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Reverie
In the quiet, sea-swept town of Mentaria, Lumi runs a cozy apothecary, surrounded by loving friends who've become family. Her days are simple, gentle, and full of purpose.
Until the evening she finds the book.
Bound in silver, the book feels wrong.
It's pages are blank to all but her and once Lumi begins to read, the world she knows begins to shift.
Through mist and mysteries no one else seems to notice.
Tremors in the ground. People whispered to be missing, but no one recalls where they went or if they were ever real at all. Lumi believe she is going crazy.
As the veil lifts, Lumi realizes her perfect life may have been nothing more than a beautiful lie, and the book may be the key to unraveling everything...or to trap her somewhere far darker.
Until the evening she finds the book.
Bound in silver, the book feels wrong.
It's pages are blank to all but her and once Lumi begins to read, the world she knows begins to shift.
Through mist and mysteries no one else seems to notice.
Tremors in the ground. People whispered to be missing, but no one recalls where they went or if they were ever real at all. Lumi believe she is going crazy.
As the veil lifts, Lumi realizes her perfect life may have been nothing more than a beautiful lie, and the book may be the key to unraveling everything...or to trap her somewhere far darker.
- GenresFound Family
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
6 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 12, 2026
K.C. Rainey truly shines in Reverie with her vivid, immersive descriptions. From the colors and scents to the textures and atmosphere, her attention to detail makes both the characters and world feel incredibly real. You don’t just read the story—you can see and feel it unfold.
February 5, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
“Even when the world feels like it’s crumbling around us, you have to cherish the small moments. Sometimes this is all we get.”
✨ Prophecy
✨ Found family
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Fated mates
Reverie unfolds softly at first, almost deceptively so. Lumi’s life is small and gentle. A quiet apothecary. A seaside town. Friends who feel more like family than circumstance.
“Secretly, though, I’m grateful for their presence, for the grounding way their laughter fills the air, steady and sure, like a tether pulling me back from the precipice.”
Then the book appears that only she can read. And suddenly the world begins to slip, bend, and rearrange itself around her.
“The story is unfolding around her, bending her perception, and I’m powerless to stop it.”
This story leans hard into whimsy and unease, that slow creeping feeling that something is not quite right. The plot takes its time building, layering small details and quiet mysteries until the intrigue becomes impossible to ignore. When it picks up, it really picks up.
Cypress is danger wrapped in devotion. The romance is forbidden, fated, and emotionally charged without overwhelming the story. Cypress’s devotion borders on unhinged in the best way, especially once his perspective starts to bleed through.
“There is something about him that feels dangerous in all the wrong ways, and goddess help me, if that danger asked, I’d follow it into the abyss.”
There is betrayal, but also inevitability, the kind that feels written into bone and soul.
“My body, my soul, every sinew of my being has one destination: her.”
The ending is fast, sharp, and deeply intriguing. It answers just enough while opening far more doors than it closes. I closed the book, immediately asking myself one question.
What next?
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
“Even when the world feels like it’s crumbling around us, you have to cherish the small moments. Sometimes this is all we get.”
✨ Prophecy
✨ Found family
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Fated mates
Reverie unfolds softly at first, almost deceptively so. Lumi’s life is small and gentle. A quiet apothecary. A seaside town. Friends who feel more like family than circumstance.
“Secretly, though, I’m grateful for their presence, for the grounding way their laughter fills the air, steady and sure, like a tether pulling me back from the precipice.”
Then the book appears that only she can read. And suddenly the world begins to slip, bend, and rearrange itself around her.
“The story is unfolding around her, bending her perception, and I’m powerless to stop it.”
This story leans hard into whimsy and unease, that slow creeping feeling that something is not quite right. The plot takes its time building, layering small details and quiet mysteries until the intrigue becomes impossible to ignore. When it picks up, it really picks up.
Cypress is danger wrapped in devotion. The romance is forbidden, fated, and emotionally charged without overwhelming the story. Cypress’s devotion borders on unhinged in the best way, especially once his perspective starts to bleed through.
“There is something about him that feels dangerous in all the wrong ways, and goddess help me, if that danger asked, I’d follow it into the abyss.”
There is betrayal, but also inevitability, the kind that feels written into bone and soul.
“My body, my soul, every sinew of my being has one destination: her.”
The ending is fast, sharp, and deeply intriguing. It answers just enough while opening far more doors than it closes. I closed the book, immediately asking myself one question.
What next?
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
February 17, 2026
This book is so enchanting! I was drawn in right away. I loved the setting, it felt so magical.
I loved learning about the fairytale and how all the twists and secrets tied back to each other. I am obsessed with Cypress, I mean he calls her Little Swan. I I also enjoyed the multi POV, it was fun getting to know what the friend group was thinking.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Rating ⭐️: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: no spice
Multi POV
✨ Fairytale retelling
💜 Slow burn
✨ Found family
💚 Hidden identity
✨ Banter & yearning
💜 Star crossed lovers
-`♡´-
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 — 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙮𝙨𝙨.“
“𝙈𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙩, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧.“
Thank you so much to the author for the arc
I loved learning about the fairytale and how all the twists and secrets tied back to each other. I am obsessed with Cypress, I mean he calls her Little Swan. I I also enjoyed the multi POV, it was fun getting to know what the friend group was thinking.
I can’t wait for the next book!
Rating ⭐️: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: no spice
Multi POV
✨ Fairytale retelling
💜 Slow burn
✨ Found family
💚 Hidden identity
✨ Banter & yearning
💜 Star crossed lovers
-`♡´-
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 — 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙮𝙨𝙨.“
“𝙈𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙩, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧.“
Thank you so much to the author for the arc
February 13, 2026
Reverie is a cute romantasy that you can easily pick up even if you’re just starting out in this genre.
At times, it got a little confusing to read due to the mix up of tenses - present and past tense got a bit muddled together.
However, it’s an entertaining read with low spice so I would encourage readers enjoying low spice fantasy/romantasy to pick this book up.
At times, it got a little confusing to read due to the mix up of tenses - present and past tense got a bit muddled together.
However, it’s an entertaining read with low spice so I would encourage readers enjoying low spice fantasy/romantasy to pick this book up.
March 2, 2026
I really enjoyed how cute this was! Yet held mystery and betrayal too! Can’t wait to see what you write next!!
February 8, 2026
3.5⭐️
Tropes:
💜fantasy romance
🪻fated mated
💜forbidden love
🪻first in trilogy
💜slow burn
🪻found family
This was an enjoyable and cozy read, and a great option if you’re looking for something gentle to ease into fantasy.
The atmosphere was soft and whimsical, and I really liked the descriptive language—it did a nice job of creating that slightly eerie, sea-swept vibe. The premise itself was unique and intriguing, and I enjoyed slowly uncovering the mystery alongside Lumi.
Some chapters felt like they ended or began a bit abruptly, which pulled me out of the story at times, but overall it was a cute, easy read with an interesting concept that kept me engaged.
A big thank you to the author for an eARC copy!
Tropes:
💜fantasy romance
🪻fated mated
💜forbidden love
🪻first in trilogy
💜slow burn
🪻found family
This was an enjoyable and cozy read, and a great option if you’re looking for something gentle to ease into fantasy.
The atmosphere was soft and whimsical, and I really liked the descriptive language—it did a nice job of creating that slightly eerie, sea-swept vibe. The premise itself was unique and intriguing, and I enjoyed slowly uncovering the mystery alongside Lumi.
Some chapters felt like they ended or began a bit abruptly, which pulled me out of the story at times, but overall it was a cute, easy read with an interesting concept that kept me engaged.
A big thank you to the author for an eARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a cute fantasy book. Had the vibes of Lancelot and Guinevere as well as Romeo Juliet vibes in a sense. It di go back and forth when revealing past history and memories so you could get a snippet of the story behind it all. Overall, definitely a different take than my usual fantasy romance books.
February 11, 2026
*** I received this book as an ARC ***
This book was everything and more. The way I was on the end of my seat everything I picked up this book. It was a mix of everything. It was giving me a princess vide. Such as sleeping beauty or Snow White.
Lumi, the main character was perfect. She is very friendly and cares an out everything. Shes the light in everyone’s lives. She took over the apothecary after her Nonna passed away. She loved helping everyone in her village out. Her best friend, Skadi, is very clumsy yet funny at the same time. She cares about Lumi a lot. She always wants the best for her. She’s very skilled with blades as well. Cypress is very mysterious at first. I didn’t like him at first until I kept on reading. After a while, he started to grow on me.
I enjoyed the funny moments and everything that has happened in the book. I’m excited for this book to come out and for everyone to read it! I really need book 2 ASAP! 😊
Tropes:
⭐️ Fates Mates
⭐️ Fairytale retelling
⭐️ Slow burn
⭐️ Hidden identity
⭐️ Star-cross lovers
This book was everything and more. The way I was on the end of my seat everything I picked up this book. It was a mix of everything. It was giving me a princess vide. Such as sleeping beauty or Snow White.
Lumi, the main character was perfect. She is very friendly and cares an out everything. Shes the light in everyone’s lives. She took over the apothecary after her Nonna passed away. She loved helping everyone in her village out. Her best friend, Skadi, is very clumsy yet funny at the same time. She cares about Lumi a lot. She always wants the best for her. She’s very skilled with blades as well. Cypress is very mysterious at first. I didn’t like him at first until I kept on reading. After a while, he started to grow on me.
I enjoyed the funny moments and everything that has happened in the book. I’m excited for this book to come out and for everyone to read it! I really need book 2 ASAP! 😊
Tropes:
⭐️ Fates Mates
⭐️ Fairytale retelling
⭐️ Slow burn
⭐️ Hidden identity
⭐️ Star-cross lovers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“The shadowed leaves seem to whisper of unseen presences and secrets not yet revealed.”
Reverie by KC Rainey is like an ongoing poem weaved throughout a fairytale that you never want to end. KC's writing is lyrical and elegant, filled with vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling that feels cozy and whimsical. There is a certain amount of mystique surrounding the characters and timeline that feels alluring and makes it difficult to take breaks from the story. This book is captivating, in a way that is difficult to describe without giving away the most important parts of the book, and I absolutely adored it.
Above all, this is a story about love; a deep, fated, unending love that stands the test of time, worlds and history itself. Throughout her journey, Lumi is confused, scared and anxious while slowly remembering pieces of her life long buried, in a very relatable way. Cypress is patient and kind, assured in his feelings for Lumi and devoted to her in a way that calms and grounds her - and oh, what a beautiful bond these two characters have.
“He was impossibly beautiful—ethereal. There was something about him that felt dangerous in all the wrong ways, and goddess help me — if that danger asked, I’d follow it into the abyss. Even if it carried me to the world’s edge, I would follow without thought.”
Although this book is primarily about love and Lumi's journey of understanding her past, present and uncertain future, there are so many more messages I felt stood out in the pages of this book. Friendship, loyalty, devotion, self-discovery, acceptance, bravery. Lumi's crew of friends - Skadi, Bram & Rye - are supportive and understanding, only as the best of friends can be. Their love and faithfulness to Lumi is admirable, and I loved that many chapters were also written from their point of view.
“Some friendships aren’t made; they’re remembered. And as the dandelion released a single seed into the air, carried off on the same breeze that had brought Skadi there, the bond between them quietly stitched itself into the fabric of the world.”
Please note: this is the first book in the Realm to Ruin series, and the story can be intentionally ambiguous throughout the book. For those of you who don't usually lean towards stories with hidden meanings and cliffhangers - I urge you to give this book a chance. I feel strongly that it's an experience you need to have as a reader and can't fully be depicted in a review.
"I couldn’t tell where I ended and he began, only that finally, finally, nothing remained hidden."
Thank you so much for sharing an ARC with me, KC! I can't wait for book 2 (I mean literally - I NEED to know what happens next! 🫣)
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February 9, 2026Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for the physical ARC of Reverie. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Reverie is a cozy, easy-to-read fantasy with a sea-swept small town, found family vibes, and a creeping “something is very wrong here” undercurrent that slowly tightens as the story goes on.
I really enjoyed the opening and the setting of Mentaria. Lumi’s life running her apothecary is gentle and grounded, and I liked getting to settle into her day-to-day before the weirdness begins. The friendships were a highlight for me, especially Skadi and the wider circle around Lumi. The found family feel is strong, and it gives the story warmth even as things start to unravel.
Then the mysterious book shows up, and only Lumi can read it. Add in a newcomer to a town that rarely gets any, and suddenly we’ve got tremors, whispered disappearances, and a sense that reality itself is shifting. Lumi starts to feel like she’s losing it, and that tension between her perspective and what’s actually happening is where the book really finds its groove.
One thing I appreciated is that even though Lumi is an unreliable narrator in the sense that she’s missing key context and questioning her own sanity, the story structure helps the reader stay more “in the know” than she is. Between multiple POVs and the way the prologue frames things, you’re able to read between the lines in a way Lumi can’t yet. It adds that delicious dramatic irony without requiring the plot to be overly complicated.
Speaking of plot: this isn’t a wildly complex fantasy, and a lot of elements will feel familiar if you’ve read widely in the genre. There are echoes of forbidden love, prophecy-adjacent threads, and the slow reveal of bigger forces at play. It’s also an incredibly slow burn, and overall the story moves pretty slowly too. If this were a standalone, I think it would feel too slow. But knowing this is book one of an intended trilogy, the pacing makes more sense, because it’s clearly laying groundwork and leaving plenty open for what comes next.
Overall, this was a decent, cozy read, and I’m invested enough that I would absolutely continue the series to see where it goes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is difficult to summarise. At times it felt akin to a lucid dream and at others a cryptic fairytale.
“In a world that so often runs on whispers and well-dressed lies, telling the truth feels like a quiet kind of rebellion all its own.”
The writing was beautiful, with lush descriptions that quickly and effortlessly built a picture of Lumi’s charming world. It is only as the story progresses, with hints of prophecies, withheld words and looming creatures that you start to suspect more and an eerie undercurrent begins to develop.
“And still.. there is a tremor beneath the ordinary, a shadow brushing at the edges of today, whispering that not everything is as safe as it seems.”
Thus leading the reader through an obscure lens, with multiple POVs and poetic tales, as Lumi tries to connect her past and present.
With elements of found family, a whimsical love story that persists through the passing of time and a fun cast of side characters, this was one of the most unique and refreshing fairytale re-tellings I’ve read for some time. What will happen in book two I wonder?!
A huge thank you to the author for an e-ARC of the book!
Lumi quote:
“My heart hammers not from fear, not entirely, but from the undeniable lure to this stranger. There is a storm coiled in his movements, dangerous and wild, and I know with a sinking thrill that I would follow him anywhere, even into the depths of my own demise.”
Cypress quote:
“Yes, I was the storm, the reckoning, the man she did not yet know she would need.”
“In a world that so often runs on whispers and well-dressed lies, telling the truth feels like a quiet kind of rebellion all its own.”
The writing was beautiful, with lush descriptions that quickly and effortlessly built a picture of Lumi’s charming world. It is only as the story progresses, with hints of prophecies, withheld words and looming creatures that you start to suspect more and an eerie undercurrent begins to develop.
“And still.. there is a tremor beneath the ordinary, a shadow brushing at the edges of today, whispering that not everything is as safe as it seems.”
Thus leading the reader through an obscure lens, with multiple POVs and poetic tales, as Lumi tries to connect her past and present.
With elements of found family, a whimsical love story that persists through the passing of time and a fun cast of side characters, this was one of the most unique and refreshing fairytale re-tellings I’ve read for some time. What will happen in book two I wonder?!
A huge thank you to the author for an e-ARC of the book!
Lumi quote:
“My heart hammers not from fear, not entirely, but from the undeniable lure to this stranger. There is a storm coiled in his movements, dangerous and wild, and I know with a sinking thrill that I would follow him anywhere, even into the depths of my own demise.”
Cypress quote:
“Yes, I was the storm, the reckoning, the man she did not yet know she would need.”
January 31, 2026
This book was an exciting and quick fantasy read that felt somewhere between a fairytale and a dream sequence and as the story progresses and even more is uncovered I got further sucked down into the rabbit hole right along with the FMC.
You follow the main character Lumi, in her quaint little town where she runs an apothecary right next to her best friends shop. After the loss of her grandma who raised her the previous year, she is still struggling to be the same person her friends who are like a family to her expect her to be as one often finds it hard to find joy after the loss of such a close loved one. When one day a strange book is discovered that no one else can read but her. As she reads more and more of these stories, her world begins to unravel around her and secrets that have always been hidden from her begin to unfold as told through dream like stories within the book.
I really enjoyed the dream like veil of stories and fantasy that this boon had about it. It was like reading a fairytale right along with the FMC and getting swept up in it right along with her. Found family is also one of my favorite tropes and I loved how all of her friends are like a family that surround and protect her. There’s also the introduction of a seemingly dark handsome stranger that of course I loved. He has an air of mystery that the FMC just couldn’t stay away from and feeling like she should know him somehow. As the different parts of her life came unraveled and more truth about the past was revealed I was on the edge of my seat as it all came together! The betrayals and twists at the end have me ready for the next book and overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You follow the main character Lumi, in her quaint little town where she runs an apothecary right next to her best friends shop. After the loss of her grandma who raised her the previous year, she is still struggling to be the same person her friends who are like a family to her expect her to be as one often finds it hard to find joy after the loss of such a close loved one. When one day a strange book is discovered that no one else can read but her. As she reads more and more of these stories, her world begins to unravel around her and secrets that have always been hidden from her begin to unfold as told through dream like stories within the book.
I really enjoyed the dream like veil of stories and fantasy that this boon had about it. It was like reading a fairytale right along with the FMC and getting swept up in it right along with her. Found family is also one of my favorite tropes and I loved how all of her friends are like a family that surround and protect her. There’s also the introduction of a seemingly dark handsome stranger that of course I loved. He has an air of mystery that the FMC just couldn’t stay away from and feeling like she should know him somehow. As the different parts of her life came unraveled and more truth about the past was revealed I was on the edge of my seat as it all came together! The betrayals and twists at the end have me ready for the next book and overall my rating 4.4/5!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
February 10, 2026
Reverie follows our FMC Lumi as she begins to unravel her world or maybe as the world as she knows it unravels around her.
The writing is just beautiful so detailed and descriptive. The sounds, the scents, the fabrics and actions are almost poetic and lyric in their description. As someone who struggles to imagine the worlds and descriptions in stories this was perfect for me. It felt like a complete immersive experience.
The pacing was perfectly slowed down at times adding to the suspense of Lumi awaiting the other shoe to drop. At times I became impatient as I just wanted to know what really was going on!! But the story moved right along into action.
Cypress, our MMC, wow I loved to dislike him at first. He came on strong and mysterious seeming to hold all the cards to Lumi’s journey. His words were full of intensity and yearning. I think if Lumi asked this man to crawl to her, he’d not even think twice. He’d ask how slow!The development (or rediscovery ifykyk) of their relationship was full of banter and yearning that had me holding my breath. This man lives and breathes for Lumi!
I loved all the side characters who really are Lumi’s family and stick by her side no matter how dark, ominous and almost macabre things become. All badass in their own ways!
I really enjoyed the battle scene! And the ending! SCREAMING! It was the perfect cliffhanger where I could throw my kindle across the room but also I was like no this kinda makes perfect sense (I think 🫣!) but I must know what happens next!
Thank you to K.C Rainey for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
The writing is just beautiful so detailed and descriptive. The sounds, the scents, the fabrics and actions are almost poetic and lyric in their description. As someone who struggles to imagine the worlds and descriptions in stories this was perfect for me. It felt like a complete immersive experience.
The pacing was perfectly slowed down at times adding to the suspense of Lumi awaiting the other shoe to drop. At times I became impatient as I just wanted to know what really was going on!! But the story moved right along into action.
Cypress, our MMC, wow I loved to dislike him at first. He came on strong and mysterious seeming to hold all the cards to Lumi’s journey. His words were full of intensity and yearning. I think if Lumi asked this man to crawl to her, he’d not even think twice. He’d ask how slow!The development (or rediscovery ifykyk) of their relationship was full of banter and yearning that had me holding my breath. This man lives and breathes for Lumi!
I loved all the side characters who really are Lumi’s family and stick by her side no matter how dark, ominous and almost macabre things become. All badass in their own ways!
I really enjoyed the battle scene! And the ending! SCREAMING! It was the perfect cliffhanger where I could throw my kindle across the room but also I was like no this kinda makes perfect sense (I think 🫣!) but I must know what happens next!
Thank you to K.C Rainey for the opportunity to ARC read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
✨Arc Review✨
I was intrigued by the Sleeping Beautyesque retelling vibes and overall theme of the book that took on more fantasy vibes. With the mention of Seelie and Unseelie, I was very excited to see where the story went.
However, I struggled immensely with some major issues within the book that took away from the story itself.
Though it is an adult romance (the main character being 30 years old), it reads like that of a Wattpad YA book. Which is not bad in of itself if that is what you enjoy, but when I am going in expecting an adult book, I am looking forward to a writing style that matches that.
Additionally, the entire book is lacking much needed editing. There is consistent repetitiveness throughout the book (multiple lines being repeated, the same thing being said within the same sentence, the same word constantly being used, ect), improper use of tenses (past and present), and overall structure feels lacking.
The chapters were abruptly short at times, leaving me thrown off a bit and confused with had suddenly they would end. In addition, the overall book is rather short. I would’ve loved to see more development of the fantasy aspect of the book that would’ve helped with plot growth and exploration.
If the book was further edited and underwent a beta reader team/Alpha reader team, I do believe this book could be a wonderful story I would love to enjoy reading. The lack of editing, unfortunately, greatly takes away from the story.
I truly love the concept of the story and adore fantasy books. I also know the author is continuing to grow and work towards developing their skill, so I am very keen to see their journey and where it will take them!
I was intrigued by the Sleeping Beautyesque retelling vibes and overall theme of the book that took on more fantasy vibes. With the mention of Seelie and Unseelie, I was very excited to see where the story went.
However, I struggled immensely with some major issues within the book that took away from the story itself.
Though it is an adult romance (the main character being 30 years old), it reads like that of a Wattpad YA book. Which is not bad in of itself if that is what you enjoy, but when I am going in expecting an adult book, I am looking forward to a writing style that matches that.
Additionally, the entire book is lacking much needed editing. There is consistent repetitiveness throughout the book (multiple lines being repeated, the same thing being said within the same sentence, the same word constantly being used, ect), improper use of tenses (past and present), and overall structure feels lacking.
The chapters were abruptly short at times, leaving me thrown off a bit and confused with had suddenly they would end. In addition, the overall book is rather short. I would’ve loved to see more development of the fantasy aspect of the book that would’ve helped with plot growth and exploration.
If the book was further edited and underwent a beta reader team/Alpha reader team, I do believe this book could be a wonderful story I would love to enjoy reading. The lack of editing, unfortunately, greatly takes away from the story.
I truly love the concept of the story and adore fantasy books. I also know the author is continuing to grow and work towards developing their skill, so I am very keen to see their journey and where it will take them!
February 17, 2026
Stop what you’re doing and add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY!❤️
I just finished Reverie by @authorkcrainey and I genuinely have no words to describe how much I absolutely loved this book😩5 star, no notes, MUST READ! It almost felt like when I read When The Moon Hatched(one of my favorite books) and I was EATING IT UPPP!! The plot had me HOOKED from the first chapter! A quiet healer that meets an extremely handsome mystery man👀the most supportive, quirkiest, loyal side characters❤️repressed memories. A great curse turned fairytail. A magical book only she can read, filled with truth hidden between childrens stories. Every day, a new message is written in the book, addressed to her, revealing more and more of a story forgotten in time. And as the story unfolds, so do many secrets. This book has me. Hook, line, and sinker. It just has everything I could ever want in a romamtasy! And the MMC Cypress is actually PERFECT😭❤️And now that I’m finished with the book, I find myself sad to be leaving the world :( @authorkcrainey this book is absolutely phenomenal, and I wish there was more to read right now😂I genuinely cannot wait for book 2😩I need it in my hands, like yesterday. Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this MASTERPIECE🥹❤️
Tropes:
✨Repressed Memories
✨Secrets and Prophecy
✨Hidden Identity
✨Slow Burn
✨Banter
✨YEARNINGGGG😩
✨Found Family
✨Star Crossed Lovers
✨Fairytail Retelling
I just finished Reverie by @authorkcrainey and I genuinely have no words to describe how much I absolutely loved this book😩5 star, no notes, MUST READ! It almost felt like when I read When The Moon Hatched(one of my favorite books) and I was EATING IT UPPP!! The plot had me HOOKED from the first chapter! A quiet healer that meets an extremely handsome mystery man👀the most supportive, quirkiest, loyal side characters❤️repressed memories. A great curse turned fairytail. A magical book only she can read, filled with truth hidden between childrens stories. Every day, a new message is written in the book, addressed to her, revealing more and more of a story forgotten in time. And as the story unfolds, so do many secrets. This book has me. Hook, line, and sinker. It just has everything I could ever want in a romamtasy! And the MMC Cypress is actually PERFECT😭❤️And now that I’m finished with the book, I find myself sad to be leaving the world :( @authorkcrainey this book is absolutely phenomenal, and I wish there was more to read right now😂I genuinely cannot wait for book 2😩I need it in my hands, like yesterday. Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this MASTERPIECE🥹❤️
Tropes:
✨Repressed Memories
✨Secrets and Prophecy
✨Hidden Identity
✨Slow Burn
✨Banter
✨YEARNINGGGG😩
✨Found Family
✨Star Crossed Lovers
✨Fairytail Retelling
February 16, 2026
Just a debut cozy fairytale retelling, right? Yes but also no...
What I mean is Reverie feels cozy because of the seaside village setting, the pretty average routines of the characters, and the sweet peace that wraps around you. You are immediately engrossed in Lumi's life at home, with her friends, and at her apothecary. At the beginning of the story, Lumi's biggest struggle seems to be putting her books down. This seems like the perfect problem to have, right?
But just because something seems a certain way, doesn't always make it true. We slowly learn there is more to this village, to Lumi, and to her friends. There's also a mysterious stranger lurking around the village who seems drawn to Lumi. Then, things really get crazy when Lumi finds a strange book in a tree, and this stranger won't leave her side. She's not complaining, not really, because he is nice to look at and seems to be helpful.
The last 20% is wild - you are hit with new revelations, uncovered identities, and lost/forgotten memories are unlocked. Then it ends! That's it - book closed.
For her debut book, the author does a wonderful job weaving the setting, plot, and characters together to make this complete story. There are multiple POVs, so you get some insight into each character. Some have chaotic internal monologues that clearly match their outward demeanor while others mask their internal struggles and present as cool, calm, relaxed. Her descriptions are very detailed and want to pull you into this world. There were some parts when the descriptions did seem long. It didn't really hurt anything, but I did find myself skimming these parts.
I've excited to see what happens in the next book and more to come from this author!
What I mean is Reverie feels cozy because of the seaside village setting, the pretty average routines of the characters, and the sweet peace that wraps around you. You are immediately engrossed in Lumi's life at home, with her friends, and at her apothecary. At the beginning of the story, Lumi's biggest struggle seems to be putting her books down. This seems like the perfect problem to have, right?
But just because something seems a certain way, doesn't always make it true. We slowly learn there is more to this village, to Lumi, and to her friends. There's also a mysterious stranger lurking around the village who seems drawn to Lumi. Then, things really get crazy when Lumi finds a strange book in a tree, and this stranger won't leave her side. She's not complaining, not really, because he is nice to look at and seems to be helpful.
The last 20% is wild - you are hit with new revelations, uncovered identities, and lost/forgotten memories are unlocked. Then it ends! That's it - book closed.
For her debut book, the author does a wonderful job weaving the setting, plot, and characters together to make this complete story. There are multiple POVs, so you get some insight into each character. Some have chaotic internal monologues that clearly match their outward demeanor while others mask their internal struggles and present as cool, calm, relaxed. Her descriptions are very detailed and want to pull you into this world. There were some parts when the descriptions did seem long. It didn't really hurt anything, but I did find myself skimming these parts.
I've excited to see what happens in the next book and more to come from this author!
February 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for my ARC copy that was gifted.
This was such a beautiful soft romantasy, very similar but not quite The Swan's Daughter in terms of purple prose and whimsical - lyrical writing. It had that luscious feel to it. This book didn't have peaks and valleys in the plot but it was a nice slow gentle incline to the end that built. I'm very intrigued for the rest of the trilogy and to see what happens next.
If you love:
-Hidden identities
- Forbidden love
- Fated mates
- A stellar best friend
- Found family
- A mysterious book only the FMC can read
-Multiple POV chapters
- Slow burn to the extreme
I won't summarize the synopsis of the book, instead I will say Rainey pulls feelings and emotions from the reader. On every page while it felt like a poem (which yes sometimes it was a bit too much) it was easy to get lost in the lush world she was building. How she built her relationship with these lyrical sentences gave me goosebumps, especially in the early chapters with her grandmother. Skadi, her bestie, was a good way to break up the gentle writing. I found her extremely relatable and a good counterpoint to Lumi and I loved the chapters from her point of view.
4.25 Stars
This was such a beautiful soft romantasy, very similar but not quite The Swan's Daughter in terms of purple prose and whimsical - lyrical writing. It had that luscious feel to it. This book didn't have peaks and valleys in the plot but it was a nice slow gentle incline to the end that built. I'm very intrigued for the rest of the trilogy and to see what happens next.
If you love:
-Hidden identities
- Forbidden love
- Fated mates
- A stellar best friend
- Found family
- A mysterious book only the FMC can read
-Multiple POV chapters
- Slow burn to the extreme
I won't summarize the synopsis of the book, instead I will say Rainey pulls feelings and emotions from the reader. On every page while it felt like a poem (which yes sometimes it was a bit too much) it was easy to get lost in the lush world she was building. How she built her relationship with these lyrical sentences gave me goosebumps, especially in the early chapters with her grandmother. Skadi, her bestie, was a good way to break up the gentle writing. I found her extremely relatable and a good counterpoint to Lumi and I loved the chapters from her point of view.
4.25 Stars
February 18, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Emotional Drama / Healing & Love
Review of Advance Reader Copy.
Reverie is a beautifully emotional romance that leans into introspection, inner growth, and the transformative power of connection. KC Rainey delivers characters who feel real — real in their vulnerabilities, real in their fears, and real in how they learn to love and heal over time.
The story isn’t just about falling in love — it’s about finding yourself, confronting past wounds, and letting trust grow slowly. The pacing allows the emotional journey to breathe: not rushed, not contrived — just heartfelt storytelling that feels honest and deeply felt.
The connection between the leads feels earned. Moments of tenderness are grounded in character insight, not just chemistry. And while there are emotional moments that tug at the heart, there is also a sense of hope and growth that gives the story a warm, fulfilling arc.
If you enjoy romance with depth, inner conflict, and character transformation, Reverie offers a satisfying journey from uncertainty to emotional intimacy.
Wonderful emotional depth, meaningful character development, and a satisfying slow-burn romance.
Review of Advance Reader Copy.
Reverie is a beautifully emotional romance that leans into introspection, inner growth, and the transformative power of connection. KC Rainey delivers characters who feel real — real in their vulnerabilities, real in their fears, and real in how they learn to love and heal over time.
The story isn’t just about falling in love — it’s about finding yourself, confronting past wounds, and letting trust grow slowly. The pacing allows the emotional journey to breathe: not rushed, not contrived — just heartfelt storytelling that feels honest and deeply felt.
The connection between the leads feels earned. Moments of tenderness are grounded in character insight, not just chemistry. And while there are emotional moments that tug at the heart, there is also a sense of hope and growth that gives the story a warm, fulfilling arc.
If you enjoy romance with depth, inner conflict, and character transformation, Reverie offers a satisfying journey from uncertainty to emotional intimacy.
Wonderful emotional depth, meaningful character development, and a satisfying slow-burn romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as an ARC
If you love......
*slowburn romance,
*found family,
*fairytale retellings,
*yearning & banter,
*starcrossed lovers......
then this one needs to be on your radar!!!!!!
Reverie by @authorkcrainey is a Sleeping Beauty(this had me right there) inspired fantasy romance set in a misty seaside town where nothing is quite as it seems. A mysterious book, vanishing people, a perfect life that may be built on a lie?????
I started reading last night and truly couldn’t put it down. KC Rainey builds a beautiful, immersive world where every detail comes alive through her descriptions. I especially loved the multiple POVs and the layered mystery, not just surrounding the characters but the town itself. There’s an underlying sense of unease that keeps you turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth. I was not able to put it down and finished well past the midnight hour.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric fantasy romance with depth, heart, and intrigue, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Release Date: February 10, 2026
If you love......
*slowburn romance,
*found family,
*fairytale retellings,
*yearning & banter,
*starcrossed lovers......
then this one needs to be on your radar!!!!!!
Reverie by @authorkcrainey is a Sleeping Beauty(this had me right there) inspired fantasy romance set in a misty seaside town where nothing is quite as it seems. A mysterious book, vanishing people, a perfect life that may be built on a lie?????
I started reading last night and truly couldn’t put it down. KC Rainey builds a beautiful, immersive world where every detail comes alive through her descriptions. I especially loved the multiple POVs and the layered mystery, not just surrounding the characters but the town itself. There’s an underlying sense of unease that keeps you turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth. I was not able to put it down and finished well past the midnight hour.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric fantasy romance with depth, heart, and intrigue, this one is absolutely worth the read.
Release Date: February 10, 2026
January 21, 2026
Lumi hasn’t felt like herself after losing her Nonna, she’s become introverted skipping bonding time with her friends and working him her shop till the day ends to then shield herself in her home with what brings her comfort. She feels a strange presence and knows that change is to come- that is when she finds a mysterious book. A book that will turn her world into something that was destined to be.
Reverie has been such a ride to read. I love how the start introduces all the characters that are going to be important to the story and to the readers. It makes it so easy to fall for every single one of them. Their loyalty to Lumi is so big and strong. I’m a sucker for found family, Rye, Skadi, Lumi and C makes found family a grand trope in reverie.
I fell In love with REVERIE ! it has everything I ask for in a book, Found family with a unbreakable friendship, A sweet and caring FMC, a mysterious and head over heels MMC. A FMC that finds her power and over comes her fear and everyone being 1000% supportive with whatever decision she is to make ! 🤍
Reverie has been such a ride to read. I love how the start introduces all the characters that are going to be important to the story and to the readers. It makes it so easy to fall for every single one of them. Their loyalty to Lumi is so big and strong. I’m a sucker for found family, Rye, Skadi, Lumi and C makes found family a grand trope in reverie.
I fell In love with REVERIE ! it has everything I ask for in a book, Found family with a unbreakable friendship, A sweet and caring FMC, a mysterious and head over heels MMC. A FMC that finds her power and over comes her fear and everyone being 1000% supportive with whatever decision she is to make ! 🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was absolutely beautiful! KC weaves together a fairytale retelling in a lush and ethereal way, creating a wonderful world of coziness within Mentaria. Lumi spends her days running her apothecary and bonding with her friends and life is normal until she finds a book. This book completely turns her world upside down and now nothing is as it seems. There's a darkness lurking at the edge of their world, threatening the town's peace. There's secrets that have been buried for decades slowly slipping out and Lumi is in the center of it all. Life as Lumi knew it isn't the same and when she meets Cypress, things slowly begin to fall into place.
I loved the way KC built the mystery in this book! The way she dropped small hints of things to come. The bond between Lumi and her friends was perfect, Bram and Rye are hilarious. The tension and banter between Lumi and Cypress was great and it left me wanting more with the way things ended!!
I am so proud of KC for her debut novel!!! Her writing is descriptive and fun to read, can't wait for more!!
Reverie is out February 10th!!
I loved the way KC built the mystery in this book! The way she dropped small hints of things to come. The bond between Lumi and her friends was perfect, Bram and Rye are hilarious. The tension and banter between Lumi and Cypress was great and it left me wanting more with the way things ended!!
I am so proud of KC for her debut novel!!! Her writing is descriptive and fun to read, can't wait for more!!
Reverie is out February 10th!!
February 26, 2026
I went into Reverie with zero expectations and ended up absolutely absorbed by how wild, imaginative, and just damn memorable this story is. Lumi, with her warm heart and quiet strength, quickly became someone I genuinely cared about. There’s something so comforting about a main character who feels real, and her journey of slowly rediscovering what’s real and what’s illusion kept me hooked.
The mysterious silver book she finds doesn’t just change her world… it flips it upside down. And then there’s the found family vibe, Skadi, Rye, and Lumi’s crew feel genuinely supportive, funny, and protective. Their banter added so much heart to the story, and it’s in those moments of laughter and loyalty that the book truly shines.
The romance? Slow-burn magic. There’s a yearning beneath the surface that keeps you reading, curious and hopeful, without ever feeling rushed. The worldbuilding, a blend of fairytale atmosphere and creeping mystery, was immersive and vivid, even if a part of me wished some plot threads were a little clearer by the end.
The mysterious silver book she finds doesn’t just change her world… it flips it upside down. And then there’s the found family vibe, Skadi, Rye, and Lumi’s crew feel genuinely supportive, funny, and protective. Their banter added so much heart to the story, and it’s in those moments of laughter and loyalty that the book truly shines.
The romance? Slow-burn magic. There’s a yearning beneath the surface that keeps you reading, curious and hopeful, without ever feeling rushed. The worldbuilding, a blend of fairytale atmosphere and creeping mystery, was immersive and vivid, even if a part of me wished some plot threads were a little clearer by the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is full of beautiful imagery. The lush descriptions of the places, the sea breeze and the smells of the herbs had me feeling like I was right there in the story. There is an undercurrent of mystery that sits just below the surface in the vibes of the book and that mystery slowly unfolds one layer at a time with the story.
I immediately loved Lumi with her passion for drinking coffee and reading romance books. There is a great group of characters in the small found family circle and I really enjoyed all their witty, friendly banter. I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Lumi and Skadi.
I do wish there had been a little bit more story development to accompany the rich, lyrical writing but I am absolutely invested and curious to see where the rest of this series goes.
If you enjoy beautiful writing, reading for the vibes, found family, banter, fairytale retellings and a good touch her and die line, this book is for you!
I immediately loved Lumi with her passion for drinking coffee and reading romance books. There is a great group of characters in the small found family circle and I really enjoyed all their witty, friendly banter. I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Lumi and Skadi.
I do wish there had been a little bit more story development to accompany the rich, lyrical writing but I am absolutely invested and curious to see where the rest of this series goes.
If you enjoy beautiful writing, reading for the vibes, found family, banter, fairytale retellings and a good touch her and die line, this book is for you!
February 8, 2026
This is a Sleeping Beauty retelling. It was quite different and not at all what I expected.
I truly enjoyed the story but the book still requires a lot of editing and proofreading. There were so many plot holes and questions left unanswered throughout the book.
The chapters were extremely short and this was a quick read. It felt more like a novella than an actual book. I spent a lot of my reading time looking up things that I had no clue what they were. The world-building could be better.
The multi POV and characters were what kept me pushing through the book. I especially enjoyed Bram and Rye with all their banter. The readers guide at the beginning was a big plus.
I do look forward to seeing the rest of the series. I think if the author expanded the book and fixed the plot holes this could have been a 4-5 star read.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release and the opportunity to give my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
I truly enjoyed the story but the book still requires a lot of editing and proofreading. There were so many plot holes and questions left unanswered throughout the book.
The chapters were extremely short and this was a quick read. It felt more like a novella than an actual book. I spent a lot of my reading time looking up things that I had no clue what they were. The world-building could be better.
The multi POV and characters were what kept me pushing through the book. I especially enjoyed Bram and Rye with all their banter. The readers guide at the beginning was a big plus.
I do look forward to seeing the rest of the series. I think if the author expanded the book and fixed the plot holes this could have been a 4-5 star read.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book ahead of release and the opportunity to give my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2026
ARC review: This is a very descriptive fantasy that very much feels like the world- and story-building first book. Feels like a cosy fantasy, writing suitable for a YA at this stage, though the author does hint that further books could be spicy.
Multiple POV
Fantasy with hinted romance
Fated mates
Forbidden love
First in the trilogy
Slow burn
Found family
Our FMC Lumi is a quietly anxious local herablist to her small town who unknowingly has a secret. She is supported by her best friend Skadi, who also gets her own POV chapter or two.
The rest of the found family is Rye and Brami. I enjoyed their addition and that they also got a chapter or two each for their own POV.
It all works to build and hint at a bigger picture.
Lastly, the MMC is Cypress, we meet him towards the end, and it lends heavily towards what is going to happen in the next book.
Overall, a very whimsical, spooky, cosy book.
Multiple POV
Fantasy with hinted romance
Fated mates
Forbidden love
First in the trilogy
Slow burn
Found family
Our FMC Lumi is a quietly anxious local herablist to her small town who unknowingly has a secret. She is supported by her best friend Skadi, who also gets her own POV chapter or two.
The rest of the found family is Rye and Brami. I enjoyed their addition and that they also got a chapter or two each for their own POV.
It all works to build and hint at a bigger picture.
Lastly, the MMC is Cypress, we meet him towards the end, and it lends heavily towards what is going to happen in the next book.
Overall, a very whimsical, spooky, cosy book.
February 18, 2026
***ARC copy in exchange for a review***
This is a character‑driven romance with a strong sense of found family and mystery.
Tue story follows Lumi, an apothecary owner whose world shifts when she discovers a strange silver book that only she can read. From that moment, unexplained phenomena begin to occur and new characters appear that begin to move the plot and have Lumi questioning her reality and all she knew to be true.
There’s a very good fairytale quality to the writing.
The pacing was consistent throughout the book. I will say the book starts warning you that this book is a slow burn over the course of multiple books. There are (intentional) unanswered questions at the end of this book.
The story was very imaginative and different than other books I’ve seen. Sometimes I felt I was being told something about the character/universe v being shown it but that did not happen often.
Overall would recommend it!! 3.8/5
Spice: 🫑
This is a character‑driven romance with a strong sense of found family and mystery.
Tue story follows Lumi, an apothecary owner whose world shifts when she discovers a strange silver book that only she can read. From that moment, unexplained phenomena begin to occur and new characters appear that begin to move the plot and have Lumi questioning her reality and all she knew to be true.
There’s a very good fairytale quality to the writing.
The pacing was consistent throughout the book. I will say the book starts warning you that this book is a slow burn over the course of multiple books. There are (intentional) unanswered questions at the end of this book.
The story was very imaginative and different than other books I’ve seen. Sometimes I felt I was being told something about the character/universe v being shown it but that did not happen often.
Overall would recommend it!! 3.8/5
Spice: 🫑
February 17, 2026
This book was such a fun and cozy fantasy read. Set in a small seaside town, mysteries start to take places and layer by layer things show their true colors. I found the way the author slowly revealed Lumi's back story. She was also such a relatable character with her love of just wanting to read in a cozy corner and be at peace. It was fun slowly putting the pieces together and then finally clicking. With elements of Sleeping Beauty and some references to King Arthur's tales, this books is truly enchanting with a plot that moves at a pretty good pace. The ending was truly unexpecting, with a little plot twist near the end and then at the end, it kept me on my toes. I do wish there was more time given to the characters true background and how they all played a role into where they are now, but hopefully all will be reveal in the next book!
February 12, 2026
Reverie is an imaginative fairytale retelling of Sleeping Beauty that blends mystery, magic, and self-growth.
The story follows Lumi, a young apothecary whose quiet life in the sea-swept town of Mentaria is turned upside down when she finds an unusual silver-bound book whose blank pages reveal secrets only she can see. As the veil begins to fall from everything Lumi has known, with whispers of people gone without memory of their absence, subtle tremors in the earth, and creeping shadows hint that her life may be built on illusions.
Slow burn
Fairy-core worldbuilding with theme
Reality versus illusion.
Found family
Star-crossed relationships
The epic cliff hanger will definitely leave you waning more!
The story follows Lumi, a young apothecary whose quiet life in the sea-swept town of Mentaria is turned upside down when she finds an unusual silver-bound book whose blank pages reveal secrets only she can see. As the veil begins to fall from everything Lumi has known, with whispers of people gone without memory of their absence, subtle tremors in the earth, and creeping shadows hint that her life may be built on illusions.
Slow burn
Fairy-core worldbuilding with theme
Reality versus illusion.
Found family
Star-crossed relationships
The epic cliff hanger will definitely leave you waning more!
February 1, 2026
I really enjoyed the sense of camaraderie woven throughout Reverie. The first half delves into Lumi’s past, including the story her Nonna shared with her as a young girl, which added background knowledge for events that would come later in the story. While I love a good backstory, it was the second half of the book that truly hooked me. Once Cypress appears, everything shifts—after about the halfway mark, the story became impossible to put down. So much unfolds, and I found myself completely absorbed, eager to see what would happen next. This is a fantastic read for anyone who loves stories about fated mates with a forbidden twist.
February 4, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! I liked the gradual build up of the plot and how everything came to make sense at the end because I was so confused at some points while reading. I really liked our main character, Lumi, she was such a relatable character and I enjoyed following her development and her story. It felt like we were going through it all with her. The magic system in this book was also really interesting, it wasn’t hugely present at the beginning but it became more and more prominent as the story unraveled. This was definitely fast-paced which I liked. The ending was crazy and I am so excited to see where K.C. Rainey takes the story in books to come!
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