Rampant: A Sleeping Beauty Inspired Dark Fairy Tale Romance

by R.L. Olvitt

Some curses can never be broken, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be twisted.

Former High Master of the Forest Fae, Sylvan has been trapped within a vine for over two hundred years, unable to regain his true form. Banished to grow as a weed along deserted fences and crumbling walls, time passes him by until an act of carelessness proves to be a turning point in his existence.

When Jackie Nielsen picks up a few free plants at the local farmers’ market, she was only hoping to spruce up the empty side yard at her new house. Moving to Mariontown is supposed to be a fresh start, but the shiny leafed vine she plants along her fence will become something far more than she bargained for.

After centuries of denial and loneliness, Sylvan is starved for the simple kindness Jackie shows him. He’s hungry for her time, her touch, and her mind, and he’s not willing to share.

One small plant, one simple choice—now Jackie’s life will never be the same. She’ll be the one who has to decide whether it’s a blessing or a curse.Rampant is a contemporary fairy tale reimagining inspired by Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the vine that could grow large enough to hide a castle.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rampant is a nice little fantasy romance novella with the intriguing storyline of a cursed forest Fae trapped for two centuries within a vine, and the human woman who finds and nurtures him not knowing what she really has planted in her backyard.
I enjoyed the writing of this imaginative story that had drama, spice and magic infusing the pages and made for a well crated read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan (BookWorldFox) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackie didn’t realize that day at the farmers market marked the beginning of forever. A beautiful vine, a weed the woman called it became everything to her. This story is dark and twisted as Jackie chooses her own fate for better or worse. This story was at times hard to understand where it was going as it’s not what one would expect in a retelling. Interesting characters and overall good read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was well written, but it was too creepy for my personal preference and I did not personally find the ending a satisfying HEA.

I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Annie M Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

So unique!

I really enjoyed the writer’s imagination! I wish I could think like her! I don’t want to give anything away about the book, but such a cool idea!

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie (h) finds a small vining plant at a farmers’ market and takes it home to add to her back patio area. She normally is unsuccessful at growing plants, but with her nurturing care and attention, the plant grows into a showstopper. Jackie is blissfully unaware that she’s awoken Sylvan (H), a powerful fae cursed to live as the plant, and that he’s looking to bond with her and take her to new places. Really unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a hint of Little Shop of Horrors thrown in, as Sylvan uses his unique abilities to draw Jackie to him. Interesting how Sylvan drew his strength from the others around him and his method of taking out the competition. I’ve always wondered when I drive in parts of the South, just what those kudzu vines are hiding. Dark fae romance with a side of heat and plenty of mystique.