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Royal Magic
“Shadows do not step out, Shadows do not stand out.”
This is the motto Darby was raised by at the Shadow Academy where a brutal upbringing forged her into an elite spy. Ever since childhood, she has trained to be invisible, unattached, and to survive in any situation long enough to complete her mission. Now that she’s graduated, Darby will put her training to the test as she carries out her latest task: masquerading as one of Prince Nolan’s marriage season suitors at The Winter Palace, where dark secrets lurk below the sparkling surface…
Darby dives headfirst into a world of lavishly themed balls and court politics. For the first time in her life, she will have a chance to explore her own beliefs, her sense of self, and her heart’s desire. But Darby’s taste of freedom might just alter the course of her life forever as she finds herself faced with an impossible choice. How will she choose between her duty and her destiny?
ROYAL MAGIC is a fast paced, spicy Romantasy novel that explores the dangers of accepting the status quo, the challenge of discovering your own power, and the beautiful mess of falling in love.
*Tropes Include*
Forbidden Romance
Fake Courting
Secret Identity
Fated Mates
She-Saves-Him
Spies!
The Bachelor style marriage season
Bi FMC
And no, this one’s not a slow burn.
This is the motto Darby was raised by at the Shadow Academy where a brutal upbringing forged her into an elite spy. Ever since childhood, she has trained to be invisible, unattached, and to survive in any situation long enough to complete her mission. Now that she’s graduated, Darby will put her training to the test as she carries out her latest task: masquerading as one of Prince Nolan’s marriage season suitors at The Winter Palace, where dark secrets lurk below the sparkling surface…
Darby dives headfirst into a world of lavishly themed balls and court politics. For the first time in her life, she will have a chance to explore her own beliefs, her sense of self, and her heart’s desire. But Darby’s taste of freedom might just alter the course of her life forever as she finds herself faced with an impossible choice. How will she choose between her duty and her destiny?
ROYAL MAGIC is a fast paced, spicy Romantasy novel that explores the dangers of accepting the status quo, the challenge of discovering your own power, and the beautiful mess of falling in love.
*Tropes Include*
Forbidden Romance
Fake Courting
Secret Identity
Fated Mates
She-Saves-Him
Spies!
The Bachelor style marriage season
Bi FMC
And no, this one’s not a slow burn.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 15, 2026
This was such a fun read - it was spicy, emotional, a little chaotic in a great way, and surprisingly insightful. I picked it up and absolutely flew through it.
Definitely a 🌶️🌶️ spicy read, but what stood out most was unpacking things like insecurities, empowerment, self-discovery, and the push-pull between physical attraction and emotional connection. The character growth felt messy, honest, and earned.
For a first-time self-published author, this was so impressive. The pacing kept me hooked, the themes had depth, and it felt polished while still keeping that indie romantasy energy.
Already excited for the next book and to see what more Janey writes!
Definitely a 🌶️🌶️ spicy read, but what stood out most was unpacking things like insecurities, empowerment, self-discovery, and the push-pull between physical attraction and emotional connection. The character growth felt messy, honest, and earned.
For a first-time self-published author, this was so impressive. The pacing kept me hooked, the themes had depth, and it felt polished while still keeping that indie romantasy energy.
Already excited for the next book and to see what more Janey writes!
January 23, 2026
A fun romantasy read! A great read following a journey of self-love. It is easy to get into and gives multiple povs, which I love. I’m super excited to see where book 2 takes us! Also, somehow my first romantasy read with a bi fmc?! Shout out for some representation!!
December 1, 2025
I was a beta reader for this book and WOW!! If you love world building, magic, fantasy, spiiiiicy romance and a little espionage this is your book. The author describes the book as Charlie’s Angels set in a Bridgerton type world WITH magic and that’s literally it. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I can’t wait to see how the rest of Darby’s story unfolds!!! And also Rus’ 🤭
December 9, 2025
I was a beta reader for this book and absolutely FLEW through it! The world building, the magic systems, the bisexual FMC!!! Couldn’t get enough of this book - already reading again ✨
Update: even better the second time around. Caught onto so many hints throughout!
Update: even better the second time around. Caught onto so many hints throughout!
December 8, 2025
I was a beta reader and even on V1 I couldn’t put it down! It’s your favorite parts of reality dating shows, spy and of course, fantasy novels all in one. The world and magic mechanisms are so unique, unlike anything I’ve read. Such a fun read- I can’t wait for the world to experience it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Royal Magic should absolutely be on everyone’s 2026 TBR. We follow a bi FMC who’s part of a trio of spy girlies going undercover during the prince’s Bachelor-style marriage season—an instantly compelling setup that delivers on both intrigue and romance. The magic system feels refreshingly unique while still comfortably familiar, and I already can’t wait to learn more about it in future books.
This is a fast-paced read filled with beautifully flawed, complex characters. While undeniably fun, the story doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, showing how each character chooses— or struggles—to work through them. That emotional honesty really resonated with me, especially in a genre that balances adventure and escapism so well.
Without giving anything away, the ending of book one sets the stage for something truly special. This is a fantastic read for everyone, but particularly for women and young women navigating self-acceptance and identity. I love books that scatter subtle Easter eggs that later pay off in major plot twists, and Royal Magic feels like exactly that kind of story. I’ll definitely be paying closer attention to every god, every color, every name and place, etc on a reread.
Tense dynamics, fated mates (links), romance, adventure, fantasy—and yes, a little spice—Royal Magic truly has it all. Keep your eyes peeled, your hearts open, and buckle up, because if book one is any indication, this series is going to be a thrilling, emotional, and beautifully bumpy ride.
This is a fast-paced read filled with beautifully flawed, complex characters. While undeniably fun, the story doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, showing how each character chooses— or struggles—to work through them. That emotional honesty really resonated with me, especially in a genre that balances adventure and escapism so well.
Without giving anything away, the ending of book one sets the stage for something truly special. This is a fantastic read for everyone, but particularly for women and young women navigating self-acceptance and identity. I love books that scatter subtle Easter eggs that later pay off in major plot twists, and Royal Magic feels like exactly that kind of story. I’ll definitely be paying closer attention to every god, every color, every name and place, etc on a reread.
Tense dynamics, fated mates (links), romance, adventure, fantasy—and yes, a little spice—Royal Magic truly has it all. Keep your eyes peeled, your hearts open, and buckle up, because if book one is any indication, this series is going to be a thrilling, emotional, and beautifully bumpy ride.
March 20, 2026
If you love tension, magic, and emotionally complex characters… you need this on your 2026 TBR.
Royal Magic???? Forbidden romance? Fake Courting? Secret Identity?? Fated Mates? Spies! Bi FMC in a The Bachelor style marriage season?!?!? Yeah… this is going straight on your 2026 TBR — trust me.
We’re following a bi FMC who’s part of a trio of spy girlies going undercover during a Bachelor-style royal marriage season…
and the setup alone? I was immediately hooked.
This book is fast-paced, full of tension, and packed with characters that feel messy in the best way --> flawed, emotional, and very real.
And I LOVED that while it’s fun and romantic and magical…
it doesn’t shy away from heavier themes .... especially around identity and self-acceptance. That part? Hit.
The magic system feels unique but still easy to fall into, and I already know there’s more coming because this world has layers.
Also .... the dynamics?
The tension?
The little hints of fate and romance?
Yeah… I was eating that UP.
And if you’re someone who loves catching little details that turn into BIG plot moments later -> this book is full of that. Like… I already know a reread is going to hit different.
And that ending?
Let’s just say… this series is about to become an emotional rollercoaster.
Confession: Emotionally complex characters with baggage? yeah that’s my type.
Thanks to the author, Janey Feingold, for the gifted ARC.
Royal Magic???? Forbidden romance? Fake Courting? Secret Identity?? Fated Mates? Spies! Bi FMC in a The Bachelor style marriage season?!?!? Yeah… this is going straight on your 2026 TBR — trust me.
We’re following a bi FMC who’s part of a trio of spy girlies going undercover during a Bachelor-style royal marriage season…
and the setup alone? I was immediately hooked.
This book is fast-paced, full of tension, and packed with characters that feel messy in the best way --> flawed, emotional, and very real.
And I LOVED that while it’s fun and romantic and magical…
it doesn’t shy away from heavier themes .... especially around identity and self-acceptance. That part? Hit.
The magic system feels unique but still easy to fall into, and I already know there’s more coming because this world has layers.
Also .... the dynamics?
The tension?
The little hints of fate and romance?
Yeah… I was eating that UP.
And if you’re someone who loves catching little details that turn into BIG plot moments later -> this book is full of that. Like… I already know a reread is going to hit different.
And that ending?
Let’s just say… this series is about to become an emotional rollercoaster.
Confession: Emotionally complex characters with baggage? yeah that’s my type.
Thanks to the author, Janey Feingold, for the gifted ARC.
March 25, 2026
Royal Magic is such a beautifully crafted story that completely pulled me in from the start and held my attention all the way through.
What makes this book stand out is how seamlessly it blends sapphic and traditional romance in a way that feels natural, intentional, and genuinely heartfelt. The representation is handled with so much care, it never feels forced, just fully woven into the story.
I was deeply invested in the characters from the beginning, and that only grew as the story progressed. Even during a really busy week, I kept coming back to this because I didn’t want to put it down and that says everything.
Janey Feingold’s writing is a huge part of what makes this work so well. There’s a strong emotional throughline, and the way she develops relationships makes every moment feel earned. I especially appreciated how the romantic and more intimate scenes were handled, they feel purposeful and connected to the story, adding to the emotional depth rather than distracting from it.
And the ending?? I actually gasped. It closes on a cliffhanger that completely caught me off guard, in the best way and now I am dying to know what happens next.
Overall, this is a standout read for me; beautifully written, emotionally engaging, and one I’ll be recommending (and talking about) for a long time. I will absolutely be continuing this series.
What makes this book stand out is how seamlessly it blends sapphic and traditional romance in a way that feels natural, intentional, and genuinely heartfelt. The representation is handled with so much care, it never feels forced, just fully woven into the story.
I was deeply invested in the characters from the beginning, and that only grew as the story progressed. Even during a really busy week, I kept coming back to this because I didn’t want to put it down and that says everything.
Janey Feingold’s writing is a huge part of what makes this work so well. There’s a strong emotional throughline, and the way she develops relationships makes every moment feel earned. I especially appreciated how the romantic and more intimate scenes were handled, they feel purposeful and connected to the story, adding to the emotional depth rather than distracting from it.
And the ending?? I actually gasped. It closes on a cliffhanger that completely caught me off guard, in the best way and now I am dying to know what happens next.
Overall, this is a standout read for me; beautifully written, emotionally engaging, and one I’ll be recommending (and talking about) for a long time. I will absolutely be continuing this series.
January 12, 2026
This book was SUCH a page turner! The story jumps right into the action with Darby and her dual mission to protect the prince while uncovering more about royal magic. Darby is relatable, fun, and a bit impulsive, and her chemistry with Nolan is palpable. The world-building is brilliantly done, and the characters are uniquely crafted and memorable. And as a bonus, the magic system is intricate without being confusing and it feels like there’s so much more for us to learn about royal magic. I didn’t put the book down once I hit Part 2, and I loved the perspectives we got from several different characters and the ride they took us on. There are so many relationships I’m rooting for (and some I really don’t want to happen!), and holy moly, I was floored by that ending. I can’t wait for the next book and to dive back in with these characters! Note, I received an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay wow, where to start? First and foremost huge shout out to there author for receiving this incredible ARC copy for this book. The way I had no idea this wasn’t a standalone and that ending? Ma’am? Idk what to do with myself now.
The plot was so fun and interesting and extremely refreshing because it didn’t follow your typical go to romantasy story. I would describe it as an atmospheric and whimsical world where the bachelor meets Charlie’s angels. The author has a background in film and theater and honestly you can tell based on the way the book and story flows. It was so much more than a romantasy, unique magic system with themes of corruption, love, coming of age and oppression. Loved it
The plot was so fun and interesting and extremely refreshing because it didn’t follow your typical go to romantasy story. I would describe it as an atmospheric and whimsical world where the bachelor meets Charlie’s angels. The author has a background in film and theater and honestly you can tell based on the way the book and story flows. It was so much more than a romantasy, unique magic system with themes of corruption, love, coming of age and oppression. Loved it
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is everything I love - The Bachelor meets undercover spy mission at a royal palace?? Say less.
I was hooked from page 1. The world that Janey Feingold built in Royal Magic is so vivid and fully realized, it feels like you're being dropped straight into the glittering chaos of the Winter Palace. The themed balls, the politics, the tension...it's SO good.
Watching the main character, Darby, navigate the Winter Palace politics while questioning everything she was trained to believe had me fully invested. The romance was SPICY, layered, and gave me all the feels without ever overshadowing the plot.
Cannot wait for book 2!
I was hooked from page 1. The world that Janey Feingold built in Royal Magic is so vivid and fully realized, it feels like you're being dropped straight into the glittering chaos of the Winter Palace. The themed balls, the politics, the tension...it's SO good.
Watching the main character, Darby, navigate the Winter Palace politics while questioning everything she was trained to believe had me fully invested. The romance was SPICY, layered, and gave me all the feels without ever overshadowing the plot.
Cannot wait for book 2!
March 30, 2026
ore!
The vibes with this one as a whole are uncomparable! It’s The Bachelor, meets Bridgerton, meets Charlie’s Angels meets Miss Congeniality. The magic system was so unique, but yet it was so easy to follow and understand, and I do struggle with fantasy sometimes!
This is Janey’s debut novel! I was so impressed by her writing style. She writes in a fast paced fashion, that is full of messy and flawed characters, and gives lots of tenison.
I loved this book so much! It is my god level tier book! And im so excited that Royal Magic is the 1st book in the storytellers Series!
The vibes with this one as a whole are uncomparable! It’s The Bachelor, meets Bridgerton, meets Charlie’s Angels meets Miss Congeniality. The magic system was so unique, but yet it was so easy to follow and understand, and I do struggle with fantasy sometimes!
This is Janey’s debut novel! I was so impressed by her writing style. She writes in a fast paced fashion, that is full of messy and flawed characters, and gives lots of tenison.
I loved this book so much! It is my god level tier book! And im so excited that Royal Magic is the 1st book in the storytellers Series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was an early beta reader of Royal Magic. This was my first Romantasy book, I only read sci-fi and classic fantasy. If you are Romantasy-curious, but are at all hesitant due to preconceived notions of the genre, READ THIS BOOK! It is a fun, fast-paced, and emotional read fit for anyone. A true page-turner in every sense of the word, you won't be able to put it down. You'll probably read it in a weekend and then be sad it's over... hoping book 2 comes out ASAP.
January 23, 2026
I was an early beta reader for this book and really enjoyed it! I loved the characters, magic system, and the bachelor-like storyline that is a theme throughout.
Aside from the spicy scenes, the book reads more young adult to me. Super simple, predictable, and easy to read language. But tbh I really enjoy that type of read sometimes. I think if the spicy scenes were removed and it was marketed as young adult this would be a 5+ ⭐️ read!
Aside from the spicy scenes, the book reads more young adult to me. Super simple, predictable, and easy to read language. But tbh I really enjoy that type of read sometimes. I think if the spicy scenes were removed and it was marketed as young adult this would be a 5+ ⭐️ read!
February 14, 2026
What a wonderful debut! This book was so interesting and unique, and I could definitely tell that the author has experience in stage writing because the story felt very cinematic. I loved the "visual" details, such as the costumes/outfits that played such a big role in the story and the culture. It really helps the reader visualize the story. Royal Magic is fast paced, and keeps you engaged with the story, and the addition of more POVs in the second half of the book really connects you with the characters. I loved this book and will definitely be awaiting book 2!
December 9, 2025
I was a beta reader for this book and absolutely loved it! My first exposure to the world of romantasy and I already cant wait for the sequel (I hope there is one!). The characters are dynamic and compelling and the story is a real page-turner - I couldn’t put it down and already cant wait to read it again in paperback.
April 8, 2026
A fantastic debut that’s easy to read and a super compelling concept to figure out the corruption in the kingdom!
I loved how the characters emotions played out and you could truly feel the stakes for them.
At times I was a bit confused by the magic system but stayed along for the ride and still found it a great read!
I loved how the characters emotions played out and you could truly feel the stakes for them.
At times I was a bit confused by the magic system but stayed along for the ride and still found it a great read!
December 8, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading Royal Magic as a beta reader, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. The FMC is powerful but has been taught to hide her source of main power; this is the story of her becoming. The magic and the sexiness will hook you alone. From the very first page, I was invested and read in 2 days. It's the kind of book that makes you want to rush home from plans and stay up past your bedtime just to keep reading. I can't wait for book two as I NEED to know what happens to these characters.
January 27, 2026
Unexpected fmc journey and intriguing take on romantasy! Some POV changes that add depth and twists you don’t expect. It’s spicy and low world building so go into it looking for a good time not complex or over thought out. I enjoyed the lgbt elements and bachelor style plot.
January 18, 2026
okay but nobody told me romantasy is like THIS
February 3, 2026
My first romantasy and first indie! Congrats, so impressed with this one!
March 1, 2026
Spicy and so fun!! Support indie authors!!!
March 28, 2026
Awesome world and magic building! Super fun journey, excited to see where this story goes and to continue to follow your stories. Great work Janey!
January 21, 2026
I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review, and I loved this book! It was a total page-turner - I read it in just two days because I couldn’t put it down. The world-building is really fun and immersive and the characters are easy to get invested in. The story ends on a big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens next (fingers crossed there’s another book!)
January 12, 2026
*I was a beta reader for this book*
I absolutely ADORED this read!! The world is thrilling and beautiful and sexy and honestly the same can be said about the characters! This is one of those reads where you fall in love with each character individually and want to know all about their backgrounds. A delightful fast read with extra spicy moments and a driving plot centering around three powerful women. Highly recommend adding to your 2026 TBR!!!! <3
I absolutely ADORED this read!! The world is thrilling and beautiful and sexy and honestly the same can be said about the characters! This is one of those reads where you fall in love with each character individually and want to know all about their backgrounds. A delightful fast read with extra spicy moments and a driving plot centering around three powerful women. Highly recommend adding to your 2026 TBR!!!! <3
December 24, 2025
I was a beta reader for Royal Magic and can say without a doubt this was my favorite book I’ve read all year!! A beautiful blend of fantasy and grounded characters who feel so alive while still giving all the fantasy feels. The hoop earring.. IYKYK!!
March 11, 2026
Loved this from start to finish. Attention to detail - from world building the characters was exceptional. My first romantasy and won’t be the last!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews