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The Cairnwood Reel #1
My Thorns For Your Roses
True love takes many forms.
As one of the few survivors of her generation, Lark wants to live a quiet, peaceful life. All she needs is a tolerable husband. On her 24th birthday, Lark offends the local faerie lord, the shapeshifter Tamlin, who punishes her with a rose rooted in her flesh.
In her efforts to convince Tamlin to undo his handiwork, Lark visits the forest daily and discovers the breathtaking and terrifying wonders of his realm. Despite her pragmatic nature tugging her toward a mortal huntsman, Lark falls for Tamlin.
After a near-fatal accident exposes Tamlin’s cruel deception, Lark moves to the capital to accept a marriage of convenience. Yet when she learns of Tamlin’s capture, Lark must choose whether to secure her future or risk it all to save the love of her life from his cannibal ex.
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MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES is a "Tam Lin" retelling written in the spirit of the Scottish faerie tale and folksong - for readers who enjoyed the fae in Heather Fawcett's EMILY WILDE series, retellings like Naomi Novik's SPINNING SILVER, and the complicated family dynamics of Kell Woods' AFTER THE FOREST and UPON A STARLIT TIDE.
Book cover artist: Yinan Sun (Grey)
As one of the few survivors of her generation, Lark wants to live a quiet, peaceful life. All she needs is a tolerable husband. On her 24th birthday, Lark offends the local faerie lord, the shapeshifter Tamlin, who punishes her with a rose rooted in her flesh.
In her efforts to convince Tamlin to undo his handiwork, Lark visits the forest daily and discovers the breathtaking and terrifying wonders of his realm. Despite her pragmatic nature tugging her toward a mortal huntsman, Lark falls for Tamlin.
After a near-fatal accident exposes Tamlin’s cruel deception, Lark moves to the capital to accept a marriage of convenience. Yet when she learns of Tamlin’s capture, Lark must choose whether to secure her future or risk it all to save the love of her life from his cannibal ex.
--
MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES is a "Tam Lin" retelling written in the spirit of the Scottish faerie tale and folksong - for readers who enjoyed the fae in Heather Fawcett's EMILY WILDE series, retellings like Naomi Novik's SPINNING SILVER, and the complicated family dynamics of Kell Woods' AFTER THE FOREST and UPON A STARLIT TIDE.
Book cover artist: Yinan Sun (Grey)
Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
About the author
Kristen Argyres
7 books19 followersKristen is a wife, mom, and lifelong reader from the Midwest, USA. She loves love, but dabbles in other genres to flex her creativity.
If you enjoyed her work from the Dragon Soul Press and Wild Ink charity anthologies, there is more to come!
The first book of Kristen’s upcoming The Cairnwood Reel series, MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES, debuts May 5th, 2026.
More information on these projects can be found on her website.
If you enjoyed her work from the Dragon Soul Press and Wild Ink charity anthologies, there is more to come!
The first book of Kristen’s upcoming The Cairnwood Reel series, MY THORNS FOR YOUR ROSES, debuts May 5th, 2026.
More information on these projects can be found on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you again for the ARC I won in the Pagebound giveaway. Absolutely beautiful artwork and cover design ✨🩵
“…love’s the easiest and most difficult to in the world.”
It took me quite a while to get into this book, maybe halfway through before I actually was enjoying the story. It is quite the slow build up but the little town and FMC are very built up on the beginning so I appreciate the character & world building. I think the main reason why I didn’t love this book was a few things brought up with little to no development. Lark gets an idea about Tamlin lying to her and goes on a tangent about it and then all is forgiven two pages later… the ending trials last barely one chapter and the ending seems rushed when the first half of the book DRAGGED for me. I enjoyed the writing but I think this general folklore/ fairytale is not for me, which is fine, definitely no fault to this author she portrays this story in an enjoyable read. I just struggle with FMCs who seem so wishy washy and feel like they have no backbone and are immature. Lark turns 26 but acts every bit as immature as if she was 18. I understand it’s probably because of how she had to grow up fast raising her younger siblings due to her mother’s health, but it is at times frustrating.
I’d recommend this read to friends as a fairytale love story with fun fantasy world aspects - I just don’t think I’d reach for this again.
“…love’s the easiest and most difficult to in the world.”
It took me quite a while to get into this book, maybe halfway through before I actually was enjoying the story. It is quite the slow build up but the little town and FMC are very built up on the beginning so I appreciate the character & world building. I think the main reason why I didn’t love this book was a few things brought up with little to no development. Lark gets an idea about Tamlin lying to her and goes on a tangent about it and then all is forgiven two pages later… the ending trials last barely one chapter and the ending seems rushed when the first half of the book DRAGGED for me. I enjoyed the writing but I think this general folklore/ fairytale is not for me, which is fine, definitely no fault to this author she portrays this story in an enjoyable read. I just struggle with FMCs who seem so wishy washy and feel like they have no backbone and are immature. Lark turns 26 but acts every bit as immature as if she was 18. I understand it’s probably because of how she had to grow up fast raising her younger siblings due to her mother’s health, but it is at times frustrating.
I’d recommend this read to friends as a fairytale love story with fun fantasy world aspects - I just don’t think I’d reach for this again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wanted to start by saying thank god for books with named chapters. Growing up, I started reading books that had named chapters, and those kept me hooked. So this book with named chapters was very fun for me to read as it keeps things interesting no matter what.
The story and the concept were good. However, I could not connect with Lark’s character. She was very naive, but I couldn’t blame her. She made very argumentative choices, but in her situation and dilemma, she was making the right choice for herself. With her family, the people around her, and Tam Lin, she tried to make everything work. Speaking of people around her, that one Kier part felt like a slap in the face. THAT part made me want to punch someone. You know which part I’m talking about, not to spoil the story.
The portrayal of Tamlin in this book was close-ish to the original Tam Lin but not the same. In fact, this book made me like Tamlin. With a brave main character and a misunderstood fae prince, the concept of companionship (and wanting to be loved, in general) in this book was heartwrenching and bittersweet.
🧾 Review of advance copy received from Pagebound and author, Kristen Argyres.
The story and the concept were good. However, I could not connect with Lark’s character. She was very naive, but I couldn’t blame her. She made very argumentative choices, but in her situation and dilemma, she was making the right choice for herself. With her family, the people around her, and Tam Lin, she tried to make everything work. Speaking of people around her, that one Kier part felt like a slap in the face. THAT part made me want to punch someone. You know which part I’m talking about, not to spoil the story.
The portrayal of Tamlin in this book was close-ish to the original Tam Lin but not the same. In fact, this book made me like Tamlin. With a brave main character and a misunderstood fae prince, the concept of companionship (and wanting to be loved, in general) in this book was heartwrenching and bittersweet.
🧾 Review of advance copy received from Pagebound and author, Kristen Argyres.
Review of advance copy
I received this book as in an ARC giveaway, but all thoughts are true.
I absolutely adored this book. It brought back a whimsy in me that I had long forgotten. The romance between the characters is beautifully written, and I am so happy that I got to read it.
There are times that as an audience you are frustrated at the characters but we love them so much and just wish the best for them.
I really appreciate how the author brings the original tales of Tamlin into consideration within this novel, mentioning Janet and Margaret. It was very well done and brings all of it together.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, though I know I may have to wait a while.
I absolutely adored this book. It brought back a whimsy in me that I had long forgotten. The romance between the characters is beautifully written, and I am so happy that I got to read it.
There are times that as an audience you are frustrated at the characters but we love them so much and just wish the best for them.
I really appreciate how the author brings the original tales of Tamlin into consideration within this novel, mentioning Janet and Margaret. It was very well done and brings all of it together.
I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, though I know I may have to wait a while.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Thorns for Your Roses is a beautiful story that explores the myth of the Scottish faerie, Tamlin, and themes of love, loss, and hope. The world Argyres has built is lush and a character of its own. We especially loved the cast is secondary and tertiary characters with all their faerie antics. This fantasy romance is certainly one to look forward to. ❤️
May 8, 2026
Finalmente, non me cundiu :( Bo take coa lenda de Tam Lin pero houbo certas cousas que me botaron mazo para atrás. Ademais como que o tono do libro é super lixeiro pero en verdade pasan cousas moi turbias entón uf.
Recibín un ARC ao gañar o sorteo en Pagebound.
Recibín un ARC ao gañar o sorteo en Pagebound.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a beautiful fairytale! <3 While this is a Tam Lin retelling, it also felt wholly original, and full of lovable characters!
March 31, 2026
Hello, I'm the author of this book! I want to clarify a few things for potential readers:
1) This is an adult retelling of the original Scottish faerie tale "Tam Lin." So yes, there is a Tamlin because that is the name of the titular character in the faerie tale - like "Beast" in "Beauty and the Beast." I kept his name.
2) This is an LGBTQIA+ romance. Lark is demisexual and Tamlin is a pan shapeshifter. I don't use those labels in the novel but those are the modern equivalent terms. They most often kiss as a hetero-passing couple, but they also kiss while Tamlin is a woman. There are other shapeshifting shenanigans in certain scenes, too. [Those familiar with "Tam Lin" should know what I mean.] As a demisexual, I don't particularly care to write "graphic" love scenes, but they are open-door.
3) This book is written in first person POV because it is first and foremost a romance novel and that is a genre convention. While it does also qualify as romantasy because the plot would not occur without the romance, My Thorns For Your Roses is a faerie tale romance.
4) This is the first book in the series so I do a lot of world building to set up for things that come up later in the trilogy. I'm mostly finished drafting book 2 and hope to pass it on to my publisher in the next few months so I can start writing book 3.
5) While this is not a Grim Dark faerie tale, there is a list of content warnings. If you have certain triggers, please take care of yourself and review the list before reading.
6) I originally signed to publish My Thorns For Your Roses with Conquest Publishing back in 2024 for a release date of April 14th, 2026. However, Brittany McMunn, the owner and EIC of Conquest, passed away unexpectedly back in February. Her husband decided to dissolve the company and revert rights back to the authors. I decided not to re-query to find a new publisher since we were so close to publication and will self-publish through Draft2Digital for a wide distribution. The new release date is May 5th, 2026.
Thanks and happy reading!
Kristen
1) This is an adult retelling of the original Scottish faerie tale "Tam Lin." So yes, there is a Tamlin because that is the name of the titular character in the faerie tale - like "Beast" in "Beauty and the Beast." I kept his name.
2) This is an LGBTQIA+ romance. Lark is demisexual and Tamlin is a pan shapeshifter. I don't use those labels in the novel but those are the modern equivalent terms. They most often kiss as a hetero-passing couple, but they also kiss while Tamlin is a woman. There are other shapeshifting shenanigans in certain scenes, too. [Those familiar with "Tam Lin" should know what I mean.] As a demisexual, I don't particularly care to write "graphic" love scenes, but they are open-door.
3) This book is written in first person POV because it is first and foremost a romance novel and that is a genre convention. While it does also qualify as romantasy because the plot would not occur without the romance, My Thorns For Your Roses is a faerie tale romance.
4) This is the first book in the series so I do a lot of world building to set up for things that come up later in the trilogy. I'm mostly finished drafting book 2 and hope to pass it on to my publisher in the next few months so I can start writing book 3.
5) While this is not a Grim Dark faerie tale, there is a list of content warnings. If you have certain triggers, please take care of yourself and review the list before reading.
6) I originally signed to publish My Thorns For Your Roses with Conquest Publishing back in 2024 for a release date of April 14th, 2026. However, Brittany McMunn, the owner and EIC of Conquest, passed away unexpectedly back in February. Her husband decided to dissolve the company and revert rights back to the authors. I decided not to re-query to find a new publisher since we were so close to publication and will self-publish through Draft2Digital for a wide distribution. The new release date is May 5th, 2026.
Thanks and happy reading!
Kristen
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews