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Fated Folktales #1
A Whisper in the Woods
Leena and her village had only been settled in the woods for a matter of weeks before the accidents began. They were benign at first, but now people were going missing, and the town matriarch suspects that a monster known as the Leshy is behind the attacks.
To appease the Keeper of the Woods, Leena must be sacrificed.
She thought he was only a legend, a bedtime story to frighten children and keep the real ghouls away. As Leena ventures into the depths of the forest with nothing but her cloak and fiddle in hand, she quickly realizes how wrong she'd been.
As she gets caught up in Bratan’s web, Leena wonders how she can be both afraid of and attracted to such a beast—a monster who could kill her at any moment.
The longer she dwells in the realm of the Leshy, the more she is drawn to him, and soon, she doesn’t know fiction from reality.
All she knows is that she’s playing a dangerous game, and the dice are loaded.
To appease the Keeper of the Woods, Leena must be sacrificed.
She thought he was only a legend, a bedtime story to frighten children and keep the real ghouls away. As Leena ventures into the depths of the forest with nothing but her cloak and fiddle in hand, she quickly realizes how wrong she'd been.
As she gets caught up in Bratan’s web, Leena wonders how she can be both afraid of and attracted to such a beast—a monster who could kill her at any moment.
The longer she dwells in the realm of the Leshy, the more she is drawn to him, and soon, she doesn’t know fiction from reality.
All she knows is that she’s playing a dangerous game, and the dice are loaded.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
20 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️
🌳 enemie to lovers (in away)
🌳 romantsy
🌳 dark and mysterious MMC
🌳 fated mates
🌳 love
🌳 find oneself
This book was very well written and has a very easy flow. I enjoyed the story of Bartan and Leena.
Bartan a Leshy and Leena a human young lady can either split the worlds they know in two or can become a team and heal both worlds.
Leena - a young lady with a strong will but yet weak and unsure of herself. She suffers from the hand of her Uncle by not providing for him and his wife. Her love for her Grandmother is deep. She lost her parents and feels like she is stuck in her life. Until she decides to be a human Scarface for her village. Will it bring her life to the end or bring her freedom.
Bartan is he a monster? The village thinks so as well as Leena. He is a Leshy for goodness sakes. But he needs a companion and cuts a deal with the village matriarch. He also lost his Mother and has felt the wait of the protecting his people and Forrest are his only purpose. Until he meets Leena the human sacrifice.
Will meeting her bring on new beginnings or will it end his world.
The book keeps you wanting to turn the pages and if looking for a HEA this book is for you. Some spicy but nothing outrageous the scenes are actually written as beautiful love scene.
🌶️
🌳 enemie to lovers (in away)
🌳 romantsy
🌳 dark and mysterious MMC
🌳 fated mates
🌳 love
🌳 find oneself
This book was very well written and has a very easy flow. I enjoyed the story of Bartan and Leena.
Bartan a Leshy and Leena a human young lady can either split the worlds they know in two or can become a team and heal both worlds.
Leena - a young lady with a strong will but yet weak and unsure of herself. She suffers from the hand of her Uncle by not providing for him and his wife. Her love for her Grandmother is deep. She lost her parents and feels like she is stuck in her life. Until she decides to be a human Scarface for her village. Will it bring her life to the end or bring her freedom.
Bartan is he a monster? The village thinks so as well as Leena. He is a Leshy for goodness sakes. But he needs a companion and cuts a deal with the village matriarch. He also lost his Mother and has felt the wait of the protecting his people and Forrest are his only purpose. Until he meets Leena the human sacrifice.
Will meeting her bring on new beginnings or will it end his world.
The book keeps you wanting to turn the pages and if looking for a HEA this book is for you. Some spicy but nothing outrageous the scenes are actually written as beautiful love scene.
February 13, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I felt bipolar while reading this.
I felt bipolar while reading this.
Want to read
January 11, 2025THAT COVER THO 😍
February 5, 2025
I was absolutely delighted when I received an ARC of A Whisper in the Woods from Elise Nelson’s team! This is my second book by her, and once again, she’s whisked me away into a world that feels like a dream—whimsical, mysterious, and utterly immersive. Her writing has this enchanting quality that makes you feel like you're stepping right into the story, the kind that lingers in your mind long after the pages have been turned.
A Whisper in the Woods is an absolute gem, and I’m so glad it was my first foray into a Slavic fairytale! From the very first page, the pace grabs hold of you. Lena’s village is haunted by disappearances—villagers vanishing without a trace after venturing into the forest—and it’s up to her to uncover the truth. Enter Bratan, a mysterious stranger who’s about as secretive as they come, and who somehow ends up engaged to Lena. Yes, it’s got one of my favorite tropes—enemies-to-lovers—where the tension practically crackles in the air.
What I absolutely loved about Lena is how curious she is. She's not content to sit back and be in the dark; she challenges Bratan at every turn, demanding answers. And Bratan? Well, he’s hiding so many secrets, but thankfully, Elise doesn't make us wait forever to start unraveling them.
If I’m being honest, though, the spicy moments did feel a little odd at times. While they’re definitely in-your-face and steamy, they felt a bit sudden—like we kind of just jumped into them, and Lena didn’t seem fully aware of her feelings until things were already happening. It was a little jarring, especially since the emotional buildup didn’t quite align with the intensity of those moments. But still, it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise captivating story!
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book if you love a blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of magical folklore. Elise Nelson’s writing will sweep you off your feet.
A Whisper in the Woods is an absolute gem, and I’m so glad it was my first foray into a Slavic fairytale! From the very first page, the pace grabs hold of you. Lena’s village is haunted by disappearances—villagers vanishing without a trace after venturing into the forest—and it’s up to her to uncover the truth. Enter Bratan, a mysterious stranger who’s about as secretive as they come, and who somehow ends up engaged to Lena. Yes, it’s got one of my favorite tropes—enemies-to-lovers—where the tension practically crackles in the air.
What I absolutely loved about Lena is how curious she is. She's not content to sit back and be in the dark; she challenges Bratan at every turn, demanding answers. And Bratan? Well, he’s hiding so many secrets, but thankfully, Elise doesn't make us wait forever to start unraveling them.
If I’m being honest, though, the spicy moments did feel a little odd at times. While they’re definitely in-your-face and steamy, they felt a bit sudden—like we kind of just jumped into them, and Lena didn’t seem fully aware of her feelings until things were already happening. It was a little jarring, especially since the emotional buildup didn’t quite align with the intensity of those moments. But still, it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise captivating story!
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book if you love a blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of magical folklore. Elise Nelson’s writing will sweep you off your feet.
February 1, 2025
An amazing and unique Red Riding Hood retelling, with an Enemies To Lovers, Fated Mates twist 😍
This story was written so well and so easy and fun to follow. It was fast-paced, full of banter and spice, which was consistent throughout. I devoured it from start to finish.
The build up to the spicy scenes was written so deliciously, but the scenes themselves were a lot more faded. I wasn't a fan of the instant-love, but we find out that it's because they're Fated Mates, so it made it a bit more bearable for me. (But that's just me, I know this will be perfect for a lot of readers)
The action scenes were great, I love the sass of Leena, and she's got great intentions but I wish there was a bit more character development for her. That being said, the development of Brata was amazing, and I felt myself loving his character the more I read about him!
I'm not usually a massive fan of a HEA book (I'm a sucker for a cliffhanger) but this was worth it!
I do hope the next book shows as much and more promise as this one, because the story was amazing and Bratans past and future was so intriguing, there's so much more I'd love to unpack there.
This story was written so well and so easy and fun to follow. It was fast-paced, full of banter and spice, which was consistent throughout. I devoured it from start to finish.
The build up to the spicy scenes was written so deliciously, but the scenes themselves were a lot more faded. I wasn't a fan of the instant-love, but we find out that it's because they're Fated Mates, so it made it a bit more bearable for me. (But that's just me, I know this will be perfect for a lot of readers)
The action scenes were great, I love the sass of Leena, and she's got great intentions but I wish there was a bit more character development for her. That being said, the development of Brata was amazing, and I felt myself loving his character the more I read about him!
I'm not usually a massive fan of a HEA book (I'm a sucker for a cliffhanger) but this was worth it!
I do hope the next book shows as much and more promise as this one, because the story was amazing and Bratans past and future was so intriguing, there's so much more I'd love to unpack there.
January 3, 2025
Had the pleasure of ARC reading! I haven’t read much at all about mythology of the Leshy, the spirit of the forest & forest protector, so this was very unique! The book was more romance focused but with a good blend of folklore, magic, betrayals, justice and spice. I highly enjoyed it!
Bratan…another book boyfriend 🫠, shape changing, charming, seductive and fiercely protective to everything in his care - being the forest spirit he will straight up 💀 anyone who harms his people, his trees and his animals *swoon* so basically he’s perfect.
Bratan…another book boyfriend 🫠, shape changing, charming, seductive and fiercely protective to everything in his care - being the forest spirit he will straight up 💀 anyone who harms his people, his trees and his animals *swoon* so basically he’s perfect.
January 14, 2025
Intriguing premise to a fated romance.
Leena's village, newly settled in the woods, begins to face mysterious accidents, escalating into disappearances. The town matriarch believes the legendary Monster of the Wood is behind it, and to protect the village, Leena, at twenty-six, is offered as a sacrifice to the creature. What she thought was a mere legend becomes all too real when she encounters Bratan, a powerful and enigmatic being. As Leena grows torn between fear and an unexpected attraction to the monster, she finds herself trapped in his dangerous world, where reality and fantasy blur, and survival becomes a perilous game.
The use of Slavic folklore, particularly with a Leshy creature, felt fresh and exciting, especially with a romance twist. The descriptive writing was one of the book's strengths. The author has a vivid way of painting scenes - whether it's the abusive dynamics in the village, the eerie woods, or the unsettling creatures that inhabit it. I found myself able to clearly picture these elements in my mind, which really helped to bring the story to life.
Leena is an unreliable narrator, and while this technique can work really well in certain stories, here it felt a bit frustrating. From the very beginning, Leena has little understanding of what’s going on, especially when it comes to the Leshy and the responsibility thrust upon her by the village. I appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside her, but as the story went on, I started to feel as clueless as she was. Her lack of curiosity about her situation made it hard to stay invested, and there were moments when I felt like she wasn’t growing or seeking out the answers she needed.
Another aspect that didn’t quite hit the mark for me was the romance between Leena and Bratan. At first, their banter was fun, with Bratan’s devilish charm providing a great backdrop for their enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, Leena’s fiery spirit seemed to dim, and I began to feel like every other scene involved her crying or sleeping. This emotional exhaustion made it hard to stay engaged with their relationship, and I found myself longing for more development between the two of them.
Additionally, I was expecting more explicit content given the detailed and intense build-up to spice. While the scenes weren’t exactly tame, I was hoping for open-door moments that the lead in suggested. Instead, the action was often left just out of reach (feeling like I was blindfolded or ear plugged), which left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
All in all, A Whisper in the Woods has a lot of potential, but some pacing issues and character choices made it hard for me to stay fully invested. The premise was strong, the world-building was solid, and the writing was vivid, but the romance and character development didn’t live up to the promise of the plot. It’s an enjoyable read if you’re in the mood for something with a unique backdrop and a bit of mystery, but it left me wishing for a bit more depth and resolution.
Leena's village, newly settled in the woods, begins to face mysterious accidents, escalating into disappearances. The town matriarch believes the legendary Monster of the Wood is behind it, and to protect the village, Leena, at twenty-six, is offered as a sacrifice to the creature. What she thought was a mere legend becomes all too real when she encounters Bratan, a powerful and enigmatic being. As Leena grows torn between fear and an unexpected attraction to the monster, she finds herself trapped in his dangerous world, where reality and fantasy blur, and survival becomes a perilous game.
The use of Slavic folklore, particularly with a Leshy creature, felt fresh and exciting, especially with a romance twist. The descriptive writing was one of the book's strengths. The author has a vivid way of painting scenes - whether it's the abusive dynamics in the village, the eerie woods, or the unsettling creatures that inhabit it. I found myself able to clearly picture these elements in my mind, which really helped to bring the story to life.
Leena is an unreliable narrator, and while this technique can work really well in certain stories, here it felt a bit frustrating. From the very beginning, Leena has little understanding of what’s going on, especially when it comes to the Leshy and the responsibility thrust upon her by the village. I appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside her, but as the story went on, I started to feel as clueless as she was. Her lack of curiosity about her situation made it hard to stay invested, and there were moments when I felt like she wasn’t growing or seeking out the answers she needed.
Another aspect that didn’t quite hit the mark for me was the romance between Leena and Bratan. At first, their banter was fun, with Bratan’s devilish charm providing a great backdrop for their enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, Leena’s fiery spirit seemed to dim, and I began to feel like every other scene involved her crying or sleeping. This emotional exhaustion made it hard to stay engaged with their relationship, and I found myself longing for more development between the two of them.
Additionally, I was expecting more explicit content given the detailed and intense build-up to spice. While the scenes weren’t exactly tame, I was hoping for open-door moments that the lead in suggested. Instead, the action was often left just out of reach (feeling like I was blindfolded or ear plugged), which left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
All in all, A Whisper in the Woods has a lot of potential, but some pacing issues and character choices made it hard for me to stay fully invested. The premise was strong, the world-building was solid, and the writing was vivid, but the romance and character development didn’t live up to the promise of the plot. It’s an enjoyable read if you’re in the mood for something with a unique backdrop and a bit of mystery, but it left me wishing for a bit more depth and resolution.
February 13, 2025
Such a fantastical world!
When we meet Leena living under the boot of her abus!ve uncle, her life seems pretty bleak. The only shining light is her grandmother, and Leena does all she can to protect her from her cruel uncle. When she learns that her uncle has traded her to the monster of the woods for the village’s safety, she can’t believe it. But, she is told that if she does this, her grandmother will be taken care of.
She doesn’t expect to meet a gorgeous man named Bratan, who is the Leshy of the woods. She believes him to be a monster, stealing women and children from their village and being a terror. She struggles with this knowledge, while at the same time feeling an irresistible draw to him.
Bratan starts our story a bit of a jerk. He’s been alone for so long, despite needing to find his mate, and seems to have certain expectations of Leena. We learn that this is likely due to misunderstanding the arrangement and his being away from the human realm, not knowing what women actually like and want. This makes for a few hilarious conversations between Leena and Bratan when they are more open with each other.
“I’m never letting you go.”
“I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”
As the wife and mate of the Leshy, Leena gains powers, but doesn’t know how to access them to do what she wants. I was pulling my hair out when she was insisting that Bratan teach her, right then, when they are trying to fight the evil presence in the woods. Like girl! This is not the time!
I loved the richness of the descriptions of the world around Leena, from the bleakness of her village to the vibrant hues in the woods. I loved the relationship between Leena and Bratan, growing and learning together. I also loved that when someone tried to make Leena doubt her relationship, she didn’t waver.
Definitely check this out if you love a story steeped in Slavic folklore, a morally grey MMC, touch her and d!e, enemies to lovers, fated mates, and shapeshifting.
I received an advanced review copy for free. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
When we meet Leena living under the boot of her abus!ve uncle, her life seems pretty bleak. The only shining light is her grandmother, and Leena does all she can to protect her from her cruel uncle. When she learns that her uncle has traded her to the monster of the woods for the village’s safety, she can’t believe it. But, she is told that if she does this, her grandmother will be taken care of.
She doesn’t expect to meet a gorgeous man named Bratan, who is the Leshy of the woods. She believes him to be a monster, stealing women and children from their village and being a terror. She struggles with this knowledge, while at the same time feeling an irresistible draw to him.
Bratan starts our story a bit of a jerk. He’s been alone for so long, despite needing to find his mate, and seems to have certain expectations of Leena. We learn that this is likely due to misunderstanding the arrangement and his being away from the human realm, not knowing what women actually like and want. This makes for a few hilarious conversations between Leena and Bratan when they are more open with each other.
“I’m never letting you go.”
“I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”
As the wife and mate of the Leshy, Leena gains powers, but doesn’t know how to access them to do what she wants. I was pulling my hair out when she was insisting that Bratan teach her, right then, when they are trying to fight the evil presence in the woods. Like girl! This is not the time!
I loved the richness of the descriptions of the world around Leena, from the bleakness of her village to the vibrant hues in the woods. I loved the relationship between Leena and Bratan, growing and learning together. I also loved that when someone tried to make Leena doubt her relationship, she didn’t waver.
Definitely check this out if you love a story steeped in Slavic folklore, a morally grey MMC, touch her and d!e, enemies to lovers, fated mates, and shapeshifting.
I received an advanced review copy for free. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
January 17, 2025
"He was in my veins like roots spreading and spiraling around my bones."
Wowza!
When I think if Romantasy, this book is a perfect example of what I picture in my head!
Leena and Bratan are phenomenal together! I was hooked from the first page to the very last page!
They had growth, and chemistry that was hot and thick throughout the entire book!
Leena goes through so much and Bratan is there every step of the way trying to make her world a better place. He is so protective and makes an amazing Plant Daddy! Leena seems and little naive at first and it works really well with her character in my opinion. She kind of grew up sheltered in a small little group of people, working all the time, not knowing what was outside of her small community and she clearly had a lack of a personal life. Her character grew as the story went on and she came into her own perfectly. She refused Bratan at first but you could sense her inner self battling between what she personally wanted and what she though she was supposed to want for the people in her village. She learns to live for herself!
Bratan is so accustomed to being on his own, Leena made the perfect counter balance for his character, grumpy X sunshine.
The spice was spot on for me and done well in a way that fit the characters and the book. Leena and Bratan at first were hot and heavy, lost in lust, and as time went on you seen the deeper connection happen in more ways than one.
The Slavic Folklore woven into the story was something new and exciting for me. I had no idea what a Leshy was at first and did some digging to at least have a clear mental picture. I really enjoyed and appreciated the unique Slavic twist this book had. This kept the story unique and different compared to ALL of my other romantasy reads.
The banter, and conversations had me laughing or kicking my feet in excitement!
The world building, even in their own little slice of heaven was done so well! I felt like I could walk through the forest with the mc's and smell the fresh forest floor or see the canopy of trees with the sun shining through from above.
The side character descriptions and the different fae races/creatures were amazing! The author write them so vividly I felt like I could mentally see and picture them in my head as Leena was walking through the cottages and seeing all of them walking and flying about. Theodora was an absolute favorite of mine!
Also, I want some of the snacks Leena was having too! Or at very least I need the recipes! haha
Picking a favorite quote? I couldn't even narrow it down to my top 5, this book is full of amazing quotes that I just about died and came back to life for! The author did an incredible job at telling Leena and Bratans story with vivid writing and plot twists that leave you gasping!
10/5 stars from me! I LOVED it!
Thank you TorchLit Ink for the gifted e-arc copy! I was definitely the perfect reader for this book!
Wowza!
When I think if Romantasy, this book is a perfect example of what I picture in my head!
Leena and Bratan are phenomenal together! I was hooked from the first page to the very last page!
They had growth, and chemistry that was hot and thick throughout the entire book!
Leena goes through so much and Bratan is there every step of the way trying to make her world a better place. He is so protective and makes an amazing Plant Daddy! Leena seems and little naive at first and it works really well with her character in my opinion. She kind of grew up sheltered in a small little group of people, working all the time, not knowing what was outside of her small community and she clearly had a lack of a personal life. Her character grew as the story went on and she came into her own perfectly. She refused Bratan at first but you could sense her inner self battling between what she personally wanted and what she though she was supposed to want for the people in her village. She learns to live for herself!
Bratan is so accustomed to being on his own, Leena made the perfect counter balance for his character, grumpy X sunshine.
The spice was spot on for me and done well in a way that fit the characters and the book. Leena and Bratan at first were hot and heavy, lost in lust, and as time went on you seen the deeper connection happen in more ways than one.
The Slavic Folklore woven into the story was something new and exciting for me. I had no idea what a Leshy was at first and did some digging to at least have a clear mental picture. I really enjoyed and appreciated the unique Slavic twist this book had. This kept the story unique and different compared to ALL of my other romantasy reads.
The banter, and conversations had me laughing or kicking my feet in excitement!
The world building, even in their own little slice of heaven was done so well! I felt like I could walk through the forest with the mc's and smell the fresh forest floor or see the canopy of trees with the sun shining through from above.
The side character descriptions and the different fae races/creatures were amazing! The author write them so vividly I felt like I could mentally see and picture them in my head as Leena was walking through the cottages and seeing all of them walking and flying about. Theodora was an absolute favorite of mine!
Also, I want some of the snacks Leena was having too! Or at very least I need the recipes! haha
Picking a favorite quote? I couldn't even narrow it down to my top 5, this book is full of amazing quotes that I just about died and came back to life for! The author did an incredible job at telling Leena and Bratans story with vivid writing and plot twists that leave you gasping!
10/5 stars from me! I LOVED it!
Thank you TorchLit Ink for the gifted e-arc copy! I was definitely the perfect reader for this book!
February 4, 2025
A whisper in the woods is a Slavic folklore, but also gave me red riding hood vibes.
You meet Leena, who wears a red hood ironically. After her parents die, she goes to live with her aunt and uncle, and her grandmother. But her uncle is abusive and she will do anything to help protect her grandmother.
After something in the woods takes the village people, Leena is offered up as a sacrifice. And willingly goes, in promise that her grandmother will be safe.
Once in the woods, Leena meets Bratan, and instantly falls for him. This made my eyes roll a few times, because who instantly falls head over heels with the monster in the woods? But that part comes into play later in the book.
You have lots of banter between Leena and Bartan, but Leena’s logic through most of the book is kind of dumb. Plus she’s very back and forth throughout the book which gets confusing.
Overall, I enjoyed the folklore of this book and think the plot is there, but will be better executed in the second book!
And a huge thank you to Torch Lit Ink for the opportunity of reading this book in advanced!
You meet Leena, who wears a red hood ironically. After her parents die, she goes to live with her aunt and uncle, and her grandmother. But her uncle is abusive and she will do anything to help protect her grandmother.
After something in the woods takes the village people, Leena is offered up as a sacrifice. And willingly goes, in promise that her grandmother will be safe.
Once in the woods, Leena meets Bratan, and instantly falls for him. This made my eyes roll a few times, because who instantly falls head over heels with the monster in the woods? But that part comes into play later in the book.
You have lots of banter between Leena and Bartan, but Leena’s logic through most of the book is kind of dumb. Plus she’s very back and forth throughout the book which gets confusing.
Overall, I enjoyed the folklore of this book and think the plot is there, but will be better executed in the second book!
And a huge thank you to Torch Lit Ink for the opportunity of reading this book in advanced!
January 21, 2025
A Whisper in the Woods is a captivating and atmospheric tale that feels like stepping into an age-old fairytale, with a fresh and deeply emotional twist. This book will enchant you with its lush world-building, relatable heroine, and heartfelt journey of self-discovery.
The story follows a poor young woman burdened by societal expectations and her own uncertainty about who she truly is. As she struggles to carve out her place in the world, she’s thrust into an eerie, magical forest—a place haunted by a fearsome “monster” everyone has warned her about. But as she spends time with this enigmatic creature, she begins to see beyond the terrifying façade and discovers kindness, wisdom, and a connection she never expected.
What sets this book apart is its exploration of strength and transformation. The protagonist doesn’t just find love—she finds herself. Her growth from a timid, uncertain girl into a fierce, self-assured woman is beautifully woven into the narrative, making her journey deeply resonant.
The romance is tender and slow-burning, capturing the vulnerability of two outcasts learning to trust each other. The “monster” is more than just a mysterious figure; he becomes a symbol of embracing the unknown and finding beauty where others see only fear.
With its lyrical prose, evocative setting, and timeless themes, A Whisper in the Woods is a story that lingers in your heart long after you turn the final page. Perfect for fans of romantic, fairytale-inspired fantasy, this book reminds us that strength often comes from within and that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
The story follows a poor young woman burdened by societal expectations and her own uncertainty about who she truly is. As she struggles to carve out her place in the world, she’s thrust into an eerie, magical forest—a place haunted by a fearsome “monster” everyone has warned her about. But as she spends time with this enigmatic creature, she begins to see beyond the terrifying façade and discovers kindness, wisdom, and a connection she never expected.
What sets this book apart is its exploration of strength and transformation. The protagonist doesn’t just find love—she finds herself. Her growth from a timid, uncertain girl into a fierce, self-assured woman is beautifully woven into the narrative, making her journey deeply resonant.
The romance is tender and slow-burning, capturing the vulnerability of two outcasts learning to trust each other. The “monster” is more than just a mysterious figure; he becomes a symbol of embracing the unknown and finding beauty where others see only fear.
With its lyrical prose, evocative setting, and timeless themes, A Whisper in the Woods is a story that lingers in your heart long after you turn the final page. Perfect for fans of romantic, fairytale-inspired fantasy, this book reminds us that strength often comes from within and that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
January 16, 2025
Thank you Torch Lit Ink for the advanced copy of this story.
A Whisper in the Woods had loads of potential, but I feel it was just lacking a little in execution.
At times, I was confused about what was going on yet something in the writing kept me hooked enough to not DNF.
Maybe it’s the insta-love part, but I didn’t feel sold on Bratan and Leena’s relationship. Plus the change felt almost too quick from her resisting him to then giving in to her passion, which is strange considering most of the book is dedicated to this, rather than the underlying plot (that didn’t really surface until the 60-75% point).
If you like ACOTAR and similar stories about Fae and deities who live close to mortal lands and at some point have to interact with them, then this book is definitely for you.
A Whisper in the Woods had loads of potential, but I feel it was just lacking a little in execution.
At times, I was confused about what was going on yet something in the writing kept me hooked enough to not DNF.
Maybe it’s the insta-love part, but I didn’t feel sold on Bratan and Leena’s relationship. Plus the change felt almost too quick from her resisting him to then giving in to her passion, which is strange considering most of the book is dedicated to this, rather than the underlying plot (that didn’t really surface until the 60-75% point).
If you like ACOTAR and similar stories about Fae and deities who live close to mortal lands and at some point have to interact with them, then this book is definitely for you.
January 26, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this. Leena was a no-nonsense FMC at the beginning, which I appreciated. The storyline felt somewhat familiar to Song of the Dark Wood by Sheila Masterson, with the villagers demanding the FMC sacrifice herself for the village’s gain. The Leshy felt like a counterpart to the Big Bad Wolf here.
Leena’s reluctance to marry Bratan could’ve been more believable, and I think the story would’ve been stronger if it hadn’t been insta-love for Bratan too. The moment they actually communicated after consummating their relationship was where I finally felt the connection between them. But, unfortunately, this is also where Leena started to become a bit annoying.
I always suspected Ani was sus, so no surprises there. Overall, it was a good read, and I think anyone who enjoys fantasy would love this.
Leena’s reluctance to marry Bratan could’ve been more believable, and I think the story would’ve been stronger if it hadn’t been insta-love for Bratan too. The moment they actually communicated after consummating their relationship was where I finally felt the connection between them. But, unfortunately, this is also where Leena started to become a bit annoying.
I always suspected Ani was sus, so no surprises there. Overall, it was a good read, and I think anyone who enjoys fantasy would love this.
February 3, 2025
ARC Review
This book starts off with a strong, captivating atmosphere. The mystery of what was happening kept me going, coupled with the eerie setting, really pulls you in. The author does a fantastic job of creating a suspenseful, almost haunting vibe, and the initial slow burn feels natural, drawing you into the characters' world.
However, as the story progresses, things start to drag a bit. The middle section feels like it lingers too long, and while the atmosphere remains, the plot seems to hit a bit of a lull.
The ending, unfortunately, felt rushed. After a slower build-up throughout the book, the final chapters feel almost too quick. The conflict resolution which had been brewing for much of the story, felt a bit too compressed.
One thing that stood out was the relationship dynamics-while the slow burn at the beginning felt great, I was a little thrown off by how quickly the MMC seemed to fall for the FMC. It felt almost too sudden. I wish there had been more time or development to justify the speed at which his feelings evolved.
Nonetheless i give this book a 3.75 ⭐️
This book starts off with a strong, captivating atmosphere. The mystery of what was happening kept me going, coupled with the eerie setting, really pulls you in. The author does a fantastic job of creating a suspenseful, almost haunting vibe, and the initial slow burn feels natural, drawing you into the characters' world.
However, as the story progresses, things start to drag a bit. The middle section feels like it lingers too long, and while the atmosphere remains, the plot seems to hit a bit of a lull.
The ending, unfortunately, felt rushed. After a slower build-up throughout the book, the final chapters feel almost too quick. The conflict resolution which had been brewing for much of the story, felt a bit too compressed.
One thing that stood out was the relationship dynamics-while the slow burn at the beginning felt great, I was a little thrown off by how quickly the MMC seemed to fall for the FMC. It felt almost too sudden. I wish there had been more time or development to justify the speed at which his feelings evolved.
Nonetheless i give this book a 3.75 ⭐️
January 19, 2025
This a spicy 🌶️ red riding hood retelling with the villain being our love interest. I loved the initial banter and interactions between our to MC. However the spice spiced too much for me in the middle with not a lot of plot. The ending was great and the action picked right back up and the story progressed. The plot was slight predictable but also exactly what I wanted. I very cute monster romance.
February 4, 2025
Rating 1.5
Spice: 2.5
A Whisper in the Woods is a Slavic mythology inspired enemies to lovers Romantasy.
While the premise of blank was promising, personally the execution fell short. I was hooked since the first few pages however I struggled to find the conflict of the story. The instant lust and YA styled writing unfortunately this made it a DNF for me around 50% as I just couldent continue further.
I believe this could be a great read for anyone looking for a fast paced, low stakes, Romantasy if you love romance focused fantasy’s with fated mates! Sadly, I just hadn’t enjoyed it as much as I anticipated.
Thank you to Torchlitink for this arc 🤍
Spice: 2.5
A Whisper in the Woods is a Slavic mythology inspired enemies to lovers Romantasy.
While the premise of blank was promising, personally the execution fell short. I was hooked since the first few pages however I struggled to find the conflict of the story. The instant lust and YA styled writing unfortunately this made it a DNF for me around 50% as I just couldent continue further.
I believe this could be a great read for anyone looking for a fast paced, low stakes, Romantasy if you love romance focused fantasy’s with fated mates! Sadly, I just hadn’t enjoyed it as much as I anticipated.
Thank you to Torchlitink for this arc 🤍
February 6, 2025
This book had potential, but the execution fell a bit short for me. While the story kept me engaged, some parts felt repetitive—the main plot didn’t fully develop until late in the book. The romance between Bratan (a Leshy/monster) and Leena (a human) also felt rushed. He falls for her instantly while she tries to resist—but it doesn’t take long before she gives in.
But if you enjoy stories with Fae and deities interacting with mortals, this might still be worth a read for you!
But if you enjoy stories with Fae and deities interacting with mortals, this might still be worth a read for you!
February 4, 2025
A Whisper in the Woods is a new romantasy based upon Slavic folklore. I was immediately drawn in because I’m a sucker for all things folklore and mythology and look at that cover, guys!!!
Leena lives a hard, somewhat naive, life in her small village that is being terrorized by something in the woods, believed to be the forest “monster” called the leshy.
To appease the leshy, Leena is sent into the woods by her village to be an offering of sorts and meets the super hot forest daddy leshy named Bratan. Holy goodness! Bratan is the shape shifting, morally grey, paranormal creature, book boyfriend we all dream about! The chin tilt is ✨perfection✨.
This book is true to its romantasy genre with mystical elements, surprises that kept me intrigued, and a swoon worthy romance. I would definitely recommend giving this one a read! 🖤
Read if you love:
🌙 Enemies to lovers
🌙 Folklore
🌙 Fated Mates
🌙 Shapeshifter
🌙 Protective MMC
🌙 Self Discovery
Leena lives a hard, somewhat naive, life in her small village that is being terrorized by something in the woods, believed to be the forest “monster” called the leshy.
To appease the leshy, Leena is sent into the woods by her village to be an offering of sorts and meets the super hot forest daddy leshy named Bratan. Holy goodness! Bratan is the shape shifting, morally grey, paranormal creature, book boyfriend we all dream about! The chin tilt is ✨perfection✨.
This book is true to its romantasy genre with mystical elements, surprises that kept me intrigued, and a swoon worthy romance. I would definitely recommend giving this one a read! 🖤
Read if you love:
🌙 Enemies to lovers
🌙 Folklore
🌙 Fated Mates
🌙 Shapeshifter
🌙 Protective MMC
🌙 Self Discovery
Read
February 14, 2025Wanted to love this, made it to 55%, but I cannot keep going.
dnf
May 21, 2025dnf @ 70%. actively looking for the brain cells i lost when reading this. sos.
February 14, 2025
I enjoyed this story to a point. I like the retelling aspect of it. I liked the characters and how great they interacted with each other. The only downfall of this story, I felt, was the way it was written. Although it was understandable and easy to follow, it seemed like it was missing something, but sometimes it felt rushed. It wasn't awful just needs some tweaking.
January 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
2 🌶
Tropes:
• Morally Grey MMC
• Fiery FMC
• Fated Mates
• Forced Marriage
• Touch Her & D*e
• Shapeshifter
• Instalove
• Enemines To Lovers (Fast)
• Slavic Folklore
I absolutely loved this book, I devoured it so fast 😍 it's a fun, fast-paced romantasy that I could not put down!
I couldn't rate it any less than 4.5 stars because I loved every second of it!
The writing was brilliant, the world building was vivid and beautiful, and I enjoyed the characters.
I enjoyed the Leshy and the other mystical creatures as I've never read a story with this folk-lore before.
I loved Bratan & Leena and their romance.
I would have loved some more side characters and a chance to get to know them a bit more too.
I wasn't sure what spice level to rate it because even though there was a lot of sexual twnsion and sexual scenes, nothing was written in graphic detail or overly explicit. It was written very romantically so I went with 2🌶.
Just what I needed; a lovely, fun, easy-read, romantasy set in a stunning world!
I can't wait to read more of this author's work and would definitely read more about Leena & Bratan! 🫶🏼
2 🌶
Tropes:
• Morally Grey MMC
• Fiery FMC
• Fated Mates
• Forced Marriage
• Touch Her & D*e
• Shapeshifter
• Instalove
• Enemines To Lovers (Fast)
• Slavic Folklore
I absolutely loved this book, I devoured it so fast 😍 it's a fun, fast-paced romantasy that I could not put down!
I couldn't rate it any less than 4.5 stars because I loved every second of it!
The writing was brilliant, the world building was vivid and beautiful, and I enjoyed the characters.
I enjoyed the Leshy and the other mystical creatures as I've never read a story with this folk-lore before.
I loved Bratan & Leena and their romance.
I would have loved some more side characters and a chance to get to know them a bit more too.
I wasn't sure what spice level to rate it because even though there was a lot of sexual twnsion and sexual scenes, nothing was written in graphic detail or overly explicit. It was written very romantically so I went with 2🌶.
Just what I needed; a lovely, fun, easy-read, romantasy set in a stunning world!
I can't wait to read more of this author's work and would definitely read more about Leena & Bratan! 🫶🏼
February 15, 2025
I liked the beginning, but that's about it. The FMC switches how she feels about the Leshy every few lines, and I was just so confused. Does she hate him, does she love him, or is she fulfilling her "obligation" to her village? I thought it was the latter, but she is so resistant to him that it doesn't feel like she's really trying to help her village or grandmother.
"I'm not your wife!" Well, you are married, so that means you're his wife... if she was so against marrying him, then I felt like she should have put up more of a fight to the matriarch of the village or the Leshy before the wedding. It just felt weird for her to agree to meet him for the safety of the village, get married, and then be totally against it all? Does she really even care about her grandmother if she's acting the way she is and risking upsetting who she believes to be a monster? And this is all within the first two days of meeting him...
I understand her not wanting to be with him or marry him, but it feels so confusing when she is so close to sleeping with him on day 1 and then also calling him names and saying she hates him. She doesn't know him!
This could have had a lot of potential, and after seeing the art posted on instagram, I was looking forward to reading it.
"I'm not your wife!" Well, you are married, so that means you're his wife... if she was so against marrying him, then I felt like she should have put up more of a fight to the matriarch of the village or the Leshy before the wedding. It just felt weird for her to agree to meet him for the safety of the village, get married, and then be totally against it all? Does she really even care about her grandmother if she's acting the way she is and risking upsetting who she believes to be a monster? And this is all within the first two days of meeting him...
I understand her not wanting to be with him or marry him, but it feels so confusing when she is so close to sleeping with him on day 1 and then also calling him names and saying she hates him. She doesn't know him!
This could have had a lot of potential, and after seeing the art posted on instagram, I was looking forward to reading it.
February 6, 2025
Thank you to Elise Nelson, Torch Lit Ink, and Shattered Glass Press for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title.
The accidents began after Leena's village arrived in the woods. Now that children have gone missing, the village has decided that the Leshy, the terrible forest monster that was supposed to be the stuff of children's bedtime stories, requires a sacrifice to stay sated. Leena, an orphan no one will miss, is forced into the forest dressed in red with a fiddle in her hand, and is left to ponder if the monsters she should have been afraid of are the ones she left behind in the village. With threats from within and without, can Leena trust the Leshy with her heart and her life, or will she find herself a cautionary tale for misbehaving children about the dangers of the forest?
A folklore romantasy hates to see me coming, but, for me at least, this tale started strong and fell flatter and flatter towards the end. The idea of a village sacrifice, a monster that is more than meets the eye, forest spirits, a Beauty-and-the-Beast-like reversal, Slavish-inspired lore, and a FMC coming into her own power are all elements at the top of my list for a good story, but I feel like the execution got off the rails here.
I think the author was going for an enemies-to-lovers-style romance, but what we had here was more of an insta-love, insta-lust romance that lacked a lot of the development I like to see in stories - the banter and the will-they-won't-they was actually great in the beginning, but the relationship quickly just fell apart into kind of boring "wow you're so hot, I can't keep my eyes off of you" dynamics (including making out during a fight scene for some reason).
***There will be SPOILERS in the next two paragraphs, read at your own risk!***
I also felt like there were a couple interesting plotlines that kind of had to be explained away at the end, or were not really addressed, which caused me to really lose interest in the story towards the back half of the book (and there will be SPOILERS here because I am having a hard time articulating what I felt was lacking without bringing up examples). For example, the FMC would bring up a question (e.g. how is my grandma doing), and then would go off and do like 3-4 different things before grandma was brought up again as an afterthought, even though we're led to believe in the opening that the grandma is the most important person to the FMC and a big chunk of her willingness to be sacrificed was so that grandma could have a better life. Another big point brought up several times is that the Leshy might just need the FMC for an heir and would then kill her; I kept waiting for the FMC to get genuinely upset or otherwise show some remorse about this, and/or for it to become a thing since the FMC and the Leshy have unprotected sex many times, but it's kind of thrown in as an afterthought in the final act ("oh we can take a contraceptive I'm totally not using you to have a kid"), which just felt very...anti-climatic. There were several more plotlines like this that were either lamely resolved or just kind of an afterthought and that really took away from my enjoyment of anything going on.
Finally, the main antagonist's roles behind the scenes were not really addressed in detail, beyond "yeah she's crazy and obsessed with me IDK", and I thought that would have been a cool expansion of the book to go into, but there isn't much lore given about her and what her motivations or the motivations of the hell from which she came could be, and I thought she could have been better utilized. I'm not sure if she's a figure in Slavic folklore so I could just be ignorant of her place in the picture here, which is my own fault.
Overall, I think readers who like a quick romantasy read that's not plot heavy would like this book. I thought the vibes were nice and I can see what the author was trying to do here, but I personally needed much more development and follow-through to get invested in caring about the characters and their motivations, especially towards the end of the book. This author also wrote a Hades X Persephone romance and I'd be willing to give that a tray in the future.
The accidents began after Leena's village arrived in the woods. Now that children have gone missing, the village has decided that the Leshy, the terrible forest monster that was supposed to be the stuff of children's bedtime stories, requires a sacrifice to stay sated. Leena, an orphan no one will miss, is forced into the forest dressed in red with a fiddle in her hand, and is left to ponder if the monsters she should have been afraid of are the ones she left behind in the village. With threats from within and without, can Leena trust the Leshy with her heart and her life, or will she find herself a cautionary tale for misbehaving children about the dangers of the forest?
A folklore romantasy hates to see me coming, but, for me at least, this tale started strong and fell flatter and flatter towards the end. The idea of a village sacrifice, a monster that is more than meets the eye, forest spirits, a Beauty-and-the-Beast-like reversal, Slavish-inspired lore, and a FMC coming into her own power are all elements at the top of my list for a good story, but I feel like the execution got off the rails here.
I think the author was going for an enemies-to-lovers-style romance, but what we had here was more of an insta-love, insta-lust romance that lacked a lot of the development I like to see in stories - the banter and the will-they-won't-they was actually great in the beginning, but the relationship quickly just fell apart into kind of boring "wow you're so hot, I can't keep my eyes off of you" dynamics (including making out during a fight scene for some reason).
***There will be SPOILERS in the next two paragraphs, read at your own risk!***
I also felt like there were a couple interesting plotlines that kind of had to be explained away at the end, or were not really addressed, which caused me to really lose interest in the story towards the back half of the book (and there will be SPOILERS here because I am having a hard time articulating what I felt was lacking without bringing up examples). For example, the FMC would bring up a question (e.g. how is my grandma doing), and then would go off and do like 3-4 different things before grandma was brought up again as an afterthought, even though we're led to believe in the opening that the grandma is the most important person to the FMC and a big chunk of her willingness to be sacrificed was so that grandma could have a better life. Another big point brought up several times is that the Leshy might just need the FMC for an heir and would then kill her; I kept waiting for the FMC to get genuinely upset or otherwise show some remorse about this, and/or for it to become a thing since the FMC and the Leshy have unprotected sex many times, but it's kind of thrown in as an afterthought in the final act ("oh we can take a contraceptive I'm totally not using you to have a kid"), which just felt very...anti-climatic. There were several more plotlines like this that were either lamely resolved or just kind of an afterthought and that really took away from my enjoyment of anything going on.
Finally, the main antagonist's roles behind the scenes were not really addressed in detail, beyond "yeah she's crazy and obsessed with me IDK", and I thought that would have been a cool expansion of the book to go into, but there isn't much lore given about her and what her motivations or the motivations of the hell from which she came could be, and I thought she could have been better utilized. I'm not sure if she's a figure in Slavic folklore so I could just be ignorant of her place in the picture here, which is my own fault.
Overall, I think readers who like a quick romantasy read that's not plot heavy would like this book. I thought the vibes were nice and I can see what the author was trying to do here, but I personally needed much more development and follow-through to get invested in caring about the characters and their motivations, especially towards the end of the book. This author also wrote a Hades X Persephone romance and I'd be willing to give that a tray in the future.
May 20, 2025
DNFd chapter Nine.
The writing is well phrased but the words on the page are atrocious.
Leena is 26 and spends her days hiding in a cursed forest and getting used as a punching bag by her uncle.
The Author seems to spend more time trying to re-invent the wheel on Nomadic life and caravan living instead of reflecting on how her characters come across and it's infuriating.
Apparently the town is nomadic, sorry, a "travelling" village. But instead of living in caravan wagons or tents like most established nomadic lifestyles, these people somehow lug around whole walls and floors they cobble from "other" ruined villages like some medieval Barbie dollhouse and then erect it in a new area.
Already it's frustrating because apparently kids are going missing, food is rotting and the weather is terrible, not to mention some antagonistic forest Deity has it out for them.
So why don't they just pick up their town and leave?
Yeah, that was my thought too, until about four chapters in when the author mentions "broken wagon wheels"
I am so confused about why all of this villagers problems are based around one particular forest, but then she goes on to make the village nomadic.
LEAVE!
Just leave!
What do you mean you're risking kids going missing because your wagon wheel broke?!
The set up is overcomplicated, the characters are infuriating and the concepts are outdated and frankly a harmful display of objectification of women.
Leena is bullied into leaving the village, told flat out that she won't be missed and then the male lead shows up, bullies and terrifies her, pushes himself on her physically and tries her to a tree and Leena basically just accepts it.
Oh and she feels tingly and excited.
No.
When a man forces himself on a woman she does not just ignore danger because he has nice lips.
Then the story switches to Bratan, the male protagonist's POV and he's upset because she called him a monster.
This book is so out of touch it literally made me angry.
Female protagonists being treated like objects being forced into marriage and being passed off as a romance book has no place in 2025.
The writing is well phrased but the words on the page are atrocious.
Leena is 26 and spends her days hiding in a cursed forest and getting used as a punching bag by her uncle.
The Author seems to spend more time trying to re-invent the wheel on Nomadic life and caravan living instead of reflecting on how her characters come across and it's infuriating.
Apparently the town is nomadic, sorry, a "travelling" village. But instead of living in caravan wagons or tents like most established nomadic lifestyles, these people somehow lug around whole walls and floors they cobble from "other" ruined villages like some medieval Barbie dollhouse and then erect it in a new area.
Already it's frustrating because apparently kids are going missing, food is rotting and the weather is terrible, not to mention some antagonistic forest Deity has it out for them.
So why don't they just pick up their town and leave?
Yeah, that was my thought too, until about four chapters in when the author mentions "broken wagon wheels"
I am so confused about why all of this villagers problems are based around one particular forest, but then she goes on to make the village nomadic.
LEAVE!
Just leave!
What do you mean you're risking kids going missing because your wagon wheel broke?!
The set up is overcomplicated, the characters are infuriating and the concepts are outdated and frankly a harmful display of objectification of women.
Leena is bullied into leaving the village, told flat out that she won't be missed and then the male lead shows up, bullies and terrifies her, pushes himself on her physically and tries her to a tree and Leena basically just accepts it.
Oh and she feels tingly and excited.
No.
When a man forces himself on a woman she does not just ignore danger because he has nice lips.
Then the story switches to Bratan, the male protagonist's POV and he's upset because she called him a monster.
This book is so out of touch it literally made me angry.
Female protagonists being treated like objects being forced into marriage and being passed off as a romance book has no place in 2025.
February 6, 2025
When I came across the advertisement for “A Whisper In the Woods” by Elise Nelson, I felt a surge of excitement. I'm all about fated mates stories, and lately, I've been diving deeper into Slovic Lore. There’s something enchanting about their narratives and creatures that captivates me!
Elise skillfully built the scenes and characters, and I can't wait to see how they evolve. Leena is a character I empathize with on so many levels. Her willingness to sacrifice for her grandmother struck a chord with me—only to discover that she had been deceived by her village matriarch. As I read on, I could practically feel Leena’s anxiety the moment she encounters the mysterious being threatening her village. And then there’s Bratan; his character is so intriguing! I’m left wondering about his backstory and motivations, and I can't help but feel infused with curiosity about what lies ahead for him and Leena.
I also can't overlook the breathtaking landscapes Elise describes. She takes her time detailing everything around the characters, making me wish I could step into this world and witness the unfolding tale firsthand. The depth of the scenery adds so much richness, and I’m eager to see how it will influence the story.
This book promises to be the fantasy journey I’ve been yearning for! It truly has the potential to ignite my imagination and creativity. I can already picture making some amazing fan art for the author! I’m really looking forward to diving deeper into this book and hope that when you pick it up, you’ll be just as enchanted!
Elise skillfully built the scenes and characters, and I can't wait to see how they evolve. Leena is a character I empathize with on so many levels. Her willingness to sacrifice for her grandmother struck a chord with me—only to discover that she had been deceived by her village matriarch. As I read on, I could practically feel Leena’s anxiety the moment she encounters the mysterious being threatening her village. And then there’s Bratan; his character is so intriguing! I’m left wondering about his backstory and motivations, and I can't help but feel infused with curiosity about what lies ahead for him and Leena.
I also can't overlook the breathtaking landscapes Elise describes. She takes her time detailing everything around the characters, making me wish I could step into this world and witness the unfolding tale firsthand. The depth of the scenery adds so much richness, and I’m eager to see how it will influence the story.
This book promises to be the fantasy journey I’ve been yearning for! It truly has the potential to ignite my imagination and creativity. I can already picture making some amazing fan art for the author! I’m really looking forward to diving deeper into this book and hope that when you pick it up, you’ll be just as enchanted!
January 11, 2025
"I kept my spine stuff, my chin high, and stepped closer to that dark line where the trees welcomed me like an old nightmare. Where the first part of my life ended and the end of my life began."
I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy romance book! I thoroughly enjoyed getting Bratan's POV throughout the book, but I wish there had been more. I also really expected to see more of his friend group throughout the book, but they only get a couple of mentions. Honestly, i don't know why I expected to see more of them, but i did and now I'm left wanting more.
I appreciate that the author didn't shy away from the trauma that Leena clearly experienced and how that trauma affected her actions. "The scars from those dimensions if survival still haunted me with wounds both invisible and etched deep below the surface of my skin." As someone that's still healing from trauma, I love when books are open and raw about the characters and their actions around trauma. It helps me feel a little less alone.
The spice is moderate, nothing too wild, which fits nicely with the cozy vibes of the book. Everything was fast paced, fast burn, fated mates, and then BAM [redacted] show up and [redacted] up branches and sh!t.
Overall, i enjoyed the book. I love the theme and twist on a fairytale, and I'm extremely thankful the author allowed me to be an ARC reader! Definitely recommend this book if you love cozy fairytales.
I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy romance book! I thoroughly enjoyed getting Bratan's POV throughout the book, but I wish there had been more. I also really expected to see more of his friend group throughout the book, but they only get a couple of mentions. Honestly, i don't know why I expected to see more of them, but i did and now I'm left wanting more.
I appreciate that the author didn't shy away from the trauma that Leena clearly experienced and how that trauma affected her actions. "The scars from those dimensions if survival still haunted me with wounds both invisible and etched deep below the surface of my skin." As someone that's still healing from trauma, I love when books are open and raw about the characters and their actions around trauma. It helps me feel a little less alone.
The spice is moderate, nothing too wild, which fits nicely with the cozy vibes of the book. Everything was fast paced, fast burn, fated mates, and then BAM [redacted] show up and [redacted] up branches and sh!t.
Overall, i enjoyed the book. I love the theme and twist on a fairytale, and I'm extremely thankful the author allowed me to be an ARC reader! Definitely recommend this book if you love cozy fairytales.
February 8, 2025
Star Rating: 3⭐️
Spice Rating: 1🌶️
Format: E-book 📱
🌻🦋 My Review 🦋🌻
Initially I really liked this story. It gripped me from the start. Somewhere along the way though that changed & I struggled to finish the book. Let me explain.
In the beginning I felt so much sympathy for Leena & what she went through & I felt terrified for her basically being sacrificed to this beast. But dear lord she became so insufferable and annoying. All she did was bitch, moan & cry. There was no character growth for her at all. She was so judgmental & childish & god awful I found myself agreeing with Ani. She wasn’t meant to be a queen. No one would ever respect her as a queen.
Bratan I had mixed emotions about. In the beginning it felt like all he thought about was having sex with Leena & to be quite frank it didn’t really change throughout the book. I felt no real connection between the main characters except that they were physically attracted to each other and that’s it. There were moments where it seemed even Bratan was thinking “this woman is just so god awful but meh I wanna do her so I’ll overlook it”
I mean the overall story line isn’t bad at all. I quite liked Theodora. The plot was really interesting but the main characters were so unlikable I just couldn’t connect.
This is just my personal opinion. I always encourage people to read & form their own opinions. It may be different than mine.
Spice Rating: 1🌶️
Format: E-book 📱
🌻🦋 My Review 🦋🌻
Initially I really liked this story. It gripped me from the start. Somewhere along the way though that changed & I struggled to finish the book. Let me explain.
In the beginning I felt so much sympathy for Leena & what she went through & I felt terrified for her basically being sacrificed to this beast. But dear lord she became so insufferable and annoying. All she did was bitch, moan & cry. There was no character growth for her at all. She was so judgmental & childish & god awful I found myself agreeing with Ani. She wasn’t meant to be a queen. No one would ever respect her as a queen.
Bratan I had mixed emotions about. In the beginning it felt like all he thought about was having sex with Leena & to be quite frank it didn’t really change throughout the book. I felt no real connection between the main characters except that they were physically attracted to each other and that’s it. There were moments where it seemed even Bratan was thinking “this woman is just so god awful but meh I wanna do her so I’ll overlook it”
I mean the overall story line isn’t bad at all. I quite liked Theodora. The plot was really interesting but the main characters were so unlikable I just couldn’t connect.
This is just my personal opinion. I always encourage people to read & form their own opinions. It may be different than mine.
January 25, 2025
~ ARC Review ~ Thank you to Torch Lit Ink and Elise Nelson for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance.
I loved this take on folklore and this story was exciting and steamy. I felt this book had a great plot all-in-all. However, I feel it got a bit buried under the insta-lust, the FMC flip-floping over her feelings, miscommunication and overly repetitive dialogue and spice.
I enjoyed the tension but the back and forth was kind of overdone. Instead of getting any real details about what's going on in the actual story, we find ourselves going in circles. As much as they get it on, the spicy scenes leave a bit to be desired. They were beautifully written, but all felt very much the same throughout the whole thing, repetitive.
There were repeat cliche points of dialogue between the MCs where I felt would have been better used to give more information on what was expected of the FMC or lore or plot advancement. There's something going on in the background of the story, but we aren't allowed to know about it, here's another whimsically written 🌶️ scene.
I think this author has a lot of potential. The plot is good but the prose itself needed some work and more organization. There were times I couldn't put it down and times I rolled my eyes. I will be looking forward to the next Fated Folktale because this was still a fun read.
I loved this take on folklore and this story was exciting and steamy. I felt this book had a great plot all-in-all. However, I feel it got a bit buried under the insta-lust, the FMC flip-floping over her feelings, miscommunication and overly repetitive dialogue and spice.
I enjoyed the tension but the back and forth was kind of overdone. Instead of getting any real details about what's going on in the actual story, we find ourselves going in circles. As much as they get it on, the spicy scenes leave a bit to be desired. They were beautifully written, but all felt very much the same throughout the whole thing, repetitive.
There were repeat cliche points of dialogue between the MCs where I felt would have been better used to give more information on what was expected of the FMC or lore or plot advancement. There's something going on in the background of the story, but we aren't allowed to know about it, here's another whimsically written 🌶️ scene.
I think this author has a lot of potential. The plot is good but the prose itself needed some work and more organization. There were times I couldn't put it down and times I rolled my eyes. I will be looking forward to the next Fated Folktale because this was still a fun read.
February 7, 2025
✨ARC REVIEW✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🌲A Whisper in the Woods
🌿by Elise Nelson
🌲available NOW!
🌿Leena doesn’t live the easiest life with having to endure both mental and physical abuse all while trying to keep her Grandmother safe. Her village is suffering, food is scarce and women and kids are disappearing one by one.
✨She eventually makes the decision to take on a task dished out to her by her abuser, for the sake of keeping her family fed and safe. Blackmail is a treacherous thing in this world.
🌿Ordered to go into the forest in hopes of appeasing the monster of the woods, (if he even exists, right?) the Leshy, to keep her people safe, things start to take a bit of a turn once she finally comes face to face with none other than the Leshy himself, Bratan.
✨Bratan, a monster that can change form into a beautiful human man who makes her pulse quicken and her brain a whirlwind, is quite taken with Leena and things start to heat up in this magical and dark world.
🌿This story was such a fun romantasy/monster romance with unique characters and creative descriptive landscapes that made it feel like being transported. If you’re looking for a quick romantasy read that combines monster romance, dark fairytales and dystopian vibes as well as spice, this one is for you!
✨Thank you so much to the author and Torch Lit Ink for providing me with this ARC for my honest review! 🫶🏻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🌲A Whisper in the Woods
🌿by Elise Nelson
🌲available NOW!
🌿Leena doesn’t live the easiest life with having to endure both mental and physical abuse all while trying to keep her Grandmother safe. Her village is suffering, food is scarce and women and kids are disappearing one by one.
✨She eventually makes the decision to take on a task dished out to her by her abuser, for the sake of keeping her family fed and safe. Blackmail is a treacherous thing in this world.
🌿Ordered to go into the forest in hopes of appeasing the monster of the woods, (if he even exists, right?) the Leshy, to keep her people safe, things start to take a bit of a turn once she finally comes face to face with none other than the Leshy himself, Bratan.
✨Bratan, a monster that can change form into a beautiful human man who makes her pulse quicken and her brain a whirlwind, is quite taken with Leena and things start to heat up in this magical and dark world.
🌿This story was such a fun romantasy/monster romance with unique characters and creative descriptive landscapes that made it feel like being transported. If you’re looking for a quick romantasy read that combines monster romance, dark fairytales and dystopian vibes as well as spice, this one is for you!
✨Thank you so much to the author and Torch Lit Ink for providing me with this ARC for my honest review! 🫶🏻
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