A Dance with the Fae

by Kennedy Kerr

She cast a love spell by the wild Scottish sea. The faerie king answered. He’s been waiting for her…

Faye Morgan’s beloved grandmother’s leatherbound grimoire contains handwritten spells for anything and everything, passed down through generations of Morgan women before her. Faye has no idea what to expect when she casts the spell for love under the full moon one cold winter night…

When Finn Beatha arrives at her door, after one look in his piercing sea-blue eyes Faye knows he is full of searing, untamed magic. Charming, arrogant and achingly beautiful, tall and tattooed Finn has one to drag her away to the faerie realm where he reigns as king.

The bustling faerie court is as shadowy and intoxicating as Finn himself. But there are rules between human and fae. Too much contact is dangerous. So why does Finn seem intent on breaking all those rules – and seducing Faye along the way?

When Faye hears whisperings that she’s at the heart of an ancient prophecy it’s clear Finn didn’t just come for her by chance. If she loses herself to his seduction, she risks being trapped forever. But what else is the capricious faerie king hiding? And is the price of passion worth paying?

With a hot morally grey love interest, lots of spice and enchanting Scottish folklore, A Dance with the Fae is perfect for fans of Tricia O’Malley, K.F. Breene and T.J. Green. You’ll never want to put this book from USA Today bestseller Kennedy Kerr down!

A Dance with the Fae was previously published as Daughter of Light and Shadows. This edition has significant editorial revisions and additions.

Readers love the Mistress of Magic

‘Absolutely amazing… The chemistry between the characters is palpable and sparks fly with every breath… There is a mystery to the way the story unravels and it takes you for a ride you won’t soon forget. I’d recommend this book to anyone.’ Up All Night With Books, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Sexy and intoxicating… very magical… kept me on the edge of my seat… cast its own spell upon me, leaving me wanting more and more.’ The Luminessence, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘So intense… enchanting… magical… had me hooked from the first few pages.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘WITCHCRAFT AND FAERIES IN ONE BOOK WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED… this book was awesome. I loved.’ Discover Elysian, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Perfect… Sexy and dark… Laced with magic and sensuality.’ Melinda Salisbury, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Romantasy

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2025

About the author

Kennedy Kerr is the author of the Lost Maidens Loch witch-themed cozy mystery series. She is from a Scottish family and adores the magic and mystery of Scotland and all the Celtic lands: cairns, misty mountains, stone circles and misty lochs are her particular favourite things. She is the proud owner of a cuddly black cat called Twinkle, who evidently believes she is a princess.

Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it.

Reviews

[elizabeth rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review to come...
Content warning:⚠️ this book has LOTS of spice and is for mature audiences only (18+)

[Iqra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was like a fever dream and not in a good way.

There was no structure. The plot and “romance” was all over the place. It didn’t kick in till like at least 40% thru the book and even then it was so confusing. I like a little mindf*ck in my books but this was definitely not my cuppa.

The love triangle is quite frankly a mess. I don’t like either of the mmcs, Finn because he’s a complete mental case and Rav because he’s a total yes man and bland asf.

Really disappointed I couldn’t enjoy this one at all.

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC! ♥︎

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: Strong vibes, delicious spice and a kind of historical take on the Fae.
It's a romantasy and somehow also a contemporary magic romance.

Very spicy and definitely darker than I thought.

3,5 ⭐️ and a thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dance with a Fae is a darkly enchanting mix of Scottish folklore, witchcraft, and fae bargains that immediately pulled me in. Faye Morgan was such an engaging heroine anchored in her family’s history, surrounded by her bookshop and friends, and caught between the mortal world and the dangerous pull of the fae. I loved watching her start reserved and unsure of herself and slowly grow into her strength, embracing both her magic and her voice.

The setting is wonderfully vivid, from the charm of the small Scottish town to the haunting beauty of the fae realm. I enjoyed the way Kennedy Kerr wove in family legacy, secrets, and betrayal alongside themes of resilience and standing up for what you believe in. The romance has tension and allure, though there are some elements around magical influence and consent that may not work for every reader. They’re worth being aware of, but they don’t overshadow the larger themes of Faye’s growth and the high-stakes magic.

Atmospheric, magical, and layered with both danger and hope, Dance with a Fae sets up a series that I’m eager to continue. Thanks to Second Sly books for the gifted ARC.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: A Dance with the Fae
Author: Kennedy Kerr
Publisher: Second Sky Publishing
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Length: 364 Pages
Overall Rating: 6 Stars

A Dance with the Fae is my first book by Kennedy Kerr but it definitely won't be my last. It has everything I love about a romantasy book. As a person who has Scottish ancestry, I have visited Scotland. So I was deeply intrigued by this book. This book is filled with Scottish folklore, witchcraft, fae, love spells, spice. and more. Yes I was absolutely in Scottish heaven reading this book and I loved the fae vibes in historical times which was absolutely brilliant. Kennedy Kerr wrote an amazing book. I absolutely loved it so much.

In this story it centers around Faye Morgan who is a Scottish witch. She comes from a long line of witches. I was a big Scottish historical romance reader before I entered the wonderful world of fantasy. Even if fantasy isn't your vibe any Scottish historical reader or Outlander fan will definitely love this book too.. After all Scotland itself is full of magic it is where standing stones and stories of fairies, brownies and wood sprites came from. If you read poems by Robert Burns who wrote extensively about the fae and is one of the most well known writers in Scottish history.

I don't want to spoil this story as I went into this book blind and it was such a nice surprise. This book was definitely a good time! read! I lost some sleep and skipped some meals reading this extraordinary book late into the night. As it is one of those rare books I could not put down. I was so captivated on each and every page! I can't recommend it enough. I definitely am going to get the audiobook too. Yes this was a 6 star read. I loved everything about this book! I can't wait to read the next book in this riveting series!

*World Building
*Fae
*Witches
*Romantasy
*Folklore
*Scotland
*Character Development

Thank you to Second Sky Publishers, Netgalley and the author Kennedy Kerr. for the e-ARC. All Words, ideas and thoughts are my own.

[Julie Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Yearning| Tension| Betrayal| Witchcraft| Unknown Powers| Scottish Folklore| Desire| Fae Bargains| Love Triangle.

The FMC casts a spell to find love. Through this she learns her true lineage and that she is a sidhe-leth and experiences many obstacles to become stronger and more powerful, whilst trying not to be seduced by the Fae King of Murias, the faerie realm of water.

Synopsis--- Spoilers below ✨

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Faye Morgan, a scottish witch from a long line of witches and her two friends, Aisha and Annie cast a spell to find true love. 🔮💕

A human, Rav, whom Faye met by chance in the village of Abercolme was an instant attraction.

🔥🔥The tension, the suspense, the longing, the pining, the yearning, the prurience. 🔥 🔥

Faye was full of desire and want, but not just for Rav, also for the being who had been haunting her dreams.

Until an unexpected encounter occurred and Faye met Finn, Finn Beatha, the lead singer of Dal Riada, a celtic band, caught her eye.

Finn, Fintanaeon, Master of Tides, Fae king of Murias.

Once she found out he was the Fae King of Murias, she then visited the faerie realm and then was kept there to do as she was bid by Finn and became his lover.

"you must promise to love only me from now on, sidhe-leth. Otherwise, the magic between us will decline. I will treat you as a queen if you honour me as your king. You can gain great power, just by eating our food and drinking our wine and water, sweet one. I need you by my side"'

Faye returned back to the human world,after experiencing the sudden effects of being in the faerie realm longer than expected.

Once she returned, Rav was still waiting for her, still yearning for her, and she did too. She desired Rav and her powers as a sidhe-leth compelled him to treat her as a queen as they devoured each other and then she felt it. She felt how enraged Finn was for her actions and then she felt fear.

Fear of putting Rav in danger of losing his life, so she did as she must to protect him and returned to Murias unwillingly. Finn felt betrayed for her actions and warned her that there will be consequences if they are to be repeated.

[KnottyQuill · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Faye Morgan, a Scottish witch descended from a long line of witches who respect and honor Faeries, casts a love spell and gets more than she bargained for in the mysterious Finn Beatha. But is Finn the only one summoned by her spell? And is he too good to be true?

This book is a mix of genres: romance, fantasy, and paranormal with dark elements interwoven. The witchcraft and Scottish setting are captivating. Once we arrive in the land of Faerie, the setting becomes even more intriguing. Faye’s character is well developed, as well as her family and female friends.

The MMCs felt flat. Both relationships involved insta lust, which makes sense with a hot Faerie but was odd with Faye’s human partner, Rav. There was little relationship development and Faye constantly ghosting Rav was frustrating. I was not expecting two MMCs or for the FMC to have sex with them both on page. There is dubcon in the form of magical influence over the FMC (and maybe Rav) that makes her act in a way she otherwise would not. But it’s faeries and the author makes it very clear that they are not bound by human morality. Those elements didn’t turn me off, but others might find them objectionable so be warned.

I enjoyed the story from the beginning. Especially learning about Faye, her magic, and her family history. After the love spell, the story got more hectic including odd pacing and repetitive descriptions. I kept going though because I was invested enough to want to know how it ended, but I’m not sure that I would continue the series.

Thanks to Kennedy Kerr, Second Sky, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC, which allowed me to read the book and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.

[Anouk · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Heavens forfend that a man should take responsibility for his failure", she thought.

This short cutesie story about fae, witchcraft and Scottish folklore is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and seasonal witch tales. I was hooked from the first chapter and got through the book fairly quickly, finishing it in one sitting.

My favourite part of the book was the worldbuilding. I learned some new things about Scottish folklore, and the magic system really kept me invested.

Faye, our fmc, was enjoyable. She's courageous, loyal, attentive, making her an entertaining person to follow.
Sadly, I couldn't get behind her feelings for Rav. They barely interacted and the whole thing with the love spell kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I initially found the other mmc, Finn, attractive, but I quickly became disgusted by how he used Faye. Naturally, fae have different morals, and I love morally grey characters. Having said that, I found the intimacy between Finn and Faye to be mostly nonconsensual, and that is something I simply cannot overlook. A trigger warning would've been appreciated.

That said, although I wasn't convinced by the romance, the setting of the story was beautiful and evoked all the magic, warmth and dreaminess a cozy fantasy story should.

3 ⭐️ ARC Review

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I requested this book on Netgalley from Second Sky. I don't remember what I expected. I assume I expected a fae romance or something. However, this week it was time to start reading and I was really curious!

Let me start this review by stating that sometimes checking trigger warnings is a good idea. I don't really have triggers, but this book was making me feel a lot of things and not all those feelings were pleasant. I think that's a compliment for the book. The author does an amazing job describing all these feelings, all these vibes, all these complicated relationships. However, if you do have triggers, please take care of yourself first.

When you're interested in Fae really being the Good Folk we know from the Irish and Welsh folklore this book is for you. These Fae are not the kind of people you want to fall in love with. They're charming, they're beautiful, they're amazing to look at and have amazing talents in certain other departments. They're also liars, tricksters, and they look down upon humans, seeing them as nothing but possible slaves to keep their beds warm.

And this is the world our heroine, after a love spell, is thrown into. And as a reader there are a million moments you want to yell at her. You want to warn her, you want to remind her of all the things she's learned from her grandma. But, we also see her grow and learn. We see her getting stronger, we see her getting a better grip on her magic, we see her realizing how powerful she is and what she's capable of. I will for sure check out how her journey continues. But, not yet. I need some cozier reads first!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 takes us on a journey time jumping through memories that help our FMC Faye navigate the dangers and rules of the fairy kingdom. Faye (witch)and two friends conduct a find love spell that brings chaos to the town. Two love interest come for her, Rev and Finn. Faye has to fight the love triangle and the spell while also trying to save the town. It is fast paced and very spicy. Who will she end up with.

[Lesesucht · Rating 2 out of 5]

Faye Morgan is a descended of witches. She is running the family shop in her little Scottish town and luckily her best friend since childhood Annie and also the student Aisha help out in her shop.
As all three of them were so far not lucky in finding their true love one evening they perform a spell found in the family grimoire.
One dark haired man just bought a house at the beach Faye loves more and right from the start there is a spark between them. This is not the only gorgeous men Faye needs. Also the hot singer of a new Band Finn Beatha catches her eye and soon she discovers he is no human, instead he is a Fae king and brings her to his faerie court and under his spell.
As a war is brewing in the Fae realm between the courts which could also affect the human world Faye might be involved as there is an ancient prophecy and Finn is sure it is about her.



For me it was not clear when I started reading this book that there will be about dub-con/non-con encounters where Faye will be depending on the men be both and also about torture which also is partially sexually. Due to persons being at least partially under spell the actions are not really consensual. Due to this the book might not be for everybody.

I really liked the idea and love the setting in Scotland and with the old tales which are wonderful described. Also Faye being a witch and an ancestor of a long line of witches is well written and I really like this idea.
The relationship between the three women is wonderfully written.
I also like the idea that Fae are not nice and cute, now that they are cruel and you really have to watch out especially when you do bargains with them. Also that in this book they think about possible enslaving all humans was interesting.

I struggled with Faye quite a lot. I mean she is not new to magic, was thought at least a bit but then it is not strange to her or she is not checking why the protective charm over the door to her shop is gone and a strange men shows up in her shop?
Also her feelings for Rav , the instant lust, she sees Fae watching her having sex and likes it, .. these are topics I didn´t like. For me the relationship between Rav and Faye made no sense as they did not really talk with each other, did not really spent time with the other. A true connection was missing for me and somehow the relationship came for me a bit too short.
Finn I assume shall be dark, dangerous. For me the way he is described and due to his actions is only cruel from my point of view. I couldn´t get any connection to him.
Rav was not really worked out for me. He has good looks, could very well pleasure Faye but nothing more I can really remember about him.
This is not a love triangle for me.

The Fae world we had in this book was interesting and has a lot of potential but for me and I would have loved reading more about it and given this story more quality.

[HadexX Severan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1🌟
3.0🌶
Was hoping to find a hidden gem. Unfortunately, goodreads was, in fact, correct in its 3 🌟 standing.

I did infact soft DNF this a few weeks ago around halfway through, and I managed to finish it today.

Buckle up, because this is a long-ish review. So I kept to to main points where possible.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The book was unique, and I loved the idea of fae and witches, I personally have not read any fae x witch books before this, so it was new to me.

The book is decently spicy, and it definitely had spice in places that were not needed, so it read more like a smut at points and got a little overzealous.

It definitely required brain power to read this, coming from someone who likes to keep up with kdrama plot lines for fun. I would easily say that most people would find this difficult to read given the following:

- Flipping between worlds from earth to fae, it was never really explained how it worked and it seemed the guidelines we had just changed consistently.
- Many new plot points just get thrown at you and you have to comprehend yourself how they fit into the story.
- The whole juxtaposition between the fae and mortal realm just didn't make sense and kept prodding at literal story holes.

The MMC's were both as flat as the paper you print a bible on. The fae side was barely justifiable given the whole "lust" thing that was pushed, but the human side was just plain weird.. I can see it was meant to be a nod to the MFC's power. But it was soo out of place when the whole book had already been about her having no power.

I also didn't enjoy the fact that the whole book outlined that the MFC was supposed to be this powerful witch, but it was more lacklustre. I personally would have preferred her to actually be powerful from the start and have the dynamic shift from the current fae king just doing what he wants and her learning to fight against it.
To the fae king having to outsmart, manipulate, and actually deceive her to do as he wishes. There is a big emphasis on the fact that the fae are devious. They lie and are tricky. but so far, he's just a bully while she learns to stand up to him.

To add to my overall feelings of this book, I never fell in love with any of the characters. I was never immersed into the world, nor did I have any squealing with excitement moments. The big moments in the book fell flat, as did the characters.

Was this the worst book I've ever read? Definitely not.
Is this something I would read again? I would rather not.
Would I recommend it to others? Nah
Will I read book 2? TBD on how i feel.

In conclusion:
I absolutely loved the idea of this book and despised the execution of it.

*my reviews are my own personal opinion, based on my own experience reading, I am not bashing the author nor anyone else who did enjoy this book*

[Samantha Bilodeau · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely not for me...This isn't just instalust, but feels like the women are just horny ALL THE TIME and the men mostly just want to "breed." Not yucking anyone's yum, but I prefer more emotional depth and romance when reading Romantasy, and this didn't hit that mark for me. The dialogue feels a bit unnatural, as well, and the whole general vibe is a fae bodice ripper from the 80s or 90s (if intentionally written that way -- I can't be sure it isn't! -- absolute kudos for that!).

There were some things that I liked about it. The use of fae lore and explanations were interesting, and the characters were all very distinct. The setting felt appropriate for the story, as well.

I was not expecting this to have more than one love interest for Faye, or for there to be graphic sex scenes of her with both of them. Reverse Harem/Why Choose aren't really my thing, and it cheapened the relationships even more for me. It didn't help that the men felt more like caricatures for most of it, with not much to their personalities... There is also some dub-con/non-con, so some content warnings would be a good idea for when this is published!

If you are into very heavy spice, this would be a book for you! (This starts with a witch being killed and her crossing over is described in detail as orgasmic, and even before the story really kicks off, the FMC is having erotic dreams about various mystery men... It only ramps up from there!). It does also get quite dark!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is 100% my own.

[Books_n_all_that_jazz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I am DNF at 60% but may come back to it!

I'm not sure if this book just isn't for me or isn't for me right now.

I enjoy the inclusion of Scottish folklore, the scene building of the natural world (I won't get started on the other realm the FMC experiences) I love the idea of the witches and the witch store seems really cosy and cool.

The story doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I feel like it kind of jumps about a lot. I prefer the 2 side FCs at this point. The FMC seems naive and secretive and entirely in over her head. The first MMC, I'm not even sure what happened?! The second MMC... He's manipulative, coercive, pushy, possessive, angry, arrogant and many more less than savoury things.

It's a bit too non con/dub con ick for me personally. The FMC kind of lusts after one of the MMCs but it also feels entirely out of her control. She eats and drinks of his realm which is akin to being drugged, barely remembers the things she does and who she does them in front of, the list goes on.

I'm not sure if it's intentional that I still don't really follow what's happening at this point in the book, I thought some things might become clearer but when something is a bit of an "ahhh I see" moment it also falls flat or comes and goes like it wasn't a revelation and then, a million more questions surface in its place. I'm not sure everything will be tied off nicely or if there will be an awful lot of random loose ends that suited a certain moment in the book but then... Went away unexplained?

I had high hopes for this but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I'm not sure it ever will be? I'll revisit if I finish the book.

[Lovelettelore · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Falling into this book felt like slipping into a fever dream of Scottish folklore and dangerous fae magic. ✨

📖 Dance with the Fae by Kennedy Kerr
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Faye Morgan, descendant of a long line of witches, lives quietly in the small Scottish village of Abercolme running her family’s shop after the deaths of her grandmother and mother. But when she and her friends perform a love spell from her grandmother’s grimoire, things start to shift. Soon, she crosses paths with two men: Rav, the mysterious newcomer, and Finn, a magnetic singer at a local festival—who just happens to be a fae king intent on dragging her into his realm. Determined not to fall under his spell, Faye fights to protect herself, Rav, and the village from Finn’s dangerous allure.

This book was enchanting. I completely fell under Kennedy Kerr’s spell—it was magical, atmospheric, and I felt like I was living inside the folklore itself. Faye was such a relatable heroine; she might have rushed into some bargains (classic fae mistake 👀), but I loved how self-aware she was of her vulnerabilities while still stepping up to protect everyone around her. The romance had such an interesting pull—Finn’s dangerous charm vs. Rav’s steadier presence—and I felt that tension as much as Faye did.

The Scottish magic, the folklore, the fae intrigue—all of it had me hooked. And let’s not forget the spice: it was spicing in the best way 🔥 One of the best I’ve read in a while!

Thank you Kennedy Kerr and NetGalley for this ARC 💜

Tropes:
🧚‍♂️ Fae x Witch
🎭 Hidden Identities
✨ Magic and Intrigue
🏴 Scottish Folklore and Magic

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Magical and seductive, this captivating story weaves together Scottish folklore, fae, and witchcraft.

The world building was beautiful, as was the description of fae in their element and the different types of magic and witchcraft that has been passed down through generations of Morgan women. I loved learning about Faye's family history as well as the village where she has resided her entire life (and her ancestors before her lived). It was incredibly interesting learning about the fae, how to interact with them and how fae and humans are tied together.

Unfortunately, I struggled with the romance which was disappointing as a strong romance can be the difference between a good book and an average one for me. There is a love triangle which I'm completely fine with, except I have no clue who to root for because both MMCs fell flat for me. There is no real connection between Faye and Rav (a human) beyond being attracted to each other at first sight. I was hoping for them to get to know each other a bit more but for various reasons they did not. I'm probably a little bit more interested in Faye and Finn's (a fae) storyline in the next book as Finn's moral compass is questionable at the moment but I would love to see them develop in the next book.

There is politics and an ancient prophecy and of course Faye is at the centre of it all. I'm really looking forward to how this plays out in the next book as well!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dance with the Fae by Kennedy Kerr is a sizzlingly hot fantasy romance that delivers exactly what it promises. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the story of Faye Morgan, a woman who tries to cast a simple love spell and ends up summoning a powerful and dangerous fae king instead.
Kennedy Kerr has created a truly enchanting world that feels both mystical and grounded in reality. The small Scottish town setting provides a cozy backdrop for the wild and unpredictable fae realm, and the author's use of Scottish folklore adds a unique and authentic touch.
What truly makes this book shine is the electric chemistry between Faye and the fae king, Finn. Their relationship is a delicious slow-burn, filled with witty banter and an undeniable tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Finn is the perfect morally gray love interest—arrogant, manipulative, and utterly irresistible. The romance in this book is the main event, and the author does an incredible job of building a passionate and believable connection between the two leads.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves spicy fantasy romance and wants a story that’s both thrilling and full of heat. If you're a fan of strong heroines, a dark and seductive fae king, and a plot centered on an ancient prophecy, then A Dance with the Fae is a must-read. I couldn't put it down and am already eager to see what happens next!
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc's

[ghostlypeach_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Firstly a massive thank you to Second Sky for a copy of this eARC!

~My Thoughts~

I really wanted to like this one but I just struggled to so much. But there were some positives.

I really loved that the lore came from Scottish folklore regarding magic and witches and fae. Its something that you don't really see much so it was great to see a different take on the magical world.

I must admit, regardless of my dislikes, this book was a one sitting kind of read which I really needed after reading my favourite book of the year.

But unfortunately this is where the positives end for me.

I thought I knew what the plot was going in, but even after finishing the book, I couldn't tell you what actually happened story wise.

It was a lot of sex, dark themes like non consent, drugging, slavery etc. It was more spice than plot and I feel that maybe this should be advertised as fae erotica?

The characters also felt a little flat? The MMCs were both awful but for different reasons (Finn the fae was a horrible, abusive, non consesual obsessed villain and Rev? Rav? I cannot remember, was incredibly bland and had nothing to offer other than being obsessed with Faye the FMC).

Faye was quite unremarkable and boring. She didn't leave me rooting for her and felt very lacklustre overall.

I do wish I had enjoyed this more but it felt like there really wasn't anything to like.

I appreciate that this book is just not for me but I know that this will be someone else's taste.

[Frédérique Laloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, the kind that immediately sweeps you into another world. It is filled with lush descriptions, folklore vibes, and an enchanting sense of mystery that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the faerie realm.

The fae here are exactly what the old stories warned us about. They’re beautiful but also liars and cruel. What really stood out for me was how this book weaves in Scottish folklore alongside the fae, like kelpies, which was refreshing compared to the usual generic fantasy treatment of fae. I also appreciated how the author blended witches into the world, creating a layered interplay between human magic and otherworldly power that felt authentic and rooted in Celtic traditions.

As with many fantasy novels, one of the main fae characters is firmly « morally grey » with manipulative and darker traits. While this occasionally felt a little repetitive, it did reinforce the danger and unpredictability of the fae kingdom. The story pacing leaned heavier toward the final third, where the plot really came together, but overall the journey through the worldbuilding and character dynamics was enjoyable.

Overall, I loved the atmosphere, the darker folkloric touches, and the refreshing take on fae who are both beautiful and terrifying.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary witch, Faye's shop in a small Scottish coastal town sells crystals, herbs and all things mystical. It has been in her family for generations, and after the death of her beloved grandmother and mother, she runs it alone with the part-time assistance of Annie, a longtime friend and actor and Aisha, a student. The women are looking for love, and persuade Faye to evoke a love spell to bring romance into their lives. The narrative is from Faye's viewpoint. The fantasy world-building is detailed and evokes the world of Fae in vivid sensory detail. Physical attraction and gratification are explicit in this story, and some of the images portrayed and relationships explored are coercive and controlling, which readers should be aware of. Faye's journey of awakening and coming into her mystical powers is a mainstay of this story. Some of the images in the intricately constructed Fae world are dark and horrific. Still, they are essential to portray the power of the Fae, highlight their differences from humans, and show how powerful Faye must be to overcome their threat. It's a story full of drama and passion where two worlds collide with devastating results. It ends with many questions, but there is a second book in the series. I enjoyed the world-building, the lyrical narrative and the story's mystical and passionate elements.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Emily Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The positives are that I liked the worldbuilding as well as the setting description. Both of those were sufficient to give me a full mental picture of world and setting in a way that was enjoyable, and most of the stars I give are for that.

Different people search for different mixes of elements in their romantasy novels. In my opinion, the mix of this novel is 65% descriptions of sexy-times, 15% worldbuilding/setting description, 15% plot, 5% romance. I'm placing the romance so low because most of the dialogue between the main character and the man are him telling her what to do, say, think, etc. I don't feel that's romance and therefore almost all the dialogue got sucked into the sexy-times category.

I also think it's worth noting that this novel frequently has the male fairy love interest using magic to make it hard for the main character to think and also uses magic to frequently invade her dreams. So people for whom consent is a top reading priority might have a hard time with this particular novel. I sure did for that reason. Although, in fairness, fairies enchanting the minds of humans is one of the traditional powers of fairies so you could argue that this element isn't out of line with tradition. It's just kind of an icky tradition in a romantasy novel.

I received a free ARC from the publisher.

[Beth Whittock · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review 3.9 🌟
A Dance With The Fae by Kennedy Kerr. Thank you to Second Sky Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book hooked me from the very first chapter!!! The mystical, witchy atmosphere is beautifully set up with a historic-feeling opening that grounds the world and makes it feel magical and immersive. The writing itself is simple, but the sheer amount of detail in the worldbuilding throughout the book continuously brings the setting to life in a way that feels SO enchanting 😍

I loved the premise of three witchy friends coming together to shape their own destinies, it’s such a fun and powerful concept. I reeeeallly wanted a tripe POV between Faye, Annie and Aisha, but maybe this is coming in the follow up books!

This book shift into a more sensual nature quite unpredictablably. But experiencing these unpredictable moments alongside Faye, the FMC, made it feel more relatable and tangible.

Finally, I seriously appreciated the fresh twist on the fantasy tropes. Instead of portraying the Fae as ethereal allies, this book turns them into antagonists which overall is quite a unique concept. It gave the story an edge and made the stakes feel higher.

Overall, this is a magical, steamy, and slightly unconventional fantasy that kept me engaged and I would recommend! 😍🌟🦇

[Monica Beard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated that A Dance with the Fae had some interesting ways that it subverted the genre, but I would also suggest that readers look beyond the description and marketing. The book is described as one where our FMC, Faye, summons her morally grey faerie king Finn with a love spell.

The book is a lot more interested in returning the faerie king to his roots where no one can trust him, not even his love interest. While a lot steamier, I think this book owes a bit to the Cruel Prince and a world where the harsh king is not kind for anyone, not even his love interest. He is much more a force of nature than the protective, possessive, would kill for her but soft for her MMCs that we're used to.

I will say that the book has a love triangle (or perhaps, the beginning of a why choose relationship) which may be a dealbreaker for anyone who wants their book boyfriends and girlfriends monogamous. There is also a lot in the book, including Faye's female friendships and family mysteries, and so some of the subplots don't get a lot of time to breathe.

I'd recommend this book for someone who loved the harsh faeries of The Cruel Prince or Cassandra Clare but wanted it much spicier. Thanks to Second Sky for the early copy.

[Rosie Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faye runs a witchy shop in a small Scottish village. With her friends, she decides to cast a love spell, just to see if they can summon the partners of their dreams.

Within days, Faye meets two men; one is a down to earth, charming guy. The other is mysterious, seductive and, as it turns out, a Fae king.

The setting for this book feels very cosy-fantasy; the Scottish village and little witch shop sounds idyllic, and Faye and her friends have a really sweet relationship. But don’t let that fool you, because the spice in this is spicy.

Speaking of, there’s some dubious consent and darker themes in the romance throughout the book. Steamy/spicy/whatever you refer to it as, this book is full of it, expect it to be featured in almost every chapter.

Even though it’s a modern day, cosy setting, the magic system and fae world was pretty intense and well thought out. It’s fun to see Scottish/Gaelic folklore come to life, and version of the fae that’s genuinely mischievous and dark.

The way that witchcraft is spoken about also feels really well researched, and I love that Faye had a witch ancestry, a family grimoire and knew a lot about the subject.

This is book one in a duology and I’m keen to read the second book to see what happens next.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I’m a total sucker for fae stories, especially when they’re set against the wild, atmospheric backdrop of Scotland....so A Dance with the Fae had me intrigued from the start.

A love spell gone awry?
A faerie king with sea blue eyes who basically oozes morally grey spice? Yep, sign me up.

This was a fun, fast, and very seductive read. Finn is every bit the arrogant, magnetic fae king you’d expect, and his dynamic with Faye gives you that intoxicating mix of danger and desire. I also loved the Scottish folklore touches woven into the story, it gave the whole thing a misty, enchanted vibe that made me want to curl up with it on a stormy night.

That said, it didn’t hit as hard as I wanted emotionally. While the romance was definitely hot and full of tension, I wished for just a little more depth in Faye’s journey beyond the prophecy tropes. Still, it’s the kind of book you pick up when you’re in the mood for magic, spice, and a morally grey fae king trying his absolute best to ruin you (in all the best ways).

If you love Tricia O’Malley or K.F. Breene, or if you’re craving something darkly romantic with plenty of fantasy allure, this one’s a solid pick.

[Lisa (Queenie) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. Witches. Scotland. Magic. Romance. Ultimately it fell flat for me.

I liked the FMC to begin with but I just couldn't connect with her.

The two MMC's I disliked for different reasons. Finn was an arse. Cruel, manipulative and treats her like a commodity. Rav was sweet but came across as a drip with hardly any personality.

I enjoyed the setting in Scotland and the descriptions of the land. I liked the fact that she comes from a long line of witches and has magic but ultimately nothing really kept me hooked.

I liked the whole history of the Morgan line, the folklore and everything to do with it being set in Scotland. The beaches, the hills and the descriptions of the town where they live were great.

I do think people will love this if they are looking for a spicy, magical romantasy fix but for me I'd have liked to know some of the characters more to feel that connection to them.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Second Sky for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book.

[Shannai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

Thank you NetGalley and always to Second Sky for always looking after me with your authors and books. All opinions in this review are my own.

This was an interesting romantasy with a unique premise: a half-witch, half-fae heroine creates a love spell and accidentally summons an alluring faerie king, who quickly becomes dangerously obsessed with her. I really enjoyed the setup and thought the first half of the book was gripping.

That said, I found the tone darker than I expected going in, touching on some sensitive themes that did initially catch me off guard. While I appreciate a story that isn’t afraid to explore a darker theme, it sometimes felt heavier than I was prepared for, and did take me out of the story.

The second half didn’t hold me quite as strongly as the first; the pacing dragged a bit for me, and I felt myself pulling out of the story. At times, certain parts felt disjointed with the overall flow and plot of the story. Still, the ending delivered a twist with a surprising cliffhanger that leaves the door wide open for what’s next and thus leading me to request for an e-arc of the second instalment.

Overall, I had a good time; it was imaginative, with a compelling concept and plenty of dark romantic tension, but it didn’t fully land for me as I had hoped.

[alishasbooknook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of this book, the concept was interesting but I will say that some of the chapters are quite long which I struggled with sometimes.

It did take me a while to get into it, it was quite slow and I found myself losing interest several times. It just felt so dragged out and it took ages for Faye to even get to the faerie realm. I do like Faye though, she’s strong and knows her worth and who she is which I loved. I can’t stand Finn, he’s manipulative and basically a prick, quick to anger and is just insufferable.

I really wanted to like this but it was such a struggle to get through, some of the stuff that happened really gave me the ick, like I’m pretty sure Finn has a breeding kink which is vile to me. I didn’t want to DNF it as I was hoping it would eventually pick up but it didn’t.

Overall, this unfortunately wasn’t for me at all. I will still recommend it if you like magical romantasy.

[Mariahmmm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Synopsis: Desperately alone after the sudden death of her mother, Faye Morgan casts a spell from her grandmother's grimoire in the hopes of finding true love. When Faye's desires are heard by the Faerie King of the Tides, she's drawn into his intoxicating world of sensual and carnal pleasures. But as Faye learns more about who she is and her role in a farie prophecy, she must learn to use her inner powers to rescue the man she loves and save the human world.

Review: This felt like an explicit erotic dream lived out on paper rather than a fantasy with romance elements. The actual story had potential with a Scottish witch discovering her power, the vividly written golden facade of the rotten faerie world, and an interesting prophecy. However, consent was a huge issue in the spicy scenes, with rape and sexual assault featuring often.

With thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Elena Zinonos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magical word for this book is...FAE. I was totally drawn into this new world from the first couple of chapters. Kennedy has a way of writing that makes the reader feel like a fae whispering in their ear, taking them away into a dark and lyrical world full of promising secrets. This new world is full of vivid magic, and the characters (Faye, Rav, Annie, some of them, you need to read it) make you feel part of the plot.

The main lead has a strength in her that makes you say 'wow', and also helps her to navigate through the fae realm with courage. Now let's talk about slow-burning romance with tension and longing. It is emotionally woven with depth and totally hits the fantasy spot.

It isn't only the magical element in this book, but it is also the healing, the trust and how to find light in unexpected places. I enjoyed this book as I do enjoy books with folklore and deep emotions. This one is a gem, and also, slowly, I am getting out of my reading slump with good books.