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Brightfeather
Everything has roots in reality. Even faerie tales.
Nobody sees the fae and their magic anymore…except for seventeen-year-old Brianna McKinley. Even after years of being crushed beneath her parents' denial, she's haunted by creatures everyone insists aren't really there. Drowning in pills and doctors, Bri escapes to New York City, determined to leave her past behind her.
However, a series of chance encounters with a shy, beastly fae hiding in the city has her questioning everything she thought she knew. Befriending Adam tips Bri's world upside down and brings her face-to-face with the truth. Magic is real, and her rare gift of Sight isn’t a hallucination.
As their friendship grows into something more, Adam's control over his magic unravels, and Bri discovers the city isn’t the sanctuary she once thought. A solution half a world away beckons and leaves Bri faced with a choice. Does she cling to the gilded cage surrounding her, or take a leap into the unknown with Adam?
Caught between worlds, Bri must find the strength to trust in herself and fight for what matters most.
Brightfeather is an upper YA fantasy romance with NA crossover appeal inspired by the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. As such, it contains some instances of sensuality and fantasy peril. Please check Author's Note for further content warnings.
However, a series of chance encounters with a shy, beastly fae hiding in the city has her questioning everything she thought she knew. Befriending Adam tips Bri's world upside down and brings her face-to-face with the truth. Magic is real, and her rare gift of Sight isn’t a hallucination.
As their friendship grows into something more, Adam's control over his magic unravels, and Bri discovers the city isn’t the sanctuary she once thought. A solution half a world away beckons and leaves Bri faced with a choice. Does she cling to the gilded cage surrounding her, or take a leap into the unknown with Adam?
Caught between worlds, Bri must find the strength to trust in herself and fight for what matters most.
Brightfeather is an upper YA fantasy romance with NA crossover appeal inspired by the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. As such, it contains some instances of sensuality and fantasy peril. Please check Author's Note for further content warnings.
- GenresFantasy
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2025
1 person is currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 8, 2025
The author gifted Brightfeather to not, but all thoughts in this review are my own.
________________________________________
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It's marketed as beauty and the beast inspired, and I love fairytale retellings. What I discovered is that it's not really a retelling so much as it just includes main characters that mimic the beauty and the beast. That's on me for assuming.
Let's start with what I did like about it:
I love the inclusion of content warnings at the beginning of the book. That was really well done, and helpful to know jumping into things.
It was a different take on fae than I have seen before. I don't know much about Irish folklore, but that made it new for me to discover rather than just the same old thing that a lot of these mainstream fae books are.
There were several plot twists, and one really big one at the end, so it wasn't all just straightforward everything-is as-it seems-to-be-at-first.
Now, for the hard part, the things I didn't love:
The pacing was off. The beginning felt so slow, but also time passed very quickly. The first half of the book covered the better portion of a year, but nothing much really happened in that time.
It is said to be closed-door, and it is, technically, but it is also VERY lusty -- too much for me. Most of their relationship seems to be based on a sexual attraction.
The dialogue felt forced/unrealistic. It didn't feel like the way that people really talk. For example, one thing that felt really obvious to me was the amount that they address each other by name in interactions. It's just the two of them talking, and they insert the other person's name up to 3 times in one piece of dialogue.
It's an interesting concept, and I think the story has good bones, but I also think there is room for improvement in the development and the execution of it.
________________________________________
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It's marketed as beauty and the beast inspired, and I love fairytale retellings. What I discovered is that it's not really a retelling so much as it just includes main characters that mimic the beauty and the beast. That's on me for assuming.
Let's start with what I did like about it:
I love the inclusion of content warnings at the beginning of the book. That was really well done, and helpful to know jumping into things.
It was a different take on fae than I have seen before. I don't know much about Irish folklore, but that made it new for me to discover rather than just the same old thing that a lot of these mainstream fae books are.
There were several plot twists, and one really big one at the end, so it wasn't all just straightforward everything-is as-it seems-to-be-at-first.
Now, for the hard part, the things I didn't love:
The pacing was off. The beginning felt so slow, but also time passed very quickly. The first half of the book covered the better portion of a year, but nothing much really happened in that time.
It is said to be closed-door, and it is, technically, but it is also VERY lusty -- too much for me. Most of their relationship seems to be based on a sexual attraction.
The dialogue felt forced/unrealistic. It didn't feel like the way that people really talk. For example, one thing that felt really obvious to me was the amount that they address each other by name in interactions. It's just the two of them talking, and they insert the other person's name up to 3 times in one piece of dialogue.
It's an interesting concept, and I think the story has good bones, but I also think there is room for improvement in the development and the execution of it.
January 14, 2026
5⭐️
This book was so unexpected for me. I don't normally read much fantasy that mixes with modern day, but this was the perfect blend. The first half of this book is a lot of relationship building, and I loved every minute of it. Many books are missing the genuine growth between the main characters to actually achieve something that will last, but Hannah told such a beautiful story. This was a story with purpose & emotion. This isn't an insta love or a slow burn without a foundation that flipped to lovers randomly. This has a writing style that feels very much like my own if I were to write a book. Bri is extremely relatable, and I love how strong she is without having to be the stereotypical warrior type FMC. Her strength is in her loyalty, the way she loves, & her willingness to keep growing despite what she's been through. Adam is incredibly gentle & patient & perfect for her. Also, super glad our MMC doesn't turn human like in our favorite childhood movie because we all know the Beast looked way better before he changed back lol. This story does mention past SA & present attempted SA which does contribute to the mental health of the FMC.
*Closed Door Romance/Mostly Kissing
*Friends to Lovers
*Beauty & the Beast Retelling
*Cinnamon Roll MMC
*FMC with Anxiety
*Minor Cursing
*Fae/Human Romance
This book was so unexpected for me. I don't normally read much fantasy that mixes with modern day, but this was the perfect blend. The first half of this book is a lot of relationship building, and I loved every minute of it. Many books are missing the genuine growth between the main characters to actually achieve something that will last, but Hannah told such a beautiful story. This was a story with purpose & emotion. This isn't an insta love or a slow burn without a foundation that flipped to lovers randomly. This has a writing style that feels very much like my own if I were to write a book. Bri is extremely relatable, and I love how strong she is without having to be the stereotypical warrior type FMC. Her strength is in her loyalty, the way she loves, & her willingness to keep growing despite what she's been through. Adam is incredibly gentle & patient & perfect for her. Also, super glad our MMC doesn't turn human like in our favorite childhood movie because we all know the Beast looked way better before he changed back lol. This story does mention past SA & present attempted SA which does contribute to the mental health of the FMC.
*Closed Door Romance/Mostly Kissing
*Friends to Lovers
*Beauty & the Beast Retelling
*Cinnamon Roll MMC
*FMC with Anxiety
*Minor Cursing
*Fae/Human Romance
February 11, 2025
I love english/irish/scottish folklore. And I‘m not unfamiliar with it.
So it was nice reading about the lore of the Green Man for once again. I was hoping to get more of it though and not just the last third of the book and a glimpse here and there in the first two thirds. It would have been nice to read more of it and surely for those who are not familiar, a lot of the relationship between Bri and Adam would have made more sense as well.
What I liked was the tension, Bri‘s way with battling her PTSD (as someone with severe CPTSD I found myself in her in those little scenes), the way a friendship blossomed into love, the way she grew stronger and fiercer and found her way to voice what she wanted, fought for what she wanted.
I would have wished for an epilogue though, to know more about her parents. The book made them out to be the villains but the last part never mentioned them again.
It would have been nice to know a bit more about them.
All in all a really nice book that I enjoyed and can give the 4 stars wholeheartedly!
So it was nice reading about the lore of the Green Man for once again. I was hoping to get more of it though and not just the last third of the book and a glimpse here and there in the first two thirds. It would have been nice to read more of it and surely for those who are not familiar, a lot of the relationship between Bri and Adam would have made more sense as well.
What I liked was the tension, Bri‘s way with battling her PTSD (as someone with severe CPTSD I found myself in her in those little scenes), the way a friendship blossomed into love, the way she grew stronger and fiercer and found her way to voice what she wanted, fought for what she wanted.
I would have wished for an epilogue though, to know more about her parents. The book made them out to be the villains but the last part never mentioned them again.
It would have been nice to know a bit more about them.
All in all a really nice book that I enjoyed and can give the 4 stars wholeheartedly!
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December 26, 2025Brightfeather is a Beauty and the Beast–inspired fantasy that centers on heart, healing, and quiet magic. The story follows Bri, a young woman who has spent her entire life being told that the fae she sees are not real until she meets Adam, a gentle and broken fae living hidden in plain sight. What unfolds is a slow-burn romance grounded in found family, emotional recovery, and learning how to heal alongside someone who understands your wounds.
✨Review✨
This was a cozy, magical read that managed to both ache and comfort at the same time. The romance is tender and patient, and the themes of being unseen, misunderstood, and slowly finding safety were especially well done. Adam is a standout character. He is kind, protective, and deeply lovable. While the story is gentle rather than action-heavy, it delivers a satisfying emotional payoff. Overall, Brightfeather is the kind of book that breaks your heart just enough to put it back together again.
✨Review✨
This was a cozy, magical read that managed to both ache and comfort at the same time. The romance is tender and patient, and the themes of being unseen, misunderstood, and slowly finding safety were especially well done. Adam is a standout character. He is kind, protective, and deeply lovable. While the story is gentle rather than action-heavy, it delivers a satisfying emotional payoff. Overall, Brightfeather is the kind of book that breaks your heart just enough to put it back together again.
January 27, 2025
Thank you Hannah Hounshell for sending me this advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first half of the book has a slow, kinda cozy vibe, and the second half picks up and is full on action the rest of the way through.
Bri, like a lot of people who are different, spent her whole life being told she was crazy, and heavily medicated. Not surprising for someone who has the Sight in our modern world.
Adam is the sweetest cinnamon roll I've ever seen. He is so kind, caring, but also protective as well. His story is full of so much trauma too, and the healing journey for both of them is wonderful.
I like that Bri isn't kidnapped or trapped in a castle like the traditional Beauty and the Beast retellings. They both equally fight for each other to stay. The end is a beautiful HEA, and I loved every minute of it.
The first half of the book has a slow, kinda cozy vibe, and the second half picks up and is full on action the rest of the way through.
Bri, like a lot of people who are different, spent her whole life being told she was crazy, and heavily medicated. Not surprising for someone who has the Sight in our modern world.
Adam is the sweetest cinnamon roll I've ever seen. He is so kind, caring, but also protective as well. His story is full of so much trauma too, and the healing journey for both of them is wonderful.
I like that Bri isn't kidnapped or trapped in a castle like the traditional Beauty and the Beast retellings. They both equally fight for each other to stay. The end is a beautiful HEA, and I loved every minute of it.
February 1, 2025
Hounshell has crafted a fascinating tale that spins between darkness and light urban and fantasy. It is quite a symphony of old and new. The best way I can describe it is a heartening back to the great stories of Rome and ancient Greece.
This book has some fascinating lore wound into it. You can tell the author did a lot of research. And the results paid off.
Brightfeather is a wildly reimagined retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and full of so many twists and turns it is hard to put the book down.
While this book has a closed door/fade to black romance aspect, if you are looking for steamy kisses, this book is for you. There are several SA scenes that can be very triggering, so tread carefully if that is a hard topic for you. None of it is set in a positive light. Our MMC is quite the cinnamon roll.
With a HEA with a surprise setting, this book was heavy but worth a read.
This book has some fascinating lore wound into it. You can tell the author did a lot of research. And the results paid off.
Brightfeather is a wildly reimagined retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and full of so many twists and turns it is hard to put the book down.
While this book has a closed door/fade to black romance aspect, if you are looking for steamy kisses, this book is for you. There are several SA scenes that can be very triggering, so tread carefully if that is a hard topic for you. None of it is set in a positive light. Our MMC is quite the cinnamon roll.
With a HEA with a surprise setting, this book was heavy but worth a read.
August 13, 2025
✨ Book Review: Brightfeather ✨
This Beauty and the Beast–inspired fantasy is pure heart and healing. 💖
We follow Bri, a girl who’s been told her whole life that the fae she sees aren’t real… until she meets Adam—a gentle, broken fae hiding in plain sight. 🧚♂️ Their story is slow-burn, soft romance, found family, and learning to heal from deep wounds together.
“Her whole life, she’s been told the fae aren’t real… but what if they’ve been watching her all along? 👀✨
Two broken souls, one slow-burn romance, and a world where healing is the real magic. 💖🧚♂️
He’s a fae in hiding. She’s the only human who can see him… and he’d burn the world to keep her safe.” 🔥💫
Brightfeather — cozy, magical, and the kind of story that will break & heal your heart. ⭐ 4/5 — Adam is the cinnamon roll hero of my dreams. 🍯
This Beauty and the Beast–inspired fantasy is pure heart and healing. 💖
We follow Bri, a girl who’s been told her whole life that the fae she sees aren’t real… until she meets Adam—a gentle, broken fae hiding in plain sight. 🧚♂️ Their story is slow-burn, soft romance, found family, and learning to heal from deep wounds together.
“Her whole life, she’s been told the fae aren’t real… but what if they’ve been watching her all along? 👀✨
Two broken souls, one slow-burn romance, and a world where healing is the real magic. 💖🧚♂️
He’s a fae in hiding. She’s the only human who can see him… and he’d burn the world to keep her safe.” 🔥💫
Brightfeather — cozy, magical, and the kind of story that will break & heal your heart. ⭐ 4/5 — Adam is the cinnamon roll hero of my dreams. 🍯
March 3, 2025
Generous 3⭐️
I had high hopes for this book. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, but unfortunately this book fell flat for me.
It seemed to last way too long, I think 34 chapters was too much for this story. And the repeated “I squeaked” by the FMC was annoyingly repetitive. I liked the magic and different t worlds. But struggled to stay interested because it didn’t really dive deep into any particular element.
The FMC’s inability to grow out of her timidness was a turn off and the MMC’s lack of confidence in himself and to be the strong male in the FMC’s life just left the reader with two weak characters going through the story together.
#bookreview #arcreview #arcreader #newtelease #brightfeather
I had high hopes for this book. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, but unfortunately this book fell flat for me.
It seemed to last way too long, I think 34 chapters was too much for this story. And the repeated “I squeaked” by the FMC was annoyingly repetitive. I liked the magic and different t worlds. But struggled to stay interested because it didn’t really dive deep into any particular element.
The FMC’s inability to grow out of her timidness was a turn off and the MMC’s lack of confidence in himself and to be the strong male in the FMC’s life just left the reader with two weak characters going through the story together.
#bookreview #arcreview #arcreader #newtelease #brightfeather
October 5, 2025
I loved this book, the friendship and burgeoning relationship between Adam and Bri is so adorable, they are cute and really love each other. I love he is protective of her and just wants what's best for her, unlike her parents and Chris. He builds her back up from them tearing her down. I loved Sherrie and how protective she is of Bri, like the mother she should of had. The mental health rep was good and well written, the author captured what it's like very well, and it makes bri even more loveable and relatable.
Although it's a beauty and the beast retelling, it feels fresh and different, Adam isn't the typical beast and Bri definitely isn't the typical beauty. The ending is sweet and a HEA which I always enjoy.
Although it's a beauty and the beast retelling, it feels fresh and different, Adam isn't the typical beast and Bri definitely isn't the typical beauty. The ending is sweet and a HEA which I always enjoy.
November 16, 2025
A Beautiful Folklore Retelling
With a Slow Start
I enjoyed the Beauty-and-the-Beast/folklore concept in this story, and once the plot picked up, I found myself more invested. The atmosphere and myth-inspired elements were really well done.
For me, the beginning was slow, and it took a while to get pulled into the characters and main conflict. I think a tighter, faster-moving opening would’ve made the story even stronger.
Overall, I liked the idea and the world the author created, even if the early pacing didn’t fully hook me. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings and don’t mind a slower build.
With a Slow Start
I enjoyed the Beauty-and-the-Beast/folklore concept in this story, and once the plot picked up, I found myself more invested. The atmosphere and myth-inspired elements were really well done.
For me, the beginning was slow, and it took a while to get pulled into the characters and main conflict. I think a tighter, faster-moving opening would’ve made the story even stronger.
Overall, I liked the idea and the world the author created, even if the early pacing didn’t fully hook me. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings and don’t mind a slower build.
December 3, 2025
Brightfeather was a cool book overall!
I liked the urban fantasy vibes mixed with faerie lore and beauty and the beast. This is a great YA/NA book with closed door romantic scenes too. I believe a lot of readers can relate with the main character in feeling lonely in such a big world. Her journey and character growth is easy to see throughout the book. From feeling lonely and being told she was crazy by her parents to developing a found family, Bri overcomes so much past trauma. I loved the side characters as well.
The only thing I would fix is how often Bri got scared and jumpy. At first it made sense when she met Adam but after a while it felt repetitive and boring.
I liked the urban fantasy vibes mixed with faerie lore and beauty and the beast. This is a great YA/NA book with closed door romantic scenes too. I believe a lot of readers can relate with the main character in feeling lonely in such a big world. Her journey and character growth is easy to see throughout the book. From feeling lonely and being told she was crazy by her parents to developing a found family, Bri overcomes so much past trauma. I loved the side characters as well.
The only thing I would fix is how often Bri got scared and jumpy. At first it made sense when she met Adam but after a while it felt repetitive and boring.
February 15, 2025
If you’re a fan of Emily Wilde’s encyclopedia of fairies then I think you will really enjoy this book!!
I want to be very clear that although I have this book a 3 star rating, it is not a bad book, it’s just not the book for me. The book is rooted in folklore and u found myself a bit confused at times as I wasn’t aware of the folklore behind specific things so I think that is an area of improvement for the book.
I really loved the mental health representation in the book, especially a fantasy book. It did get a little repetitive but I’d rather that than no representation at all.
I want to be very clear that although I have this book a 3 star rating, it is not a bad book, it’s just not the book for me. The book is rooted in folklore and u found myself a bit confused at times as I wasn’t aware of the folklore behind specific things so I think that is an area of improvement for the book.
I really loved the mental health representation in the book, especially a fantasy book. It did get a little repetitive but I’d rather that than no representation at all.
February 11, 2025
A fabulous retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a HEA.
I really enjoyed the story of Bri and Adam, both strong main characters with lots of growth in the book. Adam is a typical cinnamon roll, and you can't help but fall in love with him.
The first part of the book is slow paced, and getting to know the characters. The second part is fast-paced and brings you into a different world, which I really enjoyed.
A really enjoyable read
I really enjoyed the story of Bri and Adam, both strong main characters with lots of growth in the book. Adam is a typical cinnamon roll, and you can't help but fall in love with him.
The first part of the book is slow paced, and getting to know the characters. The second part is fast-paced and brings you into a different world, which I really enjoyed.
A really enjoyable read
May 6, 2025
I haven’t even finished chapter one and I’m already hooked into finding out what’s going on…I’m needing answers! This books is the fantasy version of beauty and the beast!! It’s a retelling but so well done and unique! You can clearly tell the author spent time to work out all the kinks and details of this story! Beautifully done! So sad to have finished this book! I absolutely loved these characters!
May 10, 2025
Fae and magic and a love story to boot. What’s not to like? I loved the authors note at the beginning and agree, lots of kissing.
October 28, 2025
Hannah Hounshell’s Brightfeather offers a touching and imaginative twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast dynamic. Bri, a shy and uncertain young woman, contrasts beautifully with Adam, whose tough exterior hides a deeply caring heart. Their friendship forms the emotional core of the story, and Hounshell captures the tenderness and quiet strength of their bond with sincerity.
The novel’s folklore elements are particularly engaging. Bri’s long-held belief that she once saw the Fae—a belief that led others to label her as delusional—takes on new meaning when Adam reveals that she possesses the Sight. This revelation not only validates Bri’s experiences but also enriches the story’s mythic tone.
However, a few stylistic choices slightly disrupted the flow of the narrative. The characters frequently addressing each other by name in dialogue occasionally felt unnatural, and the repeated “I–I” stutters, while effective in conveying nervousness, appeared in moments that didn’t always call for them.
Despite these minor issues, Brightfeather is an enchanting tale grounded in emotion and folklore. Its tender portrayal of friendship, self-discovery, and unseen magic makes it a lovely read for fans of gentle fantasy and character-driven storytelling.
The novel’s folklore elements are particularly engaging. Bri’s long-held belief that she once saw the Fae—a belief that led others to label her as delusional—takes on new meaning when Adam reveals that she possesses the Sight. This revelation not only validates Bri’s experiences but also enriches the story’s mythic tone.
However, a few stylistic choices slightly disrupted the flow of the narrative. The characters frequently addressing each other by name in dialogue occasionally felt unnatural, and the repeated “I–I” stutters, while effective in conveying nervousness, appeared in moments that didn’t always call for them.
Despite these minor issues, Brightfeather is an enchanting tale grounded in emotion and folklore. Its tender portrayal of friendship, self-discovery, and unseen magic makes it a lovely read for fans of gentle fantasy and character-driven storytelling.
November 18, 2025
Super cute and sweet Beauty and the Beast retelling. This was a really nice and cozy read with lots of fun interactions between the FMC and her beastly fae. Finding her new magical friend in the city brings the FMC comfort and joy which I loved reading about.
❤️🔥 Urban setting
❤️🔥 Human Girl
❤️🔥 Beast Fae FMC
❤️🔥 Magic
❤️🔥 Lore
❤️🔥 Cinnamon Roll MMC
❤️🔥 Anxiety Rep
❤️🔥 Caretaking
No Spice | Closed Door
❤️🔥 Urban setting
❤️🔥 Human Girl
❤️🔥 Beast Fae FMC
❤️🔥 Magic
❤️🔥 Lore
❤️🔥 Cinnamon Roll MMC
❤️🔥 Anxiety Rep
❤️🔥 Caretaking
No Spice | Closed Door
August 23, 2025
I was gifted this book kindly from Hannah Hounshell but the review and my opinions are my own.
Amazing writing and story for a debute novel! Sits well in a YA novel with very cosy but also action packed scenes.
Brightfeather follows our fmc called Bri who has finally left her controlling family to live in the city.
Adam is our mmc, cinnamon role, questionable morally grey history.
I loved how this book was written. Bri has mental health rep with anxiety and panic attacks but over all comes across as a strong amazing woman.
Found family done beautifully.
Now this book technically is no spice so no 🌶 But boy does it have all the Steam🫑!!
I have no criticism for this book. Thoroughly a 5 star.
Amazing writing and story for a debute novel! Sits well in a YA novel with very cosy but also action packed scenes.
Brightfeather follows our fmc called Bri who has finally left her controlling family to live in the city.
Adam is our mmc, cinnamon role, questionable morally grey history.
I loved how this book was written. Bri has mental health rep with anxiety and panic attacks but over all comes across as a strong amazing woman.
Found family done beautifully.
Now this book technically is no spice so no 🌶 But boy does it have all the Steam🫑!!
I have no criticism for this book. Thoroughly a 5 star.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews