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Touch of Clandestiny
Some secrets are meant to be kept. Some powers are meant to break free.
Behind the impenetrable walls of a fortress-like castle, a princess harbors magic that makes even her father, the king, tremble. Billed as a spoiled brat and kept locked away from the world, Cecilia never questioned why she must remain in the shadows. Until now.
When a mysterious ghostly stag appears at the castle walls, possessed by a dark and forbidden magic, the carefully constructed barriers around her begin to crack. Her father assigns his top guard—Captain Thomas Lovelace—to keep her in line. Amidst a world of swirling secrets, it may be the King’s biggest mistake.
Cecilia and Thomas begin to uncover the mysteries long buried in the hopes of finding any way they can to save their people and the Kingdom of Revell. Along the way, they discover the involvement of the Original Gods thought to have disappeared generations ago. Together, they must decide which is more the wild magic threatening to take down the eight kingdoms, or the power within her fighting to break out?
In this spicy fantasy romance, one woman's journey to self-discovery threatens to unravel a kingdom built on fear. The most dangerous person in any kingdom isn't always the one with the crown—sometimes, it's the one who's finally discovered her worth.
Behind the impenetrable walls of a fortress-like castle, a princess harbors magic that makes even her father, the king, tremble. Billed as a spoiled brat and kept locked away from the world, Cecilia never questioned why she must remain in the shadows. Until now.
When a mysterious ghostly stag appears at the castle walls, possessed by a dark and forbidden magic, the carefully constructed barriers around her begin to crack. Her father assigns his top guard—Captain Thomas Lovelace—to keep her in line. Amidst a world of swirling secrets, it may be the King’s biggest mistake.
Cecilia and Thomas begin to uncover the mysteries long buried in the hopes of finding any way they can to save their people and the Kingdom of Revell. Along the way, they discover the involvement of the Original Gods thought to have disappeared generations ago. Together, they must decide which is more the wild magic threatening to take down the eight kingdoms, or the power within her fighting to break out?
In this spicy fantasy romance, one woman's journey to self-discovery threatens to unravel a kingdom built on fear. The most dangerous person in any kingdom isn't always the one with the crown—sometimes, it's the one who's finally discovered her worth.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 1, 2025
Thank you so much to Pen Pal PR for this arc!! Was hooked from the word go!! The characters and the TENSION was everything!! Can’t wait to read again!!
July 17, 2025
I went through this so fast that the only times i wasnt reading it was when I was asleep and in the shower. I hope a audiobook version comes out soon cause i wouls love to have it played during my drives.
April 24, 2025
Thank you to Pen Pal PR for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This book was a fast and entertaining read, built on a foundation of romantic tension, magic, and a heroine discovering the truth of her own power. From the beginning, Cecilia is branded as a brat by the world around her, and honestly, she doesn’t do much to disprove that reputation. But as her journey unfolds, so does her character. What emerges is a woman shaped by isolation, stifled magic, and trauma, who is finally coming into her own. Her arc is satisfying, and while she remains flawed, she becomes far more complex and interesting as the story goes on.
Thomas, our morally grey captain of the guard, brings the tension and chemistry to the page with ease. Their dynamic is absolutely the core of the story, and though the romance leans heavily into the spicy and possessive tropes, it is balanced by moments of emotional vulnerability that made the relationship feel earned.
The worldbuilding struck a good balance for a book of this length. While I craved more explanation about the gods and the full scope of the magic system, what was included gave enough context to stay grounded without overwhelming. Some of the plot twists were predictable, but a few near the end caught me off guard in the best way. The pacing never dragged, and even when the writing leaned more straightforward than lyrical, the story itself carried the momentum.
This isn’t a sweeping epic, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a tight, character-driven story with strong romantic tension, magic, and just enough mystery to keep the pages turning. A solid, fun fantasy romance with a promising world that I’d happily return to.
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March 14, 2025
I loved this story, I devoured it in 2 days, I didn’t want to put it down.
I love Cecilia, I love how feisty she comes across at the beginning, antagonising people and behaving how she knows they see her. Really though she is so much more then that, she is caring and does what she can to help her kingdom, in secret so her father doesn’t know. She has some flaws though, like we all do, she turns to alcohol to try and numb the pain that she goes through. My favourite power of hers is Zoolingualism, I would love this power. The ability to communicate with animals is something I find fascinating.
Then we have Captain Lovelace – my new bookish boyfriend (sorry Blaze 😊), he is Cecilia’s protective love interest, who stole my heart. He has always been there for Cece, even though she never knew it. His devotion made him the perfect match for her and their chemistry is undeniable.
The twist near the end involving Zell’s true identity completely took me by surprise. I never saw it coming.
On the flip side, I really struggled with Cecilia’s brother, Entriken. His actions made me dislike him more then I disliked her father, and his betrayal I felt is unforgivable. He had his safety with his sister, Cecilia and her little army, yet he still chose to go against them.
The world-building in this story is superb. O'Niell's descriptions paint vivid pictures, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the settings. The pacing was perfect too, balancing thrilling action with just the right amount of steamy moments to keep things exciting without overwhelming the plot.
I loved A Touch of Clandestiny and would definitely be down for a follow-up! If you’re into action, drama, and a little romance, you’ve got to check this one out.
I love Cecilia, I love how feisty she comes across at the beginning, antagonising people and behaving how she knows they see her. Really though she is so much more then that, she is caring and does what she can to help her kingdom, in secret so her father doesn’t know. She has some flaws though, like we all do, she turns to alcohol to try and numb the pain that she goes through. My favourite power of hers is Zoolingualism, I would love this power. The ability to communicate with animals is something I find fascinating.
Then we have Captain Lovelace – my new bookish boyfriend (sorry Blaze 😊), he is Cecilia’s protective love interest, who stole my heart. He has always been there for Cece, even though she never knew it. His devotion made him the perfect match for her and their chemistry is undeniable.
The twist near the end involving Zell’s true identity completely took me by surprise. I never saw it coming.
On the flip side, I really struggled with Cecilia’s brother, Entriken. His actions made me dislike him more then I disliked her father, and his betrayal I felt is unforgivable. He had his safety with his sister, Cecilia and her little army, yet he still chose to go against them.
The world-building in this story is superb. O'Niell's descriptions paint vivid pictures, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the settings. The pacing was perfect too, balancing thrilling action with just the right amount of steamy moments to keep things exciting without overwhelming the plot.
I loved A Touch of Clandestiny and would definitely be down for a follow-up! If you’re into action, drama, and a little romance, you’ve got to check this one out.
April 15, 2025
ARC Review:
This book started out with a bang and I was hooked. The FMC is Cecilia and she is a feisty princess with a passion for pissing her father, the King, off. She is a passionate, loyal, witty and intelligent character. As the only daughter whose powers rival the King's, she has spent the last 20 years of her life isolated to her area of the castle and separated from her brother after their Mother died.
Thomas, or Captain Lovelace, is the MMC and he is her Father's Captain of The Guard. Although they were childhood friends, since her Mother's death 20 years ago he has also distanced himself from her. He finds himself babysitting his childhood friend at the request of the King and he's not sure if he should hate it or love it. Can he keep his distance and will he be able to fight this pull towards her?
The story itself has great world building and a diverse magic system. The writing allowed me to imagine and immerse myself into a vibrant world that I could see in vivid detail. The pace was not slow and I really enjoyed that. There was no long drawn out war or plot. The plot was so interesting that I read this book in one sitting. It keeps the readers engaged and emotionally invested. I really liked that even though Cecilia was extremely powerful and an excellent leader, she was not without faults. I also liked that the relationships with others in the book were honest and relatable.
This is an entry level Romantasy book that is great for readers who want a quick read, with some mild smut in a beautifully thought out fantasy world. I do believe it lacked some more depth in some areas but it was a great book.
This book started out with a bang and I was hooked. The FMC is Cecilia and she is a feisty princess with a passion for pissing her father, the King, off. She is a passionate, loyal, witty and intelligent character. As the only daughter whose powers rival the King's, she has spent the last 20 years of her life isolated to her area of the castle and separated from her brother after their Mother died.
Thomas, or Captain Lovelace, is the MMC and he is her Father's Captain of The Guard. Although they were childhood friends, since her Mother's death 20 years ago he has also distanced himself from her. He finds himself babysitting his childhood friend at the request of the King and he's not sure if he should hate it or love it. Can he keep his distance and will he be able to fight this pull towards her?
The story itself has great world building and a diverse magic system. The writing allowed me to imagine and immerse myself into a vibrant world that I could see in vivid detail. The pace was not slow and I really enjoyed that. There was no long drawn out war or plot. The plot was so interesting that I read this book in one sitting. It keeps the readers engaged and emotionally invested. I really liked that even though Cecilia was extremely powerful and an excellent leader, she was not without faults. I also liked that the relationships with others in the book were honest and relatable.
This is an entry level Romantasy book that is great for readers who want a quick read, with some mild smut in a beautifully thought out fantasy world. I do believe it lacked some more depth in some areas but it was a great book.
April 25, 2025
I so wanted to love this book. And I did love parts of it, but it just left me frustrated and wanting more in certain areas. Certain parts just felt rushed in the storyline and I wished some of the areas spent more time building the world or what was happening and why just a bit more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Touch of Clandestiny is a quick low fantasy book with romantic tension and magic. Princess Cecilia has been kept to the castle by her father, with no real tasks except for an occasional poisoner questioning. The royal family and staff think of her as a brat who spends her time drinking and taking lovers. But the side they don't see she keeps hidden. She is kind, and is doing everything she can behind her father's back to keep the villagers fed.
Captain Lovelace (Thomas), the King's Captain of the Guard with secrets of his own. He has been tasked with keeping watch over Cecilia after some incidents happened in the castle for her safety. Hiding his secret love for her is proving to be tough, but is he able to keep his composure.
I enjoyed the relationship between Cecilia and Thomas, and I really liked seeing how much Thomas helped Cecilia to grow into believing in herself more. There were plenty of twists throughout and while some I was able to easily guess, the biggest ones I was shocked at. Overall the book wasn't terrible, I just wished some areas had more. I think if you are looking for a quick fantasy read then you should give this book a go.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neill for providing me with an early reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Touch of Clandestiny is a quick low fantasy book with romantic tension and magic. Princess Cecilia has been kept to the castle by her father, with no real tasks except for an occasional poisoner questioning. The royal family and staff think of her as a brat who spends her time drinking and taking lovers. But the side they don't see she keeps hidden. She is kind, and is doing everything she can behind her father's back to keep the villagers fed.
Captain Lovelace (Thomas), the King's Captain of the Guard with secrets of his own. He has been tasked with keeping watch over Cecilia after some incidents happened in the castle for her safety. Hiding his secret love for her is proving to be tough, but is he able to keep his composure.
I enjoyed the relationship between Cecilia and Thomas, and I really liked seeing how much Thomas helped Cecilia to grow into believing in herself more. There were plenty of twists throughout and while some I was able to easily guess, the biggest ones I was shocked at. Overall the book wasn't terrible, I just wished some areas had more. I think if you are looking for a quick fantasy read then you should give this book a go.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neill for providing me with an early reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 22, 2025
Catie O’Neill delivers a beautifully written and utterly captivating tale in Touch of Clandestiny. From the very first page, I was drawn into the shadowed halls of the Revellian castle and the lonely life of Princess Cecilia—a woman burdened with forbidden power and hidden truths. But what begins as a tale of isolation quickly unravels into a thrilling, high-stakes journey filled with godly intrigue, unraveling prophecies, and a romance that crackles with tension.
Cecilia’s transformation is deeply satisfying to witness. Once labeled a spoiled royal, her fierce intelligence and quiet strength make her an unforgettable heroine. Paired with the ever-loyal and deliciously conflicted Captain Thomas Lovelace, the two share a chemistry that sizzles—each stolen glance and guarded exchange only adding to the slow-burn tension that blossoms into something powerful and heart-wrenching.
O’Neill’s worldbuilding is vivid and layered, rich with mythology and political complexity. The ghostly stag, the whispers of long-lost gods, and the looming threat of wild, unrestrained magic—all create a story that’s not just about romance, but about destiny, identity, and reclaiming one's power in the face of fear.
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom, Touch of Clandestiny is equal parts dark enchantment and emotional reckoning. This book doesn’t just touch you—it clings to you long after the final page. I’ll be counting the days until the next installment.
Cecilia’s transformation is deeply satisfying to witness. Once labeled a spoiled royal, her fierce intelligence and quiet strength make her an unforgettable heroine. Paired with the ever-loyal and deliciously conflicted Captain Thomas Lovelace, the two share a chemistry that sizzles—each stolen glance and guarded exchange only adding to the slow-burn tension that blossoms into something powerful and heart-wrenching.
O’Neill’s worldbuilding is vivid and layered, rich with mythology and political complexity. The ghostly stag, the whispers of long-lost gods, and the looming threat of wild, unrestrained magic—all create a story that’s not just about romance, but about destiny, identity, and reclaiming one's power in the face of fear.
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom, Touch of Clandestiny is equal parts dark enchantment and emotional reckoning. This book doesn’t just touch you—it clings to you long after the final page. I’ll be counting the days until the next installment.
April 24, 2025
I applied for this ARC on a whim and I'm SO glad I did! When I saw the PR company I'd recently started following for a different ARC post about this one something made me read the blurb even though I could tell from the beautiful cover it's not my usual genre, but the blurb sounded right up my street and I was so right!
Fantasy is one of my least-read genres but I've been loving some of the low-fantasy books recently and this one was the perfect amount for me! I love magic and the magic system in this was great, as well as the world and gods/goddesses making it really easy for me to follow and didn't get confusing with too many fantasy elements. The story and twists kept me hooked and surprised me throughout. I adored the found family aspects and all the friends made along the way. I loved Princess Cecilia and Captain Lovelace (sorry, Thomas) and their relationship which actually took a bit of a backseat to the story which was a nice surprise after how the book started haha! It was nice to see a book with the Chosen One trope where they were older though as well! Although I did keep forgetting occasionally, not because they acted childishly, but just because usually I find that trope they're usually like 16-22 but Cecilia was 28 which I felt is definitely a better age to take over a kingdom!
I loved Catie's writing and look forward to reading more of her books. Especially a witchy murder mystery romance she mentioned at the end!
Fantasy is one of my least-read genres but I've been loving some of the low-fantasy books recently and this one was the perfect amount for me! I love magic and the magic system in this was great, as well as the world and gods/goddesses making it really easy for me to follow and didn't get confusing with too many fantasy elements. The story and twists kept me hooked and surprised me throughout. I adored the found family aspects and all the friends made along the way. I loved Princess Cecilia and Captain Lovelace (sorry, Thomas) and their relationship which actually took a bit of a backseat to the story which was a nice surprise after how the book started haha! It was nice to see a book with the Chosen One trope where they were older though as well! Although I did keep forgetting occasionally, not because they acted childishly, but just because usually I find that trope they're usually like 16-22 but Cecilia was 28 which I felt is definitely a better age to take over a kingdom!
I loved Catie's writing and look forward to reading more of her books. Especially a witchy murder mystery romance she mentioned at the end!
May 4, 2025
Thank you so much for this ARC! I was really excited to have the opportunity with this book.
There was so much of this book I really liked. The confident, sassy FMC. The talking animals!! Love a shadowy questionable MMC. The plot twists! Also... that opening chapter?! 🌶🔥
I was disappointed that it felt like parts of this book were rushed. I really, thoroughly enjoyed the beginning. I had been reading Laura Thalassa's Bewitched at the time and thought initially that this was a better book. That opening chapter!! However, I thought it moved too fast for a true enemies-to-lovers and a slow burn; once the Captain said he would marry Cecilia they should've had more push & pull moments in my opinion / I wanted to see her make him work for her affections more or him still hold her at arms length because of the promise he made to her mom. Especially considering how the book opened I had hoped for more tension between them and more spice. Aside from their relationship, just from that point on I felt like the story could've been drawn out more - I would've rather had this be 2 books or a series and have the journey through the Black Forest take longer and have more obstacles. Even when Mac died it could've been a bigger moment; it definitely pulled at your heartstrings and I liked his character but I would've liked to have gotten to know him more and have his death heavier.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and the world created, I just wanted more of it!!
There was so much of this book I really liked. The confident, sassy FMC. The talking animals!! Love a shadowy questionable MMC. The plot twists! Also... that opening chapter?! 🌶🔥
I was disappointed that it felt like parts of this book were rushed. I really, thoroughly enjoyed the beginning. I had been reading Laura Thalassa's Bewitched at the time and thought initially that this was a better book. That opening chapter!! However, I thought it moved too fast for a true enemies-to-lovers and a slow burn; once the Captain said he would marry Cecilia they should've had more push & pull moments in my opinion / I wanted to see her make him work for her affections more or him still hold her at arms length because of the promise he made to her mom. Especially considering how the book opened I had hoped for more tension between them and more spice. Aside from their relationship, just from that point on I felt like the story could've been drawn out more - I would've rather had this be 2 books or a series and have the journey through the Black Forest take longer and have more obstacles. Even when Mac died it could've been a bigger moment; it definitely pulled at your heartstrings and I liked his character but I would've liked to have gotten to know him more and have his death heavier.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and the world created, I just wanted more of it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up for review.
This book had me in a chokehold- from chapter 1 I could not of told you how it would play out. But I can say I loved every second of it.
It’s a good entry level Romantasy story and a nice quick read, it did lack abit of depth in some parts, but overall very good.
We follow our FMC Princess Cecilia, who’s kept locked away from the rest of the Kingdom by her tyrannical Father- The king, because he fears her power. He believes she’s a naive girl who spends her time drinking and taking many men to her bed- unbeknownst to him, she’s actually hiding a lot of her powers from him, and the fact she sneaks out into the kingdom to help feed the starving citizens (Princess of the people😍)
In his last attempt to be rid of her, he proposes she must marry or be thrown out of the Kingdom. Not betting that his most loyal guard, the shadow wielding Captain Thomas Lovelace, Cecilia’s childhood friend and crush, would offer his hand in marriage to save her… starting off an action packed plot of secrets, betrayal, magic wielding, found family, amazing animal companions and a beautiful love story!
“I chose this. I chose you. I will always choose you.”
This book had me in a chokehold- from chapter 1 I could not of told you how it would play out. But I can say I loved every second of it.
It’s a good entry level Romantasy story and a nice quick read, it did lack abit of depth in some parts, but overall very good.
We follow our FMC Princess Cecilia, who’s kept locked away from the rest of the Kingdom by her tyrannical Father- The king, because he fears her power. He believes she’s a naive girl who spends her time drinking and taking many men to her bed- unbeknownst to him, she’s actually hiding a lot of her powers from him, and the fact she sneaks out into the kingdom to help feed the starving citizens (Princess of the people😍)
In his last attempt to be rid of her, he proposes she must marry or be thrown out of the Kingdom. Not betting that his most loyal guard, the shadow wielding Captain Thomas Lovelace, Cecilia’s childhood friend and crush, would offer his hand in marriage to save her… starting off an action packed plot of secrets, betrayal, magic wielding, found family, amazing animal companions and a beautiful love story!
“I chose this. I chose you. I will always choose you.”
April 22, 2025
I was very happy while reading the world building, as usually I have some problems imagining everything, but this time it was easy and simple to understand. The story/plot is interesting, the written style makes it effortless to follow the situation, a lot of details that gives a more complete vibe.
Adding animal companions was such an amazing idea, it was one of the best points for me. All the fantasy points (powers, gods, the world itself, animals, etc.) were very well done and developed, thought, I hope there will be more books because I would like to know more.
The romantic part was also incredible, an absolute devotion of the MMC towards the FMC, a more that great chemistry between them and their personalities mixed in a way that they were able to advance together, stronger.
The issues and twist were the cherry on top to give a complete book, with all the elements. I was really engaged in the story, the pace was adequate, it was easy with absorbing.
Thank you so much @catiereadsandwrites and @penpalpr for giving me the chance of being an ARC.
Adding animal companions was such an amazing idea, it was one of the best points for me. All the fantasy points (powers, gods, the world itself, animals, etc.) were very well done and developed, thought, I hope there will be more books because I would like to know more.
The romantic part was also incredible, an absolute devotion of the MMC towards the FMC, a more that great chemistry between them and their personalities mixed in a way that they were able to advance together, stronger.
The issues and twist were the cherry on top to give a complete book, with all the elements. I was really engaged in the story, the pace was adequate, it was easy with absorbing.
Thank you so much @catiereadsandwrites and @penpalpr for giving me the chance of being an ARC.
April 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fast-paced fantasy with heart, heat, and hidden magic!
Touch of Clandestiny hooked me right from chapter one! If you’re like me and sometimes get overwhelmed by super dense world-building in fantasy, this book is a breath of fresh air. It dives right into the action without skimping on character or plot, and somehow manages to balance romance, magic, and mystery with a really satisfying pace.
Cecilia is such a compelling lead—powerful, misunderstood, and finally starting to question the cage she’s been kept in (literally and figuratively). And then there’s Captain Thomas... swoon-worthy, protective but not overbearing, and the tension between him and Cecilia is chef’s kiss. Their chemistry is undeniable, though I personally would've loved a bit more of a slow-burn.
The twisty plot kept me guessing, and I loved the lore around the Original Gods and forbidden magic. It's definitely got that classic high fantasy vibe but feels super accessible.
Thanks so much to Pen Pal PR and Catie O’Neill for the ARC! Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Fast-paced fantasy with heart, heat, and hidden magic!
Touch of Clandestiny hooked me right from chapter one! If you’re like me and sometimes get overwhelmed by super dense world-building in fantasy, this book is a breath of fresh air. It dives right into the action without skimping on character or plot, and somehow manages to balance romance, magic, and mystery with a really satisfying pace.
Cecilia is such a compelling lead—powerful, misunderstood, and finally starting to question the cage she’s been kept in (literally and figuratively). And then there’s Captain Thomas... swoon-worthy, protective but not overbearing, and the tension between him and Cecilia is chef’s kiss. Their chemistry is undeniable, though I personally would've loved a bit more of a slow-burn.
The twisty plot kept me guessing, and I loved the lore around the Original Gods and forbidden magic. It's definitely got that classic high fantasy vibe but feels super accessible.
Thanks so much to Pen Pal PR and Catie O’Neill for the ARC! Can’t wait to see what’s next.
April 24, 2025
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲
𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐎'𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡
- - -
Read this if you like:
□ childhood friends to lovers
□ spicy romance
□ found family
□ unique magic
□ woodland creatures
□ protective MMC
□ shadow daddy
□ forced proximity
Thank you, Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neill, for the ARC.
I always say that I always want some action at the beginning of the book to be intrigued. Oh boy, I did not expect such explicit sexual content from page one. Phew! Yes, this is an open door romance. Lots of sexual content!
The main characters, a brazen princess and a head-strong captain along with friends and woodland creatures, go on a quest to find a way to defeat the ruthless king. Along their journey, they encounter many dangers and get to know themselves better. There's lots of twists and turns in this story that will make you scream and kick your feet in the air. So be prepared for a thrilling ride!
I truly enjoyed this book. I read this one in one sitting. Highly recommend it!
𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲
𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐎'𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡
- - -
Read this if you like:
□ childhood friends to lovers
□ spicy romance
□ found family
□ unique magic
□ woodland creatures
□ protective MMC
□ shadow daddy
□ forced proximity
Thank you, Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neill, for the ARC.
I always say that I always want some action at the beginning of the book to be intrigued. Oh boy, I did not expect such explicit sexual content from page one. Phew! Yes, this is an open door romance. Lots of sexual content!
The main characters, a brazen princess and a head-strong captain along with friends and woodland creatures, go on a quest to find a way to defeat the ruthless king. Along their journey, they encounter many dangers and get to know themselves better. There's lots of twists and turns in this story that will make you scream and kick your feet in the air. So be prepared for a thrilling ride!
I truly enjoyed this book. I read this one in one sitting. Highly recommend it!
September 28, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book. I love reading this genre. With its popularity soaring, sometimes, however, it’s hard to find a book that is well-written and has a strong plot. This book has everything you want from the romantasy genre. It has spice, adventure, enemies to lovers, magic, and prophecy. The author's style had me hooked from the very beginning. The reader is thrown into the passion this book has to offer from the very first page. It's spicy and smart. The world building is well done and you are able to imagine a realm that is intriguing and mystical. One of my favorite things about this book is the development of the main character, Cecelia. At first she seems to be a spoiled princess who is just another spoke in the wheel of the monarchy. Soon, however, she progresses into a prophetical savior who learns her self-worth. Her character shows her fortitude, and she embodies the strong female role of powerful stories. I highly recommend this book! I look forward to exploring what worlds and narratives Catie O’Neill will write for us next!
April 19, 2025
Arc Review 4.5/5
This book is so good. It is a great fantasy with romance and suspense that gets straight to the point from chapter one. Believe me when I tell you that you will not get bored; there is no time. We get to meet and learn a lot from Cecilia and Thomas early on. The plot is filled with twists and turns even though it moves quickly. I loved the fact that you don’t have to get through chapters and chapters of information to understand what is happening, the characters' backgrounds, and world-building. As a slow reader, it tends to take me a lot of time to get through some fantasy books because of how huge they are, mostly because of the insane amount of world-building. With this one, you get just the right amount of everything.
The chemistry between the main characters is fantastic, and as their relationship deepens, so too does the novel’s sense of fate and hidden truths. I do wish that their relationship grew a bit slower, but that is a personal preference since I am a fan of slow-burn romance.
Thank you so much to Pen Pal Pr & author Catie O’Neill for this Arc.
This book is so good. It is a great fantasy with romance and suspense that gets straight to the point from chapter one. Believe me when I tell you that you will not get bored; there is no time. We get to meet and learn a lot from Cecilia and Thomas early on. The plot is filled with twists and turns even though it moves quickly. I loved the fact that you don’t have to get through chapters and chapters of information to understand what is happening, the characters' backgrounds, and world-building. As a slow reader, it tends to take me a lot of time to get through some fantasy books because of how huge they are, mostly because of the insane amount of world-building. With this one, you get just the right amount of everything.
The chemistry between the main characters is fantastic, and as their relationship deepens, so too does the novel’s sense of fate and hidden truths. I do wish that their relationship grew a bit slower, but that is a personal preference since I am a fan of slow-burn romance.
Thank you so much to Pen Pal Pr & author Catie O’Neill for this Arc.
April 19, 2025
Wow!! I’m am totally in awe with this book! From the very first chapter, I was captivated by Princess Cecilia and her antics. I loved how Captain Lovelace had her attention. I also wanted to know more about the Captain and his feelings for the Princess. I enjoyed every second of this story. The talking animals, the magic, the banter. It was perfection! Five stars is jot enough for the romantasy lover in me! I absolutely LOVED this book.
FMC: Princess Cecilia
MMC: Captain Thomas Lovelace
Favorite Quote:
“I had never been jealous of suds before, but I was now as they dripped down every curve that I wanted to run my tongue over.”
“And tonight, her flames and my shadows would finally come together.”
“Kiss ass, just stick it in already.”
“Romance isn’t really our thing, is it? Now call me a spoiled brat and teach me a lesson.”
“If you wait until the timing is perfect, you’ll never try for it. Life is always a mess. You just have to make the best of it as it comes.”
FMC: Princess Cecilia
MMC: Captain Thomas Lovelace
Favorite Quote:
“I had never been jealous of suds before, but I was now as they dripped down every curve that I wanted to run my tongue over.”
“And tonight, her flames and my shadows would finally come together.”
“Kiss ass, just stick it in already.”
“Romance isn’t really our thing, is it? Now call me a spoiled brat and teach me a lesson.”
“If you wait until the timing is perfect, you’ll never try for it. Life is always a mess. You just have to make the best of it as it comes.”
April 4, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. Every spare moment I had was spent devouring it and I essentially finished reading it in a day.
For starters, the beginning of the book was quite an introduction to our FMC Cecilia. I truly loved her character. She was feisty and all her facetious and antagonizing remarks had me laughing quietly to myself. She isn’t without flaws though which makes her feel relatable and despite the facade she puts on she has a pure heart.
Captain Lovelace. This man. Protected her since childhood and loved her since their teens. There’s really no need to analyze him any further. Overall, Catie O’neill did a wonderful job executing this book. The pacing was superb, mixing a balance of world building, action, and a few moments of spice that didn’t take away from the plot.
Definitely a must read.
Captain Lovelace. This man. Protected her since childhood and loved her since their teens. There’s really no need to analyze him any further. Overall, Catie O’neill did a wonderful job executing this book. The pacing was superb, mixing a balance of world building, action, and a few moments of spice that didn’t take away from the plot.
Definitely a must read.
April 11, 2025
As a devoted fan of the romantasy genre, this book hooked me right from the opening scene. The author sets a compelling pace from the very first page, and I quickly became immersed in the intricate world and overarching plot. The characters are rich, vibrant, and—most importantly—relatable, making it easy to connect with them emotionally. The magic system is diverse, interesting, and well thought out.
However, as the story progressed, it began to feel like some pieces were missing. Certain scenes lacked the descriptive depth needed to create a cohesive, immersive flow. At times, the dialogue and scene transitions felt a bit choppy, which pulled me out of the moment. While the fast-paced narrative kept things exciting, I occasionally found myself wishing for more detail to fully ground me in the story.
*As an ARC reader, my thoughts and opinions are my own. *
However, as the story progressed, it began to feel like some pieces were missing. Certain scenes lacked the descriptive depth needed to create a cohesive, immersive flow. At times, the dialogue and scene transitions felt a bit choppy, which pulled me out of the moment. While the fast-paced narrative kept things exciting, I occasionally found myself wishing for more detail to fully ground me in the story.
*As an ARC reader, my thoughts and opinions are my own. *
April 24, 2025
I loved this read! Quick and action packed, very fast paced with enough detail to keep you turning those pages!
The twists and turns were so much fun.
Cecilia growing into the person she was destined to be is beautiful. Her story is so sad, at first. I truly enjoyed watching her become so much more. She will make a great D&D character, already told my DM about her!
Thomas could have had more depth to him, but I was glad this was mostly Cecilia's story. Thomas is strong and understanding. Glad he had Kai and Caden to help both him and Cece through some of their emptions and of course being excellent help in guiding and fighting!
Touch of Clandestiny is a great read! If you love childhood friends to lovers, fast paced, lots of action and lots of emotions I suggest putting this at the top of your TBR.
Shout out to Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neil for this ARC!
All opinions are my own!
The twists and turns were so much fun.
Cecilia growing into the person she was destined to be is beautiful. Her story is so sad, at first. I truly enjoyed watching her become so much more. She will make a great D&D character, already told my DM about her!
Thomas could have had more depth to him, but I was glad this was mostly Cecilia's story. Thomas is strong and understanding. Glad he had Kai and Caden to help both him and Cece through some of their emptions and of course being excellent help in guiding and fighting!
Touch of Clandestiny is a great read! If you love childhood friends to lovers, fast paced, lots of action and lots of emotions I suggest putting this at the top of your TBR.
Shout out to Pen Pal PR and Catie O'Neil for this ARC!
All opinions are my own!
March 28, 2025
Arc review
This book is explicit, smutty romantasy with heart.
Cecilia is a of a princess sequestered away from the rest of the kingdom and whose life philosophy is the three Fs. Fucking, Fighting the Patriarchy, and Forging Unbreakable Friendships. No seriously, she is a ride or die for literally anyone with the slightest hint of good in them.
Thomas, Cecilia’s childhood friend, is the most trusted guard of the mad King Aldus. He has been lead to believe Cecilia, his once cherished friend, has turned petulant and defiant, and is a liability to the kingdom.
Fate, in the shape of reanimated rotting stag, brings them together, and shit gets real.
Lots of twists!
Lots of sex!
Lots of magic!
This was a fun read :)
This book is explicit, smutty romantasy with heart.
Cecilia is a of a princess sequestered away from the rest of the kingdom and whose life philosophy is the three Fs. Fucking, Fighting the Patriarchy, and Forging Unbreakable Friendships. No seriously, she is a ride or die for literally anyone with the slightest hint of good in them.
Thomas, Cecilia’s childhood friend, is the most trusted guard of the mad King Aldus. He has been lead to believe Cecilia, his once cherished friend, has turned petulant and defiant, and is a liability to the kingdom.
Fate, in the shape of reanimated rotting stag, brings them together, and shit gets real.
Lots of twists!
Lots of sex!
Lots of magic!
This was a fun read :)
April 12, 2025
Some secrets are meant to be kept. Some powers are meant to break free.
🔥Thank you so much to @penpalpr for the opportunity and to @catiereadsandwrites for selecting me to receive an ARC for her upcoming novel Touch of Clandestiny.
🔥 I really enjoyed this short, but fast paced romantasy novel. I didn't see the twists coming and the journey the Cecilia, Thomas, and the others went on once they were forced from the castle. I wasn't sure about Cecilia at first, but as the character developed you saw what a good person she was and not the bratty princess she was initially portrayed as. And talking animal protectors, how can you not love that!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check out Touch of Clandestiny when it is released on April 24th.
🔥Thank you so much to @penpalpr for the opportunity and to @catiereadsandwrites for selecting me to receive an ARC for her upcoming novel Touch of Clandestiny.
🔥 I really enjoyed this short, but fast paced romantasy novel. I didn't see the twists coming and the journey the Cecilia, Thomas, and the others went on once they were forced from the castle. I wasn't sure about Cecilia at first, but as the character developed you saw what a good person she was and not the bratty princess she was initially portrayed as. And talking animal protectors, how can you not love that!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check out Touch of Clandestiny when it is released on April 24th.
April 14, 2025
I loved it. The fact that it was a shorter book than usual meant that the story had a quicker pace which I adored as it wasn’t a slow slow burn. The plot itself was amazing and wasn’t one in which I could guess from the start what would happen and it made me look forward to reading it during the day. I think the complexity of each character was one which was well written and made you like them for some actions but hate other of their actions, especially the king (I kind of felt bad for him at the end). I loved the couples’ dynamics (and yes I do mean plural as in not only the main couple). Honestly enjoyed the writing style and am looking forward to reading more of this author’s works.
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book!
April 21, 2025
3 stars. While I enjoyed this book, I do feel it needed to be longer. More developed characters and relationships. As everything just seems to rushed. I didn’t feel particularly attached to any character. The FMC had new powers that weren’t alluded to before, so it just felt convenient to the plot that she could do some things. The MMC was sometimes strong, silent hit and sometimes weak, quick to judge and petty. I found the dialogue a bit stiff & it reminded me of Bollywood movies where there is a moral to every lesson learned that every side character needs to reiterate.
Also why can everyone be conveniently resurrected except Mac.
But it’s a quick and entertaining read, if you want something light & with a good plot.
Also why can everyone be conveniently resurrected except Mac.
But it’s a quick and entertaining read, if you want something light & with a good plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
The start of this book immediately drew me in. I was like "YES YES YES". One of the best Chapter One's I've ever read. I loved the Cecila, the FMC, growth and overall character. Reading about her relationship with Thomas and their past was one of my favorite parts of this book.
Now I gave this 3 stars just because it seemed a little drawn out to me. But I would give certain parts of this book 5 stars. I loved the twists and I loved the concept of the book. It has a fantastic plot! I just didnt feel connected to some of the characters and it feeling drawn out to me has me giving it 3 stars.
Honestly, I would still reccomend this because I thought it was a fun read.
thank you so much Catie O'Neil & Penpal PR for the ARC.
Now I gave this 3 stars just because it seemed a little drawn out to me. But I would give certain parts of this book 5 stars. I loved the twists and I loved the concept of the book. It has a fantastic plot! I just didnt feel connected to some of the characters and it feeling drawn out to me has me giving it 3 stars.
Honestly, I would still reccomend this because I thought it was a fun read.
thank you so much Catie O'Neil & Penpal PR for the ARC.
April 24, 2025
The first portion of this book had me hooked. I was enjoying the world that was being built. While Princess Cecilia was described as a selfish brat, we were seeing her true colors. After a marriage of convenance is forced upon her, all the truths begin to be exposed. This is also when the flow of the book began to change for me. I felt that it was a bit rushed, and the intricacies of the magical world were not longer being explained in a way that made sense. Cecilia and Thomas' love story was one of the highlights of the book for me. It felt genuine and had enough spice to be truly invested. I think there is more to this world, and I would like to see some other characters have a story. It was an easy and quick read for those who love Romantisy.
April 21, 2025
Love, love, love this story!
It is cinematic in a good way, I could feel this story and its world like a television series or movie. It was immersive enough without being overly detailed or heavy in that regard. So buckle up if you love an easy-to-sink-your-teeth-into romance with an FMC with big feelings.
Cecelia's life is quite complicated, even if it seems a bit easy at first. I was intrigued to dive into the story behind those gloves and layers to discover her heart and her power, which Thomas lovingly teases out of her.
I love Cecelia; we would be fast friends in the real world. But I'm here for Thomas! *Fanning myself furiously* If all of us could be so lucky. Enjoy!
It is cinematic in a good way, I could feel this story and its world like a television series or movie. It was immersive enough without being overly detailed or heavy in that regard. So buckle up if you love an easy-to-sink-your-teeth-into romance with an FMC with big feelings.
Cecelia's life is quite complicated, even if it seems a bit easy at first. I was intrigued to dive into the story behind those gloves and layers to discover her heart and her power, which Thomas lovingly teases out of her.
I love Cecelia; we would be fast friends in the real world. But I'm here for Thomas! *Fanning myself furiously* If all of us could be so lucky. Enjoy!
April 24, 2025
Imagine being a princess with hidden magic powers who is ready to light your whole kingdom on fire. That’s Cecelia. She is painted to be a spoiled princess who is just here for the fun times. Enter Captain Thomas Lovelace the hottest kings guard with shadow magic, but don’t tell a soul he has shadow magic.
I loved seeing Cecelia and Thomas trek across the kingdom in order to take down the bad king. That man deserved to go down and in the most gruesome way. I loved their found family that they made along the way!
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Miss Catie for allowing me to read this fantasy early!
I loved seeing Cecelia and Thomas trek across the kingdom in order to take down the bad king. That man deserved to go down and in the most gruesome way. I loved their found family that they made along the way!
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Miss Catie for allowing me to read this fantasy early!
April 10, 2025
What an adventure! 🔥
I was this close to DNFing very early on 👌🏼 because our intro to Cece was 🫨 veryyyyy smutty from page 1. I didn’t want to read a book with a FMC I didn’t like. But I guess that’s the whole point. Everyone had an opinion about Cece without really knowing her 💪🏼. Guilty as charged 😞
This story follows princess Cece with an a$$ of a father, as she learns more about herself and as she falls in love with Thomas who is a captain 🥵 Also she can talk to animals and now I want a pet bear 🐻 sooooo thanks a lot for reminding me I can’t have wild animals 😪
I was this close to DNFing very early on 👌🏼 because our intro to Cece was 🫨 veryyyyy smutty from page 1. I didn’t want to read a book with a FMC I didn’t like. But I guess that’s the whole point. Everyone had an opinion about Cece without really knowing her 💪🏼. Guilty as charged 😞
This story follows princess Cece with an a$$ of a father, as she learns more about herself and as she falls in love with Thomas who is a captain 🥵 Also she can talk to animals and now I want a pet bear 🐻 sooooo thanks a lot for reminding me I can’t have wild animals 😪
July 3, 2025
We have it all here: a fierce and (eventually) relatable heroine, chemistry, and colorful world‑building. Cecilia isn’t your cookie‑cutter princess. Her struggle to balance immense abilities and emotions dominates the page. Across from her, Captain Thomas Lovelace stands tall. Protective, complex, and (very) swoon‑worthy. And let’s not forget the animal companions! Readers who enjoy fantasy romance that doesn’t need thousands of pages to unfold, should enjoy the blend of self‑discovery, loyalty, danger .. and the twists and turns along the way.
April 17, 2025
This book was so fun to read. It started off immediately with some spicy action and I knew it would be a great book.
I was not expecting the couple of plot twists thrown our way and would’ve finished this book sooner if I didn’t have ‘responsibilities’ lol
The characters were well introduced and had their growth. The overall plot and story were well written and had excellent scene building. There was a lot of action and excitement.
Spice was a decent 3/5. Highly recommend to all!!!
I was not expecting the couple of plot twists thrown our way and would’ve finished this book sooner if I didn’t have ‘responsibilities’ lol
The characters were well introduced and had their growth. The overall plot and story were well written and had excellent scene building. There was a lot of action and excitement.
Spice was a decent 3/5. Highly recommend to all!!!
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