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The Fae Guardian
When the fae princess needs protecting, there is only one man for the job.
Freija has spent her life shaping herself into the perfect Fjell Fae heir—disciplined, dutiful, and ready to defend her mountain realm. But when a hidden threat rises, the king assigns her a new bodyguard. That’s when her flawless façade begins to crack.
Halvar is a weapon carved from war—stoic, ruthless, and drenched in a blood-soaked past. The general is everything she has been taught to avoid… and the only person she cannot resist. With every lingering glance, every tense training session, the line between princess and guard blurs.
But death lurks in the mountain's tunnels, and the pressure to secure the royal line rises. When Freija is forced to make an appropriate marriage, she faces an impossible choice: follow her dreams, including the man she is falling for, or be the perfect crown princess.
What will prevail? Duty or desire?
The Fae Guardian is a standalone fantasy romance set in the Nordic Fae world. With sizzling chemistry, elemental magic, slow burn tension, and an mmc that would burn the world down for her, this Nordic inspired book is perfect for fans of Helen Scheuerer and LJ Andrews.
Freija has spent her life shaping herself into the perfect Fjell Fae heir—disciplined, dutiful, and ready to defend her mountain realm. But when a hidden threat rises, the king assigns her a new bodyguard. That’s when her flawless façade begins to crack.
Halvar is a weapon carved from war—stoic, ruthless, and drenched in a blood-soaked past. The general is everything she has been taught to avoid… and the only person she cannot resist. With every lingering glance, every tense training session, the line between princess and guard blurs.
But death lurks in the mountain's tunnels, and the pressure to secure the royal line rises. When Freija is forced to make an appropriate marriage, she faces an impossible choice: follow her dreams, including the man she is falling for, or be the perfect crown princess.
What will prevail? Duty or desire?
The Fae Guardian is a standalone fantasy romance set in the Nordic Fae world. With sizzling chemistry, elemental magic, slow burn tension, and an mmc that would burn the world down for her, this Nordic inspired book is perfect for fans of Helen Scheuerer and LJ Andrews.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2026
About the author
Elle Thrasher
9 books88 followersRaised on old English fairytales and Nordic folklore, Elle Thrasher is a romantasy author who writes stories about relatable heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and places that will give you wanderlust. You're also likely to find cute small towns, unique and epic magic systems, banter that will make you giggle at 2am, plus a cabin... there is always some sort of cabin.
When she isn't writing, you can find her drinking a cup of tea, frolicking at the beach with a book, or staring at the yoga mat she probably should use for those mental health benefits.
Join her mailing list to keep up with her work!
www.ellethrasher.com
When she isn't writing, you can find her drinking a cup of tea, frolicking at the beach with a book, or staring at the yoga mat she probably should use for those mental health benefits.
Join her mailing list to keep up with her work!
www.ellethrasher.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ʚɞ the fae guardian by elle thrasher ⋆.˚
⋆.˚ 16/4/26— 23/4/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 52 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
thank you so much to behind the pages LLC for this e-ARC!! this one sounds soooo good eeee i’m so excited!! apparently there’s amazing banter in here 🥹🤞
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐4.5)
❝ until the ancestors call me home, princess. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
oh this was PHENOMENAL 😭😭
when i finished this book, i genuinely was distraught that this was not a series. i got SO attached to freija and halvar, i think they have carved out a little space in my heart just for them 🥹❤️
imagine the sheer joy on my face when i saw ms elle thrasher has written not only more books in this world, but WHY CHOOSE too?? girl i'm in LOVE with this universe 😭♡︎
the fae guardian gripped me from page one. i was reading this so fast, i genuinely think i directly injected it into my brain somehow.
i did manage to guess a major plot point, but it still shocked me tbh! and i absolutely did not guess the other one, so i'm glad for that 🙂↕️ when i tell you my flabbers were GASTED. girl!! i was suspecting everybody... my bad everyone, for all the strays i sent your way 🫡
also can we mention the incredibly relieving detail that freija, our FMC, is NOT PHYSICALLY EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD?! thank youuuu thank you oh my gosh 😭 like there's still an age gap between halvar and freija, but it's not teetering on the edge of barely-immortally-legal, for ONCE! that is (freakily?) uncommon in romantasy nowadays, so thank you so much 🙏
i absolutely love how unique the norwegian take on romantasy and fae is, it's so so refreshing - and i adore how each "faction" of the fae is set up! i'd absolutely be a forest fae and frolick around in the woods with my animal companions, are you kidding me that is SO COOL?? 🥹
and may i just say, the overarching plot was so intriguing?? it kept me guessing and i was fully immersed! and the deep passion freija has for her plants... omg she's my baby i love her 😭❤️
lowkey hans was such a cutie, i feel so bad for him 💔 why was i kinda hoping he'd be freija and halvar's third for a second... insane foresight for ms thrasher's next books (one of which i picked up IMMEDIATELY after finishing this btw 😋)
and yea, the banter was adorable, as prophesied 🙂↕️
the fae guardian releases on may 14th!
・・・・・
⋆.˚ 16/4/26— 23/4/26
⊱ ۫ ׅ book no. 52 of 2026 ── .✦
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
𑣲 ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ/ᴘʀᴇ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ:
thank you so much to behind the pages LLC for this e-ARC!! this one sounds soooo good eeee i’m so excited!! apparently there’s amazing banter in here 🥹🤞
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
╰› (⭐4.5)
❝ until the ancestors call me home, princess. ❞
⋆.˚ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
oh this was PHENOMENAL 😭😭
when i finished this book, i genuinely was distraught that this was not a series. i got SO attached to freija and halvar, i think they have carved out a little space in my heart just for them 🥹❤️
imagine the sheer joy on my face when i saw ms elle thrasher has written not only more books in this world, but WHY CHOOSE too?? girl i'm in LOVE with this universe 😭♡︎
the fae guardian gripped me from page one. i was reading this so fast, i genuinely think i directly injected it into my brain somehow.
i did manage to guess a major plot point, but it still shocked me tbh! and i absolutely did not guess the other one, so i'm glad for that 🙂↕️ when i tell you my flabbers were GASTED. girl!! i was suspecting everybody... my bad everyone, for all the strays i sent your way 🫡
also can we mention the incredibly relieving detail that freija, our FMC, is NOT PHYSICALLY EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD?! thank youuuu thank you oh my gosh 😭 like there's still an age gap between halvar and freija, but it's not teetering on the edge of barely-immortally-legal, for ONCE! that is (freakily?) uncommon in romantasy nowadays, so thank you so much 🙏
i absolutely love how unique the norwegian take on romantasy and fae is, it's so so refreshing - and i adore how each "faction" of the fae is set up! i'd absolutely be a forest fae and frolick around in the woods with my animal companions, are you kidding me that is SO COOL?? 🥹
and may i just say, the overarching plot was so intriguing?? it kept me guessing and i was fully immersed! and the deep passion freija has for her plants... omg she's my baby i love her 😭❤️
lowkey hans was such a cutie, i feel so bad for him 💔 why was i kinda hoping he'd be freija and halvar's third for a second... insane foresight for ms thrasher's next books (one of which i picked up IMMEDIATELY after finishing this btw 😋)
and yea, the banter was adorable, as prophesied 🙂↕️
the fae guardian releases on may 14th!
・・・・・
May 15, 2026
1.5 stars — DNF at 75%
I literally cannot force myself to read another page.
I kept thinking, “okay, maybe it’s about to get better.” Then another 50 pages would go by and somehow it got worse. I was really trying here because the premise sounded SO good. I’m super into the bodyguard/princess trope right now because I’m beyond over enemies-to-lovers, so I thought this was going to be exactly my thing.
But oh my god. This was rough.
Honestly, the only thing I liked was the blurb.
The plot barely exists, there’s basically no worldbuilding, and the magic system makes absolutely no sense. Nothing really happens. I kept waiting for the story to click into place and it never did.
And the romance was so surface. Just horny for each other. The spice was weird too, very cringe, which somehow made the whole thing feel even more awkward which I didn’t know was possible.
Nothing felt developed. I was so bored. There was like a whole 10% of the book just talking about friggin plants and it had nothing to do with anything.
And then there’s just shit that makes no sense. Like he has silver hair and wrinkles around his eyes… is he like super old cause if so gross since she’s young. Or is he just like Rowen Whithorn? I pictured Rowen otherwise I would gag. And it’s supposed to be Viking/Norse but there’s nothing at all in the book described that way. I mean she’s running around in corsets with sparkly gem dresses. Where and when even are we? The only Norse thing is the names and he has an axe.
At around 75% I finally admitted to myself that I was reading out of pure stubbornness and not because I was enjoying literally anything about it.
I wish I could get those hours of my life back, but here we are.
I literally cannot force myself to read another page.
I kept thinking, “okay, maybe it’s about to get better.” Then another 50 pages would go by and somehow it got worse. I was really trying here because the premise sounded SO good. I’m super into the bodyguard/princess trope right now because I’m beyond over enemies-to-lovers, so I thought this was going to be exactly my thing.
But oh my god. This was rough.
Honestly, the only thing I liked was the blurb.
The plot barely exists, there’s basically no worldbuilding, and the magic system makes absolutely no sense. Nothing really happens. I kept waiting for the story to click into place and it never did.
And the romance was so surface. Just horny for each other. The spice was weird too, very cringe, which somehow made the whole thing feel even more awkward which I didn’t know was possible.
Nothing felt developed. I was so bored. There was like a whole 10% of the book just talking about friggin plants and it had nothing to do with anything.
And then there’s just shit that makes no sense. Like he has silver hair and wrinkles around his eyes… is he like super old cause if so gross since she’s young. Or is he just like Rowen Whithorn? I pictured Rowen otherwise I would gag. And it’s supposed to be Viking/Norse but there’s nothing at all in the book described that way. I mean she’s running around in corsets with sparkly gem dresses. Where and when even are we? The only Norse thing is the names and he has an axe.
At around 75% I finally admitted to myself that I was reading out of pure stubbornness and not because I was enjoying literally anything about it.
I wish I could get those hours of my life back, but here we are.
May 28, 2026
THE FAE GUARDIAN BY ELLE THRASHER.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it.
Such an amazing standalone fantasy romance.
I loved the banter and really enjoyed the slow burn romance.
Love the cover of this book
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it.
Such an amazing standalone fantasy romance.
I loved the banter and really enjoyed the slow burn romance.
Love the cover of this book
May 16, 2026
I had a good time reading this standalone and it was entertaining. I think it’s a good book if you’re a new romantasy reader. Or else this story might be a bit too predictable, and without anything really “new”, if you’re already a romantasy addict. The story lacks its own fingerprints.
But as I said, still entertaining and well written. The romance is endearing.
But as I said, still entertaining and well written. The romance is endearing.
May 2, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this advanced copy. I’m giving 3.5 and rounding to 4⭐️
This was good but it didn’t pull me in and I didn’t really connect with the characters. It was easy to read and has all the right ingredients but I just didn’t love it. It is a standalone so that was nice to have the story wrapped up in one book. Overall, enjoyable.
This was good but it didn’t pull me in and I didn’t really connect with the characters. It was easy to read and has all the right ingredients but I just didn’t love it. It is a standalone so that was nice to have the story wrapped up in one book. Overall, enjoyable.
May 23, 2026
Una historia entretenida, pero que necesitaba más desarrollo
Puntuación: 2.25 ⭐️
Muchas gracias a la autora Elle Thrasher y Behind The Pages LLC por permitirme leer una copia adelantada de este libro. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.
"The Fae Guardian" prometía más de lo que cumplió: un mundo de Faes nórdicos (¿tal vez vikingos?), un romance a fuego lento, y una historia atrapante. Y sí, hay Faes y ocurre en el norte, pero más allá de alguna que otra mención a los vikingos, nada me hizo realmente sentir que estaba leyendo sobre ellos.
Además, aunque climax del romance llega casi al final del libro, sentí una gran falta de química entre los personajes. De no querer casarse o formar relaciones duraderas, pasan a sentir que necesitan a la otra persona o que las hace mejor mágicamente luego del primer vistazo.
La trama avanza con un objetivo claro: descubrir quién está detrás de las amenazas a la Princesa. Sin embargo, no siento que se tomen decisiones con ese obejtivo, sino para profundizar en subtramas que solo tributan a desarrollar el romance.
Por otro lado, los protagonistas carecen de profundidad. Halvar se presenta como un General de gran poder solo superado por dos reyes, cuando en realidad no ves nada de ese poder, sino una brutalidad gratuita en momentos que ni siquiera es inteligente usarla. Además, vemos una mínima pincelada de su pasado, incluso cuando tiene más de 700 años a sus espaldas, y ni siquiera eso permite entender sus motivaciones o conflictos.
La Princesa también parece un caricatura de lo que podría ser. Encima, a pesar de su posición de poder y su aparente preparación, carece de la capacidad para formar planes, que recaen en todo momento en su amiga Ranghild. Su visión de Halvar es sumamente infantil, justificando su brutalidad con excusas de niños. En su defensa, creo que la autora no supo darle una personalidad definida más allá de sus plantas y de deber.
Y todo esto con un mundo de fondo que presenta poderes a los Fae, pero sin explicar del todo cómo, o las complejidades de los mismos. Es como si solo nos dieran el resumen en lugar de un libro entero. Y no es ni siquiera un buen resumen.
La historia es entretenida sin más, pero entre tantos otros libros, siento que su impacto se diluye. Había buenas ideas que mejor desarrolladas hubieran dado más profundidad al mundo, sus personajes, y la trama en sí.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An entertaining story, but one that needed more development
Rating: 2.25 ⭐️
Many thanks to author Elle Thrasher and Behind The Pages LLC for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. The opinions you’ll read are mine and mine alone.
“The Fae Guardian” promised more than it delivered: a world of Nordic Faes (perhaps Vikings?), a slow-burning romance, and a gripping story. And yes, there are Faes and it takes place in the north, but beyond the occasional mention of Vikings, nothing really made me feel like I was reading about them.
Furthermore, although the romance’s climax comes near the end of the book, I felt a serious lack of chemistry between the characters. From not wanting to marry or form attachments, they go on to feel that they need the other person or that the other person magically makes them better after just one glance.
The plot moves forward with a clear goal: to discover who is behind the threats against the Princess. However, I don’t feel like decisions are made with that goal in mind, but rather to delve into subplots that only serve to develop the romance.
On the other hand, the main characters lack depth. Halvar is portrayed as a general of great power, second only to two kings, yet in reality you see none of that power—only senseless brutality at times when it isn’t even wise to use it. Furthermore, we see only a fleeting glimpse of his past, even though he has lived for over 700 years, and even that doesn’t help us understand his motivations or inner conflicts.
The Princess also seems like a caricature of what she could be. On top of that, despite her position of power and her apparent education into politics and military tactics, she lacks the ability to make plans, which fall entirely on her friend Ranghild. Her view of Halvar is extremely childish, justifying his brutality with simple excuses. In her defense, I think the author failed to give her a defined personality beyond her plants and her sense of duty.
And all of this against a backdrop that grants powers to the Fae, but without fully explaining how, or the complexities of those powers. It’s as if we were only given the world's summary instead of the whole book. And it isn’t even a good summary.
The story is merely entertaining, but among so many other books, I feel its impact is diluted. There were good ideas that, if better developed, would have given more depth to the world, its characters, and the plot itself.
Puntuación: 2.25 ⭐️
Muchas gracias a la autora Elle Thrasher y Behind The Pages LLC por permitirme leer una copia adelantada de este libro. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.
"The Fae Guardian" prometía más de lo que cumplió: un mundo de Faes nórdicos (¿tal vez vikingos?), un romance a fuego lento, y una historia atrapante. Y sí, hay Faes y ocurre en el norte, pero más allá de alguna que otra mención a los vikingos, nada me hizo realmente sentir que estaba leyendo sobre ellos.
Además, aunque climax del romance llega casi al final del libro, sentí una gran falta de química entre los personajes. De no querer casarse o formar relaciones duraderas, pasan a sentir que necesitan a la otra persona o que las hace mejor mágicamente luego del primer vistazo.
La trama avanza con un objetivo claro: descubrir quién está detrás de las amenazas a la Princesa. Sin embargo, no siento que se tomen decisiones con ese obejtivo, sino para profundizar en subtramas que solo tributan a desarrollar el romance.
Por otro lado, los protagonistas carecen de profundidad. Halvar se presenta como un General de gran poder solo superado por dos reyes, cuando en realidad no ves nada de ese poder, sino una brutalidad gratuita en momentos que ni siquiera es inteligente usarla. Además, vemos una mínima pincelada de su pasado, incluso cuando tiene más de 700 años a sus espaldas, y ni siquiera eso permite entender sus motivaciones o conflictos.
La Princesa también parece un caricatura de lo que podría ser. Encima, a pesar de su posición de poder y su aparente preparación, carece de la capacidad para formar planes, que recaen en todo momento en su amiga Ranghild. Su visión de Halvar es sumamente infantil, justificando su brutalidad con excusas de niños. En su defensa, creo que la autora no supo darle una personalidad definida más allá de sus plantas y de deber.
Y todo esto con un mundo de fondo que presenta poderes a los Fae, pero sin explicar del todo cómo, o las complejidades de los mismos. Es como si solo nos dieran el resumen en lugar de un libro entero. Y no es ni siquiera un buen resumen.
La historia es entretenida sin más, pero entre tantos otros libros, siento que su impacto se diluye. Había buenas ideas que mejor desarrolladas hubieran dado más profundidad al mundo, sus personajes, y la trama en sí.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An entertaining story, but one that needed more development
Rating: 2.25 ⭐️
Many thanks to author Elle Thrasher and Behind The Pages LLC for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. The opinions you’ll read are mine and mine alone.
“The Fae Guardian” promised more than it delivered: a world of Nordic Faes (perhaps Vikings?), a slow-burning romance, and a gripping story. And yes, there are Faes and it takes place in the north, but beyond the occasional mention of Vikings, nothing really made me feel like I was reading about them.
Furthermore, although the romance’s climax comes near the end of the book, I felt a serious lack of chemistry between the characters. From not wanting to marry or form attachments, they go on to feel that they need the other person or that the other person magically makes them better after just one glance.
The plot moves forward with a clear goal: to discover who is behind the threats against the Princess. However, I don’t feel like decisions are made with that goal in mind, but rather to delve into subplots that only serve to develop the romance.
On the other hand, the main characters lack depth. Halvar is portrayed as a general of great power, second only to two kings, yet in reality you see none of that power—only senseless brutality at times when it isn’t even wise to use it. Furthermore, we see only a fleeting glimpse of his past, even though he has lived for over 700 years, and even that doesn’t help us understand his motivations or inner conflicts.
The Princess also seems like a caricature of what she could be. On top of that, despite her position of power and her apparent education into politics and military tactics, she lacks the ability to make plans, which fall entirely on her friend Ranghild. Her view of Halvar is extremely childish, justifying his brutality with simple excuses. In her defense, I think the author failed to give her a defined personality beyond her plants and her sense of duty.
And all of this against a backdrop that grants powers to the Fae, but without fully explaining how, or the complexities of those powers. It’s as if we were only given the world's summary instead of the whole book. And it isn’t even a good summary.
The story is merely entertaining, but among so many other books, I feel its impact is diluted. There were good ideas that, if better developed, would have given more depth to the world, its characters, and the plot itself.
May 18, 2026
4⭐️
As a lover of the bodyguard x princess trope, I had so much fun with this one! I really enjoyed the world, the characters, and the magic system. Freija was a really likeable character and easy to relate to (loved her best friend too) and Halvar was the most perfect overprotective and grumpy bodyguard mmc.
This book almost felt cozy in a way, which I really loved. This was one of those books where you could see the world so vividly in your mind and because of that, all I could think about all day was how badly I wanted to come back to it.
I do feel it is important to note that this story is more heavy on the romance than plot (although the plot had me invested as well!). However, the romance was amazing so I definitely did not mind! The banter was fantastic and omg the tension!! It was incredible! It kept me turning the pages, waiting for the two to finally break and give in! I was definitely giggling and kicking my feet a bunch in this one.
Highly recommend for anyone who loves the bodyguard/princess dynamic, an overprotective mmc with touch her and 💀 vibes, the one horse trope, slow burn, and witty banter.
As a lover of the bodyguard x princess trope, I had so much fun with this one! I really enjoyed the world, the characters, and the magic system. Freija was a really likeable character and easy to relate to (loved her best friend too) and Halvar was the most perfect overprotective and grumpy bodyguard mmc.
This book almost felt cozy in a way, which I really loved. This was one of those books where you could see the world so vividly in your mind and because of that, all I could think about all day was how badly I wanted to come back to it.
I do feel it is important to note that this story is more heavy on the romance than plot (although the plot had me invested as well!). However, the romance was amazing so I definitely did not mind! The banter was fantastic and omg the tension!! It was incredible! It kept me turning the pages, waiting for the two to finally break and give in! I was definitely giggling and kicking my feet a bunch in this one.
Highly recommend for anyone who loves the bodyguard/princess dynamic, an overprotective mmc with touch her and 💀 vibes, the one horse trope, slow burn, and witty banter.
May 17, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Behind the Pages PR)
Overall, this was a fun, easy to read romance forward standalone. I loved the cast of characters and how ride or die Ragnhild was for Freija. Enjoyed Freija and Halvar both giving each other nicknames and Halvar showing vulnerability with her. I also found how they can craft items with the magic to be neat. It is a little more. I'd love to see more from some of the other characters in this world.
Overall, this was a fun, easy to read romance forward standalone. I loved the cast of characters and how ride or die Ragnhild was for Freija. Enjoyed Freija and Halvar both giving each other nicknames and Halvar showing vulnerability with her. I also found how they can craft items with the magic to be neat. It is a little more. I'd love to see more from some of the other characters in this world.
May 22, 2026
I loved this book.
Freja and Halvar come together in a beautiful love story that feels like opposites attract. The Nordic inspiration and feel is carried out beautifully through the entire novel.
Love and duty are a constant theme sewed perfectly with the romance between a body guard and a princess.
Freja and Halvar come together in a beautiful love story that feels like opposites attract. The Nordic inspiration and feel is carried out beautifully through the entire novel.
Love and duty are a constant theme sewed perfectly with the romance between a body guard and a princess.
May 14, 2026
Princess Freija is the eldest daughter of the Fjell Fae King and carries the weight of becoming the perfect heir. When there is a threat against her life she is assigned a skilled bodyguard, General Halvar Haraldson, who has a fearsome reputation and past.
What to expect
-Princess x bodyguard
-One horse
-Elemental magic
-Banter
-Morally grey MMC
-Touch her and die vibes
I absolutely love a good bodyguard romance, and this one delivered. The story blends romance, danger, and court politics.
My favorite part was the tension, banter, and yearning between Halvar and Freija.
“I couldn’t stop myself. I melted in his arms and decided to be brave, pressing my mouth to his. He stilled, those soft and warm lips not moving a heartbeat and then… it was like I’d unleashed a tidal wave.”
Thank you Behind the Pages and Elle Thrasher for the gifted eARC of The Fae Guardian.
I’m looking forward to reading more from Elle in the future.
What to expect
-Princess x bodyguard
-One horse
-Elemental magic
-Banter
-Morally grey MMC
-Touch her and die vibes
I absolutely love a good bodyguard romance, and this one delivered. The story blends romance, danger, and court politics.
My favorite part was the tension, banter, and yearning between Halvar and Freija.
“I couldn’t stop myself. I melted in his arms and decided to be brave, pressing my mouth to his. He stilled, those soft and warm lips not moving a heartbeat and then… it was like I’d unleashed a tidal wave.”
Thank you Behind the Pages and Elle Thrasher for the gifted eARC of The Fae Guardian.
I’m looking forward to reading more from Elle in the future.
Did Not Finish
May 12, 2026 DNF at 25% due to undisclosed dubious consent.
May 10, 2026
ARC Review - thank you Behind the Pages PR and Elle Trasher for this ARC ✨
Slow burn with tension, a great storyline and amazing chemistry between the characters….?? Yes, please!
Freija is a Fae princess who will be Queen one day but first she has to prove herself to her father and their councilmen. When threats on her life have been discovered, her father hires a guard to protect her 24/7.
Halvar is known for the death he leaves in his wake. He’s taking his job seriously because in exchange for his protection he will be assigned a permanent position.
A ‘fuck it’ moment and a ‘one bed’ experience was all it took for everything to unravel. Together, Freija and Halvar venture far and wide to subdue the threats but realize they should have looked much closer to home.
Can they save Freija’s life while proving that their love is worth breaking all the norms of Fae royalty?
This books is a great standalone Fae journey and is an amazing option for newcomers to the Romantasy genre.
Slow burn with tension, a great storyline and amazing chemistry between the characters….?? Yes, please!
Freija is a Fae princess who will be Queen one day but first she has to prove herself to her father and their councilmen. When threats on her life have been discovered, her father hires a guard to protect her 24/7.
Halvar is known for the death he leaves in his wake. He’s taking his job seriously because in exchange for his protection he will be assigned a permanent position.
A ‘fuck it’ moment and a ‘one bed’ experience was all it took for everything to unravel. Together, Freija and Halvar venture far and wide to subdue the threats but realize they should have looked much closer to home.
Can they save Freija’s life while proving that their love is worth breaking all the norms of Fae royalty?
This books is a great standalone Fae journey and is an amazing option for newcomers to the Romantasy genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
Thank you to Elle Thrasher and Behind the Pages for this ARC copy! I enjoyed it so much.
Such a fun romantasy. And a standalone! At first when I finished this, I felt like it was too wrapped up and wanted more. But then I remembered it was a standalone and that made more sense.
I thought the characters were fun. Freija was strong, empathetic and genuine. Raghnhild was so fun (I want to be besties with her). And Halvar was perfect for Freija. Their love story was beautiful!
I will say though that this was missing more world-building overall. I think there was more we could have learned about the magic system.
Either way, this was great, and I loved that it was dual POV
Such a fun romantasy. And a standalone! At first when I finished this, I felt like it was too wrapped up and wanted more. But then I remembered it was a standalone and that made more sense.
I thought the characters were fun. Freija was strong, empathetic and genuine. Raghnhild was so fun (I want to be besties with her). And Halvar was perfect for Freija. Their love story was beautiful!
I will say though that this was missing more world-building overall. I think there was more we could have learned about the magic system.
Either way, this was great, and I loved that it was dual POV
May 11, 2026
I received this ARC and I'm so happy I got the chance to read it before it's released because omg it was so good!
I loved the Norwegian Fae setting, the world and magic was easy to understand. I also loved that this royal Fae family actually loved each other, it was a genuine family love ❤️.
I related to our FMC so much! Eldest daughter, the need for perfection and the anxiety around those expectations is very relatable! The forbidden romance and chemistry with Halvar was *chefs kiss*.
This book had so many of the fun Romantasy tropes and some good twists! Would definitely recommend!
I loved the Norwegian Fae setting, the world and magic was easy to understand. I also loved that this royal Fae family actually loved each other, it was a genuine family love ❤️.
I related to our FMC so much! Eldest daughter, the need for perfection and the anxiety around those expectations is very relatable! The forbidden romance and chemistry with Halvar was *chefs kiss*.
This book had so many of the fun Romantasy tropes and some good twists! Would definitely recommend!
May 17, 2026
Vikings mixed with fae and a forbidden bodyguard romance with slow burn tension and a jealous, broody MMC. I was pretty immediately on board.
Halvar is a grizzle warrior with a complicated past and I genuinely enjoyed him, even if he's less the mature silver fox I was hoping for and more someone who acts considerably younger than his centuries suggest. Think Kingfisher from Quicksilver energy rather than distinguished older man with a lot of experience under his belt. Still compelling though. The training scenes are a highlight and watching him quietly lose his mind with jealousy while Freija is being courted by potential suitors was exactly the kind of tension I read these for.
The age gap is significant but the characters are so far beyond human years that I could comfortably set that aside. What I found more interesting is that Freija is actually the more mature one in many ways. She's the one pumping the brakes and reminding him why this is a terrible idea, while Halvar seems pretty comfortable crossing professional lines despite knowing the very real danger it puts him in. The resolution of that particular problem felt a little too tidy, but it didn't fully derail my enjoyment. The feelings do move quickly, which is a little jarring even with the forbidden dynamic doing some of the heavy lifting.
The world building leans heavily on the viking aesthetic for its atmosphere, which works, though I would have loved more depth there. As a standalone it occasionally felt like scenes stitched together rather than a fully cohesive story.
Fun, swoony, and an easy read. Romantasy fans looking for that should have a good time with this one.
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages PA for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Halvar is a grizzle warrior with a complicated past and I genuinely enjoyed him, even if he's less the mature silver fox I was hoping for and more someone who acts considerably younger than his centuries suggest. Think Kingfisher from Quicksilver energy rather than distinguished older man with a lot of experience under his belt. Still compelling though. The training scenes are a highlight and watching him quietly lose his mind with jealousy while Freija is being courted by potential suitors was exactly the kind of tension I read these for.
The age gap is significant but the characters are so far beyond human years that I could comfortably set that aside. What I found more interesting is that Freija is actually the more mature one in many ways. She's the one pumping the brakes and reminding him why this is a terrible idea, while Halvar seems pretty comfortable crossing professional lines despite knowing the very real danger it puts him in. The resolution of that particular problem felt a little too tidy, but it didn't fully derail my enjoyment. The feelings do move quickly, which is a little jarring even with the forbidden dynamic doing some of the heavy lifting.
The world building leans heavily on the viking aesthetic for its atmosphere, which works, though I would have loved more depth there. As a standalone it occasionally felt like scenes stitched together rather than a fully cohesive story.
Fun, swoony, and an easy read. Romantasy fans looking for that should have a good time with this one.
Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages PA for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
Can I just start with this…. There is a part where the MMC literally rips a man’s arm off for threatening the FMC. *swoon*
Halvar is assigned as Princess Freija’s bodyguard due to threats on her for a ransom. In order to uncover the threat, she must be guarded at all times.
Halvar would rather grumble his responses than voice them (and is definitely called “grumbling glacier” at one point), but he starts to develop a soft spot for Freija, even though their romance is forbidden.
He really does just walk around spouting the most obscene threats to anyone who comes near her. I can’t even quote them, they are so vulgar (in the best way obviously).
Tropes
Forbidden romance
Princess/bodyguard
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Touch her & die
The Nordic aspect was really neat and unique. I did find myself skimming quite a bit though. I can’t pinpoint why exactly. I loved the characters and the banter between them, but I think the story itself felt a little off? I found myself ONLY caring about the relationship between the main characters and not really caring about anything else that was going on around them.
Overall, it was a good standalone romantic fantasy, and Halvar is an incredible MMC!
Halvar is assigned as Princess Freija’s bodyguard due to threats on her for a ransom. In order to uncover the threat, she must be guarded at all times.
Halvar would rather grumble his responses than voice them (and is definitely called “grumbling glacier” at one point), but he starts to develop a soft spot for Freija, even though their romance is forbidden.
He really does just walk around spouting the most obscene threats to anyone who comes near her. I can’t even quote them, they are so vulgar (in the best way obviously).
Tropes
Forbidden romance
Princess/bodyguard
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Touch her & die
The Nordic aspect was really neat and unique. I did find myself skimming quite a bit though. I can’t pinpoint why exactly. I loved the characters and the banter between them, but I think the story itself felt a little off? I found myself ONLY caring about the relationship between the main characters and not really caring about anything else that was going on around them.
Overall, it was a good standalone romantic fantasy, and Halvar is an incredible MMC!
May 6, 2026
Broody bodyguard guardian said “touch her and lose a limb”…
Thank you between the pages and Elle thrasher for the ALC.
This would be a 3.75 if only Goodreads would have .stars.
This felt more cozy Romantasy about choosing love over duty, wrapped in mountain magic and danger. This standalone follows Freija as she fights for her version of a happily ever after.
What I liked
I loved the romance-forward storyline—if you’re here for feelings first, plot second, this delivers. Freija’s journey of choosing true love over an arranged marriage felt heartfelt and easy to root for.
Havalar? Elite energy. Sweet only for her but absolutely unhinged when it comes to protecting her (and yes… the arm situation 👀).
The setting was also a standout—mountain kingdom vibes mixed with botany and survival added a cozy, slightly unique layer to the world.
What I didn’t like
I did find myself a little unsure of where the main plot was heading at times. It leans heavily into romance, so if you’re looking for a strong, driving fantasy plot, this might feel a bit light or meandering.
If you like…
* Romance-heavy romantasy
* Arranged marriage vs true love
* protective MMC
* Standalones that wrap up cleanly
Thank you between the pages and Elle thrasher for the ALC.
This would be a 3.75 if only Goodreads would have .stars.
This felt more cozy Romantasy about choosing love over duty, wrapped in mountain magic and danger. This standalone follows Freija as she fights for her version of a happily ever after.
What I liked
I loved the romance-forward storyline—if you’re here for feelings first, plot second, this delivers. Freija’s journey of choosing true love over an arranged marriage felt heartfelt and easy to root for.
Havalar? Elite energy. Sweet only for her but absolutely unhinged when it comes to protecting her (and yes… the arm situation 👀).
The setting was also a standout—mountain kingdom vibes mixed with botany and survival added a cozy, slightly unique layer to the world.
What I didn’t like
I did find myself a little unsure of where the main plot was heading at times. It leans heavily into romance, so if you’re looking for a strong, driving fantasy plot, this might feel a bit light or meandering.
If you like…
* Romance-heavy romantasy
* Arranged marriage vs true love
* protective MMC
* Standalones that wrap up cleanly
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
I really enjoyed the opening of The Fae Guardian as the dedication immediately set the tone, and the first chapters pulled me in quickly. The Nordic-inspired setting, mountain kingdom atmosphere, and elemental magic gave the story a strong foundation.
This is very much a romance-forward romantasy. The main focus is on Freija and Halvar’s relationship rather than a plot-heavy fantasy storyline. Their dynamic was the strongest part for me. The princess x bodyguard tension worked well, and I liked the slow-burn build, and the way their sense of duty clashed with what they wanted for themselves. Halvar had that classic stoic, battle-scarred protector energy, and their chemistry kept me turning the pages.
That said, I would have liked more development of the wider plot and the political stakes.
Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic fantasy with strong character chemistry and plenty of emotional tension. If you go in expecting a relationship-driven story rather than a plot-heavy epic fantasy, it delivers well.
What to expect:
- princess x bodyguard
- slow burn
- forbidden romance
- duty vs desire
- morally grey MMC
- touch-her-and-☠️
- perfectionist eldest daughter
Big thanks to NetGalley and Elle for the opportunity to read this in advance!
This is very much a romance-forward romantasy. The main focus is on Freija and Halvar’s relationship rather than a plot-heavy fantasy storyline. Their dynamic was the strongest part for me. The princess x bodyguard tension worked well, and I liked the slow-burn build, and the way their sense of duty clashed with what they wanted for themselves. Halvar had that classic stoic, battle-scarred protector energy, and their chemistry kept me turning the pages.
That said, I would have liked more development of the wider plot and the political stakes.
Overall, this was an enjoyable romantic fantasy with strong character chemistry and plenty of emotional tension. If you go in expecting a relationship-driven story rather than a plot-heavy epic fantasy, it delivers well.
What to expect:
- princess x bodyguard
- slow burn
- forbidden romance
- duty vs desire
- morally grey MMC
- touch-her-and-☠️
- perfectionist eldest daughter
Big thanks to NetGalley and Elle for the opportunity to read this in advance!
May 14, 2026
I really enjoyed reading an ARC of this standalone fantasy romance.
The story follows Freija, the eldest daughter and heir to the throne of a mountain fae kingdom. When a threat arises, she is assigned a bodyguard, the deadly general, Halvar. It’s a dual POV full of tension, yearning, and forbidden love.
I’m a character-driven reader and I really enjoyed these characters. Freija has spent her life driven by duty, trying to be the perfect daughter and princess to her kingdom. Halvar has dedicated his life to protecting the kingdom by any means necessary. This was a character-driven story and I felt invested in both of the MCs. We even got a chance to meet some interesting side characters, who I understand have their own stories (a certain flirty Captain was a lot of fun!)
This book is a standalone that fits into a broader universe, and I’m eager to read the other books in this world!
Book featured:
✨ The Fae Guardian by Elle Thrasher
What to expect:
✨ Standalone Romantic Fantasy
✨ Dual POV
✨ Princess x Bodyguard
✨ Elemental Magic
✨ Only one bed/horse
✨ He trains her
✨ Touch her & ☠️
Thank you to the author for the gifted digital copy. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Freija, the eldest daughter and heir to the throne of a mountain fae kingdom. When a threat arises, she is assigned a bodyguard, the deadly general, Halvar. It’s a dual POV full of tension, yearning, and forbidden love.
I’m a character-driven reader and I really enjoyed these characters. Freija has spent her life driven by duty, trying to be the perfect daughter and princess to her kingdom. Halvar has dedicated his life to protecting the kingdom by any means necessary. This was a character-driven story and I felt invested in both of the MCs. We even got a chance to meet some interesting side characters, who I understand have their own stories (a certain flirty Captain was a lot of fun!)
This book is a standalone that fits into a broader universe, and I’m eager to read the other books in this world!
Book featured:
✨ The Fae Guardian by Elle Thrasher
What to expect:
✨ Standalone Romantic Fantasy
✨ Dual POV
✨ Princess x Bodyguard
✨ Elemental Magic
✨ Only one bed/horse
✨ He trains her
✨ Touch her & ☠️
Thank you to the author for the gifted digital copy. All opinions are my own.
May 17, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! It was a pretty cozy Nordic inspired fantasy romance that was still full of plenty of action and intrigue.
There was plenty to love in this one, including - a slow burn romance, princess x bodyguard, elemental magic, fae, tons of banter, a morally grey MMC, touch her and 💀, one horse, yearning, tension, dual POV, an age gap, and so much more!
Our FMC Freija is the princess and heir of the Fjell fae. Unbeknownst to her until now, there have been threats on her life. Enter our MMC Halvar, her new bodyguard. Halvar is delightfully grumpy, and he’s a lethal general. Who better to guard Freija from the threats to her life?
I was delighted to get both Freija and Halvar’s POVs in this book so we got to see all the yearning from both of them. Of course, a relationship between a princess and her bodyguard is not allowed, so this helped create all the tension for this slow burn.
This story was full of plenty of action and intrigue as Halvar and Freija work to determine who is out to get her. They leave the mountains of the Fjell fae in an attempt to outsmart their enemy, and that’s when things really heat up.
If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy romance that’s Nordic inspired and full of heart, then definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you so much to Elle Thrasher for the gifted ARC! 💙✨
There was plenty to love in this one, including - a slow burn romance, princess x bodyguard, elemental magic, fae, tons of banter, a morally grey MMC, touch her and 💀, one horse, yearning, tension, dual POV, an age gap, and so much more!
Our FMC Freija is the princess and heir of the Fjell fae. Unbeknownst to her until now, there have been threats on her life. Enter our MMC Halvar, her new bodyguard. Halvar is delightfully grumpy, and he’s a lethal general. Who better to guard Freija from the threats to her life?
I was delighted to get both Freija and Halvar’s POVs in this book so we got to see all the yearning from both of them. Of course, a relationship between a princess and her bodyguard is not allowed, so this helped create all the tension for this slow burn.
This story was full of plenty of action and intrigue as Halvar and Freija work to determine who is out to get her. They leave the mountains of the Fjell fae in an attempt to outsmart their enemy, and that’s when things really heat up.
If you’re looking for a standalone fantasy romance that’s Nordic inspired and full of heart, then definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you so much to Elle Thrasher for the gifted ARC! 💙✨
May 9, 2026
Solid 3.5 ⭐
The Fae Guardian was such an enjoyable read for me. The slow burn tension had me absolutely giddy once they finally gave in, and the forbidden romance worked so well with the grumpy sunshine dynamic. Add in one horse energy and I was fully invested.
I really enjoyed the pacing and overall flow of the story. It kept moving in a way that made it easy to stay engaged, and I found myself flying through chapters wanting to see these characters finally break under all that tension.
While I do wish certain aspects of the world building and character depth had been explored a little more, I still had a genuinely fun time reading this. If you love forbidden romance, protective tension, and fantasy stories with strong romantic chemistry, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Elle Thrasher as well as Behind the pages LLC for letting me be a part of the ARC team.
The Fae Guardian was such an enjoyable read for me. The slow burn tension had me absolutely giddy once they finally gave in, and the forbidden romance worked so well with the grumpy sunshine dynamic. Add in one horse energy and I was fully invested.
I really enjoyed the pacing and overall flow of the story. It kept moving in a way that made it easy to stay engaged, and I found myself flying through chapters wanting to see these characters finally break under all that tension.
While I do wish certain aspects of the world building and character depth had been explored a little more, I still had a genuinely fun time reading this. If you love forbidden romance, protective tension, and fantasy stories with strong romantic chemistry, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Elle Thrasher as well as Behind the pages LLC for letting me be a part of the ARC team.
May 16, 2026
ARC Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Elle Thrasher’s writing style is enchanting, the Nordic take on this story was fascinating. The magic of rock formation was subtle and natural, and there was incredible changing scenery with fjords and forests. I would definitely recommend this book to others and it’s one of my favorite reads this year!! Super enjoyable and addicting, very well done and extremely interesting!
Freija is one of the mountain fae along the Nordic isles, and a graceful FMC. The fae live in secret from the humans, but now there is an impending threat of them starting to build homes closer to their home.
Freija is the crown princess but mostly an ambitious and studious political advocate. Her wishes to travel for a research project are ruined when threats to her life are made.
Someone keeps threatening the king that they will kill Freija if he does not pay them. Halvar is a Nordic general who is famous for his mercilessness on the battlefield. In this dual POV, he is given the assignment of body guarding the princess and training her.
It is forbidden for a princess and her soldier to grow close and yet there is instant chemistry between them that builds in a slow burn.
When tensions grow thick and Freija isn’t sure who she can trust, besides Halvar, they are forced to make a plan in order to protect her and figure out who is threatening them.
Freija is one of the mountain fae along the Nordic isles, and a graceful FMC. The fae live in secret from the humans, but now there is an impending threat of them starting to build homes closer to their home.
Freija is the crown princess but mostly an ambitious and studious political advocate. Her wishes to travel for a research project are ruined when threats to her life are made.
Someone keeps threatening the king that they will kill Freija if he does not pay them. Halvar is a Nordic general who is famous for his mercilessness on the battlefield. In this dual POV, he is given the assignment of body guarding the princess and training her.
It is forbidden for a princess and her soldier to grow close and yet there is instant chemistry between them that builds in a slow burn.
When tensions grow thick and Freija isn’t sure who she can trust, besides Halvar, they are forced to make a plan in order to protect her and figure out who is threatening them.
May 3, 2026
The Far Guardian by Elle Thrasher
4⭐
Thank you to Behind the Pages and Elle Thrasher for the ARC opportunity!
This story was so beautifully written, and honestly, a standalone was exactly what I needed in the middle of so many series.
It follows Freija, a princess, and Halvar, the guard sworn to protect her. The story blends mystery, romance, and action with the coziest atmosphere—I genuinely wanted to live in that mountain setting.
This is very much a romance-focused story, centered on the relationship between the main characters. Even so, the author’s writing really pulled me in, especially through the vivid descriptions of the landscapes and setting. It felt immersive and atmospheric in the best way.
If you enjoy cozy fantasy, romance, yearning, a bit of (slightly predictable) conflict, and a broody, protective MMC, this one might be for you.
4⭐
Thank you to Behind the Pages and Elle Thrasher for the ARC opportunity!
This story was so beautifully written, and honestly, a standalone was exactly what I needed in the middle of so many series.
It follows Freija, a princess, and Halvar, the guard sworn to protect her. The story blends mystery, romance, and action with the coziest atmosphere—I genuinely wanted to live in that mountain setting.
This is very much a romance-focused story, centered on the relationship between the main characters. Even so, the author’s writing really pulled me in, especially through the vivid descriptions of the landscapes and setting. It felt immersive and atmospheric in the best way.
If you enjoy cozy fantasy, romance, yearning, a bit of (slightly predictable) conflict, and a broody, protective MMC, this one might be for you.
May 31, 2026
Freija and Halvar had the kind of chemistry that practically crackled off the page. I am always a sucker for a bodyguard romance, and the princess/general dynamic delivered. The push and pull between duty and desire kept me turning pages, while the larger threats lurking in the background added plenty of stakes to the story.
I also loved how the romance never completely overshadowed the plot. There was action, intrigue, and enough fae politics to keep things interesting without bogging the story down. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and wasn't ready to leave this world behind.
If you love protective MMCs, strong heroines, forbidden attraction, and fantasy romance with plenty of tension, this one is worth picking up.
I also loved how the romance never completely overshadowed the plot. There was action, intrigue, and enough fae politics to keep things interesting without bogging the story down. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and wasn't ready to leave this world behind.
If you love protective MMCs, strong heroines, forbidden attraction, and fantasy romance with plenty of tension, this one is worth picking up.
April 20, 2026
The Fae Guardian is a Nordic standalone fantasy romance with elemental fae magic, a slow burn romance, death threats, and some battle scenes with a fierce, intelligent FMC!
This was such a quick, fun read! If you are needing a break from reading thick plot lines spread out among multiple books, but still wanting that romantasy feel this would be a great book for you. I love a good Nordic, Viking type of book with strong characters and storyline that is easy to follow while still hooking me in! I really enjoyed this book and loved her style of writing. The book was perfectly paced and continued to keep me guessing and intrigued throughout!
This was such a quick, fun read! If you are needing a break from reading thick plot lines spread out among multiple books, but still wanting that romantasy feel this would be a great book for you. I love a good Nordic, Viking type of book with strong characters and storyline that is easy to follow while still hooking me in! I really enjoyed this book and loved her style of writing. The book was perfectly paced and continued to keep me guessing and intrigued throughout!
May 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Freija, crown princess of the Fjell Fae, is assigned a new bodyguard when a hidden threat arises. But this arrangement brings about its own difficulties, as the line between a princess and her guard start to blur. With the pressure to secure an appropriate marriage, she faces the choice to follow heart or be the perfect, dutiful princess.
I love the Princess x Guard trope and this was no exception 🤭 the tension in this book was perfectly paced and had me giggling and kicking my feet. Frejia’s growth was also very good, I appreciated seeing her come to terms with just doing her best. I found the twist to be a little predictable, but I still liked how it ended.
Freija, crown princess of the Fjell Fae, is assigned a new bodyguard when a hidden threat arises. But this arrangement brings about its own difficulties, as the line between a princess and her guard start to blur. With the pressure to secure an appropriate marriage, she faces the choice to follow heart or be the perfect, dutiful princess.
I love the Princess x Guard trope and this was no exception 🤭 the tension in this book was perfectly paced and had me giggling and kicking my feet. Frejia’s growth was also very good, I appreciated seeing her come to terms with just doing her best. I found the twist to be a little predictable, but I still liked how it ended.
May 14, 2026
This was a high stakes romantasy with a princess / bodyguard romance, forbidden love, and a protective MMC. I liked the elemental magic and the different Fae factions. I liked Freija's passion for botany and her desire to help her people and find creative solutions.
I enjoyed the tension and bond that develops between Halvar and Freija, and how they try to avoid their desire, but can't help the pull.
There are kidnap threats, political schemes, undercover adventures, and a steamy romance.
I enjoyed the tension and bond that develops between Halvar and Freija, and how they try to avoid their desire, but can't help the pull.
There are kidnap threats, political schemes, undercover adventures, and a steamy romance.
April 27, 2026
I was really excited about the premise behind this standalone but unfortunately it missed the mark for me. Forbidden romance is my favorite trope but I didn’t get that forbidden tension that I was hoping for which ultimately led me not to feel fully invested in the characters. Some areas of the plot also felt contradictory to me as the food shortage was stressed multiple times but her research into the solution never felt rushed. I did think the eldest daughter and Freija’s struggle with always wanting to do everything perfectly was represented well. I also enjoyed Halvar’s touch her and die vibes and protective nature. Overall, if you are looking for an easy Nordic inspired fantasy standalone with some great microtropes then check this one out.
✨Forbidden romance
✨Perfectionist FMC
✨Touch her and die
✨One horse/bed
✨Wound care
✨Training scenes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the review copy!
✨Forbidden romance
✨Perfectionist FMC
✨Touch her and die
✨One horse/bed
✨Wound care
✨Training scenes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the review copy!
Did Not Finish
May 10, 2026Soft DNFing - about 30% in, and I am not feeling connected to the story. Not sure if it’s my headspace, or if this isn’t the book for me. I will try it again at some point! I do take issue with it being called an enemies to lovers, as they have at no point been enemies
June 3, 2026
Love this book!!
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