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Bride of the Fae Duke: A Bluebeard Retelling
Six wives. Six deaths. Can a humble housemaid break the curse?
The half-fae Duke of Locke is cursed to never find love… or so everyone says. But Nellie Finch does not believe in magic. As far as she's concerned, that leaves only one explanation for the death of His Grace's last six he killed them himself.
It is therefore unpleasant surprise when, out of nowhere, the duke proposes to her.
Marrying this cold and unpleasant nobleman is the last thing Nellie wants. But his money can save her little sister, and Locke is damnably convincing about the arrangement. All he needs is an heir, and apart from the, well, necessary duties, she won't have to see him at all. She should be able to survive that, shouldn't she?
But when she begins falling for her mysterious husband, Nellie needs to figure out how to break the curse that killed six women before her… or be the next to die.
Bride of the Fae Duke is a steamy Bluebeard retelling featuring a tormented, blue-haired hero, a done-with-your-nonsense heroine, and a lot of unwelcome feelings. While it takes place in the same world as Curse of the Thorn King, it can be read as a complete standalone.
The half-fae Duke of Locke is cursed to never find love… or so everyone says. But Nellie Finch does not believe in magic. As far as she's concerned, that leaves only one explanation for the death of His Grace's last six he killed them himself.
It is therefore unpleasant surprise when, out of nowhere, the duke proposes to her.
Marrying this cold and unpleasant nobleman is the last thing Nellie wants. But his money can save her little sister, and Locke is damnably convincing about the arrangement. All he needs is an heir, and apart from the, well, necessary duties, she won't have to see him at all. She should be able to survive that, shouldn't she?
But when she begins falling for her mysterious husband, Nellie needs to figure out how to break the curse that killed six women before her… or be the next to die.
Bride of the Fae Duke is a steamy Bluebeard retelling featuring a tormented, blue-haired hero, a done-with-your-nonsense heroine, and a lot of unwelcome feelings. While it takes place in the same world as Curse of the Thorn King, it can be read as a complete standalone.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2025
66 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Lisette Marshall
29 books1,649 followersLisette Marshall is a fantasy romance author, language nerd and cartography enthusiast. Having grown up on a steady diet of epic fantasy, regency romance and cosy mysteries, she now writes steamy, swoony stories with a generous sprinkle of murder.
Lisette lives in the Netherlands (yes, below sea level) with her boyfriend and the few house plants that miraculously survive her highly irregular watering regime. When she’s not reading or writing, she can usually be found drawing fantasy maps, baking and eating too many chocolate cookies, or geeking out over Ancient Greek.
To get in touch, visit www.lisettemarshall.com, or follow @authorlisettemarshall on Instagram, where she spends way too much time looking at pretty book pictures.
Lisette lives in the Netherlands (yes, below sea level) with her boyfriend and the few house plants that miraculously survive her highly irregular watering regime. When she’s not reading or writing, she can usually be found drawing fantasy maps, baking and eating too many chocolate cookies, or geeking out over Ancient Greek.
To get in touch, visit www.lisettemarshall.com, or follow @authorlisettemarshall on Instagram, where she spends way too much time looking at pretty book pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 18, 2025
“have you considered that the heartache won’t fade as long as you don’t let anything else in?”
i love a folklore or mythological retelling. more so, anything related to beauty and the beast. it’s an absolute classic and you can never go wrong with it, to be honest! bride of the fae duke is different from what i usually read however, in that it’s a bluebeard retelling—one that i’ve never read before!
this novella features a sudden, marriage-of-convenience between a half-fae duke with scales (if you know, you know), who marries a housemaid named nellie, the perfect candidate to assist othrys in producing an heir. nellie doesn't believe in love, nor magic and othrys’ main concern is having an heir—no strings, no attachments.
othrys is difficult to understand in the beginning, having witnessed his last six wives be claimed by a curse inflicted upon him by his own mother. as he believes the curse comes into effect when in love, othrys’ experiences have made him both hesitant and reluctant to fall in love. however, over time we witness his attractive qualities surface, transforming this cold-hearted and enigmatic duke into someone filled with warmth and personality.
despite the unusual circumstances she now must navigate, nellie was determined to find answers to her new husband’s curse, in-between creating a home both inviting and welcoming as it celebrated different aspects of othrys’ life. she’s pragmatic with a no-nonsense attitude, and has undeniable kindness and unwavering resolve; without doubt, nellie is the perfect choice for othrys.
this novella, despite its length, is filled with interesting curses and intriguing mysteries, leaving you wondering how othrys and nellie survive the dreaded curse, which seems to claim the duke’s wives without remorse. it was such an entertaining and engaging read, with a mixture of heat, tension and mysteriousness. i’d love more from this world, but either way, i can’t wait to see what lisette marshall writes next!
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˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
it’s the third birthday of one of my favourite series, the fae isles, written by lisette marshall. to celebrate, i’m reading her upcoming release of bride of the fae duke. i love fairytale retellings and haven’t read a bluebeard retelling before featuring deadly fae curses!
a massive thank you to lisette marshall and behind the pages for the gifted e-arc.
follow me on: instagram
June 26, 2025
Hey. You there? *tap tap tap* Is this thing on???
Come closer. Let me let you in on a little secret...Lisette just NEVER misses.
Thanks so much to Lisette and her team for giving me an advanced copy of this book for my completely honest feedback.
I breezed though this story. It was a quick paced and well written story that I 100% have come to expect from Lisette.
What's a girl supposed to do when her marriage of (his) convenience/fae husband is only marrying her to produce an heir because his curse may kill her if he falls in love??? Apparently it's not to run for the hills screaming that you'll be widow number 7, but to bang it out well and to bang it out often while also trying to cram any conversation you need to have during the act because he will only see you at night to try and not get close to you. SPOILER AHEAD...it doesn't work :) :P :)
Quotes:
- "...he didn't want to love and cherish her, this little Sunday in human flesh before him. He just wanted to bask in her warmth."
- "Have you considered that the heartache won't fade as long as you don't let anything else in?"
-"Don't you dare tell yourself you're not enough for me. You're a lavish abundance."
Come closer. Let me let you in on a little secret...Lisette just NEVER misses.
Thanks so much to Lisette and her team for giving me an advanced copy of this book for my completely honest feedback.
I breezed though this story. It was a quick paced and well written story that I 100% have come to expect from Lisette.
What's a girl supposed to do when her marriage of (his) convenience/fae husband is only marrying her to produce an heir because his curse may kill her if he falls in love??? Apparently it's not to run for the hills screaming that you'll be widow number 7, but to bang it out well and to bang it out often while also trying to cram any conversation you need to have during the act because he will only see you at night to try and not get close to you. SPOILER AHEAD...it doesn't work :) :P :)
Quotes:
- "...he didn't want to love and cherish her, this little Sunday in human flesh before him. He just wanted to bask in her warmth."
- "Have you considered that the heartache won't fade as long as you don't let anything else in?"
-"Don't you dare tell yourself you're not enough for me. You're a lavish abundance."
July 12, 2025
1 ⭐️/ -1🌶️
Let me start by saying: I’m a huge Lisette Marshall fan. Creon from the Fae Isles series holds the undisputed crown as my number one book boyfriend, and I usually devour everything she writes. Unfortunately, Bride of the Fae Duke just didn’t hit the mark for me.
First off, Orthys’s description was… far from sexy. Rather than mysterious or alluring, his physical traits actually had the opposite effect, I found them off-putting.
Both the MMC and the FMC felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to emotionally invest in either of them or their relationship.
The fact that Orthys had six previous wives, all of whom he apparently loved, was a complete letdown. It made Nellie feel like just another number in a long line, stripping any sense of uniqueness or depth from their bond.
There was zero chemistry between the main couple, and the steamy scenes lacked heat, tension, and connection. And I have to ask, what was the point of the scaly member? It didn’t add intrigue or excitement; if anything, it just added confusion. What would happen when she went against the grain? *shivers*
Plot-wise, it was painfully predictable. You could see the ending coming chapters away, and there were no stakes or surprises to keep me gripped.
I get that this is a 0.5 in a series, but the disappointment was real. I wanted to love it, I really did, but this one fell flat in every way.
Let me start by saying: I’m a huge Lisette Marshall fan. Creon from the Fae Isles series holds the undisputed crown as my number one book boyfriend, and I usually devour everything she writes. Unfortunately, Bride of the Fae Duke just didn’t hit the mark for me.
First off, Orthys’s description was… far from sexy. Rather than mysterious or alluring, his physical traits actually had the opposite effect, I found them off-putting.
Both the MMC and the FMC felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to emotionally invest in either of them or their relationship.
The fact that Orthys had six previous wives, all of whom he apparently loved, was a complete letdown. It made Nellie feel like just another number in a long line, stripping any sense of uniqueness or depth from their bond.
There was zero chemistry between the main couple, and the steamy scenes lacked heat, tension, and connection. And I have to ask, what was the point of the scaly member? It didn’t add intrigue or excitement; if anything, it just added confusion. What would happen when she went against the grain? *shivers*
Plot-wise, it was painfully predictable. You could see the ending coming chapters away, and there were no stakes or surprises to keep me gripped.
I get that this is a 0.5 in a series, but the disappointment was real. I wanted to love it, I really did, but this one fell flat in every way.
June 27, 2025
It’s no secret that Lisette is one of my favourite authors and I was over the moon to receive an ARC copy for Bride of the Fae Duke in exchange for an honest review!
This Bluebeard retelling novella was a short and sweet delight and I loved every page of it. Lisette has a way of writing really loveable characters and I liked both Nellie and Othrys immediately - maybe Othrys because he reminded me of my sweet Agenor. IYKYK.
The pace was well done, the banter was giving, the spice was great - I read this in less than 24 hours and I can’t wait to start the Wayfarer Fae series for more in this world. 💙
Thank you so much Lisette & Behind the Pages for this ARC copy, I’m super grateful 🥰
This Bluebeard retelling novella was a short and sweet delight and I loved every page of it. Lisette has a way of writing really loveable characters and I liked both Nellie and Othrys immediately - maybe Othrys because he reminded me of my sweet Agenor. IYKYK.
The pace was well done, the banter was giving, the spice was great - I read this in less than 24 hours and I can’t wait to start the Wayfarer Fae series for more in this world. 💙
Thank you so much Lisette & Behind the Pages for this ARC copy, I’m super grateful 🥰
July 8, 2025
Same as Elly, but adding a star for the laughs it gave us — the blue pubes, the instrument, and the scaly dick (what happens if you go against the grain? Ouch).
July 12, 2025
3.5 short and steamy stars
A novella in the Wayfarer Fae series, this is a complete standalone, and a sexy and mysterious grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience romance.
Nellie is a housemaid whose life is turned upside down when the fae Duke of Locke proposes marriage to her. He’s a complete stranger, and a cold and grumpy one at that, and he is rumoured to be living under a curse where any woman he falls in love with dies. He’s been widowed six times, and is looking for a seventh wife to give him an heir and he’s chosen Nellie as he figures he’s safe marrying a stranger he doesn’t love, and he’s determined to keep his distance as much as possible to ensure that doesn’t happen.
But Othryn can’t ignore his wife completely when she’s there to give him an heir, and their wild chemistry comes as a shock to both of them. To avoid putting Nellie in danger they agree to limit their time together to only what is absolutely necessary (which means steamy encounters in the evenings), but their intense connection and easy banter has them opening up to each other, and feelings soon follow. When falling for each other becomes an inevitability, Nellie realises she has to find a way out of the curse to ensure it doesn’t end up costing her life.
I love the premise of the story, the characters and their fantastic interactions. I would have loved the opportunity to explore all of that some more, but the book was too short to get too much love story development so I didn’t get completely swept up in it all. With a little more time I could have completely fallen for Othryn - we get glimpses of the mischievous, vulnerable man behind his cold exterior, and even in such a short read, seeing him fall for Nellie though he fights with everything not to, is really sweet.
It’s quick, but it’s a good read that is well written. I enjoyed this one.
3.5 stars.
A novella in the Wayfarer Fae series, this is a complete standalone, and a sexy and mysterious grumpy/sunshine, marriage of convenience romance.
Nellie is a housemaid whose life is turned upside down when the fae Duke of Locke proposes marriage to her. He’s a complete stranger, and a cold and grumpy one at that, and he is rumoured to be living under a curse where any woman he falls in love with dies. He’s been widowed six times, and is looking for a seventh wife to give him an heir and he’s chosen Nellie as he figures he’s safe marrying a stranger he doesn’t love, and he’s determined to keep his distance as much as possible to ensure that doesn’t happen.
He didn’t want to love and cherish her, this little sunray in human flesh before him. He just wanted to bask in her warmth.
But Othryn can’t ignore his wife completely when she’s there to give him an heir, and their wild chemistry comes as a shock to both of them. To avoid putting Nellie in danger they agree to limit their time together to only what is absolutely necessary (which means steamy encounters in the evenings), but their intense connection and easy banter has them opening up to each other, and feelings soon follow. When falling for each other becomes an inevitability, Nellie realises she has to find a way out of the curse to ensure it doesn’t end up costing her life.
“Have you considered … that the heartache won’t fade as long as you don’t let anything else in?”
I love the premise of the story, the characters and their fantastic interactions. I would have loved the opportunity to explore all of that some more, but the book was too short to get too much love story development so I didn’t get completely swept up in it all. With a little more time I could have completely fallen for Othryn - we get glimpses of the mischievous, vulnerable man behind his cold exterior, and even in such a short read, seeing him fall for Nellie though he fights with everything not to, is really sweet.
“You have saved me, freed me, and utterly bewitched me.”
It’s quick, but it’s a good read that is well written. I enjoyed this one.
3.5 stars.
July 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ hot and spicy
- ABSOLUTELY NOVELLA PERFECTION
- ADDICTIVE
- BEAUTIFUL
- EMOTIONAL
- COMPLETE STORYTELLING
- FAB pacing
- BEAUTIFUL characters
- rags to riches for all the oddest reasons
- ‘give me an heir, I’ll give you my fortune’
- IF I FALL IN LOVE YOU DIE
- Higghhhhhhh stakes
- PAGE TURNING
- grumpy/sunshine
- forced… sexy bedding and proximity
- GORG writing
- interesting world building
- dark hallways, crystal chandeliers, hand drawn pictures, panting breaths, and twisted sheets vibes
- EMOOOOOTIONS
This book is a masterclass in novella writing. Complete storytelling, emotional connections, beats that keep you turning the page and thinking about the characters LONG after you’re done reading. This is cozy, but mysterious. Beautifully emotional and gripping, it’s literally everything you could want in a book.
I’m completely invested in Lisette’s writing, and will champion all that she touches, but this book. This books is just masterful. It’s a beautiful story of impossible odds, acceptance of your past (he had SIX PREVIOUS WIVES), and growth through eachother. I’m dead. Go read it.
🌶️ hot and spicy
- ABSOLUTELY NOVELLA PERFECTION
- ADDICTIVE
- BEAUTIFUL
- EMOTIONAL
- COMPLETE STORYTELLING
- FAB pacing
- BEAUTIFUL characters
- rags to riches for all the oddest reasons
- ‘give me an heir, I’ll give you my fortune’
- IF I FALL IN LOVE YOU DIE
- Higghhhhhhh stakes
- PAGE TURNING
- grumpy/sunshine
- forced… sexy bedding and proximity
- GORG writing
- interesting world building
- dark hallways, crystal chandeliers, hand drawn pictures, panting breaths, and twisted sheets vibes
- EMOOOOOTIONS
This book is a masterclass in novella writing. Complete storytelling, emotional connections, beats that keep you turning the page and thinking about the characters LONG after you’re done reading. This is cozy, but mysterious. Beautifully emotional and gripping, it’s literally everything you could want in a book.
I’m completely invested in Lisette’s writing, and will champion all that she touches, but this book. This books is just masterful. It’s a beautiful story of impossible odds, acceptance of your past (he had SIX PREVIOUS WIVES), and growth through eachother. I’m dead. Go read it.
July 5, 2025
Six wives. Six deaths. And a whole lot of spice. This is a quick standalone read where we follow a housemaid who tries to break a curse through a marriage of convenience.
Loved that Nellie has such a witty character despite only knowing the harsh side of living.
Othrys is our broody, Darcy persona of a Fae who needs an heir but doomed to never find love.
This gave me regency era vibes but with Fae, mystery and a twist, I swept right through.
📍Bluebird retelling
📍marriage of convenience
📍grumpy x sunshine
📍brooding MMC
📍deadly curse
📍duke x housemaid
Thank you Lisette for the eARC, these are my honest thoughts.
Loved that Nellie has such a witty character despite only knowing the harsh side of living.
Othrys is our broody, Darcy persona of a Fae who needs an heir but doomed to never find love.
This gave me regency era vibes but with Fae, mystery and a twist, I swept right through.
📍Bluebird retelling
📍marriage of convenience
📍grumpy x sunshine
📍brooding MMC
📍deadly curse
📍duke x housemaid
Thank you Lisette for the eARC, these are my honest thoughts.
July 12, 2025
Oh!! This is quite intriguing. It kept me engaged through all the thoughts these characters were having. It was a mystery that you can figure out easily, but the execution is just great, and the way Nellie came out strong and confident is amazing. This is a short story that you can finish in one sitting and enjoy the mystery.
July 4, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)
This was a fun, quick read. Short and spicy and features a marriage of convenience while they work to break a curse. Loved that Nellie worked to solve the mystery of the curse.
This was a fun, quick read. Short and spicy and features a marriage of convenience while they work to break a curse. Loved that Nellie worked to solve the mystery of the curse.
July 17, 2025
que fofo e rápido de ler 💖
October 30, 2025
this is the sweetest most beautiful book. so short but so capturing and i loved the characters and story. brilliant pacing, i could read so much more. loved this book
July 10, 2025
I loved this short and steamy Bluebeard retelling!
I really enjoyed the human maid x fae duke arranged marriage of (in)convenience, and how the curse was woven throughout the story. The ending was absolutely perfect.
While part of an interconnected series, this book can also be read as a standalone.
☆ I received an ARC of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own honest opinions.☆
I really enjoyed the human maid x fae duke arranged marriage of (in)convenience, and how the curse was woven throughout the story. The ending was absolutely perfect.
While part of an interconnected series, this book can also be read as a standalone.
☆ I received an ARC of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own honest opinions.☆
July 9, 2025
I loved this but I'm a greedy reader and wanted more of their story/connection/tension.
This was such a fun story and couple. I loved their...dutiful activities and how they made their situation work. I loved the tenacity of the FMC without being annoying or childish. All and all a fun quick read. I cannot wait to see more from this world and hopefully this couple.
Thank you so much to Lisette for this eARC. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.
This was such a fun story and couple. I loved their...dutiful activities and how they made their situation work. I loved the tenacity of the FMC without being annoying or childish. All and all a fun quick read. I cannot wait to see more from this world and hopefully this couple.
Thank you so much to Lisette for this eARC. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.
July 15, 2025
A standalone grumpy/sunshine novella?!? It's sweet and spicy, and the MMC has blue hair?!?! I loved it!
August 22, 2025
Read if you like:
- marriage of convenience
- slow-burns
- novellas
This is the first thing that I’ve read by Lisette and I really enjoyed it. I will be reading her backlist.
When presented with a marriage of convenience to a fae duke (whose previous wives have all mysteriously died) Nellie doesn’t hesitate, as it will help both her and her sister. Besides, she isn’t marrying for love. Othrys is only in need of an heir, which means they won’t have to spend *that* much time together.
Nellie is a fantastic character. She’s no-nonsense, unwavering, and incredibly kind. Othyrs is brooding, seemingly cold, and has a vast amount of secrets. There is an undeniable pull between the two of them and Nellie finds herself determined to break the curse that the House of Locke is under.
This was such a quick and enjoyable read. It’s packed full of mystery, heat, and tension. I plan to pick up book #1 in the Wayfarer Fae series because I need more of this world.
- marriage of convenience
- slow-burns
- novellas
This is the first thing that I’ve read by Lisette and I really enjoyed it. I will be reading her backlist.
When presented with a marriage of convenience to a fae duke (whose previous wives have all mysteriously died) Nellie doesn’t hesitate, as it will help both her and her sister. Besides, she isn’t marrying for love. Othrys is only in need of an heir, which means they won’t have to spend *that* much time together.
Nellie is a fantastic character. She’s no-nonsense, unwavering, and incredibly kind. Othyrs is brooding, seemingly cold, and has a vast amount of secrets. There is an undeniable pull between the two of them and Nellie finds herself determined to break the curse that the House of Locke is under.
This was such a quick and enjoyable read. It’s packed full of mystery, heat, and tension. I plan to pick up book #1 in the Wayfarer Fae series because I need more of this world.
August 18, 2025
It was kind of predictable (even with knowing about the Bluebeard folktale.) The two main characters only ever spoke during sex-as in actively doing it and holding a conversation. Didn't really make for a convincing romance.
June 25, 2025
There are few authors that grab hold of me quite like Lisette does. Every single book of hers has made me tune out the world as I sink into the world she's so vividly dragged me into. Lisette's books are beguiling, entrancing, enticing, in all the right way, and oh is the heat delicious! This book was a delight a minute! This book had me giggling like a lunatic for a good portion of the read and then, Lisette style, in the last few chapters, I thought I was literally going to collapse from anxiety and stress, only to have Lisette bring it to the most beautiful squishy, gooey HEA conclusion!
Nellie Finch, a maid in an Elf's household, is a sceptic, although she has lived on the outskirts of Faerie all her life, she doesn't believe in magic or curses, or even love for that matter, she believes everything can be explained, logically. A man she'd never met, yet knew him by his foul reputation, and disliked intensely, even labelling him a murderer, out of the blue presents a...."proposition". A proposition that so stunned Nellie, I inadvertently yelled out "lift your jaw off the floor girl!" Nellie's first and foremost thought is for her sister, Anne, disabled and entirely reliant on Nellie for financial stability, and that's how Nellie ended up a Duchess. From maid to Lady Locke, Nellie takes her "new job" seriously. Expecting to stare at the ceiling and think of England, Nellie's first...ummm... "encounter" wasn't what she expected. My smile refused to leave my face at the banter, which continued throughout their "work commitments", my smile refused to subside at Nellie's attitude, confrontational almost. I was loving her character prior to this but now she held my heart with her feistiness, her wit, her unassuming charm. Her character is so multi dimensional, she's playful, she sharp, she's responsible, she's like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room.
Othrys Locke, stoic, cold, utterly gorgeous, oh and half Fae, is the propositioner of this new "job". I adored him! Nellie, being Nellie, slowly peels away the layers this man has shrouded himself with. But heck, who can blame him! 6 wives he's buried, he needs to keep Nellie at arms length (emotionally) to prevent her being no 7....Oh my word did I LOVE the interaction with Nellie! Hot, spicy and hilarious all at the same time! As he's exposed, as his facade shatters, a kind, gentle, honourable man surfaces, a man tormented by his breeding, a man tormented by the deaths of his former wives, a man convinced he has a curse on him. The gentleness and tenderness with which Lisette slowly unravels the tightly bound straps suffocating Othrys, giving her audience the full picture, is superbly done! The humour and the lightness of this book was magnificent, as was the entire plot which is filled with so much mystery, anxiety and a revelation or two. But it's the two MC's that steal the show, their misconceptions, their determination, their sass, their internal conflicts, and their realisation of truths, which was as sympathy evoking as it was endearing.
Lisette always floors me, I never know which way her story will go and hells bells do I LOVE the ride she gives me! She does romance expertly, realistically, with a flair few possess. I'll venture to say, to me, Lisette is the romance queen! She brings the heat, she brings all the feels, she brings uncertainty, she brings self awareness to any story she writes, she has me enthralled with her characters, she has me captivated as the events play out, she holds me captivated, drooling, feeling, for all her characters and, as always, they find a place in my heart, to cherish and revisit. As this is a prequel to a new series, suffice to say, book 1 can't come fast enough
Nellie Finch, a maid in an Elf's household, is a sceptic, although she has lived on the outskirts of Faerie all her life, she doesn't believe in magic or curses, or even love for that matter, she believes everything can be explained, logically. A man she'd never met, yet knew him by his foul reputation, and disliked intensely, even labelling him a murderer, out of the blue presents a...."proposition". A proposition that so stunned Nellie, I inadvertently yelled out "lift your jaw off the floor girl!" Nellie's first and foremost thought is for her sister, Anne, disabled and entirely reliant on Nellie for financial stability, and that's how Nellie ended up a Duchess. From maid to Lady Locke, Nellie takes her "new job" seriously. Expecting to stare at the ceiling and think of England, Nellie's first...ummm... "encounter" wasn't what she expected. My smile refused to leave my face at the banter, which continued throughout their "work commitments", my smile refused to subside at Nellie's attitude, confrontational almost. I was loving her character prior to this but now she held my heart with her feistiness, her wit, her unassuming charm. Her character is so multi dimensional, she's playful, she sharp, she's responsible, she's like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room.
Othrys Locke, stoic, cold, utterly gorgeous, oh and half Fae, is the propositioner of this new "job". I adored him! Nellie, being Nellie, slowly peels away the layers this man has shrouded himself with. But heck, who can blame him! 6 wives he's buried, he needs to keep Nellie at arms length (emotionally) to prevent her being no 7....Oh my word did I LOVE the interaction with Nellie! Hot, spicy and hilarious all at the same time! As he's exposed, as his facade shatters, a kind, gentle, honourable man surfaces, a man tormented by his breeding, a man tormented by the deaths of his former wives, a man convinced he has a curse on him. The gentleness and tenderness with which Lisette slowly unravels the tightly bound straps suffocating Othrys, giving her audience the full picture, is superbly done! The humour and the lightness of this book was magnificent, as was the entire plot which is filled with so much mystery, anxiety and a revelation or two. But it's the two MC's that steal the show, their misconceptions, their determination, their sass, their internal conflicts, and their realisation of truths, which was as sympathy evoking as it was endearing.
Lisette always floors me, I never know which way her story will go and hells bells do I LOVE the ride she gives me! She does romance expertly, realistically, with a flair few possess. I'll venture to say, to me, Lisette is the romance queen! She brings the heat, she brings all the feels, she brings uncertainty, she brings self awareness to any story she writes, she has me enthralled with her characters, she has me captivated as the events play out, she holds me captivated, drooling, feeling, for all her characters and, as always, they find a place in my heart, to cherish and revisit. As this is a prequel to a new series, suffice to say, book 1 can't come fast enough
July 9, 2025
Bride of the Fae Duke is a standalone novella that introduces the Wayfarer Fae series. Although short, this story is complete with a gripping plot, twists, and brilliant characters.
Nellie (Eleanor) is a maid who works and provides for her younger sister. Out of the blue, the cold and presumably ruthless Duke of Locke arrives with a proposal. Nellie finds herself quickly immersed in the dangers of a curse that has already taken the lives of the six women who were previously married to the half-fae Duke.
I was addicted to this story. It's so fast-paced, but the detail is all there to make this a wholesome story. Lisette Marshall truly worked magic into her writing, which was highly immersive. Some of the twists were predictable, but the way these truths were unravelled was entertaining.
If you're not a fan of marriage of convenience, then I'm not sure you would like this novel. But Nellie and Locke are a great duo as they make the best of a sombre and unpredictable situation. They are the perfect grumpy/sunshine representatives, and I loved the little glimpses into Locke's soft side. Both Nellie and Locke complimented each other so well, and I seeing how their feelings grew throughout their marriage, despite how much they tried to resist them, was expertly written.
This novella does have some spicy scenes, but they help drive the plot along and serve a purpose to the story. The scenes are portrayed sweetly and respectively, even though the class difference and inequality between the two characters could have been used in an unfair way. Marshall stays true to the light heartedness of the charming fairytale romance.
🌶🌶🌶/5
____________________
Favourite Quotes:
A scandalous, scandalous thought... but scandal, like love and magic, rarely had much to do with facts and far more with fear.
One did not say no to a duke.
We stood where you once stood, girl, as alive as you are, and look what's left of us now...
__________________________
Thank you so much, Lisette Marshall, for providing me with an ARC of Bride of the Fae Duke, I loved every moment of it
Nellie (Eleanor) is a maid who works and provides for her younger sister. Out of the blue, the cold and presumably ruthless Duke of Locke arrives with a proposal. Nellie finds herself quickly immersed in the dangers of a curse that has already taken the lives of the six women who were previously married to the half-fae Duke.
I was addicted to this story. It's so fast-paced, but the detail is all there to make this a wholesome story. Lisette Marshall truly worked magic into her writing, which was highly immersive. Some of the twists were predictable, but the way these truths were unravelled was entertaining.
If you're not a fan of marriage of convenience, then I'm not sure you would like this novel. But Nellie and Locke are a great duo as they make the best of a sombre and unpredictable situation. They are the perfect grumpy/sunshine representatives, and I loved the little glimpses into Locke's soft side. Both Nellie and Locke complimented each other so well, and I seeing how their feelings grew throughout their marriage, despite how much they tried to resist them, was expertly written.
This novella does have some spicy scenes, but they help drive the plot along and serve a purpose to the story. The scenes are portrayed sweetly and respectively, even though the class difference and inequality between the two characters could have been used in an unfair way. Marshall stays true to the light heartedness of the charming fairytale romance.
🌶🌶🌶/5
____________________
Favourite Quotes:
A scandalous, scandalous thought... but scandal, like love and magic, rarely had much to do with facts and far more with fear.
One did not say no to a duke.
We stood where you once stood, girl, as alive as you are, and look what's left of us now...
__________________________
Thank you so much, Lisette Marshall, for providing me with an ARC of Bride of the Fae Duke, I loved every moment of it
June 29, 2025
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲:🌶️🌶️
𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 160
📚ARC Review📚
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: Standalone
𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲: HAE
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲: Dual POV (with the majority from the MFMs)
"Divines help her, he was so senselessly beautiful like this, mussed up and vulnerable, his storm cloud eyes clinging to hers with frenzied intensity… as if he's blink and she'd be gone. As if he'd wilt and die for lack of her."
💛 Bluebeard Retelling
💛Marriage of Convenience
💛Duke x Maid
💛Curses
💛She's His 7th Wife
💛Heartbreak and Healing
Lisette adds yet another weird fae 🍆 to the mix! (And honestly, I’m not mad about it 😅)
What a delicious little morsel of literature 💛. I’m convinced there’s nothing Lisette has written—or will write—that I won’t adore. She has a magical way of crafting the most intriguing, well-rounded, and endearing characters, and getting readers invested in their stories. Othrys and Nellie are no exception.
I really loved how Nellie honored the memory of his six late wives by bringing pieces of their lives and loves back into the house. Someone compared Othrys to Agenor, and now I have no idea how I didn’t see it sooner—those two are absolute kindred spirits.
…Wait, hold up. This just occurred to me… scales. They both have scales in common. Agenor with his snakes and Othrys with his… well, iykyk.
I honestly didn’t predict the source of the curse until Nellie solved it (like any iconic LM MFM would).
In conclusion, I love this Lisette. Keep the literary crack coming!
Find more Reviews and Bookish Things at:📝I’m Literary Anxious Blog📝 or my 📖📚Bookstagram📚📖
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲:🌶️🌶️
𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 160
📚ARC Review📚
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: Standalone
𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲: HAE
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲: Dual POV (with the majority from the MFMs)
"Divines help her, he was so senselessly beautiful like this, mussed up and vulnerable, his storm cloud eyes clinging to hers with frenzied intensity… as if he's blink and she'd be gone. As if he'd wilt and die for lack of her."
💛 Bluebeard Retelling
💛Marriage of Convenience
💛Duke x Maid
💛Curses
💛She's His 7th Wife
💛Heartbreak and Healing
Lisette adds yet another weird fae 🍆 to the mix! (And honestly, I’m not mad about it 😅)
What a delicious little morsel of literature 💛. I’m convinced there’s nothing Lisette has written—or will write—that I won’t adore. She has a magical way of crafting the most intriguing, well-rounded, and endearing characters, and getting readers invested in their stories. Othrys and Nellie are no exception.
I really loved how Nellie honored the memory of his six late wives by bringing pieces of their lives and loves back into the house. Someone compared Othrys to Agenor, and now I have no idea how I didn’t see it sooner—those two are absolute kindred spirits.
…Wait, hold up. This just occurred to me… scales. They both have scales in common. Agenor with his snakes and Othrys with his… well, iykyk.
I honestly didn’t predict the source of the curse until Nellie solved it (like any iconic LM MFM would).
In conclusion, I love this Lisette. Keep the literary crack coming!
Find more Reviews and Bookish Things at:📝I’m Literary Anxious Blog📝 or my 📖📚Bookstagram📚📖
October 7, 2025
If the first volume is the one I loved the most after Court of Blood & Bindings, this was a very nice reading🤭
In Elidian, secrets are a thing of the past: between humans and Fae, there's always the chance that someone will say more than they should👀
Eleanor - Nellie - Finch is a girl who had to roll up her sleeves early on. She did this not only to stay afloat but also to look after her younger sister, Anne.
So, when the famous author of the curse, the half-fae Duke Othrys Locke, specifically requested her, she felt both free, as she would no longer be a mere maid, and trapped by the fate that awaited her in the form of marriage to this man she had never met before.
It is during this brief adjustment period that our FMC must take her role as Lady seriously and avoid falling down the white rabbit hole if she values her life🫣 In order to avoid history repeating itself, the Duke must also be vigilant in his conduct...
⁉️ What effect will the gossip have on Nellie? Will she be swayed by it, or will she try to go beyond a simple pact with the devil?
I must say that I would have liked the story to be longer! I know it's a novella, but when an author knows how to write, you wish the story would never end😭
For a moment, I felt as though I were inside a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with more mystery and foretaste🔥 Any initial sense of inadequacy or duty was forgotten the moment the MCs tried to get to know each other through words and their mutual pasts.
Honestly, I can't wait to read more novels by the author. I really hope she continues this series, because like the #faeisles series, I've grown very fond of it🥺
But remember to retrieve 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈😉
In Elidian, secrets are a thing of the past: between humans and Fae, there's always the chance that someone will say more than they should👀
Eleanor - Nellie - Finch is a girl who had to roll up her sleeves early on. She did this not only to stay afloat but also to look after her younger sister, Anne.
So, when the famous author of the curse, the half-fae Duke Othrys Locke, specifically requested her, she felt both free, as she would no longer be a mere maid, and trapped by the fate that awaited her in the form of marriage to this man she had never met before.
It is during this brief adjustment period that our FMC must take her role as Lady seriously and avoid falling down the white rabbit hole if she values her life🫣 In order to avoid history repeating itself, the Duke must also be vigilant in his conduct...
⁉️ What effect will the gossip have on Nellie? Will she be swayed by it, or will she try to go beyond a simple pact with the devil?
I must say that I would have liked the story to be longer! I know it's a novella, but when an author knows how to write, you wish the story would never end😭
For a moment, I felt as though I were inside a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with more mystery and foretaste🔥 Any initial sense of inadequacy or duty was forgotten the moment the MCs tried to get to know each other through words and their mutual pasts.
Honestly, I can't wait to read more novels by the author. I really hope she continues this series, because like the #faeisles series, I've grown very fond of it🥺
But remember to retrieve 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈😉
June 24, 2025
Minor edit: rounded up from 4.5 stars
This was absolutely adorable. This had the perfect mix of everything, and it was executed entirely well for being novella length. There’s a great mystery going on: is Locke cursed, or is he (or someone else) murdering all of his wives? Will Nellie be the next victim, hopelessly falling in love? Will there be a happy ending, or will Nellie end up the seventh dead wife?
The twists, while I figured them out prior, were very entertaining. They added elements of suspense and furthered the mystery.
Locke is by far my favorite character. He’s so grumpy on the outside, and when you get glimpses of his non-grumpy side, you really just want to give him a hug. He had six wives die, and while you might wonder the whole time if he killed them, you can’t help but feel so connected to him and devastated for him. The chapters where we get his thoughts were by far my favorite. I loved learning more about who he was in these moments.
The spicy scenes in this made me laugh, but only because of what’s happening. They’re trying so hard not to fall for each other, so they have these stupid conversations during it, and it really is rather funny.
While there is spice in this, it’s very minimal. It’s only used as a tool to move the story along, and the plot is definitely at the forefront of the book.
From what I understand, this is a prequel novella to a series, and I absolutely will be reading this series. It’s very fun and entertaining, and exactly what I needed.
Thank you very much to Lisette Marshall for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was absolutely adorable. This had the perfect mix of everything, and it was executed entirely well for being novella length. There’s a great mystery going on: is Locke cursed, or is he (or someone else) murdering all of his wives? Will Nellie be the next victim, hopelessly falling in love? Will there be a happy ending, or will Nellie end up the seventh dead wife?
The twists, while I figured them out prior, were very entertaining. They added elements of suspense and furthered the mystery.
Locke is by far my favorite character. He’s so grumpy on the outside, and when you get glimpses of his non-grumpy side, you really just want to give him a hug. He had six wives die, and while you might wonder the whole time if he killed them, you can’t help but feel so connected to him and devastated for him. The chapters where we get his thoughts were by far my favorite. I loved learning more about who he was in these moments.
The spicy scenes in this made me laugh, but only because of what’s happening. They’re trying so hard not to fall for each other, so they have these stupid conversations during it, and it really is rather funny.
While there is spice in this, it’s very minimal. It’s only used as a tool to move the story along, and the plot is definitely at the forefront of the book.
From what I understand, this is a prequel novella to a series, and I absolutely will be reading this series. It’s very fun and entertaining, and exactly what I needed.
Thank you very much to Lisette Marshall for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2025
The humor of a housemaid, the murder mystery of the 6 precious wives, a mourning half-fae duke and a marriage of convenience!
“Nellie Finch did not believe in magic. Many people did – she was well-aware of that undeniable fact – but then again, many people believed in love, too, and that seemed roughly equally nonsensical.“
First, while our couple TRY to “work” to get the Duke an heir without strings attached (because the strings are deadly 😉)….
‘I would prefer to just get things over with as soon as possible. I don’t care if it hurts a bit or—’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘I do.’
… Well, let’s discuss the evil in the story: a curse that takes wives lives, hers in this case if the falls for her.
He indeed does a good job trying to make us focus on her life, so freaking romantic, anti-patriarcal and with a good notion to where the power balance tilts (the man needs to be cloned):
‘Eleanor.’ He didn’t raise his voice, but the bite in his tone was enough to discourage any further protest. ‘I’ll never be the victim here. Take care of yourself, not me.’
But like every intelligent woman, she’s doesn’t listen and turns to manipulate him into healing talk while “working” 🍆(sexiest thing ever!!!)
But healing a man comes with his love! So how will she survive??? Her beautiful sister might know (she knows about fairytales 🥰)
Conclusion: I got a Lisette Marshall novella full of intelligent banter and a freaking murder/s mystery!!! I’ve been waiting since 2021 !!! I’m over the moon!
5 ⭐️
3,5 🍆 (discussing a book’s plot while f* is hot!)
“Nellie Finch did not believe in magic. Many people did – she was well-aware of that undeniable fact – but then again, many people believed in love, too, and that seemed roughly equally nonsensical.“
First, while our couple TRY to “work” to get the Duke an heir without strings attached (because the strings are deadly 😉)….
‘I would prefer to just get things over with as soon as possible. I don’t care if it hurts a bit or—’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘I do.’
… Well, let’s discuss the evil in the story: a curse that takes wives lives, hers in this case if the falls for her.
He indeed does a good job trying to make us focus on her life, so freaking romantic, anti-patriarcal and with a good notion to where the power balance tilts (the man needs to be cloned):
‘Eleanor.’ He didn’t raise his voice, but the bite in his tone was enough to discourage any further protest. ‘I’ll never be the victim here. Take care of yourself, not me.’
But like every intelligent woman, she’s doesn’t listen and turns to manipulate him into healing talk while “working” 🍆(sexiest thing ever!!!)
But healing a man comes with his love! So how will she survive??? Her beautiful sister might know (she knows about fairytales 🥰)
Conclusion: I got a Lisette Marshall novella full of intelligent banter and a freaking murder/s mystery!!! I’ve been waiting since 2021 !!! I’m over the moon!
5 ⭐️
3,5 🍆 (discussing a book’s plot while f* is hot!)
July 4, 2025
Lisette has crafted the perfect romantic novella in Bride of the Fae Duke. She is the master of writing adorable, swoon-worthy characters that will have you greedily devouring the pages to find out what happens next!!
This Bluebeard retelling is no different. This book was every moment of a 5 star read - a cute standalone novella that you can eagerly binge in a day. It is 0.5 in the Wayfarer Fae series, and adds that whimsical fairytale vibe to a Bridgerton setting complete with Dukes and Marchionesses.
It’s the Maid x Duke trope that gets me every time! I love when two people from different classes can peel away every layer and every expectation to find their happily ever after. Lisette fashions this perfectly and adds a healthy serving of spice complete with an interesting fae “member” 🍆
If you would love a quick spicy summer read, this book has you covered. You will absolutely adore it like I did, I guarantee! The banter between Nellie and the Duke is addictive. I was smiling and swooning the whole through! This is a marriage of convenience but they don’t let it get in the way of their sizzling chemistry 🔥 But this book isn’t all spice, the characters explore emotions such as grief and loss and there’s also six murders to solve!
Read this book if you enjoy:
💙 Bluebeard retelling
☠️ Deadly fae curses
☀️ Grumpy/sunshine
🧹 Duke x housemaid
🔥 Sizzling chemistry
🫶🏼 Bridgerton x Fairytale vibes
Thank you to Behind the Pages and Lisette Marshall for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This Bluebeard retelling is no different. This book was every moment of a 5 star read - a cute standalone novella that you can eagerly binge in a day. It is 0.5 in the Wayfarer Fae series, and adds that whimsical fairytale vibe to a Bridgerton setting complete with Dukes and Marchionesses.
It’s the Maid x Duke trope that gets me every time! I love when two people from different classes can peel away every layer and every expectation to find their happily ever after. Lisette fashions this perfectly and adds a healthy serving of spice complete with an interesting fae “member” 🍆
If you would love a quick spicy summer read, this book has you covered. You will absolutely adore it like I did, I guarantee! The banter between Nellie and the Duke is addictive. I was smiling and swooning the whole through! This is a marriage of convenience but they don’t let it get in the way of their sizzling chemistry 🔥 But this book isn’t all spice, the characters explore emotions such as grief and loss and there’s also six murders to solve!
Read this book if you enjoy:
💙 Bluebeard retelling
☠️ Deadly fae curses
☀️ Grumpy/sunshine
🧹 Duke x housemaid
🔥 Sizzling chemistry
🫶🏼 Bridgerton x Fairytale vibes
Thank you to Behind the Pages and Lisette Marshall for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2025
Bride of the Fae Duke is an under-200-page-long novella that certainly entertains much more than the original tale (Bluebeard), which this retelling refers to.
(I mean, I haven’t known the story until AFTER reading this retelling and OMG what a freaking freak load of creeps the original, in fact, is! )
Thankfully, Lisette maintained a rather light and humorous narration, so we all can sleep peacefully.
This novella is so undeniably Lisette’s. I mean, having read most of her books, I saw all of her greatest characteristics in this story. The plot is well-thought-out, the characters are likeable, the spice is there and it is hot as hell . . . but there’re also these tiny little snippets where your insides curl from coziness. There’s also banter and generally witty dialogue. Those all things make this book really easy to read.
The thing about novellas is . . . well, them being novellas. So there’s little space for worldbuilding and a highly developed character arc. Especially under the actual 160 pages. The story isn’t lacking anything, though. It is fast-paced and has all the important details. As a standalone part of the Wayfarer Fae series, you might want to dive into the full-length novel Curse of the Thorn King next.
Tropes:
marriage of convenience, grumpy/sunshine, duke x housemaid, he falls first, murder mystery, fae
(I mean, I haven’t known the story until AFTER reading this retelling and OMG what a freaking freak load of creeps the original, in fact, is! )
Thankfully, Lisette maintained a rather light and humorous narration, so we all can sleep peacefully.
This novella is so undeniably Lisette’s. I mean, having read most of her books, I saw all of her greatest characteristics in this story. The plot is well-thought-out, the characters are likeable, the spice is there and it is hot as hell . . . but there’re also these tiny little snippets where your insides curl from coziness. There’s also banter and generally witty dialogue. Those all things make this book really easy to read.
The thing about novellas is . . . well, them being novellas. So there’s little space for worldbuilding and a highly developed character arc. Especially under the actual 160 pages. The story isn’t lacking anything, though. It is fast-paced and has all the important details. As a standalone part of the Wayfarer Fae series, you might want to dive into the full-length novel Curse of the Thorn King next.
Tropes:
marriage of convenience, grumpy/sunshine, duke x housemaid, he falls first, murder mystery, fae
July 31, 2025
I had such a fun time beta reading this novella when it was introduced in Midsummer Nights Anthology released limitedly last year. Lisette Marshall is one of the very few authors I’ve found that can make a novella feel like you’re reading a full sized novel because the story is so fleshed out. Hence she is one of my autobuy authors, absolutely obsessed with her writing.
Reading this again, I fell in love with this plot whole heartedly. As usual with Lisette's writing, the banter is top tier. I absolutely loved the back and forth between the two characters and definitely gave me grumpy/sunshine vibes. I had quite a few laugh out loud moments. THE PLOT IS SOOOOO GOOD. I was obsessed with the romance given our MC. Othrys gave me such stoic, cold and utterly gorgeous. Nellie (our FMC) being Nellie, slowly peels away the layers this fae has built around himself. But with all due respect, who can blame him?! 6 wives he's buried, he needs to keep Nellie at arms length (emotionally) to prevent her being #7. There’s also the mystery aspect to the plot and the stakes are definitely high (our girl was told she'd die LOL). The reveal of the mystery was definitely a surprise to me, I didn't know how it was going to play out and it was not what I imagined. Highly recommend this book!
✨Tropes✨
⭐️ Marriage of Convenience
🌙 He Falls First
💫 Grumpy x Sunshine
⭐️ Bluebeard Retelling
🌙 Deadly Fae Curses
💫 Duke x Housemaid
Reading this again, I fell in love with this plot whole heartedly. As usual with Lisette's writing, the banter is top tier. I absolutely loved the back and forth between the two characters and definitely gave me grumpy/sunshine vibes. I had quite a few laugh out loud moments. THE PLOT IS SOOOOO GOOD. I was obsessed with the romance given our MC. Othrys gave me such stoic, cold and utterly gorgeous. Nellie (our FMC) being Nellie, slowly peels away the layers this fae has built around himself. But with all due respect, who can blame him?! 6 wives he's buried, he needs to keep Nellie at arms length (emotionally) to prevent her being #7. There’s also the mystery aspect to the plot and the stakes are definitely high (our girl was told she'd die LOL). The reveal of the mystery was definitely a surprise to me, I didn't know how it was going to play out and it was not what I imagined. Highly recommend this book!
✨Tropes✨
⭐️ Marriage of Convenience
🌙 He Falls First
💫 Grumpy x Sunshine
⭐️ Bluebeard Retelling
🌙 Deadly Fae Curses
💫 Duke x Housemaid
August 15, 2025
It’s no secret that Lisette is one of my favourite authors. I’m obsessed with each and every book of hers I’ve read. And Bride of the Fae Duke is no different.
“You have saved me, freed me, and utterly bewitched me.”
Bride of the Fae Duke is a novella in the Wayfarer Fae series and can be read as a complete standalone. For me this was the perfect way to be introduced to the Wayfarer series, and I can’t wait to read more.
✨Six wives. Six deaths. Can a humble housemaid break the curse?✨
The half-fae Duke of Locke is cursed to never find love… or so everyone says. But Nellie Finch does not believe in magic. As far as she’s concerned, that leaves only one explanation for the death of His Grace’s last six he killed them himself.
It is therefore unpleasant surprise when, out of nowhere, the duke proposes to her. Marrying this cold and unpleasant nobleman is the last thing Nellie wants. But his money can save her little sister, and Locke is damnably convincing about the arrangement.
Bride of the Fae Duke was a fast paced and entertaining read, filled with curses, mysteries, tension and of course a little bit of spice.
“Have you considered… that the heartache won’t fade as long as you don’t let anything else in?”
✨Bluebird retelling
✨Marriage of convenience
✨Grumpy x sunshine
✨Brooding MMC
✨Deadly curse
✨Duke x housemaid
“He didn’t want to love and cherish her, this little sunray in human flesh before him. He just wanted to bask in her warmth.”
“You have saved me, freed me, and utterly bewitched me.”
Bride of the Fae Duke is a novella in the Wayfarer Fae series and can be read as a complete standalone. For me this was the perfect way to be introduced to the Wayfarer series, and I can’t wait to read more.
✨Six wives. Six deaths. Can a humble housemaid break the curse?✨
The half-fae Duke of Locke is cursed to never find love… or so everyone says. But Nellie Finch does not believe in magic. As far as she’s concerned, that leaves only one explanation for the death of His Grace’s last six he killed them himself.
It is therefore unpleasant surprise when, out of nowhere, the duke proposes to her. Marrying this cold and unpleasant nobleman is the last thing Nellie wants. But his money can save her little sister, and Locke is damnably convincing about the arrangement.
Bride of the Fae Duke was a fast paced and entertaining read, filled with curses, mysteries, tension and of course a little bit of spice.
“Have you considered… that the heartache won’t fade as long as you don’t let anything else in?”
✨Bluebird retelling
✨Marriage of convenience
✨Grumpy x sunshine
✨Brooding MMC
✨Deadly curse
✨Duke x housemaid
“He didn’t want to love and cherish her, this little sunray in human flesh before him. He just wanted to bask in her warmth.”
October 8, 2025
First of all, one must understand this story is a novella. Comparing it to a full length novel for character development or plot isn't strictly fair. So while I would have liked more, that isn't what the story was trying to do.
I liked the main leads, and what character development the story has time for is solid. The story moves along at a steady pace, without generally feeling too rushed. I like the how the author solved the 'curse'; it pays respect to the Bluebeard story without following the plot of it exactly. I do wish the ending had more time to breathe.
A good thing about novellas is they give you a taste for the author's writing style, and I did like this author's style. I will be reading more from them.
My main 'complaint' of this novella is that... it's a novella. I would have liked to live more in this world and with these characters, seen more of the romance between Nellie and Othrys (not the bedroom 'romance', but the development of feelings), and it would have been good to see the relationship between Anne and Nellie/Othrys. I love character exploration, and while we do get some of it, I'm greedy. Again, for the length it is, it is hard to include more than what is included.
I enjoyed the story, so I recommend it particularly if you have kindle unlimited or if it happens to go on sale or if you can get a copy from your library. If you have a more flexible book budget than I do, I'd say its worth the 4-ish dollars its currently priced at.
I liked the main leads, and what character development the story has time for is solid. The story moves along at a steady pace, without generally feeling too rushed. I like the how the author solved the 'curse'; it pays respect to the Bluebeard story without following the plot of it exactly. I do wish the ending had more time to breathe.
A good thing about novellas is they give you a taste for the author's writing style, and I did like this author's style. I will be reading more from them.
My main 'complaint' of this novella is that... it's a novella. I would have liked to live more in this world and with these characters, seen more of the romance between Nellie and Othrys (not the bedroom 'romance', but the development of feelings), and it would have been good to see the relationship between Anne and Nellie/Othrys. I love character exploration, and while we do get some of it, I'm greedy. Again, for the length it is, it is hard to include more than what is included.
I enjoyed the story, so I recommend it particularly if you have kindle unlimited or if it happens to go on sale or if you can get a copy from your library. If you have a more flexible book budget than I do, I'd say its worth the 4-ish dollars its currently priced at.
July 3, 2025
⭐ A Story That Delivers Emotion, Depth, and Sizzle ⭐
When Lisette writes, you know you're in for a treat—and this book doesn’t disappoint. From the very first page, you're swept into a world rich with emotion, beautifully flawed characters, and irresistible tension.
Nellie is practical, sharp-witted, loyal to the core, and refreshingly sassy. Her hesitation to trust makes her journey all the more compelling, especially when faced with the mysterious and tormented Othrys. He’s brooding, gorgeous, driven by duty, and haunted by tragedy—but there's a quiet vulnerability behind his cold exterior that makes him impossible to ignore.
Their dynamic is electric: passionate, funny, and aching with emotion. They push and pull, drawn to each other but fighting against it, creating a romance that burns slowly and brightly. The banter between them feels real, the emotional beats hit hard, and their chemistry practically leaps off the page.
Lisette’s world-building is intricate and immersive—it pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the very last sentence. Needless to say I was not ready for it to end. If you're a fan of emotionally complex characters wrapped in a gorgeously crafted setting, this book should be on your list.
When Lisette writes, you know you're in for a treat—and this book doesn’t disappoint. From the very first page, you're swept into a world rich with emotion, beautifully flawed characters, and irresistible tension.
Nellie is practical, sharp-witted, loyal to the core, and refreshingly sassy. Her hesitation to trust makes her journey all the more compelling, especially when faced with the mysterious and tormented Othrys. He’s brooding, gorgeous, driven by duty, and haunted by tragedy—but there's a quiet vulnerability behind his cold exterior that makes him impossible to ignore.
Their dynamic is electric: passionate, funny, and aching with emotion. They push and pull, drawn to each other but fighting against it, creating a romance that burns slowly and brightly. The banter between them feels real, the emotional beats hit hard, and their chemistry practically leaps off the page.
Lisette’s world-building is intricate and immersive—it pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the very last sentence. Needless to say I was not ready for it to end. If you're a fan of emotionally complex characters wrapped in a gorgeously crafted setting, this book should be on your list.
July 9, 2025
What a charmingly dark little fairytale retelling that feels so unique from the original.
Nellie Finch is a housemaid and her primary goal is to protect her younger sister. When the reclusive, blue-haired, half-fae Duke of Locke proposes to her out of nowhere, Nellie is... mostly confused. But the money could keep her sister comfortable, and the duke swears all he needs is an heir, not a love match.
This book shines in the novella format because it knows how to pace the tension, both romantic and mystery. The spicy chemistry between Nellie and Locke is delicious. And yeah, the spice is solid. Very solid.
That said, it is a novella, which means there’s less time to dig deep into the characters. But it delivers a fast-paced, steamy, fantasy romance with gothic vibes. It's a fun, quick read and I had a great time!
If you’re in the mood for a fairytale retelling that’s heavy on mood and mystery, this is a delightful pick. A murder mystery with kissing. Great vibes, great spice, and enough intrigue to make me turn the pages. What a great time!
Thanks so much to Behind the Pages and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Nellie Finch is a housemaid and her primary goal is to protect her younger sister. When the reclusive, blue-haired, half-fae Duke of Locke proposes to her out of nowhere, Nellie is... mostly confused. But the money could keep her sister comfortable, and the duke swears all he needs is an heir, not a love match.
This book shines in the novella format because it knows how to pace the tension, both romantic and mystery. The spicy chemistry between Nellie and Locke is delicious. And yeah, the spice is solid. Very solid.
That said, it is a novella, which means there’s less time to dig deep into the characters. But it delivers a fast-paced, steamy, fantasy romance with gothic vibes. It's a fun, quick read and I had a great time!
If you’re in the mood for a fairytale retelling that’s heavy on mood and mystery, this is a delightful pick. A murder mystery with kissing. Great vibes, great spice, and enough intrigue to make me turn the pages. What a great time!
Thanks so much to Behind the Pages and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
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