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The Heart of Faerie
A story for anyone who has ever wanted to lose themselves in a good book, and for those who have needed to rediscover themselves again the same way…
When Alastair, playboy fae prince and bisexual disaster, and his stoic, snarky bestie Killian travel to the human realm to retrieve the prophesied Chosen One, they abduct Vivi Pierce to save their home from a sinister, ancient curse. Vivi may be a nineteen-year-old college student, but fortunately for Faerie, she’s eager to save the world. In fact, she's pretty sure that she could ride a dragon or help perform a coup, should the need arise. She has, after all, read every romantasy novel she’s ever gotten her hands on. She knows every trope in the book.
The only problem? Vivi isn't actually the Chosen One, and this kidnapping isn’t the meet-cute that she thought it was. It turns out the Chosen One is actually her middle-aged mother Jenn, and the fae men grabbed the wrong woman. Now, instead of leading the charge to save the world, becoming inexplicably good at combat through a quick training montage, and getting seduced by a sexy, impossibly-old fae love interest, Vivi has to contend with the fact that her mother may be the real Main Character in this story. Worse yet, it looks like Jenn has known about the existence of Faerie for years, and purposely hid that knowledge from her daughter. It seems that maybe Vivi's books have gotten more than a few things terribly wrong…
A loving but humorous homage to the genres of romantasy and portal fantasy, The Heart of Faerie is the first book of the Broken Tropes trilogy. This trilogy, meant for adult readers 18+, includes a Happily Ever After for all main characters by the end of the trilogy and wraps up at least one HEA in each individual book. It is a first person, dual point of view story that includes the POVs of both Vivi and Jenn (who, unfortunately, isn’t nearly as boring as Vivi thought she was).
When Alastair, playboy fae prince and bisexual disaster, and his stoic, snarky bestie Killian travel to the human realm to retrieve the prophesied Chosen One, they abduct Vivi Pierce to save their home from a sinister, ancient curse. Vivi may be a nineteen-year-old college student, but fortunately for Faerie, she’s eager to save the world. In fact, she's pretty sure that she could ride a dragon or help perform a coup, should the need arise. She has, after all, read every romantasy novel she’s ever gotten her hands on. She knows every trope in the book.
The only problem? Vivi isn't actually the Chosen One, and this kidnapping isn’t the meet-cute that she thought it was. It turns out the Chosen One is actually her middle-aged mother Jenn, and the fae men grabbed the wrong woman. Now, instead of leading the charge to save the world, becoming inexplicably good at combat through a quick training montage, and getting seduced by a sexy, impossibly-old fae love interest, Vivi has to contend with the fact that her mother may be the real Main Character in this story. Worse yet, it looks like Jenn has known about the existence of Faerie for years, and purposely hid that knowledge from her daughter. It seems that maybe Vivi's books have gotten more than a few things terribly wrong…
A loving but humorous homage to the genres of romantasy and portal fantasy, The Heart of Faerie is the first book of the Broken Tropes trilogy. This trilogy, meant for adult readers 18+, includes a Happily Ever After for all main characters by the end of the trilogy and wraps up at least one HEA in each individual book. It is a first person, dual point of view story that includes the POVs of both Vivi and Jenn (who, unfortunately, isn’t nearly as boring as Vivi thought she was).
- GenresFantasy
562 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Really sorry to say I did not vibe with this book at all. I was graciously offered an ARC by the author, and was really hoping to like this book based on the description and the beautiful cover. DNF @ 28%
Unfortunately, the emphasis on tropes got tiring for me pretty much the moment it started. One of the MCs literally mentioning the “broken” tropes every chapter felt incredibly wink-wink, nudge-nudge fourth wall-breaking, in a way that kept me from getting into the story. All the more because I found this character so immature and superficial, the meta reflections felt very out of place.
The writing overall wasn’t my jam. The story was quite predictable (I did skim ahead) and the characters were tired copies of archetypes we’ve seen countless times. There was a lot of telling, not showing going on, too. All in all, for a book about breaking conventions, it was a pretty conventional romantasy.
It was easy reading and I could see others enjoying the snarkiness and mother/daughter dynamic enough to keep being engaged, but this was a miss for me.
Unfortunately, the emphasis on tropes got tiring for me pretty much the moment it started. One of the MCs literally mentioning the “broken” tropes every chapter felt incredibly wink-wink, nudge-nudge fourth wall-breaking, in a way that kept me from getting into the story. All the more because I found this character so immature and superficial, the meta reflections felt very out of place.
The writing overall wasn’t my jam. The story was quite predictable (I did skim ahead) and the characters were tired copies of archetypes we’ve seen countless times. There was a lot of telling, not showing going on, too. All in all, for a book about breaking conventions, it was a pretty conventional romantasy.
It was easy reading and I could see others enjoying the snarkiness and mother/daughter dynamic enough to keep being engaged, but this was a miss for me.
Did Not Finish
April 1, 2026DNF @ 8% ☹️
Truthfully, only because there was SO MUCH trope shoved in, and I understand that it’s satire, and what I did read was actually really fun and well written, but for me personally, it’s just a bit much. On the other hand, I don’t really read quirky and cute romcoms, so it stands to reason that this one wasn’t really for me.
I feel in my bones that this book will be perfect for the right person, and I truly hope that it does well ♥️
Truthfully, only because there was SO MUCH trope shoved in, and I understand that it’s satire, and what I did read was actually really fun and well written, but for me personally, it’s just a bit much. On the other hand, I don’t really read quirky and cute romcoms, so it stands to reason that this one wasn’t really for me.
I feel in my bones that this book will be perfect for the right person, and I truly hope that it does well ♥️
May 18, 2026
It’s a romantasy, but all the tropes are broken. On purpose. This is The Heart of Faerie.
When Vivi is approached by two men who address her by name, the very last thing she expected was to lose consciousness and wake up in Faerie.
Not that she is complaining, honestly - Vivi is an avid fan of romantasy books, so the idea of suddenly becoming a part of one is Very Exciting. Even the bit where she’s been kidnapped by two amazingly gorgeous fae men. One of them has got to be her fated mate, right?
Wrong. It turns out her kidnapping is a simple case of mistaken identity. Their real target - Vivi’s mother Jenn - has just arrived and she is furious. Not at Vivi - at Alistair and Kilian. The fae men she adventured with twenty years ago before Vivi was born.
To make matters worse, there’s a prophecy, with a Chosen One and soulmates…and they’re all about Jenn. Suddenly, all Vivi’s favourite romantasy tropes are not that appealing to her anymore.
This debut was an absolute riot. It is an homage/loving send-up of some of the most common romantasy tropes - Only One Bed, Only One Saddle, Second Chance Romance and a whole lot more. I loved having the dual POVs from Vivi and Jenn. The relationships were wonderfully built and the character growth was really special. I am so excited to read more in this world.
There is romance in this book, and it is a very slow burn. The spice is open door for the most part but does include fade to black. There is some decent discussion of PTSD and panic attacks, and the historical death of a parent/spouse.
If you love romantasy but want to see your favourite tropes turned upside down, you absolutely must read The Heart of Faerie as soon as possible.
When Vivi is approached by two men who address her by name, the very last thing she expected was to lose consciousness and wake up in Faerie.
Not that she is complaining, honestly - Vivi is an avid fan of romantasy books, so the idea of suddenly becoming a part of one is Very Exciting. Even the bit where she’s been kidnapped by two amazingly gorgeous fae men. One of them has got to be her fated mate, right?
Wrong. It turns out her kidnapping is a simple case of mistaken identity. Their real target - Vivi’s mother Jenn - has just arrived and she is furious. Not at Vivi - at Alistair and Kilian. The fae men she adventured with twenty years ago before Vivi was born.
To make matters worse, there’s a prophecy, with a Chosen One and soulmates…and they’re all about Jenn. Suddenly, all Vivi’s favourite romantasy tropes are not that appealing to her anymore.
This debut was an absolute riot. It is an homage/loving send-up of some of the most common romantasy tropes - Only One Bed, Only One Saddle, Second Chance Romance and a whole lot more. I loved having the dual POVs from Vivi and Jenn. The relationships were wonderfully built and the character growth was really special. I am so excited to read more in this world.
There is romance in this book, and it is a very slow burn. The spice is open door for the most part but does include fade to black. There is some decent discussion of PTSD and panic attacks, and the historical death of a parent/spouse.
If you love romantasy but want to see your favourite tropes turned upside down, you absolutely must read The Heart of Faerie as soon as possible.
May 22, 2026
The Heart of Faerie takes a lot of typical romantasy tropes and either turns them upside down or destroys them altogether.
Our characters are: Vivi, a 19 year old college student who loves all things romantasy and is thrilled to be carted off to Faerie, but is less thrilled to find out she's not actually The Chosen One. Jenn, Vivi's terribly practical mom, who is the actual Chosen One, much to her chagrin. Alistair, the blond, very bisexual playboy fae prince who's supposedly Jenn's soulmate and Killian, the stoic best friend of Alistair.
Vivi quickly learns that Faerie is a lot scarier than her romantasy books portray (unicorns are very mean and impale-y) and that being The Chosen One kind of sucks. A lot. And causes a lot of trauma.
The quartet have to retrace the steps Jenn, Alistair and Killian took 20 years ago when they tried (and failed) to save Faerie the first time. Through the journey they have to deal with the way the Chosen One prophecy has warped their lives and work to truly fix the Heart of Faerie once and for all.
I love how The Heart of Faerie played with tropes and handled the long lasting effects of traumatic events. Alistair was hilarious and the banter between all the characters was excellent.
Thank you Rowan Parker for the opportunity to advance read. 💜
Our characters are: Vivi, a 19 year old college student who loves all things romantasy and is thrilled to be carted off to Faerie, but is less thrilled to find out she's not actually The Chosen One. Jenn, Vivi's terribly practical mom, who is the actual Chosen One, much to her chagrin. Alistair, the blond, very bisexual playboy fae prince who's supposedly Jenn's soulmate and Killian, the stoic best friend of Alistair.
Vivi quickly learns that Faerie is a lot scarier than her romantasy books portray (unicorns are very mean and impale-y) and that being The Chosen One kind of sucks. A lot. And causes a lot of trauma.
The quartet have to retrace the steps Jenn, Alistair and Killian took 20 years ago when they tried (and failed) to save Faerie the first time. Through the journey they have to deal with the way the Chosen One prophecy has warped their lives and work to truly fix the Heart of Faerie once and for all.
I love how The Heart of Faerie played with tropes and handled the long lasting effects of traumatic events. Alistair was hilarious and the banter between all the characters was excellent.
Thank you Rowan Parker for the opportunity to advance read. 💜
May 25, 2026
From the world building to characters I’m still thinking about constantly, The Heart of Faerie is a captivating and endearing read.
Readers follow Vivi, a nineteen-year-old romantasy-obsessed college student who gets quite literally pulled into the world of fae. What she doesn’t know is that her mother, Jenn, has a history in the realm with the very same duo that brought in Vivi. Together, they set out to finish a mission started twenty years ago to save the world and get everyone their happily ever after.
I felt like I inhaled this book in a few short sittings. It was written with heart and jokes and a true understanding of the complexity of being human (and fae, duh) with twists and turns that had me hooked.
I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a huge fantasy/romantasy fan aside from the Fourth Wing trilogy, and this still had me fully enrapt. Whether you’re a newbie to the genre or a lifetime super fan, this is one you’re going to need on your shelf stat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Full disclosure, I am slightly biased because I’ve loved and looked up to Rowan since the literal day I was born but promise this review is 100% my honest take and I would give the same one even if she wasn’t my cousin. 😉)
Readers follow Vivi, a nineteen-year-old romantasy-obsessed college student who gets quite literally pulled into the world of fae. What she doesn’t know is that her mother, Jenn, has a history in the realm with the very same duo that brought in Vivi. Together, they set out to finish a mission started twenty years ago to save the world and get everyone their happily ever after.
I felt like I inhaled this book in a few short sittings. It was written with heart and jokes and a true understanding of the complexity of being human (and fae, duh) with twists and turns that had me hooked.
I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a huge fantasy/romantasy fan aside from the Fourth Wing trilogy, and this still had me fully enrapt. Whether you’re a newbie to the genre or a lifetime super fan, this is one you’re going to need on your shelf stat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Full disclosure, I am slightly biased because I’ve loved and looked up to Rowan since the literal day I was born but promise this review is 100% my honest take and I would give the same one even if she wasn’t my cousin. 😉)
May 24, 2026
I received an ARC for this book and I'm so glad I did!
This was so much fun! I loved the way that the classic fantasy, romance, and newer Romantasy tropes were played with. It was all done in a loving way, no malicious jibes pretending to be jokes.
Vivi and Jenn were wonderful FMCs, and I loved how they treated the Chosen One trope. Like the Magicians and Every Heart a Doorway, Rowan Parker acknowledges that any Chosen one in a Fantasy setting is dealing with Trauma with a capital T, and that going back to regular Earth is both a relief and it's own add-on trauma.
I had predictions about the Prophecy and I love that I got some of it right and some of it surprised me. The breadcrumbs were well placed so I followed along but didn't have everything teased to the point of it being obvious.
I can't wait for the second book and I think that people enjoying books like Long Live Evil and This Kingdom Will Bit Kill Me would enjoy this lighter take into the genre (not the same as Vivi isn't pulled into her favorite book series but into the general Faerie realm, which she adores in her books)
This was so much fun! I loved the way that the classic fantasy, romance, and newer Romantasy tropes were played with. It was all done in a loving way, no malicious jibes pretending to be jokes.
Vivi and Jenn were wonderful FMCs, and I loved how they treated the Chosen One trope. Like the Magicians and Every Heart a Doorway, Rowan Parker acknowledges that any Chosen one in a Fantasy setting is dealing with Trauma with a capital T, and that going back to regular Earth is both a relief and it's own add-on trauma.
I had predictions about the Prophecy and I love that I got some of it right and some of it surprised me. The breadcrumbs were well placed so I followed along but didn't have everything teased to the point of it being obvious.
I can't wait for the second book and I think that people enjoying books like Long Live Evil and This Kingdom Will Bit Kill Me would enjoy this lighter take into the genre (not the same as Vivi isn't pulled into her favorite book series but into the general Faerie realm, which she adores in her books)
May 20, 2026
ARC Review ✨
I genuinely could not put this book down. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter. The banter was top tier and had me laughing more often than not.
What really stood out to me, though, was the character development, especially between Jenn and her daughter, Vivi. Jenn being a 40-year-old mother who has already experienced so much life made her feel incredibly real and inspiring. It was so easy to connect with her throughout the story, and watching her growth alongside her relationship with Vivi added so much heart to the book.
The fae males could not have been more opposite from each other, and I loved that dynamic. There were definitely moments where Alastair had me completely exasperated, but he also made me laugh throughout most of the book. And Killian? I absolutely loved him. I already cannot wait for book two to see where the story takes us next!
I genuinely could not put this book down. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter. The banter was top tier and had me laughing more often than not.
What really stood out to me, though, was the character development, especially between Jenn and her daughter, Vivi. Jenn being a 40-year-old mother who has already experienced so much life made her feel incredibly real and inspiring. It was so easy to connect with her throughout the story, and watching her growth alongside her relationship with Vivi added so much heart to the book.
The fae males could not have been more opposite from each other, and I loved that dynamic. There were definitely moments where Alastair had me completely exasperated, but he also made me laugh throughout most of the book. And Killian? I absolutely loved him. I already cannot wait for book two to see where the story takes us next!
July 9, 2026
📖 The Review
The ultimate "Not the Chosen One" fantasy we didn’t know we needed.The Heart of Faerie by Rowan Parker is an absolute blast from start to finish. It perfectly balances high-stakes action with sharp, self-aware wit. The premise itself is pure gold: imagine getting kidnapped by the fae, fully prepared to live out your ultimate romantantasy book aesthetics, only to realize your mum is actually the chosen one and youre not the main character you've always dreamt of being. Ive noticed a lot of people complaining about "too many tropes" but its literally in the series title so idk 🤷♀️ if personally enjoyed the concept of the tropes being wrong and unrealistic.
🎭 Character Breakdown
Vivi: She is literally every 19yr old BookTok girlie personified. She has dreamed of fae and romantasy since she can remember but watching her realize she is completely ill-equipped for a fantasy quest—and coming to terms with the fact that being a background character might actually save her life—is both hilarious and deeply relatable. It is especially funny watching her try to manifest classic romance book moments, only for it to go horribly and realistically wrong like when she actually tries to set up the "one bed trope."
Jenn: A powerhouse of a character. She carries an immense amount of unresolved trauma from her time in Faerie, and watching her palpable emotional growth and acceptance throughout the story is incredibly rewarding.
Alistair: Don't let the "himbo" energy fool you. While he starts with "the emotional intelligence of a spork" (thank you Rowan for that absolute gem of a line), his character is actually an incredibly smart, nuanced exploration of coping mechanisms in the face of a heavy prophecy.
Killian: He easily wins the "most improved" award. He starts as a typical stoic character, but he quickly opens up to reveal genuine depth and complexity fueled by yearning and loyalty.
🗺️ Pacing & World-Building
The pacing is spot-on—fast enough to keep you hooked from page one, but never overwhelming. Rowan Parker’s world-building is a fantastic, clever take on "Faerie" that expertly weaves in human folklore while breaking almost every romantasy/fae trope out there.
💭 Final Verdict
If you want a fantasy book that is smart, consistently funny, and exceptionally well-written, pick this up immediately.
The ultimate "Not the Chosen One" fantasy we didn’t know we needed.The Heart of Faerie by Rowan Parker is an absolute blast from start to finish. It perfectly balances high-stakes action with sharp, self-aware wit. The premise itself is pure gold: imagine getting kidnapped by the fae, fully prepared to live out your ultimate romantantasy book aesthetics, only to realize your mum is actually the chosen one and youre not the main character you've always dreamt of being. Ive noticed a lot of people complaining about "too many tropes" but its literally in the series title so idk 🤷♀️ if personally enjoyed the concept of the tropes being wrong and unrealistic.
🎭 Character Breakdown
Vivi: She is literally every 19yr old BookTok girlie personified. She has dreamed of fae and romantasy since she can remember but watching her realize she is completely ill-equipped for a fantasy quest—and coming to terms with the fact that being a background character might actually save her life—is both hilarious and deeply relatable. It is especially funny watching her try to manifest classic romance book moments, only for it to go horribly and realistically wrong like when she actually tries to set up the "one bed trope."
Jenn: A powerhouse of a character. She carries an immense amount of unresolved trauma from her time in Faerie, and watching her palpable emotional growth and acceptance throughout the story is incredibly rewarding.
Alistair: Don't let the "himbo" energy fool you. While he starts with "the emotional intelligence of a spork" (thank you Rowan for that absolute gem of a line), his character is actually an incredibly smart, nuanced exploration of coping mechanisms in the face of a heavy prophecy.
Killian: He easily wins the "most improved" award. He starts as a typical stoic character, but he quickly opens up to reveal genuine depth and complexity fueled by yearning and loyalty.
🗺️ Pacing & World-Building
The pacing is spot-on—fast enough to keep you hooked from page one, but never overwhelming. Rowan Parker’s world-building is a fantastic, clever take on "Faerie" that expertly weaves in human folklore while breaking almost every romantasy/fae trope out there.
💭 Final Verdict
If you want a fantasy book that is smart, consistently funny, and exceptionally well-written, pick this up immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.75
🔮 ARC Review 🧝♀️
"What's a dad joke? A brilliant pun that only someone as esteemed as a father could make?"
In this Romantasy we meet Vivi (short for Genevieve) who loves reading Romantasies. Her dream would be if Faerie was real and she could spend the rest of her life there. But her Mom, Jenn a.k.a. Genevieve, is not a fan and tries to keep Vivi's mind grounded in a more Earthly Realm.
When she finds herself abducted by two rude, but very handsome, fae, she's basically in heaven.
But, can she survive the perils of Faerie (Umm.. fae wine anyone?!?) or is it all sunshine and roses? I mean, who doesn't want to dress in a Renaissance-y corseted outfit??
When Vivi finds out that Faerie is real - and, shockingly her Mom Jenn not only knows it's real, but has been here before - she has to deal with her feelings of betrayal.
More than that - can they save Faerie and the human realm from destruction?!? Can Vivi make her own meet-cute situation happen? Can a human even wield magic in Faerie?
I loved this book sooooooooooo much! If you read a lot of romantasy and are a bookish person, I really think you'll like this book! Because the FMC is a romantasy fiend, she's looking for tropes everywhere and her commentary about what happens was hilarious and so relatable!
The entire book I thought I had the plotline nailed wrong, but nope I was completely wrong - which I LOVED!!
I cannot wait for the rest of the books in the Broken Tropes trilogy!!! I fell so hard for all of the main characters and would love in this world every day!!
If you like romantasy and love content talk from Bookstagram, BookTok, BookTube, or whatever other bookish communities there are - please read this book.
Triggers: Death, Violence
🔮 ARC Review 🧝♀️
"What's a dad joke? A brilliant pun that only someone as esteemed as a father could make?"
In this Romantasy we meet Vivi (short for Genevieve) who loves reading Romantasies. Her dream would be if Faerie was real and she could spend the rest of her life there. But her Mom, Jenn a.k.a. Genevieve, is not a fan and tries to keep Vivi's mind grounded in a more Earthly Realm.
When she finds herself abducted by two rude, but very handsome, fae, she's basically in heaven.
But, can she survive the perils of Faerie (Umm.. fae wine anyone?!?) or is it all sunshine and roses? I mean, who doesn't want to dress in a Renaissance-y corseted outfit??
When Vivi finds out that Faerie is real - and, shockingly her Mom Jenn not only knows it's real, but has been here before - she has to deal with her feelings of betrayal.
More than that - can they save Faerie and the human realm from destruction?!? Can Vivi make her own meet-cute situation happen? Can a human even wield magic in Faerie?
I loved this book sooooooooooo much! If you read a lot of romantasy and are a bookish person, I really think you'll like this book! Because the FMC is a romantasy fiend, she's looking for tropes everywhere and her commentary about what happens was hilarious and so relatable!
The entire book I thought I had the plotline nailed wrong, but nope I was completely wrong - which I LOVED!!
I cannot wait for the rest of the books in the Broken Tropes trilogy!!! I fell so hard for all of the main characters and would love in this world every day!!
If you like romantasy and love content talk from Bookstagram, BookTok, BookTube, or whatever other bookish communities there are - please read this book.
Triggers: Death, Violence
Review of advance copy received from Author
As one who enjoys romantasy reads, I enjoyed the humor and "Broken Tropes" concept in The Heart of Faerie. The main thing that drew me in was that the protagonists were a 40-year old mom (Jenn) and her teenage daughter (Vivi). I really liked how this ended up being a mother-daughter story more than anything. Bonus points for the pretty book art as well!
The chapters are written in dual-POV. I related to Vivi's character, as I'd probably react the same way upon learning of a broken trope. Unlike others, it didn't bug me that broken tropes were point out a lot, but more like some of them fell flat on why they were "broken".
The writing was hit or miss for me as it felt much longer than it needed to. The journey itself was interesting as they moved from one place to another introducing us to the world of Faerie, but there were a lot of dragging internal monologue and sentiments that were repeated way too much across several chapters that almost led me to DNF the book.
Since this is an ARC copy, I hope there's also time to fix repetitive wording (e.g. "I don't know how they did it for twenty years" immediately followed by "I don't know how they did it for so long"). Also might be a "me" issue, but the book's timeframe did not math for me at some points (although that part is a bit easier to gloss over).
Overall, I'd say it's an entertaining read that delivers on its main concept. I'd love to see this series succeed and will likely read the next installment as well.
The chapters are written in dual-POV. I related to Vivi's character, as I'd probably react the same way upon learning of a broken trope. Unlike others, it didn't bug me that broken tropes were point out a lot, but more like some of them fell flat on why they were "broken".
The writing was hit or miss for me as it felt much longer than it needed to. The journey itself was interesting as they moved from one place to another introducing us to the world of Faerie, but there were a lot of dragging internal monologue and sentiments that were repeated way too much across several chapters that almost led me to DNF the book.
Since this is an ARC copy, I hope there's also time to fix repetitive wording (e.g. "I don't know how they did it for twenty years" immediately followed by "I don't know how they did it for so long"). Also might be a "me" issue, but the book's timeframe did not math for me at some points (although that part is a bit easier to gloss over).
Overall, I'd say it's an entertaining read that delivers on its main concept. I'd love to see this series succeed and will likely read the next installment as well.
May 26, 2026
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟑.𝟐𝟓 ⭐
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞 is a love letter to readers who enjoy portal fantasy, fae x human romance, second chances, found family and HEAs that don’t quite go as planned, with a dash of FMC in her 30s who is done with messing around and just wants a nice, hot bath. Too bad the Fae Prince who’s convinced she’s his soulmate kidnapped her 19 y.o. daughter and brought her to his Fae Realm in order to fulfil a prophecy.
This novel was so cosy and heart-warming; I enjoyed the shenanigans these characters got into time and again. They’re funny and they don’t take themselves too seriously, but they’re also supportive in the way only the best of friends can be—those that become your found family. My favourite parts were Vivi and “Jen” Genevieve unpacking their own misgivings about their identity as they navigated the quirks of the Faerie realm. They’re a snarky mother-daughter duo I thoroughly supported, especially when they were bickering.
Plot twists abound and the world building was part of the fun, with dangerous fae around every corner, even when their looks are misleading.
The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the dialogue style between the human characters; it took me out of the story element at times, especially at the beginning. There was also the fact that Vivi mentions book tropes *a lot*, which I found repetitive at times.
All in all, an enjoyable cosy fantasy if you’re looking for a bit of a humorous take on your reading, or a palate cleanser.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞 is a love letter to readers who enjoy portal fantasy, fae x human romance, second chances, found family and HEAs that don’t quite go as planned, with a dash of FMC in her 30s who is done with messing around and just wants a nice, hot bath. Too bad the Fae Prince who’s convinced she’s his soulmate kidnapped her 19 y.o. daughter and brought her to his Fae Realm in order to fulfil a prophecy.
This novel was so cosy and heart-warming; I enjoyed the shenanigans these characters got into time and again. They’re funny and they don’t take themselves too seriously, but they’re also supportive in the way only the best of friends can be—those that become your found family. My favourite parts were Vivi and “Jen” Genevieve unpacking their own misgivings about their identity as they navigated the quirks of the Faerie realm. They’re a snarky mother-daughter duo I thoroughly supported, especially when they were bickering.
Plot twists abound and the world building was part of the fun, with dangerous fae around every corner, even when their looks are misleading.
The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the dialogue style between the human characters; it took me out of the story element at times, especially at the beginning. There was also the fact that Vivi mentions book tropes *a lot*, which I found repetitive at times.
All in all, an enjoyable cosy fantasy if you’re looking for a bit of a humorous take on your reading, or a palate cleanser.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book from the author.
This book has a really fun premise. It takes all the romance/ romantasy tropes and turns them on their head. There are a couple places, especially early on, where it is almost over the top. One of the main characters is a 19 y.o. book obsessed human woman who loves the idea of Faerie and her internal monologue talks about tropes a lot. Its funny and endearing at times. She gets kidnapped into Faerie by two men who mistake her for her mom, who theyd traveled faerie with two decades before.
It takes a lot to surprise me these days, and often when a book does, it comes across as over the top. This one did the former without doing the latter. I didn't see all the plot points coming and I was pleasantly surprised.
This book is refreshing in a lot of ways. Yes there is romance, but this time its the 40-something year old woman, while her daughter is actually allowed to still be a young adult. The two POVs are mother and daughter, which is also a new one for me. As a late 30s woman, I love to see rep of 30 and 40 year olds. :)
Also. Killian and Alastair make me swoon.
I really cant wait to see where the author takes book 2. Im a converted fan!
This book has a really fun premise. It takes all the romance/ romantasy tropes and turns them on their head. There are a couple places, especially early on, where it is almost over the top. One of the main characters is a 19 y.o. book obsessed human woman who loves the idea of Faerie and her internal monologue talks about tropes a lot. Its funny and endearing at times. She gets kidnapped into Faerie by two men who mistake her for her mom, who theyd traveled faerie with two decades before.
It takes a lot to surprise me these days, and often when a book does, it comes across as over the top. This one did the former without doing the latter. I didn't see all the plot points coming and I was pleasantly surprised.
This book is refreshing in a lot of ways. Yes there is romance, but this time its the 40-something year old woman, while her daughter is actually allowed to still be a young adult. The two POVs are mother and daughter, which is also a new one for me. As a late 30s woman, I love to see rep of 30 and 40 year olds. :)
Also. Killian and Alastair make me swoon.
I really cant wait to see where the author takes book 2. Im a converted fan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Heart of Faerie is a hilarious and heart-warming take on romantasy tropes - everything you'd want in a beautifully satirical homage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's playful and fun, full of banter and heart, with tons of whimsy (and a little bit creepy), action and adventure, training montages, found family, true love, a chosen one prophecy, and so much more.
I absolutely LOVED the dual POV with mother and daughter 👩✨👧 I've never read a book where it's just these two, and it was awesome. Vivi and Jenn are both well-developed and it was so much fun to see their different perspectives on everything.
Killian and Alastair are perfect fae kidnappers trying to save the world - I'd definitely be more Vivi than Jenn about them 🤷♀️🔥
The world building was great - it's fleshed out in a fun way, some things you expect as a fantasy reader, and some are perfect broken tropes. ⚔️
Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down. It's easy to get sucked into this world and these characters.
Good plot, solid pacing, 10/10 no notes. Absolutely loved it!
Thank you so much to Rowan Parker for the advance copy - I LOVED getting to read this book early
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's playful and fun, full of banter and heart, with tons of whimsy (and a little bit creepy), action and adventure, training montages, found family, true love, a chosen one prophecy, and so much more.
I absolutely LOVED the dual POV with mother and daughter 👩✨👧 I've never read a book where it's just these two, and it was awesome. Vivi and Jenn are both well-developed and it was so much fun to see their different perspectives on everything.
Killian and Alastair are perfect fae kidnappers trying to save the world - I'd definitely be more Vivi than Jenn about them 🤷♀️🔥
The world building was great - it's fleshed out in a fun way, some things you expect as a fantasy reader, and some are perfect broken tropes. ⚔️
Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down. It's easy to get sucked into this world and these characters.
Good plot, solid pacing, 10/10 no notes. Absolutely loved it!
Thank you so much to Rowan Parker for the advance copy - I LOVED getting to read this book early
Review of advance copy received from Author
You know how you start reading a book and everything just clicks with you, and you just KNOW it's going to be something special? That's THIS book. Absolutely 5 stars. This, for me, is a masterpiece.
I love the characters, the world-building, the sheer DEPTH. I love how adoringly the author pokes fun at some of our favorite romantasy tropes. The mom and daughter POV combo? Love it. I was afraid I wouldn't, but Jenn is delightfully stabby and totally the kind of mom I'd aspire to be if I were suddenly kidnapped into Faerie. I love that there's a backstory that we are slowly piecing together and learning alongside Vivi, who is just as curious as we are. Alastair and Killian are beautifully swoon-worthy and imperfect and flawed and so, so lovable. I even loved Ginger, the pony.
Honestly I just don't think I can stress enough how much I enjoyed this book and how much I can't WAIT for the next one!! I was lucky enough to read an advance copy, but that doesn't affect my review in the slightest.
I love the characters, the world-building, the sheer DEPTH. I love how adoringly the author pokes fun at some of our favorite romantasy tropes. The mom and daughter POV combo? Love it. I was afraid I wouldn't, but Jenn is delightfully stabby and totally the kind of mom I'd aspire to be if I were suddenly kidnapped into Faerie. I love that there's a backstory that we are slowly piecing together and learning alongside Vivi, who is just as curious as we are. Alastair and Killian are beautifully swoon-worthy and imperfect and flawed and so, so lovable. I even loved Ginger, the pony.
Honestly I just don't think I can stress enough how much I enjoyed this book and how much I can't WAIT for the next one!! I was lucky enough to read an advance copy, but that doesn't affect my review in the slightest.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Baby's first ARC! The Heart of Faerie is a love letter to the romantasy genre, complete with a little good-natured elbow jab here and there. Vivi is a stand-in for so many of us who love the genre, and her dialogue feels like it's pulled straight from the notes on my highlighted Kindle passages.
In my most Stefon voice, "This book has EVERYTHING: prophecy, portals, fae rules, fated mates, one bed, enemies to lovers, yearning, found family..." It's trope-dense done intentionally, and it's a ton of fun.
I think this is where it didn't quite feel right at a full five stars, though—I was too busy clocking tropes and romantasy inside jokes (you know, among the tight circle of literally all of Bookstagram 🤣) to feel fully immersed in the story and characters.
The ending, though? Heart pounding, holding my breath... And it felt like the appropriate length for it, which was especially welcome. I often feel like there's a ton of build-up and then the story just wraps abruptly in like 3 pages. This felt weighty and exactly right for the build-up.
All in all, I'm so thankful to have received this ARC and can't wait for the next book to come out! Definitely recommended.
In my most Stefon voice, "This book has EVERYTHING: prophecy, portals, fae rules, fated mates, one bed, enemies to lovers, yearning, found family..." It's trope-dense done intentionally, and it's a ton of fun.
I think this is where it didn't quite feel right at a full five stars, though—I was too busy clocking tropes and romantasy inside jokes (you know, among the tight circle of literally all of Bookstagram 🤣) to feel fully immersed in the story and characters.
The ending, though? Heart pounding, holding my breath... And it felt like the appropriate length for it, which was especially welcome. I often feel like there's a ton of build-up and then the story just wraps abruptly in like 3 pages. This felt weighty and exactly right for the build-up.
All in all, I'm so thankful to have received this ARC and can't wait for the next book to come out! Definitely recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would like to start by thanking the author for the opportunity to read The Heart of Faerie, in exchange for an honest review.
This book, although very cringe at the beginning, was a pleasant surprise!
I honestly had no idea what I was getting into, but I’m very happy I got to read it!
Not only was the cover absolutely beautiful, but the content was fun, engaging, and the details were lovely.
First of all, I loved Alastair! Oh he was my favorite little himbo, and my all time favorite character. Although he is a little dumb, it’s clear to see that his smokin 'hot bod and witty charm are not all he has to offer.
Vivi was a little annoying and painful to listen to at the beginning, but her character arc is beautiful. She is a kind, adorable, funny little lady and deserving of a HEA.
The romance aspect was very sweet, and I love how it played into the prophecy so nicely.
There were some times where it was a little slow, or a little too wordy for me personally, but overall I had such a fun time reading it!
I’m excited to see where their story goes in the next book!
This book, although very cringe at the beginning, was a pleasant surprise!
I honestly had no idea what I was getting into, but I’m very happy I got to read it!
Not only was the cover absolutely beautiful, but the content was fun, engaging, and the details were lovely.
First of all, I loved Alastair! Oh he was my favorite little himbo, and my all time favorite character. Although he is a little dumb, it’s clear to see that his smokin 'hot bod and witty charm are not all he has to offer.
Vivi was a little annoying and painful to listen to at the beginning, but her character arc is beautiful. She is a kind, adorable, funny little lady and deserving of a HEA.
The romance aspect was very sweet, and I love how it played into the prophecy so nicely.
There were some times where it was a little slow, or a little too wordy for me personally, but overall I had such a fun time reading it!
I’m excited to see where their story goes in the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I think that satire-filled romantasy might becoming one of my favorite genres! The mocking of tropes had me cackling the whole way through. And as a reader who is NOT 19 years old, I so very appreciated having one of the FMCs be a whole a** woman who has lived a full life and is a mom (and not afraid to vocalize her frustrations with words...or daggers)
AND THAT LAST PAGE
*gasps*
*sits (im)patiently waiting for book 2*
4/5 ★
Thank you to Rowan Parker for an eARC of this book, this is my honest review and all opinions are my own. Looking forward to book #2 and continuing to support this author through the series!
AND THAT LAST PAGE
*gasps*
*sits (im)patiently waiting for book 2*
4/5 ★
Thank you to Rowan Parker for an eARC of this book, this is my honest review and all opinions are my own. Looking forward to book #2 and continuing to support this author through the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hi readers! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out The Heart of Faerie! I am obviously biased on my rating here but I truly do love these characters and this world and I am so excited to finally be getting to share it all with you when The Heart of Faerie releases on May 19, 2026! Despite the humor involved in this book, it is one that is very close to my heart and is truly my love letter to romantasy, fantasy, and storytelling in general. Thank you for coming on this journey through the portal with me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
absolutely beautiful! this book was the perfect mix of heartwarming, action packed, & romance! perfectly represented trauma & its struggles. love the dynamic through the whole book I just couldn't put it down. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting and can't wait for the next book to find out more about Alistair & see more of Vivi's life!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The beginning was hard to get into but later on I really enjoyed it.
The banter was amazing and funny. The characters are loveable and you can really connect with them. I loved the fact it breaks normal tropes and does it in a hilarious way. Some of the twists were shocking and I loved learning so much about faerie.
We also all love yearning men of course, especially ones that have been loyal for years and ache for the love of their lives
The banter was amazing and funny. The characters are loveable and you can really connect with them. I loved the fact it breaks normal tropes and does it in a hilarious way. Some of the twists were shocking and I loved learning so much about faerie.
We also all love yearning men of course, especially ones that have been loyal for years and ache for the love of their lives
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is not my usual genre but I totally enjoyed this book. I became totally immersed in the Faerie world. I loved the main characters and can’t wait to read more about them in the second book.
May 19, 2026
ARC Reader
I am not a romantasy person. And I still enjoyed the hell out of this. I thought the character development was especially engaging. I am excited to read books 2 and 3!
I am not a romantasy person. And I still enjoyed the hell out of this. I thought the character development was especially engaging. I am excited to read books 2 and 3!
Did Not Finish
May 24, 2026I really wanted to love this but it isn’t for me.
May 28, 2026
Not bad, fun but I found some things a bit... Ick. And I feel too heavy handed about telling us how tropes were being broken. To me it started to feel a bit condescending almost?
May 29, 2026
"The Heart of Faerie" — absolutely wonderful, I genuinely enjoyed the tropes being turned upside down. This book had beautiful world building and I love the characters. Highly recommend. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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