The Art of Charming a Changeling

Pigments & Paramours #1

by Sylvie Cathrall

A cozy slice-of-life romantic fantasy set in a Regency-inspired world where humans and fairies compete for artistic supremacy, from Sylvie Cathrall, author of A Letter to the Luminous Deep. 

On her first day working in the prince’s galleries, art conservator Florrie Hyverfell discovers that the most famous portrait in the collection is not only a fake—it’s also inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped in the forged painting.

Tracking down the stolen original is the only way for Florrie to save her job and for Vern to escape his canvas. Yet as they journey to a famed fairy museum to find the missing artwork, Florrie finds herself taking more than an art historical interest in the changeling painting’s charming inhabitant. 
 

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Cozy Fantasy, Adult, Cozy, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Sylvie Cathrall writes stories of hope and healing with healthy doses of wonder and whimsy. She holds a graduate degree in odd Victorian art and has handled more than a few nineteenth-century letters (with great care). Sylvie married her former pen pal and lives in the mountains, where she dresses impractically and dreams of the sea.

You can find Sylvie on Instagram @sylviecathrall.

Author's portrait by Inês Dinis: @inestheunicorn.

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to read something cute 🥲 huge thanks to NetGalley & Orbit for a chance to review this arc!!

This cozy Romantasy follows Florrie ; a neurodivergent fmc ; who discovers her employer’s famous painting is a fake and inhabits a Fairy.

It’s impossible not to love the fmc & mmc. They’re both well intentioned, kind & soft. There’s also queer representation. The romance was clean & soft as well. The only character I could not stand was the fmc’s cousin Chary. I was wondering why she was so present in this story (she was really annoying). Every time her name came up on page, I was eager to change chapters and get away from her.

The element that really hindered my reading experience though is that I felt this novel lacked substance. Cozy fantasy is one of my favourite fantasy sub genres but this one was underwhelming. The pacing was also super slow. I felt that the story focussed more on the character’s inner thoughts than the actual progression. I appreciated that everything wasn’t an easy fix but I wish something else would’ve kept the story going.

This is one of the rare instances where I feel like multiple plots would’ve elevated this story.

I recommend this for cozy Romantasy lovers. The sequel seems to be following her cousin more closely and for that reason I won’t continue with this series.

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm)]

- a prince's art gallery ✅
- a forged painting discovered ✅
- a fairy trapped inside the painting ✅
- unexpected feelings rising between an unlikely duo ✅
- a Fae museum that holds all the answers to freeing said fairy ✅✅✅

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Orbit for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Love love love love love. The Art of Charming a Changeling is cozy, charming, sweet, swoony, beautiful, and just overall delightful. It had me kicking my heels in glee and grinning like a fool at various points. I absolutely adored Florrie and Vern, but I was also charmed by Prince Ardant, Lord Mauve, Aesti, and Florrie's moms (not you, Chary). The imagery in the book is also incredible between the paintings and the landscapes in Faerie.

This is a fairly low-stakes and cozy tale, but there's magic and faeries and a love story. Most importantly there is amazing representation of characters on the spectrum. Florrie and Vern are both on the spectrum, and seeing Florrie navigate her life with its challenges--it's just handled really well I think. And I love the clear communication between Florrie and Vern too.

There's a very wonderful and lovely HEA here, though it might not turn out exactly how you expect. But it's perfect for our characters. And I'm so excited that it looks like Aesti might be the focus of the next book?! I cannot wait! I continue to be utterly delighted by Cathrall's books and will be picking the next up as soon as it's available!

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall
4.5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Sylvie Cathrall, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit, NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this cute and cozy little book.

The Art of Charming a Changeling was such a delightful surprise of a book, Sylvie Cathrall has created the exactly the kind of cosy fantasy that makes you want to curl up somewhere comfortable, drink something warm and let your mind disappear into a book for the afternoon. Its whimsical, romantic, completely atmospheric and filled with so many tiny magical details that I found myself completely charmed by the world. The premise immediately grabbed me. Florrie Hyverfell is an art conservator working in the prince's galleries, and on her very first day she discovers that one of the collection's most famous portraits is actually a forgery. That's already enough to create a professional disaster, but then she discovers something even stranger: the painting is inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped inside the forged artwork.

I absolutely loved the art conservation element. It's such an unusual profession to build a fantasy romance around, and Cathrall makes it genuinely fascinating. The attention to paintings, restoration, provenance, forgery, and the history behind artworks gives the story a wonderfully distinctive identity. It never feels like the art history exists purely as decoration—the characters' knowledge of art is actually essential to solving the central mystery. Florrie is also a wonderful protagonist. She's intelligent, practical, curious, and clearly passionate about her work, but she isn't portrayed as effortlessly brilliant at everything. She feels like someone who genuinely cares about preserving beautiful things and understanding the stories behind them. I loved watching her become more confident as the adventure unfolded, particularly as she began to realise that she could trust her own instincts.
And then there's Vern.

Vern was easily one of my favourite parts of the entire book. He's charming, mischievous, mysterious, and just a little bit irritating in exactly the right way. His situation is genuinely heartbreaking—being trapped in a painting and dependent on someone else to rescue him—but he never loses his personality or sense of humour. The contrast between Florrie's practical nature and Vern's more unpredictable fairy sensibilities creates so much chemistry.

The romance was one of the biggest highlights for me. It's soft, gradual, and full of those little moments that make a slow-burn relationship so satisfying. I loved watching Florrie and Vern move from reluctant allies to genuine companions, especially as their trust in each other developed. Their relationship feels rooted in curiosity and admiration before it ever becomes romantic, which made the eventual emotional payoff much more satisfying. The world-building is gorgeous. I loved the Regency-inspired setting mixed with magical galleries, enchanted artwork, fairy craftsmanship, and hidden supernatural communities. Everything feels slightly off-kilter in the best possible way, as though the ordinary world is constantly sitting alongside something magical just beneath the surface.

One of my favourite aspects was the cosy atmosphere. Despite there being a mystery and genuine stakes, the novel never becomes relentlessly dark. There are beautiful settings, quiet conversations, little moments of humour, magical discoveries, and plenty of charm. It feels like the fantasy equivalent of a comforting period drama, but with fairies and enchanted paintings. The journey to the fairy museum was another highlight. It gave the story a sense of movement and adventure while allowing the relationship between Florrie and Vern to develop naturally. I enjoyed discovering new aspects of the world alongside them, and the museum itself was such a fun concept that I wished I could actually visit it.

Cathrall's writing is also beautifully suited to this kind of story. It's descriptive without being overwhelming and manages to make even small magical details feel significant. The prose has a softness to it that complements the cosy tone, while the dialogue keeps everything lively and occasionally very funny. I did find the pacing slightly uneven in places. There were sections in the middle where the journey slowed down a little, and a few elements of the mystery felt fairly easy to predict. I also found myself wishing for even more exploration of the fairy world and its history because the glimpses we get are so intriguing.

Still, those are relatively small criticisms in what was otherwise such an enjoyable read. The book succeeds because it creates a world I genuinely wanted to spend more time in, with characters I cared about and a romance that left me smiling.

Overall, The Art of Charming a Changeling is a beautifully whimsical cosy fantasy with a wonderfully original premise, a charming romance, and an enchanting setting. I loved the combination of art history, fairy magic, mystery, and slow-burn romance, and I especially appreciated how much heart was tucked underneath all the whimsy.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy, romantic fantasy, magical academia, fairy tales, or books about characters who fall in love while solving a very strange mystery, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Tammy - Books, Bones & Buffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The nitty-gritty: A delightful, cozy romance with a fascinating premise, The Art of Charming A Changeling excelled at world-building but lacked a strong plot.

The Art of Charming a Changeling is a cute cozy fantasy with absolutely wonderful world-building, and I enjoyed it a lot. However, it lacked something for me and I found it to be a very slow reading experience. The plot sounds good on paper, but it needed more excitement to fully engage me.

The story takes place in a secondary fantasy world where art influences everyone’s lives. Florrie Hyverfell is an art restorationist, and she’s just accepted an position as Prince Ardent’s art conservator at Commonplace Palace. Florrie’s first task is to clean Prince Ardent’s favorite painting, a Fairy portrait called The Resolute Portrait of Vibrant Lord Vernal Mauve Among the Ruins. However, when she begins to work on it, she’s shocked to hear a small voice calling out to her—from inside the painting! It turns out that the painting is a forgery and has been created with magic, and a duplicate of Lord Vernal is now trapped in the painting. “Vern” as he likes to call himself, is a cheerful fairy who has created a life—of sorts—for himself inside the painting, and he’s thrilled to meet Florrie, who is fascinated by this turn of events and wants to learn more about this “changeling painting.”

But first there’s the matter of the forgery and locating the original before Prince Ardent finds out. With the fake Resolute Portrait in hand, Florrie must journey to the fairy realm for answers. With Vern along for the ride, Florrie begins to learn more about his life and the things he’s passionate about. Florrie wants nothing more than to become closer to Vern, but first she’ll have to figure out a way to free him from his prison.

Let’s start with the characters. Vern is absolutely delightful, and he was by far my favorite character in the book. He was literally created with magic, so his whole existence has taken place in the painting. Because the painting has been hanging on the walls of the palace, he’s been able to learn bits and pieces about life outside by listening to visitors interact. He loves embroidery and spinning yarn on his loom, and each new thing he experiences with Florrie is cause for delight and celebration.

Florrie is also an interesting character, although I didn’t relate to her quite as much. She appears to be neurodivergent (I’m guessing based on other reviews I’ve read). She lives by her rules and routines and she’s very detail oriented and curious. She and Vern were wonderful together, and I appreciated their slow burn romance, including one very funny spicy scene! My only hesitation with Florrie’s character is that the author gave her an odd physical trait that was pretty obscure and didn’t really add much to her character (I’ll just say she wears gloves all the time to avoid harming herself). I’m not sure poor Florrie needed so many issues, and although I understand that authors include a variety of character types to shine a light on certain issues, I felt it was a little too much for a story marketed as cozy fantasy.

The world-building is detailed and fascinating, although I wanted more. The idea of a world where art is such a big focus was original and worked well for a fantasy world involving the fae. Cathrall throws in lots of details about the art of painting, brushstrokes and even her fictional history of art, which I loved. In this world, humans are called “Folk” and the fae are “fairies,” which confused me at first because the word “Folk” is usually used for the fae. The time period seems to be based on the Regency era, which made sense, especially as the characters are very formal around each other.

You may be wondering how a normal sized woman and a tiny man living in a painting are able to have a romance together, and I won’t spoil the surprise, but I loved the idea! There’s also a subplot where Florrie is desperately trying to figure out how to free Vern from the painting, and although it didn’t play out the way I expected, I thought the resolution was a surprisingly good one.

My hesitation in rating this higher is mostly because of the pacing. I understand this is marketed as a “slice of life” story, which by definition isn’t heavy on plot. But I wanted there to be more stakes for the characters, or maybe even an exciting side plot. I was also confused by some of the world building. For example, I still don’t really understand how Vern was created, and the “changeling” aspect is a little bit fuzzy for me. I guess you can just say “Fairy magic!” and call it a day, but a few more concrete details would have been nice.

Still, I’m very glad I read The Art of Charming a Changeling, and right now I plan to read the sequel, The Art of Courting a Fairy Knight, which will be released next April. Lovers of cozy fantasy and unique world-building should definitely take a look!

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5

Any book featuring the fae is a must read for me so when I saw that Sylvie Cathrall (an author whose debut duology I adored) was writing such a title I was over the moon. As the rating suggests this wasn't quite the new favourite that I was hoping for. But like her debut 'The Art Of Charming A Changeling' features a neurodivergent lead who is penned in a brilliantly true to life manner and as the title surely suggests this is a novel that is simply brimming with charm.

For me personally the highlight of this novel has to be Florrie and how believably penned she is. Within the author's debut she had a female lead who struggled with social anxiety and OCD; here we have one with dermatillomania (a compulsive urge to pick at your skin) and autistic tendencies (the label is never specifically used but she struggles with understanding certain social interactions, is very sensitive to textures and is highly invested in specific subject areas - namely art). As E, the lead in her last novel, made me feel oddly seen I just know that any reader who is personally familiar with anything that Florrie struggles with is bound to appreciate the depiction.

What's more the romance at the core of 'The Art Of Charming A Changeling' is one where Florrie finds herself accepted for exactly who, and how, she is. On the surface I think this is truly beautiful. Nobody should have to feel forced to fit in with what society deems to be 'normal'. But in reality this is one of the things I had a bit of an issue with. There's a message woven in towards the end along these lines and it threw me slightly due to personal experience. If you have a life that's full enough for you, yet smaller than society deems the norm, then I definitely don't think anyone should be forcing you to change things. Yet I'd be kicking down the doors that my own anxiety has shut on me if given the chance, so I did find the message slightly jarring.

Similarly I struggled slightly with Vern. In general he's this wonderfully bright and bubbly, sunshine lead and I love that he accepts Florrie for exactly who she is. Yet at times I felt like he was almost too good to be true and too cute in his reactions. Everything Florrie did or said was a wonder in his eyes. Everything. And I get how parts of that are beautiful as finding someone who will happily, and genuinely, listen to you ramble on excessively about a niche interest is lovely on the surface. As is meeting someone who puts you on a pedestal almost. But as a reader it became a bit too much on occasion. It actually got to the point when I felt like Florrie could turn up in rags and Vern would proclaim it the most beautiful gown he'd ever seen. Sweet but for me personally overly so.

On the positive side of things I think 'The Art Of Charming A Changeling' did a beautiful job of making the idea of a figure living within a painting feel whimsical and wondrous rather than ominous. Ever since I saw 'The Witches' as a child I've found the idea of people within paintings rather creepy in general; so to have found a novel that depicts this as idyllic is wonderful, especially as it truly works. It's an enchanting idea that is sure to delight readers.

As a whole I enjoyed the wider setting of 'The Art Of Charming A Changeling' too, although I do feel that it could have used more development. There are some glorious quirky inclusions - like Florrie's childhood home, the Museum Of The Mediocre, and ominous colour hues but in other ways it lacked depth. All art collectors are called Princes but I don't truly understand why even now or how that came about. The differences between folk and the fae are only brushed upon at times and the magic could have used more grounding depth.

One final thing is that I found Prince Ardant a bit too nice at times too. His behaviour wasn't quite as extreme as Vern's but even so I couldn't help but think 'how can so many people be so positive all of the time'. Maybe I'm being finicky but it just felt like a bit too much to me.

Overall I do think its worth taking a chance on 'The Art Of Charming A Changeling' though, especially if you know exactly what you're getting into in advance. This isn't one of the darker takes on the fae where they're dangerously mischievous or callous by nature. Its an all round softer take on it all. Although Vern's ceaselessly sunny enthusiasm got a bit much for me personally at times if that doesn't end up being the case for you then you're likely to fall head over heels for this one. And if this novel makes you feel seen, with Florrie's depiction, then it's bound to burrow its way into your heart and resonate deeply.

[Lisa Castore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildly refreshing & unique!

In this cozy and intellectual low fantasy, 35-year-old art conservator Florrie is hired by Prince Ardant to take care of his personal art collection, particularly a portrait of a Fairy named Vern. The portrait holds a secret and a problem, for which she teams up with Vern to solve. The story follows Florrie and Vern as journey to Fairy country to uncover the secret of the paintings creation, free Vern from his containment, and navigate a romance split between their two worlds.

* MC’s in their 30’s
* Neurodivergent rep 
* Tons of LGBTQ+ rep 
* Quirky characters
* Unique fairy world & plot
* Art academia
* Thick yearning
* Slow burn 

Just like with this authors previous series, the characters have unique personalities and traits. Vern is shown in feminine attire with soft round skin and a sweet personality, rather than the “epitome of masculinity with corded muscle.” Florrie has some flavor of neurodivergence with certain texture sensitivities, avoidance of people, uncertainty in social situations, and fits of anxiety similar to if not exactly like autism.

They find safety and comfort in each other in a way that is wholesome and heartwarming. This is a beautiful depiction of how the right partner can be our comfort zone while also empowering us to step outside of it. Although their language is formal and polite, the yearning and sexual tension is thick and visceral. There is no open door spice-those scenes occur off screen-but their longing and emotional connection is no less poignant. It’s also refreshing to read a romance that doesn’t rely on epic high stakes to provoke strong a connection. This contributes to the overall coziness of the book-perfect vibe as we transition into fall.

What makes this book especially refreshing is the plot, the attention to art conservation, and the magic system. I truly had no idea what was going to happen next. Often times in romantasy you can predict how the curse will be broken, the prophecy fulfilled, or the war won, etc. In this book, however, the premise is unique and therefore the path to resolving the main problem is unpredictable. Great care and attention is also given to the details of art conservatorship, which is central to both the plot and the atmosphere. The Fairy world is also deeply imaginative, featuring one-of-a-kind flora and fauna. The Old Amethyst Road in particular is reminiscent of The Yellow Brick Road-where Florrie encounters odd perils and new friends amidst otherworldly landscapes. 

It seems that queerness is much more common, if not the default, in this world. Almost every single character is described as at least a little gay, which is wildly refreshing. LGBTQ+ readers often find a side character couple dedicated to representation, but this takes it to a whole other level. 

The first third of the book was a little tough to get through at times due to a slower pace and dense & formal language. However, the formal language matches the era of the book and doesn’t sacrifice wit or personality. The plot picks up after the first third of the book after Florrie enters the Fairy realm. After that it becomes an absolute page turner.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Sylvie Cathrall for the free advanced copy! Can't wait to get my hands on book 2.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I had this on pre-order but had to cancel it due to money issues so I was thrilled to receive an e-arc. I own two of Sylvie's books - A Letter to the Luminous Deep and the sequel A Letter From the Lonesome Shore - but I haven't read them yet so this was my first taste of her work.

It's romance, fantasy, historical, period dram - I mean, is there really anything else you need? Also it has a beautiful cover.

It's more of a genteel romantasy rather than the "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" explicit type that have become popular recently - and both types have their place. Whilst I had no issue with the romance story in and of itself, I did wonder if it was needed, whether we could have just had a fantasy story without the romance part sort of shoehorned in. But the romance was quite unexpected and handled well.

The three main characters - Florrie, Prince Ardent, and Vern - are well written, compelling and charming. The other characters are enjoyable to read, even if they are smaller roles. Except for Florrie's cousin Chary who I suppose is the "devil's advocate" of the story, but it felt a little forced. Vern was my favourite character but I can't say too much about him for fear of spoilers.

The pacing is a little slow. It does pick up at times but overall it is a bit slow. And I think that's because it's very light on plot. I don't mind that generally if the characters are good (which they are) but even so I would have liked a bit more substance because at times it's a bit too gentle and you struggle to get a firm grasp on anything. And I think a lot of it is that Sylvie has dedicated so much time for descriptions of surrounding, the characters' walks, their inner thoughts etc. and there's nothing wrong with that. But it does need to be balanced with stuff actually happening.

There are neurodivergence elements to this story, but they're not just there for tick boxing, they play a key part. And generally you don't see a whole lot of that in regency fiction (even ones that have been written recently).

The fairies in this stand out. In most fantasy books I read that include fairies or faes, they're often seen as a negative, as the baddie, sneaky etc. whereas in this they are generally happy and friendly and supporting, which makes this stand out amongst a saturated genre.

There is a sequel coming out and whilst this wasn't perfect, I did enjoy it and will definitely check out book two.

I really wanted to love this but I think I'm settling on "I liked it". It's cute and cosy and comforting - quite quick to read and you lose yourself in it very easily, but I'm not sure it'll be hugely memorable, but I would definitely recommend it.

[Rallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5
Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for giving me access to this book! This review and opinions are my own.

If you are looking for a cute, whimsical romance between a woman and a fairy trapped in a painting, this is your bet! Because hot damn does Sylvie Cathrall brings the whimsy! The world is themed entirely around art even down to the creation myth that the world was created by two great artists (one for the Folk/humans, the other for Fairies), which I found so charming. Cathrall did a great job presenting the whimsical as mundane; the idea that Folk would be less interested in magic and whimsy in favor of mechanics because they're "more practical" is frankly hilarious. Fairies and their magic is out of style, boring, gauche even which like. How DARE. Whomst amongst us would not give up our car for a dope flying carriage, or trade other everyday mundanities for fantastical, magical variants? The Folk in Cathrall's world clearly don't know what they're missing; except, of course, Florrie and Prince Ardant. They get it.

Florrie is an endearing protagonist, she's tenacious despite doubting herself; although what she never doubts is her skill as a conservationist (I mean, mostly) which I found refreshing. The third-person narrative style that Cathrall chose whimsy of the setting without turning Florrie into a Quirky Girl, which I think is important as far as autistic representation goes. Vern is the quirky one on the edge of Manic Pixie Dream [Boy] territory which was kind of a lot, but I did appreciate that his MPD[B] status came with feelings attached to it. The other Fairies were like a double dose of whimsy which I liked; the Folk live in a world where they know whimsy exists but have chosen to avoid it, while the Fairies live in a world of whimsy and have no choice but to be so, and laugh at the silly Folk who don't know what they're missing. Prince Ardant was the perfect bon vivant goofery that the story needed (also we love to see trans man rep!), he's a little wild and wacky but also clearly kind, thoughtful, and the kind of person worth having as a friend.

Florrie's cousin Chary can bite it. I really, really hope she isn't the focus of the next book because I cannot stand the ableist gaslighting she brings to the table, but based on where things end up I'm not sure. I think this book works perfectly well as a standalone, Florrie and Vern's story feels nicely finished and wrapped up, so I'm not sure what Cathrall has planned but when it comes out I'll probably give it a look just to see!

[Emelia Trerotola-Mahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to first say a big thank you to NetGallery and Orbit for sending me an ARC of The Art of Charming a Changeling. When I first say this arc, I was just in full on shock on how bright and detailed the cover was. That is how I feel in love and wanted to read about it. I also thought that the storyline sounded very interesting and had a place in my heard where I could connect with the characters but also the world building.

There were a couple of challenges that I had with reading this book. My main challenges were the history based part of the story. Personally, I think that there was some definitions or explanations of what each term of the history meant and how it was related to the story. I also thought that the map in the beginning of the story was sorta confusing and small. I would recommend if there is anyway that Sylvie Cathrall could make it bigger and use a color coded system to be able to understand what the map is trying to point out. The final thing that I thought was confused about were the whole idea about the different centuries. I think that it would be easier for me and other readers to understand if there was a key behind what the centuries meant and how it related to the story.

I also thought that The Art of Charming a Changeling, had a lot of positives about the story and world building. When I first started reading this book, is that I fell in LOVE with the main character Florrie and I felt her a special place in my heart which I did not know about until I kept reading. As I kept reading, I found out that Florrie is on the autism spectrum learning disability. I found it really interesting that Sylvie Cathrall was able to include that Florrie needed accommodations. I can personally realte to Florrie as a character becasue I am a girl in college who has a learning disability, has accommodations and needs extra support with things in life.

The Art of Charming a Changeling made me feel so personally connect to this story because of how art and creative related the story is. Overall, this cozy romance fantaty book makes my heart feel full because of how powerful, meaningful, and magical The Art of Charming a Changeling is.

I would overall give The Art of Charming a Changeling a 4 out of 5 stars! I am looking forward to reading book two in the series and see how Florrie keep growing and seeing how the world becomes deeper.

[Jessica Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who absolutely loves Regency-inspired fantasy romances like Half a Soul, A Rival Most Vial, *The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love*, and Befriending the Beast, **The Art of Charming a Changeling** by Sylvie Cathrall seemed like it would be right up my alley.

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me, and I ended up DNFing it.

There is a lot here that I can see working for the right reader. The premise is undeniably charming: an art conservator discovering that a famous portrait is both a forgery and home to a trapped fairy is exactly the kind of whimsical setup that immediately caught my attention. The story has a cozy, slice-of-life feel with a strong focus on art restoration, fairy lore, and gentle character interactions.

Florrie is a neurodivergent-coded protagonist who reminded me a bit of an older Emily Wilde, and Vern is sweet, endearing, and impossible not to like. The romance is clean and wholesome, and the overall atmosphere is warm, comforting, and undeniably cozy.

My biggest struggle was the pacing. This is a very slow, steady story that takes its time exploring the world, the art restoration elements, and the growing relationship between the characters. While I know many cozy fantasy readers will appreciate that approach, I personally found myself wanting a bit more momentum and urgency to keep me engaged.

I think readers looking for a gentle, low-stakes fantasy filled with charm, fairy magic, art history, and a cozy romance will likely have a wonderful time with this one. Sadly, despite loving the premise and appreciating what the author was trying to do, it wasn't able to hold my attention enough for me to continue.

If you're an avid cozy fantasy reader who enjoys slower-paced stories where you can simply exist alongside the characters, this may be exactly your cup of tea. For me, it was a DNF, but one I can still appreciate for its creativity and charm.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. At its core, it's about not needing to change yourself to be loved. That you can and will find someone who will love you because of your differences, not despite them. It was delightfully hopeful and charming. The world building was fascinating and original - everything centred around art and painting. The fairy realm was a true delight to read about, so colourful and whimsical, but also with a touch of the sinister classic fairy undertone.

Florrie was an absolute treasure. She’s soft, but she’s brave and determined. She struggled with textures and social cues among other things, but that didn’t stop her venturing out of her comfort zone to a fairy museum. Vern, my beloved, was wonderful. Their shared fascination with fabric textures was lovely, and I loved that Vern was always spinning yarn. I was charmed by them both from the very start. The relationship and the progression of it was slow, but it felt so real and I saw myself in their doubts and struggles. Their chemistry and dynamic was incredible, they are so perfectly suited to each other. The slow burn was just right for them.

I also loved the casual queerness of this. Florrie had previously dated a woman, and there were sapphic, achillean and nonbinary side characters. All the side characters were charming, but I particularly enjoyed Florrie’s parents and family, even if some were a little meddlesome.

I won’t give too much away, but the ending of this book was so important to me. Yes, grow and change so you can be more comfortable in yourself, but you can be loved exactly as you are.

I loved the Sunken Archive duology, and this only further cements Sylvie Cathrall as one of my favourite authors. I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy and display it on my shelves! If you love cosy fantasy, and want a book that feels like a warm hug, I implore you to pick this up!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Murphy Baisley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for generously allowing me to read this eARC of The Art of Charming A Changeling.

Florrie, a very neurodivergent coded art conservator, discovers a Fairy man trapped inside a painting. Hijinks ensue. Florrie tells some lies, and spends a lot of time hand-wringing over the Conservatory rules (because rules and structure make her feel safe) before...bending...them.

First of all, Florrie and Vern are utterly adorable and charming. The slow-burn yearning! The glances. The discovery. And the things Vern says to Florrie? He is *such* a green flag. There were points that I teared up because of happiness for the couple in the book. Florrie and Vern also have fantastic banter, and I was kicking my feet and giggling through the majority of this.

The worldbuilding is whimsical and charming. The characters all have depth and are interesting, even side-characters like Chary, who is only on page for a few pages throughout the book. I am somewhat hoping that we get to see more of her busybody self in book 2. She wasn't the most likeable character, but she has her own charm because she clearly cares for her cousin.

I adored the queer rep in this as well. Even though the main couple is male and female, Florrie is bisexual-coded, and that gives me so much joy. There's nonbinary rep, and sapphic rep as well! Ialso enjoy the way that Vern is described - he's not tall and built. She described him as rather soft and shorter than herself, which just makes me feel utterly charmed for some reason. It was a change of pace that didn't feel forced.

Ugh, ugh, ugh, I cannot sing enough praises. This is just the type of cozy romantasy I love. I can't wait til it comes out!!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced reader’s copy of this book!

Rating: 3.75 Stars

Hey, are you looking for a fluffy, feel-good, low stakes cozy fantasy? Look no further than The Art of Charming a Changeling by Slyvie Cathrall.

This book was a nice palette cleanser from the thrillers and high fantasy I’ve been reading recently. We follow Florrie, an art conservator, who works in a prince’s galleries, when she stumbles upon a fairy trapped in a painting. It just so happens that Vern–the trapped fairy–is quite charming and Florrie just so happens to start to take a liking to his presence.

I really enjoyed Florrie and Vern as our leading characters. The boundaries of their relationship were unique (one being trapped in a painting and all), and I found it fun to see how Cathrall would write around it. The rest of the characters in this novel were also great. I particularly liked Prince Ardent and all of the shenanigans he kept getting himself into.

This novel is pretty slow paced. I found it harder to get through the beginning and all of the very descriptive details of all the different works of art throughout the story. It definitely painted a picture for me (see what I did there?... I’ll see myself out), but I did find myself zoning off after a while, and it took a while for me to pick the book back up again.

But when we hit those conversations between Florrie and Vern… I was glued to the pages. I loved the way those characters interacted with each other. It made it worth it to continue reading.

So again, if you’re looking for a cozy book to maybe break apart your crazy fantasies, check out this book!

[Hannah Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical, cozy, low stakes fantasy for those who appreciate art and the little things! While it took me a bit to understand the dynamics of the world (folk vs fairies), I ended up enjoying this book! I enjoyed this authors Sunken Archives duology and was eager to read more from them. As with the previous duology, the story has great representation of LGBTQ characters as well as depictions of mental health. It is done gracefully and very well. The writing is more lighthearted than the author’s previous works, which was a fun and refreshing. It was humorous and had undertones of India Holton’s works. The romance is almost sickly sweet with how precious it is. The FMC and MMC are so well suited for one another. I adored the chapters in the fairy realm and how reminiscent of Wonderland it was. I honestly would’ve loved more time in the fairy realm or even a whole book set in it! There are so many other elements I enjoyed: traveling through paintings, butterfly companions, possible killer ducks, etc. This book is definitely very art heavy. If you’re an art lover you will enjoy this! The ending was a bit simple but this isn’t a terribly complex book. It’s meant to be comforting like a warm hug. My only real issue with the story was occasional ramblings that the main character went on about what century a dress was from or what era a building belonged to. This happened quite frequently, but it made sense for the character. I just found myself skimming those paragraphs. Overall, I had a fun time with this and look forward to reading more from this author!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*

[Nimra Iqbal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming and cozy romantasy read. From the moment I read the premise of an art conservator discovering a fairy trapped inside a painting, I knew I had to pick this one up, and it truly delivered on the whimsical, magical atmosphere I was hoping for.

I really loved Florrie as a main character. Her neurodivergent representation was one of my favorite parts of the story because it felt thoughtful and intentional. I appreciated seeing her experiences, the way she navigated the world, and how the story highlighted that she wasn’t someone who needed to be changed—she was someone who deserved to be understood and supported.

Vern was such a sweet and endearing character, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Their romance had such a gentle and comforting feel to it, and I loved the way they brought out the best in each other. Their journey felt less about changing who they were and more about learning to accept and appreciate each other.

The magical world, fairy elements, art setting, and cozy atmosphere all came together beautifully. This is definitely a slower-paced, character-driven story, but I think that adds to its charm. It felt like stepping into a warm, whimsical little world where I could simply enjoy the characters and their journey.

Overall, The Art of Charming a Changeling was a sweet, heartfelt romantasy filled with magic, kindness, and wonderful representation. If you love cozy fantasy, soft romances, and stories that focus on character connection, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

The Art of Charming a Changeling is the most whimsical book I've read this year. A fantasy world where art is valued above all else, and fairies have strange magical inventions. It's delightful!
I found this to be a very easy book to get engrossed in. The stakes were very low, and conflict was almost non-existent, but the world and the characters were so interesting that I couldn't help but keep reading. I adored that all of our characters were firmly in adulthood, and there was a quirkiness to many of them that made their interactions fun. The romance was very sweet, and I appreciated that while there was a good amount of suggestive language, the spice remained mostly off-page, as it didn't feel it would fit the tone of the book.
Despite how much I liked it, I did have a few qualms with the book. For one, I personally felt that the FMC's neurodivergence was written with too heavy of a hand. The world itself also occasionally felt a bit too close to a utopia, which made the story feel saccharine at times. Additionally, I think readers would benefit from a larger explanation about why Fairies and Folk have been so separated. Maybe we'll get more foundation for that in the following story.
I really enjoyed this, and read it faster than I've been reading recently. It's crafted solely for the cozy fantasy fans, and provided a very nice emotional break from high stakes fantasy. If you like whimsy and cozy romances with two cinnamon-roll characters, this is the book for you.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Dotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

The Art of Charming a Changeling is Sylvie Cathrall’s foray into more traditional styles of writing, after the series of letters in Letters to the Luminous Deep and its sequel. The story follows Florrie, an art conservator who finds out that her new employer’s prized possession is a forgery and is inhabited by a Fairy named Vern. Florrie engages on a quest to return the correct painting, save Vern from his portrait, and maybe fall in love along the way.

I was nervous about the prose going into this book, as Cathrall’s previous writing style was so different in style. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the author’s ability to weave a narrative. The prose felt regency-inspired without being stuffy, and the subject matter was interesting. Florrie’s characterization in particular is fascinating, as the author describes a variety of neurodivergent traits that would be unfamiliar in Regency settings.

The Fairies in this story are very positive and welcoming, having the occasional mischievous moment but never creating a sinister undertone. It distinguishes the tone of this book from similar books in the genre that focus on fairies but often have higher stakes, more sinister themes, and more serious consequences. I appreciated that this book kept our fairies mostly light and engaging.

I really appreciated the casual nature of queer representation in this book. Florrie’s mother and stepmother run a gallery together, multiple characters casually mention dating both men and women, nonbinary characters are described only by “they” pronouns without any hesitation. The inhabited world in this story is deeply affirming to queer people, which I loved. It did, however, make the internal world-building rejection of neurodivergence a little harder.

The setting of this book is described as Regency-inspired, and though I could see that inspiration, it felt that it could have just as easily been a century before or after. The story lacked some of the defining elements of the Regency romance genre, and I almost would have rather it been called Victorian for the flexibility that the description gives. Regency means something specific to me, and the unusual elements of the Fairy storytelling gave enough flexibility that Regency didn’t quite fit.

The pacing of this book felt leisurely, and the actual climax of the book didn’t build the way I expected. The story felt slow and meandering, focusing much more on the romance pacing than the fantasy elements. I was surprised that certain plot moments happened when they did, as they felt either too large for the moment at hand or too small for the situation.

The book focuses significantly on the romance, following romance pacing for the most part. The story has multiple scenes that are clearly closed door or have explicit foreplay but non-descriptive intercourse. The book was more explicit than many of the cozy fantasy books on the market.

Altogether, this was a really fun cozy fantasy romance with low stakes, a solid romance and interesting characterization. In particular, Florrie’s neurodivergence and society’s response to it is compelling and complicated, with excellent layers that build over time. The queer representation in this book was casual and excellent, and the fairies themselves were a lot of fun.

I will definitely want to continue the series, which, beads on the epilogue, seems to follow Florrie’s gossipy cousin Chary. Personally, her character was frustrating to inhabit, even for that chapter, but I think the author can make the character redeemable.

Thank you to Orbit, Sylvie Cathrall and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Orbit Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Art of Charming a Changeling is such a delightful cozy fantasy. A lighthearted, whimsical, and witty read, the story is so funny, sweet, and endearing.

On her first day working in the prince’s galleries, Florrie Hyverfell, an art conservator, discovers that the most famous portrait in the collection is a fake and is inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped in the painting. Tracking down the stolen original is the only way for Florrie to save her job and for Vern to escape from the painting. However, as they go on a journey to find the missing artwork, Florrie finds herself becoming more interested in the painting’s inhabitant. 

The Art of Charming a Changeling is such a fun read from beginning to end! Florrie and Vern are so adorable and the slow burn is top-notch. Their banter is absolutely fantastic and the yearning is so well written. The blend of cozy fantasy, romance, and a magical atmosphere makes this story so wonderful. The worldbuilding is super whimsical and charming. And, all of the characters have depth and further add to the story.

Overall, The Art of Charming a Changeling is full of heart and is such a cozy read!

[ColleenIsBooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me a changeling, 'cause I am charmed. Cute, cozy, and romantic, The Art of Charming a Changeling warms you up like a bowl of stew on... well any day for Florrie.
It is Florrie's first day as an art conservator for Prince Ardent and she has already stumbled into an issue: the prince's favorite painting is actually a forgery and, even more shocking, there is a fairy trapped in the painting! Thus starts our adventure as we travel between Folk and Fairy worlds to get the real painting back and possibly find a way for Vern, the fairy in the painting, to leave the forgery.
The romance is very sweet and a little of a slower burn, which was very nice. Both Florrie and Vern are dealing with some mental health issues, and I felt like they were handled with care. Florrie's family is a bit of a mash up of personalities, but none so strong and abrasive as Chary, who does seem to be a main character for the next book in the series. I loved being in the world of this story and I hope we get to see more of the Fairy lands in the next book!

*Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own. Also thank you to Ariel for buddy reading with me!*

[Lesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to HBG Canada and Orbit Books for the advanced copy of this book!

This was an absolute delight of a book filled with so much whimsy and queer joy! I am utterly obsessed with the way Sylvie Cathrall writes the most beautiful queer-normative worlds, and this one was no exception! She also writes the most wonderfully neurodivergent characters, and I so appreciated Florrie's autism representation, as well as the trichotillomania rep! Seeing how she could just be her whole self with Vern was so wonderful, and I saw a lot of myself in Florrie and the way she felt she had to navigate the world.

A friend characterized Vern as a Manic Pixie Dream Boy and now I can't un-see it, because that is truly such a great descriptor of his character! He's such a wholesome and (sort of) innocent character in the way he sees and navigates his limited world, and I love the way he approaches everything with curiosity and excitement to learn something new (like what the sun is).

Though this is extremely low-stakes cozy fantasy, I just fell so in love with the characters that I didn't want to put it down! Highly recommend for folks looking for an extremely cozy and whimsical read!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, neurodivergent representation in a romance, yes please! The romance between Florrie and Vern is so sweet, soft, and kind. I loved this pair. It's also a very clean romance, basically no spice.

Florrie was a great character. Her neurodivergence was written really well and in a thoughtful way. I found her very easy to relate to.

I also enjoyed the world building and voice of the story. It was easy to imagine being in this world. The story is a bit slower paced, perfect for people who enjoy a more character driven adventure.

My small critiques are: It was a bit too long. I prefer my cozy stories and romances to sit at about 300 pages. I also found myself checking the dictionary a little too often, however I think the vocabulary used fits the vibe of the story.

Overall I gave The Art of Charming a Changeling 4 stars. I can't wait to pick up book two!

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the arc of The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall!

[Siobhan MW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4/5

Pros:
• The Art of Charming a Changeling was a lovely lighthearted cozy fantasy, filled with whimsy and wit. From the moment I read the first page, I knew I would enjoy this book—both for the immersive art-related metaphors and the sweet and genuine MC that we find in Florrie. The romance was soft, caring, and tender, all the the elements that I adore in a romance. Vern was endearing both as a love interest and as his own character, and I felt their connection strongly.

Cons:
• I have no cons when it comes to this book—the only reason it isn't five stars is because I didn't connect with the themes and characters as strongly as I wanted to. However, I believe that plenty of people will adore this book. I will certainly be buying a physical copy once it releases—both for the gorgeous cover and that I eagerly look forward to adding this to my collection of cozy historical faerie romances.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader's copy!

When I read the synopsis of this book, it sounded like everything I've ever wanted: a historical fantasy romance which takes place in a museum? And our fmc is a conservationist who falls in love with a sentient painting? Absolutely A+ concept, and I really wanted to love it in turn.

Overall, it was just okay. I didn't feel any personal connection to the characters, the romance was fine, nothing special. One thing that bothered me in particular was how Florrie constantly noted that such and such painting was typical of the __ century, but then didn't elaborate on what the specific century in this world even looked like. In other words, the world was never fleshed out beyond the fact that fairies were there, and then they weren't.

Don't get me wrong, it was a cute little read, but unfortunately my expectations were too high for me to rate this anything above a 3.

[S.E. Bristow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a soft, sweet read, and lives up to its genre as a cozy romance. Florrie is a gentle, autistic art conservator (I really do love the representation, especially in romance genres. This was so exciting for me) tasked with restoring a painting with a fairy trapped inside of it.

Both Florrie and our love interest, Vern, are sweet and very kind, and it makes for a lovely story with little real conflict. The cast of characters is entertaining and silly, making for a lighthearted read.

My largest issue with this book is that I found it to be incredibly dull. As much as it's nice to have a book with very little conflict.... there needs to be some kind of excitement to make up for that. I found myself skipping through large sections because I was just so bored with what I was reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Art of Charming A Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall, was a cute and cozy read that I found interesting and sweet. I enjoyed how the romance was soft and endearing but also how it invited a level of cozy romantic feel to the atmosphere. The main character, Florrie, discovers a famous painting that is a fake and goes through an adventure full of intrigue and mystery. Even though the book felt cozy and sweet, it almost felt too much at times and dragged on a bit. At times it was slow, and I had to put it down to read something else that interested me. I absolutely loved the character's growth and the little moments of fantasy meeting in the middle. Overall it was a cute and cozy read, I maybe might not have been the right audience. But I was excited and interested to read about these characters in this world.

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit Books for this early release. The Art of Charming a Changeling comes out August 25, 2026.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from a Goodreads Giveaway, thank you and all thoughts are my own!

This is a very sweet romance in a Regency-ish fantasy setting, between Florrie, an autistic (coded? the term is never used but her neurodivergency was very well written IMO) art conservationist and Vern, a fairy who lives within a forged prized painting of her new employer.

It's Fantastically sweet, and really has just confirmed my anecdotal belief that the quality of a m/f romance goes up when at least one party involved is queer. Probably has something to do with the inspection of traditional gender roles required when doing other inspection, I don't know. I'm usually kind of picky about my romance, but this landed in the area that I quite like!!

Overall, would recommend, especially if you're looking for something that falls in the realm of cozy :)

[Keely Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, cozy fantasy, this novel follows Florrie, a painter-turned-conservator who is hired to care for the artwork in a museum in a Regency-inspired world. She discovers the results of a heist concerning the museum owner's favorite piece due to the replacement changeling painting deciding to come to life and speaking to her.

This story is slower-paced, but beautifully written. I enjoyed discovering the Fairy and Folk worlds with Florrie and Vern (our changeling painting) as they navigate museums, art, and their relationships. Readers will love the diversity of characters and relationships this novel has to offer.

I highly recommend this to readers of the Hart and Marcy series and Love's Academic series or to anyone who wants a low-pressure, charming story.

This is my own opinion. Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the arc.

[Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

**🧵 Absolutely Charmed 🧺**

-> LOVE the museum setting & the magic system
-> MMC is an absolute gentleman (if youre tired of toxic masculinity cliches)
-> Respect-maxxing
-> 0.25 Spice level, a whiff of a pepper
-> A daylight-breezy-cozy read
-> Characters are charming & pleasant
-> Fidgeting/Neurodivergence/Sensory sensitivity representation
-> Immersive, delightful descriptions of textiles
-> Easy to feel attached to Florrie
-> Gorgeous cover
-> The language in this book is so beautiful and soothing I wish I had an audiobook to switch to
-> Very calm overall, a great read if you want to baby your nervous system but experience a new world
->🏳️‍🌈 rep but main couple is M+F

-> The author, who I want to follow now, is openly anti-ai. Thank you to NetGalley for the introduction, and to the author for this enchanting tale.

[Ritwika M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Orbit Books and Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are mine.

Rating 3.5 / 5

I really liked the premise (and beautiful cover!) of this story., but I felt like it took too much time for the journey to start. I would definitely recommend it to readers who are looking for a cozy fantasy that's slower moving and all about the little details.

* Wonderful world building: Lush descriptions of palace grounds, faerie landscapes, and even smaller details like frames, clothing etc.
* "Awkward" representation 😅: Great empathetic descriptions of characters who are trying to comfortably connect with others and trying to understand societal mores that could be so helpful for others to relate to.
* Cozy premise: I enjoyed the history between Faerie and Folk + the world of artist conservation + how Florrie comes into her own as an artist while the friendship and romance grows