YIELD: A Romantasy Adventure

by C. R. Stroud

How much do your words cost?
How much do they weigh?
Did you think before you tossed
Your fickle fate to a fickle fae?

Princess Thea is suffocating under the weight of a crown she does not want and a life she can’t escape. That is until her only friend, an enigmatic faerie named Mavick, offers her a taste of freedom through a seemingly harmless elixir. But when Thea returns from her brief outing to find Mavick missing, their golden blood pooling and a cryptic riddle in their place, her rebellion turns into a rescue mission.

Venturing into the perilous portal realm of Sanctuary, Thea strikes a bargain with Brynn, a mysterious fae whose charm hides secrets of his own. As guilt, temptation, and buried truths close in, Thea must navigate a world where trust is a gamble, time twists, and even shadows have teeth. To save her kingdom, Thea will have to face the darkest parts of herself and decide what, and who, she’s willing to sacrifice.

Yield is a classic D&D-style adventure featuring a rogue princess determined to do whatever it takes not to be one. Complete with time-bending complications, unique fantastical creatures, and one maddeningly distracting stranger, it’s a romantasy full of twists, humor, and heart.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

About the author

Based in Atlanta, GA, C. R. Stroud (or Catie) lives with her partner, daughter, and two pug-like dogs. When she’s not writing messy, deeply relatable characters in accessible fantastical settings, she’s likely enjoying good food, singing karaoke into the night, or watching a true crime doc.

You can also find Catie as a cast member on the actual play podcast Shrimp & Crits, where she voices a wide range of witty, chaotic characters. Her love of TTRPGs began at age eleven, when she first watched her best friend’s dad run an epic campaign at the kitchen table. From that moment, she was hooked on collaborative storytelling. She spent much of her childhood writing fantastical short stories with friends before going on to earn a BA in English with a focus on creative writing. Her fiction draws inspiration from classic D&D campaigns—friendship, adventure, and humor are always at the heart of her stories.

Reviews

[neurotic.bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy release day 🤩♥️✨

My first 5 star of 2026 🥹

WHAT IN ALL THE REALMS WAS THAT ENDIIIIIIIING 😭😭😭😭😭 I am freaking devastated!!!!!!

This book was THE MOST FUN (as in like actual godsdamned fun) I’ve ever had reading, but I’m going to need a second to process THE DIABOLICAL AND UNEXPECTED TURN it took in those last 10% 😭😭😭😭😭

Thank you so so sooooo freaking much C. R. Stroud for making me one of your ARC readers 🥹♥️ I genuinely had the time of my life reading this story and I’m beyond excited to see where this goes in the next book 👹

I’ll be back this weekend for a full review !!!!

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | YIELD by C.R. Stroud

(Spoiler-free review below. Spoilers at the end.)

I was really excited to ARC read this one. Thank you to the author C.R Stroud for the ARC!

YIELD was one of those books that immediately pulled me in with its concept and kept me engaged through sheer momentum. The world feels lived-in and thoughtfully built without becoming so dense that it slows the story down. There’s a very clear sense of direction here, and I loved how the plot unfolds like a carefully planned quest rather than a series of random twists.

What really worked for me was the balance between action and character development. The main character is compelling in a quiet, earned way. However, she is stubborn, selfish and questionable so she may not be for everyone. Her growth feels natural, shaped by choices rather than convenience, and I appreciated that nothing about her journey felt rushed or overly dramatic. The stakes stay personal, which made me care far more than I expected to.

I also want to call out the twists. Even when I could see some of them coming, they still landed. They felt intentional and well earned rather than shocking for the sake of it, which I honestly prefer. The execution mattered more than the surprise, and the story handled those moments with confidence.

This wasn’t a flawless read for me, though. There were moments where I wanted the story to linger just a bit longer — either to deepen certain emotional beats or to explore parts of the world that felt especially intriguing. Nothing that pulled me out of the story, just places where I found myself wishing for a little more depth or space.

Overall, YIELD is a strong, immersive fantasy that delivers on tension, atmosphere, and heart. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, adventurous without losing its emotional core, and a story that clearly knows where it’s going. Excited for book 2.


*Beware Spoilers*



⚠️ Spoiler Section Below ⚠️

I really didn’t appreciate how untrusting Thea was with Brynn. She freaked out over the fact that he was royalty all while she was hiding the fact that she was a princess. Yes she herself says she’s a hypocrite for it, but still it made me quite angry with her as a FMC. But I think this adds more emotional depth to Thea and reminds us that she is growing and changing as the story goes on and she understands what true friendship and love means so I do respect this part of her.

Also the ending? Devastated … how did Thea get herself in this mess. I just know Brynn, Glo and Jasmeen are going to do everything in their power to rescue her.

[Lou McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. The characters are incredibly relatable and memorable. In some fantasy books, I struggle with too many characters, finding myself flipping back and forth to jog my memory. All the characters had purpose and were easy to follow and fall in love with. The world building was fantastic, just enough information to give you the ability to see the fantasy without bogging you down with details. Allowing for some of your own imagination to be involved.

The inspiration from DnD was prevalent, I could imagine myself playing and where I would roll, thinking to myself, "ope that wasn't a good roll."

I had so much fun reading this. I give every book 5 stars because I know there will be somebody to give an undeserving 1 star review. (and because I'm no critic) BUT this book deserves 5 stars. I enjoyed it immensely, and I am only sad because it's my first ARC, and I have to wait way too long for a second book now.

[Rebecca ~ readinginNZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review✨

“What would you freely give to gain access to your freedom?”

✨ Reluctant allies to lovers
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Fae bargains, truth & lies
✨ Found family
✨ Fate & prophecy

Yield is a genuinely easy story to fall into. The world is intuitive, the pacing smooth, and the stakes are clear from the start. Princess Thea is suffocating under a crown she never chose, and the moment she tastes freedom, everything spirals.

Mavick’s disappearance pulls her into Sanctuary, a realm ruled by riddles, bargains, and consequences that linger. Enter Brynn, a fae who cannot lie, which somehow makes him more dangerous than anyone else.

“His inability to lie is all I trust.”

What really worked for me was how naturally the relationships developed. Glo and Jasmeen ground her in moments where everything else feels unstable. Even the romance grows quietly, almost accidentally, shaped by proximity, shared danger, and reluctant trust.

“I don’t want to admit how easy it feels. How comfortable we have grown. Reluctant allies, yes, but maybe even friends.”

The story plays constantly with truth and deception. Words have weight here. Promises matter. Silence can be just as binding as a lie. That tension runs through every deal and decision Thea makes.

“Friendship is forged through trust and trials and oaths. No friendship exists without love. No love exists without friendship.”

And then there’s the ending. Fast. Sharp. Completely unhinged in the best way. It recontextualises everything and left me staring at the page thinking… okay, but WHAT?

A fun, accessible romantasy with heart, clever mechanics, and a finale that absolutely refuses to let you walk away calmly.

Thank you to the author for the ARC ✨

Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.

[Rhiannon Duddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was something I found by accident and boy am I glad I did!

This book was such a fun time! It was well paced with super compelling characters.

I really enjoyed the tone of the book and thought that having a more dominant FMC was great as I love a yearning man.

I’m a sucker for a good found family dynamic and was very reminiscent of the DnD games I play which was really fun. If you love Whimsy, Dungeons and Dragons and a rag tag group of friends this is the book for you.

I’m very excited for the sequel and will anxiously await!

[Mylene Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never did I think I would enjoy a D&D story like this.
But the words flowed and everything was so vivid in my head. This is a must read and be ready cause you’re going to want the 2nd… but have to wait. LOVED THIS!
Add to your TBR February 10th.

[Mary Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Well, shit.’
C.R. Stroud DELIVERED with this opening line.
And carried on delivering all the way to page 354 and the last line.
I heard that Yield had been compared to The Princess Bride (the best film ever), Labyrinth and Narnia amongst others. I was sold and clamouring for an arc.
This is a spoiler free review, but imagine Lucy Pevensie from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as grown up, who is sick of taking shit, says fuck a lot and is not a fan of the corset.
Yield is pithy, witty, fast paced, addictive and beautifully written.
The characters are so well developed, complex and complicated. I was invested throughout and completely engrossed.
The world building was so well done, descriptions of the setting and the characters was perfect. I felt like I was right there in the story.
The slow burn and the yearning was everything a reader could want.
I am going to need at least one hardback and paperback shelf trophy to go with my ARC and my ebook pre-order (and a veilmane)
5 perfect stars and a new auto buy author.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly... I went in so blind and loved every moment!

Thea while she was stubborn and had very black cat energy, had a soft side to her. Brynn the golden retriever with grumpiness in there made me swooooon.

I didn't expect to pick this up and devour it in two days but here we are. It had cozy and adventure with secrets woven in vibes, and I'm not mad at all.
The fact both of them had the same or at least similar secrets was funny and the tension (they don't get together till 89% btw) was so warm and made me smile!

it ended on a cliffhanger and now I want to know... where is Brynn, what did Mavrick do and is she actually married? 🤭

[Carlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whimsical D&D coded romantic fantasy will have you feeling all the feels. Thea, the morally grey FMC is so relatable. The MMC is a swoon worthy cinnamon roll. The side characters are loveable. The world feels lived in and visceral. And the plot will have you kicking your feet and staying up past your bedtime to find out what happens next. Add it to your TBR immediately!

[morganbbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

First things first, thank you to the author for accepting me for this ARC!

So, I was really excited about this book because it sounded like the type of book I’d love, and in some ways, it was. It had that sense of adventure, a riddle, following clues, the quest-vibe I expected from a book advertised as being D&D-inspired, but by the middle of the book, I felt like we had dropped all that and the characters were just going through the motions. Like rather than following clues to get them to specific places, it became more of a singular location to get to with things happening in between that didn’t feel like they connected very well to the core of the book while the riddle became an afterthought.

I’d say this book was largely about trust, but there was a lack of depth for me there. In fact, there was a lack of depth in the characters and the world as a whole, but starting with the characters, they came across underdeveloped. The stuff about them felt surface-level and not well explored nor integrated into the plot, which caused the relationships between them to fall flat. For the writing itself, I also felt a lack of emotion, and so it made it hard to connect with these characters and understand them, and that was a bit detrimental for the main relationship in this book.

The main relationship felt forced and I didn’t buy that they would’ve genuinely fallen in love during their time together. Been friends, yes, even become very close, but not romantic. There was also this one particular aspect in the plot that felt like it would’ve had a huge impact on their relationship and brought up many questions of consent, but the power dynamics weren’t explored much. Despite the gravity that seemed to be there when it was initially brought up, it ended up not actually meaning anything to the relationship, and by the end, it seemed to have been put aside entirely, like it no longer mattered. Some other things also felt like they no longer mattered by the end too. One way or another, this relationship had to happen, and it felt so, so forced.

Sanctuary, the fantasy world in this book, also felt underdeveloped and there was just a lack of attention to detail, I noticed. Lines that were said that felt like an afterthought, implications that didn’t seem to have been thought through. Thea herself showed a lack of curiosity for the world as well. It didn’t seem like she was interested in getting to know anything or anyone particularly deeply, and I felt like a lot could’ve been done with that if it was on purpose, but it didn’t feel like it was on purpose, it felt like underdevelopment.

One other thing I want to mention in regards to character underdevelopment is the villains. They were certainly villainous, but this book didn’t come across like the type of book intended to have black and white villains and heroes and a lot of the bad things they did really came across to me like trying to make situations be the worst possible situations for Thea specifically, like these people felt set up to break her rather than them just having naturally arising motivations that collided with her motivations to cause genuine conflict. So, they didn’t feel like people to me so much as shallow plot devices.

I also get the impression that not a lot of research was done when writing this book and one of the things that highlighted that for me were corsets being described as “torture devices,” because they are not inherently torture devices. What could’ve been put under that is the practice of tightlacing (which, from what I know, was criticized even then, so not a revelation), but that word was never brought up and so I don’t think this aspect was written into this book to be about that, it just seemed like the author didn’t research corsets and dismissed them altogether as torturous to wear, and that was a bit of a red flag to me. Ultimately, this book felt unfinished and, despite the aspects I did love about it, I was disappointed by the end.

[KMart Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars, rounded up.

Favorite Quote: "F*ck duty. It's yet another way to take away autonomy."
Rep: bisexual main character, side sapphic yearning

This story follows a sheltered princess who stumbles into a dangerous fae realm after one impulsive choice spirals into a rescue mission. What starts as rebellion quickly turns into a quest filled with fae bargains and a very distracting fae companion. It reads like a tabletop campaign turned into a novel, complete with chaos, secrets, and a party of characters who slowly become something like family.

As someone who loves tabletop games, this was delightful. The cast is messy, flawed, and constantly growing in their arcs, which is seriously my catnip. The premise immediately hooked me, and the vibe gave me darker Tangled energy mixed with the dangerous fae politics of The Cruel Prince. Thea is selfish and stubborn. While that sometimes made her hard to root for, I honestly LOVED how imperfect she was. Watching her start to change felt SO earned, and it’s clear there’s still a lot more to unpack about her.

There is a lot of swearing from her and very modern, colloquial dialogue and she comes across more worldly than I expected for a sheltered princess. That didn’t bother me personally, but I can see it being a dealbreaker for some readers. Early on, she also makes a few choices that felt foolish and frustrating. I understand that sheltered + impulsive explains a lot of it, but it did make me roll my eyes a bit. Again, this girl is NOT meant to be perfect and readers will absolutely have some complicated feelings with her occasionally. That said, the book clearly withholds information about her history on purpose, so I’m trusting the process.

The romance? So good. The yearning between these two was chef’s kiss. Truly elite. Painful. Delicious. The kind of slow emotional tension that makes you hot under the collar. It never felt forced and developed naturally alongside the plot instead of hijacking it. Yearning enthusiasts, you'll be thrilled here!

There were two conflict moments that really stood out. When Thea discovers a secret, she reacts with intense anger… despite being just as guilty of hiding things herself. I wanted more self-reflection from her there, because the hypocrisy was loud. BUT later, when the situation flips, her love interest chooses not to blow everything up. He recognizes intent, context, and the urgency of their situation, and that emotional maturity was honestly refreshing. He had every right to be furious and simply… wasn’t. I adored that choice. I think Thea will really take that to heart in the future.

The found family dynamic was another highlight, and the secondary characters were genuinely memorable. It feels like the party isn’t even complete yet, which makes me excited for what comes next. This really does feel like a D&D campaign where a group of very different people are forced to work together and accidentally start caring about each other.

Overall, this was incredibly fun, easy to sink into, and emotionally engaging without being heavy. The worldbuilding gives you just enough to visualize the fantasy without bogging you down, and the plot leaves room for the romance instead of smothering the reader in it. If you love whimsical but dangerous worlds, morally complicated characters, ragtag groups of misfits, and a good found family arc, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Delightful.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book. This review was left voluntarily and all opinions are my honest thoughts.

Before I dig into this review, I want to say that I am an avid D&D player with a strong love of all things fantasy and Fae--including folklore, so this book should have absolutely been my jam...

My very first though starting this book was that Thea swears way, way too much for a supposedly sheltered princess. She drops f-bombs left, right and centre both in her speech and in her thoughts, and tbh it's quite disjointing to the narrative flow--and I say that as an Australian who swears like it's legally required of me. She also drops the phrase "fuck around and find out" at one point, and it just threw me straight out of the story by being too modern for the sword and sorcery, D&D-esque setting/vibes.

I also found the pacing to be inconsistent; it started off strong but then started to drag when Thea made a series of annoying choices early on, such as rejecting Brynn's assistance when he was honest with her about what he wanted in return for helping her but then still choosing to trust Mavick as her friend, even when she found out they had essentially been drugging her with truth serum since she was a child. Trusting Jasmeen blindly just because she was also mortal was another of these dumb choices, and all before we hit the 25% mark. The mismatched pacing continues for the remainder of the book but at least we add other characters to the party so we are not left entirely alone with Thea and her selfish attitude and poor decision making. It was particularly entitled and very hypocritical of her to go off on Brynn after learning he was a prince when she herself was hiding her own princess status from him as well.

Overall I liked the premise of this book but I found the execution lacking. Thea was not the best FMC; she is selfish, stubborn and somewhat hot tempered, and being stuck in her head for the entire story was a struggle. I feel like this book would have strongly benefited from a dual POV with Brynn also getting chapters just to balance out Thea's stupidity (and explain why he felt so strongly about Thea so early on). The pacing also needed some work with large chunks of the story missing action and absolutely dragging but then other parts filled with engaging action and interesting world/character building. I will admit though that I did not see the twist at the end and will definitely continue with this series. A solid 3 to 3.5 star read.

[Andrea Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Read of 2026 and I am praying this is the sign that everything is going to be okay!

I was heavily influenced on advertising alone to apply to be an arc reader for this book. My FYP has not betrayed me. I waited with baited breath and checked my email obsessively with prayers I would be a chosen one! Sometimes you can be influenced to download a book and be lured by booktok post's and fan edits and then read the book and it just isn't what you thought. HOWEVER this book was FUN FUN FUN!

Its got ADVENTURE, FRIENDSHIP. ROMANCE and PLOT TWISTS GALORE!

This is how you write a "morally grey" character. I enjoyed Thea and loved that she was an adult riddled with naivete and selfishness but not with callousness and self-righteousness. She was not written with the "not like other girls" energy that we have come to accept as FMC qualities in fantasy books. (No hate I enjoy those books too). Ignorant yes but not willfully so. She is flawed and self centered but very loveable because she lacks any life experience. There were times I wanted to shake her and yell at her but that's obviously the tell of a good storyteller. I cared about her enough to wanna scream! Vir has the patience of a saint. Speaking of...

It is also not a crime to be a blonde MMC but damn if I've not been brainwashed to be apprehensive of it. I loved reading a softer kind of love story, but that doesn't mean its not as powerful. I loved VIR! He felt real and grounded and hopelessly devoted so obviously he sets the bar for the rest of the year.

Friendship and accountability are the main themes of this book. I enjoyed reading the journey of self discovery and self awareness, I enjoyed reading that authentic friendship can open the door to soo many possibilities. Thea's inner monologue is heavy on self deprecation but through these acts of friendship and reciprocal trust she gains the strength to try, try and push herself, try and let people in and try to take accountability.

I liked that there was no magic wand to fix problems, only through trials and tribulations were we able to see her grow BUT was it too late? I am excited to see where this story is headed with that big reveal at the end and since everyone in this book has secrets I cant wait to see where else we are going with some of the characters. There are so many little details and descriptions I hope are gonna be revealed in book two!

[Shauni · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC READER✨

First of all I want to thank the amazing author C.R. Stroud for entrusting me with an arc. Thank you, I feel truly blessed.

Yield is a romantic fantasy full of found family, D&D vibes, dealing with feelings (not all good, looking at you Thea), friends and messiness, perfect if you want to escape the world outside and jump into a portal to a whole new realm!

While it was a little slow for me in the beginning I loved everything about Yield! The way it was written, the storyline, the characters, the romance. I love the way Stroud writes. With her words she engulfs you and takes you to a whole other world. Forgetting everything around you temporarily. I felt so much depth in this story and the characters, I loved the connections Thea made with everyone, but especially Brynn en Jasmeen.

The plot leaves space for romance. It didn't feel forced but like it came naturally. It made me blush, invested and giggle like a schoolgirl.

The path our band of mischiefs are on feels truly like a D&D campaign. It took me back to the D&D evenings with my friends. That's what I loved about this book. Yield struck in so many ways. It makes you think about your own friend, your found family, while reading about Thea and the people in her life.

I feel this book is a must try for my fellow millennials who are maybe a bit nerdy, into D&D and never did feel like they truly belong. To them I say, pick up this book and give it a try! This book will truly be one of my favorite reads of all time!!

*While Yield does not have a lot of worldbuilding. It gives you just the right amount of painting the picture and information. I prefer it this way as a lot of world building takes away from the storyline in my opinion. This makes Yield perfect for those that haven't got a lot of experience in Fantasy books but also very enjoyable for those who have!

[ISlaySharks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I stumbled upon this book completely by accident on Threads after seeing the artwork of Thea and Brynn, and I’m so glad I did.

From the very beginning, this book was just fun. I don’t have much experience with D&D beyond playing Baldur’s Gate, so this felt like a fresh and exciting introduction—and it worked perfectly. The story was incredibly easy to fall into, fast-paced, and highly enjoyable. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a yearning male lead? (I know I do 😆)

The world-building and magic system were immersive and well thought out, and the twists, turns, and action kept me hooked the entire time—especially toward the end. Even knowing this is only book one, I couldn’t help but wish for a Brynn POV because I would have loved even more insight into why he fell so hard for Thea.

Thea isn’t a traditionally “perfect” FMC—she’s selfish, stubborn, and hot-tempered—and being in her head for the entire story could be frustrating at times. That said, she strongly reminded me of Nesta, which made her flaws feel intentional and compelling. It was genuinely heartbreaking to watch her learn what friendship and romance mean for the first time, and I’m really excited to see how she grows in book two.
The one moment that frustrated me was when Thea pulled away from Brynn after discovering he was a prince—while she herself was hiding her own princess status from him.

And that final 25%? Absolutely unhinged—in the best way. The twists, the emotions, the cliffhanger… I was not prepared. After an ending like that, I don’t want to wait at all for the next book.

[Mariana Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY THIS IS MY FAVORITE 2026 READ?

I haven't been this obsessed with a book since devouring The Bridge Kingdom series last year. I didn't sleep, and kept sneaking peaks at work. I was hooked on Thea and Brynn.

I found Thea to be super relatable, who has never felt trapped in a situation and considered doing anything (or just about) to get out? And then when everything is going wrong, keeping secrets and shameful stories to yourself? Yup, realistic and relatable!

Brynn.. This man sees a human and decides to basically trust her with everything while also respecting her and her boundaries to the point where he just PINES. There's no taking advantage of small moments to inch closer, every single inch of their relationship advances because Thea wants it.

I also loved the side characters. I was so scared they'd end up being the evil ones, betraying the MCs, but I was so happy to be wrong.

A huge thank you to C. R. Stroud for sending me an advance copy, I loved this book so so much

Mentioned:
The Bridge Kingdom

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book. We start off with Thea which is a princess and she just wants to explore? Why wouldn't she be able to explore? Because of her father (over a accident that happened years ago- misplaced blame tbh).

So then she has a faerie friend named mavick- known each other for years and that's her person. So she basically has potions on deck (because they're faerie duhhh) then shes like I have something to help ease your father into letting you out the house.....

Then she gets thrown into a different realm of sorts. New people new faces and people she hasn't seen before. She meets Brynn, and they strike a deal to end up helping each other but at what cost.. 

New friends, new challenges, mysteries  evolving as a character, THEN A MAJOR PLOT TWIST AT THE END.

This book made me feel all the emotions, it's very easy to follow and it doesn't take long for you to get wrapped up into it! I loved Thea and Brynn but what I didn't expect for all side characters to be so loveable. I love this story it's fun but also it explores finding yourself in the mess that can be life and finding friends.

Thank you C.R Stroud for a ARC opportunity! I truly appreciate it. This book is out February 10th! Go read!!

[Kaeleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟ARC Review🌟

That last 25% was an absolute rollercoaster! Up to this point, I’ve only ever read standalone ARC’s and now I know why. After a cliffhanger like that, I don’t want to wait even longer for the next book!

It took me a little while to get into the story. Overall, I think it took me a while to start liking Thea. She was often obstinate, selfish, and lashed out easily. Kind of reminded me of a less intense Nesta. But I did enjoy her journey of friendship and romance. The fact that she had to learn what both of those things were was heartbreaking.

I also wish there was bit more plot outside of Thea, Brynne, Jansen, and Glo. The whole middle part of the book was just them riding to Royal City. Other than enjoying the banter and downtime, there was very little excitement. We were led to believe that Mavick’s kidnapping would be the focal point of the plot, but it felt like that was thrown away pretty early on. However, the ending brought more plot back into the story and I’m curious to see what happens in book 2!

[Sarah Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback which is being freely given!**

Um, holy shit? This book was an exceptionally wonderful first read of the year and further proof that some of the best books out there are being written by indie authors.

Have you ever come across a book that you'd like to live in? Like, the author just did such a masterful job creating the world, making the characters fully-rounded and relatable, and -on top of everything else- the food/drinks just sound amazing??? THIS IS THE ONE FOR ME. I'd jump into this book in a heartbeat, full Blue Skidoo style.

The characters? Incredible. The plot? Captivating as hell. The slow burn??? Honestly some of the best romantic tension and banter that I've ever read.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars. If you love yourself a good romantasy with twists, turns, and a magical wine that sounds so good you'd give your left foot to try it irl, this is it. Couldn't possibly recommend this book more highly!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves so much more than five stars. It was easily one of the best books I have EVER read.

It was cozy yet adventurous. Full of found family, riddles and mystery. Thea and Brynn quickly became two of my new all time favorite characters and THAT ENDING?!
C.R.... I cannot forgive you for that cliff hanger! THE BETRAYAL. I am speechless.
If you love
Knife to the throat
A morally grey FMC
Reluctant allies to lovers
An adventure that makes you feel like part of their world

Yield is for you. It's for everyone who loves fantasy, fae and a diverse but easy to fall into world.
I think one of my favorite things is that Thea and Brynn is that they aren't perfect. Their characters are flawed, but so loveable from the very beginning. They are drawn to each other from their first on page interaction and even though they resist it, its pointless.
I cannot WAIT for book 2!!!
Thank you so much CR Stroud for allowing me to ARC read this book!

[Elizabeth Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for allowing me this ARC! This is my 100% honest opinion of this book.

First off where do I begin with how amazing this is??? I cannot believe this is a debut novel. It has such a fun vibe, high stakes, and the world building??? AMAZING. The writing style is wonderful, engaging, and very reminiscent of a dnd campaign.

For the characters, they are wonderful and well developed. Thea is so relatable. She is aware of her faults in a way that is realistic and not in a stereotypical fmc kinda way. Brynn is also the perfect book boyfriend and I feel he will become everyone’s favorite!

What this book has:
✨excellent world building
✨reluctant allies turned lovers
✨a little bit of spice
✨crazy plot twists

You HAVE to read this book! It’s officially in my top favorite books I’ve read!

[Alexis Crotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is C. R. Stroud's debut, and I am absolutely floored. This book was so fun, but the stakes were still extremely high for the characters. It had the perfect deception element for a DnD style adventure story, and the characters and elements were perfect. Brynn and Thea's banter? Absolute gold. I loved the way it would get heated and then pull you away right before the edge. My favorite being the 'you make me nervous' responses. This story had me suspicious of everybody. Especially right before the end when Thea was hurt by the blade. I can tell you I was never right (so far?). I'm grateful for the opportunity to have read it early, but despise the fact that I now have to wait longer for more. This is easily one of my top favorite reads. I received an advance reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rosie Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to convey how much fun I had reading this. Thea is the kind of FMC I instantly enjoy reading, because she’s often making a bad decision, her emotions are clouding her judgement, and she’s just. So. Relatable.

I’d categorise it as a romantasy adventure, I think; the romance part was really nice to read. I enjoy the black cat x golden retriever dynamic, and Brynn is adorable.

Although it’s a cosy and fun read, it still has some emotional depth. Having insight into Thea’s guilt made me love her more, and the found family aspect definitely hits harder when the main character has struggled to let people in for so long.

The world reminded me of D&D, with such a fun mix of magic, characters and creatures. I loved following them on their quest, I can’t wait for book 2 so I can find out what happens next!

[Alissa Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a week since I finished this book and I can’t stop thinking about it! And the freakin ending! And how maddening Thea was but I still loved her! And sweet, gorgeous Brynn! And the freaking ending!!

But seriously though, five stars for this beauty. The slow burn romance, found family, adventure, the realm and kingdom the author built for us - fantastic. The characters are relatable, they’ve all fucked up in their own ways but still come together to help each other out on an interesting journey filled with faeplum ale and the various residents that inhabit Sanctuary.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel all emotions — audibly laugh out loud, tear up, be (somewhat) angry and frustrated with the characters at various times (as one does in any good story), jealous of the gorgeous sunlight in Sanctuary — check this one out - for real!

Honored that this gem was my first ARC and first five star review for 2026❤️ Cannot WAIT for book two!

[Janina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing an advanced copy! The following is my honest opinion.

Yield is a fun, easy to enjoy read. The story flows very naturally throughout the book. The plot keeps twisting into a tighter knot throughout the book and readers are taken on a journey of realising just how bad our FMC has screwed up. Yield ends on a compelling bang that leaves the reader wanting to read more.

All in all an easy recommendation as a lighthearted romantasy read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First five star read of 2026 and I already wish I could read it for the first time again! This book was SO ENJOYABLE! The plot twists were no joke and the characters were soooooo amazingly written. Every bit of emotion feels so raw and real that I honestly am bummed about waiting for book 2!

[kailesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ thank you to the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

rtc im still processing

[LavenderPhantomReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for gifting me this eARC — this review is my honest, unfiltered opinion.

I need to start with that fucking ending… because DAMN. I was not prepared for it in any way. Jaw on the floor. Brain short-circuited. I’m still thinking about it. And I need answers — especially about that moment when Jasmeen returned her dagger and Thea was hurt. That felt intentional, and I know it’s going to matter later.

I found myself fully agreeing with Mavick when he says Thea is good and fearless — because honestly? Doing that to her own father?! Absolutely unhinged (in the best way). Thea has ovaries of steel. I don’t know if I could ever find that kind of courage, and it made me respect her even more as the story unfolded.
And listen… the moment when they did the deed?
I was giggling. I was gasping.

I completely devoured this book. The pacing, the twists, the tension — it had me hooked from start to finish. I need the next book immediately because the chokehold this story has on me is unreal.

🖤 Final Thoughts:
Addictive, shocking, and impossible to put down. If you like fearless FMCs, unexpected twists, and endings that leave you screaming into the void — this one is for you.