I’ve been rejected by my mate and banished from the fae realm. But nothing will keep me from my princes…. And nothing will keep them from me.
I was living the most ordinary life… until I found myself in the fae realm, imprisoned in an enchanted castle by four princes who turn into deadly beasts at night. As I grew to understand them and their world, I couldn’t stop myself from falling for them. But living in a fairy tale isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Especially when Keldarion, the prince I know to be my fated mate, forces me back to the human realm. I don’t know what he’s hiding, but I’ll do everything I can to get back to him and my other beasts.
And I have to hurry, because my princes need me. When Ezryn, Dayton, and Farron discover Keldarion lied to them about my disappearance, fur will fly. And we have to be united to face the coming challenges. A frost has fallen over the Autumn Realm and the blame is placed on Keldarion. Farron, the High Prince of Autumn, has been accused as a conspirator and lost all control of his lands and people. Unless the four High Princes can stop the terrible winter and prove Keldarion is not to blame, open war will tear across the Enchanted Vale. Throw in a wicked bargain with the Prince of Thorns (who won’t stop talking in my head), my jerky ex-fiancé who doesn’t understand the word ‘no’, and the terrible curse that gets worse each day… Yeah, we’ve got problems. Not to mention that every day that passes, I’m losing more of my heart to each of the princes, despite the fact I know it only puts me in danger.
Now, more than ever, I will need to find my courage and help Farron, the High Prince of Autumn, stop this war. And I will be right by his side… as long as he doesn’t kill me first.
WOVEN BY GOLD is the second book in a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling multi-book series set in a fantasy fae realm. In this version, our beautiful bookworm doesn't have to choose between the four sexy fae princes. It is a full-length novel that ends on a cliffhanger. It includes MF, MM, and MMFMM content. It is intended for mature readers only.
Elizabeth Helen is the combined pen name of sister writing duo, Elizabeth and Helen. Elizabeth and Helen write fantasy romance and love creating enchanting adventures for their characters. When they’re not writing, you can find them snuggling their cats, exploring their rainforest home in British Columbia, Canada, or rolling the dice for a game of Dungeons & Dragons. You can connect with them on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.
Buckle up because I have thoughts! (sorry this is kind of all over the place but I gotta get this all down).
I was pretty set on giving this book a 3 star rating until the last 20%, which is when the book finally got really good and exciting. It wasn't as good as book 1 because in a way, it just dragged out the same story as book 1 a lot, but it did get good at the end. I liked the side characters. I liked the scenes in the Below. I loved when the princes went feral over Lucas's scar/abuse. I loved Lucas's demise (he better stay dead--let's not keep reanimating old villains over and over again).
That said, to be honest, this book is one giant case of really frustrating blue balls. Starting with the spice--there is a lot of smut, but there are only so many times I can read about the same characters going to second and third base or being interrupted before things escalate. I felt like I could really tell that there were 2 authors writing this book because there was a fair amount of repetition and this book was LONG. It felt like there were repeated scenes (obviously they were slightly different, but looking at it high-level, they had similar intentions and results), which made the book seem like it was going on forever.
Similar to how I felt while reading book 1, I remain annoyed that none of the characters even consider that they could be Rosalina's mate (except the winter prince) for the majority of the book. The whole storyline of her trying to help them find their mates to break their curses was just old because that was the entire book 1. They're all so obsessed with her and were so depressed when she was away back in the human realm, so why is no one considering this? Even when she finally discovers she has 2 mates, none of them are shocked that she has 2 mates (which is apparently rare) and none of them even think that they could also be hers. Based off of this book, it seems like the author is planning to reveal 1 new mate in each book of the series, but given that this book was 500+ pages, I'm not sure I have the energy to keep reading in circles like this. It really was driving me crazy.
I thought Rosalina was a little pathetic in this book. Rosalina got kicked out of the fae realm by the winter prince, but then forces her way back to them, and then is rejected like 9 times in this book, and yet, she keeps simping for the princes and trying to seduce them. Like girl, have some self respect. Go make them jealous or something. This book really weakened Rosalina as a character, which was unfortunate. Kel has repeatedly told her no, and she is just not getting the memo. I get that the mate bond draws them together and he clearly has other reasons for rejecting her, but it's just cringey to read her begging him to kiss her over and over again.
Additionally, for the first 65% of this book, I felt more chemistry, longing, and love between the male relationships than with the relationships with Rosalina. This is the danger of including existing MM couples in a reverse harem. There were times where I was just rooting for 3 separate relationships: Farron & Dayton, Kel & Caspian, and Rosalina & Ezryn to end up together. Kel stares at Caspian and agonizes over the past betrayal (which Rosalina STILL doesn't know about) more than anything, and Farron is a mess when it comes to his love for Dayton.
I also could have used a reminder for some of the world-building in this book. I really can't remember how people know if they are mates or not. Like, when does the mating bond appear/what prompts it? I forget how Kel and Rosalina know/found out that they're mates. Is it just when one of them has to save the other in a life-or-death situation?
Princess Niamh was a good addition, however, she was so inconsistent that she gave me whiplash. One second she would be arresting the princes/her son, then she would be lovingly chatting with them and celebrating with them, then she'd arrest them again, and then she'd forgive them just because Farron was like, "I'm the Prince and I am not longer a coward." Her attitude towards the princes changed too abruptly that it read weirdly.
Finally, it annoyed me that Rosalina is described as a normal human the whole time by characters/herself when she very clearly has displayed that she has powers multiple times (even before the big reveal at the end after the battle). Is no one interested in the fact that someone who is a "human" keeps using magical powers? Do most humans have strong magical powers that come out when they have heightened emotions? Their lack of commentary and silence on this matter was very loud.
In the next book, I am hoping that the characters learn more answers and aren't so stupid. It feels like there are so many things that we, as the readers, have known since early in book 1, but the characters are naive about and still haven't discovered (2 books/hundreds of pages later!). We keep having to watch the characters be stupid, and it's fucking frustrating. Once again, most of the princes don't know that Rosalina is their mate. They still don't know who Rosalina is or who her mother is (and it's pretty obvious to readers that Rosalina's mother is the missing Queen). Rosalina STILL doesn't know that Kel and Caspian used to be romantically involved (having to listen to Rosalina's internal monologue wondering about Kel's past lover is just painful at this point). It also drove me crazy that none of them recognized the vizier was evil for most of this book. Like, the vizier has been acting suspicious since book 1, and Rosalina even thought about how sketchy he is multiple times, but then they're like, "oh well Kel trusts him so I should too!" The vizier's betrayal kind of lost the surprise factor when every single reader has known he's a villain since day 1. I wish one thing would surprise me in this book, but I feel like I'm way ahead of the characters while I wait for the characters to catch up with what's going on. It's frustrating to read and kept making me put down this book.
Anyways, I know I'm ranting about some things, but I did enjoy this book overall, mostly because of the ending. There are obviously a few things that I hope will be improved moving forward, but I like the storyline, the characters, and the world. The writing is good too, for the most part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
We're Elizabeth Helen (the combined pen name of sisters Elizabeth and Helen!)
We knew when we started the Beasts of the Briar series that Book 2 and beyond would focus on the realms and a specific prince! Woven by Gold is Farron's book. 🍂🍁 We added lots of fun tropes and spicy moments, but also wanted to look at the questions: "What does it look like to have courage?" and "What different forms can bravery take?"
We're very proud of this book and the journey Rosie and her princes go on! We hope you enjoy your second visit to the Enchanted Vale and have fun exploring the Autumn realmlands!
Here's what to expect:
Lots of cozy autumn vibes
A cinnamon roll prince who turns into a monster
Rosalina finding her courage
Will-o'-wisps
"Who did this to you?"
Some more enchanted hot springs with the Summer Prince
Tin Man struggling to express his feelings
Wicked bargains with the Prince of Thorns and an invitation to his birthday party
And a big dose of epic fantasy, magic, battles, and betrayal!
🍂🍁
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoy Woven by Gold!
If you want to connect with us, make sure to check us out on Instagram where we post extra information about the characters and behind-the-scenes info!
The audacity of Elizabeth and Helen to write such insanely good books. I liked this one more than the first, and I fucking ADORED Bonded by Thorns.
WHY I STAN SO HARD: this story is based in the Autumn Realm, and it’s the most ridiculously amazing combination of Sarah J. Maas level action and romance, Lord of the Rings epic fantasy energy, laugh out loud humour, and the hottest array of BookTok smut to ever dare smut.
Woven by Gold is a spicy BookTok, fantasy romance girly DREAM. It had:
🔥 A fantastic fantasy storyline, with the final third so full of plot twists and ‘all hope is lost’ moments that I was an honest-to-god anxious mess
🔥 Beautiful character development and growth, and
🔥 The most ridiculous, hottest, why-choose array of spice. Each prince has their own shminky energy, and I can’t breathe (ps. there is also a group activity scene this time, if you know what I mean, and I think you do)
5 million ⭐️ 4🌶️
Thank you for the ARC, Elizabeth and Helen, you are queens and we do not deserve you.
“You’ll always be perfect to me.” “Then stop these tears. If I died for you, it would be the greatest glory of my worthless life.”
words can’t describe how much i adore these characters, i seriously love them all but i have a soft spot for Dayton and Farron. this being Farron’s book makes a lot of sense as to how easily it turned out to be a five star for me.. i literally have 58 highlights. Farron viewed himself as someone not worthy of being the prince of Autumn, but throughout the story he really showed his strength— even if it was a bit different than all the other characters. Rosalina truly brings out the best in all of them and is this shining light, she makes mistakes but doesn’t let that deter her in any way. i love every single romance dynamic in this series, I’m happy to see Ezryn and Caspian getting more page time.
“In return, vow to me you will never forget this moment. Who we are now. When you loved me. And when I fucking loved you.”
the action scenes played like a movie in my head, that whole section with Caspian’s goblins and the way Dayton and Ezryn held their ground? i’m obsessed with them, leave me alone. i still want to throw Kel out the window sometimes, but i’m so curious why he keeps holding off and i have several theories about what happened between him and Caspian. Farron’s brothers ended up being fun additions to the story and it was so cute how everyone sort of bonded with Rosalina’s dad. Farron and Rosalina have this connection that always felt so special, in a way that was completely different than her connections to the other mmc’s. i could go on forever about all the little moments that had me going off the rails, there’s just something about this series that i cannot get enough of.. i had to savor it all.
more quotes ——
🍂 “Princess, you need not tarnish your soul to know justice has been served. Lay that burden upon my shoulders. Let me be your darkness.”
🍂 “Sometimes, I hate her. The girl I was. Sometimes, I’m worried she’s all I’ll ever be.”
🍂 “You are a work of art. I’ll try not to tarnish you.”
🍂 “You came.” Farron stands before me, a flat expression on his face. I grip him around the back of his neck. “As long as I draw breath, I will fight for you.”
🍂 “These are not sad scars,” she says. “These are marks of your devotion, of your bravery and unyielding courage.”
🍂 “She and I. Woven together for eternity.”
🍂 “The fires of your heart cannot burn me, Farron. I have felt their warmth, and I would have them engulf me.”
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is peculiar. I loved it, loved the characters and the story, but there was also something that put me off.
😍 Let´s start with the what I enjoyed. I was already invested from book one, so I don´t know if it´s because of that but I couldn´t put this one down. The plot was really nice. We just embarked on a journey of the four realms and I can´t wait to read more. The pace was quick and it hooked me from the first chapters. The four princes were amazing. Their personality really improved in this second book. The reader understands them much more, also thanks to many more POV from them. Usually when I read why choose romances -even if I don´t want to- I have a preference in between the love interests. Well not here. Here every price brings something to the mix and I, like Rosalina, would never be able to choose. Farron is sweet, Dayton is fierce, Ez is the protector, and Kel is…. Complicated. And what about Caspian? Caspian is the addition I didn´t expect but defenately need. Also the bad guys - even if expected - were really good and the final glimps we have lays out the story perfectly for the next book.
😫What I didn´t particularly like: In this book the reader knows much much more than the characters themselves. We can sense Rosalina´s past, Kel and Cas story, Dayton´s fear, the general relationship that is obviously in between the Princes and Rose. Yet the characters are clueless. I understand Kel doesn´t want Rosalina to know his past with Caspian, but how can´t she see it for herself? How is it possible that Ezryn and Dayton don´t suspect who their mate is, after what happens in between Rose and Far????? CASPIAN, come on people wake uuuuupppp???? As a reader I enjoy when I discover the plot WITH the characters. I don´t want them clueless for all the book.
These critiques don´t change the result. The story is a splendid retelling, I am obsessed and I NEED book 3, like NOW. (Hopefully someone will understand something.)
This is a tricky one for me. I enjoy the world and most of the plot lines. But my goodness, the authors really drag it out.
Plus Ez and Day are my favourite characters and I hope they get more of the spotlight come the third book. And don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, otherwise I wouldn't have finished it. But it just had one too many issues for me to consider it top tier.
It just, really wasn't as good as the first, I actually felt a little let down. Now let's break it down 👇
1. Do we really need anymore hints that the lost queen is Rosalinas mother?
2. I found the dialogue to be quite cringey... 🤷♀️
3. When Lucas breaks her necklace in the beginning of the book, could we not have him stumble in and break it during her connection to Ezryn? Having them rescue her immediately sensing she was in danger would've given a bigger boost of serotonin.
4. The constant start and stop of her with EACH prince discovering the mating bond is painful. Like once or twice fine, but I lost count at how many times it didn't happen.
5. Speaking of the mating bond, why bother with the Will-o'-the-wisp if it didn't confirm anything? It felt pointless to later discover Farron was her mate despite it not showing up earlier... I hope that is fleshed out more in the next book.
6. Finally, this is the biggest let down of all... I don't like Rosalina. At all. The constant second hand embarrassment I felt with her chasing after Kel despite constant rejection. Plus the rejection from the other princes. Kissing and telling on Ez making him uncomfortable, I just wasn't rooting for her. I personally like a leading female character with self respect for herself. Yes I appreciate her journey to learning to be strong because of Lucas but why does she have to be so whiny and relentless in throwing herself at someone who doesn't want her? Mate bond or not, I just want her to have more self respect for herself. Let him come to her...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf’ed at pg 100ish. if i could give 0 stars i would. this was the most god awful thing i have ever made my eyeballs consume. the first book was bad, yes, but this was intolerable. the most weird and misogynistic shit ever. it was beyond cringey, the writing elementary or like some fanfic written by a middle schooler. i will never finish this or read another word by this author.
This was entirely too long. Very repetitive, very obvious plot twist that were dragged out for 500 pages. I love a slow burn, but this series is constantly talking about sex with NOTHING happening. Rosalina is just constantly oblivious to the obvious and talking about how hot the princes are, yet 800 pages into the series the only people who have slept together are two of the MMCs. So many plot points seem to be leading to nothing as more half-baked plot lines keep popping up. I won’t be coming back for book 3.
I can’t finish this series, it got so boring and predictable….and they’re always having sex at the most inopportune times? Like your brothers are about to be legit executed, but sure lets get naked
I have never posted a review before but you ever just angry read? Like out of spite that a book can’t actually be that bad so you keep reading assuming it’ll turn around. Yeah that’s what I did with these books. I have no idea how they’ve gotten such high ratings. This is the most basic rip off of so many differently fantasy shows/books, which isn’t always bad but this was put together with no real thought. Just hops around wherever it feels, drags outs pointless plots for no reason. Rosalina is the most annoying mc I’ve come across and Dayton and Faron are basic asf. This whole series is basic asf with poor writing and I’m upset I wasted time reading.
Can I just say I giggled, gasped, jumped out of my seat, and even had the air ripped from my lungs? This series, while quite the tease, is addicting. I devoured this second book just as I did the first. I love the not quite predictable depth of the story, as someone who can usually pick a plot apart in minutes, this story keeps me on my toes. I honestly can not wait to watch the rest of this story unfold, it's quickly becoming a favorite. These authors knock it out of the part with their character development and story building and you just can't help by fall in love, I suppose that's the advantage of great minds working together.
And now we wait for book 3!
P.S. don't read this book in the hospital, the heart monitor will snitch on you.
I almost dnf’d this book. I think it definitely needs more editing and someone to help them blend their writing better because I could really tell the difference between the sisters’ writing. I think rosie was annoying and honestly pathetic. Maybe this series just isn’t for me but i don’t really understand the hype. Kel was just mean, but i also was not a big fan of rosie shoving his hand up her dress while he was intoxicated despite the fact he expressed over and over not wanting to do anything with her. It felt like a weird “I’m entitled to you” attitude. Overall, i think a lot of work needed to be done before publishing.
Almost DNF multiple times throughout this book. Feels like it was a terribly written fan fiction. It’s easy for the reader from the first book to guess all the ‘secrets’. Like how all the princes are probably Rosalina’s mate. And that the Queen of the Fae is probably Rosalina’s long lost mother.
I am unimpressed by this series. There’s no depth to the characters and hard to root for them. Easy to tell that this was written by two different people. Would not recommend or waste my time on this again.
3.5 stars. A solid second book. I liked that this one didn't try to replicate the Beauty and the Beast lines and worked to build the world more. Roselina's and Farron's growth were excellent and I appreciated seeing them grapple with past insecurities and realizing that they might never fully go away. The development of the relationships between Roselina and the others moved a decent pace too.
I am little tired with the push/pull for Rosalina and Keldarion though. Two books of intense sexual tension and then Kel pulling back by being a jerk for his determination to protect Rosalina from Caspian is starting to grate. At this point, we should really have more of an idea what the bargain actually entails. Especially since there are so many things that seem like obvious foreshadowing that keep getting dropped in. At this point, it seems pretty certain that Rosalina's mother is the lost queen and all five princes are her mates. I suspect we are also going to see one curse broken per book, so it could be a long time to drag out the details on the Kel/Caspian bargain/history. I hope that isn't the case.
So, was it perfect? No. Will I be reading this next book. Absolutely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The amazing Elizabeth and Helen writing duo does it again. 'Woven By Gold' was the perfect follow up in the Beasts of the Briar series. So excited we got to see more of the enchanted vale in this book as Rose's world opens up. I am leaving book two with way more questions and so much more anticipation for where Rose and her beasts will end up in the next.
Not my favourite In the series probably because it's farrons book and he's my least fav (sorry he's too nice). But I feel like we started to see sprinkles of a real plot in this. And I really started to love the men. So better then book one.
(I am writing this having already continued the series and they only get better)
i enjoyed book 1 a decent amount, but i just didn’t enjoy this one as much. it was wayyyy too long and so so repetitive. i got bored about halfway through and just tried to preserve to finish it. these characters are so exhausting because they literally haven’t figured out the obvious 🙄. the pacing was just so slow, especially compared to the first book and i felt like so many of the scenes were unnecessary and purely there as filler. these men are so back and forth and hot and cold. at first, it was interesting because it was sort of teasing to us readers. but it very quickly became annoying when NOTHING would happen between the men and rosalina. overall, i just didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one, but i’ll probably still try to read the third one when it releases.
am i saying this is a literary masterpiece? no. did i enjoy it though? yes! sticking to my true nature of rating purely based on vibes and my own personal enjoyment while reading.
it’s a little more smutty than what i like in a book, but getting lost in this world is so much fun. i really love the characters and the plot is decent. i see the flaws but i just really don’t care. i read this with the expectation of having a good time and that’s exactly what i got! i just wish a couple of the plot points weren’t being so dragged out.
Better (and spicier) than the first book but a little longer than it needed to be.
Recommendation: Book 1 focused mostly on introducing the characters and world. It worked well and I liked it a lot. Book 2, however, is where the story truly arrives and I love where it's headed.
Thoughts: • This book focuses on the Autumn realm. I’m curious if each book will focus on a different realm and that will be the book the mate bond awakes for the prince that rules it? • I’m certain Rosalina is meant to be mated to all four princes she lives with. Probably Caspian too. • Rosalina is definitely the daughter of the missing fae Queen.
Characters: Rosalina O’Connell: Rosalina is very beautiful, and she is very kind. She always wants to see the best in others. That makes for an easy to like FMC, but it doesn’t compensate for the fact that Rosalina could stand to have more personality. She is whatever others need her to be in the moment. I want more for her than that.
Lucas Poussin: If he isn't already a serial killer, he's well on his way to being one.
Keldarion, Prince of Winter: Why is no one is pushing Kel harder for answers on (1) why he sent Rosalina away, (2) why he refuses to accept the mating bond, and (3) what happened between him and Caspian? It just gets avoided like it's not crucial to everything happening. I believe he has good reason for not accepting the mating bond, but why does he insist on keeping everyone in the dark as to why?
Ezryn, Prince of Spring: Since Ezryn isn’t around as much as the other princes and tends to be quiet when he is, I haven't felt as drawn to his character. However, his act of healing Rosalina’s scars and his more romantic moments with her made a big impact, and I’m now eager to see how his story unfolds.
Dayton, Prince of Summer: After Caspian, Dayton is my favorite prince. In this book, he reveals a vulnerability and world-weariness that weren’t as evident in the first. His feelings for Farron and Rosalina are undeniably real, no longer something he can brush off as mere fun. There’s so much more to him beneath the surface.
Farron, Prince of Autumn: He's deeply ashamed of the cowardly choices that led to his curse, and honestly, I don’t blame him—he was pretty cowardly, and some guilt is warranted. However, by the end of the book, he seems more self-assured and assertive, and I’m excited to see what this new version of Farron will do next.
Caspian, Prince of Thorns: He’s definitely Rosalina’s mate. I’m convinced he was Kel’s great love. He might also by my great love.
Book Details: Genres: Fantasy, Romance, New Adult Narration Type: 1st Person Multi-POV (Rosalina, Keldarion, Ezryn, Dayton, Farron) Steam:3/5 Literary Tropes: Age Gap, Alpha Hero, Cliffhanger Ending, Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Retelling, Reverse Harem Reading Age: 18+ Trigger warnings: Abuse, Death
Plot Summary: FULL SPOILERS - for a refresher before heading into the next book...😉
Other Reviews in Series: Book One - Review Book Two - Review Book Three - Review Book Four - Review