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A Spell of Heart & Havoc
The thief, the noblewoman, and the secrets they hide.
Maerryl Kirim, a surly half-dwarf with the world on her shoulders, will do anything to save her deathly ill brother. Joining a guild of thieves to gather enough coin for his cure, she agrees to infiltrate a noble family. But acting as bodyguard for their haughty, spoiled daughter is no walk in the enchanted forest.
Dove Wistrallo yearns for independence, not a babysitter. As the uncouth Maerryl loves to remind her, she lives a charmed life. . . though few know of the risky magical ability that Dove hides. Spending every moment together is infuriating—at first. But before long, the friction between the rogue and the lady becomes a spark they can’t ignore. Yet the clock is ticking for Maerryl to secure the family’s riches. Does their growing love stand a chance against Maerryl’s ruse, Dove’s secrets, and a den of thieves?
Maerryl Kirim, a surly half-dwarf with the world on her shoulders, will do anything to save her deathly ill brother. Joining a guild of thieves to gather enough coin for his cure, she agrees to infiltrate a noble family. But acting as bodyguard for their haughty, spoiled daughter is no walk in the enchanted forest.
Dove Wistrallo yearns for independence, not a babysitter. As the uncouth Maerryl loves to remind her, she lives a charmed life. . . though few know of the risky magical ability that Dove hides. Spending every moment together is infuriating—at first. But before long, the friction between the rogue and the lady becomes a spark they can’t ignore. Yet the clock is ticking for Maerryl to secure the family’s riches. Does their growing love stand a chance against Maerryl’s ruse, Dove’s secrets, and a den of thieves?
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!
This story follows MaerryI as she gets assigned a bodyguard job to a rich snob daughter. She’s trying to get enough money to save her brother from a dwarf sickness & cannot stand rich people.
I went back in forth as to wether I liked this or not, to be completely honest. I saw some reviewers mentioning that they struggled with Dove (the rich heiress) and while I agreed at first, I did find she had the most character development. She was surprisingly open minded & empathetic. She was compassionate & didn’t think twice before helping someone in need. The character I did struggle with though was the bodyguard. Maerryl’s character didn’t really have an arc. She was solely focussed on saving her brother, to the point I wondered if she really had a personality. Her character was built upon that only thing, which didn’t feel like enough. Dove communicated a lot but Maerryl relied on miscommunication. I ended up enjoying Dove’s chapters way more than Maerryl ; whom I struggled following to be quite honest. Maerryl was also very judgemental of Dove, but she wasn’t doing anything about the things she was judging her on, which ended up feeling hypocritical. The fmc’s are in their thirties and I think it would’ve been better to be kept in the dark about their ages. I always wonder what’s the point of aging up the characters if you’re only going to make them act like older teenagers.
The element I was the most let down on was the romance. I don’t think there actually was romance in that novel, at least… not the one I would’ve wanted. It was very sexual, which is fine but there wasn’t any emotional aspect or cuteness to their story. It went from hatred to ‘I love you’ in barely 48 hours and it gave me whiplash. It made me feel like I had missed entire chapters of the story. You can’t make me believe these characters loved each other… they hadn’t spoken outside of their hatred based on stereotypes.
The pacing was slow, there wasn’t much going on and the inner monologues were overly present. The characters motivations were flimsy and I did have some questions about some of the plots & decisions made. The resolution was very convenient & easy for a story that dragged it out.
Aside from Dove, I did enjoy the snippets of her helping out with the orphans. It added layers to her character & I did think she was the shining star of that book. I also liked how she stood up to her parents… the financial manipulation was wild & I’m happy she put her foot down.
Overall, I think this is a good palate cleanser as it does read easily and it’s an okay read.
This story follows MaerryI as she gets assigned a bodyguard job to a rich snob daughter. She’s trying to get enough money to save her brother from a dwarf sickness & cannot stand rich people.
I went back in forth as to wether I liked this or not, to be completely honest. I saw some reviewers mentioning that they struggled with Dove (the rich heiress) and while I agreed at first, I did find she had the most character development. She was surprisingly open minded & empathetic. She was compassionate & didn’t think twice before helping someone in need. The character I did struggle with though was the bodyguard. Maerryl’s character didn’t really have an arc. She was solely focussed on saving her brother, to the point I wondered if she really had a personality. Her character was built upon that only thing, which didn’t feel like enough. Dove communicated a lot but Maerryl relied on miscommunication. I ended up enjoying Dove’s chapters way more than Maerryl ; whom I struggled following to be quite honest. Maerryl was also very judgemental of Dove, but she wasn’t doing anything about the things she was judging her on, which ended up feeling hypocritical. The fmc’s are in their thirties and I think it would’ve been better to be kept in the dark about their ages. I always wonder what’s the point of aging up the characters if you’re only going to make them act like older teenagers.
The element I was the most let down on was the romance. I don’t think there actually was romance in that novel, at least… not the one I would’ve wanted. It was very sexual, which is fine but there wasn’t any emotional aspect or cuteness to their story. It went from hatred to ‘I love you’ in barely 48 hours and it gave me whiplash. It made me feel like I had missed entire chapters of the story. You can’t make me believe these characters loved each other… they hadn’t spoken outside of their hatred based on stereotypes.
The pacing was slow, there wasn’t much going on and the inner monologues were overly present. The characters motivations were flimsy and I did have some questions about some of the plots & decisions made. The resolution was very convenient & easy for a story that dragged it out.
Aside from Dove, I did enjoy the snippets of her helping out with the orphans. It added layers to her character & I did think she was the shining star of that book. I also liked how she stood up to her parents… the financial manipulation was wild & I’m happy she put her foot down.
Overall, I think this is a good palate cleanser as it does read easily and it’s an okay read.
September 21, 2026
This was fun! A sapphic fantasy romance between a bodyguard who is secretly a thief and the wealthy heiress she is hired to protect. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow over the course of the book and fall for each other, despite clear challenges. Dove is sweet and cares about people, but learns to better recognize her privilege and use it for good. Maerryl has walls that need to come down, and must make some hard decisions about what to prioritize. Fun and a bit steamy, I'll keep reading from this author! The audio narration is very good as well. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
September 22, 2026
A Spell of Heart & Havoc is a cozy sapphic romantasy following Dove, a sheltered heiress who is tired of being restricted at home by her parents, and Maerryl, an undercover thief hired as Dove's new bodyguard. I absolutely loved how sweet and magical this romance was. Maerryl and Dove were the loveliest and brought out so much good in one another. I appreciated how their relationship went from bickering to a begrudging friendship and eventually to lovers, and how it all fell into place as the plot progressed. Beyond the romance, all the magical moments and cozy happenings added so much charm to the story and, combined with the found family, made for such an endearing read. If you're looking for a warm and enchanting sapphic romance, this one is well worth a read!
~Many thanks to Forever for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Forever for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
August 1, 2026
A Spell of Heart & Havoc by Kristen Vale
Book Blurb: A half-dwarf thief with zero patience for wealthy snobs. The rich noble she’s assigned to as a fake bodyguard. And an art heist that must go on. . . despite any feelings that might be catching.
Rating: *****
Feels: Adventure, Fun, Adored, Comforted
Style: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Adult
First published September 15, 2026 : 336 pages
Themes & Setting: Two people who just want to save their families and really want to be loved/seen for who they are. Magical world where people can conduct and create magic.
FMC: Maerryl Kirim is that rough and tumble fun type gal that I adore and the prefect bodyguard type for our FMC to fall for. She does not want to be vulnerable or need help from anyone so I loved seeing her open up to Dove.
FMC: Dove Wistrallo is an independent take no nonsense kinda gal and doesnt need anyone so she thinks. Its fun to see her learn she can be everything and more.
Conclusion: I adore these cozy fun reads from this author with such heart and adventure!!! I always feel better about life after these types of reads, like it restores my faith in humanity a bit. I liked that we basically start with grumpy x grumpy and then we add a bit of sunshine to both together. Loved the premise of the thief turned bodyguard to conduct a heist to save their family … well they met their match and it’s just soooo cute !!! Totally enjoyed this read !!
This book has:
Grumpy X Grumpy
"Bodyguard" Romance
Sapphic Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Hidden Magic
Book Blurb: A half-dwarf thief with zero patience for wealthy snobs. The rich noble she’s assigned to as a fake bodyguard. And an art heist that must go on. . . despite any feelings that might be catching.
Rating: *****
Feels: Adventure, Fun, Adored, Comforted
Style: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Adult
First published September 15, 2026 : 336 pages
Themes & Setting: Two people who just want to save their families and really want to be loved/seen for who they are. Magical world where people can conduct and create magic.
FMC: Maerryl Kirim is that rough and tumble fun type gal that I adore and the prefect bodyguard type for our FMC to fall for. She does not want to be vulnerable or need help from anyone so I loved seeing her open up to Dove.
FMC: Dove Wistrallo is an independent take no nonsense kinda gal and doesnt need anyone so she thinks. Its fun to see her learn she can be everything and more.
Conclusion: I adore these cozy fun reads from this author with such heart and adventure!!! I always feel better about life after these types of reads, like it restores my faith in humanity a bit. I liked that we basically start with grumpy x grumpy and then we add a bit of sunshine to both together. Loved the premise of the thief turned bodyguard to conduct a heist to save their family … well they met their match and it’s just soooo cute !!! Totally enjoyed this read !!
This book has:
Grumpy X Grumpy
"Bodyguard" Romance
Sapphic Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Hidden Magic
September 15, 2026
I enjoyed this cozy sapphic fantasy romance. There were parts that were a little too slow for the pacing, and I do wish there'd been more of an emotional connection between the two MCs (the spice was certainly there).
Both characters grew well in the story. Dove was a little much in the beginning (being snobby and rich will do that) but she had excellent growth.
There were two narrators and I really appreciated that! It helped keep the characters distinct in the story and helped add more personality and depth.
Both characters grew well in the story. Dove was a little much in the beginning (being snobby and rich will do that) but she had excellent growth.
There were two narrators and I really appreciated that! It helped keep the characters distinct in the story and helped add more personality and depth.
September 24, 2026
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected, this was fun, a bit emotional, a bit heartwarming, and all around an enjoyable read. The romance in this is haters-to-lovers - they are never really enemies, but they do start out as absolutely prolific mutual haters. It is also a (reluctant) bodyguard romance, featuring a snobby rich girl and a thief posing as her bodyguard, while planning to rob the snobby rich girl.
Maerryl is the bodyguard, she is trying to earn enough money to cure her terminally-ill brother, leading her to join a thieves’ guild. When her guild-leader pressures her to accept a job as a snobby rich girl’s bodyguard in order to scope out the family’s estate for a big heist, she reluctantly accepts. Dove is said snobby, rich girl, who had a bodyguard forced on her by her real shitty parents and Maerryl hates her just as much as she thought she would. And Dove disdains Maerryl following her like her shadow just as much as she expected. However, as the two spend more time together both realise that the other may not be as one-dimensionally evil as they initially thought.
The change from haters to friends to lovers really worked for me, and I thought it was done quite well. I’m always a bit suspicious of any romance that is enemies-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers-adjacent because most of the time the love interests are never actually ‘enemies’ or their journey from one point to the other happens very suddenly and feels incredibly unnatural. This story managed to have the protagonists turn from haters to lovers slowly, step by step, which helped it feel a lot more real than a lot of other books with this trope.
The fantasy world is your standard Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque setting with a diverse array of magical species with varying levels of magical prowess living among each other in a medieval-ish world. The focus is definitely on the romance, not the fantasy world-building, but I don’t think anyone’s going into this with expectations of high fantasy.
Lastly, I really appreciated the portrayal of parental abuse that Dove faces. Her parents are exploting her and are deeply unlikeable individuals, yet Dove still struggles to completely cut them off, even though she would be absolutely 100% justified in doing so. Which was nice too see, because it do be like that sometimes.
Tropes and such:
- sapphic fantasy romance
- haters to lovers
- (reluctant) bodyguard romance
- thief x snobby rich girl she’s planning to rob
- dual POV
- bad-healthcare-system-core (thief is trying to earn enough money to save her terminally ill brother)
- everyone’s kinda lonely
- abusive, exploitative parents
-----
Thank you to Forever for the Arc and to Hachette Audio for the ALC
Maerryl is the bodyguard, she is trying to earn enough money to cure her terminally-ill brother, leading her to join a thieves’ guild. When her guild-leader pressures her to accept a job as a snobby rich girl’s bodyguard in order to scope out the family’s estate for a big heist, she reluctantly accepts. Dove is said snobby, rich girl, who had a bodyguard forced on her by her real shitty parents and Maerryl hates her just as much as she thought she would. And Dove disdains Maerryl following her like her shadow just as much as she expected. However, as the two spend more time together both realise that the other may not be as one-dimensionally evil as they initially thought.
The change from haters to friends to lovers really worked for me, and I thought it was done quite well. I’m always a bit suspicious of any romance that is enemies-to-lovers or enemies-to-lovers-adjacent because most of the time the love interests are never actually ‘enemies’ or their journey from one point to the other happens very suddenly and feels incredibly unnatural. This story managed to have the protagonists turn from haters to lovers slowly, step by step, which helped it feel a lot more real than a lot of other books with this trope.
The fantasy world is your standard Dungeons-and-Dragons-esque setting with a diverse array of magical species with varying levels of magical prowess living among each other in a medieval-ish world. The focus is definitely on the romance, not the fantasy world-building, but I don’t think anyone’s going into this with expectations of high fantasy.
Lastly, I really appreciated the portrayal of parental abuse that Dove faces. Her parents are exploting her and are deeply unlikeable individuals, yet Dove still struggles to completely cut them off, even though she would be absolutely 100% justified in doing so. Which was nice too see, because it do be like that sometimes.
Tropes and such:
- sapphic fantasy romance
- haters to lovers
- (reluctant) bodyguard romance
- thief x snobby rich girl she’s planning to rob
- dual POV
- bad-healthcare-system-core (thief is trying to earn enough money to save her terminally ill brother)
- everyone’s kinda lonely
- abusive, exploitative parents
-----
Thank you to Forever for the Arc and to Hachette Audio for the ALC
September 25, 2026
Thank you to Forever Publishing and author Kristen Vale, for providing me with the eARC of “A Spell of Heart & Havoc”.
💭My Thoughts
Lady Dove is a curvy girl who knows how to dress herself to feel good and that was so well written. As a girl who is thicker herself and struggles with clothing. I always love seeing characters be so confident in their clothes and be proud of their fit. So that made the story so enjoyable.
Dove's parents, especially her mom made me want to throttle them. I cannot imagine abusing her like that just for financial gain. And in such over abundance of it, they didn't need all that extra stuff to live.
Maerryl, has a lot on her shoulders. So she is really not the nicest and that shows throughout the book. I am glad she is able to break down her walls but I also wanted to smack her for her behavior sometimes.
❣️Tropes❣️
Fantasy
'Bodyguard' x Rich Girl
Hate to Love
Sapphic
Abusive Parents
Sick Brother
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 336 Pages
Publisher: Forever Publishing
💭My Thoughts
Lady Dove is a curvy girl who knows how to dress herself to feel good and that was so well written. As a girl who is thicker herself and struggles with clothing. I always love seeing characters be so confident in their clothes and be proud of their fit. So that made the story so enjoyable.
Dove's parents, especially her mom made me want to throttle them. I cannot imagine abusing her like that just for financial gain. And in such over abundance of it, they didn't need all that extra stuff to live.
Maerryl, has a lot on her shoulders. So she is really not the nicest and that shows throughout the book. I am glad she is able to break down her walls but I also wanted to smack her for her behavior sometimes.
❣️Tropes❣️
Fantasy
'Bodyguard' x Rich Girl
Hate to Love
Sapphic
Abusive Parents
Sick Brother
🩵RATING🩵
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️
Length: 336 Pages
Publisher: Forever Publishing
July 8, 2026
Rating: 3 stars
This was okay! If you’re triggered by bratty spoiled protagonists this might not be for you. A thief posing as a bodyguard for a noblewoman, their connection kind of comes out of nowhere but it’s sweet enough if you’re looking for a cozy fantasy romance.
This was okay! If you’re triggered by bratty spoiled protagonists this might not be for you. A thief posing as a bodyguard for a noblewoman, their connection kind of comes out of nowhere but it’s sweet enough if you’re looking for a cozy fantasy romance.
July 26, 2026
While there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed, it ultimately didn't work for me as much as I'd hoped.
My favorite part of the book was Dove's character development. Watching her grow, from an ignorant heiress, and become more confident was easily the highlight of the story. Her journey felt meaningful.
Where the book lost me was the romance. I struggled to believe the relationship between Dove and Maerryl. Their feelings seemed to develop very suddenly, and I never felt the emotional chemistry that made me root for them as a couple. Aside from the physical attraction, I didn't see enough shared moments or emotional connection to make their romance feel convincing.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of the story, especially Dove's personal growth, but the romance, the heart of the book, never quite clicked for me.
My favorite part of the book was Dove's character development. Watching her grow, from an ignorant heiress, and become more confident was easily the highlight of the story. Her journey felt meaningful.
Where the book lost me was the romance. I struggled to believe the relationship between Dove and Maerryl. Their feelings seemed to develop very suddenly, and I never felt the emotional chemistry that made me root for them as a couple. Aside from the physical attraction, I didn't see enough shared moments or emotional connection to make their romance feel convincing.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of the story, especially Dove's personal growth, but the romance, the heart of the book, never quite clicked for me.
September 16, 2026
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
.
Mix a young, independent noblewoman, a street-smart dwarf infiltrating as a bodyguard, and a heist and you’ve got the solid components of a fun yet cozy fantasy romance. And that’s exactly what it was, a solid story, with classic tropes, that was just missing a little something to allow it to stand on its own.
.
While I really enjoyed the most in A Spell of Heart & Havoc was the growth of the relationship between Dove, our young noblewoman wanting more freedom, and Maerryl, the bodyguard and technically the thief casing her house for the good stuff. There’s a reluctance and stubbornness that is always so fun to read in a romance with this dynamic and Dove’s realization when she’s falling in love with Maerryl was hilarious. But then it doesn’t really go past that.
.
From the first page you know how this is going to go, and the how to get there has to be really clever in order to be satisfying, and unfortunately for me, it felt like it was following much the same beats, only sapphic (which I mean, was one of the best part of this book for me tbf).
.
It’s just that some of the story beats it relied on were too old. Like the thief doing it for their deathly ill sibling, it is simply too stale that you really have to do something special for it to be at all interesting and unfortunately I don’t think A Spell of Heart & Havoc achieved that.
.
All that to say, nothing is bad in this book - once again it’s fun, it’s very nicely steamy, and I really liked reading Dove and Maerryl. If you want a tried and true story type but with sapphic elements to cozy up with on a fall afternoon, this one is your book for sure, but if you’re looking for a more unique twist, this one might not be for you.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*I received an eARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
.
Mix a young, independent noblewoman, a street-smart dwarf infiltrating as a bodyguard, and a heist and you’ve got the solid components of a fun yet cozy fantasy romance. And that’s exactly what it was, a solid story, with classic tropes, that was just missing a little something to allow it to stand on its own.
.
While I really enjoyed the most in A Spell of Heart & Havoc was the growth of the relationship between Dove, our young noblewoman wanting more freedom, and Maerryl, the bodyguard and technically the thief casing her house for the good stuff. There’s a reluctance and stubbornness that is always so fun to read in a romance with this dynamic and Dove’s realization when she’s falling in love with Maerryl was hilarious. But then it doesn’t really go past that.
.
From the first page you know how this is going to go, and the how to get there has to be really clever in order to be satisfying, and unfortunately for me, it felt like it was following much the same beats, only sapphic (which I mean, was one of the best part of this book for me tbf).
.
It’s just that some of the story beats it relied on were too old. Like the thief doing it for their deathly ill sibling, it is simply too stale that you really have to do something special for it to be at all interesting and unfortunately I don’t think A Spell of Heart & Havoc achieved that.
.
All that to say, nothing is bad in this book - once again it’s fun, it’s very nicely steamy, and I really liked reading Dove and Maerryl. If you want a tried and true story type but with sapphic elements to cozy up with on a fall afternoon, this one is your book for sure, but if you’re looking for a more unique twist, this one might not be for you.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*I received an eARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
September 18, 2026
I always enjoy a sapphic, cozy fantasy, and A Spell of Heart and Havoc, written by Kristen Vale, delivered with a double dose of sassy FMCs, who are both grumpy, forced proximity, plenty of secrets, and one of my favourite tropes, “she’s the (fake) bodyguard”.
The pacing was slower, but I felt that it worked well and allowed for a better understanding of the characters and their perspectives. The story did feel like it went from insta-hate to insta-love very quickly, but honestly, I’m a sucker for those strong emotions. Both Maerryl and Dove’s characters are stubborn and headstrong, but Vale gave space for the reader to explore the softer sides of each of them; Maerryl with her unwavering devotion to her brother, and Dove with her kind, artistic soul (under the grumpy exterior she gives Maerryl).
One scene that stuck out to me the most, was when the older man confronts Dove in the village. I was impressed with how Vale handled this situation; adding commentary on classism, poverty, and empathy. I also thought that this scene was the catalyst for the deep reflectiveness we see from Dove and I really enjoyed how that deepened her character development. I enjoyed how, on the surface, Dove comes across as pretentious, spoiled, and out of touch, but the encounters she has with Maerryl, the townsfolk, and the children, allow for her character to grow a lot, in a short amount of time.
The audiobook narrators, Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood, did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. Their pacing and cadence added complexity to the characters’ emotions and the emphasis and inflection made me lose myself in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever Pub for the opportunity to review this ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
The pacing was slower, but I felt that it worked well and allowed for a better understanding of the characters and their perspectives. The story did feel like it went from insta-hate to insta-love very quickly, but honestly, I’m a sucker for those strong emotions. Both Maerryl and Dove’s characters are stubborn and headstrong, but Vale gave space for the reader to explore the softer sides of each of them; Maerryl with her unwavering devotion to her brother, and Dove with her kind, artistic soul (under the grumpy exterior she gives Maerryl).
One scene that stuck out to me the most, was when the older man confronts Dove in the village. I was impressed with how Vale handled this situation; adding commentary on classism, poverty, and empathy. I also thought that this scene was the catalyst for the deep reflectiveness we see from Dove and I really enjoyed how that deepened her character development. I enjoyed how, on the surface, Dove comes across as pretentious, spoiled, and out of touch, but the encounters she has with Maerryl, the townsfolk, and the children, allow for her character to grow a lot, in a short amount of time.
The audiobook narrators, Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood, did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. Their pacing and cadence added complexity to the characters’ emotions and the emphasis and inflection made me lose myself in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever Pub for the opportunity to review this ALC, in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2026
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC!
Pub date: September 15, 2026
Cuuuute!! A perfectly cozy romantic (🌶️🌶️) read.
What I liked:
💎 reluctant bodyguard/thief x spoiled rich girl
💎 unique world & magic
💎 endearing side characters
💎 found family
💎 the audiobook narrator
💎 adorable nontraditional HEA 🥹
Why not 5 ⭐️?
This was a solid read (4 stars is NOT a bad rating) but it is best described as cozy & easy. Nothing jaw-dropping or unexpected happened, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read
🎨 one of the characters seemed a bit too immature to be in her 30s
🎨 the love story was cute, but I’m not sure WHY they ended up together
This was my first by this author & I would definitely read more from her!
Pub date: September 15, 2026
Cuuuute!! A perfectly cozy romantic (🌶️🌶️) read.
What I liked:
💎 reluctant bodyguard/thief x spoiled rich girl
💎 unique world & magic
💎 endearing side characters
💎 found family
💎 the audiobook narrator
💎 adorable nontraditional HEA 🥹
Why not 5 ⭐️?
This was a solid read (4 stars is NOT a bad rating) but it is best described as cozy & easy. Nothing jaw-dropping or unexpected happened, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read
🎨 one of the characters seemed a bit too immature to be in her 30s
🎨 the love story was cute, but I’m not sure WHY they ended up together
This was my first by this author & I would definitely read more from her!
September 18, 2026
Thankyou NetGallery for the advance audiobook arc. A bodyguard romance that also happens to be sapphic? COUNT ME TF IN. I knew this book would not disappoint me as soon as I came to know a BODYGUARD is assigned. Wheeewww!!!
But the amount of times the word "Goddess" came in this book 🤣🤣
But the amount of times the word "Goddess" came in this book 🤣🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun cozy sapphic read. I really enjoyed it.The two grumpy FMCs had me giggling but also made me go awwww at key moments.Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
August 1, 2026
There are books you enjoy, and then there are books that simply make you happy every time you pick them up. A Spell of Heart & Havoc was one of those reads for me.
I fell in love with the first book in this interconnected standalone series, and I somehow loved this one just as much. Kristen Vale has such a gift for writing cozy fantasy worlds that feel inviting without sacrificing adventure or romance.
The relationship between Maerryl and Dove was an absolute delight. Their banter had me smiling, their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their walls slowly come down. The heist storyline kept the plot moving, while the quieter moments gave the characters room to shine.
One of my favorite things about Kristen Vale’s books is the food. I don’t know how she does it, but every meal is described with so much warmth and care that I found myself hungry more than once. Those little details make the world feel lived in and are a huge part of what gives these books their cozy atmosphere.
This story has everything I want in a comfort read: lovable characters, found family, adventure, humor, a touch of spice, and a romance that left me with a huge smile.
I already can’t wait to return to this world again. If Kristen Vale keeps writing cozy fantasies like this, I’ll keep reading every single one.
Audiobook Update: I just listened to the audiobook it was so good!! I loved the narrator, it definitely made the book better, if you are an audiobook listener I highly recommend listening to it!
I fell in love with the first book in this interconnected standalone series, and I somehow loved this one just as much. Kristen Vale has such a gift for writing cozy fantasy worlds that feel inviting without sacrificing adventure or romance.
The relationship between Maerryl and Dove was an absolute delight. Their banter had me smiling, their chemistry felt natural, and I loved watching their walls slowly come down. The heist storyline kept the plot moving, while the quieter moments gave the characters room to shine.
One of my favorite things about Kristen Vale’s books is the food. I don’t know how she does it, but every meal is described with so much warmth and care that I found myself hungry more than once. Those little details make the world feel lived in and are a huge part of what gives these books their cozy atmosphere.
This story has everything I want in a comfort read: lovable characters, found family, adventure, humor, a touch of spice, and a romance that left me with a huge smile.
I already can’t wait to return to this world again. If Kristen Vale keeps writing cozy fantasies like this, I’ll keep reading every single one.
Audiobook Update: I just listened to the audiobook it was so good!! I loved the narrator, it definitely made the book better, if you are an audiobook listener I highly recommend listening to it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.75 ⭐
I had really high expectations going into this book because I am a total sucker for a good bodyguard romance. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a fairly average read for me. It was entertaining enough and definitely wasn't bad, but it just lacked that extra something to make it stand out from the crowd.
The story follows Maerryl, a half-dwarf who joins the thieves' guild because she needs to make enough money to save her brother from a terrible disease. When she's assigned to infiltrate a noble family, she ends up becoming Dove's bodyguard. Dove has spent her entire life surrounded by wealth and privilege, but has secretly wanted the freedom to make her own choices. Naturally, being told she suddenly needs a "babysitter" doesn't exactly make her happy, especially when said bodyguard is Maerryl, who would rather be anywhere else than stuck with her. So we have two women from different walks of life, forced into close proximity while slowly recognizing that maybe their first impressions of each other weren't quite right.
On paper, it sounded amazing, but I just never really clicked with the characters.
Maerryl was the harder one for me to understand because she kept so much of herself behind these enormous walls. I knew she was motivated by love for her brother and that many of her choices came from wanting to save him, but I never felt like I fully got to know her. Even toward the conclusion, there were still pieces of her personality that remained out of reach. Sometimes I also had a hard time with how quickly she'd judge things without having the full picture. I got where she was coming from, but it still made it difficult to truly connect with her.
Dove gave me a completely different kind of headache at first because WOW, she could be spoiled. She came across as incredibly self-centered in the beginning, and I wasn't sure whether I'd ever warm up to her. Thankfully, she started becoming more aware of her privilege pretty quickly and began looking for ways to help people less fortunate than her. That was probably my favorite part of her journey.
It was so heartwarming to watch Dove realize that there’s a whole world outside of her parents' bubble. She slowly started questioning everything she’d been taught about wealth and status, figuring out her own values, and stepping into her own independence. Once the "spoiled princess" facade started disappearing, I found it much easier to appreciate the generous and caring person underneath. While both characters had their moments, Dove was the only one who felt like she genuinely grew by the end.
The romantic side of the story is where things fell a bit flat for me.
I didn't feel much chemistry between Maerryl and Dove, and their relationship moved way too quickly for my taste. They go from acting like they can't stand each other one moment to kissing the next, and suddenly the deep antagonism that had been established earlier barely seems to matter anymore. It gave me a strong insta-lust/love feeling, which is already something I tend to struggle with, so I never completely bought into their romantic connection.
Enter the inevitable miscommunication trope.
I understood why Maerryl kept her secret from Dove, but I really didn't like that she continued lying when she had multiple opportunities to tell her the truth. What made it worse was that Dove had already been betrayed by other people, yet she had trusted Maerryl enough to share her own secrets with her. Meanwhile, Maerryl couldn't extend that same trust in return. And that made me feel so bad for Dove. Honestly, Dove forgave Maerryl so quickly that I was sitting there thinking, "Girl, we're really just moving past this already?" Maybe that's just my personal preference, but I needed more groveling.
I also wished we had dug deeper into Dove's magic. It seemed so vital to her family and the plot, but it felt like we only scratched the surface of how her powers actually worked. I felt similarly about Maerryl's brother. She sacrificed so much for him, but because we only see him briefly at the end, I found it tough to grasp their bond. Including a few flashbacks or seeing them interact after his recovery would have added so much warmth to the story. Without that, it felt like a missed opportunity.
And lastly with Petra...WHAT WAS THAT???
I really enjoyed the friendship between Dove and Petra and thought their relationship was developing into one of the sweetest friendships in the book. So when Petra's true intentions were suddenly revealed toward the end, I was genuinely caught off guard. It felt like the connection we'd spent time building was suddenly being used to create a plot twist that hadn't been properly set up, and I couldn't help feeling disappointed by that.
At its core, A Spell of Heart & Havoc has all the ingredients for a great, uncomplicated read: an opposites-attract trope, an interesting wealth gap obstacle, and a sweet message about outgrowing your upbringing. But while the setup is lovely, the pacing fell a bit short for my taste. I wanted less rushing and more emotional buildup, even if it remains a breezy option for a cozy weekend.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had really high expectations going into this book because I am a total sucker for a good bodyguard romance. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a fairly average read for me. It was entertaining enough and definitely wasn't bad, but it just lacked that extra something to make it stand out from the crowd.
The story follows Maerryl, a half-dwarf who joins the thieves' guild because she needs to make enough money to save her brother from a terrible disease. When she's assigned to infiltrate a noble family, she ends up becoming Dove's bodyguard. Dove has spent her entire life surrounded by wealth and privilege, but has secretly wanted the freedom to make her own choices. Naturally, being told she suddenly needs a "babysitter" doesn't exactly make her happy, especially when said bodyguard is Maerryl, who would rather be anywhere else than stuck with her. So we have two women from different walks of life, forced into close proximity while slowly recognizing that maybe their first impressions of each other weren't quite right.
On paper, it sounded amazing, but I just never really clicked with the characters.
Maerryl was the harder one for me to understand because she kept so much of herself behind these enormous walls. I knew she was motivated by love for her brother and that many of her choices came from wanting to save him, but I never felt like I fully got to know her. Even toward the conclusion, there were still pieces of her personality that remained out of reach. Sometimes I also had a hard time with how quickly she'd judge things without having the full picture. I got where she was coming from, but it still made it difficult to truly connect with her.
Dove gave me a completely different kind of headache at first because WOW, she could be spoiled. She came across as incredibly self-centered in the beginning, and I wasn't sure whether I'd ever warm up to her. Thankfully, she started becoming more aware of her privilege pretty quickly and began looking for ways to help people less fortunate than her. That was probably my favorite part of her journey.
It was so heartwarming to watch Dove realize that there’s a whole world outside of her parents' bubble. She slowly started questioning everything she’d been taught about wealth and status, figuring out her own values, and stepping into her own independence. Once the "spoiled princess" facade started disappearing, I found it much easier to appreciate the generous and caring person underneath. While both characters had their moments, Dove was the only one who felt like she genuinely grew by the end.
The romantic side of the story is where things fell a bit flat for me.
I didn't feel much chemistry between Maerryl and Dove, and their relationship moved way too quickly for my taste. They go from acting like they can't stand each other one moment to kissing the next, and suddenly the deep antagonism that had been established earlier barely seems to matter anymore. It gave me a strong insta-lust/love feeling, which is already something I tend to struggle with, so I never completely bought into their romantic connection.
Enter the inevitable miscommunication trope.
I understood why Maerryl kept her secret from Dove, but I really didn't like that she continued lying when she had multiple opportunities to tell her the truth. What made it worse was that Dove had already been betrayed by other people, yet she had trusted Maerryl enough to share her own secrets with her. Meanwhile, Maerryl couldn't extend that same trust in return. And that made me feel so bad for Dove. Honestly, Dove forgave Maerryl so quickly that I was sitting there thinking, "Girl, we're really just moving past this already?" Maybe that's just my personal preference, but I needed more groveling.
I also wished we had dug deeper into Dove's magic. It seemed so vital to her family and the plot, but it felt like we only scratched the surface of how her powers actually worked. I felt similarly about Maerryl's brother. She sacrificed so much for him, but because we only see him briefly at the end, I found it tough to grasp their bond. Including a few flashbacks or seeing them interact after his recovery would have added so much warmth to the story. Without that, it felt like a missed opportunity.
And lastly with Petra...WHAT WAS THAT???
I really enjoyed the friendship between Dove and Petra and thought their relationship was developing into one of the sweetest friendships in the book. So when Petra's true intentions were suddenly revealed toward the end, I was genuinely caught off guard. It felt like the connection we'd spent time building was suddenly being used to create a plot twist that hadn't been properly set up, and I couldn't help feeling disappointed by that.
At its core, A Spell of Heart & Havoc has all the ingredients for a great, uncomplicated read: an opposites-attract trope, an interesting wealth gap obstacle, and a sweet message about outgrowing your upbringing. But while the setup is lovely, the pacing fell a bit short for my taste. I wanted less rushing and more emotional buildup, even if it remains a breezy option for a cozy weekend.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25
How fun! I absolutely loved A Tale of Mirth & Magic so was excited to jump into this one!
I had a blast with the heist plotline. Following Maerryl as she infiltrated Dove's family/house was interesting because of how it came to clash with her changing feelings for Dove while simultaneously not being a total cut-and-dry situation of 'just abandon it all together for the sake of love' because her brother's life is on the line. I was compelled not only to see where it would go for Maerryl's ultimate purpose of curing her brother, but also to see how the heist would play out, given that Maerryl works for a very formidable boss. The stakes were definitely there!
I found myself really caring for Maerryl's character, specifically. We get quite a bit of insight into her background and family. Despite her snarky, rough exterior as a bounty hunter turned thief, she really does have such a caring nature full of compassion and love. I really felt for her as she tried to navigate her conflicting desires, loyalties, and loves. Regardless, she remained steadfast in her love for her brother, which was one of my favorite elements of the whole book because I just love sibling dynamics. She has a character arc a bit as she has to face consequences of her betrayals, loyalties, and the like, though I think Mae's character more so shines for the qualities that remain constant throughout.
Dove is where I think the true nature of a changing character arc comes through. Despite being over 30, she starts out as quite the epitome of what seems like a haughty, spoiled only-daughter of wealthy parents. That said, even from the start there are cracks; there are moments in her POV chapters where we see glimpses of her true character, or the person she WILL become later on. At the end of the day, while most of her life may have been her acting carelessly and taking advantage of all her luxuries, being blind to the hardships around her, she ultimately has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, at least now. She is singlehandedly bringing her family back from the edge of ruination, with no compassion or genuine care from either of her parents. Rather, they just use and control her. I could definitely understand her feelings of loneliness and a desire to be free, to truly live. The burden on her shoulders was heavy, and I could feel that through her POV. So, as we watch her go to town, face the realities of the world around her, and start to change for the better, I was rooting for her. I absolutely ADORED the way she became integrated with the priory and children, especially how things turn out at the end (so so so so sweet!).
Again, the heist plotline was interesting, though I will say I wanted a bit more of it! It does naturally ramp up a bit towards the end, and I will say that there's a surprise towards the end that I did NOT see coming and really enjoyed!
As for the romance, that was ironically (for being a cozy romance/romantasy) my least favorite part. I could see their connection, but I didn't feel it, and it didn't particularly seem romantic to me more so than a deep friendship building. I found the romance rushed and superficial. I was also finding the direction of the story leaning heavily towards entering some kind of third act breakup, but with the surprise twist towards that point in the story, I was saved!
And again, the ending was fabulous. Gave my heart a hug as I finished the last page!
All in all, I would absolutely recommend this one for cozy fantasy readers for the plot, whereas I'd point towards Mirth & Magic from Kristen Vale for the cozy fantasy romance focus! But both are great and I'll read anything Vale writes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the early copy to read and review; all opinions are my own.
How fun! I absolutely loved A Tale of Mirth & Magic so was excited to jump into this one!
I had a blast with the heist plotline. Following Maerryl as she infiltrated Dove's family/house was interesting because of how it came to clash with her changing feelings for Dove while simultaneously not being a total cut-and-dry situation of 'just abandon it all together for the sake of love' because her brother's life is on the line. I was compelled not only to see where it would go for Maerryl's ultimate purpose of curing her brother, but also to see how the heist would play out, given that Maerryl works for a very formidable boss. The stakes were definitely there!
I found myself really caring for Maerryl's character, specifically. We get quite a bit of insight into her background and family. Despite her snarky, rough exterior as a bounty hunter turned thief, she really does have such a caring nature full of compassion and love. I really felt for her as she tried to navigate her conflicting desires, loyalties, and loves. Regardless, she remained steadfast in her love for her brother, which was one of my favorite elements of the whole book because I just love sibling dynamics. She has a character arc a bit as she has to face consequences of her betrayals, loyalties, and the like, though I think Mae's character more so shines for the qualities that remain constant throughout.
Dove is where I think the true nature of a changing character arc comes through. Despite being over 30, she starts out as quite the epitome of what seems like a haughty, spoiled only-daughter of wealthy parents. That said, even from the start there are cracks; there are moments in her POV chapters where we see glimpses of her true character, or the person she WILL become later on. At the end of the day, while most of her life may have been her acting carelessly and taking advantage of all her luxuries, being blind to the hardships around her, she ultimately has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, at least now. She is singlehandedly bringing her family back from the edge of ruination, with no compassion or genuine care from either of her parents. Rather, they just use and control her. I could definitely understand her feelings of loneliness and a desire to be free, to truly live. The burden on her shoulders was heavy, and I could feel that through her POV. So, as we watch her go to town, face the realities of the world around her, and start to change for the better, I was rooting for her. I absolutely ADORED the way she became integrated with the priory and children, especially how things turn out at the end (so so so so sweet!).
Again, the heist plotline was interesting, though I will say I wanted a bit more of it! It does naturally ramp up a bit towards the end, and I will say that there's a surprise towards the end that I did NOT see coming and really enjoyed!
As for the romance, that was ironically (for being a cozy romance/romantasy) my least favorite part. I could see their connection, but I didn't feel it, and it didn't particularly seem romantic to me more so than a deep friendship building. I found the romance rushed and superficial. I was also finding the direction of the story leaning heavily towards entering some kind of third act breakup, but with the surprise twist towards that point in the story, I was saved!
And again, the ending was fabulous. Gave my heart a hug as I finished the last page!
All in all, I would absolutely recommend this one for cozy fantasy readers for the plot, whereas I'd point towards Mirth & Magic from Kristen Vale for the cozy fantasy romance focus! But both are great and I'll read anything Vale writes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the early copy to read and review; all opinions are my own.
September 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an ALC of A Spell of Heart & Havoc by Kristen Vale with narration by Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood
All thoughts and reviews are solely my own.
3.5 Stars (3.5 Stars for audiobook with narration by Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood)
Review:
Audio:
Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood did a fabulous job breathing life into Maerryl and Dove. I have to give special credit to Charlie L. Wood for her voice skills with Dove. The haughty voice Charlie uses for the pretentious Dove is perfection in its annoying tones while perfectly capturing the caricature of high society speaking down to the lower classes. It did take me a short while to get over the annoyance of it, but then I grew to love how it became part of how you could hear Dove growing as a person. The more she experienced and started to open herself up the less her manner of speech was a mockery and the more it became real.
I love this tactile way Charlie highlighted Dove’s changes.
Story:
A Spell of Heart & Havoc is a strong 3.5 star lit RPG story with a spicy sapphic romance between a Half-Dwarf, Maerryl Kirim, and a society Lady, Dove Wistrallo. This is a fun and flirty story that doesn’t take itself too serious with cheesy dialog like “Muscles for brains ruffian” as an insult thrown by Dove at Maerrly when they first meet. The cheesiness and steamy spice make this a great palate cleanser read.
There are other themes besides the romance alone which help force situations for Maerryl and Dove to grow together. I enjoyed the character growth that Dove goes through and, as mentioned in my audio section, I LOVE how Charlie L Wood narrates Dove through this growth. I would have liked to see a similar growth for Maerryl, but that didn’t happen.
Who would love this:
~ If you’re looking for a steamy spice filled sapphic read, you found it. Just know you’re not going to get an emotionally heavy story.
~ You want a cheesy RPG story with thieves, magic, deadly bargains, and someone on a quest to grow as a person and find out who they really are.
~ You want to read about 30+ FMCs that are plus sized who still get the hot rugged female bodyguard.
Who wouldn’t like this:
~ If you’re looking for emotional growth between lovers or a long sweeping story over years where two women grow together, you have the wrong story.
~ You do not want to read about two women enjoying themselves.
~ You are not a fan of cheesy dialog or ridiculous situations in your romance books.
Tropes:
~ Forced Proximity
~ Enemies-to-Lovers
~ Bodyguard Romance
~ Grumpy x Grumpy
~ Class Disparity
All thoughts and reviews are solely my own.
3.5 Stars (3.5 Stars for audiobook with narration by Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood)
Review:
Audio:
Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood did a fabulous job breathing life into Maerryl and Dove. I have to give special credit to Charlie L. Wood for her voice skills with Dove. The haughty voice Charlie uses for the pretentious Dove is perfection in its annoying tones while perfectly capturing the caricature of high society speaking down to the lower classes. It did take me a short while to get over the annoyance of it, but then I grew to love how it became part of how you could hear Dove growing as a person. The more she experienced and started to open herself up the less her manner of speech was a mockery and the more it became real.
I love this tactile way Charlie highlighted Dove’s changes.
Story:
A Spell of Heart & Havoc is a strong 3.5 star lit RPG story with a spicy sapphic romance between a Half-Dwarf, Maerryl Kirim, and a society Lady, Dove Wistrallo. This is a fun and flirty story that doesn’t take itself too serious with cheesy dialog like “Muscles for brains ruffian” as an insult thrown by Dove at Maerrly when they first meet. The cheesiness and steamy spice make this a great palate cleanser read.
There are other themes besides the romance alone which help force situations for Maerryl and Dove to grow together. I enjoyed the character growth that Dove goes through and, as mentioned in my audio section, I LOVE how Charlie L Wood narrates Dove through this growth. I would have liked to see a similar growth for Maerryl, but that didn’t happen.
Who would love this:
~ If you’re looking for a steamy spice filled sapphic read, you found it. Just know you’re not going to get an emotionally heavy story.
~ You want a cheesy RPG story with thieves, magic, deadly bargains, and someone on a quest to grow as a person and find out who they really are.
~ You want to read about 30+ FMCs that are plus sized who still get the hot rugged female bodyguard.
Who wouldn’t like this:
~ If you’re looking for emotional growth between lovers or a long sweeping story over years where two women grow together, you have the wrong story.
~ You do not want to read about two women enjoying themselves.
~ You are not a fan of cheesy dialog or ridiculous situations in your romance books.
Tropes:
~ Forced Proximity
~ Enemies-to-Lovers
~ Bodyguard Romance
~ Grumpy x Grumpy
~ Class Disparity
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual Rating: 3.75 stars
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out September 15th.
Maerryl is desperate to save her younger brother’s life, even going as far to pose as bodyguard for the rich, spoiled Dove so that she can infiltrate her family and find out where their riches are coming from. Dove wants independence, sick of living the life her parents have chosen for. The last thing she wants is a babysitter. But as the two women grow closer, sparks fly. Will their love survive their differences and Maerryl’s boss’s schemes?
A Spell of Heart and Havoc is far from a perfect book. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty flawed. But I still had fun! I thought the beginning of this book was fairly weak and I actually considered DNFing it. The prologue is completely unnecessary, really just info-dumping Maerryl’s backstory which we learn as the story goes on anyway. The first chapter is also from Maerryl’s POV and says essentially the same thing. (And this is just one example of us being told things more than once). It’s an odd choice to have the prologue at all in my opinion and I don't know why it wasn’t cut. Maybe it won’t be in the final copy?
Once the story really started in earnest, I found myself much more engaged.
I will say that I wish the world-building was stronger. The magical elements and different fantasy races often feel like an afterthought and aren’t particularly creative. I was also very confused about what time period this is meant to be set in. I’m always a sucker for a queernormative fantasy world though so I did like that.
While I liked seeing Dove become more selfless - she starts the book as a very obnoxious and spoiled person, Maeryyl was more of a static character and I would have liked seeing more characterization and growth for her as well.
I love that Dove is a fat woman and is the star of a romance. She is desired for her body in addition to her personality without any caveats. Dove and Maeryyl had great chemistry, both romantically and physically.
I thought the climax was a little obvious, I guessed the plot twist, and I thought one of the elements in the epilogue was very hard to believe but I still enjoyed my time with this.
This is a great book to read with your brain turned off which I really need lately. It’s totally possible I would have rated this lower if I was in a more analytical mindset but fuck it - I had fun!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out September 15th.
Maerryl is desperate to save her younger brother’s life, even going as far to pose as bodyguard for the rich, spoiled Dove so that she can infiltrate her family and find out where their riches are coming from. Dove wants independence, sick of living the life her parents have chosen for. The last thing she wants is a babysitter. But as the two women grow closer, sparks fly. Will their love survive their differences and Maerryl’s boss’s schemes?
A Spell of Heart and Havoc is far from a perfect book. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty flawed. But I still had fun! I thought the beginning of this book was fairly weak and I actually considered DNFing it. The prologue is completely unnecessary, really just info-dumping Maerryl’s backstory which we learn as the story goes on anyway. The first chapter is also from Maerryl’s POV and says essentially the same thing. (And this is just one example of us being told things more than once). It’s an odd choice to have the prologue at all in my opinion and I don't know why it wasn’t cut. Maybe it won’t be in the final copy?
Once the story really started in earnest, I found myself much more engaged.
I will say that I wish the world-building was stronger. The magical elements and different fantasy races often feel like an afterthought and aren’t particularly creative. I was also very confused about what time period this is meant to be set in. I’m always a sucker for a queernormative fantasy world though so I did like that.
While I liked seeing Dove become more selfless - she starts the book as a very obnoxious and spoiled person, Maeryyl was more of a static character and I would have liked seeing more characterization and growth for her as well.
I love that Dove is a fat woman and is the star of a romance. She is desired for her body in addition to her personality without any caveats. Dove and Maeryyl had great chemistry, both romantically and physically.
I thought the climax was a little obvious, I guessed the plot twist, and I thought one of the elements in the epilogue was very hard to believe but I still enjoyed my time with this.
This is a great book to read with your brain turned off which I really need lately. It’s totally possible I would have rated this lower if I was in a more analytical mindset but fuck it - I had fun!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
This was such a warm, surprisingly grounded cozy fantasy romance. It’s sapphic, it’s slow‑burn, it’s low‑stakes in the best way but it also has something to say underneath all the magic and banter.
We follow Maerryl, a half‑dwarf thief who’s been in survival mode for so long she doesn’t remember what ease feels like. Her little brother is deathly ill, and she knows there’s a cure she even knows the exact price but of course she can’t afford it. Because even in a world full of magic, the politics feel painfully familiar: the rich keep getting richer, the poor stay stuck, and healthcare is always just out of reach for the people who need it most.
So Maerryl does what desperate people do when the system gives them no options: she turns to something shady. She works under a guildmaster who treats people like tools, and when a job goes wrong, she’s forced into a new assignment infiltrate a noble family and figure out how they went from broke to wealthy again.
That’s how she ends up fake‑bodyguarding Dove, the family’s daughter. Their first meeting? A mess. Dove thinks Maerryl is rude and uncouth. Maerryl thinks Dove is spoiled and oblivious. And underneath all that irritation is a spark neither of them wants to acknowledge.
What really worked for me:
- The cozy fantasy atmosphere — magic, lore, and danger, but nothing overwhelming
- The sapphic enemies‑to‑lovers tension — prickly, playful, and full of chemistry
- The social commentary — class divide, healthcare access, and survival woven into the worldbuilding
- Maerryl’s motivation — everything she does is rooted in love for her brother
- Dove’s hidden depth — she’s not nearly as sheltered as she seems
- The slow build — the relationship unfolds gently, which fits the cozy tone
I will say: I was hoping for a little more magic and action. The world has so much potential enchanted forests, guild politics, hidden abilities and I wanted it to go just a bit bigger. But even with the softer pacing, the slow burn between Maerryl and Dove kept me invested. Their dynamic is stubborn, messy, and unexpectedly sweet, and it carries the story beautifully.
This was my first Kristen Vale book, and I’d definitely read more from her. It’s cozy, it’s heartfelt, it’s sapphic, and it has just enough spice to keep things interesting.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
This was such a warm, surprisingly grounded cozy fantasy romance. It’s sapphic, it’s slow‑burn, it’s low‑stakes in the best way but it also has something to say underneath all the magic and banter.
We follow Maerryl, a half‑dwarf thief who’s been in survival mode for so long she doesn’t remember what ease feels like. Her little brother is deathly ill, and she knows there’s a cure she even knows the exact price but of course she can’t afford it. Because even in a world full of magic, the politics feel painfully familiar: the rich keep getting richer, the poor stay stuck, and healthcare is always just out of reach for the people who need it most.
So Maerryl does what desperate people do when the system gives them no options: she turns to something shady. She works under a guildmaster who treats people like tools, and when a job goes wrong, she’s forced into a new assignment infiltrate a noble family and figure out how they went from broke to wealthy again.
That’s how she ends up fake‑bodyguarding Dove, the family’s daughter. Their first meeting? A mess. Dove thinks Maerryl is rude and uncouth. Maerryl thinks Dove is spoiled and oblivious. And underneath all that irritation is a spark neither of them wants to acknowledge.
What really worked for me:
- The cozy fantasy atmosphere — magic, lore, and danger, but nothing overwhelming
- The sapphic enemies‑to‑lovers tension — prickly, playful, and full of chemistry
- The social commentary — class divide, healthcare access, and survival woven into the worldbuilding
- Maerryl’s motivation — everything she does is rooted in love for her brother
- Dove’s hidden depth — she’s not nearly as sheltered as she seems
- The slow build — the relationship unfolds gently, which fits the cozy tone
I will say: I was hoping for a little more magic and action. The world has so much potential enchanted forests, guild politics, hidden abilities and I wanted it to go just a bit bigger. But even with the softer pacing, the slow burn between Maerryl and Dove kept me invested. Their dynamic is stubborn, messy, and unexpectedly sweet, and it carries the story beautifully.
This was my first Kristen Vale book, and I’d definitely read more from her. It’s cozy, it’s heartfelt, it’s sapphic, and it has just enough spice to keep things interesting.
September 17, 2026
Maerryl is a member of the Taker's Guild, desperately trying to save up coin for the cure to her little brother's illness. She poses as a new bodyguard in order to stake out how the noble family Wistrallo - once on the brink of financial ruin, is suddenly regaining their wealth - and how the Taker's Guild can get that wealth for themselves.
Dove Wistrallo is the 30 year old Lady still living with her parents - and the secret magic behind her family's return to financial security.
As Maerryl is hired to be Dove's bodyguard, the two clash but eventually realize they both have a bit to learn from each other - and maybe more they want to do together besides bickering - but will their secrets get in the way of a potential new future together?
This was a really cute sapphic cozy fantasy! I enjoyed the characters individually and as a couple, although at times the banter got a bit much! It was predictable but that's part of what I like about cozy fantasy. The world building wasn't too deep or overwhelming, but also didn't feel neglected. The perfect amount of fantasy for a relaxing read.
The audio was high quality and narration was fantastic - I really enjoyed how they had different narrators for each POV, making it easy to follow and making me feel attached to the characters. Both narrators did a great job projecting their characters and really made it feel like you were in the characters' heads!
There are a few open door spicy scenes, and they are well done and actually feel like a part of the plot and not out of place or forced in.
I think this is a perfect fit for fans of Kimberly Lemming's and Travis Baldree's books. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, sapphic, fantasy romance!
Thank you Netgalley and @HachetteAudio for the ALC.
Book is out now!
Dove Wistrallo is the 30 year old Lady still living with her parents - and the secret magic behind her family's return to financial security.
As Maerryl is hired to be Dove's bodyguard, the two clash but eventually realize they both have a bit to learn from each other - and maybe more they want to do together besides bickering - but will their secrets get in the way of a potential new future together?
This was a really cute sapphic cozy fantasy! I enjoyed the characters individually and as a couple, although at times the banter got a bit much! It was predictable but that's part of what I like about cozy fantasy. The world building wasn't too deep or overwhelming, but also didn't feel neglected. The perfect amount of fantasy for a relaxing read.
The audio was high quality and narration was fantastic - I really enjoyed how they had different narrators for each POV, making it easy to follow and making me feel attached to the characters. Both narrators did a great job projecting their characters and really made it feel like you were in the characters' heads!
There are a few open door spicy scenes, and they are well done and actually feel like a part of the plot and not out of place or forced in.
I think this is a perfect fit for fans of Kimberly Lemming's and Travis Baldree's books. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, sapphic, fantasy romance!
Thank you Netgalley and @HachetteAudio for the ALC.
Book is out now!
September 18, 2026
DNF at 76%
The story itself is comfortable enough, but reads like YA with supposedly 30/31 year old MC's. Their ages were mentioned repeatedly, almost as if the author knew they read as far younger, and wanted to continually remind the reader.
Unlike a fair number of other readers, I didn't find the relationship to have moved unreasonably fast. While sapphic relationships aren't a monolith, let's not pretend they don't move incredibly fast. The stereotype exists for a reason. Add in the YA vibes, and really they're just catty, hormonal teenagers looking for someone, anyone, to accept them.
The sex scenes, and body terminology in general, were what made me give up. Don't get me wrong, I love smut. Love it. What I don't love is phrasing like "I fingered her folds" or "parted her whispy brown [pubic] hair" or "somewhere in the vicinity of her left underboob." I was genuinely concerned that if I kept going I'd inevitably run into words like "flaps" or "meat curtain."
I also had the opportunity for an ALC copy of the book, and damn Cassandra Medcalf has been busy this year. I rarely pick an audiobook with the narrator in mind, so it's always a surprise to see who will be reading, and I think this is the 3rd ALC in the last two months where her name has popped up. I love Cassandra and Charlie's partnership in this. They worked well together, and I appreciate that each narrator stuck to their own chapters, as opposed to productions where narrators will burst into each other's chapters to read their characters' lines
I appreciate the opportunity to read an early copy from NetGalley.
The story itself is comfortable enough, but reads like YA with supposedly 30/31 year old MC's. Their ages were mentioned repeatedly, almost as if the author knew they read as far younger, and wanted to continually remind the reader.
Unlike a fair number of other readers, I didn't find the relationship to have moved unreasonably fast. While sapphic relationships aren't a monolith, let's not pretend they don't move incredibly fast. The stereotype exists for a reason. Add in the YA vibes, and really they're just catty, hormonal teenagers looking for someone, anyone, to accept them.
The sex scenes, and body terminology in general, were what made me give up. Don't get me wrong, I love smut. Love it. What I don't love is phrasing like "I fingered her folds" or "parted her whispy brown [pubic] hair" or "somewhere in the vicinity of her left underboob." I was genuinely concerned that if I kept going I'd inevitably run into words like "flaps" or "meat curtain."
I also had the opportunity for an ALC copy of the book, and damn Cassandra Medcalf has been busy this year. I rarely pick an audiobook with the narrator in mind, so it's always a surprise to see who will be reading, and I think this is the 3rd ALC in the last two months where her name has popped up. I love Cassandra and Charlie's partnership in this. They worked well together, and I appreciate that each narrator stuck to their own chapters, as opposed to productions where narrators will burst into each other's chapters to read their characters' lines
I appreciate the opportunity to read an early copy from NetGalley.
September 18, 2026
🎧 Audio Review: Enjoyed the dual narration for the audiobook!
📝 Story Review: I thought this was very enjoyable! The plot and characters both pulled me in. The FMC’s got off on the wrong foot with each other and things were very tense and snarky. But eventually feelings developed and it was spicy, sweet and cute. It was also enjoyable to see how things were handled when the deceit of one of them was found out towards the end.
I did feel that the so-called thief wasn’t all that smart for the profession she was in. She figured out that her boss had someone else on the inside, but never figured out who… and from the start I was like, I know who it is! 🙋🏼♀️ and I was right… so I was a little bummed that she never caught on to what I felt was rather obvious.
The ending of the book was everything I could’ve hoped for, including the one FMC standing up to her parents!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Vibes: Passion & Heart, mixed with Lies & Deceit.
Tropes 👇
- Opposites Attract
- Thief falling for her mark
- Extreme Dislike to Lovers
- Curvy, Artistic FMC
- Fake Bodyguard FMC
- Mages & Dwarves
- Magical Abilities
- Sharp Banter
- Hidden Depths
- LGBTQ rep 🏳️🌈
- BIPOC rep
CW’s 👇
- Lack of Parental Empathy/Care
- Mention of sickness that killed a village
- Gravely sick sibling
- Brief battle scene
- Children who’ve lost parents/families
- Lying/Betrayal
Genre: Sapphic Romantasy
POV: First Person; Dual
Audio Release Date: September 14, 2026
Audio Run Time: 10 hrs, 38 mins
Narrated By: Cassandra Medcalf & Charlie L. Wood
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review.
📝 Story Review: I thought this was very enjoyable! The plot and characters both pulled me in. The FMC’s got off on the wrong foot with each other and things were very tense and snarky. But eventually feelings developed and it was spicy, sweet and cute. It was also enjoyable to see how things were handled when the deceit of one of them was found out towards the end.
I did feel that the so-called thief wasn’t all that smart for the profession she was in. She figured out that her boss had someone else on the inside, but never figured out who… and from the start I was like, I know who it is! 🙋🏼♀️ and I was right… so I was a little bummed that she never caught on to what I felt was rather obvious.
The ending of the book was everything I could’ve hoped for, including the one FMC standing up to her parents!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Vibes: Passion & Heart, mixed with Lies & Deceit.
Tropes 👇
- Opposites Attract
- Thief falling for her mark
- Extreme Dislike to Lovers
- Curvy, Artistic FMC
- Fake Bodyguard FMC
- Mages & Dwarves
- Magical Abilities
- Sharp Banter
- Hidden Depths
- LGBTQ rep 🏳️🌈
- BIPOC rep
CW’s 👇
- Lack of Parental Empathy/Care
- Mention of sickness that killed a village
- Gravely sick sibling
- Brief battle scene
- Children who’ve lost parents/families
- Lying/Betrayal
Genre: Sapphic Romantasy
POV: First Person; Dual
Audio Release Date: September 14, 2026
Audio Run Time: 10 hrs, 38 mins
Narrated By: Cassandra Medcalf & Charlie L. Wood
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review.
September 16, 2026
3.5*
Maerryl is forced to join the Takers Guild in order to earn enough money to saver her little brother who's on the brink of dying from the same illness that took her entire village and family. Used to menial tasks, Maerryl is surprised when she is tasked to become the fake bodyguard to a rich, snobby heiress so the Guild can rob them blind. Lady Dove is everything that's expected of her until Maerryl looks closer, and then lines blur and allegiances are tested.
This book had so many positive elements to it, the storyline, the romance, the redemption arcs, but the pacing takes away so much from the story. It would be a great enemies to lovers romance if they didn't go from hating each other to in bed in two days after what feels like a quarter of the book was spent on an inner monologue about pretentious rich people. Once Maerryl and Dove got together they worked really well together and Dove's growth was wonderful to see. Then that was interrupted by the abruptness of how everything with the Guild was resolved. The pacing is the only real issue with the story.
The audiobook was great to listen to. The dual narration chosen by Hatchett with Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood was perfectly pace and and their voices were soothing. They complemented each other perfectly. The transition between the two from each chapter was seamless and made the listening experience enjoyable.
A Spell of Heart & Havoc has an enjoyable plot and great cast of characters.
*ARC review
Maerryl is forced to join the Takers Guild in order to earn enough money to saver her little brother who's on the brink of dying from the same illness that took her entire village and family. Used to menial tasks, Maerryl is surprised when she is tasked to become the fake bodyguard to a rich, snobby heiress so the Guild can rob them blind. Lady Dove is everything that's expected of her until Maerryl looks closer, and then lines blur and allegiances are tested.
This book had so many positive elements to it, the storyline, the romance, the redemption arcs, but the pacing takes away so much from the story. It would be a great enemies to lovers romance if they didn't go from hating each other to in bed in two days after what feels like a quarter of the book was spent on an inner monologue about pretentious rich people. Once Maerryl and Dove got together they worked really well together and Dove's growth was wonderful to see. Then that was interrupted by the abruptness of how everything with the Guild was resolved. The pacing is the only real issue with the story.
The audiobook was great to listen to. The dual narration chosen by Hatchett with Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L. Wood was perfectly pace and and their voices were soothing. They complemented each other perfectly. The transition between the two from each chapter was seamless and made the listening experience enjoyable.
A Spell of Heart & Havoc has an enjoyable plot and great cast of characters.
*ARC review
September 22, 2026
☆☆ YouTube | Instagram | Storygraph ☆☆
ARC Reading Vlog: Spicy Queer Romance💜& Cozy Fantasy🔮 (NetGalley Reads!)
2.5 stars rounded down~
~Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for a honest review~
Man, I wish I would have actually liked this.
Honestly, this isn’t necessarily a bad book, I just think its more cozy fantasy than the romance I was wanting. The switch from dislike to love is so abrupt and the timeline means these two have known each other 2 weeks tops? I was not convinced that they even knew each other yet, let alone were in love. The spice was good, but I was so uninvested in the relationship, that it was difficult for me to enjoy. Dove’s character was actually decently well created and I felt like the arc we watch her go through was well done too. Maerryl, by comparison, was stagnant and lacking much personality. What was there was also inconsistent.
The plot was so predictable and the final twist, while unexpected, also just…. seemed a bit farfetched and Disney-ish. The writing of atmosphere was good, but I think we could have lost some of that to instead build out Dove and Maerryl’s relationship instead. The pacing was also wonky as the first half of the book only covers two days, then we magical romance montage over a week? Just seemed strange.
ARC Reading Vlog: Spicy Queer Romance💜& Cozy Fantasy🔮 (NetGalley Reads!)
2.5 stars rounded down~
~Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for a honest review~
Man, I wish I would have actually liked this.
Honestly, this isn’t necessarily a bad book, I just think its more cozy fantasy than the romance I was wanting. The switch from dislike to love is so abrupt and the timeline means these two have known each other 2 weeks tops? I was not convinced that they even knew each other yet, let alone were in love. The spice was good, but I was so uninvested in the relationship, that it was difficult for me to enjoy. Dove’s character was actually decently well created and I felt like the arc we watch her go through was well done too. Maerryl, by comparison, was stagnant and lacking much personality. What was there was also inconsistent.
The plot was so predictable and the final twist, while unexpected, also just…. seemed a bit farfetched and Disney-ish. The writing of atmosphere was good, but I think we could have lost some of that to instead build out Dove and Maerryl’s relationship instead. The pacing was also wonky as the first half of the book only covers two days, then we magical romance montage over a week? Just seemed strange.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were definitely parts I enjoyed, but overall, it didn’t quite hit the way I was hoping it would.
Dove’s character development was easily my favorite part of the entire story. Watching her go from this spoiled, ignorat heiress into a woman who becomes more selfless was a highlight. Her growth felt earned and gave the story some of its strongest moments. It would have been nice to see Maerryl have some growth too.
I also love that Dove's curves are loved. Unfortunately the romance is where the plot was sort of lost for me. I am not into instalove and this kind of felt like that. Their feelings seemed to appear almost overnight, and I never quite felt that emotional build-up that makes you believe two people are falling for each other. The physical attraction was definitely there, but I needed more than that. I wanted those little moments, deeper conversations, genuine vulnerability, and a connection that made me understand why these two were so drawn to each other. And when the romance is such a major part of the story, that missing emotional connection made it difficult for me to fully invest.
Ultimately, I did enjoy certain aspects of the book, especially Dove’s journey and the person she becomes. I just wish the romance had given me the same emotional investment. Sadly, that part never fully clicked for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the arc.
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were definitely parts I enjoyed, but overall, it didn’t quite hit the way I was hoping it would.
Dove’s character development was easily my favorite part of the entire story. Watching her go from this spoiled, ignorat heiress into a woman who becomes more selfless was a highlight. Her growth felt earned and gave the story some of its strongest moments. It would have been nice to see Maerryl have some growth too.
I also love that Dove's curves are loved. Unfortunately the romance is where the plot was sort of lost for me. I am not into instalove and this kind of felt like that. Their feelings seemed to appear almost overnight, and I never quite felt that emotional build-up that makes you believe two people are falling for each other. The physical attraction was definitely there, but I needed more than that. I wanted those little moments, deeper conversations, genuine vulnerability, and a connection that made me understand why these two were so drawn to each other. And when the romance is such a major part of the story, that missing emotional connection made it difficult for me to fully invest.
Ultimately, I did enjoy certain aspects of the book, especially Dove’s journey and the person she becomes. I just wish the romance had given me the same emotional investment. Sadly, that part never fully clicked for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was really excited to read this cozy sapphic fantasy romance between a fake bodyguard and her charge. The beginning drew me in and I couldn't wait to see how the story would develop. Unfortunately, the story kind of fizzled towards the middle, and I realized I didn't really care all that much what would happen.
I liked both protagonists, especially Dove. Her character growth was the best part of the story. Maerryl seemed initially fun, but we didn't really get to know her better during the book. It seemed like trying to save her brother was her whole personality, and only at the end did we find out she also likes gardening.
My main problem was with the romance. The enmity at the beginning was fun, but then the women did a quick 180 and fell for each other hard. I would not have minded this so much if at this stage Maerryl had come clean about the heist plan, but unfortunately she kept her secrets close at the same time as Dove was opening up. I could not enjoy their closeness because it was built on a lie, and the whole time I kept thinking that soon the house of cards would come falling down. And it did, but then everything was resolved really quickly and smoothly, wtf.
There are some really good ingredients in this book, and I think readers who don't mind waiting until the very end for the couple to be completely honest with each other will like it more than I did.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher (Forever) for the ARC.
I liked both protagonists, especially Dove. Her character growth was the best part of the story. Maerryl seemed initially fun, but we didn't really get to know her better during the book. It seemed like trying to save her brother was her whole personality, and only at the end did we find out she also likes gardening.
My main problem was with the romance. The enmity at the beginning was fun, but then the women did a quick 180 and fell for each other hard. I would not have minded this so much if at this stage Maerryl had come clean about the heist plan, but unfortunately she kept her secrets close at the same time as Dove was opening up. I could not enjoy their closeness because it was built on a lie, and the whole time I kept thinking that soon the house of cards would come falling down. And it did, but then everything was resolved really quickly and smoothly, wtf.
There are some really good ingredients in this book, and I think readers who don't mind waiting until the very end for the couple to be completely honest with each other will like it more than I did.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher (Forever) for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Spell of Heart and Havoc by Kristen Vale
Diverse sapphic fantasy romance. Alternating 1st person POV.
Maerryl Kirim has lost all her family except her younger brother who is stuck in a coma until she can earn a lot more money. Maerryl is forced to work for the Takers Guild, a theft organization and is sent to pretend to be a bodyguard for Lady Dove Wistrallo. Her mission is to case the house for valuables for the Guild. She expects a privileged and snobby female but in truth, the woman is lonely and under her parent’s thumb.
It doesn’t matter. Maerryl has a job to do. And she will do anything to save her brother.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook narrated by Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L Wood. Both female narrators bring their A game with compelling performances. The voices are similar but different enough to know which character is talking. And their voices seem to fit the personality of the character very well.
Audio version recommended.
Slow burn romance with fantasy and magic elements. Have vs have-nots with underlying problems on both sides. It takes time and listening to get to know someone. And empathy. These two women get to know more than the surface and it’s heartwarming. Especially when they work together for something good!
I received copies of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
Diverse sapphic fantasy romance. Alternating 1st person POV.
Maerryl Kirim has lost all her family except her younger brother who is stuck in a coma until she can earn a lot more money. Maerryl is forced to work for the Takers Guild, a theft organization and is sent to pretend to be a bodyguard for Lady Dove Wistrallo. Her mission is to case the house for valuables for the Guild. She expects a privileged and snobby female but in truth, the woman is lonely and under her parent’s thumb.
It doesn’t matter. Maerryl has a job to do. And she will do anything to save her brother.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook narrated by Cassandra Medcalf and Charlie L Wood. Both female narrators bring their A game with compelling performances. The voices are similar but different enough to know which character is talking. And their voices seem to fit the personality of the character very well.
Audio version recommended.
Slow burn romance with fantasy and magic elements. Have vs have-nots with underlying problems on both sides. It takes time and listening to get to know someone. And empathy. These two women get to know more than the surface and it’s heartwarming. Especially when they work together for something good!
I received copies of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy! All opinions expressed are my own 🖤
This was a solid sapphic low stakes fantasy. Maerryl is trying to save up money to save her little brothers life, so she joins a thieves guild and is assigned to bodyguard a rich noble woman with a secret of her own. Definitely enemies in the first half, I loved Dove’s quick tongue and feistiness!
I wish we’d gotten a little more depth to Maerryl, contrasting again Dove’s character arc it felt a little flat and I really was intrigued by her character. Maybe something to flesh out the years before the dwarf drop came to her clan? Flashbacks? I did enjoy watching Dove change as the book went on, she really had a heart of gold underneath all of her privileges and it made the resolution more satisfying!
The romance itself had great tension and banter, it definitely was more on the sexual side initially and the spice scenes followed that, but I’m not going to complain about more spice!
Overall, a solid, cozy, palette cleanser book that I enjoyed. Would recommend if cozy fantasy and sapphic romance are your vibe.
This was a solid sapphic low stakes fantasy. Maerryl is trying to save up money to save her little brothers life, so she joins a thieves guild and is assigned to bodyguard a rich noble woman with a secret of her own. Definitely enemies in the first half, I loved Dove’s quick tongue and feistiness!
I wish we’d gotten a little more depth to Maerryl, contrasting again Dove’s character arc it felt a little flat and I really was intrigued by her character. Maybe something to flesh out the years before the dwarf drop came to her clan? Flashbacks? I did enjoy watching Dove change as the book went on, she really had a heart of gold underneath all of her privileges and it made the resolution more satisfying!
The romance itself had great tension and banter, it definitely was more on the sexual side initially and the spice scenes followed that, but I’m not going to complain about more spice!
Overall, a solid, cozy, palette cleanser book that I enjoyed. Would recommend if cozy fantasy and sapphic romance are your vibe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 Stars
A Spell of Heart & Havoc was a charming fantasy romance with an opposites-attract dynamic that I really enjoyed. Maerryl and Dove couldn't have been more different, but watching their relationship evolve from constant irritation to genuine affection was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their banter was fun, and I found myself rooting for them despite the secrets and lies between them.
I also appreciated the fantasy elements and the emotional stakes surrounding Maerryl's mission to save her brother. The blend of magic, intrigue, and romance kept me engaged, and I liked that both characters had their own personal struggles to overcome.
The pacing slowed a bit in places, and I would have loved a little more depth in the worldbuilding and some of the supporting characters. Even so, the romance carried the story for me, and the ending left me satisfied.
Overall, this was a sweet, cozy fantasy romance with lovable characters, great chemistry, and just enough adventure to keep the pages turning. I'd happily read more from Krista Vale!
A Spell of Heart & Havoc was a charming fantasy romance with an opposites-attract dynamic that I really enjoyed. Maerryl and Dove couldn't have been more different, but watching their relationship evolve from constant irritation to genuine affection was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their banter was fun, and I found myself rooting for them despite the secrets and lies between them.
I also appreciated the fantasy elements and the emotional stakes surrounding Maerryl's mission to save her brother. The blend of magic, intrigue, and romance kept me engaged, and I liked that both characters had their own personal struggles to overcome.
The pacing slowed a bit in places, and I would have loved a little more depth in the worldbuilding and some of the supporting characters. Even so, the romance carried the story for me, and the ending left me satisfied.
Overall, this was a sweet, cozy fantasy romance with lovable characters, great chemistry, and just enough adventure to keep the pages turning. I'd happily read more from Krista Vale!
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