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How to Find a Nameless Fae
What happens when a first-born bargain goes wrong?
Princess Gisele was pledged in payment before she was even born, after her mother failed to guess a fae sorcerer’s true name. Gisele has spent her life dutifully preparing for the day that fearsome mage will return to claim her.
But it’s been decades, and he still hasn’t shown up.
Which would be great, if the unfulfilled fairytale-debt wasn’t wreaking increasing havoc on her life. When it reaches unbearable levels, Gisele takes matters into her own hands. Terrifying sorcerer or not, she’ll hunt him down and force him to relinquish the debt.
But instead of the evil mastermind she expects, she finds a nameless lord of a magical house. He wants nothing to do with the angry knife-wielding spinster on his doorstep, but the fairytale-debt has other ideas.
Now magically bound to her lifelong nemesis, the only way to break the magic between them is to work together to find the nameless lord’s lost name. Assuming they don’t strangle each other first.
Princess Gisele was pledged in payment before she was even born, after her mother failed to guess a fae sorcerer’s true name. Gisele has spent her life dutifully preparing for the day that fearsome mage will return to claim her.
But it’s been decades, and he still hasn’t shown up.
Which would be great, if the unfulfilled fairytale-debt wasn’t wreaking increasing havoc on her life. When it reaches unbearable levels, Gisele takes matters into her own hands. Terrifying sorcerer or not, she’ll hunt him down and force him to relinquish the debt.
But instead of the evil mastermind she expects, she finds a nameless lord of a magical house. He wants nothing to do with the angry knife-wielding spinster on his doorstep, but the fairytale-debt has other ideas.
Now magically bound to her lifelong nemesis, the only way to break the magic between them is to work together to find the nameless lord’s lost name. Assuming they don’t strangle each other first.
410 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2025
554 people are currently reading
2708 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Lancaster
10 books655 followersAJ Lancaster lives in New Zealand and writes romantic, whimsical fantasy in a house containing two ridiculous cats and many plants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
July 14, 2025
•*⁀➷ 3.75 stars ˙⋆✮
Whimsically warm and wonderfully sweet, A.J. Lancaster’s new cosy fantasy ‘How to Find a Nameless Fae’ follows the journey of Gisele, a 40 year old angry princess who decides to hunt down her own fate… literally. Only, when she finds the almighty terrible fae sorcerer who claimed her in a first-born bargain all those years ago, he might not be as terrible as the stories make him out to be…
⁀➷ What to expect ᝰ.
➸ cosy fantasy romance
➸ rumpelstiltskin retelling
➸ forced proximity
➸ magical bond/curse
➸ human x fae
⁀➷ My thoughts ᝰ.
This novel was such a sweet little breath of fresh air. It ticked off many boxes: a magical bond that refuses to be broken, mature main characters who love tenderly, a talking cat who demands attention, and even a living house with a personality of its own. Gisele and Mal (a nickname Gisele gave him as he quite literally lost his name) both want the bond as little as each other in the beginning, and watching them slowly start to yearn for one another was just what I was looking for.
I enjoyed Lancaster’s take on the faerie world. Her lush prose and vivid descriptions painted such a magical picture, I could see the sentient house (Skymallow - what a name) bursting with life and moving things about as if I was watching a cosy cartoon. Moreover, though my overall feelings towards this book aren’t as intense as they could have been and though the plot progressed slowly at times (which could partly be put down to the genre), I really appreciated how the story tied together at the end.
Perfect for those chasing that feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket.
꒰ Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.☘︎ ݁˖
───୨ৎ─── ───୨ৎ─── ───୨ৎ───
Pre read
Got another arc 👀🎉🎊
Publication date: June 26th 2025
Whimsically warm and wonderfully sweet, A.J. Lancaster’s new cosy fantasy ‘How to Find a Nameless Fae’ follows the journey of Gisele, a 40 year old angry princess who decides to hunt down her own fate… literally. Only, when she finds the almighty terrible fae sorcerer who claimed her in a first-born bargain all those years ago, he might not be as terrible as the stories make him out to be…
⁀➷ What to expect ᝰ.
➸ cosy fantasy romance
➸ rumpelstiltskin retelling
➸ forced proximity
➸ magical bond/curse
➸ human x fae
⁀➷ My thoughts ᝰ.
This novel was such a sweet little breath of fresh air. It ticked off many boxes: a magical bond that refuses to be broken, mature main characters who love tenderly, a talking cat who demands attention, and even a living house with a personality of its own. Gisele and Mal (a nickname Gisele gave him as he quite literally lost his name) both want the bond as little as each other in the beginning, and watching them slowly start to yearn for one another was just what I was looking for.
I enjoyed Lancaster’s take on the faerie world. Her lush prose and vivid descriptions painted such a magical picture, I could see the sentient house (Skymallow - what a name) bursting with life and moving things about as if I was watching a cosy cartoon. Moreover, though my overall feelings towards this book aren’t as intense as they could have been and though the plot progressed slowly at times (which could partly be put down to the genre), I really appreciated how the story tied together at the end.
Perfect for those chasing that feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket.
꒰ Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.☘︎ ݁˖
───୨ৎ─── ───୨ৎ─── ───୨ৎ───
Pre read
Got another arc 👀🎉🎊
Publication date: June 26th 2025
June 16, 2025
Witty, warm, and wonderfully weird—this fairytale retelling is like wrapping yourself in a magical weighted blanket. ✨
AJ Lancaster has spun gold from the familiar bones of Rumplestiltskin and filled it with biting banter, mature romance, and a heroine who is gloriously done with waiting around for destiny to show up.
Princess Gisele has trained her whole life to be sacrificed to a terrifying fae sorcerer—only to be stood up. Now, armed with determination and a knife or two, she goes hunting for him herself... and finds not a monster, but a fussy, bookish fae lord with no name, no interest in romance, and a sentient house that absolutely ships them. 🏠 💖
It’s witty. It’s magical. It’s got spice, sass, and a slow-burn that simmers with depth. I adored the middle-aged protagonist, the mature emotional beats, and the clever take on fairy debt and found connection.
Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, cosy fantasy, grumpy/sunshine pairings, and magical houses with personality. One of the most original fairytale retellings I’ve read in years!
AJ Lancaster has spun gold from the familiar bones of Rumplestiltskin and filled it with biting banter, mature romance, and a heroine who is gloriously done with waiting around for destiny to show up.
Princess Gisele has trained her whole life to be sacrificed to a terrifying fae sorcerer—only to be stood up. Now, armed with determination and a knife or two, she goes hunting for him herself... and finds not a monster, but a fussy, bookish fae lord with no name, no interest in romance, and a sentient house that absolutely ships them. 🏠 💖
It’s witty. It’s magical. It’s got spice, sass, and a slow-burn that simmers with depth. I adored the middle-aged protagonist, the mature emotional beats, and the clever take on fairy debt and found connection.
Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, cosy fantasy, grumpy/sunshine pairings, and magical houses with personality. One of the most original fairytale retellings I’ve read in years!
Read
December 25, 2025A delightful fairytale retelling spinning out from the Rumplestiltskin story (i.e. forty years later and still no name found, so our firstborn (adult) child sets off to find her malediction herself before the curse building around her becomes utterly unbearable) with echoes of Beauty and the Beast. Absolutely loved this, from the adorably feline-featured Fae sorcerer to our stout-hearted and practical heroine, to the found family they slowly but surely build up around them. Note this is an adult retelling, and romance, so if you, like me, prefer non-explicit scenes you may need to skip/skim a few sections.
July 6, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
4 out of 5 stars.
Funny, cozy, and delightfully whimsical—a charming twist on Rumpelstiltskin with witty banter, heart, and just the right amount of magic. A feel-good fairytale retelling you won't want to put down!
4 out of 5 stars.
Funny, cozy, and delightfully whimsical—a charming twist on Rumpelstiltskin with witty banter, heart, and just the right amount of magic. A feel-good fairytale retelling you won't want to put down!
December 6, 2025
4.0 ★— Oh, this was IT! A cozy fantasy with a mature, interesting heroine, which I appreciated so, so much.
This book subverted a lot of tropes. Instead of the typical young princess heroine, we get Giselle, who maybe started out as that archetype, but after spending decades waiting for someone to break her curse, has finally had enough. Now, at 40, she decides to go after the culprit herself.
The culprit turns out to be a fae man who isn’t malicious, just deeply out of touch with human norms, a little thoughtless, and completely baffled by what his spell has done to her life.
I really enjoyed how the book built their relationship slowly. It avoids the expected enemies to lovers route, given the setup, and instead gives us two characters who are genuinely respectful toward each other and who quickly decide to work together to fix their situation.
The world itself is filled with cozy romantasy staples I always love to see: a sentient house, a talking cat (seriously, this might be my fifth book this year with one!) and a gaggle of varied and interesting faerie creatures.
There are also a few very well-written spicy scenes that feel naturally woven into Giselle and the MMC’s growing connection, evolving with their bond and shifting as their dynamic changes.
Overall, this was just charming! I wholeheartedly recommend it to cozy fantasy lovers who want a bit more spice than you usually get in books like this, without sacrificing strong character development for the leads.
This book subverted a lot of tropes. Instead of the typical young princess heroine, we get Giselle, who maybe started out as that archetype, but after spending decades waiting for someone to break her curse, has finally had enough. Now, at 40, she decides to go after the culprit herself.
The culprit turns out to be a fae man who isn’t malicious, just deeply out of touch with human norms, a little thoughtless, and completely baffled by what his spell has done to her life.
I really enjoyed how the book built their relationship slowly. It avoids the expected enemies to lovers route, given the setup, and instead gives us two characters who are genuinely respectful toward each other and who quickly decide to work together to fix their situation.
The world itself is filled with cozy romantasy staples I always love to see: a sentient house, a talking cat (seriously, this might be my fifth book this year with one!) and a gaggle of varied and interesting faerie creatures.
There are also a few very well-written spicy scenes that feel naturally woven into Giselle and the MMC’s growing connection, evolving with their bond and shifting as their dynamic changes.
Overall, this was just charming! I wholeheartedly recommend it to cozy fantasy lovers who want a bit more spice than you usually get in books like this, without sacrificing strong character development for the leads.
July 12, 2025
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I was so bored)
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted way more development in these scenes but it did have things I liked. I felt like they had an emotional pull I appreciated)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (It’s pretty short, a few paragraphs to a page)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (they are pretty short)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person point of view from heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in – 6% (chapter 3 of 42)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form through NetGalley
Why I chose this book: I love fairy tale retellings and this is a Rumplestiltskin spin...
Mains: This is a M/F romance between a fae hero and human heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
Gisele has been waiting 40 years for the sorcerer her mother bargained with to show up – she’s done waiting and decides to find him and demand her life back.
Give this a try if you want:
- fantasy romance
- Rumplestitlskin inspired
- princess heroine
- fae hero / human heroine
- close proximity – she finds him and they work to break the curse together
- a magical house and animal friends with telepathy
- he cooks for her
- magic
- lower steam – there’s 3ish full scenes but they are shorter and it’s a long book
Ages:
- heroine is 40, I didn’t catch him but he’s older (as he made a bargain with her mother...)
First line:
On her fortieth birthday, Princess Gisele of Isshia realised she was going to have to save herself.
My thoughts:
I’m so sad this one didn’t work for me because I loved the setup. Honestly Rumplestiltskin is one of my least favorite fairy tales because it’s kinda creepy (I mean, I guess they all are on some level) but I was curious how this one would spin. And I loved the idea of a bargain made and them being connected together by a bond. And how she goes to find him. I loved that. I loved the house and the magic elements.
But this book was so boring to me. So, so boring. Two people moping around a house for hundreds of pages….I wanted better sexual tension at least. And when we did get to the sex it was disappointing. The scenes were so short and over before I even realized they were starting. (and like….he has a knurl??? for pleasure??? and it’s BARELY MENTIONED WTF. Why even give it to him?)
I did find the chapters really jarring. Some of them would end in a spot that felt abrupt to me and then just kind of continue on. I didn’t see the point of the point breaking in the middle of a conversation and then continuing especially when there was no perspective shift or like suspenseful action or change of scenery.
So overall this was a miss for me. But if you want a gentle fantasy read with some light steam and magical elements I’d give this one a go.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
World Building/Hero notes
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖 (I was so bored)
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (I wanted way more development in these scenes but it did have things I liked. I felt like they had an emotional pull I appreciated)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (It’s pretty short, a few paragraphs to a page)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (they are pretty short)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person point of view from heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in – 6% (chapter 3 of 42)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form through NetGalley
Why I chose this book: I love fairy tale retellings and this is a Rumplestiltskin spin...
Mains: This is a M/F romance between a fae hero and human heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
I think this is a stand alone?
Basic plot:
Gisele has been waiting 40 years for the sorcerer her mother bargained with to show up – she’s done waiting and decides to find him and demand her life back.
Give this a try if you want:
- fantasy romance
- Rumplestitlskin inspired
- princess heroine
- fae hero / human heroine
- close proximity – she finds him and they work to break the curse together
- a magical house and animal friends with telepathy
- he cooks for her
- magic
- lower steam – there’s 3ish full scenes but they are shorter and it’s a long book
Ages:
- heroine is 40, I didn’t catch him but he’s older (as he made a bargain with her mother...)
First line:
On her fortieth birthday, Princess Gisele of Isshia realised she was going to have to save herself.
My thoughts:
I’m so sad this one didn’t work for me because I loved the setup. Honestly Rumplestiltskin is one of my least favorite fairy tales because it’s kinda creepy (I mean, I guess they all are on some level) but I was curious how this one would spin. And I loved the idea of a bargain made and them being connected together by a bond. And how she goes to find him. I loved that. I loved the house and the magic elements.
But this book was so boring to me. So, so boring. Two people moping around a house for hundreds of pages….I wanted better sexual tension at least. And when we did get to the sex it was disappointing. The scenes were so short and over before I even realized they were starting. (and like….he has a knurl??? for pleasure??? and it’s BARELY MENTIONED WTF. Why even give it to him?)
I did find the chapters really jarring. Some of them would end in a spot that felt abrupt to me and then just kind of continue on. I didn’t see the point of the point breaking in the middle of a conversation and then continuing especially when there was no perspective shift or like suspenseful action or change of scenery.
So overall this was a miss for me. But if you want a gentle fantasy read with some light steam and magical elements I’d give this one a go.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
World Building/Hero notes
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
August 8, 2025
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc !!
🧚♂️ soundtrack 🧚♂️
laura marling - wild once
sarah jaffe - clementine
the tallest man on earth - the gardener
the decemberists - the crane wife 3
the hush sound - magnolia
the head and the heart - library magic
of monsters and men - slow and steady
anna bates - last man on earth
iron and wine - flightless bird, american mouth
among the oak & ash - peggy-o
lord huron - lonesome dreams
the oh hellos - hello my old heart
marika hackman - time's been reckless
bright eyes - bells and whistles
kate bollinger - yards / gardens
brooke waggoner - i am mine
kishi bashi - marigolds
adrianne lenker - dragon eyes
the shins - a comet appears
tom odell, aurora - butterflies
gregory alan isakov - second chances
novo amor - from gold
lucy dacus - trust
🧚♂️ my thoughts 🧚♂️
as every good cozy fantasy should be, this was very sweet and now i feel all warm and fuzzy :) who would've thought i'd ever read a cute and heartwarming rumplestiltskin retelling of all things - i've always hated that specific fairytale as a kid, but this new spin on it has definitely won me over.
we follow our protagonist gisele, a princess in her 40s who has been cursed by an evil faerie lord at birth. she was supposed to be bargained off to him, but somehow he never showed up to "collect" her. so, after decades of suffering the consequences of her curse, gisele has had enough of this nonsense and decides to take matters into her own hands: she seeks out her Malediction, as she calls him, to demand he release her from his curse. the only problem: not only does he not remember his true name and therefore doesn't have the power to undo his magic, but he's also not the evil mastermind gisele expected.. at all.
this definitely has the warm and whimsical vibe we all want when we pick up a cozy fantasy, but it still doesn't shy away from exploring deeper things, which i personally really liked. the key theme of this book is loneliness - or rather, finding the one person to share and ultimately shed that loneliness with after years of feeling isolated and misunderstood. stories with this theme almost always hit home for me, and this was no exception.
both gisele and mal have been incredibly lonely for a good portion of their lives and have resigned to the thought that they might continue to be lonely for the rest of it. as a result, they also struggle with feelings of their lives passing them by, of their loneliness and lack of social connections somehow making them less "worthy" or less "whole" than others, as if this stuff is something you need to catch up on but might never get the chance - something that also hits home for me quite a bit. seeing them slowly realize that they no longer have to be on their own, that they've finally found someone who not only understands their specific pain but also truly sees and accepts them, was really lovely.
the romance, despite being at the center of the story, unfolds at a relatively slow pace - which is necessary because it wouldn't make sense for the characters otherwise. due to their magical bond there is a certain spark between them from the moment they meet (and there are some spicier scenes later on), but still the books lets gisele and mal take the time they need to fully let each other in - and also to find out what works best for them as people who haven't really been in intimate relationships for a long time. the book handles all of this very maturely, which i really appreciated.
on a lighter note, there's also a talking (or rather telekinetic) cat, a sentient house with a love for lifestyle magazines and extravagant decorations, lots of other whimsical creatures inhabiting this world (a lot of which are queer, including the mmc, so that was nice to see!) and many magical shenanigans that dissolve into chaos (side note: as a native german speaker, it's always really fun when fantasy books incorporate the language into their worldbuilding!).
literally my only criticism is that it took me some time to get attuned to the writing style and the plot tends to drag a bit occasionally, but honestly who really reads cozy fantasy for the plot.
if i had to describe the vibes of this through other books i've read/movies i've seen, i'd say it's giving howl's moving castle x emily wilde x the princess bride x hints of bridgerton, so if that sounds like a good time to you, you'll probably have a good time with this book too. although i've been eyeing her 'stariel' series for a while now, this was my first book by aj lancaster - it definitely won't be my last tho!
🧚♂️ soundtrack 🧚♂️
laura marling - wild once
sarah jaffe - clementine
the tallest man on earth - the gardener
the decemberists - the crane wife 3
the hush sound - magnolia
the head and the heart - library magic
of monsters and men - slow and steady
anna bates - last man on earth
iron and wine - flightless bird, american mouth
among the oak & ash - peggy-o
lord huron - lonesome dreams
the oh hellos - hello my old heart
marika hackman - time's been reckless
bright eyes - bells and whistles
kate bollinger - yards / gardens
brooke waggoner - i am mine
kishi bashi - marigolds
adrianne lenker - dragon eyes
the shins - a comet appears
tom odell, aurora - butterflies
gregory alan isakov - second chances
novo amor - from gold
lucy dacus - trust
🧚♂️ my thoughts 🧚♂️
as every good cozy fantasy should be, this was very sweet and now i feel all warm and fuzzy :) who would've thought i'd ever read a cute and heartwarming rumplestiltskin retelling of all things - i've always hated that specific fairytale as a kid, but this new spin on it has definitely won me over.
we follow our protagonist gisele, a princess in her 40s who has been cursed by an evil faerie lord at birth. she was supposed to be bargained off to him, but somehow he never showed up to "collect" her. so, after decades of suffering the consequences of her curse, gisele has had enough of this nonsense and decides to take matters into her own hands: she seeks out her Malediction, as she calls him, to demand he release her from his curse. the only problem: not only does he not remember his true name and therefore doesn't have the power to undo his magic, but he's also not the evil mastermind gisele expected.. at all.
this definitely has the warm and whimsical vibe we all want when we pick up a cozy fantasy, but it still doesn't shy away from exploring deeper things, which i personally really liked. the key theme of this book is loneliness - or rather, finding the one person to share and ultimately shed that loneliness with after years of feeling isolated and misunderstood. stories with this theme almost always hit home for me, and this was no exception.
both gisele and mal have been incredibly lonely for a good portion of their lives and have resigned to the thought that they might continue to be lonely for the rest of it. as a result, they also struggle with feelings of their lives passing them by, of their loneliness and lack of social connections somehow making them less "worthy" or less "whole" than others, as if this stuff is something you need to catch up on but might never get the chance - something that also hits home for me quite a bit. seeing them slowly realize that they no longer have to be on their own, that they've finally found someone who not only understands their specific pain but also truly sees and accepts them, was really lovely.
the romance, despite being at the center of the story, unfolds at a relatively slow pace - which is necessary because it wouldn't make sense for the characters otherwise. due to their magical bond there is a certain spark between them from the moment they meet (and there are some spicier scenes later on), but still the books lets gisele and mal take the time they need to fully let each other in - and also to find out what works best for them as people who haven't really been in intimate relationships for a long time. the book handles all of this very maturely, which i really appreciated.
on a lighter note, there's also a talking (or rather telekinetic) cat, a sentient house with a love for lifestyle magazines and extravagant decorations, lots of other whimsical creatures inhabiting this world (a lot of which are queer, including the mmc, so that was nice to see!) and many magical shenanigans that dissolve into chaos (side note: as a native german speaker, it's always really fun when fantasy books incorporate the language into their worldbuilding!).
literally my only criticism is that it took me some time to get attuned to the writing style and the plot tends to drag a bit occasionally, but honestly who really reads cozy fantasy for the plot.
if i had to describe the vibes of this through other books i've read/movies i've seen, i'd say it's giving howl's moving castle x emily wilde x the princess bride x hints of bridgerton, so if that sounds like a good time to you, you'll probably have a good time with this book too. although i've been eyeing her 'stariel' series for a while now, this was my first book by aj lancaster - it definitely won't be my last tho!
June 17, 2025
4.5 stars!
This book felt like if T. Kingfisher and India Holton wrote Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries together. I know that sounds weird, but it works so well. I loved every magical, cozy minute of it!
How to Find a Nameless Fae is a beautifully written cozy fantasy romance that completely swept me away. Princess Gisele was promised to a fae sorcerer before birth as payment for a magical bargain, but decades have passed and he’s never come to collect. When the lingering debt begins to ruin her life, Gisele sets out to confront him... only to find a reluctant, nameless fae lord instead of the villain she expected. Now magically bound together, they must work to uncover his true name to break the spell—if they don’t strangle each other first.
This story has everything I love: a sentient house, shared dreams, magical bonds, curses, a talking cat companion, a fae ball, found family, and real emotional stakes. The world is lush and whimsical, but never shallow. It’s full of sharp banter, slow-burn tenderness, and characters who actually feel like people!
Gisele and the nameless fae (whom she nicknames "Malediction" because, well, he lost his name) were the absolute highlight for me. Gisele is forty years old (a grown-up fantasy heroine!), and she reads like it. She’s practical, sharp, and emotionally complex. And Mal (his nickname) gives off major Howl vibes in the best way: dramatic, magical, a little bit of a mess. Their romance was everything I wanted; slow, full of tension and mutual pining, but also incredibly sweet. They’re both so lonely when they meet (or when Gisele barges into his crumbling house and stabs him, as one does), and watching them slowly open up and fall in love was honestly so satisfying. The yearning is real! I did want them to talk through their misunderstandings more instead of making assumptions, but given the curse and the stakes, it made sense.
Also: there is spice! I’m someone who doesn’t really need spice in a book (and sometimes I even dislike it), but I really liked how it was written here! It was emotionally grounded and felt like a natural extension of their relationship.
The plot itself moves at a cozy pace, and while it’s a little slow in places, I didn’t mind at all. The writing is warm and immersive, and I just wanted to stay in this world. There’s also a villain (one who’s genuinely intriguing) but I do wish we’d gotten to explore him a bit more. The final confrontation wrapped up a little too quickly for me, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the journey.
Overall, How to Find a Nameless Fae was such a delight! It gave me exactly what I was craving: heartfelt fantasy, deep characters, and a romance that felt earned and full of magic. I already miss Gisele and Mal, and yes, I am manifesting more books about the side characters! No pressure, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
This book felt like if T. Kingfisher and India Holton wrote Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries together. I know that sounds weird, but it works so well. I loved every magical, cozy minute of it!
How to Find a Nameless Fae is a beautifully written cozy fantasy romance that completely swept me away. Princess Gisele was promised to a fae sorcerer before birth as payment for a magical bargain, but decades have passed and he’s never come to collect. When the lingering debt begins to ruin her life, Gisele sets out to confront him... only to find a reluctant, nameless fae lord instead of the villain she expected. Now magically bound together, they must work to uncover his true name to break the spell—if they don’t strangle each other first.
This story has everything I love: a sentient house, shared dreams, magical bonds, curses, a talking cat companion, a fae ball, found family, and real emotional stakes. The world is lush and whimsical, but never shallow. It’s full of sharp banter, slow-burn tenderness, and characters who actually feel like people!
Gisele and the nameless fae (whom she nicknames "Malediction" because, well, he lost his name) were the absolute highlight for me. Gisele is forty years old (a grown-up fantasy heroine!), and she reads like it. She’s practical, sharp, and emotionally complex. And Mal (his nickname) gives off major Howl vibes in the best way: dramatic, magical, a little bit of a mess. Their romance was everything I wanted; slow, full of tension and mutual pining, but also incredibly sweet. They’re both so lonely when they meet (or when Gisele barges into his crumbling house and stabs him, as one does), and watching them slowly open up and fall in love was honestly so satisfying. The yearning is real! I did want them to talk through their misunderstandings more instead of making assumptions, but given the curse and the stakes, it made sense.
Also: there is spice! I’m someone who doesn’t really need spice in a book (and sometimes I even dislike it), but I really liked how it was written here! It was emotionally grounded and felt like a natural extension of their relationship.
The plot itself moves at a cozy pace, and while it’s a little slow in places, I didn’t mind at all. The writing is warm and immersive, and I just wanted to stay in this world. There’s also a villain (one who’s genuinely intriguing) but I do wish we’d gotten to explore him a bit more. The final confrontation wrapped up a little too quickly for me, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the journey.
Overall, How to Find a Nameless Fae was such a delight! It gave me exactly what I was craving: heartfelt fantasy, deep characters, and a romance that felt earned and full of magic. I already miss Gisele and Mal, and yes, I am manifesting more books about the side characters! No pressure, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
July 2, 2025
Damn okay. Well, I wasn’t expecting this! (In a good way!)
When I first read the blurb I was like okay sounds interesting… but i was really happy with how the author went about treating certain topics and what the MC has to go through.
It wasn’t just some ‘silly cute’ story despite having its cute and funny moments, it def had a layer to it. It was a nice balance.
I think that if you enjoyed books like Emily Wilde that can be whimsy and a bit interesting prose wise, than you’ll most def enjoy this one too!
When I first read the blurb I was like okay sounds interesting… but i was really happy with how the author went about treating certain topics and what the MC has to go through.
It wasn’t just some ‘silly cute’ story despite having its cute and funny moments, it def had a layer to it. It was a nice balance.
I think that if you enjoyed books like Emily Wilde that can be whimsy and a bit interesting prose wise, than you’ll most def enjoy this one too!
December 18, 2025
it’s the time of the year where I try to make my goodreads goal and rate books I don’t usually post on here - so I need yall to pretend there isn’t a guy with a tail on the cover thank youuuu
October 29, 2025
Cozy, fantasy romance with a talking cat? Absolutely yes. From the start, I was hooked hearing about Gisele and Mal’s curse, and even more hooked as their relationship grows into something more.
Plus a sentient home that cares and loves for its inhabitants, I don’t know how much more endearing a world can become.
Plus a sentient home that cares and loves for its inhabitants, I don’t know how much more endearing a world can become.
June 19, 2025
I received a free copy from Victory Editing Co-op via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date June 26th.
I devoured AJ Lancaster's Stariel series in about a week, so I was happy for a early chance to snap her latest novel up. In How to Find a Nameless Fae, Gisele was bargained away to a fairy as a baby--but he never showed up, and now she's forty. Determined to end her worsening curse, Gisele plots to track down the fairy and threaten him into freeing her...
This fantasy romance had a relentlessly sensible older protagonist with a love for gardening which reminded me strongly of T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, and a touch of Howl's Moving Castle about the plot. Unsurprisingly, I had a blast with a book that reminded me of two of my favorite authors. It's immensely readable. I started reading at 9 pm at night and finished by 7 am (Regret). Lancaster wields an expert's touch with the romance, which contains an outrageous quantity of pining tempered by Gisele's inherent practicality and prior sexual experience. The endlessly inconvenient curse forces a sort of empathetic emotional connection between the two of them, which is a fun romance trope.
The majority of the plot is set in the fae's house, which has a strong personality of its own, playfully moves rooms around, and in a particularly delightful touch, subscribes to interior design magazines. The nameless fae himself is about the sort of man you'd expect to live in a playful sentient manor with an overgrown garden and a gorgeous yet disorganized library, with the addition of cat ears and a tail. The reason he cursed Gisele is a complex story that the novel takes its time revealing, and he's spent forty years hiding in the manor from an enemy. Ultimately, the plot twists are fairly predictable, but in a way I found satisfying rather than frustrating.
My only complaint is that this book didn't include more graphic scenes of Gisele gardening. A VERY crunchable novel. If you enjoy T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, run, don't walk, to pick this novel up.
I devoured AJ Lancaster's Stariel series in about a week, so I was happy for a early chance to snap her latest novel up. In How to Find a Nameless Fae, Gisele was bargained away to a fairy as a baby--but he never showed up, and now she's forty. Determined to end her worsening curse, Gisele plots to track down the fairy and threaten him into freeing her...
This fantasy romance had a relentlessly sensible older protagonist with a love for gardening which reminded me strongly of T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, and a touch of Howl's Moving Castle about the plot. Unsurprisingly, I had a blast with a book that reminded me of two of my favorite authors. It's immensely readable. I started reading at 9 pm at night and finished by 7 am (Regret). Lancaster wields an expert's touch with the romance, which contains an outrageous quantity of pining tempered by Gisele's inherent practicality and prior sexual experience. The endlessly inconvenient curse forces a sort of empathetic emotional connection between the two of them, which is a fun romance trope.
The majority of the plot is set in the fae's house, which has a strong personality of its own, playfully moves rooms around, and in a particularly delightful touch, subscribes to interior design magazines. The nameless fae himself is about the sort of man you'd expect to live in a playful sentient manor with an overgrown garden and a gorgeous yet disorganized library, with the addition of cat ears and a tail. The reason he cursed Gisele is a complex story that the novel takes its time revealing, and he's spent forty years hiding in the manor from an enemy. Ultimately, the plot twists are fairly predictable, but in a way I found satisfying rather than frustrating.
My only complaint is that this book didn't include more graphic scenes of Gisele gardening. A VERY crunchable novel. If you enjoy T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, run, don't walk, to pick this novel up.
June 16, 2025
Fun cozy fantasy romance! In this Rumpelstiltskin retelling, a woman trades a sorcerer her firstborn child for straw turned to gold, but the sorcerer never comes for the child. The child comes looking for the sorcerer in her 40s to break her curse and adventure ensues!
This book is told from a limited omniscient third-person POV of the FMC. The FMC is very endearing and independent and makes for a good viewpoint. I appreciated her being older (40s), which is very uncommon in this genre, in my experience. The MMC is very sweet without being over the top. Their one-side-mistaken-enemy to friends to lovers relationship was well-paced and believable. The side characters were enjoyable, especially my favorite kinds of fantasy supporting characters, sentient magical house and talking cat.
I read this very quickly and loved there wasn't the dreaded third act breakup. How To Find a Nameless Fae had everything I like in this genre, and I'm sure other cozy fantasy readers will enjoy this. I've never read anything by this author before, but I'd be interested in reading more.
Thank you to the author for the arc!
This book is told from a limited omniscient third-person POV of the FMC. The FMC is very endearing and independent and makes for a good viewpoint. I appreciated her being older (40s), which is very uncommon in this genre, in my experience. The MMC is very sweet without being over the top. Their one-side-mistaken-enemy to friends to lovers relationship was well-paced and believable. The side characters were enjoyable, especially my favorite kinds of fantasy supporting characters, sentient magical house and talking cat.
I read this very quickly and loved there wasn't the dreaded third act breakup. How To Find a Nameless Fae had everything I like in this genre, and I'm sure other cozy fantasy readers will enjoy this. I've never read anything by this author before, but I'd be interested in reading more.
Thank you to the author for the arc!
September 21, 2025
An absolute delight. Cozy, funny, heartwarming. Skymallow is my dream home.
June 7, 2025
This book is such a gem. It’s cozy, sexy, and smart. Gisele being a capable and competent woman who just turned forty is a breath of fresh air. Mal is wonderful.
Mal gets the zoomies in the middle of the night, and I’m still laughing about it. Ten stars.
Mal gets the zoomies in the middle of the night, and I’m still laughing about it. Ten stars.
May 29, 2025
This book is stunningly good, my HEART. You want to read it, I promise, run don't walk. Maybe I will manage eloquence about this in the future, but right now my brain is just reveling in magic. It's romantic and *fun* and wise and painfully sweet and clever and achingly truthful and absolutely pitch perfect. Absolutely masterful.
July 21, 2025
I think this was more disappointing because I actually had high hopes. Started out feeling like it was going to be similar in vibes to Howls Moving Castle, obviously it wasn’t. Although, it’s mostly well written, the characters lack chemistry and it felt like the author was trying to push too many tropes.
August 29, 2025
It’s giving…ACOCAE: A Court of Cats and Eyeshadow.
TL; DR: Capitalizing on the romantasy and fairy tale retellings so prevalent in today’s reading society, How to Find a Nameless Fae is equal parts charming and painful, never quite hitting the highs of its compatriots while giving a decent story that’s sure to ruffle some skirts.
I wasn’t a fan of this one. There were parts I laughed at, certainly, but it felt like there were far more when I rolled my eyes or wrinkled my nose. That’s the kind of book this was though: very specifically generated for a very specific audience.
Characters: How did they manage to be delightful while I simultaneously didn’t like them at all? And impressive feat. I’ll be the one to make the comment that I feel I’m making more often than I should, that I liked the side characters so much more than I like the main two. It was painful sometimes with their chemistry which, while believable, was a lot of harrumphs and gasps of affront. In contrast, the side characters had quite a bit of spark and originality and I was glad to see them included, though disappointed their part was as little as it was.
Setting: Love Skymallow, and I think I’ll cheat and put it here so I can talk about it separately. The house was charming and I think I appreciated it the most out of anything in this book. It was believable and touching in a lot of ways and the descriptions lent to it were complimentary for all the pieces involved.
Story: It was fine. I was pleased at the beginning, but as it went on, I became less charmed. It felt like every other page was a reference to ‘the predicament’ and I couldn’t get away. I didn’t get to enjoy the rest of the story because it came up every four seconds and I was just tired of it by the end. Also, the dream sequences were some of the biggest eye rolls.
Writing: It was *fine*; I didn’t like it, but it was serviceable to a point. It felt like a less refined version of Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, but I actually liked that book.
It was ok; I get why it has high reviews; I think this is one of those books where the specific audience it’s meant for is going to love it, but it’s not anything spectacular in a vacuum and it’s worse when compared to others, so here we are: an ok book that fits its people perfectly while offering some things for others, but not enough. It’s ok, I don’t think the people who like it will mind.
2.5 🌟
TL; DR: Capitalizing on the romantasy and fairy tale retellings so prevalent in today’s reading society, How to Find a Nameless Fae is equal parts charming and painful, never quite hitting the highs of its compatriots while giving a decent story that’s sure to ruffle some skirts.
I wasn’t a fan of this one. There were parts I laughed at, certainly, but it felt like there were far more when I rolled my eyes or wrinkled my nose. That’s the kind of book this was though: very specifically generated for a very specific audience.
Characters: How did they manage to be delightful while I simultaneously didn’t like them at all? And impressive feat. I’ll be the one to make the comment that I feel I’m making more often than I should, that I liked the side characters so much more than I like the main two. It was painful sometimes with their chemistry which, while believable, was a lot of harrumphs and gasps of affront. In contrast, the side characters had quite a bit of spark and originality and I was glad to see them included, though disappointed their part was as little as it was.
Setting: Love Skymallow, and I think I’ll cheat and put it here so I can talk about it separately. The house was charming and I think I appreciated it the most out of anything in this book. It was believable and touching in a lot of ways and the descriptions lent to it were complimentary for all the pieces involved.
Story: It was fine. I was pleased at the beginning, but as it went on, I became less charmed. It felt like every other page was a reference to ‘the predicament’ and I couldn’t get away. I didn’t get to enjoy the rest of the story because it came up every four seconds and I was just tired of it by the end. Also, the dream sequences were some of the biggest eye rolls.
Writing: It was *fine*; I didn’t like it, but it was serviceable to a point. It felt like a less refined version of Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, but I actually liked that book.
It was ok; I get why it has high reviews; I think this is one of those books where the specific audience it’s meant for is going to love it, but it’s not anything spectacular in a vacuum and it’s worse when compared to others, so here we are: an ok book that fits its people perfectly while offering some things for others, but not enough. It’s ok, I don’t think the people who like it will mind.
2.5 🌟
September 21, 2025
This was a really cute and fluffy read and one I would readily recommend for anyone needing a sweet palate cleanser read.
I've never read a Rumplestiltskin retelling before and found myself pleasently surprised by it. It was a very interesting take on it and one I really vibed with.
Malediction/Mal/Rumplestiltskin was a great MMC. I loved his attitude, his nervous and twitchy nature and I really liked the feline aspect added to him. He was sweet and a bit scatter brained and just a delight to read.
I loved that Giselle was an older FMC. I also liked how steady her personality was, she was willing to sacrifice even for people who didn't seem to be willing to do the same for her. And she was sensible, she knew some of her decisions were maybe being directed by her lack of friends and strove to try and make sense of her desires beyond her lack of bonds.
Skymallow was definitely it's own character and was a delightful magical house. We love a wee house salamander and providing a nice garden shed for someone who desperately wants to garden.
An overall delightful read.
I've never read a Rumplestiltskin retelling before and found myself pleasently surprised by it. It was a very interesting take on it and one I really vibed with.
Malediction/Mal/Rumplestiltskin was a great MMC. I loved his attitude, his nervous and twitchy nature and I really liked the feline aspect added to him. He was sweet and a bit scatter brained and just a delight to read.
I loved that Giselle was an older FMC. I also liked how steady her personality was, she was willing to sacrifice even for people who didn't seem to be willing to do the same for her. And she was sensible, she knew some of her decisions were maybe being directed by her lack of friends and strove to try and make sense of her desires beyond her lack of bonds.
Skymallow was definitely it's own character and was a delightful magical house. We love a wee house salamander and providing a nice garden shed for someone who desperately wants to garden.
An overall delightful read.
August 11, 2025
This was so enjoyable! A Rumpelstiltskin retelling with a mature FMC, magic, whimsy and chock full of fairytale vibes. I absolutely loved the dry wit in Gisele and Mals interactions, and while there are so many cosy elements, there is also a touch of spice for readers. Taking her destiny in her own hands, we see Gisele set out to find the fae who cursed her through her mother, and we are treated to found family, secret identity and the perfect happily ever after.
Bonus Points to the sentient house Skymallow (think Casita from Encanto).
Bonus Points to the sentient house Skymallow (think Casita from Encanto).
July 4, 2025
Breath of fresh air
This felt like Howl’s Moving Castle meets Emily Wilde. There’s a talking cat, a magical house, a curse and a romance. Exactly what was needed after a bit of a reading slump!
This felt like Howl’s Moving Castle meets Emily Wilde. There’s a talking cat, a magical house, a curse and a romance. Exactly what was needed after a bit of a reading slump!
August 16, 2025
Quite fabulous. I love that she pretty much rescues herself and then also saves him.
January 7, 2026
4.5 rounding up
This was so good! I really enjoyed reading it. Excellent pacing, characters and tension. A super charming read
This was so good! I really enjoyed reading it. Excellent pacing, characters and tension. A super charming read
October 14, 2025
SO GOOD
September 2, 2025
Cozy, creative & whimsical!
Very unique & satisfying read.
Very unique & satisfying read.
July 1, 2025
I loved it! This author is a great story teller. The characters are sweet and funny and I can't pick a favorite because I adored them all. Discovering where the Name has been kept all these years was just perfect! I enjoyed this book very much. ARC netgalley.com
November 12, 2025
I absolutely love the atmosphere, their witty exchanges, the humor, the differences in pacing. I adore the writing. I loved the idea behind the story.
The main pair are older which is fantastic. The characters are lovely. The book is magically diverse, rich and unique.
I think the main pair worked wonderfully as friends and allies. I was also happy with their slow burn: their mutual pining, yearning and longing.
Having said that, my main impression was that the story already did achieve it's main arc with the worst nightmare enemy turning out to be as victimised himself with no need to add intimacy to the mix. The fated magical bond felt forced. Mal's reaction towards Gisele was mostly compulsive. He wasn't giving off clear signals, until suddenly, boom, it was all over his face. Gisele didn't appear to know what she wanted. There were sporadic pangs of intimate appeal for Mal but not consistently.
Their supposedly mutual attraction was built on rather shaky ground with both of the main characters constantly feeling unsure about themselves and the other person. Gisele appeared too little invested and Mal too much. Their dynamic was more about care and acceptance and it gave off friendship, not passion. I found myself unconvinced about the love story.
There continued to be a sense of one-sidedness, or no-sidedness. Perhaps it was to do with the cold heroine trope but Mal's affections were eventually more believable that Gisele's. I think Gisele's lack of self-admitted and felt desire had a large part to play in this. She was constantly plagued and preoccupied with feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem, having fell victim to social isolation in her life. I think it was too early for Gisele, and she needed psychological support more than anything else. She could have had more opportunity to explore other venues but she was literally stuck with Mal and the house, as she couldn't get away.
So instead of feeling relief that they finally made it, I felt dissapointed when they first did. Which is rather curious, as I'm not one to prefer clean romance. I can't remember having the same reaction to any other book before. There was no felt mutual enthusiasm, especially with Mal convincing and pleading her to be with him. I didn't feel anything behind their (dry) romantic remarks as a reader. These felt empty, detached. It was uncomfortable to read, even though ethical aspects of their getting together were frequently touched upon, the issue of consent was considered, the characters' doubts and anxieties, past histories and expectations were unfolded.
Since determination and deliberation were kind of dubious, the intimacy did not work to their favour imo except perhaps at the very end of the book. For instance, both of the early kissing scenes happened out of nowhere and randomly, almost thrown at the reader. Gisele just happened to be there as a recepient, there wasn't enough prelude for her. I felt that I'm witnessing something thin and enforced which didn't match the overall open tone of the book.
Still I rather enjoyed the book as a whole, since it utilised underused dynamics and tropes. I think Gisele's self-doubt and their mutually conflicted feelings were overall complicated to depict, although humanly relatable. I still think the main pair worked better as friends, though.
The main pair are older which is fantastic. The characters are lovely. The book is magically diverse, rich and unique.
I think the main pair worked wonderfully as friends and allies. I was also happy with their slow burn: their mutual pining, yearning and longing.
Having said that, my main impression was that the story already did achieve it's main arc with the worst nightmare enemy turning out to be as victimised himself with no need to add intimacy to the mix. The fated magical bond felt forced. Mal's reaction towards Gisele was mostly compulsive. He wasn't giving off clear signals, until suddenly, boom, it was all over his face. Gisele didn't appear to know what she wanted. There were sporadic pangs of intimate appeal for Mal but not consistently.
Their supposedly mutual attraction was built on rather shaky ground with both of the main characters constantly feeling unsure about themselves and the other person. Gisele appeared too little invested and Mal too much. Their dynamic was more about care and acceptance and it gave off friendship, not passion. I found myself unconvinced about the love story.
There continued to be a sense of one-sidedness, or no-sidedness. Perhaps it was to do with the cold heroine trope but Mal's affections were eventually more believable that Gisele's. I think Gisele's lack of self-admitted and felt desire had a large part to play in this. She was constantly plagued and preoccupied with feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem, having fell victim to social isolation in her life. I think it was too early for Gisele, and she needed psychological support more than anything else. She could have had more opportunity to explore other venues but she was literally stuck with Mal and the house, as she couldn't get away.
So instead of feeling relief that they finally made it, I felt dissapointed when they first did. Which is rather curious, as I'm not one to prefer clean romance. I can't remember having the same reaction to any other book before. There was no felt mutual enthusiasm, especially with Mal convincing and pleading her to be with him. I didn't feel anything behind their (dry) romantic remarks as a reader. These felt empty, detached. It was uncomfortable to read, even though ethical aspects of their getting together were frequently touched upon, the issue of consent was considered, the characters' doubts and anxieties, past histories and expectations were unfolded.
Since determination and deliberation were kind of dubious, the intimacy did not work to their favour imo except perhaps at the very end of the book. For instance, both of the early kissing scenes happened out of nowhere and randomly, almost thrown at the reader. Gisele just happened to be there as a recepient, there wasn't enough prelude for her. I felt that I'm witnessing something thin and enforced which didn't match the overall open tone of the book.
Still I rather enjoyed the book as a whole, since it utilised underused dynamics and tropes. I think Gisele's self-doubt and their mutually conflicted feelings were overall complicated to depict, although humanly relatable. I still think the main pair worked better as friends, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
5 stars
Content warning: emotional neglect from family, isolation from being cursed, toxic past relationship, injury detail, blood
AJ Lancaster's writing is always a balm to the soul, and How to Find a Nameless Fae is a perfectly cosy world to retreat into. I absolutely adored both main characters, and how they interacted, thanks to a firstborn curse going awry, was enchantingly hilarious. As a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, the parameters were familiar enough, but Lancaster put a delightful spin on it by setting it forty years after the curse came into play. With a no-nonsense FMC and an overly extravagant and cowardly MMC, this story gifts joy to fans of Howl's Moving Castle with its similarly coded characters, and the sentient house Skymallow and cat Zingiber.
I enjoyed the endless banter between Gisele, Mal, and the side characters a lot, but where this book truly shines is in its character development, by highlighting the vulnerabilities of Gisele and Mal. The longer they are entwined together, the more openly they share their decades-long hurts and loneliness, and it makes for a well-built connection. Sure, there was attraction from the start, but having that morph into something deliciously brimming with tension and emotion made the romantic portion of this tale entirely worth it. Lancaster has always written delightful love stories with well-thought out characters, and even though I knew I would revel in the romantic elements, Nameless Fae delivered on wholesome yearning, and spicy scenes that left more than just the characters bereft when they didn't quite eventuate fully. These mature characters approach love and life together in a way that was relatable - even with the whimsical backdrop of Faerie.
How to Find a Nameless Fae is mostly low stakes with cottagecore vibes and humbling side characters that live nearby to cause grievances to those dealing with the curse inside Skymallow. There is, however, a villain in the story, and whilst I didn't entirely care for that plot line, it did lead into the penultimate moment of uncovering Mal's true name, and I loved how it was delivered. I also really enjoyed the plot twist surrounding Mal's name that led Gisele and Mal back to the human lands, and feel that the author gave good thought to the original fairytale while creating her own story here. I'd love to continue in this world, especially with some of the side characters we met in this book, and I also adored the nod to the novella set in the same world.
If you love cosy fantasy, with sentient houses, and Howl-coded characters, then I urge you to pick up this read. It has been my favourite thing I've read so far in June.
Thank you to the author for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.
Content warning: emotional neglect from family, isolation from being cursed, toxic past relationship, injury detail, blood
AJ Lancaster's writing is always a balm to the soul, and How to Find a Nameless Fae is a perfectly cosy world to retreat into. I absolutely adored both main characters, and how they interacted, thanks to a firstborn curse going awry, was enchantingly hilarious. As a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, the parameters were familiar enough, but Lancaster put a delightful spin on it by setting it forty years after the curse came into play. With a no-nonsense FMC and an overly extravagant and cowardly MMC, this story gifts joy to fans of Howl's Moving Castle with its similarly coded characters, and the sentient house Skymallow and cat Zingiber.
I enjoyed the endless banter between Gisele, Mal, and the side characters a lot, but where this book truly shines is in its character development, by highlighting the vulnerabilities of Gisele and Mal. The longer they are entwined together, the more openly they share their decades-long hurts and loneliness, and it makes for a well-built connection. Sure, there was attraction from the start, but having that morph into something deliciously brimming with tension and emotion made the romantic portion of this tale entirely worth it. Lancaster has always written delightful love stories with well-thought out characters, and even though I knew I would revel in the romantic elements, Nameless Fae delivered on wholesome yearning, and spicy scenes that left more than just the characters bereft when they didn't quite eventuate fully. These mature characters approach love and life together in a way that was relatable - even with the whimsical backdrop of Faerie.
How to Find a Nameless Fae is mostly low stakes with cottagecore vibes and humbling side characters that live nearby to cause grievances to those dealing with the curse inside Skymallow. There is, however, a villain in the story, and whilst I didn't entirely care for that plot line, it did lead into the penultimate moment of uncovering Mal's true name, and I loved how it was delivered. I also really enjoyed the plot twist surrounding Mal's name that led Gisele and Mal back to the human lands, and feel that the author gave good thought to the original fairytale while creating her own story here. I'd love to continue in this world, especially with some of the side characters we met in this book, and I also adored the nod to the novella set in the same world.
If you love cosy fantasy, with sentient houses, and Howl-coded characters, then I urge you to pick up this read. It has been my favourite thing I've read so far in June.
Thank you to the author for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.
June 30, 2025
So disappointed with this book especially with all the great reviews. I DNF at page 127. I was bored to tears. Not for me.
June 12, 2025
I wanted to like this, I really did. I loved the Stariel quartet. I like the author’s style and her characters. The interaction between Gisele and Mal was reminiscent of that between Hetta and Wyn. But this?
There was never any doubt that Gisele and Mal would get together so 380+ pages of will-they-won’t-they started to drag. And the confrontation with Mal’s ex was a distinct anti-climax. But, those reservations aside, for a lot of those pages I was waiting for something to happen. I’m going to have to go back and reread it to make sure I didn’t miss something.
… interlude …
So, I reread it and made notes on all the chapters and in my considered opinion this story is dialogue heavy and plot thin.
Apologies to the author who was kind enough to grant me an e-ARC in exchange for my review
There was never any doubt that Gisele and Mal would get together so 380+ pages of will-they-won’t-they started to drag. And the confrontation with Mal’s ex was a distinct anti-climax. But, those reservations aside, for a lot of those pages I was waiting for something to happen. I’m going to have to go back and reread it to make sure I didn’t miss something.
… interlude …
So, I reread it and made notes on all the chapters and in my considered opinion this story is dialogue heavy and plot thin.
Apologies to the author who was kind enough to grant me an e-ARC in exchange for my review
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