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Only in Moonlight
Fake a courtship. Steal the jewel. Don't fall in love.
Abandoned by her father, Emmeline Le Brun became a thief to survive. She'd steal anything to support her ailing mother—even if it means trusting the dangerously handsome knight who caught her red-handed.
Sir Valen Corvanos of the Moonlit Court offers her the deal of a help him steal a legendary jewel from a ruthless moon princess, and he'll pay her enough to lift her mother out of poverty forever. The catch? The only way to get close to their target is at an exclusive royal ball—on Valen's arm, playing the part of his devoted lover.
What starts as a simple masquerade becomes dangerously real when Emmeline discovers there's more to the coldly perfect knight than his flawless facade. Beneath his icy exterior lies a man haunted by secrets, scarred by loss, and far more vulnerable than he'll ever admit.
But as their fake romance deepens into something neither expected, the heist takes a deadly turn. Caught in a web of conspiracy with the palace guards closing in, Emmeline must decide if she can trust a man trained in deception—or if love is for fools like she's always believed.
Only in Moonlight is a steamy standalone fantasy romance perfect for fans of courtly intrigue, forced proximity, and only one bed. Your next book obsession awaits—start reading today.
Abandoned by her father, Emmeline Le Brun became a thief to survive. She'd steal anything to support her ailing mother—even if it means trusting the dangerously handsome knight who caught her red-handed.
Sir Valen Corvanos of the Moonlit Court offers her the deal of a help him steal a legendary jewel from a ruthless moon princess, and he'll pay her enough to lift her mother out of poverty forever. The catch? The only way to get close to their target is at an exclusive royal ball—on Valen's arm, playing the part of his devoted lover.
What starts as a simple masquerade becomes dangerously real when Emmeline discovers there's more to the coldly perfect knight than his flawless facade. Beneath his icy exterior lies a man haunted by secrets, scarred by loss, and far more vulnerable than he'll ever admit.
But as their fake romance deepens into something neither expected, the heist takes a deadly turn. Caught in a web of conspiracy with the palace guards closing in, Emmeline must decide if she can trust a man trained in deception—or if love is for fools like she's always believed.
Only in Moonlight is a steamy standalone fantasy romance perfect for fans of courtly intrigue, forced proximity, and only one bed. Your next book obsession awaits—start reading today.
- GenresFantasy Romance
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2025
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 9, 2026
Emmeline Le Brun survives by stealing, until she’s caught by Sir Valen Corvanos, a knight of the Moonlit Court with a dangerous proposition. If she helps him steal a legendary jewel from a ruthless moon princess, he’ll pay enough to secure her mother’s future. The plan requires a fake courtship at an exclusive royal ball, but what begins as a calculated masquerade quickly grows complicated as secrets surface and the line between performance and reality blurs.
The banter and dialogue are a standout, sharp and natural without ever tipping into forced quippiness. The romance is particularly well done: the relationship develops gradually, and the conflicts make sense given how long Emmeline and Valen exist in moral and emotional gray areas. The setting and magic system are intriguing, and while I would have loved more depth, the mostly contained scope works well for a standalone. The balance between tension and quieter moments is excellent, keeping the story engaging without exhausting the reader.
This was a genuinely fun read that never dragged, with a strong sense of pacing and just enough worldbuilding to support the plot. It feels perfectly sized, substantial without being overstretched, while still leaving room for future stories in the same world. My only real note is that the flashbacks could be difficult to identify at times, which occasionally disrupted the flow. Overall, a confident, satisfying fantasy romance that knows exactly how much story it needs to tell.
4.5/5 Turns out “don’t fall in love” is, as a rule, easier said than done.
The banter and dialogue are a standout, sharp and natural without ever tipping into forced quippiness. The romance is particularly well done: the relationship develops gradually, and the conflicts make sense given how long Emmeline and Valen exist in moral and emotional gray areas. The setting and magic system are intriguing, and while I would have loved more depth, the mostly contained scope works well for a standalone. The balance between tension and quieter moments is excellent, keeping the story engaging without exhausting the reader.
This was a genuinely fun read that never dragged, with a strong sense of pacing and just enough worldbuilding to support the plot. It feels perfectly sized, substantial without being overstretched, while still leaving room for future stories in the same world. My only real note is that the flashbacks could be difficult to identify at times, which occasionally disrupted the flow. Overall, a confident, satisfying fantasy romance that knows exactly how much story it needs to tell.
4.5/5 Turns out “don’t fall in love” is, as a rule, easier said than done.
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October 16, 2025A promising debut with a lushly developed fae-ruled moon court and a human-fae duo set to steal a jewel in order to protect the kingdom (or queendom in this case).
The moon court is prejudice against humans, but relatively open to LGBTQ with two secondary characters in openly gay relationships.
Both protagonists have events from their past which shape their actions in the present and help to deepen understanding of their motives. This rival-to-lovers, heist, only one bed story has some mild spice towards the end of the book.
The majority of the story focuses on preparing the shapeshifting human FMC to pass as nobility among the fae court and steal the jewel. Other than getting Emmeline into the party, though, Valen really didn't do much, and I wonder what his plan would have been had he not found Emmeline to help. The shapeshifting was well used and not overdone. I thought it was sweet that Valen could identify Emmeline no matter what form she was in. There were definitely some lose ends left floating about, but since this is the first book in a trilogy or series it wasn't too much of an issue.
I appreciated the non-traditional but still HEA ending.
I received an Advanced copy from BookSirens, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The moon court is prejudice against humans, but relatively open to LGBTQ with two secondary characters in openly gay relationships.
Both protagonists have events from their past which shape their actions in the present and help to deepen understanding of their motives. This rival-to-lovers, heist, only one bed story has some mild spice towards the end of the book.
The majority of the story focuses on preparing the shapeshifting human FMC to pass as nobility among the fae court and steal the jewel. Other than getting Emmeline into the party, though, Valen really didn't do much, and I wonder what his plan would have been had he not found Emmeline to help. The shapeshifting was well used and not overdone. I thought it was sweet that Valen could identify Emmeline no matter what form she was in. There were definitely some lose ends left floating about, but since this is the first book in a trilogy or series it wasn't too much of an issue.
I appreciated the non-traditional but still HEA ending.
I received an Advanced copy from BookSirens, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 2, 2025
Arc Review✨
Thank you to the author Christine Linwood for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Moonlit Sojourn into Love & Mystery
Only in Moonlight by Christine Linwood is a tender and evocative romance that quietly pulls you into its spell. From the very first chapter, there’s a sense of softness and mystery that lingers, much like the moonlight the title promises. Linwood’s storytelling feels gentle and immersive, the kind of writing that invites you to slow down and savor each moment.
What truly stood out to me was the emotional pacing of the romance. The relationship between the main characters grows with a sweet, believable tension. There are stolen glances, moments of shared vulnerability, and a deepening connection that never feels rushed. It’s romantic in a quietly powerful way—never over-the-top, but always sincere.
The setting, too, is beautifully rendered. Linwood paints the moonlit landscapes with a delicate brush, making the night feel alive and intimate. The moon becomes more than just a backdrop; it’s a presence that reflects the characters’ inner worlds—calm, uncertain, and full of wonder. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and read well into the night.
There’s also a subtle thread of mystery woven through the story, adding just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning. It doesn’t overshadow the romance but instead adds an extra layer of depth, creating stakes that feel both emotional and personal. It’s a lovely balance.
Overall, though, Only in Moonlight is a heartfelt and captivating read. Christine Linwood has crafted a story full of emotion, beauty, and just the right amount of moonlit magic. It’s a book that reminds you of the quiet power of love and how sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen not in the light of day, but only in moonlight.
Thank you to the author Christine Linwood for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Moonlit Sojourn into Love & Mystery
Only in Moonlight by Christine Linwood is a tender and evocative romance that quietly pulls you into its spell. From the very first chapter, there’s a sense of softness and mystery that lingers, much like the moonlight the title promises. Linwood’s storytelling feels gentle and immersive, the kind of writing that invites you to slow down and savor each moment.
What truly stood out to me was the emotional pacing of the romance. The relationship between the main characters grows with a sweet, believable tension. There are stolen glances, moments of shared vulnerability, and a deepening connection that never feels rushed. It’s romantic in a quietly powerful way—never over-the-top, but always sincere.
The setting, too, is beautifully rendered. Linwood paints the moonlit landscapes with a delicate brush, making the night feel alive and intimate. The moon becomes more than just a backdrop; it’s a presence that reflects the characters’ inner worlds—calm, uncertain, and full of wonder. It’s the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and read well into the night.
There’s also a subtle thread of mystery woven through the story, adding just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning. It doesn’t overshadow the romance but instead adds an extra layer of depth, creating stakes that feel both emotional and personal. It’s a lovely balance.
Overall, though, Only in Moonlight is a heartfelt and captivating read. Christine Linwood has crafted a story full of emotion, beauty, and just the right amount of moonlit magic. It’s a book that reminds you of the quiet power of love and how sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen not in the light of day, but only in moonlight.
October 24, 2025
💎💎💎 Only in the Moonlight 💎💎💎
💎 Enemies-to-lovers
💎 Fae / Shapeshifter
💎 Slow Burn
💎 Fantasy Romance
Spice: 🌶
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Fake a courtship, steal a jewel, don't fall in love"
Emmeline is offered the deal of a lifetime, one final heist that would set her and her mother up for life. The catch, she must pose as Sir Valen's lover for the heist to work. His motives are unclear and he's as cold and calculating as you would expect from the queen's Knight - there's no way he can be trusted. Feeling she has no other choice after being caught red-handed by Valen, Emmeline reluctantly accepts the offer, but soon learns there's more to the job than Valen let on.
With the pressure of the heist mounting and her feelings towards Valen shifting, Emmeline is plagued with doubt. How much of their fake courtship is real, she has certainly seen another side to the icy Knight, but was she being fooled by a handsome face and kind words? Everything inside screamed that at crunch time he would betray her and she would be left bearing the punishment for their crime. So, how much is real and how much is tradecraft?
Emmeline is a scrappy FMC shes learnt to survive the hard way and has her walls built high. Valen is the product of his past and masks his vulnerabilities behind the pretense of his courtly persona. Really enjoyed the relationship between these two and how they both battle insecurities throughout the book.
"My clever, impossible theif"
"My noble, ridiculous knight"
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
💎 Enemies-to-lovers
💎 Fae / Shapeshifter
💎 Slow Burn
💎 Fantasy Romance
Spice: 🌶
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Fake a courtship, steal a jewel, don't fall in love"
Emmeline is offered the deal of a lifetime, one final heist that would set her and her mother up for life. The catch, she must pose as Sir Valen's lover for the heist to work. His motives are unclear and he's as cold and calculating as you would expect from the queen's Knight - there's no way he can be trusted. Feeling she has no other choice after being caught red-handed by Valen, Emmeline reluctantly accepts the offer, but soon learns there's more to the job than Valen let on.
With the pressure of the heist mounting and her feelings towards Valen shifting, Emmeline is plagued with doubt. How much of their fake courtship is real, she has certainly seen another side to the icy Knight, but was she being fooled by a handsome face and kind words? Everything inside screamed that at crunch time he would betray her and she would be left bearing the punishment for their crime. So, how much is real and how much is tradecraft?
Emmeline is a scrappy FMC shes learnt to survive the hard way and has her walls built high. Valen is the product of his past and masks his vulnerabilities behind the pretense of his courtly persona. Really enjoyed the relationship between these two and how they both battle insecurities throughout the book.
"My clever, impossible theif"
"My noble, ridiculous knight"
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2025
Emmeline has a unique talent. She uses it to take care of her mother and herself. During a heist she is seen by Valen but flees. When he finds her later, she is expecting to be thrown into prison but instead is offered a deal. During the preparation both spend a lot of time together and what started out as a distrust becomes more over time.
We are not getting anything new here. It a lot of stories and elements being told already. We get our enemies to lovers’ story, a bit of magic thrown in and at the end we nicely put a bow on it. Everything is to happen over the course of a pretty short time, and it felt a bit rushed and to fast of a wrap up. A bit more time focussed on character growth and development would have benefited the story.
It was a quick and easy read though. Not bad, but nothing considered a *must read*. The potential was there and the writing style as such was enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are not getting anything new here. It a lot of stories and elements being told already. We get our enemies to lovers’ story, a bit of magic thrown in and at the end we nicely put a bow on it. Everything is to happen over the course of a pretty short time, and it felt a bit rushed and to fast of a wrap up. A bit more time focussed on character growth and development would have benefited the story.
It was a quick and easy read though. Not bad, but nothing considered a *must read*. The potential was there and the writing style as such was enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 12, 2025
“Fake a courtship. Steal the jewel. Don’t fall in love.”
A fantastic debut that blends danger, wit, and slow-burn chemistry.
Emmeline is a scrappy, sharp-tongued heroine you can’t help but root for, and Valen’s cool charm hides layers that unfold in the best way. Their partnership crackles with tension and heart.
The pacing dips slightly in the middle, but the emotional depth and romantic payoff more than make up for it. I loved the twists, the banter, and the tender moments.
I only wished for a greater sense of danger for if the jewel stayed with Regula — that extra edge would’ve made it perfect.
A truly promising debut. This is the first in the Moonlit Court Series and I will absolutely read the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic debut that blends danger, wit, and slow-burn chemistry.
Emmeline is a scrappy, sharp-tongued heroine you can’t help but root for, and Valen’s cool charm hides layers that unfold in the best way. Their partnership crackles with tension and heart.
The pacing dips slightly in the middle, but the emotional depth and romantic payoff more than make up for it. I loved the twists, the banter, and the tender moments.
I only wished for a greater sense of danger for if the jewel stayed with Regula — that extra edge would’ve made it perfect.
A truly promising debut. This is the first in the Moonlit Court Series and I will absolutely read the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2025
2.5⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is book 1 in what is shaping up to be a series of interconnected standalones. The story itself was quite good, though the twists were predictable and at times felt somewhat shoehorned in. The writing at times was sometimes stiff and awkward, the magic system while simple and straightforward could have been presented better, the whole Fey using magic wands to travel seemed really out of place. The story of the MCs itself was interesting, the whole heist angle refreshingly different from what Romantasy is offering.
All in all a pretty decent debut novel by the author, I look forward to seeing how book 2 improves on this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is book 1 in what is shaping up to be a series of interconnected standalones. The story itself was quite good, though the twists were predictable and at times felt somewhat shoehorned in. The writing at times was sometimes stiff and awkward, the magic system while simple and straightforward could have been presented better, the whole Fey using magic wands to travel seemed really out of place. The story of the MCs itself was interesting, the whole heist angle refreshingly different from what Romantasy is offering.
All in all a pretty decent debut novel by the author, I look forward to seeing how book 2 improves on this one.
November 12, 2025
"I had to decide. Trust my cynicism and leave him to his fate, or trust my heart and do something about it."
This was such a fun heist story with magic, shapeshifting, and royal intrigue. Valen and Emmeline both felt authentic with their own past emotional traumas and trust issues to work through. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. If you like fantasy stories with an unlikely pairing working together, some fiery chemistry, magic politics, and a HEA that will leave you smiling, you should definitely give this one a read.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a fun heist story with magic, shapeshifting, and royal intrigue. Valen and Emmeline both felt authentic with their own past emotional traumas and trust issues to work through. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. If you like fantasy stories with an unlikely pairing working together, some fiery chemistry, magic politics, and a HEA that will leave you smiling, you should definitely give this one a read.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An easy five-star read. Despite being the author’s debut novel, it carries the confidence and finesse of a seasoned storyteller. The world-building is rich and immersive, the characters are lovable, and the romance unfolds with a natural, effortless charm. The pacing is spot-on—I flew through the pages. I’m already looking forward to whatever this author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2025
I really enjoyed the premise of this book! The idea of both the Earth and Moon having different inhabitants and not only that but being able to travel between the two kept me hooked. Also the passion between our fmc and mmc was fire. I removed a star as I felt the story was rushed so I didn’t connect as well as I could have done with the characters but all in all a great read and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
Awesome Debut!
This is an excellent story, that truly surprised me, and I could not put it down! Emmaline and her relationship with Valen is a true gem. This is a steamy and unique story that I Loved, and Highly Recommend! No Spoilers!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is an excellent story, that truly surprised me, and I could not put it down! Emmaline and her relationship with Valen is a true gem. This is a steamy and unique story that I Loved, and Highly Recommend! No Spoilers!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 1, 2025
Only in Moonlight is a steamy romance heist in a fantasy setting and I honestly couldn’t ask for more. The longing in this book was so sweet and I love a good dual POV between the MMC and FMC, especially when its a happily ever after. Definitely recommend a read!
October 6, 2025
This was a great introduction to the series.
Interesting magical beings, short chapters, very easy read. Characters are engaging and the story is fun. Slow burn, human x fae.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Interesting magical beings, short chapters, very easy read. Characters are engaging and the story is fun. Slow burn, human x fae.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 9, 2025
Emmeline and Valen pull you in immediately, fast paced storyline that has Fey, shapeshifters, ballrooms, gardens, Court intrigue, romance, abit of spice
I absolutely loved this- can’t wait for the next novel!
I absolutely loved this- can’t wait for the next novel!
October 2, 2025
Intrique, action, fabulous characters and a whole lotta fireworks. This book was captivating right from the start! I received an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2025
Only in Moonlight is a beautifully written story that had me hooked from the very first sentence. Christine Linwood does a fantastic job crafting vivid, engaging characters—I absolutely loved the personalities of the main leads. They felt real and compelling, and their interactions added so much depth to the story.
There are plenty of twists and secrets woven throughout, keeping the plot moving at a great pace and constantly surprising me. I was fully drawn into the world and the relationships at play.
If anything, I would have loved to see even more character development and emotional arcs—there's so much potential there, and it’s clear this series has room to grow deeper. That said, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are plenty of twists and secrets woven throughout, keeping the plot moving at a great pace and constantly surprising me. I was fully drawn into the world and the relationships at play.
If anything, I would have loved to see even more character development and emotional arcs—there's so much potential there, and it’s clear this series has room to grow deeper. That said, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews