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Frost and Nectar [Dramatized Adaptation] #1
Frost [Dramatized Adaptation]
On the worst birthday of my life, I come home to find my boyfriend in bed with another woman. Within hours, I’m drunk, homeless, and pledging to stay single forever. And that is when the dangerously sexy Seelie King rolls through town, looking for fae like me.
Every generation, the king holds a competition for Seelie queen. But for reasons he won’t explain, Torin is looking for a charade, not a real marriage. So when I drunkenly sling insults his way, I have his attention.
When Torin offers me fifty million to participate, I think, “What have I got to lose?” The answer turns out to be “my life,” because my competition will literally kill for the crown.
And the more time I spend with the seductive king, the harder it becomes to remember it’s all supposed to be fake. Now, my life—and my heart—are on the line.
Every generation, the king holds a competition for Seelie queen. But for reasons he won’t explain, Torin is looking for a charade, not a real marriage. So when I drunkenly sling insults his way, I have his attention.
When Torin offers me fifty million to participate, I think, “What have I got to lose?” The answer turns out to be “my life,” because my competition will literally kill for the crown.
And the more time I spend with the seductive king, the harder it becomes to remember it’s all supposed to be fake. Now, my life—and my heart—are on the line.
7 pages, Audiobook
Published August 7, 2023
8 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Crawford
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C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
To join C.N. Crawford's fan group and chat to the authors, Click here.
To stalk on instagram, Click here.
For a free standalone novel, Sign up here.
C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 22, 2025
20% in and the casting is shitttt. I'm gonna have to stop it here. The fmc sounds fine but the mmc sounds like an old man (I think he's the same one that voiced Darius Acrux in the graphic audio for the ZA series) and feels like there's this decade long age gap between them. I don't mind the age gap but the voices are too irritating.
November 14, 2023
I listened to the Graphic Audio production of this one. The narrators were really great except there was a lot of "inhaling of scents" and it was not sexy. It was a lot like listening to strangers blowing their noses in a restaurant. Ick.
This book is an urban fantasy romcom, and it was laugh-out-loud funny! The plot was pretty darn good and the characters were interesting. The romance, though, was way too rushed. The whole plot is that the fae king needs a sham marriage so he plans to wed someone obnoxious and detestable, but they were pretty much immediately all over each other. I really needed that to slow down and develop. I would have given this one five stars for entertainment value if the romance pacing had been any good at all. I'll still give it four because it really cracked me up and I kept wondering where the story would go.
This book is an urban fantasy romcom, and it was laugh-out-loud funny! The plot was pretty darn good and the characters were interesting. The romance, though, was way too rushed. The whole plot is that the fae king needs a sham marriage so he plans to wed someone obnoxious and detestable, but they were pretty much immediately all over each other. I really needed that to slow down and develop. I would have given this one five stars for entertainment value if the romance pacing had been any good at all. I'll still give it four because it really cracked me up and I kept wondering where the story would go.
July 22, 2025
The narrators were a big no for me, and honestly, the story is just meh.
I didn't connect with any of the characters.
I felt like it lacked.
No descriptive details of people or places.
I didn't connect with any of the characters.
I felt like it lacked.
No descriptive details of people or places.
August 26, 2024
I have never had a graphic audio lead me astray.... until now.
DNF at 30%
DNF at 30%
April 23, 2024
So I love GraphicAudio - not gonna lie, there are a few that are just off with the characters, or porn-like music and just a bit cringey. 2 main things that turned me off…the extra loud sniffing/smelling of each other. 😑 Just no. Then I could NOT get over the Fae King’s voice 🤣 I swear he sounded just like the actor Cary Elwes who played Wesley in the Princess Bride 🤣. “As you wish”
Oh and the ‘Crone’s’ voice was obnoxious - like the old witch in the original Snow White movie but worse 😬
The story itself was okay. I know I would have never read this but this version was much easier and entertaining.
Oh and the ‘Crone’s’ voice was obnoxious - like the old witch in the original Snow White movie but worse 😬
The story itself was okay. I know I would have never read this but this version was much easier and entertaining.
September 7, 2025
The voice actors fit the parts alright, but the writing could have been better. I would also have asked many more questions if I was Ava. Hence, I'm missing a huge world building part. In the end, I think it was just slightly too short to connect to any of the characters or the world. Plus, what was told was heavily based on both human and fae clichés.
November 6, 2025
Listening to the dramatized version is the only way to consume this story because honestly, outside of those pretty background songs and some breathing (a lot of breathing) there's not much to this story.
And I need give props to the narrators who worked with very, very little to make something palatable. I actually liked both voices and the various accents.
The writing and world-building is where it all falls apart.
It's clear there were some scenes the authors really wanted to write and everything else was an afterthought. You know how I know? Because despite this being a very short book, the authors completely forget parts of the world they themselves built.
The thing that attracted me to the book was the televised competition aspect: the protagonist, a fae, gets swept up in a competition to see who can bag the fae king and bring prosperity to the land, all this while being filmed for the whole world to see.
Unfortunately after the first trial (which was, let's not mince words, very stupid) the cameraman and tv troupe completely disappear. Where did they go? Why aren't they chiming in the last part of the story? Why is there no impact whatsoever on the story by them being there?
Also, and this drove me insane, it is said that at Beltane the fae don't make love. They fuck. Hard.
Quoting Christian Gray was the first mistake. Making ME quote Christian Gray was the second.
The third, the serious one, is that we are told this and the next page we are thrown into 1800s England where the female faes have a virtue to protect, but they also are blood-thirsty creatures and swear and are sexually forward, not at all like the protagonist who is violent and says fuck all the time and is sexually forward...
Pick a lane!!!!
Stick with your world-building!!!
The romance was bland. The characters insipid. The secondary characters were there for no reason at all.
There was a tiktok thirst trap mention.
The ending was stupid.
I have so much more to say but I give up.
It's not a one star because the writing was competent enough to not make me dnf it and for the narrators who gave it their all.
And I need give props to the narrators who worked with very, very little to make something palatable. I actually liked both voices and the various accents.
The writing and world-building is where it all falls apart.
It's clear there were some scenes the authors really wanted to write and everything else was an afterthought. You know how I know? Because despite this being a very short book, the authors completely forget parts of the world they themselves built.
The thing that attracted me to the book was the televised competition aspect: the protagonist, a fae, gets swept up in a competition to see who can bag the fae king and bring prosperity to the land, all this while being filmed for the whole world to see.
Unfortunately after the first trial (which was, let's not mince words, very stupid) the cameraman and tv troupe completely disappear. Where did they go? Why aren't they chiming in the last part of the story? Why is there no impact whatsoever on the story by them being there?
Also, and this drove me insane, it is said that at Beltane the fae don't make love. They fuck. Hard.
Quoting Christian Gray was the first mistake. Making ME quote Christian Gray was the second.
The third, the serious one, is that we are told this and the next page we are thrown into 1800s England where the female faes have a virtue to protect, but they also are blood-thirsty creatures and swear and are sexually forward, not at all like the protagonist who is violent and says fuck all the time and is sexually forward...
Pick a lane!!!!
Stick with your world-building!!!
The romance was bland. The characters insipid. The secondary characters were there for no reason at all.
There was a tiktok thirst trap mention.
The ending was stupid.
I have so much more to say but I give up.
It's not a one star because the writing was competent enough to not make me dnf it and for the narrators who gave it their all.
December 5, 2024
Going back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars. I really liked this first installment and am excited to listen to the next one. The whole curaed thing is one drawba k amd is part of the reason that this is sitting closer to a 4 than a 5.
February 13, 2025
Dnf at 18%
Not interested in a fae version of The Bachelor.
Not interested in a fae version of The Bachelor.
October 1, 2025
Unfortunate that the casting for this is questionable, it really dropped the rating for this audiobook.
The writing when paired with the voice actors unfortunately made it worse, the MFC sounded like a whiney 19yr old who wasn't getting their way. I couldn't relate to her and felt like there wasn't any development or world building.
Maybe if I had read the physical copy it would have been better received, I definitely could do without the overly excessive sound of them inhaling....
The writing when paired with the voice actors unfortunately made it worse, the MFC sounded like a whiney 19yr old who wasn't getting their way. I couldn't relate to her and felt like there wasn't any development or world building.
Maybe if I had read the physical copy it would have been better received, I definitely could do without the overly excessive sound of them inhaling....
January 9, 2026
✨️3,75✨️
September 1, 2025
3.5 stars
March 12, 2024
I was surprised how much i liked this story. I hadn’t heard anything about it previously and really just jumped right in.
I almost DNF’d by 5% in though. We were dropped right into a bit of a crazy situation. Shortly after Ava is at the bar with her best friend and she is loud, and obnoxiously drunk. Upon first getting to know her character she is brash and that’s what almost prevented me from moving forward. However i’m glad I did!
I loved this blend of the modern human world to the series Faerie world! Ava is half human and half fae, she finds her self being invited to compete for seat of Queen to Torin the fae king! She accepts and takes along her best friend Shalini. As they move into the faerie world everything is new, fresh and adventurous to them, until it starts to turn dangerous.
I liked how there were a lot of things you typically find in Faerie worlds like the Seelie and unseelie, red caps and different creatures and kinds, magic and abilities. I love how they brought in the modern things like filming for the reality show, and other human to fae contradictions.
The Graphic Audio was well done! I, like a lot of other reviews didn’t care for some of sounds they made but overall i can’t complain, they really brought the story to life.
Torin and Ava are enemies for a good bit and their banter and chemistry really works here. The book has plenty of funny moments, some gruesome things, and touching moments as well. I didn’t care for some of the cussing in here. Sometimes seemed too much but does lend to the brashness of the characters involved. We are left in a fun little cliff hanger.
I almost DNF’d by 5% in though. We were dropped right into a bit of a crazy situation. Shortly after Ava is at the bar with her best friend and she is loud, and obnoxiously drunk. Upon first getting to know her character she is brash and that’s what almost prevented me from moving forward. However i’m glad I did!
I loved this blend of the modern human world to the series Faerie world! Ava is half human and half fae, she finds her self being invited to compete for seat of Queen to Torin the fae king! She accepts and takes along her best friend Shalini. As they move into the faerie world everything is new, fresh and adventurous to them, until it starts to turn dangerous.
I liked how there were a lot of things you typically find in Faerie worlds like the Seelie and unseelie, red caps and different creatures and kinds, magic and abilities. I love how they brought in the modern things like filming for the reality show, and other human to fae contradictions.
The Graphic Audio was well done! I, like a lot of other reviews didn’t care for some of sounds they made but overall i can’t complain, they really brought the story to life.
Torin and Ava are enemies for a good bit and their banter and chemistry really works here. The book has plenty of funny moments, some gruesome things, and touching moments as well. I didn’t care for some of the cussing in here. Sometimes seemed too much but does lend to the brashness of the characters involved. We are left in a fun little cliff hanger.
October 8, 2024
Plot-wise, the story is very much "The Bachelor" in a faerie context. I don't read/enjoy much rom-com, but found myself liking this one. The banter was fun, and the infusion of modern elements like cell phones or Indian takeout made it feel more down-to-earth and human than most of the other fantasy I've read. The development of Torin and Ava's relationship didn't feel forced, so I believed the way their interactions gradually brought them closer together. It was a refreshing way to perpetuate the "enemies-to-lovers" trope.
Audio-wise, I initially had a hard time getting into Torin's VA but he ultimately grew on me. I thought Ava's VA had a blunt way of narrating that fit her character and the tone of this book well. However, I got lost in some of the more procedural or descriptive moments because her inflection came across as very matter-of-fact and void of personality. This may have also been impacted by the writing in some areas.
Crawford's use of descriptive language builds out the world very well, without using too many descriptors that over-saturate the image. This has been a sticking point for me with other authors. However, there are these moments of exposition dumping, particularly in Torin's POV, that don't fit in naturally with the flow of the plot. A big pet peeve of mine is when a character's inner monologue describes their whole history or backstory, or outlines cultural and lore-relevant material, rather than integrating it into the story more seamlessly.
This was probably a 3.7 for me. I don't think I would have thought to read it without being a GraphicAudio production, but I really enjoyed it and am glad I listened!
Audio-wise, I initially had a hard time getting into Torin's VA but he ultimately grew on me. I thought Ava's VA had a blunt way of narrating that fit her character and the tone of this book well. However, I got lost in some of the more procedural or descriptive moments because her inflection came across as very matter-of-fact and void of personality. This may have also been impacted by the writing in some areas.
Crawford's use of descriptive language builds out the world very well, without using too many descriptors that over-saturate the image. This has been a sticking point for me with other authors. However, there are these moments of exposition dumping, particularly in Torin's POV, that don't fit in naturally with the flow of the plot. A big pet peeve of mine is when a character's inner monologue describes their whole history or backstory, or outlines cultural and lore-relevant material, rather than integrating it into the story more seamlessly.
This was probably a 3.7 for me. I don't think I would have thought to read it without being a GraphicAudio production, but I really enjoyed it and am glad I listened!
March 9, 2025
This book was definitely a mixture of the selection and hunger games and I went in expecting that and got exactly what I wanted. There are some bits that I would change as there is a couple of plot holes. The performance of the characters was done excellently and so I am looking forward to listening to the next one. I really liked how they got different accents in this audio to show what the different clans would sound like. I potentially may not have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it rather than listened. Only thing I didn’t particularly like was the amount of sniffing and the cringey music when it was getting steamy. The fmc voice at times was a bit off putting. I wish it could’ve been longer so that more of the world of Faerie is shown and that the characters could then have a bit more growth. The competition for the King’s hand at the end of the day did seem quite short which is not what I went into the book expecting. In summary the book was good to listen to and it gave me enough to want to listen to the next one.
June 9, 2024
The Graphic Audio production of this book was brillant!
This book, for me, was like a charcuterie board. Some parts were sweet, some were decedent like a dark chocolate, a little meaty, and some parts a little cheesy. But with a good glass of wine, exactly what I was wanting right now. This book got me back into audiobooks after several months break. It was fun, funny, lighthearted, but also intriguing. Also happy that it was only 6 hours.
The MFC was hilarious, especially with her best girl friend in tow. I’d wanna hang with those two!
Was this the most well written story? No. Did some parts feel reminiscent of other books? Yes. (Hello, The Selection, with The Bachelor style tropes.) But it wasn’t overwhelming or distracting enough to keep me from listening to this book. It did feel inherently different.
Not often do you find an author write about Seelie versus Unseelie fairies, so I’m excited to see where this author takes the story in book 2.
This book, for me, was like a charcuterie board. Some parts were sweet, some were decedent like a dark chocolate, a little meaty, and some parts a little cheesy. But with a good glass of wine, exactly what I was wanting right now. This book got me back into audiobooks after several months break. It was fun, funny, lighthearted, but also intriguing. Also happy that it was only 6 hours.
The MFC was hilarious, especially with her best girl friend in tow. I’d wanna hang with those two!
Was this the most well written story? No. Did some parts feel reminiscent of other books? Yes. (Hello, The Selection, with The Bachelor style tropes.) But it wasn’t overwhelming or distracting enough to keep me from listening to this book. It did feel inherently different.
Not often do you find an author write about Seelie versus Unseelie fairies, so I’m excited to see where this author takes the story in book 2.
January 24, 2024
I listened to its Dramatized Adaptation while doing chores.
Amazing production but you can exclude the kissy kissy noises and sniffing dkfkfk
I do think this book is not written well. There is something off with the story's pacing and the dialogue is cringe-worthy. 🥴
The heroine is still your "I'm not like the other girls" character, which is weird because this book was published last 2022.
We also have the Woman of Color bestie whose only role is to hype the main character.
Listen to this if you want something to pass the time and if you are already mature enough to understand what feminism truly is 🤧
Amazing production but you can exclude the kissy kissy noises and sniffing dkfkfk
I do think this book is not written well. There is something off with the story's pacing and the dialogue is cringe-worthy. 🥴
The heroine is still your "I'm not like the other girls" character, which is weird because this book was published last 2022.
We also have the Woman of Color bestie whose only role is to hype the main character.
Listen to this if you want something to pass the time and if you are already mature enough to understand what feminism truly is 🤧
March 21, 2024
I “read” this book through the dramatised adaptation in audible. I don’t think it helped this book as the voices didn’t seem to match the characters. I really wanted to love it but it just seemed like the author was writing too immature. The ending was quite enjoyable but that brings another problem…just as the plot actually seemed to be going somewhere, the book ends. Having a brief look at the next book in the series the blurb feels like it’s going to be another drawn out plot so I’m not sure il bother.
April 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3.75 stars
"We are a match made in hell, but I have never wanted anyone more, Ava Jones."
Review:
I had a lot of fun with this one. I laughed out loud several times. Don’t expect much from the plot, but if you're in the mood for a fun and quick fantasy romance with a good slow burn, this might be the book for you!
- Romantasy
- Modern world / Fae world
- Moody Fae King
- Funny FMC
- Secret deal
- Marriage competition
- Frost daddy
- Slow burn
Btw... I did the GraphicAudio and I was craving chili dogs while listening. 🌭
"We are a match made in hell, but I have never wanted anyone more, Ava Jones."
Review:
I had a lot of fun with this one. I laughed out loud several times. Don’t expect much from the plot, but if you're in the mood for a fun and quick fantasy romance with a good slow burn, this might be the book for you!
- Romantasy
- Modern world / Fae world
- Moody Fae King
- Funny FMC
- Secret deal
- Marriage competition
- Frost daddy
- Slow burn
Btw... I did the GraphicAudio and I was craving chili dogs while listening. 🌭
October 7, 2024
3/5 stars! When I read this physically I didn't understand why people disliked this. I can see the cheesiness with the dramatization and had to take away a half star. Still liked it and would recommend but its not a literary masterpiece.
November 27, 2024
I really enjoy books that combine our modern world with the fae world so I liked this one from the start. Unfortunately I did not like the female narrator 😖 made the fmc sound so obnoxious. Still gonna listen to the next book though.
March 17, 2025
“We are a match made in hell and I’ve never wanted anything more.” -Torin
Fae, handsome king, deadly powers, forbidden love, ice powers, deadly competitions, what’s not to love about this Romantasy!
Not to mention the dramatic audio always makes everything better.
Fae, handsome king, deadly powers, forbidden love, ice powers, deadly competitions, what’s not to love about this Romantasy!
Not to mention the dramatic audio always makes everything better.
December 12, 2024
That was fun 😀
April 30, 2025
this book had me in a chokehold
January 6, 2026
Someone said this is the fae bachelor and that's what I went in for. It kinda is, but i'd have liked for there to be a bit more of the silly show part. The characters seem a bit underdeveloped and it was a bit too fast for my taste (like an abridged version of the actual story), the tension between them, and the pretense of disliking each other lasted for two heartbeats, but I enjoyed listening to it anyway. A lot of things don't make sense and some others just appear or stop existing for no reason. Not terrible, not great. It feels a bit like a polished draft, but I'll take this over books that overextend themselves with no plotline any day.
Graphic audio is great as always! The MMC sounds a bit weird if you're expecting a raspy rough voice, but I think it's quite fitting for the character, more posh than old man.
Graphic audio is great as always! The MMC sounds a bit weird if you're expecting a raspy rough voice, but I think it's quite fitting for the character, more posh than old man.
September 29, 2025
Having read the ebook two years ago, I finally decided to purchase the GraphicAudio dramatized version. Again, a great experience. I gave the ebook version four stars waffling about pushing it to five stars. Well, GraphicAudio pushed it to five stars. Our heroine Ava and the surrounding cast of characters shine in a different way when all the accompanying voices and environmental sounds are added. Ava kicks the proverbial a**, King Torin seems a bit more less evil bad manipulator and watch out for all the no-good princesses. Great time listening while managing mundane chores.
October 9, 2025
I started the graphic audio mostly because it was a one-day listen (I think 7hrs?). They almost lost me 5 minutes in when they’re talking about a fae joining tinder 😅 it was just a rushed start, but it got increasingly more entertaining! The MMC’s voice actor was great until he started smelling her scent. Between the long sniffs full volume in my headphones and moaning far too much for a single kiss, some parts were very cringey to listen to (his accent is great tho). It does have some pretty funny parts and I liked the plot twist a lot! Like I said, it was entertaining! Best book ever? No. Would I recommend this to a friend? Maybe
December 12, 2025
Im struggling to know how to rate this. Overall I really enjoyed the audio, but I very quickly discovered that graphic audio is not my thing. The sniffing/smelling – no – its like when the person beside you is breathing to loud and you just want to smack them. And the grunting, growling, licking sounds while they were kissing *ICK*
But at the same time the walking sounds, swords clashing, and suspenseful noises added to the action and adventure of this book.
But at the same time the walking sounds, swords clashing, and suspenseful noises added to the action and adventure of this book.
September 12, 2025
The graphic audio and story were so good that I inhaled this in just two sittings!!
The Faerie King holds a deadly tournament to find himself a queen and it's all televised like The Bachelor. The world building was easy to understand and Ava was so funny and gave no fucks. Immediately listening to book 2!
The Faerie King holds a deadly tournament to find himself a queen and it's all televised like The Bachelor. The world building was easy to understand and Ava was so funny and gave no fucks. Immediately listening to book 2!
September 15, 2025
A great book, actually enjoyed it more as graphic audio than reading the physical book which surprised me.
Great story and awesome narrators, I felt like the voices fit the character perfectly and gave the book 4/5⭐️. It was a re-read for me and I think I should’ve waited a bit more before re-reading it because I remembered everything but still amazing to listen to! Great work!
Great story and awesome narrators, I felt like the voices fit the character perfectly and gave the book 4/5⭐️. It was a re-read for me and I think I should’ve waited a bit more before re-reading it because I remembered everything but still amazing to listen to! Great work!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews