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Where the Waves Meet the Stars
The first instalment of the series, Where the Waves Meet the Stars, is a spellbinding blend of mystery, emotional yearning, and spicy romance, set in an atmospheric fantasy world that perfectly balances cosy, whimsical charm with darker realms and lurking demons.
Every monster has a story...
Witches run free in the forest, bound not by laws, but by the rhythm of nature's cycles. They are untamed, not broken by the order of men, but thriving beyond it— peaceful, feral things of the wild. And that is what makes them dangerous to those who seek to control.
In a world steeped in prejudice against witches, Briar has learned that the only way to thrive beyond the forest is to hide who she truly is, to bury her magic and her past even deeper.
Now, after clawing her way through glittering courts and gilded lies, she stands on the edge of her happily ever after with a mundane human lord.
Until a mysterious letter arrives.
A name inked in stars. A whisper from a world she swore she'd left behind— a dark fae who vanished without a trace ten years ago. A ghost Briar never expected to haunt her again.
Should she open it, this letter that could unravel everything? She shouldn't.
But some secrets refuse to stay buried. And the deeper Briar is pulled into a world of magic, demons, and dragons, the more she realises her past isn't done with her, not yet.
Because 'happily ever after' was always a fragile illusion. And freedom?
It may only come when she dares to embrace who she truly is— even the parts of herself still hidden in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
But be careful what you ignite in the darkness.
Every monster has a story...
Witches run free in the forest, bound not by laws, but by the rhythm of nature's cycles. They are untamed, not broken by the order of men, but thriving beyond it— peaceful, feral things of the wild. And that is what makes them dangerous to those who seek to control.
In a world steeped in prejudice against witches, Briar has learned that the only way to thrive beyond the forest is to hide who she truly is, to bury her magic and her past even deeper.
Now, after clawing her way through glittering courts and gilded lies, she stands on the edge of her happily ever after with a mundane human lord.
Until a mysterious letter arrives.
A name inked in stars. A whisper from a world she swore she'd left behind— a dark fae who vanished without a trace ten years ago. A ghost Briar never expected to haunt her again.
Should she open it, this letter that could unravel everything? She shouldn't.
But some secrets refuse to stay buried. And the deeper Briar is pulled into a world of magic, demons, and dragons, the more she realises her past isn't done with her, not yet.
Because 'happily ever after' was always a fragile illusion. And freedom?
It may only come when she dares to embrace who she truly is— even the parts of herself still hidden in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
But be careful what you ignite in the darkness.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2025
6 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Rachael Hunter
2 books6 followersHi, I'm Rachael Hunter, an author and book dragon.
I love fantasy romance infused with mystery, witchy traditions, dark folklore, and monsters, as well as cosy books that offer an escape to whimsical worlds, and poetic writing that blurs the line between emotions and enchantment.
I'm married with children, a tea addict, and a self-confessed crazy cat lady.
I'm happiest exploring the outdoors and being in nature, especially in the ocean or wandering in the forest.
I've always loved creative writing, and more recently, it has become a form of therapy for me - an outlet that has evolved into a passion and a path to sharing my stories with readers like you.
Thank you for joining me on this magical journey.
To follow on Instagram or TikTok: @rachaelhunterbooks
I love fantasy romance infused with mystery, witchy traditions, dark folklore, and monsters, as well as cosy books that offer an escape to whimsical worlds, and poetic writing that blurs the line between emotions and enchantment.
I'm married with children, a tea addict, and a self-confessed crazy cat lady.
I'm happiest exploring the outdoors and being in nature, especially in the ocean or wandering in the forest.
I've always loved creative writing, and more recently, it has become a form of therapy for me - an outlet that has evolved into a passion and a path to sharing my stories with readers like you.
Thank you for joining me on this magical journey.
To follow on Instagram or TikTok: @rachaelhunterbooks
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 4, 2025
4.5 🌟
A thoroughly enjoyable and very readable romantasy. Despite being 400 pages I devoured it in a couple of days; and I’m a slow reader.
I really liked the characters in this story, especially Hugh, Nilan, Aurora, Orion and of course Briar. The world building was gentle but vivid, and I loved Briar’s safe space in particular. It felt warm, rooted and special - a perfect autumnal read.
There were moments when I found myself a little frustrated with Briar, mostly when she seemed wrapped up in her love life at times when there were clearly bigger issues unfolding around her. It did suit her character, but I occasionally wished she would lift her head and take in the wider picture.
That said, I am very much looking forward to the second book. I’d love to see some deeper back story for a few of the antagonist characters, as there is clearly more beneath the surface waiting to be explored.
This was the first book I have picked up by an independent author in a while, and it has definitely encouraged me to seek out more indie writers.
A thoroughly enjoyable and very readable romantasy. Despite being 400 pages I devoured it in a couple of days; and I’m a slow reader.
I really liked the characters in this story, especially Hugh, Nilan, Aurora, Orion and of course Briar. The world building was gentle but vivid, and I loved Briar’s safe space in particular. It felt warm, rooted and special - a perfect autumnal read.
There were moments when I found myself a little frustrated with Briar, mostly when she seemed wrapped up in her love life at times when there were clearly bigger issues unfolding around her. It did suit her character, but I occasionally wished she would lift her head and take in the wider picture.
That said, I am very much looking forward to the second book. I’d love to see some deeper back story for a few of the antagonist characters, as there is clearly more beneath the surface waiting to be explored.
This was the first book I have picked up by an independent author in a while, and it has definitely encouraged me to seek out more indie writers.
September 17, 2025
This was an ARC given to me by the author but all opinions are my own.
Book review for where the waves meet the stars by Rachael Hunter I was given this to me as an arc, but all opinions will be my own.
With this book, I really enjoyed the traditional witchy element So you had traditional witchcraft using spells herbs using the element such as fire and wind I really enjoyed the pacing of the story so we have Briar, who is a witch and witches are hunted in this place they live.
She wants to have a as much human life as possible And she has an arranged marriage to someone in a family of high social standard. In the story, we also meet Orion who is a fae, and things between Orion and Briar kind of escalate when they meet each other for the first time and she falls in love with him and it's kind of forbidden.
As things between Orion and Briar kind of escalate when they meet each other for the first time and she falls in love with him and it's kind of forbidden for which is a forbidden thing for them to be together.
So the story is following Briar and Orion and kind of what happens to Briar as the story goes on there is love that is spice. There is betrayal and we get to see the different worlds, so what the fae world is like and Orion is trying to protect Briar from this world because she has seen as just a human witch and that is not Very good in the fae world.
Orion is one of them male characters where he wants to protect her with his life, but with the relationship to Briar and Orion, she doesn't want to be protected. She just wants to be with him no matter what and like I said there's as the story goes on the. Relationship between Orion and Briar intensifies and we find out different things about Orion and Briar which really changed the story and helps increase the intensity of the pace of the story as well.
I really enjoyed Rachael’s writing, it was like whimsical and witchy and kind of descriptive and you could really tell that she was really putting it in the effort to make it like kind of the witchy vibes; knowing about different types of things that which is used for example, Palo Santo as a protective wood, knowing about different types of things that which is used for example.
I really enjoyed it but at first, I thought it was it was going to go down like the Bridgeton vibe with the whole society all arranged marriage type of vibe but it completely wasn't. It was really pushing the witchy elements in the forest which is living in the forest trying to hide away from being hunted.
It was not my usual fact like kind of romantasy but I enjoyed it. It was something different and I think it will be received very well in the booktok world especially for people who like witches and fae and that kind of relationship.
I also really enjoyed the animal companion Hugh who is a cat who is a Demon. I really enjoyed that. I love it when there's kind of animals in fantasy related books.
I would recommend and it's out on the 24th of September and thank you to Rachael for letting me have this book as an arc and I look forward to reading the next one
Book review for where the waves meet the stars by Rachael Hunter I was given this to me as an arc, but all opinions will be my own.
With this book, I really enjoyed the traditional witchy element So you had traditional witchcraft using spells herbs using the element such as fire and wind I really enjoyed the pacing of the story so we have Briar, who is a witch and witches are hunted in this place they live.
She wants to have a as much human life as possible And she has an arranged marriage to someone in a family of high social standard. In the story, we also meet Orion who is a fae, and things between Orion and Briar kind of escalate when they meet each other for the first time and she falls in love with him and it's kind of forbidden.
As things between Orion and Briar kind of escalate when they meet each other for the first time and she falls in love with him and it's kind of forbidden for which is a forbidden thing for them to be together.
So the story is following Briar and Orion and kind of what happens to Briar as the story goes on there is love that is spice. There is betrayal and we get to see the different worlds, so what the fae world is like and Orion is trying to protect Briar from this world because she has seen as just a human witch and that is not Very good in the fae world.
Orion is one of them male characters where he wants to protect her with his life, but with the relationship to Briar and Orion, she doesn't want to be protected. She just wants to be with him no matter what and like I said there's as the story goes on the. Relationship between Orion and Briar intensifies and we find out different things about Orion and Briar which really changed the story and helps increase the intensity of the pace of the story as well.
I really enjoyed Rachael’s writing, it was like whimsical and witchy and kind of descriptive and you could really tell that she was really putting it in the effort to make it like kind of the witchy vibes; knowing about different types of things that which is used for example, Palo Santo as a protective wood, knowing about different types of things that which is used for example.
I really enjoyed it but at first, I thought it was it was going to go down like the Bridgeton vibe with the whole society all arranged marriage type of vibe but it completely wasn't. It was really pushing the witchy elements in the forest which is living in the forest trying to hide away from being hunted.
It was not my usual fact like kind of romantasy but I enjoyed it. It was something different and I think it will be received very well in the booktok world especially for people who like witches and fae and that kind of relationship.
I also really enjoyed the animal companion Hugh who is a cat who is a Demon. I really enjoyed that. I love it when there's kind of animals in fantasy related books.
I would recommend and it's out on the 24th of September and thank you to Rachael for letting me have this book as an arc and I look forward to reading the next one
September 22, 2025
4.5⭐️ / 5⭐️
Where The Waves Meet The Stars is book one in a new Fantasy Romance that grips you and will have your jaw hitting the floor MULTIPLE times!
It has:
🌊Fae
✨Witches
🌊Epic World Building
✨Beautiful, Flowery, Descriptive Writing
🌊A Gripping Story
✨Multiple Plot Twists
🌊Magic
✨Mystery
🌊A Funny Demon Cat
✨Dragons
& more!
I cannot express enough how obsessed I am with this story! It’s emotional and spell binding. It’s full of intrigue and strength. The message is so powerful and beautiful. It is one of the best written books I’ve ever read.
It’s a story of friendship, love, not belonging, power, and strength.
It’s THE PERFECT BOOK to add to your Fall TBR!
If you take one book rec from me, please let it be this one!
Where The Waves Meet The Stars is book one in a new Fantasy Romance that grips you and will have your jaw hitting the floor MULTIPLE times!
It has:
🌊Fae
✨Witches
🌊Epic World Building
✨Beautiful, Flowery, Descriptive Writing
🌊A Gripping Story
✨Multiple Plot Twists
🌊Magic
✨Mystery
🌊A Funny Demon Cat
✨Dragons
& more!
I cannot express enough how obsessed I am with this story! It’s emotional and spell binding. It’s full of intrigue and strength. The message is so powerful and beautiful. It is one of the best written books I’ve ever read.
It’s a story of friendship, love, not belonging, power, and strength.
It’s THE PERFECT BOOK to add to your Fall TBR!
If you take one book rec from me, please let it be this one!
September 22, 2025
WOW that was a rollercoaster of a ride.
This book has twists and turns all over the place. Some I saw coming and done I definitely didn’t.
This book has a little bit of everything. Witches, fae, dragons, monsters, demons and more.
When I started reading this I thought it was going to be a cozy witchy story but oh how I was wrong.
Briar annoyed me at first, a witch who wants to have a ‘normal’ life engaged to a human and pretending she’s not a witch. Secretly still yearning after Orion who’s a fae that she fell in love with 10 years ago.
This book then did a 180 a throwing into the mix dark fae, monsters and a touch of spice.
Once I hit half way I couldn’t put this book down and now desperately need to know what happens next.
This book has twists and turns all over the place. Some I saw coming and done I definitely didn’t.
This book has a little bit of everything. Witches, fae, dragons, monsters, demons and more.
When I started reading this I thought it was going to be a cozy witchy story but oh how I was wrong.
Briar annoyed me at first, a witch who wants to have a ‘normal’ life engaged to a human and pretending she’s not a witch. Secretly still yearning after Orion who’s a fae that she fell in love with 10 years ago.
This book then did a 180 a throwing into the mix dark fae, monsters and a touch of spice.
Once I hit half way I couldn’t put this book down and now desperately need to know what happens next.
November 9, 2025
I throughly enjoyed this book! What a ride!
I loved both the FMC and MMC so much, all the twists kept me hanging on the edge of my seat. Hugh is one of my favourite characters he is just brilliant! Really looking forwards to the second book after that little bomb shell at the end of the book!
I loved both the FMC and MMC so much, all the twists kept me hanging on the edge of my seat. Hugh is one of my favourite characters he is just brilliant! Really looking forwards to the second book after that little bomb shell at the end of the book!
October 5, 2025
📖 Where the Waves Meet the Stars by Rachael Hunter
💭 My Thoughts
If I ever get blessed with a magical cottage-between-worlds, don’t ever expect me to leave it 😂 The cottage in this story was one of my favorite parts. It shifts and mends to your needs, gives you what you’re craving, and feels like the coziest place on earth. Even if it’s protected by Hugh, a demon who has shape-shifted into a cat. Which honestly just makes me love it more. 🐈⬛
The witchy vibes were everything. The gatherings were fun, full of life, and completely free of judgment. And with the witches living in little cottages tucked away in the forest, it gave off the best cottagecore energy ✨ Chamomile, or Cham for short was one of my favourite witches.
The world was easy to fall into too. There’s a human realm and a fae realm, and a few different character perspectives that make the story feel bigger. With witches, fae, and humans all tangled up, there’s plenty of tension and secrets to go around. But Orion and Briar are the heart of it all, and I really enjoyed following their love story.
The last quarter? Pure chaos! So many reveals and emotional hits at once. I didn’t see that ending coming at all, and now I need book two immediately 😭
🎯 Who Might Like It
Readers who love stories with warm cottagecore vibes, witchy magic, a blend of human and fae realms, and romance. Perfect for anyone craving cozy fantasy with a bit of drama and emotion. ✨
💬 Favourite Quote
“He was mine. I didn’t care if I’d just fallen back in love with darkness, as long as he loved me the way the devil loved hell.”
💭 My Thoughts
If I ever get blessed with a magical cottage-between-worlds, don’t ever expect me to leave it 😂 The cottage in this story was one of my favorite parts. It shifts and mends to your needs, gives you what you’re craving, and feels like the coziest place on earth. Even if it’s protected by Hugh, a demon who has shape-shifted into a cat. Which honestly just makes me love it more. 🐈⬛
The witchy vibes were everything. The gatherings were fun, full of life, and completely free of judgment. And with the witches living in little cottages tucked away in the forest, it gave off the best cottagecore energy ✨ Chamomile, or Cham for short was one of my favourite witches.
The world was easy to fall into too. There’s a human realm and a fae realm, and a few different character perspectives that make the story feel bigger. With witches, fae, and humans all tangled up, there’s plenty of tension and secrets to go around. But Orion and Briar are the heart of it all, and I really enjoyed following their love story.
The last quarter? Pure chaos! So many reveals and emotional hits at once. I didn’t see that ending coming at all, and now I need book two immediately 😭
🎯 Who Might Like It
Readers who love stories with warm cottagecore vibes, witchy magic, a blend of human and fae realms, and romance. Perfect for anyone craving cozy fantasy with a bit of drama and emotion. ✨
💬 Favourite Quote
“He was mine. I didn’t care if I’d just fallen back in love with darkness, as long as he loved me the way the devil loved hell.”
September 23, 2025
I feel very fortunate that I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC read. I had such high hopes from reading the blurb and tropes and truly wasn't disappointed.
There are so many levels to this book and it has been a real rollercoaster of emotions.
Through the use of multi pov and timelines you get a real feel into the background of the characters and route for those other than just the main characters. Especially Ccassiopeia's story, I could have read another book purely about her!
I loved the traditional witchy vibes of this book and then all of the other magical realms and powers amplify it! Even has a dragon shifter 😍.
This book is filled with twists, heartbreak and well thought out plot!
Briar is going to be a real character not to be messed with and I think she is done being pushed about. Sometimes she felt a little self centered but love drives us all a little crazy and if anything it helped make her more realistic and relatable.
Orion sounds incredible hot and some of the declarations he makes are just wow! With the way book 2 ends though, who knows whats going to happen!
Safe to say I'm say happy that Rachael is in the editing stage of book 2 because I cannot wait to continue this series!
Easy 4.5 ⭐
There are so many levels to this book and it has been a real rollercoaster of emotions.
Through the use of multi pov and timelines you get a real feel into the background of the characters and route for those other than just the main characters. Especially Ccassiopeia's story, I could have read another book purely about her!
I loved the traditional witchy vibes of this book and then all of the other magical realms and powers amplify it! Even has a dragon shifter 😍.
This book is filled with twists, heartbreak and well thought out plot!
Briar is going to be a real character not to be messed with and I think she is done being pushed about. Sometimes she felt a little self centered but love drives us all a little crazy and if anything it helped make her more realistic and relatable.
Orion sounds incredible hot and some of the declarations he makes are just wow! With the way book 2 ends though, who knows whats going to happen!
Safe to say I'm say happy that Rachael is in the editing stage of book 2 because I cannot wait to continue this series!
Easy 4.5 ⭐
October 6, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book, I haven’t read a fantasy book in so long where the FMC wasn’t annoying or whiny, Briar’s character is so refreshing. She is likeable, relatable and the touch of female rage towards the was just brilliant.
Rachael nailed the world building, I want to live in the cottage-between-worlds with Hugh! Hugh was a brilliant character, in fact there wasn’t a character I didn’t like, I actually didn’t think I was going to like Aurora (I thought she was going to sabotage the love story) but jeez that opinion quickly changed, everyone had their role with twists I didn’t predict until it was happening on the page.
There wasn’t the prefect amount of spice, enough to keep you entertained but not deflecting from the plot. I thought the whole story was brilliantly written. It took all the best aspects of fantasy without seeming thrown together, I loved the character POV’s and didn’t find their story’s predictable in the slightest.
Cannot wait for book two, I need more!!
Rachael nailed the world building, I want to live in the cottage-between-worlds with Hugh! Hugh was a brilliant character, in fact there wasn’t a character I didn’t like, I actually didn’t think I was going to like Aurora (I thought she was going to sabotage the love story) but jeez that opinion quickly changed, everyone had their role with twists I didn’t predict until it was happening on the page.
There wasn’t the prefect amount of spice, enough to keep you entertained but not deflecting from the plot. I thought the whole story was brilliantly written. It took all the best aspects of fantasy without seeming thrown together, I loved the character POV’s and didn’t find their story’s predictable in the slightest.
Cannot wait for book two, I need more!!
October 15, 2025
Where the Waves Meet the Stars is a spellbinding fantasy packed with magic, heart, and plenty of surprises. The world is rich with witches, fae, and dragons, yet it’s the characters who truly shine — flawed, brave, and impossible not to root for. Definitely fell in love with Hugh.
Just when you think you’ve figured out how the plot is going, the story twists again, revealing new secrets and betrayals. The world-building feels vivid and alive, and the balance between curiosity and emotion kept the pages turning for me. Well done Rachael, a fantastic debut book and looking forward to the sequel.
Just when you think you’ve figured out how the plot is going, the story twists again, revealing new secrets and betrayals. The world-building feels vivid and alive, and the balance between curiosity and emotion kept the pages turning for me. Well done Rachael, a fantastic debut book and looking forward to the sequel.
November 17, 2025
What a fantastic book! This book has everything you could possibly want or need, with the right amount of fantasy balanced with romance. There is this cosy autumn witchy vibes with a forbidden love subplot which I loved!
The only thing for me would have been to have more magic for the FMC at the beginning to really enthrall readers into her magical heritage
The only thing for me would have been to have more magic for the FMC at the beginning to really enthrall readers into her magical heritage
November 22, 2025
A beautiful book! Really enjoyed this witchy whimsical romance thoroughly. Loved the main characters but Hugh (demon cat) will forever hold a place in my heart. The last 30-20% had me in a choke! You just didn't know how it was all going to pan out. The twists and turns were a crazy ride yet made so much sense! Awesome debut, well done Rachael. Can't wait to read the 2nd instalment.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews