A Court Bright and Broken

by Amy Patrick

A dangerous bargain. An obsessed prince. A forbidden love that could split the Fae court... and break the world.

Thanks to the Fae king’s heartless tithe, my family is starving. If I don’t do something, my war-wounded father and two little sisters won’t last.

So I make a desperate deal with our village mother-- she’ll save my family, and in return, I'll attend the royal ball in disguise and perform an unnamed task. She won’t say what it is, but it doesn’t really matter. Whatever it turns out to be, it’s worth it to protect the people I love.

All I have to do is get in, do the mysterious deed, and get out without attracting the notice of the cruel royal family.

But somehow I manage to catch the attention of not one, but *both* wicked Fae princes.

The Crown Prince acts possessive and won’t let me out of his sight. His growly, bad-tempered brother is another matter. His beautiful exterior is in complete contrast to the darkness inside him, and I have the terrifying feeling he can see right through me.

Which is a very bad thing once I learn the task I’m bound to fulfill–or else face unthinkable consequences.

If I fail, my family will die. If I succeed… I might not be able to live with myself.

A Court Bright and Broken is an epic fantasy romance set in the beautiful and dangerous world of the High Fae where magic rules, secrets abound, and true love will not be denied. It’s a magical slow-burn Romantasy with Cinderella vibes and will delight readers who love delicious romantic banter, toe-curling tension and chemistry, immersive world-building, magic, and royal Fae intrigue.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, High Fantasy

410 pages, ebook

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

I love writing, and I love LOVE. I've been writing seriously since 2010 and have written 35 books (and counting!) Most of them are YA and NA romantic fantasy. There's a dash of paranormal and dystopian romance in my book list as well.

I'm honored to be an Amazon bestseller and multi-award winning author of the bestselling Hidden Saga, which is a 10-book Fae fantasy romance series, the heart-pounding Crimson Accord vampire romance series.

My new Romantasy series, Age of Fae, begins with A Court Bright and Broken, which released on Valentine's Day 2025. Book 2, A Kingdom Ruthless and Radiant comes out May 23rd 2025!

I live in Rhode Island where I write in my car at the beach year round and sometimes crave the heat and humidity of Mississippi, where I grew up. I love hearing from my readers! Reach out and say hi anytime.

Reviews

[thevinedbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a fast-paced Fae Romantasy book with magical bargains and a fresh spin on a classic tale (Cinderella retelling vibes ✨)? Then you NEED to check out this book!

This book was a fun Romantasy read. The Cinderella vibes brought a fresh twist to the genre. I was immediately intrigued when I started it and couldn’t put it down. I loved Raewyn, the FMC—she was spunky, pragmatic, and passionate, especially when it came to protecting and taking care of her family.

While reading, I did struggle with one element—some of Raewyn’s interactions with Stellon, the crown prince. There were times I just wanted to chuck my Kindle across the room at his naïveté and lack of awareness of the struggles his subjects faced. I’m not sure if the author intended for me to feel this way or if it was just my personal reaction. However, I absolutely loved Raewyn’s interactions with Pharis, Stellon’s younger brother and our shadow daddy Fae. 😉

I’m excited to see where this story goes! I debated rating it 3.5 stars due to my frustrations, but I ultimately bumped it up to 4 stars because I couldn’t put it down—and I’m eager to see what happens in book two, especially with a certain prince. Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!

[Amy Patrick]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write a review and share your love for A Court Bright and Broken. I am so grateful. And now book 2, A Kingdom Ruthless and Radiant is out!! I hope you'll love it.
If you're looking for the Age of Fae series on Amazon, here are the links...
Ebook:
US- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR7KGCWJ
UK— https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DR7KGCWJ
CA— https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DR7KGCWJ
AU- https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DR7KGCWJ

PAPERBACK ON B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-co...


PAPERBACK ON AMAZON:
https://www.amazon.com/Court-Bright-B...

Hugs and happy reading!

[Samantha Gaudious · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun time!! ✨

Cinderella inspired Romantasy with Fae!!
…THAT screams a great time!!

This was a very, quick, easy to read Romantasy with lots of twists that really had me wondering what was going to happen, and reaching the end I’m still wondering 😂

…obviously I need to know!!

This is a perfect book for someone wanting to read Romantasy as the world building and writing were very easy to understand.
I would’ve loved even more world building because this one definitely had me on edge a few times!

Cannot thank the nerdfam and author Amy Patrick enough for this arc! She’s a blast 🫶🫶

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: A Court Bright and Broken by Amy Patrick

Thanks to the NerdFam for this gifted ARC.

This book was surprisingly excellent! It’s the first in a new series, and I was hooked from the beginning. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

It’s a loose Cinderella retelling with forbidden love, a fantastic slow-burn romance, and a potential love triangle between two fae princes. If you loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, this book will be right up your alley.

The character development of the male main character was exquisite, and the female main character was a refreshing, caring protagonist you can’t help but root for.

This is the perfect escapist romantasy read, and it releases on February 14, 2025. Highly recommend picking this one up!

[Dani (what_dani_read) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much promise, the story sounded right up my street - ACOTAR vibes with a hint of a Cinderella retelling. Unfortunately it did not deliver on what it promised. The MC’s we’re likeable, but had absolutely no depth to them whatsoever, the writing was bland, and uninspiring, the world building could’ve been immense, but was mediocre at best, and what on earth was with that ending, that wasn’t an ending, it was like the author gave up mid scene, and decided that was it. So frustrating. I probably would’ve loved this had the world building been expanded on a lot, and the characters had more depth and their relationship not felt cliched and a bit fake.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this story! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. It’s not often that I get so drawn in so quickly, but the opening POV from Stellon, the male main character, really set the stage for something special. The shift in perspective was refreshing and unique, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the world of faes and the fascinating blend of elven and human Cinderella vibes.

Raewyn, the female main character, was so relatable to me, and watching her and Stellon’s love story unfold had me feeling all sorts of giddy throughout most of the book. It’s the perfect slow burn romance that leaves you craving more.

I would have loved to dive deeper into the different kinds of elven magic, so I’m hoping we get more of that in book two! Similarly, Stellon’s brother and sister deserve more development, and I’m eagerly anticipating how their stories will unfold.

A surprise twist? A shadow daddy! I won’t give anything away, but I am beyond eager to uncover more about him in the next book.

I honestly didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did, but here we are with a solid 5-star rating. I can’t wait for book two — I have a feeling it’s going to be 6 stars! The bonus scene had me internally screaming with joy. This book is on my list of favorite reads for 2025.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC and the author Amy Patrick for the bonus scene.

[Justine Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Thank you so much to Nerd Fam and Amy Patrick for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once I started the book and got into it, I got sucked in. It’s a Cinderella, The Selection, mixed with magic and two hot brothers.

I will be reading book 2 because I got this ARC. I’m not sure I would’ve picked up this book if it was not for Nerd Fam.

Things I docked points for:
- The ending wasn’t as shocking or cliff hanging as I would’ve expected. I also think the boys could have more development as characters.
- I wish when we were in Stellon’s POV developed him as a very desirable MMC. I do think the bones are there. I’m more interested in his brother hahah.
- insta-love trope

Things I liked
- the miscommunication or secrets weren’t a main driver of conflict which a lot of these books do.
- a villain to hate and a FMC to cheer on.
- I actually appreciated the plot moved quickly and got to the point.

Overall, I highly recommend giving this book a try!

[Literature with Lindsey 📚✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ RTC

[Bianquita · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank Net Galley and the author for the arc because this was an incredible read.
I was hooked from the first chapter, which is rare in fantasy books! I think that for the first book in a series, it was an amazing read with great promise. I am very excited to read the next book, this has everything to be a great series that deserves great hype, I mean....fae meets cinderella and the Selection, with forbidden love? Sign me up for it!
I have great expectations for book 2, I hope we see more character development, especially on the mmc, he was charming but I need more attitude! Following that thought I really like the mysterious and dark brother and need much more of his participation in the future. The worldbuilding was easy to understand but I also hope that we learn more in future books.
This book was a great time, and I think is great for someone who's starting to read romantasy!

[Phoebe ❀ ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Court Bright and Broken" is a fantasy romance with Cinderella vibes, anchored loosely in the fairytale with some common themes. The story follows Raevyn, a human girl who is unknowingly saved from a group of thieves by the Fae Prince, Stellon. She's initially skeptical of him, if not downright repulsed once she learns his identity, but ends up accepting his invitation to attend a ball. She goes under a glamour, and I didn't like how Stellon didn't know she was the one under the glamour. It threw the vibes off a bit and it was slightly grating to watch it play out.

The romance was endearing but very insta-lovey. Stellon was just too light and fluffy for me, although he does make some questionable choices that I was not a fan of. The bottom line is that this was described as enemies-to-lovers when they never really are. It would have been fine if the description wasn't misleading, but as a result I felt like the romance just didn't deliver what I thought it would. So, the character I thought was the most compelling was Pharis (Stellon's brother) because he was more antagonistic and dark/mysterious. At the beginning I had hoped he would become the main love interest. Raevyn was fierce, independent, and staunchly stood by her morals, so I wished that her love interest had been the one that had a little more fire to him.

I did ultimately enjoy the plot-- it was just the romance that threw me off a little. It is heavy on tropes, and to me it felt too copy-and-paste. That said though, I actually think this will appeal to many readers because the tropes are done well for the most part.

Thank you so much to Oxford South Press and NetGalley for this ARC! 📚

[Shia · Rating 3 out of 5]

True rating: 2.75/5

The major reason for the low rating was the dialogue and interactions between our MCs. The beginning started off strong with secret identities and our couple saving each other. But once Raewyn gets to the ball, things unraveled fast and not in a good way.

The instalove Stellon has for her is cringy at best. His naivety when it comes to not truly seeing how evil his father is and worse not doing anything about it made me shudder with disgust. And then him trying to buy her love with gifts and promises made me scream and pull my hair. It just rubbed me so wrong how lame this Fae Prince was and for the love interest, he’s such a weak tool.

Now Pharis on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be the one to steal Raewyn’s heart. His bad boy, Devil May care attitude and attention to detail in trying to solve the mystery that is her had me invested in this. Had it not been for him, I’d probably have DNF’d this.

My biggest annoyance with this is that it’s marketed as a “deeply romantic”, “gripping NA high fantasy” and I get none of that. Spice level wouldn’t qualify this as NA and the story reads more of a YA fae fantasy.

It also states “Readers who love character-driven high fantasy like Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart series, Spark of the Everflame, These Hollow Vows, Daughter of No Worlds, Powerless, A Court of Thorns and Roses, LJ Andrews' Broken Kingdom series, and Holly Black will devour A Court Bright and Broken”….. yea the writing is nowhere near this level.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATED:
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. I am in my Fantasy Era and this book went right along with it. Perfect read from start to finish. Face paced and doesn’t drag on with the world building. You get plot, magic, Fae, world building, secrets, betrayal and romance from start to finish. There was plenty of tension between characters but the book had no spice. I read this within 24 hours and can’t wait for Book 2 to see where the story will continue.

***SPOILER ALERT FOR BELOW***

**UPDATE**
I just read the bonus chapter (Thank you Amy) and OMG… I see a love triangle possibly. I AM HERE FOR IT!!! Excited for Book 2!

Amy Patrick created a world with Fae and Humans who do not see eye to eye. Yet that didn’t stop Stellon & Raewyn from falling in love. However, I wonder if they are truly meant for each other. Pharis created a few questions and concerns where “love” is concerned for the two love birds. Left off on a cliffhanger and has me impatiently waiting for the next book.

I hope we get more of both Stellon and Raewyn’s Mother’s backgrounds in Book 2 as that was a HUGE question for me. And the mind-to-mind speaking… Is that only for the Fae? If so, I have so many questions regarding Pharis & Raewyn. I can only hope Book 2 can answer these questions and more. Can’t wait!!!

This book is available February 14th check it out! #acourtbrightandbroken #thenerdfam @thenerdfam

[christi · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

this book had great potential and the plot sounded exciting and promising. i was intrigued by the forbidden love trope and of course the potential for faerie world-building. the description includes mention of “enemies-to-lovers, delicious romantic banter, toe-curling tension and sizzling chemistry” and truthfully, i didn’t feel any of this to be true. the entire book felt like one long introduction to set the scene for the second upcoming book. unfortunately this just fell flat for me.

if you’re an avid fantasy/romantasy reader, i recommend you skip out on this one. the world building is minimal, the romance between the FMC and MMC is amateur and feels forced imo. also there is no spice so if you’re into that, you’re out of luck.

i sooo wanted to like this one, i swear. 😭

[Maja (MyawithaJ22)]

Dnf at 75%

I was enjoying the plot and Cinderella retelling/vibes. But, the pacing was too slow for me.

[Bookishemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an earc of this book.
What a compelling and well fleshed out world Amy Patrick has created in A Court Bright and Broken.

This book starts by introducing us to Stellon, a fae royal who likes to masquerade as a human at a local market and then Raewyn, who is a human girl trying to feed her family and look after her father. In this world humans and fae live in the same kingdom but are in completely different classes. Humans are at the bottom and have limited interaction with the fae. After a chance encounter and an invitation to a royal ball, our two main characters are forced to spend a lot of time together.

This book was entertaining, the writing was compelling and had a really nice setting that I was able to imagine while I was reading along.

Fun tropes and romantic tension left me in a position where I was rooting for Stellon and Raewyn. The pacing was pretty good but I felt like the ending was a little rushed and I could have done with another 30 or so pages.

Very excited to see where the story goes.

[Danielle Levali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC

This was a fun and easy read. Good for beginners who have thought about getting into romantasy.

I love Raewyn, the FMC. She's a bit of a stubborn one! I found her to be pretty relatable and rounded character. And my goodness, did she find herself in quite a pickle.

Now, as far as Stellon goes, let me just say I really do love this man. Fae. Elf. All the above. Normally, my go to MMC is a morally grey one. But I do still love a golden retriever MMC every niw and then as well and Stellon fits the bill. Don't get me wrong, he does have some flaws, but who doesn't? He's sweet. Kind. Attentive. He's a gem and I'm rooting for the relationship between him and Raewyn. I hope they will have a happily ever after by the end of the series. The books ends on a cliffhanger so everything is all up in the air at this point. My stomach dropped a little over that ending.

I will say though, there were quite a few times where my mind would wander to her family. Like they must be worried sick over her absence!

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It had some of the tropes I love and I'm excited for when book 2 comes out.

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining reimagining of Cinderella, with witch bargains, Fae royalty, hidden identities, conflicts and dangerous schemes.
I liked the anticipation and build up, the mystery of the two Fae Princes, and the danger from the King.
It follows the rough plot of Cinderella with the prince seeking a bride, and the FMC stumbling into his path, only to disappear mysteriously. But this has so many layers of assassin plots, elven magic, two princes enchanted by the same woman, and a hidden forbidden romance.
This has a great slow burn, where he falls first, but it definitely leaves it open for love interests to change, especially after the ending.
I am definitely wanting to read more of this series and see what is in store for Raewyn and the Princes.

[Spiri Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

dual POV, forbidden love, and identity reveal

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! I could not put it down. Elven Princes and Cinderella vibes? yes, please! The chemistry between Stellon and Raewyn is so good. From that first moment in the market, you just know.....So touching. They are perfect for each other. I have so many questions! That cliffhanger???!!!! Can't wait for book 2!

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 💫 rounding up for GR

I am nothing if not a person that goes into every book blind and this was mostly this case with this one. I knew it was a romantasy that involved forbidden romance and that is all I needed to know 🫡

The story follows Raewyn, a human, & Stellon, a high elven fae prince. These two are quite literally from two opposite worlds and could NEVER be in cahoots with one another without tragic repercussions.

Let’s say an earthwife and Raewyn walk into a bar and some drinks are had, stories are told and next thing our FMC knows, this pairing may not be as impossible as she thought just as long as she partakes in a little bargain with said earthwife…

Raewyn comes from a family that is not well off living in a village ways away from the palace so she is willing to do just about anything just to ensure her family has the essentials that they need.

Stellon is absolutely immediately smitten with Raewyn and cannot get her out of his mind. This just can’t end well can it?

Tropes you’ll find inside:
• instalove-ish
• forbidden romance
• touch her and die
• cinderella-esque retelling
• closed door-ish, maybe the door is cracked?

Other non-tropes you’ll find inside:
• elven fae
• high fae court
• royal balls
• glamours
• bargains

🧝🏻‍♀️ I requested this ARC because the cover is stunning AND the short bit of the synopsis I read drew me in “A dangerous bargain. An obsessed prince. A forbidden love that could split the Fae court... and break the world.” I mean cmon? I really enjoyed the story and getting to know these characters but I just wish we got to know them a little better. I feel like these characters could have been a bit deeper than they were. We truly only skimmed the surface of them I feel. I also wish we got a chance to learn more about the magic system in this world because I’m obsessed with it! We always see fae, but not always elven fae (or not specified as elven anyways).

💫 I will say that this book is for my romantasy girlies/besties/friends who prefer romance as a major piece of the story and the overarching story/plot/action what have you as the subplot. We absolutely get some court politics but the novel truly focuses on Raewyn & Stellon’s story.

✨ A Court Bright & Broken comes out 2/14/25!! Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. I have kept my review 100% honest. #acourtbrightandbroken #thenerdfam !!

[Rachel Strom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp, I have a new series to obsess over!
This Cinderella meets ACOTAR tale is the slowest burn I never knew I wanted. I LOVE spice - but this story edged me all the way to the end and left me hungry for the next installment. And I LOVED it! It's definitely a series story - don't think you can read this as a standalone.

Stellan wants to see the world himself, and not through the lense of his oppressive, greedy, power hungry father - the tyrannical king. He knows his magical gifts aren't that impressive, and he's ok with staying in the shadows. As a matter of fact, that ability allows him to sneak out of the castle and observe at the market not too far away. He's content to watch the humans and fae bustling about, quickly sketching them out on his pad. Until he sees a group of thugs following an unsuspecting young woman.

Raewyn HAS to sell her mothers locket TODAY - to feed her family. With a lame father and 2 young step-sisters who rely on her, there is no other choice. There's no food. She has no job. Her options are sell the locket, or sell herself to feed those she loves. So she ventures to the market. Unbeknownst to her, a group of thugs has set their sights on her as an easy target. When a stranger inserts himself into her path and follows her around, she finds herself in a situation that changes everything...

[teather.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ SPOILER FREE ARC REVIEW ✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🚫🌶️

Tropes: 📖✨
⚔️ Cinderella Retelling/ Fairytale Vibes
🤍 Forbidden Love
⚔️ Secret Identity
🤍 Love Triangle
⚔️ Fae Court Intrigue
🤍 Forced Proximity
⚔️ Slow Burn
🤍 Banter
⚔️ Secrets

A dangerous bargain. An obsessed prince. A forbidden love that could split the Fae court... and break the world. 

Loved: ♥️
- No spice can be SO refreshing to read!! You get way more tension and build up and it almost always is just as good or if not better!
- The fairytale vibes!!!! This was such a good twist on Cinderella but with fae! If you’re a fan of The Plated Prisoner series I think you’d really like this!
- The pacing was spot on!
- A logical FMC who isn’t annoying 👏🏻
- THE ENDING!!! YOU NEED TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY 🏃🏻‍♀️

Disliked: 💔
- This was a solid read and honestly one of the best I’ve read in a while but I’m thinking book 2 will hit the mark of being a 5 star read for me!

THANK YOU so much NerdFam for gifting me this eARC copy of A Court Bright and Broken!! I absolutely loved it! 🏰✨

[Malory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Nerd Fam, author and publisher for the ARC!

3.75 ✨

Cinderella but make it Fae ✔️
Twisted fairy godmother ✔️
Whitty lovable characters ✔️

This one was a a fun read! It was easy to get into, flowed well, and I enjoyed the characters. Raewyn was lovable, a bit naïve at times but fierce. I enjoyed being in her head while she went through this journey to help her family. While the story was predictable at times there were other things that I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the fresh take on the story of Cinderella and I'm excited to see what happens next!

If you are looking for a lighthearted yet intriguing fantasy read this one is for you!

[Unleishd_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fresh take on the Cinderella story, set in a world where fae and humans coexist. Raewyn, our FMC, is all about taking care of her family, and you can't help but root for her. Prince Stellon comes off as a bit naive but is sweet and protective, adding a nice dynamic to their relationship. The world-building is solid, making it easy to get lost in the fae courts and their politics. Some parts might feel a bit familiar if you're into fae romances, but the unique twists keep it engaging. I am itching for the next book!! If you're into slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romances, this one's worth checking out!

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and author, Amy Patrick, for the gifted ARC.

[Nash Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this one. I really like the world dynamic with the fae and humans. I did think the pacing and overall plot was pretty slow. There really was no action, and the romance was the main focus (which is totally okay). I was definitely very very anxious the last 30%. The anticipation of the big reveal was killing me. The ending definitely has me a little shook but also intrigued for the next book.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️I enjoyed this Cinderella inspired romantasy. I prefer multiple POV, so that was a plus right off the bat.

I instantly liked the main male character, Stellon. His need for space from his royal responsibilities and just wanting to feel normal made him seem so down to earth. I also enjoyed his brother, and his snarky sense of humor. Their relationship was cute.

The main female character was super sweet, and such a hard worker for her family. I liked her immediately.

I completely ate up the slow burn romance, and would like to see where it goes in the future.

I would've liked a little more world building and maybe the ability to dive more into the Elven magic.

[Danielle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique twist on the fairytale of Cinderella.. a human girl sacrificing everything to save her family and an elven prince who falls in love.. the love is forbidden and now he must rescue her from the kings clutches. Well written and highly captivating

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so much fun!! it was so magical and it gripped me from the first chapter! this is kinda giving cinderella retelling vibes in the beginning 💫 also… the CLIFFHANGER! I need book 2 immediately 🫣 plus the tension was chefs kiss

thank you nerd fam for the arc!

[Jutta | Booksandbananas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review and for marketing purposes. Thank you NetGalley and Oxford South Press.

From the first pages, I was immersed in this Cinderella inspired romantasy. This story is very easy to dive into, because there’s little world building in the actual story. There’s more information about the world at the end of the book.

I really like the unique magic system (glamour) and the dual POV. This endearing story has forbidden love, treason and of course faes, so if you are looking for a new enchanting romantasy, this is the book for you!

[Andrea Baertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinderella-esque with handsome Fae and a forbidden love! Loved the characters in the book and the growth we see from the FMC and MMC.