A Tale of Two Fates: A Slow-Burn, Forbidden Love Fantasy Romance

by Julia Lauzon

There were many different kinds of monsters in the world. Those that had claws and teeth that made your instincts scream at you to run.

And those who sat idly by, watching them…


Though people often snicker at her clouded eyes and walking stick, Loralie knows if they were to see the monster lurking within, their expressions would pale in horror. Practicing Magic in the continent of Pangenon, an act outlawed by death, certainly has its perks.

Decklyn, the loyal captain of the queen's guard on the other hand, remains the picture of authority as he teeters on the line between compliance and treason under the direction of a tyrannical queen.

This delicate balance tumbles when Decklyn is confronted with the monarchy's dark secrets, fleeing his post, his closest men behind him.

When their paths cross with Loralie, the truth about this discovery is revealed, leaving one of them murdered in the resulting altercation. Decklyn gives chase with hopes to mitigate the damage, until the tampering of a rebel Mage and his sentient guardian entangles the pair with an ancient Magic. Suddenly barred from access to her gifts, Loralie cannot practice without forfeiting both of their lives.

With a body that cannot bear to be separated from her powers, Loralie fights to recover her lost memories with the help of Decklyn, the only hope of breaking the cursed bond. While they fight against their fate, a forbidden attraction sparks between the man who once upheld the law without question and the woman forced to break it for survival.

As shattered pieces of her past return, they discover that her gift may be the key to more than breaking the tie and may instead hold the power to save the kingdom.

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2025

About the author

After leaving her profession in Human Resources behind her in early 2025, Julia felt the call to pursue a career in the writing industry. Shortly after, in March 2025, she was given the opportunity to write "Greater Than a Tourist - Niagara Falls, Canada", an installment in the "Greater Than a Tourist" anthology series. She enjoyed working with CZYK Publishing so much that in June of 2025, when offered a chance at writing for their sister anthology series "Eat Like A Local", she jumped at the chance. "Eat Like a Local: Hamilton" is a labor of love, reflecting her passion for the diverse and thriving food culture in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Although her publishing journey has been primarily in the non-fiction genre, Julia’s heart truly lies in the twisted roads less traveled of fantasy fiction writing. As a long-time reader of Sarah J. Maas and Stephanie Garber, it was only natural that the romantasy genre poured out once her fingers were put to the keys. She now writes compelling romantasy novels, rife with political intrigue, witty humor, and a dash of spice. Her first romantasy novel, A Tale of Two Fates, a slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romantasy, is set to launch November 17th, 2025.

Reviews

[Mariah Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tale of Two Fates! This was well written if you love fantasy romance I definitely recommend it. It has all the emotions and magical aspects. It also has a slow burn between the characters.

Some topes to love are:
Enemies- to lovers
Forbidden magic
Betrayal

I had the pleasure of read this book early I rate it 5 stars. I can't wait to read more from this author!

[Shanda Laving · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tale of Two Fates absolutely swept me off my feet, this is the kind of fantasy-romance that reminds me why I read in the first place. I adored the dynamic between Loralie and Decklyn; the enemies-to-lovers tension was sharp, addictive, and beautifully balanced with genuine emotional depth. Loralie, especially, is everything I love in a main character: sassy, stubborn, capable, and carrying both power and vulnerability in equal measure.

The magic system was incredibly fresh and compelling, complex without ever feeling confusing, and woven seamlessly into the worldbuilding. And I have to mention the furry companion: easily one of my favourite parts of the entire story. Full personality, full charm, full chaos, perfection.

The writing style pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. It’s clean, evocative, and immersive in that way where you look up and realise you’ve read half the book without meaning to. My only complaint? The cliffhanger ending. It was brilliant… but also absolutely rude. I need book two immediately.

A lush, character-driven fantasy with romance, magic, banter, and just the right amount of danger. A 5-star read for me

[CoolReadHaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and I am craving the second book! This book started off strong with loralie waking up in ashes with no memories! This book has stolen memories, forgotten love, enemies to maybe lovers, magic pacts, magic familiars, secrets, and huge plot twists! This evil queen has forbidden magic and condemned everyone with a magic mark to death. It is dual POV with loralie and decklyn’s POV. Decklyn struggles with his morality being a captain of the queen’s guard. When everything gets turned on its head and he doesn’t know what to believe anymore. You get o learn so much about this world and the struggles these characters go through! I was enchanted with the world and the different characters. The writing was so well done and I could not stop thinking about this book! The plot twists had my jaw on the floor. A truly amazing fantasy!

[Lisa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Darkly Enchanting Tale of Power, Secrets, and Redemption

I was lucky to be asked to read an advanced copy of this book and wanted to give my honest review

I throughly enjoyed the book, the characters had depth and the world building was good

This story is a masterful blend of fantasy, suspense, and emotional depth. Loralie is a captivating protagonist—her blindness is no weakness, but a veil hiding a dangerous truth. The world of Pangenon is richly imagined, where magic is outlawed and monsters come in both brutal and subtle forms.
Decklyn’s journey from loyal captain to hunted rebel adds a compelling layer of tension, and his dynamic with Loralie is electric. Their bond—both cursed and emotionally charged—drives the narrative with urgency and heart. The twist involving ancient magic and lost memories is beautifully executed, keeping the stakes high and the pages turning.
What truly stands out is the emotional complexity: forbidden attraction, moral conflict, and the haunting question of whether power can be used for good in a world built to fear it. The ending hints at a deeper destiny, making this not just a story of survival, but one of hope and transformation.
Highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy, strong characters, and stories where magic is both a gift and a curse.

[Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden Magic Meets Slow-Burn Romance—Pure Perfection

A dark, atmospheric fantasy with a heroine you can’t help but root for and a soldier whose loyalty is tested in all the best ways. The cursed bond between Loralie and Decklyn crackles with tension, and the unfolding mystery around her past kept me hooked from the start. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, filled with a diverse cast whose motivations add depth and nuance to every twist. And looming over it all is the necromantic queen—her evil simmering from afar, subtle and chilling in all the right ways.

Loralie is a compelling protagonist, balancing vulnerability, strength, and a desperate drive to reclaim what was stolen from her. Watching her navigate her forbidden magic, confront her lost memories, and form an uneasy alliance with Decklyn makes for a gripping journey. Decklyn himself is magnetic—a soldier bound by honor, yet pulled into danger and moral compromise, making their dynamic layered, tense, and irresistibly engaging.

The mystery surrounding Fenix and his connection to Loralie had me on the edge of my seat. So many questions were raised, and only a few answers revealed in this first installment—leaving me eagerly jonesing for the next book to uncover the next nugget of truth. And then there’s Bernice, the mother hen of invisible barriers. For an inanimate yet conscious being, she was absolutely hilarious, bringing much-needed levity to even the direst situations.

The story masterfully blends high-stakes action with emotional depth. Every encounter, every twist of the plot, and every revelation about the kingdom and its hidden threats keeps the stakes constantly rising. From the intricacies of the magical system to the clever way the cursed bond ties Loralie and Decklyn together, the book never lets you catch your breath. For readers who love dark fantasy, forbidden magic, and slow-burn romance with richly drawn characters, this is an absolute must-read.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC of A Tale of Two Fates.
This story has a concept I immediately loved: a forced life bond between enemies, death magic, familiars, forgotten memories, and a slow uncovering of who the FMC really is. The book opens strongly and throws you straight into a world of secrets, danger, and shifting loyalties.

One of my favourite parts was the twist toward the end. It tied a lot of the earlier mysteries together in a really satisfying way and gave much more weight to the FMC’s past. And honestly — the moment Fenix opened his mouth and was finally allowed to speak, I became a Fenix girlie instantly. You could feel the jealousy and tension simmering earlier in the story, but that moment sealed it. Anyone else fall that fast?

The tropes throughout were really fun:

• enemies to lovers
• forgotten lovers
• forced proximity
• hidden identity
• death magic tied to fate
• animal familiar companionship

The middle of the book slowed down a bit for me. I found myself wanting more emotional depth between the characters and a little more clarity in the world-building to help anchor the magic system and motivations. But the ending pulled everything back together with strong momentum and left some genuinely intriguing threads for future books.

Overall, it’s a creative premise with a strong start and a memorable final act — especially if you enjoy fate-driven stories, hidden history, and magic that ties into identity.

Rating: 3/5 — Great concept and lots of potential for future instalments.

[Danni Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tale of Two Fates
A Forbidden Love Romantasy
By Julia Lauzon

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



🎻 Forbidden Love
🗡 Forced Proximity
🎻 Hidden Identity
🗡 Forgotten Lovers
🎻 Magic & Familiars
🗡 Betrayal
🎻 Forbidden Magic

I am so sorry it took me so long to get to this ARC because honestly this book blew my mind in the best of ways!

This follows the story of Loralie who is just living her life when she is suddenly not in control of her body, walking without pause for three entire days with no understanding as to why.

The reason? Decklyn and his men.
Decklyn is out for rèvenge, you see Loralie took the life of one of his men, and now? Now he wants to face the person responsible to make them suffer. Only when she arrives things are not as straight forward, magic deals must be undone, and powers are uncovered along with secret identities and other secrets.

This incredible book is so unique with its intricate storyline it will keep you invested to see where it leads, filled with tension, magic, secrets and animal familiars you won't see coming.

I cannot wait for the next book!

The Tale of Two Fates is available NOW 😘🖤

#forbiddenlove #thetaleoftwofates #romantasy #bookreview #booktokfyp

[Lady Biblio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh the tension was wonderfully done. Conflicts between duty and trauma. Memories lost to the void. It has it all.

Each character was well done. From their personalities, to morals, to their actions. Each felt like their own person which gave them diversity. Which made for some interesting, and real feeling, interactions between characters. Artur is giving major Fae trickster vibes and I am here for it. Every. Single. Time.

The pacing of this story varies. In the beginning it was slow in a way of getting through the introduction. But as things began to hit the fan, pacing really picked up. With the climax feeling quite fast in its conclusion.

And that conclusion! Without spoilers, it left me wanting more. Craving more. I had that feeling of wanting to flip a page back and forth going “That’s it!? You can’t stop there!” Very well done!

[Jillian Kassela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tale of Two Fates pulled me in with its mystery and the unique world it's set in. Decklyn, a loyal soldier turned fugitive, and Lorelai, the blind girl with dangerous magic, end up bound together in a life-debt that neither of them can escape. From the moment their paths cross, the story becomes a twisting web of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected connection.

The world building is rich and immersive, full of magic, suspense, danger, and mystery that make every page interesting. Lorelai and Decklyn are complex and flawed in ways that make them feel like real people. Their banter and tension jumps off the page, nand the pacing keeps you constantly guessing at what's happening and what will happen next

It’s a dark fantasy full of mystery and emotion, and that cliffhanger ending left me desperate for the next book!!

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great read. I loved the idea of the story, the characters were well written, and the development was pretty good. For me though, this story just wasn’t a favorite for me. I felt like there was too much going on and things felt a bit scattered. I struggled a bit to get through this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Monia J · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good ! I was so invested from the start, wanting to understand what happened and who are the characters. I loved discovering things as one goes along. I was reading the last page and then I saw “epilogue” and I was like noooo. I need the second book. I need answers!!! 😭
I really enjoyed it!
A perfect mix of fantasy and romance.

[Leanne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what an ending, what a cliff hanger. This book was an enemies to friends with good banter, the two main characters kept trying to goad each other any chance they got. It was a good read. Can’t wait for book 2

[Alexandra Makkai · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars


I went into A Tale of Two Fates genuinely excited. It was my first ARC from the author, and I truly wanted to support her work. The premise promised everything I love — forbidden love, magic, rebellion, and a heroine discovering her identity. Unfortunately, while the concept had great potential, the execution struggled in several key areas.

✨ What Worked

The world introduces intriguing ideas: necromancy tied to royalty, magic pacts, familiars, and a protagonist with hidden powers. There are moments where emotional tension almost lands, and a few late-stage reveals are undeniably compelling. The author clearly had a rich vision for her world and characters.

✨ What Didn’t Work

Where the book faltered for me was in its consistency and pacing. The story jumps frequently between timelines and perspectives, often withholding information without payoff. Many chapters end on cliffhangers that reiterate what we already know instead of moving the plot forward. Important twists are either predictable early on or revealed too late to carry emotional weight.

The narrative structure would have been far stronger if told solely from the main heroine’s perspective. Alternative POVs — especially a late one from King Darren — added little to the story and interrupted momentum.

✨ Characters & Romance

The book is marketed as “forbidden love,” but the forbidden romance isn’t explored until the final chapters and doesn’t have enough page-time or emotional grounding to resonate. Instead, the story leans on a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic between the heroine and the captain of the guard — a pairing that unfortunately lacked chemistry. Their connection feels forced rather than earned, with little development to support the shift from hostility to affection.

Side characters also occasionally behave inconsistently, reacting unrealistically or without explanation. Emotional stakes that should feel powerful often land flat due to missing buildup.

✨ Magic System & Worldbuilding

There are fascinating magical elements — pacts, memory barriers, energy-feeding, soul-infused armor — but the rules aren’t clearly established. New abilities appear suddenly with minimal explanation. Important concepts (familiars, the Life Bond, the protagonist’s transformations) are introduced without enough clarity to understand their purpose or limitations.

This results in a story where major events feel more confusing than impactful, and key moments lack the emotional depth they deserve.

✨ Final Thoughts

A Tale of Two Fates is built on a strong foundation: unique magic, high stakes, and the potential for sweeping romance. But the execution felt uneven, with pacing issues, minimal character chemistry, and frequent contradictions that pulled me out of the story. I truly wanted to love this book — especially as an ARC — but by the end, I was left more confused than captivated.

Readers who enjoy mysterious magic systems, large casts, and plot-heavy fantasy might still find things to appreciate here. But for me, it didn’t fully deliver on its promise.

Rating: 2.5 stars — a creative idea with ambitious twists, but ultimately lacking the cohesion and emotional depth it needed.

[Babs Rudlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Review: A Tale of Two Fates*** by Julia Lauzon
Genre: Fantasy Romance (Slow-Burn, Forbidden Love)
Format Read: ARC Kindle Ebook

⭐ Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐

📝 Quick Summary (Spoiler-Free)

This story takes a standard fantasy romance and places it in a more complex environment defined by magic and political strife. The leading lady, Loralie, the Blind Bard, is on a journey of reclaiming her memories, which were stolen from her. Her path is complicated by being trapped in a complex pattern of multiple magic and life bonds that severely limit her options and choices.

👍 What I Loved

Characters & Dynamic: The main characters, Loralie and Decklyn (the Ex-Captain of the Queen’s Guard), are captivating. Decklyn's fanatical aversion to magic puts him at direct odds with Loralie's identity. This deep conflict, coupled with their shared but untrusted attraction, creates a fantastic slow-burn, forbidden romance dynamic. Decklyn's developing jealousy of Loralie's growing bonds with his former guard friends further amps up the tension.

Plot/Pacing: The pacing worked very well, offering sufficient revelations along the way to keep the intrigue high. A particularly great element was the growth of Loralie's familiar, which acted as a clear, fascinating pointer to her increasing self-knowledge and recovery of her memories.

Writing Style & World-Building: The writing is very descriptive, with all scenarios and locations evocatively written, drawing the reader into the world and creating excellent immersion.

Key Themes: The book masterfully explores complex themes like reclaiming identity, fighting destiny/fate, and the dangerous power of forbidden love against a backdrop of deep political and magical opposition.

⚠️ Constructive Note

The only downside was that occasional modern terminology crept into the tale, which was a little off-putting and slightly bounced me out of the otherwise excellent immersion in this evocative world.

🎯 Who Should Read This?

If you love tense, slow-burn dynamics: Readers who appreciate a truly earned romantic connection built on conflict and lack of trust will enjoy this.

If you enjoy complex magic systems: The story features multiple layers of magic and binding life bonds that add fascinating constraints and complexity to the plot.

If you want a detailed fantasy world: Perfect for those who love descriptive writing and intricate world-building with high stakes.

***Final Verdict***

This is a compelling, highly immersive 4-star fantasy romance that expertly uses memory loss and political opposition to fuel a delicious slow-burn dynamic. The evocative writing and the central character struggle—Loralie’s search for identity against the backdrop of magical constraints—make this a strong recommendation for fans of complex world-building.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lush and Emotional Fantasy of Fate, Love, and Choice

A Tale of Two Fates by Julia Lauzon is a beautifully written fantasy romance that blends destiny, rebellion, and heartfelt emotion into a story that’s both sweeping and intimate. Lauzon’s prose is lyrical yet sharp, drawing you into a world where every choice has a cost — and love might just be the most dangerous gamble of all.

The story follows two intertwined destinies, full of tension, longing, and impossible decisions. The emotional stakes are high, and the characters feel real — flawed, brave, and achingly human. The romantic chemistry is slow-burning but deeply satisfying once it hits its stride. The world-building feels rich and ancient, with just the right amount of mysticism.

There are a few moments where the pacing lingers and certain plot threads could’ve used a touch more clarity, but overall, Lauzon delivers a story that’s heartfelt, intense, and deeply immersive.

✨ Tropes you’ll love:
💫 Fated lovers
🗡️ Enemies to lovers (with serious tension!)
👑 Hidden royalty / secret legacy
🔥 Forbidden magic
💔 Choices vs. destiny
🌒 Dual POVs
⚔️ Betrayal and redemption

A Tale of Two Fates is a spellbinding journey through love and loss, destiny and defiance — perfect for readers who crave a bit of heartbreak with their magic.

[S G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy
ARC Source: I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
PoV: Loralie and Decklyn
Thoughts: A Tale of Two Fates by Julia Lauzon is a beautifully woven Romantasy full of magic, tension, vulnerability and conflict. Lauzon creates a lush fantasy world with complex and flawed characters. However, the pacing leaves room for improvement, there were many times I wished the pacing would slow down and other times I wished it would speed up. Overall, it does an excellent job setting up for what I can imagine is going to be an explosive second book in this series. I also want to mention, the dedication has to be one of my favorite dedications of all time!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only gripe & reason that I did not rate 5 stars is that I found some parts of the book too quick paced (more so the romance between Decklyn & Loralie) Some parts felt rushed and didn’t feel organic to their relationship. I found that I didn’t connect with Decklyn as an MMC as much as I have with previous MMCs.

Having said that I loved this book from start to finish! I loved the magic system & the characters. I can’t wait to read the next instalment! The cliffhanger at the end of the book has left me on the edge on my seat. I absolutely loved the many twists and turns in this book and had many shocked moments!

Would definitely recommend this book!

[Cassie King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC copy which I would like to say thank you to author for sending this to me

I was tossing uo between a 2.5 and a 3 but then settled on a 2.5 due to a few things

The book was confusing me a little with how obvious things were but were acting like a big reveal. The writing was super easy to digest and I enjoyed the sass coming from the FMC

The romance didnt come across to me. The whole time I didnt didnt feel any sort of connection from them so was very surprised and confused

[Paige Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

What a cliffhanger!!

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this enemies to lovers magical fantasy. I really connected with the character of Loralie and was routing for her the entire time. The author has set this book up perfectly for a second instalment leaving us readers asking who will she end up with?! I’m also excited to learn more about the other characters as I feel like there is a lot more we have to learn. 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Alyssa Sequinot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It honestly didn’t grab my attention liked I hoped it would. The story was good and I enjoyed the enemies to lover. I just can’t put my finger on it as to why it didn’t really peak my interest.