The Art of Charming a Changeling

Pigments & Paramours #1

by Sylvie Cathrall

“Endlessly delightful and wildly inventive, The Art of Charming a Changeling is cozy fantasy at its finest.”—Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy 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. 
 "A gentle, engaging story that sweeps the reader away into a magical world." —Caitlin Rozakis, author of Startup Hell “Cathrall has painted a unique, charming world with detailed brushstrokes of romance, acceptance, and cozy warmth.” —Emily Krempholtz, author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore “Winsome, vibrant, and full of cozy delights.” —Courtney Floyd, author of Higher Magic

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

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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 🦋]

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.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads)]

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!

[Jessica Martinez]

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.*

[sam]

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.

[Julia]

Sooo good. More people should know about this!! Sylvie Cathrall is now an auto buy author for me. Florrie and Vern were delightfull and the fantasy aspect was really original and fun. Good pacing and great romance.

[Calea]

What an absolute delight of a book. Interesting characters, interesting premise, loved the variety and freshness of this read. Why doesn't it have more reviews? Why doesn't it have more stars? I have no idea. But it ought to.

[Laura]

Thanks to @orbitbooks_us for the gifted ARC of The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall. Publishes 8/24/26

“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. ”

I found this story quite sweet and entertaining. As with her previous books, Cathrall’s main character is autistically coded (showing many of the traits without being described with the label). Florrie struggles with her deference while also resisting the expectation that she must change to suit the others in her life. I found the parallels between her and Vern’s experience of a limited world within the painting quite poignant. The story asks us to think about how much of ourselves do we lose when we seek to “fix” our differences.

If you have ever wanted to step into the world of a painting, this book is for you!

[Pam]

Sweet and comfortable. Being autistic, I can completely relate to the main character! So refreshing.

[Dotti]

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!

[Tammy - Books, Bones & Buffy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Erin]

The Art of Charming a Changeling is exactly what it sounds like: an absolute delight. This book felt like curling up with a warm cup of tea, cozy and sweet and charming in every possible way. Cozy romantasy is not typically my go-to, but this one completely won me over.

Florrie is such a wonderfully well-rounded protagonist. She’s smart, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about her work, but also shy, awkward, and quietly working toward becoming more confident and independent. Her autism representation feels genuinely true and thoughtful, and I loved how kind and accepting the people around her are. The only character who provides any real friction around her neurodivergence is her cousin Chary, who I suspect becomes a main character in the next book, so Chary, please do better.

And then there’s Vern, who is unlike any MMC I’ve read in romantasy. He’s sweet, soft, quiet, and gentle. He’s short and a little rounder than the typical tall and broad romantic lead, which I found genuinely refreshing. He’s also in constant motion, always spinning yarn or weaving or embroidering something, and I strongly suspect he’s ADHD representation. I loved him completely.

This book is also a full-on love letter to art and museums, and you can feel that passion on every single page. The world is obsessed with art in the best possible way, and all the details about conservation, painting, and art history are so fun and interesting. The pacing is slow, but it never bothered me because reading this felt like luxuriating in something wonderful. The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it was exactly right for both characters.

THE GOOD:

Genuinely delightful, cozy, and sweet from start to finish
Florrie is a beautifully written autistic protagonist with thoughtful, true representation
Vern is a completely refreshing MMC, soft, gentle, short, and absolutely loveable
The slow burn romance is tender and earned
The ending is unexpected but perfect
A genuine love letter to art, museums, and conservation

THE NOT-AS-GOOD:

The pacing is slow, which won’t work for every reader
Chary is kind of a jerk (hoping for a redemption arc in book two!)

THE NEUTRAL:

This is a very low stakes, character driven cozy romantasy, so if you need plot momentum and high tension, this may not be for you
The art and museum details are extensive, which is a delight if that’s your thing

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

The Art of Charming a Changeling is a warm, tender, utterly charming cozy romantasy with some of the most refreshing character representation in the genre and a love story that earns every single page.

PERFECT FOR:

Fans of cozy, low stakes romantasy with genuine heart
Readers who love thoughtful neurodivergent representation
Anyone who wants a soft, gentle MMC for once
Art lovers and museum nerds
Readers looking for a slow burn that actually pays off

[Neha]

I entered this book with high expectations. I generally do not like to do so with regency romance, but this was a Sylvie Cathrall regency romance, and so I was expecting to be utterly enchanted.

This book was softer and lighter in tone than Cathrall previous books but as far as regency romance goes, this was spectacularly crafted.

Just as a brief clarifying note, this book takes place in a fantasy world, but it is inspired by regency art and culture.

I’ll start by discussing world building. The story takes place in a world set between two cultures with very different ideologies on life. Stillscape, where the protagonist lives is a bit old fashioned, but the city is also home to a vibrant community of artists and art scholars. In contrast the fairy world is seeped in magic and color and innovation. The interactions between fairy and folk in this book were quite well done, showing individuals own abilities to have relationships and share cultures. Furthermore the descriptions of both worlds were rich and well done.

The characters were just as lovable. Florrie is a genuinely sweet art conservator with a love of rules and deep passion for art. I found her to be quite relatable, and yet wholly original. She was practical and anxious and funny. Florrie’s bluntness was hilarious at times. All in all, I was endeared to her character.

Speaking of endearing characters, Vern had my heart from the start. What is not to love about a fairy man who spends his days patiently observing folk behavior and weaving cozy blankets. His interest and patience really shines in his relationship with florrie. His odd gaps in knowledge of the world were also hilarious, as well as his own conversational antics.

This book was a refreshing bundle of joy in book form, and I highly recommend it for anyone who desires to read an original romance.

- Another random aside: I really liked how Florrie and Ardant learn to trust each other and eventually form a friendship. The way they related to each other with romantic troubles was also quite funny. This is a testament to how endearing the characters were.

[Janna Felix]

The Art of Charming a Changeling delivers exactly what it promises: a soft, cozy romantasy centered on Florrie, a neurodivergent conservator who discovers her employer's famous painting is both a fake and a vessel for Vern, a charming fairy trapped within the canvas. The relationship between Florrie and Vern is genuinely delightful; both characters radiate kindness and good intentions, and their soft romance unfolds with genuine tenderness rather than manufactured urgency. The queer representation adds welcome depth, and watching these two well-meaning people navigate their connection in a Regency-inspired world creates genuine warmth. However, the narrative struggles to generate sufficient momentum beyond character introspection; the pacing moves with glacial slowness, lingering in Florrie's inner thoughts and emotional processing at the expense of actual plot progression. While the refusal to make everything an easy fix deserves appreciation, something more substantial needed to anchor the story beyond romantic development and self-discovery. The central mystery of tracking down the stolen original painting carries potential but receives underdeveloped treatment, relegated to background concern rather than genuine driving force. Cousin Chary emerges as a genuinely frustrating presence that undermines rather than enhances the narrative; her constant presence feels narratively unjustified, and every appearance pulls focus away from the more engaging central relationship. The novel's greatest weakness lies in its reluctance to embrace additional plot threads that could have provided the substance this cozy fantasy desperately needed. The Regency-inspired setting and artistic worldbuilding create pleasant atmosphere, but atmosphere alone cannot sustain a full narrative without meaningful conflict or complication. The revelation that the sequel focuses more closely on Chary suggests the author recognizes this limitation. This works best for readers seeking pure slice-of-life comfort in fantasy form, though those hungry for actual narrative propulsion will find themselves waiting for something that never quite arrives.

[Abi]

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.

[Bryanna]

3.5 stars

Cozy, cute, and most definitely charming, this story is brimming with art and whimsy. It's a slow burn, and definitely not the end of the tale, so if you're looking for a new fantasy world that's more slice of life than adventure, this could be your next favourite read.

If you've read The Sunken Archive books, you know how brilliant Sylvie Cathrall is at writing neurodivergent characters who live in a world that doesn't have the language to express their lived experiences. With E in A Letter to the Luminous Deep, it's largely anxiety, and here in The Art of Charming a Changeling, it's a broader spectrum of daily battles such as sensory issues, overstimulation, meltdowns, misreading social cues, stimming, and skin picking. Florrie always feels pressure to fit in, mask her ungentlewomanly tendencies, and fit the mold - however, as she opens up her heart, she begins to meet others who struggle in ways she can relate to...

One of the most intriguing elements of the book is the idea of a world centered around art. The human world revolves around "princes" who have vast collections of art and the conservators who maintain the pieces. It is also hinted that pursuing art itself is an esteemed and exclusive career. The faerie world seems to follow a similar model, but with even more attention to colour, painting methods, and how magic interacts with creations. We get smatterings of these details, and it would be great to have even more world-building in book two.

The story itself is very slow and the plot is loose and not fully developed. The book felt unfinished, and I worry how things will progress in a sequel. There are just so many things that are unresolved, and the prologue hints at a different POV potentially which isn't something I'm ready for.

The vibes are great though, so I am willing to wait and see!

[Érika]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The book was a really interesting fun and original adventure. Florrie is an art renovator in a magical world, where the magical people don't live among them anymore, but their culture remain still around them. Is interesting here that, as much as she is contracted to work for a prince, he's not one by royal blood, yet he still is considered one by his collection of art, as many other princes in this setting.

When Florrie is working on the renovation of the prince's favorite and most cherished possession, the painting start... talking to her. The thing is, there's a person trapped in that picture by a magical being, proving it to be a false one. Scared to let. her employer know that, beyond damaging the painting, Florrie also discovered that it was a fake, replaced years before in his gallery without his notice, she goes in a quest to discover who did it and what to do.

The adventure is kinda fun, but there's nothing much exciting about it. Her family is very funny indeed, also the prince too and her very detailed norms of the art renovator world reminded me a lot of Emily Wilde's series, which I love very much, but her relationship with Vern (the name by what she calls the guy in the picture, for he does not know his name, or actually doesn't have one) left me with... no much to look forward. I understood it was supposed to be more of a chill romance with a slow paced development, but honestly nothing made me want to cheer for Vern specifically.

Overall, this was a book that, if not by being a NetGalley arc I would've probably dropped and not forced myself to get to the end. Everything is lowkey predictable, probably works well for when you're in a reading slump, but honestly, didn't work for me.

[Murphy Baisley]

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!!!

[Erin Hawley]

The Art of Charming a Changeling is a low stakes cozy fantasy with a very pleasant romance, an imaginative world, and quiet character growth arcs. This story takes the scenic route intentionally and marinates in character focus rather than rapid action.

The FMC was so very endearing, and I was charmed by her single-minded focus on art and conservation. Art history is an underappreciated academic focus, and the FMC is so very competent. The MMC was just as lovely and believably made being stuck in a picture actually sound kind of fabulous. The FMC and MMC both read as neurodivergent, which was fascinating because there is some speculation that changeling myths historically were actually a reference to neurodivergent children (i.e., "normal" child replaced with "changeling" neurodivergent child). Their romance is very sweet and a classic liberal arts nerds match and loving your partner get excited about seemingly mundane details.

The world was interesting and novel, which is impressive in a very saturated faerie fantasy time in books. The world is queernormative which absolutely makes sense (why would faeries care about human gender and sexual norms). The pacing was overall very mellow, but there were some too slow lulls between plot momentum and some times where the story felt a little predictable. There were some very fun supporting characters and I can imagine their stories will continue in this series.

There is some reference to some fairly mild body harm as part of coping/sensory issues. If you are looking for a gentle and creative cozy fantasy, I think you will like this one! I am definitely interested in the next in this series.

Thank you, Orbit, for the arc!

[Hannah Rowan]

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]

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]

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.

[Kristy Johnston]

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a free review copy.

This story follows Florrie in third person as she arrives to her new position as art conservator to Prince Ardant in the Commonplace Palace where she finds that her interest in fairy portraiture, despite it being currently out of fashion, singled her out for the position. She immediately encounters a painting, The Resolute Portrait of Vibrant Lord Vernal Mauve Among the Ruins, which she quickly determines is a forgery before also discovering that it is inhabited by a fairy trapped in the painting, simply known as Vern.

The relationship between Florrie and Vern was very sweet and the story is a slow burn. As with The Sunken Archive, I enjoyed the beautiful and formal dialogue between the characters though this story is not epistolary. I enjoyed Florrie’s journey to the Fairy Museum and meeting Lord Mauve as she investigates how Prince Ardant ended up with a forgery and what happened to the original painting. She is also seeking a solution for Vern to escape the painting.

While I enjoyed aspects of this story, I was disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Sunken Archive. I felt this story was lacking the magical world that I found so vivid in The Sunken Archive. I’m on the fence about reading the next book which appears to follow Lord Mauve’s sister Aesta. If you are partial to discussions of art and stories with fairies, you may enjoy this one more than me. I do recommend The Sunken Archive Duology to readers that enjoy epistolary formats.

[Brooke]

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I really enjoyed the last series I read by Cathrall. It was an epistolary series and it was great. I was excited to see her putting out a new series. This one was a lot of fun. I have to admit, her writing is definitely different than anything I've ever read before.
If you're looking for a fantasy world, set inside paintings (a little magic for you), you might enjoy this one.
I loved the art aspect of this book. How the main character, Florrie, has spent her life working on art, restoring it, making it whole again.
This one is a cozy fantasy for sure. There is some romance between Florrie and a certain man in a painting, but this one does not have any spice at all. There is allusion to it but it doesn't happen on page. And the rommance is a slow burn, which I enjoyed. I loved watching it grow.
The MMC and FMC are hard to not love. They are just so cute together. Cathrall develops them really well. She makes them totally honest and fun. I liked their chemistry and how they engaged.
This one also encompasses some fairie world. At times it was a bit hard to truly picture the world. But Cathrall overall did a good job with the descriptions.
There's a bit of mystery to this one but it's nothing totally nefarious. I was happy to see that, as well.
Overall, I'm looking forward to the next installment of this one.

[Gwendalyn Anderson]

𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: The Art of Charming a Changeling
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Sylvie Cathrall
𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑: Orbit
𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: ⁣8/25/2026
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 @orbitbooks_us @sylviecathrall

𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

The Art of Charming a Changeling by Sylvie Cathrall is a captivating read .

There's a particular hush to a gallery at closing time, gilt frames catching the last of the sun, and that's exactly where Sylvie Cathrall opens this one, with one portrait that isn't behaving the way a portrait should.

Florrie Hyverfell is a royal art conservator, and on her first real day cleaning a masterwork she discovers it's a fake. Not just a fake, either. There's a fairy named Vern living inside the forged canvas, and the only way out for him, and the only way Florrie keeps her job, is finding the real painting before anyone notices it's gone.
What I love most is how unhurried it all is. No ticking clock, no war to stop, just two people (one of them technically not a person, but you get it) learning how each other's minds work while the mystery unfolds quietly around them.
The neurodivergence elements play a key role in storyline and make it more interesting. The gentle romance was sweet and endearing.

Cathrall wrote A Letter to the Luminous Deep, and if you read that one, you already know she takes her time with tenderness. This is more of that, dressed in Regency era manners and fairy museum wonder. I am excited to read the next book in this series.

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒 #TheArtOfCharmingAChangeling #sylviecathrall #orbitbooks

[Ayla]

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!