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Regency Revisited #1
That, My Dear, Is Love: A Cozy Fantasy Fairytale
Jane Austen meets The Princess and the Frog
For as long as Prairie can remember, living in paradise has been boring. Her days are filled with helping at her family’s resort, sewing, daydreaming, and observing fashionable guests from the sidelines. But when a fairytale-Esque opportunity arises, she does something out of character and agrees to marry a man she’s never met. Suddenly, she’s navigating a new life that is a world and an ocean away from everything she’s ever known. Her new husband, Wright, is decidedly Mr. Wrong. If there’s a schedule, he’ll ignore it. If there is a rule, he’ll break it. If there’s a risk, he’ll take it. Has the girl who has always had a plan finally met her match?
This is a full-length, standalone novel featuring a diverse ensemble cast, whimsical magic, and hilarious misadventures. This is a clean romance with a HEA.
Featuring some of your favorite tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Opposites Attract
Reformed Rake
For as long as Prairie can remember, living in paradise has been boring. Her days are filled with helping at her family’s resort, sewing, daydreaming, and observing fashionable guests from the sidelines. But when a fairytale-Esque opportunity arises, she does something out of character and agrees to marry a man she’s never met. Suddenly, she’s navigating a new life that is a world and an ocean away from everything she’s ever known. Her new husband, Wright, is decidedly Mr. Wrong. If there’s a schedule, he’ll ignore it. If there is a rule, he’ll break it. If there’s a risk, he’ll take it. Has the girl who has always had a plan finally met her match?
This is a full-length, standalone novel featuring a diverse ensemble cast, whimsical magic, and hilarious misadventures. This is a clean romance with a HEA.
Featuring some of your favorite tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Opposites Attract
Reformed Rake
363 pages, Paperback
Published February 29, 2024
9 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 6, 2023
Voss chuckled, "I'm not a faerie. That does not apply to us. But you're very clever."
Sol peered at her. "You seem sad little one, and over a man nonetheless. So, perhaps you are not terribly clever."
That quote best describes Prairie. The only word that comes to mind to describe this book is: confusing.
This was a labelled a romance on KU and I don't understand why. I've never read a book where the the "couple" never became a real couple throughout the entirety of the novel. Never have I rooted against two people being together quite like I did with this book.
Prairie is presented as a naive woman (she's twenty, so she's still kind of a girl). She trusts without verification and was so desperate for an adventure that she agreed to marry a man sight unseen. The book drags out what exactly earned Wright's terrible reputation, but it's clear from the way the side characters speak of him, he's not exactly a catch. Despite this, the majority of this book has people treating Prairie like gum on their shoe and Wright as the most interesting man in the world. He's not.
He's an ass.
This book reminded me of the frustration I had with certain Shonda Rhimes shows where characters would cling to a dying marriage rather than just admit defeat. Wright was awful. Not only did he participate in his guests badmouthing his wife, he forced her to host them. He kept her and his staff up until all hours of the night forced to entertain their antics and parties and then got upset when Prairie didn't want to participate. There was nothing lovable about him and yet Prairie kept blaming herself for the fact that they were miserable together.
From the moment Prairie stepped foot on the mainland, Wright did not care about her existence. He didn’t even show up to greet her when she arrived. He was constantly absent, avoidant and critical of her. Typically, in stories that center a couple trying to reconnect, there was a strong initial connection they’re trying to get back. Here, Prairie was grasping for something she never really had in the first place.
I simply did not understand why she was trying so hard. The book also ends with them just agreeing to speak to each other - it wasn't a happy ending and they didn't break up (the way I wanted them to). The only romance in this story was between Melina and Georgette and it happens like 80% into the story. I've never read a romance novel where the only real love story is between two side characters and happens close to the end. What was the goal of this story? I am so confused.
To be honest, the summary made me think Phillip would turn out to be her true love after all, but instead, this story ends with Prairie trapped in a terrible marriage.
Anyway, I thought the writing style was very good. It kept in line with dialogue you see in this genre, it was very diverse and there were hints of magic. At times, it felt like the magic took a real backseat to everything else, but that kind of made it interesting. It's like Heroes where you see people just live their lives like magic is a regular occurrence.
I appreciated getting to read a story about a magical black girl with dark skin trying to live out her life. However, I wished she'd actually had a happy ending. The "romance" between her and Wright was not magical at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2023
This was my first novel by this author and there was a lot to like about this diverse faerie tale Regency. Firstly, the cover and the art. The heroine - Prairie Loving - is a beautiful dark-skinned Black woman and the author makes damn sure readers know this through vivid descriptions of not just skin tone, but natural hair and its care. There are still authors who claim to write Black women, but describe them so oblique that it's hard to tell.
I also enjoyed the faerie tale aspect, though at times it felt disjointed in the overall narrative. Not that I have a problem being thrown into a fantasy world, but that is usually when the novel is over 300 pages. Some characters appeared out of the blue and some of the stories seemed like "oh this is a good idea, let's add it."
Okay, as the Fountain Pen Diva has always stated, I must love the heroine as much as I love the hero. Unfortunately, Prairie fell a bit short for me. I'm not overly fond of ingenue heroines, especially those who lack a spine. I need my heroines to DO things, to stand up for themselves, and to not go running when things get tough. Prairie spent way too much time running upstairs to hide instead of confronting the problem.
To be fair, Wright - her new husband - has a LOT of issues and he's kind of an ass at times, especially towards his naive wife.
My other big problem is that a lot of misunderstandings between Prairie and Wright could have been avoided had they actually TALKED with each other like ADULTS.
I also enjoyed the faerie tale aspect, though at times it felt disjointed in the overall narrative. Not that I have a problem being thrown into a fantasy world, but that is usually when the novel is over 300 pages. Some characters appeared out of the blue and some of the stories seemed like "oh this is a good idea, let's add it."
Okay, as the Fountain Pen Diva has always stated, I must love the heroine as much as I love the hero. Unfortunately, Prairie fell a bit short for me. I'm not overly fond of ingenue heroines, especially those who lack a spine. I need my heroines to DO things, to stand up for themselves, and to not go running when things get tough. Prairie spent way too much time running upstairs to hide instead of confronting the problem.
To be fair, Wright - her new husband - has a LOT of issues and he's kind of an ass at times, especially towards his naive wife.
My other big problem is that a lot of misunderstandings between Prairie and Wright could have been avoided had they actually TALKED with each other like ADULTS.
September 30, 2022
This book follows a similar narrative structure to Jane Eyre, and actually did feel rather gothic upon further reflection. We deep dive into a serious study of heroine's slice of life prior to meeting the hero. The hero is absent, distracted, and talks pretty but struggles to act in a way that benefits the heroine, ever.
This was a slow burn that feels like part one of a duology. By the end, the hero and heroine have just realized they MIGHT be able to be friends, despite already being married. There are many loose plot threads that also imply this is not the end, such as a random chapter about a bespelled arm chair in the library.
An interesting debut with many ideas, I wish the story had allowed the hero and heroine to actually be in love by the end of the book. This could have been an excellent "falling in love with your own husband" story, which is one of my favorite tropes, but the constant misunderstanding and refusal to even try to communicate made their eventual attempt at a real conversation, at the very end of the book, fall flat for me. Especially since that's literally how the book ends, with their first real conversation as two adults trying to understand each other.
I do look forward to future works, as this author has some really creative ideas. Definitely give this book a read, just go into it knowing there is some experimenting with narrative structure, and it's not a typical regency romance HEA despite hints from the title and cover art.
I received an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review.
This was a slow burn that feels like part one of a duology. By the end, the hero and heroine have just realized they MIGHT be able to be friends, despite already being married. There are many loose plot threads that also imply this is not the end, such as a random chapter about a bespelled arm chair in the library.
An interesting debut with many ideas, I wish the story had allowed the hero and heroine to actually be in love by the end of the book. This could have been an excellent "falling in love with your own husband" story, which is one of my favorite tropes, but the constant misunderstanding and refusal to even try to communicate made their eventual attempt at a real conversation, at the very end of the book, fall flat for me. Especially since that's literally how the book ends, with their first real conversation as two adults trying to understand each other.
I do look forward to future works, as this author has some really creative ideas. Definitely give this book a read, just go into it knowing there is some experimenting with narrative structure, and it's not a typical regency romance HEA despite hints from the title and cover art.
I received an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
This was very sweet! I wish it had been a bit longer so we could have seen Prairie and Wright's relationship develop more.
February 15, 2023
I decided to read this book after seeing it on TIKTOK and loved the cover, title and am a huge fan of regency romance. Regency romance novels are easily one of my highest read genres, with that being said this did not read like a romance and I think the miscategorization is why I struggled.
It is much more a cozy fantasy novel than a romance with elements of fantasy. On further review I think it was the title that lead me to expect a sweeping love story.
First I struggled with Praire’s motivations. I understood she was wanting and travel but her life on the island appeared idyllic and to be honest I thought she was going to end up with one of the kind servants in her home, I think his name was Thomas 🤔 I don’t fully remember. Yet her willingness to marry a man without ever meeting him and her father being like ok have a nice time, I can’t leave the island, was hard to believe even in the time period setting. Also I felt like the first 1/3 of the book could have been stream-lined and condensed. Perhaps if we started with her stepping onto the boat and reflecting on her past on the island I wouldn’t have viewed her life on the main land as lacking compared to the island.
There were also fantastical chapters intertwined in the beginning of the book which felt disjointed, leading toward the last 2/3 of the book the chapters about Voss made sense but again I felt like it could have been streamlined in execution.
I think I could have overlooked a lot of this had it not been for Wright. I truly didn’t see his appeal. His introduction started off poorly with him not showing up at the docks to meet Prairie and his aunt. They did share a few nice moments before they wed but after he was the worst. Not caring about his shabby manor, having Praire and the staff attend to his late night parties and just being uncaring about Praire in her transition to the mainland. He does come around some in the last 3/4 of the book but by then the damage is done. I truly wanted her to run back to the island and be embraced by her family and the kindly servant who lingered a bit to long near her.
Overall, I think it comes down to the book being miscategorized if you are looking for a very descriptive cozy fantasy novel set in a regency setting with a coming of age vibe then this novel is for you. If you are looking for a sweeping romance, then probably not.
It is much more a cozy fantasy novel than a romance with elements of fantasy. On further review I think it was the title that lead me to expect a sweeping love story.
First I struggled with Praire’s motivations. I understood she was wanting and travel but her life on the island appeared idyllic and to be honest I thought she was going to end up with one of the kind servants in her home, I think his name was Thomas 🤔 I don’t fully remember. Yet her willingness to marry a man without ever meeting him and her father being like ok have a nice time, I can’t leave the island, was hard to believe even in the time period setting. Also I felt like the first 1/3 of the book could have been stream-lined and condensed. Perhaps if we started with her stepping onto the boat and reflecting on her past on the island I wouldn’t have viewed her life on the main land as lacking compared to the island.
There were also fantastical chapters intertwined in the beginning of the book which felt disjointed, leading toward the last 2/3 of the book the chapters about Voss made sense but again I felt like it could have been streamlined in execution.
I think I could have overlooked a lot of this had it not been for Wright. I truly didn’t see his appeal. His introduction started off poorly with him not showing up at the docks to meet Prairie and his aunt. They did share a few nice moments before they wed but after he was the worst. Not caring about his shabby manor, having Praire and the staff attend to his late night parties and just being uncaring about Praire in her transition to the mainland. He does come around some in the last 3/4 of the book but by then the damage is done. I truly wanted her to run back to the island and be embraced by her family and the kindly servant who lingered a bit to long near her.
Overall, I think it comes down to the book being miscategorized if you are looking for a very descriptive cozy fantasy novel set in a regency setting with a coming of age vibe then this novel is for you. If you are looking for a sweeping romance, then probably not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
I got this book because I simply adored the cover.
To see a black girl with skin as dark as mine and hair that coils the way mine does was very reaffirming and healing. I was so excited to read about someone who looks like me living in that late time period living in a lavish manor, being an heir to a resort island, falling in love, and just living, having a fairytale life.
But I was disappointed at how the book completely took away her coils and instead replaced them with loose curls, I kind of felt played by that (they have a few pages where they insert images throughout the book and their depiction of the main character in those is very different to the main character on the cover). They kept her skin dark which I liked but it would’ve been amazing to keep the coils and read the description of them as well as they described her hair and “curls” a lot throughout the novel as though to let you know she definitely does NOT have kinky hair.
The book itself wasn’t anything great but I enjoyed the break from heavy plot lines. Both main characters were insufferable and they definitely had no business being together. There was no love, but it’s an arranged marriage so that was to be expected.
I really enjoyed the side characters however, especially Phillip and Melinda.
The book took far too long in the beginning and then it felt incredibly rushed as it progressed, I think I read more about Praire and Temperance than I did about Praire and Wright.
To see a black girl with skin as dark as mine and hair that coils the way mine does was very reaffirming and healing. I was so excited to read about someone who looks like me living in that late time period living in a lavish manor, being an heir to a resort island, falling in love, and just living, having a fairytale life.
But I was disappointed at how the book completely took away her coils and instead replaced them with loose curls, I kind of felt played by that (they have a few pages where they insert images throughout the book and their depiction of the main character in those is very different to the main character on the cover). They kept her skin dark which I liked but it would’ve been amazing to keep the coils and read the description of them as well as they described her hair and “curls” a lot throughout the novel as though to let you know she definitely does NOT have kinky hair.
The book itself wasn’t anything great but I enjoyed the break from heavy plot lines. Both main characters were insufferable and they definitely had no business being together. There was no love, but it’s an arranged marriage so that was to be expected.
I really enjoyed the side characters however, especially Phillip and Melinda.
The book took far too long in the beginning and then it felt incredibly rushed as it progressed, I think I read more about Praire and Temperance than I did about Praire and Wright.
December 8, 2022
Prairie Loving is the sole heir to her father’s luxury resort on a private tropical island. Their guests journey from the Mainland on ships that take two weeks to arrive.
Prairie is fascinated by the Mainland and often wonders what it would be like to visit there, so she is thrilled when a guest approaches her with a suggestion that she would make an ideal bride for her nephew, and her Father, a reclusive artist, agrees to her leaving the island.
The wedding goes ahead, but the marriage leaves a lot to be desired, as her new husband seems more interested in hosting his friends than getting to know his bride.
Prairie has magical gifts, as have other characters in this story, which ebbs and flows between sorrow that her new husband doesn’t seem interested in her, and joy when he pays her some attention.
I found the book confusing at times, as reality had to be suspended, but was glad I persevered, as Prairie was a delightful character, with a determination to succeed in her new surroundings.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Prairie is fascinated by the Mainland and often wonders what it would be like to visit there, so she is thrilled when a guest approaches her with a suggestion that she would make an ideal bride for her nephew, and her Father, a reclusive artist, agrees to her leaving the island.
The wedding goes ahead, but the marriage leaves a lot to be desired, as her new husband seems more interested in hosting his friends than getting to know his bride.
Prairie has magical gifts, as have other characters in this story, which ebbs and flows between sorrow that her new husband doesn’t seem interested in her, and joy when he pays her some attention.
I found the book confusing at times, as reality had to be suspended, but was glad I persevered, as Prairie was a delightful character, with a determination to succeed in her new surroundings.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
January 21, 2023
3.5 stars!
I really enjoyed the depth of emotion in this book! I read the last 150 pages in a blur today because I was so swept up in the feeling of it. I haven’t read a book that made me feel like that on a while. I thought Philip was sweet, Caroline was a very intriguing character, Melinda was wonderful, and Prairie’s character arc was nice.
That being said I definitely liked the characters and Melinda and Georgie’s relationship far more than Prairie and Wrights. I found myself actively rooting against P and W and was a bit disappointed at the end as it had not ended the way I quite wanted it to lol
But I think fans of Isabella and Antonio from Encanto will enjoy this book, fans of regency romance will like this book, and fans of feeling empathy for the characters will enjoy this book as well.
I really enjoyed the depth of emotion in this book! I read the last 150 pages in a blur today because I was so swept up in the feeling of it. I haven’t read a book that made me feel like that on a while. I thought Philip was sweet, Caroline was a very intriguing character, Melinda was wonderful, and Prairie’s character arc was nice.
That being said I definitely liked the characters and Melinda and Georgie’s relationship far more than Prairie and Wrights. I found myself actively rooting against P and W and was a bit disappointed at the end as it had not ended the way I quite wanted it to lol
But I think fans of Isabella and Antonio from Encanto will enjoy this book, fans of regency romance will like this book, and fans of feeling empathy for the characters will enjoy this book as well.
October 6, 2025
The only good thing about this book was the character description. Reading this felt like a chore after she left the island. Boring, confusing, and felt like a waste of time at the conclusion. The main character was spineless and dumb. There were too many pointless perspectives from side characters. I’m not sure what the point of the story was tbh. Maybe it was sometimes marriage sucks but just suck it up and deal with it. I don’t know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
Though it was not my typical book that would come across my desk I have no regrets picking it up when my wife handed it to me. Not much time is left for me to read in my day so I need my stories to bring a satisfying and rewarding feeling at its completion and this was worth every moment.
August 5, 2023
This was my first cozy fantasy romance/retelling and I greatly enjoyed it! Loved the heroine and the supporting characters Georgie and Melinda. A wonderful book if you're looking for a well-written, feel-good, heartwarming read.
January 4, 2026
I'm a sucker for black leads in fantasy and/or romance titles. No book is perfect but I appreciate the addition to what should be a longer list of diverse titles in romantasy.
December 11, 2022
I really did enjoy this but it felt unfinished. I could’ve read another 100 pages of Prairie and Wright finding their way.
This was prime cozy fantasy though and I hope that it’s a series cause I’ll be picking up the next one.
This was prime cozy fantasy though and I hope that it’s a series cause I’ll be picking up the next one.
November 23, 2022
I was feeling a bit down, and I wanted something that would feel like sipping on a hot cup of cocoa, being wrapped in a warm blanket, or being hugged by that person you know who alwasy smells good. This book gave me exactly what I needed. It puts the cozy in cozy regency for me. I loved the touches of magic and how everything all came together at the end.
I would love a novella that shares more about Phillip! He intrigued me and I definitely would love to learn more about his character!
I would love a novella that shares more about Phillip! He intrigued me and I definitely would love to learn more about his character!
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October 20, 2023This book was so whimsical and vivid, it reminded me of the types of stories I loved growing up!
One of the things I really enjoyed about Prairie’s character was her love for dressmaking, I thought it was so interesting to that talent/passion highlighted. Also, the setting was gorgeous and all the descriptions of the island and resort made me feel like I was really there.
One of the things I really enjoyed about Prairie’s character was her love for dressmaking, I thought it was so interesting to that talent/passion highlighted. Also, the setting was gorgeous and all the descriptions of the island and resort made me feel like I was really there.
April 25, 2024
I finished this lovely book and I just wanna say I really loved it. The writing style and art was really dreamy to me. Most of the characters were enjoyable. I think my only problem with this book was Prairie’s hair and her husband, Wright. I also would’ve liked more of the two. (Maybe romantically?) Other than that, the book was a wonderful read.
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