett needs a new governess after the passing of his late wife. After placing an ad in the paper, Marigold appears on his doorstep to fill the position. There is instant attraction but both have vowed to never fall in love again. Their attraction and connection are too strong to be avoided. As they finally begin to allow their attraction to turn into action, their secrets and dark past come back to haunt them.
“He has a dark and twisted air about him with a hint of danger lurking beneath the surface and I find myself intrigued.”
“She has the type of face that men write poems about and twisted dark begins like me dream of defacing.”
Rating: 5/5
Steam/Spice: 3.5/5
Tropes:
- gothic romance
- magic
- secrets
- curses
- forbidden
- dual POV
- Mary Poppins reimagining
“You can take it. Suck me down, Marigold. You don’t need a spoonful of sugar to swallow what I give you.”
Final thoughts: This story was amazing. I loved the reimagining of Mary Poppins and really fell in love with the characters. For being a novella, this book had SO much in it. I didn’t want it to end and loved the secrets and twists throughout the story as I did not expect some of them. Highly recommend it!
September 30, 2023
I really enjoyed Marigold and Barrett’s relationship. They flowed together so effortlessly. I also love how much he cherishes her in the way he treats her. Like his Queen. There to protect and worship with pleasure. His word choices and charm made it impossible not to fall for when you read about his thoughts, feelings, and way he talks to Marigold. It gave me a sense of calming. 🖤 Marigold and I share a love for the same color. She’s friends with my dream 🐦⬛ so that was even more exciting when the birds would arrive for me. 🥰 The dark elements added the perfect touch to how this love story played out. Loved the story, loved the characters, loved the references, loved the pace, loved the description of the setting, loved the detail in the spice, and I loved the word choices she chose for the way the characters speak. It like being transported there & not wanting to leave. Wonderful book!
October 23, 2024
It's a very spicey retelling! You had me at "gothic Mary Poppins reimagining." You thought out of the box while everyone else was doing iconic princesses and villains!
Okay, so this definitely was not where I thought things were headed. (Or could head, honestly.) When I hear "Mary Poppins," I’m thinking... nanny. Kids. Babysitting a bunch of little ones, right? So, yeah, I was a bit worried about how that was gonna fit into a dark, very spicy romance. But, surprise! It actually worked! The whole "nanny" thing gets mentioned at the start, but then it pretty much fades away, and this hidden backstory pops up, which was an interesting twist!
For a Novella, things were beyond quickly developed, which is, eh, but I'm pretty relaxed about judging it since it is a Novella, and a Novella can be a little challenging to keep it short while giving it all.
Also, the title, "Feed The Birds," loved it... lol IYKUK.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: Physically Read
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Okay, so this definitely was not where I thought things were headed. (Or could head, honestly.) When I hear "Mary Poppins," I’m thinking... nanny. Kids. Babysitting a bunch of little ones, right? So, yeah, I was a bit worried about how that was gonna fit into a dark, very spicy romance. But, surprise! It actually worked! The whole "nanny" thing gets mentioned at the start, but then it pretty much fades away, and this hidden backstory pops up, which was an interesting twist!
For a Novella, things were beyond quickly developed, which is, eh, but I'm pretty relaxed about judging it since it is a Novella, and a Novella can be a little challenging to keep it short while giving it all.
Also, the title, "Feed The Birds," loved it... lol IYKUK.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: Physically Read
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
November 30, 2024
4,5 ⭐️
“To be amongst the living is to always be in some state of mourning, is it not?”
“I’m not unfamiliar with being called peculiar for just being myself.”
“Two dark and twisted souls destined to find each other.”
Fun and quick to read dark, gothic, mysterious loose Mary Poppins reimagining.
This was the first Mary Poppins retelling / reimagining I’ve ever read, and honestly, I’m not that familiar with the original Mary Poppins. However, that didn’t affect my reading experience, and I really enjoyed this book!
Loved the gothic, mysterious feel and found Marigold to be a fascinating character. I also enjoyed how Marigold and Barrett were able to overcome their pasts together and find love in each other.
Loved the detailed, descriptive writing. The storyline itself was engaging, full of twists and turns, and kept me hooked.
I highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy dark, gothic, spicy reads with interesting, complex characters.
“To be amongst the living is to always be in some state of mourning, is it not?”
“I’m not unfamiliar with being called peculiar for just being myself.”
“Two dark and twisted souls destined to find each other.”
Fun and quick to read dark, gothic, mysterious loose Mary Poppins reimagining.
This was the first Mary Poppins retelling / reimagining I’ve ever read, and honestly, I’m not that familiar with the original Mary Poppins. However, that didn’t affect my reading experience, and I really enjoyed this book!
Loved the gothic, mysterious feel and found Marigold to be a fascinating character. I also enjoyed how Marigold and Barrett were able to overcome their pasts together and find love in each other.
Loved the detailed, descriptive writing. The storyline itself was engaging, full of twists and turns, and kept me hooked.
I highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy dark, gothic, spicy reads with interesting, complex characters.
October 1, 2023
This is hands down the best book Dakota Wilde has written to date!! (Now don’t get me wrong I love her other books but there is just something about this book!)
Dakota has given us a PHENOMENAL Gothic Marry Poppins Reimagining and I am OBSESSED!
Marigold and Barrett are amazing I love them so much!
The description of everything has me imagining perfectly what London would look like, I was just obsessed and in love from the very first page!
I mean it even starts with a Dear Reader as the prologue and it just sets the tone perfectly for what you can expect!
With only a 180 pages from Dear Reader to The End it’s a rather quick read but the story? Makes me wish I could give it 10 stars!! Easily top 10 books of this year though!
It’s perfect for anyone wanting a gothic vibe for Spooktober!🐦⬛
Dakota has given us a PHENOMENAL Gothic Marry Poppins Reimagining and I am OBSESSED!
Marigold and Barrett are amazing I love them so much!
The description of everything has me imagining perfectly what London would look like, I was just obsessed and in love from the very first page!
I mean it even starts with a Dear Reader as the prologue and it just sets the tone perfectly for what you can expect!
With only a 180 pages from Dear Reader to The End it’s a rather quick read but the story? Makes me wish I could give it 10 stars!! Easily top 10 books of this year though!
It’s perfect for anyone wanting a gothic vibe for Spooktober!🐦⬛
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