Reverie

by KC Rainey

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.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Lesliereadingallday · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 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

[CelestialDreamer4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[MJ | fortheloveofbooks01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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! 🫣)

[Samantha Iusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[kailesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** alpha reader ***

Yall are going to LOVE this one!! What a fun story 🙂‍↕️

*** arc reading ***

RTC