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The Minor Fall
On the west coast of Ireland, strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten realm struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth killing for.
The vivid atmosphere in The Minor Fall combines the best of Narnia and ACOTAR in a slow-burn fantasy romance, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass, Clarissa Clare, and Carissa Broadbent.
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After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history.
As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse.
Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws.
As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death.
Before it finds them.
The vivid atmosphere in The Minor Fall combines the best of Narnia and ACOTAR in a slow-burn fantasy romance, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass, Clarissa Clare, and Carissa Broadbent.
---------
After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history.
As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse.
Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws.
As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death.
Before it finds them.
Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
14 people are currently reading
6401 people want to read
About the author
Kayla M. Martell
1 book45 followersKayla is an award-winning oil painter and author living in Wicklow, Ireland, with her dog, Storm, and one very patient husband.
Writing romance fantasy has been a calling of hers since she received her first computer and spent nights typing like a mad woman when she should have been out playing with grade school friends (some regrets now). Since then, life has taken her on various paths, but each one has built the knowledge she needed to write The Minor Fall.
A painter and art teacher, a pianist (and guitar and clarinettist), a softball pitcher and centre-fielder (retired now—had to protect that artist eyesight), a traveller (does drinking sangria in Portugal count?), a once self-declared Halo champion (you can tell she was part of the popular crowd), a software engineer, a Jujitsu blue-belt, a yoga teacher (certified only—she can’t teach to save her life!), salsa dancer (on Fridays only), an 8-lessons-of-flying-pilot-full-of-notions, and now a writer, Kayla combined years of chasing notions to settle down and write the story she’d been crafting since childhood.
Luckily, she can also draw on her own personal love story for romantic inspiration, as she met her now-husband during one very interesting vacation in Florence (perhaps, eventually, there’ll be a book on that too!).
When she’s not writing, Kayla relaxes by drawing, playing the piano, or walking her dog through Wicklow’s beautiful forest trails, where she received much of her inspiration for The Minor Fall.
Writing romance fantasy has been a calling of hers since she received her first computer and spent nights typing like a mad woman when she should have been out playing with grade school friends (some regrets now). Since then, life has taken her on various paths, but each one has built the knowledge she needed to write The Minor Fall.
A painter and art teacher, a pianist (and guitar and clarinettist), a softball pitcher and centre-fielder (retired now—had to protect that artist eyesight), a traveller (does drinking sangria in Portugal count?), a once self-declared Halo champion (you can tell she was part of the popular crowd), a software engineer, a Jujitsu blue-belt, a yoga teacher (certified only—she can’t teach to save her life!), salsa dancer (on Fridays only), an 8-lessons-of-flying-pilot-full-of-notions, and now a writer, Kayla combined years of chasing notions to settle down and write the story she’d been crafting since childhood.
Luckily, she can also draw on her own personal love story for romantic inspiration, as she met her now-husband during one very interesting vacation in Florence (perhaps, eventually, there’ll be a book on that too!).
When she’s not writing, Kayla relaxes by drawing, playing the piano, or walking her dog through Wicklow’s beautiful forest trails, where she received much of her inspiration for The Minor Fall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 21, 2025
turns out the magical realism here just meant the characters' libido was supernaturally strong.
April 24, 2025
Review of The Minor Fall by Kayla M Martell
I'd been looking forward to this ARC book from a wonderfully talented debut indie writer, and it arrived in a lovely gift package! THAT is a treat to start.
At first it seemed to be moving quite slow, through the first 125 pages or so (the 1st "part" of the story). But I understand that it is due to in-depth world and character building and her lovely detailed way of describing everything. She fully immerses us in this excellent world she has built. The characters are being defined also, so there is a lot of information, culture and history to understand.
THEN-- In chapter 7, I can't even describe the magickal world we fall into!!! Its like we slipped through the Twilight Zone into a realm called Ruhaven.
She is truly a master wordsmith. Simple descriptions were written in such a lovely and unique style that it reads like poetry at times. You smell the smells, see the unbelievable visions - all while visiting a magical world of memories that you have previously lived.
My favorite humorous quote occurs when she goes through "the gate" to Ruhaven the first time:
"If it could, my head would have rotated on a pivot and never stopped. As it was, I fought to rein in my wildly beating thoughts, to soak in every shiny scale of the twenty or thirty creatures milling around us. The scales, the feathers, the sizes! The necks that curled and twisted, the dinosaur spikes growing from the ridges of their spines, the plants that grew out of their ears! They walked and hummed and sang and danced and trailed and traced and even FLEW."
By then the storyline of her characters really pulled me in. The supporting characters are stong, quirky, and well presented so I felt I knew their back-stories and what drives them almost as much as the MC's. The FMC is very relatable, having a flawed view of herself as a surviving twin; an unworthy, untalented survivor who feels a mistake was made and they took the wrong twin.
I won't spoil anything, but the twists and turns we go through to try to find all the answers about "what" killed Roe's twin sister, and how Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined past to uncover the secrets of the Inquitates. I was sad and confused with some questions at the end-- but then I found out that there will be a sequel!! I'm invested now, and cannot wait to return to Naruka/Ruhaven.!
Kayla Martell is a truly gifted author, I hope you will give it a chance!
4.5* because of slower beginning- but I've been told that has been redone & parred down a bit, if so then I'll round to 5.0
I'd been looking forward to this ARC book from a wonderfully talented debut indie writer, and it arrived in a lovely gift package! THAT is a treat to start.
At first it seemed to be moving quite slow, through the first 125 pages or so (the 1st "part" of the story). But I understand that it is due to in-depth world and character building and her lovely detailed way of describing everything. She fully immerses us in this excellent world she has built. The characters are being defined also, so there is a lot of information, culture and history to understand.
THEN-- In chapter 7, I can't even describe the magickal world we fall into!!! Its like we slipped through the Twilight Zone into a realm called Ruhaven.
She is truly a master wordsmith. Simple descriptions were written in such a lovely and unique style that it reads like poetry at times. You smell the smells, see the unbelievable visions - all while visiting a magical world of memories that you have previously lived.
My favorite humorous quote occurs when she goes through "the gate" to Ruhaven the first time:
"If it could, my head would have rotated on a pivot and never stopped. As it was, I fought to rein in my wildly beating thoughts, to soak in every shiny scale of the twenty or thirty creatures milling around us. The scales, the feathers, the sizes! The necks that curled and twisted, the dinosaur spikes growing from the ridges of their spines, the plants that grew out of their ears! They walked and hummed and sang and danced and trailed and traced and even FLEW."
By then the storyline of her characters really pulled me in. The supporting characters are stong, quirky, and well presented so I felt I knew their back-stories and what drives them almost as much as the MC's. The FMC is very relatable, having a flawed view of herself as a surviving twin; an unworthy, untalented survivor who feels a mistake was made and they took the wrong twin.
I won't spoil anything, but the twists and turns we go through to try to find all the answers about "what" killed Roe's twin sister, and how Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined past to uncover the secrets of the Inquitates. I was sad and confused with some questions at the end-- but then I found out that there will be a sequel!! I'm invested now, and cannot wait to return to Naruka/Ruhaven.!
Kayla Martell is a truly gifted author, I hope you will give it a chance!
4.5* because of slower beginning- but I've been told that has been redone & parred down a bit, if so then I'll round to 5.0
June 19, 2025
5 ★
before writing this review I spent approximately 10 minutes staring at a wall, jaw wide open with my hand covering it...
first of all, the plot, the characters and the worldbuilding were absolutely stunning. the writing itself was fantastic.the pacing of the story picked up quickly after a somewhat slow start and maintained itself with everything that happens in this story.
there were moments where i was laughing, other when i was mad alongside the main character, and also moment where i was sad. the romance between the love interests, the YEARNING.
and let’s not even get me started with the ending…. my god, the ending. the end left me—as i said in the beginning—contemplating everything for at least ten minutes and i don’t think i’ll ever recover.
ཐི⋆ཋྀ ₊˚. THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND KAYLA MARTELL FOR THIS ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
before writing this review I spent approximately 10 minutes staring at a wall, jaw wide open with my hand covering it...
first of all, the plot, the characters and the worldbuilding were absolutely stunning. the writing itself was fantastic.the pacing of the story picked up quickly after a somewhat slow start and maintained itself with everything that happens in this story.
there were moments where i was laughing, other when i was mad alongside the main character, and also moment where i was sad. the romance between the love interests, the YEARNING.
and let’s not even get me started with the ending…. my god, the ending. the end left me—as i said in the beginning—contemplating everything for at least ten minutes and i don’t think i’ll ever recover.
ཐི⋆ཋྀ ₊˚. THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND KAYLA MARTELL FOR THIS ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
January 31, 2025
There's no question about it. If you're reading this -- You Have To Read This Book. It will change your life.
I couldn't put it down! It completely consumed my life for three magical weeks.
There are so many things I love about this book. Each character is unique and dynamic, and the atmosphere of every location is rich and immersive. Every setting has its own charm, magic, and mystery, making me happy to simply exist within the book for hours at a time.
One of the things I loved most—apart from the characters, the worlds, and the story itself—was Kayla's truly poetic writing. I found myself highlighting so many lines and phrases just because they were so beautifully worded, and I didn’t want to forget them. More than once, I stopped and thought, 'What a cool way to describe that'.
This is one of my top favourite "worlds" that I've had the pleasure to experience. I already can't wait for Book 2!
I couldn't put it down! It completely consumed my life for three magical weeks.
There are so many things I love about this book. Each character is unique and dynamic, and the atmosphere of every location is rich and immersive. Every setting has its own charm, magic, and mystery, making me happy to simply exist within the book for hours at a time.
One of the things I loved most—apart from the characters, the worlds, and the story itself—was Kayla's truly poetic writing. I found myself highlighting so many lines and phrases just because they were so beautifully worded, and I didn’t want to forget them. More than once, I stopped and thought, 'What a cool way to describe that'.
This is one of my top favourite "worlds" that I've had the pleasure to experience. I already can't wait for Book 2!
October 19, 2025
I haven’t read many books by independently published authors so I was so excited to start The Minor Fall and it didn’t disappoint. Of course with fantasy books they start with the necessary world building that can be a little slow and confusing sometimes but I didn’t have much of a problem with that in this book. Once things really got going I couldn’t stop thinking about the book. I came up with so many theories on what happened to Roe’s twin, who Bryn was, what’s killing these people and why and I was still wrong. When I finally learned what was happening and why I was completely shocked and I love when that happens. It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book and I really liked this one. I rate it 4/5 stars and recommend it to anyone who likes fated mates, and slow burn fantasy books. Now I’m just waiting for Kayla to finish book two so I can devour that one as well.
September 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
This is a major slow-burn and quite a chunky story—but ultimately a surprising and rewarding one! The beginning starts off slow, which makes sense since the book is set in a unique world with an equally unique magic system. The first half focuses on building that foundation, introducing the characters, and exploring their backstories.
Once you reach the halfway point, things really pick up. The FMC finally opens her eyes, and the MMC reveals the truth—making the story instantly a hundred times more engaging. You'll experience their emotions that run deep: grief, guilt, and some those moments where you can’t help but think, “Roe, come on!”
This isn’t your typical romantasy. The atmosphere, the tension, and the bonds between characters all stand out, creating something special. My only critique is that at times the writing leaned a bit too descriptive and lyrical for my taste.
Overall, a beautifully emotional and unique read—I’m giving it 4 stars!
This is a major slow-burn and quite a chunky story—but ultimately a surprising and rewarding one! The beginning starts off slow, which makes sense since the book is set in a unique world with an equally unique magic system. The first half focuses on building that foundation, introducing the characters, and exploring their backstories.
Once you reach the halfway point, things really pick up. The FMC finally opens her eyes, and the MMC reveals the truth—making the story instantly a hundred times more engaging. You'll experience their emotions that run deep: grief, guilt, and some those moments where you can’t help but think, “Roe, come on!”
This isn’t your typical romantasy. The atmosphere, the tension, and the bonds between characters all stand out, creating something special. My only critique is that at times the writing leaned a bit too descriptive and lyrical for my taste.
Overall, a beautifully emotional and unique read—I’m giving it 4 stars!
February 1, 2025
I wish I could’ve rated this 6 stars!! Obsessed is an understatement, if you’re looking for a good read this is it.
October 29, 2025
I'm going to start by stating it appears I am not the biggest fan of romance/romantasy books - so if you love this genre, just skip me. Also, all books have their readers and there are nice elements of this book. Unfortunately for me, I'm not this book's intended reader.
There are three main reasons I wasn't a fan of this book. BUT - I do want to start on a positive note that the writing was lovely in description and detail. I also like the overall premise of the story.
However, I really didn't like that plot and mystery seemed to only progress through Roe having melodramatic meltdowns by finding out someone (once again) lied about, manipulated, or hid information from her. This was nearly always the way the plot progressed or mystery was unveiled. I don't mind if this happens occasionally, but not when it happens every time. Also after the third time, why was Roe not demanding answers?? She only seemed to gain some agency in this regard whenever the plot had to get to its next argument.
The characters are all morally AWFUL people.
The last thing that irked me is really very specific and wouldn't affect most readers. But I'm very much for internal logic in fantasy and sci-fi.
Again - the space tidally locked planet is super specific to me. But the fact it was so terribly inaccurate and unnecessary to the plot just upset me.
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this.
There are three main reasons I wasn't a fan of this book. BUT - I do want to start on a positive note that the writing was lovely in description and detail. I also like the overall premise of the story.
However, I really didn't like that plot and mystery seemed to only progress through Roe having melodramatic meltdowns by finding out someone (once again) lied about, manipulated, or hid information from her. This was nearly always the way the plot progressed or mystery was unveiled. I don't mind if this happens occasionally, but not when it happens every time. Also after the third time, why was Roe not demanding answers?? She only seemed to gain some agency in this regard whenever the plot had to get to its next argument.
The characters are all morally AWFUL people.
The last thing that irked me is really very specific and wouldn't affect most readers. But I'm very much for internal logic in fantasy and sci-fi.
Again - the space tidally locked planet is super specific to me. But the fact it was so terribly inaccurate and unnecessary to the plot just upset me.
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this.
March 30, 2025
This is such a beautiful book. It’s so original, heartfelt and authentic. The author builds up her universe so convincingly, with an attention to detail that really transports you to early 90s Ireland, before introducing you to the fantastical world of Ruhaven, which is unlike anything I’ve ever read.
I love her observations about life in the west of Ireland - the countryside, the accents, the pubs, the postman! The personalities of her characters leap off the page and made me feel a real connection with them. There’s humour everywhere, from Roe’s inner monologue to the sharp and witty dialogue between the gang.
I empathised a lot with Roe, especially the more I read. Her journey is very compelling, and as her motives become clearer the more you read, you find yourself understanding her devastating final choice, wondering if you’d make the same one.
It’s adventure, it’s mystery, but of course at its core, this is above all else a love story. The blossoming love between Roe and Bryn is truly captivating. I thought he was a fresh take on a classic male lead, with plenty of flaws but even more to love. Their banter is priceless, their bond unique, and the fated mates concept was applied in a brilliant and original way.
Overall, this is an intricate book that deals with many themes - love, friendship, mortality, loss, identity, obsession, betrayal… I found it turned into a real page turner for the final third, and I devoured my way to a breathless finish.
Tears, laughs and goosebumps all apply.
Don’t miss an unforgettable read!
I love her observations about life in the west of Ireland - the countryside, the accents, the pubs, the postman! The personalities of her characters leap off the page and made me feel a real connection with them. There’s humour everywhere, from Roe’s inner monologue to the sharp and witty dialogue between the gang.
I empathised a lot with Roe, especially the more I read. Her journey is very compelling, and as her motives become clearer the more you read, you find yourself understanding her devastating final choice, wondering if you’d make the same one.
It’s adventure, it’s mystery, but of course at its core, this is above all else a love story. The blossoming love between Roe and Bryn is truly captivating. I thought he was a fresh take on a classic male lead, with plenty of flaws but even more to love. Their banter is priceless, their bond unique, and the fated mates concept was applied in a brilliant and original way.
Overall, this is an intricate book that deals with many themes - love, friendship, mortality, loss, identity, obsession, betrayal… I found it turned into a real page turner for the final third, and I devoured my way to a breathless finish.
Tears, laughs and goosebumps all apply.
Don’t miss an unforgettable read!
June 28, 2025
Premièrement, ce livre est tellement beau! Je capote 💜 Les rebords de pages sont pailletés or!!!
J'ai reçu ce livre gratuitement de l'auteur, signé, tout droit venu de l'Irlande, avec plusieurs illustrations, signets et collants de l'univers du livre. J'ai adoré! Merci Kayla 😊
J'ai beaucoup apprécié l'histoire, du début jusqu'à avant la fin. J'ai beaucoup ri, j'ai adoré les relations et l'intrigue. Je ne suis pas fan de la fin (peut-être à cause de l'anglais j'ai moins bien compris..?), mais il semblerait qu'une suite soit prévue...
Univers = Avatar meets fantastic romance
Définitivement un slow burn book.
J'ai reçu ce livre gratuitement de l'auteur, signé, tout droit venu de l'Irlande, avec plusieurs illustrations, signets et collants de l'univers du livre. J'ai adoré! Merci Kayla 😊
J'ai beaucoup apprécié l'histoire, du début jusqu'à avant la fin. J'ai beaucoup ri, j'ai adoré les relations et l'intrigue. Je ne suis pas fan de la fin (peut-être à cause de l'anglais j'ai moins bien compris..?), mais il semblerait qu'une suite soit prévue...
Univers = Avatar meets fantastic romance
Définitivement un slow burn book.
March 27, 2025
This book 🙌🙌🙌
5/5 ✨
It’s one of those books that completely pulls you in with its atmosphere, characters, and a story that unfolds in such an unexpected way. I literally could not put it down!
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
At first, it feels like a deeply emotional, character driven novel about grief and starting over, but then it slowly unravels into something SOOOO much bigger!!!
Adding in that it was an incredible slow burn that I could not help but become obsessed with !! 🤭
The main characters make you feel everything they are feeling.
Roe, who carries the weight of her past, but is also strong, practical, and just trying to find her way.
Then there’s Bryn, who is… well 🤤
I would love to read a hundred more pages of him 😂
Their dynamic is everything 🙌 and I loved how their relationship developed naturally rather than being rushed.
The side characters are written in a way that you grow attached to all of them.
The world-building is done so well!!
The setting in Ireland added so much depth to this with the fantasy element its unlike anything I have ever read! (keeping it spoiler free so more on that later) 🤭
The twists hit at just the right moments, and the last chunk of the book had me flying through the pages!!
You need to read this just be warned: once you finish, you’ll be desperate for book two! 🫶
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
5/5 ✨
It’s one of those books that completely pulls you in with its atmosphere, characters, and a story that unfolds in such an unexpected way. I literally could not put it down!
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
At first, it feels like a deeply emotional, character driven novel about grief and starting over, but then it slowly unravels into something SOOOO much bigger!!!
Adding in that it was an incredible slow burn that I could not help but become obsessed with !! 🤭
The main characters make you feel everything they are feeling.
Roe, who carries the weight of her past, but is also strong, practical, and just trying to find her way.
Then there’s Bryn, who is… well 🤤
I would love to read a hundred more pages of him 😂
Their dynamic is everything 🙌 and I loved how their relationship developed naturally rather than being rushed.
The side characters are written in a way that you grow attached to all of them.
The world-building is done so well!!
The setting in Ireland added so much depth to this with the fantasy element its unlike anything I have ever read! (keeping it spoiler free so more on that later) 🤭
The twists hit at just the right moments, and the last chunk of the book had me flying through the pages!!
You need to read this just be warned: once you finish, you’ll be desperate for book two! 🫶
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
March 14, 2025
This book will utterly immerse you in the beautiful Irish country side while simultaneously taking you on a fantasy/thriller adventure filled with fated mates and a centuries long romance.
I really loved the uniqueness of each character and the way they all had such a distinct voice. James was definitely my favourite character, his wholesome personality and fun quick Irish banter really made me fall in love with him.
And then there’s the undeniable connection and heat between Bryn and Roe. I absolutely love a slow burn and watching the two of them come together was so satisfying.
The plot itself that drove this; a search for answers to her sister’s untimely death, memories of another life, and a love that spans worlds, was completely fascinating and addicting. But the best part unquestionably was the difficult choice the main character faced throughout the story. What is more important? A cross-world soul deep love or uncovering the truth about her twin sister? This book put the fated mates trope on its head in order to delve deeper into the different kinds of love available to us. Roe refuses to announce unquestionable loyalty to a man she just met, and never gives up on her one true goal: uncovering the mystery behind her sister’s death.
I really loved the uniqueness of each character and the way they all had such a distinct voice. James was definitely my favourite character, his wholesome personality and fun quick Irish banter really made me fall in love with him.
And then there’s the undeniable connection and heat between Bryn and Roe. I absolutely love a slow burn and watching the two of them come together was so satisfying.
The plot itself that drove this; a search for answers to her sister’s untimely death, memories of another life, and a love that spans worlds, was completely fascinating and addicting. But the best part unquestionably was the difficult choice the main character faced throughout the story. What is more important? A cross-world soul deep love or uncovering the truth about her twin sister? This book put the fated mates trope on its head in order to delve deeper into the different kinds of love available to us. Roe refuses to announce unquestionable loyalty to a man she just met, and never gives up on her one true goal: uncovering the mystery behind her sister’s death.
July 2, 2025
I finished all 628 pages of this book, and unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. The female main character came across as overly emotional and difficult to connect with, which made it hard to stay invested in her journey. The plot felt disjointed at times, with an emphasis on mystery that often led to confusion rather than intrigue. The writing style was heavily descriptive—so much so that it sometimes overshadowed the actual meaning or pacing of the story.
The emotional tone leaned heavily into sorrow and self-pity, which may appeal to some readers but felt repetitive to me. Additionally, for those looking for romance with more intensity or "spice," this book leaned more toward a PG-level portrayal, which might not meet expectations in that area.
Overall, the characters lacked depth, the suspense didn’t quite land, and the story felt longer than it needed to be. I found it to be a disappointing read, though others might enjoy the lyrical writing style or emotional themes more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book
The emotional tone leaned heavily into sorrow and self-pity, which may appeal to some readers but felt repetitive to me. Additionally, for those looking for romance with more intensity or "spice," this book leaned more toward a PG-level portrayal, which might not meet expectations in that area.
Overall, the characters lacked depth, the suspense didn’t quite land, and the story felt longer than it needed to be. I found it to be a disappointing read, though others might enjoy the lyrical writing style or emotional themes more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book
July 14, 2025
Follow the story of Roe & Bryn, as Roe learns of her past life, and Bryn confronts what he’d thought he’d left behind.
May 12, 2025
Review on Reread in May 2025: Go read that in Kindle Unlimited right now I beg of you!!!! I need book 2 right now and it'll happen only with all your help and reviews!
Honestly as one of the beta readers I wasn't prepared about how much more awesome that book turned out after the last edits and editing 🔥 I loved it since my first read in August last year but I adore that book even more now. All of my earlier points still stand though (apologies for forgetting to mention the naughty priests' calendar the first time around - I think it's my favourite way ever for an author to mark the passage of time 🥹)
Also!!! Nothing could have prepared me for seeing my name in the Acknowledgements and if you need me I'll be crying for the next week straight k tnx 😭😭😭😭
Original review below:
Rowan, I told you once you are written upon my very bones. Do you think I'll allow my soul to be separated from yours?
6/5 ⭐ I ate that one up 🔥🔥🔥 I was blessed with the opportunity to read an ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review! The book comes out on Apr 15th 2025
Finally this book is on Goodreads so I can properly rave about it! I've been keeping it all inside myself for months so strap in because a long, in-depth and spoiler free review is coming your way.
Inside you'll find:
✨ A unique twist on fantasy and world building
🎉 Adult characters and no insane age gaps
🌄 Dreamy 90s settings
🎵 Music references
💘 Fated soulmates
🎞️ Past lives
🔥 Slow burn
👽 A l i e n s
All of this plus insane plot twists, a lot of action, and at least few chapters that had me sobbing real tears. Honestly, this book has it all - and I implore you to give a new indie author a chance because it's truly better than 70% of the published authors in this category.
🔧 Our FMC Roe Tullum has been dealt one hell of a blow - she suddenly and tragically lost her twin Willow and it ruined her so completely, it changed the course of her life. Three years later her life is still in shambles, so she hops on the opportunity to leave her Canadian hometown behind and go to Ireland to work in Hotel Naruka as a handywoman.
I truly love Roe! She feels like a real person, her love for her lost twin shines through in everything she does, she's a bit pessimistic, which is both realistic and refreshing. She feels like an actual adult, and is careful and not easily fooled, yet her heart is in the right place and she treats the others around her with kindness. It's heartwarming to see her growing during her journey battling with grief and learning to open up to her new found family.
🎨 And then there's Bryn Stornoway who's perfect in every way and could do no wrong 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️ I'll try to be at least a bit objective here, but you should know that I'll be marrying this man in a heartbeat and he's been escalated from a Book Boyfriend to a Book Husband expeditiously. I mean he's blond, covered in tattoos, Norwegian and is a painter, what more can a woman want?!?!
But I digress, so let's try to return to actually trying to do a review and not just panting after Bryn. After suffering a tragic accident, he gets a permanent leg injury which saddles him with a good deal of trauma and PTSD. This leads to him being banned from Naruka... at least till he's desperately needed again and Roe is sent to fetch him back and they meet for the first time 🧨
🎀 And then there's Tye, James and Kazie who are absolutely magical and feel so human and real. You're bound to feel for them, and as the story progresses and not all Naruka residents are of the same mind, you as a reader often feel quite torn in who to support because Kayla M Martell did such a good job of making them all relatable and likeable. Overall that's something that really jumped out to me in this book - how all of the characters feel so alive, so realistic!
✨ Lastly, let's talk about the fantasy element. Or more likely not talk about it, as I promised a spoiler free review and I'm unsure on how to talk about it and not spoil it as it's such a unique blend of sci-fi and urban fantasy.
With the book being set in Ireland I was 100% sure we're going to meet the fae and let me tell you - I haven't been more wrong in my life 😂 The past lives aspect was so well done, and again - such a unique twist! I read mainly fantasy, and I've read a lot of books so I'm usually never surprised by the way the magic works but this one was great and felt so fresh!
You need to be a bit patient with the book as it's book 1 from a series and it takes a bit of time to set up the scene and do the world building but the veterans in the fantasy and sci-fi genres know the drill 💪 But it's totally worth it as this is well balanced by all the action scenes and the reveals.
The plot twists were very well done, with KMM giving you enough clues to be able to deduce some if you're paying attention, and in the same time taking you completely by surprise with others! I always consider when that happens a job well done as I enjoy a fair bit of foreshadowing but I also don't like being able to guess everything 😅
Finally there's the last 10% which are horribly dramatic!!!! Once you reach them you won't be able to put the book down, and also would immediately need to sink your teeth in book 2. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and most things that pop up in The Minor Fall are resolved but trust me when I tell you that you'll feel the need to grab book 2 immediately 🔥
In conclusion - please get this book, and help spread the word because we can truly do something great here and make book 2 happen 🙌
Honestly as one of the beta readers I wasn't prepared about how much more awesome that book turned out after the last edits and editing 🔥 I loved it since my first read in August last year but I adore that book even more now. All of my earlier points still stand though (apologies for forgetting to mention the naughty priests' calendar the first time around - I think it's my favourite way ever for an author to mark the passage of time 🥹)
Also!!! Nothing could have prepared me for seeing my name in the Acknowledgements and if you need me I'll be crying for the next week straight k tnx 😭😭😭😭
Original review below:
Rowan, I told you once you are written upon my very bones. Do you think I'll allow my soul to be separated from yours?
6/5 ⭐ I ate that one up 🔥🔥🔥 I was blessed with the opportunity to read an ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review! The book comes out on Apr 15th 2025
Finally this book is on Goodreads so I can properly rave about it! I've been keeping it all inside myself for months so strap in because a long, in-depth and spoiler free review is coming your way.
Inside you'll find:
✨ A unique twist on fantasy and world building
🎉 Adult characters and no insane age gaps
🌄 Dreamy 90s settings
🎵 Music references
💘 Fated soulmates
🎞️ Past lives
🔥 Slow burn
👽 A l i e n s
All of this plus insane plot twists, a lot of action, and at least few chapters that had me sobbing real tears. Honestly, this book has it all - and I implore you to give a new indie author a chance because it's truly better than 70% of the published authors in this category.
🔧 Our FMC Roe Tullum has been dealt one hell of a blow - she suddenly and tragically lost her twin Willow and it ruined her so completely, it changed the course of her life. Three years later her life is still in shambles, so she hops on the opportunity to leave her Canadian hometown behind and go to Ireland to work in Hotel Naruka as a handywoman.
I truly love Roe! She feels like a real person, her love for her lost twin shines through in everything she does, she's a bit pessimistic, which is both realistic and refreshing. She feels like an actual adult, and is careful and not easily fooled, yet her heart is in the right place and she treats the others around her with kindness. It's heartwarming to see her growing during her journey battling with grief and learning to open up to her new found family.
🎨 And then there's Bryn Stornoway who's perfect in every way and could do no wrong 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️ I'll try to be at least a bit objective here, but you should know that I'll be marrying this man in a heartbeat and he's been escalated from a Book Boyfriend to a Book Husband expeditiously. I mean he's blond, covered in tattoos, Norwegian and is a painter, what more can a woman want?!?!
But I digress, so let's try to return to actually trying to do a review and not just panting after Bryn. After suffering a tragic accident, he gets a permanent leg injury which saddles him with a good deal of trauma and PTSD. This leads to him being banned from Naruka... at least till he's desperately needed again and Roe is sent to fetch him back and they meet for the first time 🧨
🎀 And then there's Tye, James and Kazie who are absolutely magical and feel so human and real. You're bound to feel for them, and as the story progresses and not all Naruka residents are of the same mind, you as a reader often feel quite torn in who to support because Kayla M Martell did such a good job of making them all relatable and likeable. Overall that's something that really jumped out to me in this book - how all of the characters feel so alive, so realistic!
✨ Lastly, let's talk about the fantasy element. Or more likely not talk about it, as I promised a spoiler free review and I'm unsure on how to talk about it and not spoil it as it's such a unique blend of sci-fi and urban fantasy.
With the book being set in Ireland I was 100% sure we're going to meet the fae and let me tell you - I haven't been more wrong in my life 😂 The past lives aspect was so well done, and again - such a unique twist! I read mainly fantasy, and I've read a lot of books so I'm usually never surprised by the way the magic works but this one was great and felt so fresh!
You need to be a bit patient with the book as it's book 1 from a series and it takes a bit of time to set up the scene and do the world building but the veterans in the fantasy and sci-fi genres know the drill 💪 But it's totally worth it as this is well balanced by all the action scenes and the reveals.
The plot twists were very well done, with KMM giving you enough clues to be able to deduce some if you're paying attention, and in the same time taking you completely by surprise with others! I always consider when that happens a job well done as I enjoy a fair bit of foreshadowing but I also don't like being able to guess everything 😅
Finally there's the last 10% which are horribly dramatic!!!! Once you reach them you won't be able to put the book down, and also would immediately need to sink your teeth in book 2. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and most things that pop up in The Minor Fall are resolved but trust me when I tell you that you'll feel the need to grab book 2 immediately 🔥
In conclusion - please get this book, and help spread the word because we can truly do something great here and make book 2 happen 🙌
August 14, 2025
Minor Fall or Minor Fail…
Writing style – 🪐🪐
Worldbuilding – 🪐🪐🪐🪐
Characters – 🪐🪐
Pacing / Engagement – 🪐🪐
Plot – 🪐🪐🪐
Romance / Relationships – 🪐🪐🪐🪐
Smut / Spice – 🪐 🪐
Themes / Emotions – 🪐🪐
(More detail at the end).
I’ll start with the positives - the vision gifted to us through words, of Ruhaven, is quite something. Kayla paints a picture of a landscape in a way that’s immersive. The story itself and the adventure is great. Ruhaven gives strong avatar vibes so if that’s the kind of fantasy you’re into then this story is perfect.
The last 10-15% of the book somehow saved the story itself. I actually really enjoyed the end, and found that I did hold space for Bryn (fine, I fell for him) and indeed Bryn and Rowan’s relationship. The last chapters were beautiful and moving in an unexpected way.
I LOVED this quote - ‘I always find you, Bryn repeated, over and over against my temple, waves inside a seashell’. Stunning.
Now for the negatives. It took me until at least 40% of the book to be convinced to continue. I was fighting my desire to DNF up until this point. I think this delay contributed to my overall negative view of the story, which is a shame really.
Let me be clear I HATED this book up until the 40% mark. Even the immersive world painting wasn’t enough to interest me.
A few things for me to elaborate on:
- I didn’t bond with a single character (until 90% when I decided I did like Bryn). They’re all frustrating (annoying) in their own unique way. Specifically let me talk to you about Rowan who has imposter syndrome beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in my life and is GAGGING for therapy. I think my own therapy experience prevented me from enjoying her character to be honest.
- I have not had a twin, so I cannot comment on this but Rowan is OBSESSED with her dead twin. But not necessarily because of their relationship but more because Willow was ‘so amazing’ (for reasons unclear other than being a piano prodigy) and their parents preferred her. We get no deep dive into the sisterly bond which might have helped to explain Rowan’s anguish, her refusal to accept that she was deserving of anything and her refusal to see her life as anything other than a slap in the face to Willow (this was all very repetitive).
- Everyone is a serial liar/ manipulator and withholder of the truth. When someone lies to Rowan, she proceeds to have a breakdown, following which we get some sort of plot advancement. By take 2 of this I was bored of the repetition.
- Rowan- wake tf up my love. How are you SO oblivious to everything going on around you? Now I note this was purposeful, to be fair, as it was noticed by other characters but it didn’t stop me from being infuriated by her blindness (and often willing blindness may I add).
- The arguments were infuriating for the most part (particularly, I nod at chapter 34).
- The dialogue… for a start there’s too much of it. A personal pet peeve of mine is dialogue alongside internal monologue- pick a lane please. It makes a book unnecessarily longer.
- I don’t need to ‘read’ everyone’s accent. I also couldn’t stand Bryn’s prim and proper talk versus Tye’s Montana versus James’ Irish.
- There are a few holes in the backstory to Ruhaven, in my opinion.
I was dithering between 2 stars and 3 stars but when I compare with some books I’ve read that I’ve given 3 stars to, I’m afraid I have to stick it at 2. It feels painful to do this because there are some great elements to the book but it just wasn’t enough to redeem it for me.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I did love the last 15% and I would recommend this to someone who maybe enjoys a slow burn and flowery language more than I do.
Writing style – 🪐🪐 The prose was a bit of a struggle for me; sometimes too dense or overly flowery. Also didn’t enjoy the ‘accents’ being written down.
Worldbuilding – 🪐🪐🪐🪐 I really loved the immersive setting of Ruhaven; it painted a vivid picture that pulled me in, even when other parts lagged.
Characters – 🪐🪐 Honestly, I didn’t resonate with anyone until very late, and even then it was only Bryn who won me over.
Pacing / Engagement – 🪐🪐 The beginning was tough to get through, and I almost gave up until 40%. The story only really hooked me near the end (85%-90%).
Plot – 🪐🪐🪐 The adventure itself was solid and had potential, but repetition and some plot holes kept me from fully investing.
Romance / Relationships – 🪐🪐🪐🪐 The relationship between Bryn and Rowan was the highlight for me. By the (very) end, I was really rooting for them.
Smut / Spice – 🪐 🪐 There was a little spice here and there, but it wasn’t a major focus and didn’t stand out much.
Themes / Emotions – 🪐🪐 The book explores grief, identity, and trauma, but they didn’t resonate with me deeply until the final 10–15%.
Writing style – 🪐🪐
Worldbuilding – 🪐🪐🪐🪐
Characters – 🪐🪐
Pacing / Engagement – 🪐🪐
Plot – 🪐🪐🪐
Romance / Relationships – 🪐🪐🪐🪐
Smut / Spice – 🪐 🪐
Themes / Emotions – 🪐🪐
(More detail at the end).
I’ll start with the positives - the vision gifted to us through words, of Ruhaven, is quite something. Kayla paints a picture of a landscape in a way that’s immersive. The story itself and the adventure is great. Ruhaven gives strong avatar vibes so if that’s the kind of fantasy you’re into then this story is perfect.
The last 10-15% of the book somehow saved the story itself. I actually really enjoyed the end, and found that I did hold space for Bryn (fine, I fell for him) and indeed Bryn and Rowan’s relationship. The last chapters were beautiful and moving in an unexpected way.
I LOVED this quote - ‘I always find you, Bryn repeated, over and over against my temple, waves inside a seashell’. Stunning.
Now for the negatives. It took me until at least 40% of the book to be convinced to continue. I was fighting my desire to DNF up until this point. I think this delay contributed to my overall negative view of the story, which is a shame really.
Let me be clear I HATED this book up until the 40% mark. Even the immersive world painting wasn’t enough to interest me.
A few things for me to elaborate on:
- I didn’t bond with a single character (until 90% when I decided I did like Bryn). They’re all frustrating (annoying) in their own unique way. Specifically let me talk to you about Rowan who has imposter syndrome beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in my life and is GAGGING for therapy. I think my own therapy experience prevented me from enjoying her character to be honest.
- I have not had a twin, so I cannot comment on this but Rowan is OBSESSED with her dead twin. But not necessarily because of their relationship but more because Willow was ‘so amazing’ (for reasons unclear other than being a piano prodigy) and their parents preferred her. We get no deep dive into the sisterly bond which might have helped to explain Rowan’s anguish, her refusal to accept that she was deserving of anything and her refusal to see her life as anything other than a slap in the face to Willow (this was all very repetitive).
- Everyone is a serial liar/ manipulator and withholder of the truth. When someone lies to Rowan, she proceeds to have a breakdown, following which we get some sort of plot advancement. By take 2 of this I was bored of the repetition.
- Rowan- wake tf up my love. How are you SO oblivious to everything going on around you? Now I note this was purposeful, to be fair, as it was noticed by other characters but it didn’t stop me from being infuriated by her blindness (and often willing blindness may I add).
- The arguments were infuriating for the most part (particularly, I nod at chapter 34).
- The dialogue… for a start there’s too much of it. A personal pet peeve of mine is dialogue alongside internal monologue- pick a lane please. It makes a book unnecessarily longer.
- I don’t need to ‘read’ everyone’s accent. I also couldn’t stand Bryn’s prim and proper talk versus Tye’s Montana versus James’ Irish.
- There are a few holes in the backstory to Ruhaven, in my opinion.
I was dithering between 2 stars and 3 stars but when I compare with some books I’ve read that I’ve given 3 stars to, I’m afraid I have to stick it at 2. It feels painful to do this because there are some great elements to the book but it just wasn’t enough to redeem it for me.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I did love the last 15% and I would recommend this to someone who maybe enjoys a slow burn and flowery language more than I do.
Writing style – 🪐🪐 The prose was a bit of a struggle for me; sometimes too dense or overly flowery. Also didn’t enjoy the ‘accents’ being written down.
Worldbuilding – 🪐🪐🪐🪐 I really loved the immersive setting of Ruhaven; it painted a vivid picture that pulled me in, even when other parts lagged.
Characters – 🪐🪐 Honestly, I didn’t resonate with anyone until very late, and even then it was only Bryn who won me over.
Pacing / Engagement – 🪐🪐 The beginning was tough to get through, and I almost gave up until 40%. The story only really hooked me near the end (85%-90%).
Plot – 🪐🪐🪐 The adventure itself was solid and had potential, but repetition and some plot holes kept me from fully investing.
Romance / Relationships – 🪐🪐🪐🪐 The relationship between Bryn and Rowan was the highlight for me. By the (very) end, I was really rooting for them.
Smut / Spice – 🪐 🪐 There was a little spice here and there, but it wasn’t a major focus and didn’t stand out much.
Themes / Emotions – 🪐🪐 The book explores grief, identity, and trauma, but they didn’t resonate with me deeply until the final 10–15%.
Read
July 14, 2025Thank you to Kayla Martell for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
On the west coast of Ireland, strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten realm struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth killing for. After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history. As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse. Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws. As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Before it finds them.
This one is unfortunately a DNF at 9% for me. Martell’s writing is beautifully lyrical and can easily sweep a person away, but I just found everything too wordy. It is almost certainly more a reflection on myself and current headspace as opposed to how this book is. I enviously look at the 5 star reviews this book has and wish I could have gotten further. This is definitely a book I hope to return to in the future but now just isn’t the right time for me - and that’s okay.
Overall, The Minor Fall is a book that holds a lot of promise but isn’t the best fit for me at this time.
Thank you again to Kayla Martell for a copy of this book.
On the west coast of Ireland, strangers united by their shared memories of a forgotten realm struggle to reconcile the lives they’ve known here with who they once were. But for those who can witness their memories, their past identities may be a secret worth killing for. After the sudden death of her twin, Roe is desperate for a fresh start in Ireland. But when she begins work at a hotel in the foothills of County Kerry, a centuries-old ledger reveals she’s one of the few who can relive the memories of Ruhaven—a forgotten world with a deadly history. As the first twin ever born in the Ledger, what killed Roe’s sister is now hunting her too—and her only hope is the one man who’s survived Ruhaven’s curse. Exiled from Ruhaven and determined to conceal his past, Bryn Stornoway’s redemption depends on ensuring Roe’s survival—even if the brewing attraction between them violates Ruhaven’s laws. As danger closes in, Roe and Bryn must confront the secrets of their intertwined pasts to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. Before it finds them.
This one is unfortunately a DNF at 9% for me. Martell’s writing is beautifully lyrical and can easily sweep a person away, but I just found everything too wordy. It is almost certainly more a reflection on myself and current headspace as opposed to how this book is. I enviously look at the 5 star reviews this book has and wish I could have gotten further. This is definitely a book I hope to return to in the future but now just isn’t the right time for me - and that’s okay.
Overall, The Minor Fall is a book that holds a lot of promise but isn’t the best fit for me at this time.
Thank you again to Kayla Martell for a copy of this book.
July 23, 2025
tl;dr 5 stars, I absolutely recommend this book if you are interested in a romantasy that doesn't follow the all of the standard plot tropes or worldbuilding trends. This book forces you to work, to think, to reflect. It's an existential experience and is completely unlike anything I've read before. If you're willing to stick with it, to put in the work as a reader to wonder and question, then it is an amazingly rewarding experience.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kayla Martell for allowing me to read this as an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion. I'm going to put more of my critiques below, but the above blurb is to quickly get my point across.
This book was marketed as a Narnia facsimile which I think is a decent comparison. Ruhaven is another magical world where there are gears in the sky and the beaches are purple. Unlike Narnia, it isn't just walking through a magical wardrobe, but rather entering a sort of soulbonded dream state in the mountains of Ireland. I felt the worldbuilding, in Ireland, Canada, and Ruhaven to be very lush. The cold felt so cold, the wet, very wet. And apparently, Ireland is an extremely wet place. I loved the quirks of Naruka and how the hotel seemed to mimic the quirky charm of those who occupied it.
This book is not a quick burn. In fact, it's one of the slower burns I've read in a long time. That is my favourite form of romantic expose, but I can understand it being frustrating to others. Know what you're getting into.
The main character, Roe (short for Rowan) was quick likeable at the beginning. I really rooted for her and her mission for the first maybe 300-400 pages. There came a tipping point, however, when I, like many of the characters in the book, grew tired of her obsession. I found it funny when other characters would also remark on how seemingly intentionally obtuse she was as well. So intent on not seeing the obvious until it literally beat her face in.
The majority of the "effort" as far as the reader is concerned takes place in the last 200 pages. The first 400 are an atmospheric, magical exploration of both what it means to be alive and the strength of love across time and space. I felt this was the strongest part of the book, but that's basically comparing my two favourite pizzas. I love them both.
Because this world and its rules are extremely complex, a lot of the expose is handled in big data dumps via conversations. I do like this, because I don't see any other way Rowan would have gotten the information. But they can become a bit onerous. I reread several scenes to make sure I understood. Also dealing with unreliable players further complicates this. I did fully enjoy this work, however. It had been a long time, maybe since I read Babel by R.F. Kuang, that I really got to work as a reader. So much fantasy is very handheld nowadays which can be a nice break. But I really enjoyed coming to a story that really required me to think and also made me unsure of what I wanted each of the characters to do. By the end, I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen or who I agreed with. There wasn't a bad guy, per se, but more a conflict of ideals.
I was told by Kayla that the Minor Fall is a prequel, and knowing that made the ending feel right. It ended on a period, ready for the next sentence to start.
This book is not sexy, rippling abbed fae, it's not a war against the ultimate evil to save the world. This story, for how deeply I felt each emotion it presented, is a quiet adventure to another world and a softly spoken question of what we would give up for love.
Also, I would encourage Rowan to fix the locks on the doors at Naruka for heaven's sake.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kayla Martell for allowing me to read this as an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion. I'm going to put more of my critiques below, but the above blurb is to quickly get my point across.
This book was marketed as a Narnia facsimile which I think is a decent comparison. Ruhaven is another magical world where there are gears in the sky and the beaches are purple. Unlike Narnia, it isn't just walking through a magical wardrobe, but rather entering a sort of soulbonded dream state in the mountains of Ireland. I felt the worldbuilding, in Ireland, Canada, and Ruhaven to be very lush. The cold felt so cold, the wet, very wet. And apparently, Ireland is an extremely wet place. I loved the quirks of Naruka and how the hotel seemed to mimic the quirky charm of those who occupied it.
This book is not a quick burn. In fact, it's one of the slower burns I've read in a long time. That is my favourite form of romantic expose, but I can understand it being frustrating to others. Know what you're getting into.
The main character, Roe (short for Rowan) was quick likeable at the beginning. I really rooted for her and her mission for the first maybe 300-400 pages. There came a tipping point, however, when I, like many of the characters in the book, grew tired of her obsession. I found it funny when other characters would also remark on how seemingly intentionally obtuse she was as well. So intent on not seeing the obvious until it literally beat her face in.
The majority of the "effort" as far as the reader is concerned takes place in the last 200 pages. The first 400 are an atmospheric, magical exploration of both what it means to be alive and the strength of love across time and space. I felt this was the strongest part of the book, but that's basically comparing my two favourite pizzas. I love them both.
Because this world and its rules are extremely complex, a lot of the expose is handled in big data dumps via conversations. I do like this, because I don't see any other way Rowan would have gotten the information. But they can become a bit onerous. I reread several scenes to make sure I understood. Also dealing with unreliable players further complicates this. I did fully enjoy this work, however. It had been a long time, maybe since I read Babel by R.F. Kuang, that I really got to work as a reader. So much fantasy is very handheld nowadays which can be a nice break. But I really enjoyed coming to a story that really required me to think and also made me unsure of what I wanted each of the characters to do. By the end, I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen or who I agreed with. There wasn't a bad guy, per se, but more a conflict of ideals.
I was told by Kayla that the Minor Fall is a prequel, and knowing that made the ending feel right. It ended on a period, ready for the next sentence to start.
This book is not sexy, rippling abbed fae, it's not a war against the ultimate evil to save the world. This story, for how deeply I felt each emotion it presented, is a quiet adventure to another world and a softly spoken question of what we would give up for love.
Also, I would encourage Rowan to fix the locks on the doors at Naruka for heaven's sake.
April 25, 2025
This book was undeniably a work of art- and if you know what kind of art this author creates it makes perfect sense. I was fortunate enough to be able to discuss themes in this book with the author herself, and when she told me all the details and intricacies woven into the book it really made it come alive. It also made this novel even more impressive than it already is. If you like magical realism, Ireland (a beautiful country), a slow burn and some mystery- I would highly recommend this. It’s different than any other fantasy I’ve read- I would peg it more as a scientific fantasy- but it was so intriguing and drew me in from the first few chapters.
June 28, 2025
I loved it! Am I super biased b/c I won this book in a giveaway (thnx goodreads) and I'm like 7 minutes from L'Ardoise (where the main character hails from)???...most definitely. I'm also a huge fan of the romantasy genre and this fits the bill. A well thought out world and characters you grow to love (and hate depending on whom we're talking about). Would love to see it as a miniseries!
March 13, 2025
I recently finished this book, and wow, it completely pulled me into the enchanting Irish countryside while whisking me away on a thrilling fantasy adventure. The mix of fated mates and a centuries-old romance was done so beautifully! Each character had such a unique personality that really stood out;
I loved how they all had distinct voices.
James, in particular, was my absolute favorite. His wholesome charm and quick-witted Irish banter were just impossible to resist, and he made me smile with every appearance. Then there's Bryn and Roe-talk about a connection! Their slow-burn relationship was so satisfying to watch unfold. I'm a sucker for that kind of buildup, and the chemistry between them was electric.
The storyline itself was gripping. It revolves around Roe quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's tragic death while juggling memories of a past life and a love that spans different worlds. It really kept me hooked! But what struck me the most was the tough choice Roe had to make throughout the story.
Do you pursue a deep, cross-world love, or uncover the truth about your twin sister? That internal struggle added so much depth to the story.
Overall, this book beautifully blended heartfelt moments with an intriguing plot. It's definitely one that will stick with me for a while!
I loved how they all had distinct voices.
James, in particular, was my absolute favorite. His wholesome charm and quick-witted Irish banter were just impossible to resist, and he made me smile with every appearance. Then there's Bryn and Roe-talk about a connection! Their slow-burn relationship was so satisfying to watch unfold. I'm a sucker for that kind of buildup, and the chemistry between them was electric.
The storyline itself was gripping. It revolves around Roe quest to uncover the truth behind her sister's tragic death while juggling memories of a past life and a love that spans different worlds. It really kept me hooked! But what struck me the most was the tough choice Roe had to make throughout the story.
Do you pursue a deep, cross-world love, or uncover the truth about your twin sister? That internal struggle added so much depth to the story.
Overall, this book beautifully blended heartfelt moments with an intriguing plot. It's definitely one that will stick with me for a while!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2025
Well, that was a wild ride.
After soft DNF'ing this one a couple of times, I came back to it and ended up devouring it in two days. While the story's certainly not perfect and could use a good editor, this author writes beautifully and has so much potential. Full RTC. Maybe. If I can organize all of my thoughts.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
After soft DNF'ing this one a couple of times, I came back to it and ended up devouring it in two days. While the story's certainly not perfect and could use a good editor, this author writes beautifully and has so much potential. Full RTC. Maybe. If I can organize all of my thoughts.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
June 8, 2025
Just WOW!
I had (I think) moderate expectations when I started reading but this story had me hooked by first chapter.
How the atmosphere and scenes are described just pulls you in, it feels amazingly alive and the writer just brings 90's Ireland to you. It's so refreshing getting to read a romantsy that goes a whole different route than most others.
The ending was not sth I had expected and it was deffinetly surprising. I really loved that I could not antisipate anything in the storyline. Everytime I thought I had figured something out I got surprised with a new twist. The story is nothing like anything else and is really beautiful. I can't really recommend it enough!!
In a nutshell, I am mesmerized with this book and I can't stop thinking about it, I desperatly need more Ruhaven!
I had (I think) moderate expectations when I started reading but this story had me hooked by first chapter.
How the atmosphere and scenes are described just pulls you in, it feels amazingly alive and the writer just brings 90's Ireland to you. It's so refreshing getting to read a romantsy that goes a whole different route than most others.
The ending was not sth I had expected and it was deffinetly surprising. I really loved that I could not antisipate anything in the storyline. Everytime I thought I had figured something out I got surprised with a new twist. The story is nothing like anything else and is really beautiful. I can't really recommend it enough!!
In a nutshell, I am mesmerized with this book and I can't stop thinking about it, I desperatly need more Ruhaven!
July 19, 2025
What a beautifully crafted fantasy novel!!!
Roe’s journey through grief after losing her sister is inspiring, weaving a tale that is as much about healing as it is about uncovering long buried truths. The mystery surrounding her twin’s death adds a compelling layer of suspense that keeps the pages turning. The slow burn romance with Bryn simmers with just the right amount of tension, adding depth without overshadowing the central narrative. And the magical realm of Ruhaven you may ask! It’s beautiful, haunting, and an utterly immersive world that lingers in your mind long after the final page. Kayla Martell has a way of describing a picture so vivid you close your eyes and feel like you are there!
I’m (impatiently) counting down the days until book two.
I’m (impatiently) counting down the days until book two.
July 29, 2025
I love Bryn Stornoway with all that I am.
——
I’m so glad I got the chance to read this wonderful book. I genuinely need more. a sequel asap, or another book/world by martell.
everything was perfect and I literally couldn’t have asked for a better book. the prose was so on point. the dialogue was *chefs kiss*. the characters, world building, lore, everything.
I struggled in the initial few pages due to the slow pacing and because there was so much to take in, but once things got moving along, I was fully invested. I couldn’t put the book down, and when I did, all I could think about was when I was going to pick it up again.
the idea behind ruhaven is a really cool. it’s truly a mystical/magical place. I loved that there was so much backstory and a lot to learn. I preferred the contemporary timeline over the ruhaven one, simply because I was hard out rooting for the romance.
I don’t know if it was the authors intention or not, but I was so frustrated at the romance towards the end of the book. I was screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY 😭😭”. I was so obsessed with it and couldn’t get enough of the characters. (when I say frustrated I mean that in a good way).
I have no idea how to round off this review, but please: if you’re considering reading this book, do it. you won’t have any regrets.
(and now I need to find my own bryn irl)
——
I’m so glad I got the chance to read this wonderful book. I genuinely need more. a sequel asap, or another book/world by martell.
everything was perfect and I literally couldn’t have asked for a better book. the prose was so on point. the dialogue was *chefs kiss*. the characters, world building, lore, everything.
I struggled in the initial few pages due to the slow pacing and because there was so much to take in, but once things got moving along, I was fully invested. I couldn’t put the book down, and when I did, all I could think about was when I was going to pick it up again.
the idea behind ruhaven is a really cool. it’s truly a mystical/magical place. I loved that there was so much backstory and a lot to learn. I preferred the contemporary timeline over the ruhaven one, simply because I was hard out rooting for the romance.
I don’t know if it was the authors intention or not, but I was so frustrated at the romance towards the end of the book. I was screaming “JUST KISS ALREADY 😭😭”. I was so obsessed with it and couldn’t get enough of the characters. (when I say frustrated I mean that in a good way).
I have no idea how to round off this review, but please: if you’re considering reading this book, do it. you won’t have any regrets.
(and now I need to find my own bryn irl)
June 29, 2025
I cannot rate this book any lower than a 4; honestly, it deserves a 4.5. I read this book twice and loved seeing all the connections, foreshadowing, and revisiting the characters. All of the things I wasn’t as much of a fan of come down to personal preferences, so keep that in mind while reading my review. I’ll go over some of my ‘negatives’ first:
-The Ending: Like some other people have said, the ending was a bit frustrating for me, but not for the reason you may think. Without getting into spoilers, I didn’t necessarily agree with the use of the word ‘entropy’ throughout the book and how it was incorporated into the end. If you don’t care about that as much as I did, then I think you will enjoy the ending just fine. Bittersweet, but fulfilling.
-Rose-Tinted Roe: The protagonist of this book is well crafted, and like other characters, she stands out in a crowd. But she tends to have a bit of an oblivious streak in my opinion, which came to a head when she could not make a connection between Bryn and… someone who I will not name. Again, a minor, personal issue.
-Themes of Suicide: All in all, I think Martell handles the topic with care, but be wary if you have dealt with this issue yourself. Some of the points of the story made me slightly uncomfortable (due to personal experiences), but NOTE, it was never enough for me to stop reading. Just be wary when diving into the book yourself.
Now onto the things that I really, really, REALLY loved!
-Dialect and Dialogue: This was one of the main reasons I was so excited to reread this book. Martell’s writing shines in her dialogue. There were times when dialogue or thoughts were not tagged, but the word choice was so stellar that I knew exactly who was talking. James’s words were a real treat, and he was one of my favorite characters to read.
-Character Relationships: Again, Martell does a fantastic job of creating complex relationships. Every interaction between characters felt real. It did not feel like I was reading a book–I felt that I was right there with Roe, Bryn, and the others. Reading this book will definitely help me in my own writing, as it is an amazing example of character interactions.
-The Mystery and Foreshadowing: I have some issues with the resolution of the mystery, but the foreshadowing? There are not enough compliments I could give. This was especially apparent on the second read. I could see all the connections that were carefully placed. It showed how much care Martell put into this book. It really does all link up. No info is too small.
I would have been content if this book had been a solo novel, but I’m excited to see what Martell does in the future. It was truly a treat to read, and if you enjoy fantasy, romance, and mystery, then this is something you should get for your shelf.
Also, I would fight an army for James :]
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
-The Ending: Like some other people have said, the ending was a bit frustrating for me, but not for the reason you may think. Without getting into spoilers, I didn’t necessarily agree with the use of the word ‘entropy’ throughout the book and how it was incorporated into the end. If you don’t care about that as much as I did, then I think you will enjoy the ending just fine. Bittersweet, but fulfilling.
-Rose-Tinted Roe: The protagonist of this book is well crafted, and like other characters, she stands out in a crowd. But she tends to have a bit of an oblivious streak in my opinion, which came to a head when she could not make a connection between Bryn and… someone who I will not name. Again, a minor, personal issue.
-Themes of Suicide: All in all, I think Martell handles the topic with care, but be wary if you have dealt with this issue yourself. Some of the points of the story made me slightly uncomfortable (due to personal experiences), but NOTE, it was never enough for me to stop reading. Just be wary when diving into the book yourself.
Now onto the things that I really, really, REALLY loved!
-Dialect and Dialogue: This was one of the main reasons I was so excited to reread this book. Martell’s writing shines in her dialogue. There were times when dialogue or thoughts were not tagged, but the word choice was so stellar that I knew exactly who was talking. James’s words were a real treat, and he was one of my favorite characters to read.
-Character Relationships: Again, Martell does a fantastic job of creating complex relationships. Every interaction between characters felt real. It did not feel like I was reading a book–I felt that I was right there with Roe, Bryn, and the others. Reading this book will definitely help me in my own writing, as it is an amazing example of character interactions.
-The Mystery and Foreshadowing: I have some issues with the resolution of the mystery, but the foreshadowing? There are not enough compliments I could give. This was especially apparent on the second read. I could see all the connections that were carefully placed. It showed how much care Martell put into this book. It really does all link up. No info is too small.
I would have been content if this book had been a solo novel, but I’m excited to see what Martell does in the future. It was truly a treat to read, and if you enjoy fantasy, romance, and mystery, then this is something you should get for your shelf.
Also, I would fight an army for James :]
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2025
I want to start off by saying that this book was a fantastic read. This was an epic journey, and when I first read what the book was about, I was intrigued, but I didn't really know what else to expect. But holy moly!
The way the characters get built up throughout the story, the funny banter happening between them, but also the very deep connections they all develop, amazing! The way new characters get looped into the story early on kept me interested and made me remember what the connection was throughout the storry to all the other characters, same goes for the characters that get introduced as the story goes on. I really enjoyed that I didn't keep forgetting and having to keep going back to try and remember what the connections were between the characters.
Then, for the way the landscape and the general scènes get sketched in my own little fantasy world in my head when reading this (chef's kiss 🤌🏽). I have unfortunately not been to Ireland myself yet, but the way that the scènes get detailed in the story makes it feel like I'm there looking through the eyes of the characters and living in it. Which I think is one of the main reasons this was such an easy and interesting read for me. It just kept me glued to the book the whole time. Not a single moment where I felt like I was struggling to read through the pages, which I really liked.
I would also like to talk about the way the book is written. I must admit reading fantasy is something I am still quite new to. I read the first 5 books from the shadow and bone storyline and absolutely enjoyed them. But before that, I read mainly scientific or mythology books from the likes of Brian Cox, Stephen Hawking and Stephen Fry etc. But the way this book is written, I could only describe it as sort of poetic and just beautiful. Sometimes, I read a line and thought to myself, "That is a very beautiful way to put it." Truly hats off to the writing!
This book is without a doubt a must-read to anyone into (epic) fantasy, world building, good storytelling, and character building. It's just a very good alround book!
5/5 ⭐️ without a doubt :D
The way the characters get built up throughout the story, the funny banter happening between them, but also the very deep connections they all develop, amazing! The way new characters get looped into the story early on kept me interested and made me remember what the connection was throughout the storry to all the other characters, same goes for the characters that get introduced as the story goes on. I really enjoyed that I didn't keep forgetting and having to keep going back to try and remember what the connections were between the characters.
Then, for the way the landscape and the general scènes get sketched in my own little fantasy world in my head when reading this (chef's kiss 🤌🏽). I have unfortunately not been to Ireland myself yet, but the way that the scènes get detailed in the story makes it feel like I'm there looking through the eyes of the characters and living in it. Which I think is one of the main reasons this was such an easy and interesting read for me. It just kept me glued to the book the whole time. Not a single moment where I felt like I was struggling to read through the pages, which I really liked.
I would also like to talk about the way the book is written. I must admit reading fantasy is something I am still quite new to. I read the first 5 books from the shadow and bone storyline and absolutely enjoyed them. But before that, I read mainly scientific or mythology books from the likes of Brian Cox, Stephen Hawking and Stephen Fry etc. But the way this book is written, I could only describe it as sort of poetic and just beautiful. Sometimes, I read a line and thought to myself, "That is a very beautiful way to put it." Truly hats off to the writing!
This book is without a doubt a must-read to anyone into (epic) fantasy, world building, good storytelling, and character building. It's just a very good alround book!
5/5 ⭐️ without a doubt :D
September 15, 2025
Received eArc from netgalley.
This review includes spoilers!!
Damn. This book surely was something.
- First of all, the book was 2200 pages in kobo format. Like what do you have so much to explain? Plus now that I'm done with it, I still don't know what happened. So much happened but also litterally nothing? It took me literally THREE MONTHS to get through this book.
- Maybe because I'm not used to it at all but the accent of Ireland of James and Tye legit PISSED ME OFF. It was terrifying. And James was like idk the 'leader' of all this Ruhaven thing but he literaaly did absolutely nothing. Was practically useless, just like Kazie. And the fact that their names were so similar to the names in Ruhaven? Didn't make sense at all. Almost nothing in this book made sense.
- In the beginning, Bryn had a bit too many scenes, right after Sahn, which made it obvious that he was Shan. Also we heard the others can't talk shit about him because of his 'rank', but we never hear anything about it afterwards. Or about why he can use Ruhaven powers in this world. The only thing I would count as plot twist would be the fact that he was engaged. He broke every single rule of Ruhaven, not explain a single thing to her and then expect her to forgive him. Oh and not to forget, in this book, sleeping with him is counted as forgiven. But as I always say, it's not words that count, it's actions and words mean absolutely nothing if the actions don't fill them up. Yeah I liked it when he said My Rowan but COME ON YOU WERE A TERRIBLE BOYFRIEND. You say you have been waiting for her for 7 years and then you heard she dies ( while she wasn't + you literally didn't even do anything even when she was alive) and then you ran to your childhood sweetheart. At this point I was pitying Abby more than I liked Sahn.
- The girl was also terrible since she lost her twin sister. Look I also have a twin sister but you dont make her all your personality. Oh Willow this Willow that. NO. SPEAK UP ALREADY.
Anyways I'm tired and I wish the author good luck.
This review includes spoilers!!
Damn. This book surely was something.
- First of all, the book was 2200 pages in kobo format. Like what do you have so much to explain? Plus now that I'm done with it, I still don't know what happened. So much happened but also litterally nothing? It took me literally THREE MONTHS to get through this book.
- Maybe because I'm not used to it at all but the accent of Ireland of James and Tye legit PISSED ME OFF. It was terrifying. And James was like idk the 'leader' of all this Ruhaven thing but he literaaly did absolutely nothing. Was practically useless, just like Kazie. And the fact that their names were so similar to the names in Ruhaven? Didn't make sense at all. Almost nothing in this book made sense.
- In the beginning, Bryn had a bit too many scenes, right after Sahn, which made it obvious that he was Shan. Also we heard the others can't talk shit about him because of his 'rank', but we never hear anything about it afterwards. Or about why he can use Ruhaven powers in this world. The only thing I would count as plot twist would be the fact that he was engaged. He broke every single rule of Ruhaven, not explain a single thing to her and then expect her to forgive him. Oh and not to forget, in this book, sleeping with him is counted as forgiven. But as I always say, it's not words that count, it's actions and words mean absolutely nothing if the actions don't fill them up. Yeah I liked it when he said My Rowan but COME ON YOU WERE A TERRIBLE BOYFRIEND. You say you have been waiting for her for 7 years and then you heard she dies ( while she wasn't + you literally didn't even do anything even when she was alive) and then you ran to your childhood sweetheart. At this point I was pitying Abby more than I liked Sahn.
- The girl was also terrible since she lost her twin sister. Look I also have a twin sister but you dont make her all your personality. Oh Willow this Willow that. NO. SPEAK UP ALREADY.
Anyways I'm tired and I wish the author good luck.
June 7, 2025
Upon reflection, I'm rounding up to 5 stars from my initial 4 stars.
I LOVED the first 600 pages. (My Kindle believes this book was 808 pages so I'll reference it how Kindle does.) I giggled, swooned, kicked my feet, and fell in love with the characters. It's a unique plot; it was descriptive, immersive, and funny. Everything in Ireland is wormy apparently. Ha! But it had everything I hoped it would have... smoking hot MMC, relatable MFC, found family, and magic. I HATE boats but I think... no, I KNOW I'd live on a boat with Bryn. He was SMOKING hot and had me dreaming about him. If you're a person who reads for characters, you're going to love this book. My brain loved the different accents for the different characters. Did anyone else read Tye in Matthew McConaughey's voice?
I could have used some more spice.
Potential Spoiler: Around page 655, I started saying stuff like "GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" and "GIRL YOU BETTER NOT". I realized I was judging this book a little harshly by giving it 4 stars.... because there is zero chance I would have made the same choices the MFC does at the end of the book. I don't want to write spoilers in this review, so I'll leave it at that. But I did go back and reread the last 150 pages.... While I disliked what the MFC did, I must say there were a lot of great plot twists and "Ah Snap" moments that kept me reading along. So even though it wasn't the book ending I would have voted for, it was still a well done book ending. Hence the round up to 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I LOVED the first 600 pages. (My Kindle believes this book was 808 pages so I'll reference it how Kindle does.) I giggled, swooned, kicked my feet, and fell in love with the characters. It's a unique plot; it was descriptive, immersive, and funny. Everything in Ireland is wormy apparently. Ha! But it had everything I hoped it would have... smoking hot MMC, relatable MFC, found family, and magic. I HATE boats but I think... no, I KNOW I'd live on a boat with Bryn. He was SMOKING hot and had me dreaming about him. If you're a person who reads for characters, you're going to love this book. My brain loved the different accents for the different characters. Did anyone else read Tye in Matthew McConaughey's voice?
I could have used some more spice.
Potential Spoiler: Around page 655, I started saying stuff like "GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" and "GIRL YOU BETTER NOT". I realized I was judging this book a little harshly by giving it 4 stars.... because there is zero chance I would have made the same choices the MFC does at the end of the book. I don't want to write spoilers in this review, so I'll leave it at that. But I did go back and reread the last 150 pages.... While I disliked what the MFC did, I must say there were a lot of great plot twists and "Ah Snap" moments that kept me reading along. So even though it wasn't the book ending I would have voted for, it was still a well done book ending. Hence the round up to 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 9, 2025
The Minor Fall is the story of Rowan’s journey from lost and grief-stricken after the death of her twin to discovering she may be the reincarnation of a magical being from another world, thousands of years ago. After seeing Ruhaven for the first time through the memories of her past life, she discovers that her twin’s death may not have been an accident and vows to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
This was an interesting read. The world-building was intricate and beautifully written, and the whole premise is intriguing. The descriptions of Ruhaven were gorgeous, and the use of weather to mimic emotions was perfect. The slow reveal of Ruhaven’s rules and laws made it less overwhelming and more easily understood, as well as adding tension with each new reveal. There were also some great humorous moments, especially from James with his Irish accent.
It was a little slow to start, but the descriptions of Nuraka were enough to keep me reading until the pace picked up. There were some occasions early on in the book where some more dialogue tags would have been useful as it wasn’t always easy to tell who was speaking, which led to some confusion and backtracking.
I didn’t love Rowan as a character; her utter refusal to see herself as anything other than a placeholder for Willow got more frustrating as the book went on, but there were definitely moments where I could empathise with her other feelings and decisions. I was also annoyed at the way she clung to the time of birth in the Ledger – unless there are marked differences in baby twins, it would be very easy to mix up which one arrived first.
Overall, it was enjoyable and I’d be interested in reading the sequel once it’s out to find out what’s next for Rowan and Bryn.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read. The world-building was intricate and beautifully written, and the whole premise is intriguing. The descriptions of Ruhaven were gorgeous, and the use of weather to mimic emotions was perfect. The slow reveal of Ruhaven’s rules and laws made it less overwhelming and more easily understood, as well as adding tension with each new reveal. There were also some great humorous moments, especially from James with his Irish accent.
It was a little slow to start, but the descriptions of Nuraka were enough to keep me reading until the pace picked up. There were some occasions early on in the book where some more dialogue tags would have been useful as it wasn’t always easy to tell who was speaking, which led to some confusion and backtracking.
I didn’t love Rowan as a character; her utter refusal to see herself as anything other than a placeholder for Willow got more frustrating as the book went on, but there were definitely moments where I could empathise with her other feelings and decisions. I was also annoyed at the way she clung to the time of birth in the Ledger – unless there are marked differences in baby twins, it would be very easy to mix up which one arrived first.
Overall, it was enjoyable and I’d be interested in reading the sequel once it’s out to find out what’s next for Rowan and Bryn.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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