The Secrets of Everlight

by Julie Hall

A thief turned spy must unravel an assassination plot against the fae prince by disguising herself as a princess competing for his heart in this entrancing romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall.

For nineteen years, Rowan has fought to first scavenging for scraps after being cast out of the orphanage, then trapped in a ten-year contract with a corrupt master. She longs for freedom but spends her days stealing trinkets from the highborn to pay off her servitude.

When a mysterious fae buys out her contract, Rowan jumps at the chance to escape. But his promise of freedom comes with a uncover the assassin targeting Prince Dryden of the Ember Kingdom. To succeed, she must disguise herself as a princess, for the would-be killer hides among the royals vying for the prince’s heart and, more importantly, his hand in marriage.

Thrown into a world of silks and finery, Rowan has mere weeks to learn to play the part of a princess before hunting the killer. Sneaking through gilded halls and eavesdropping come naturally, but the bonds she forms with the other princesses—and the prince’s growing attention—are complications she never saw coming.

When whispers of enemies beyond the kingdom surface, Rowan realizes her mission may be bigger than she imagined. Yet every stolen glance with Dryden rips her apart and draws her closer to the one distraction she cannot desire. Desire that could shatter not only her chance at freedom but the kingdom itself.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Adult, Fae, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

496 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, 11x award-winning author.

She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie's daughter says that her super power is sleeping all day and writing all night... and well, she wouldn't be wrong.

Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people - her husband, daughter, and two fur babies.

Website: www.JulieHallAuthor.com
Newsletter: www.JulieHallAuthor.com/newsletter
Julie's Fan Club: www.fb.com/groups/juliehall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie.hall....

Reviews

[Grace Quan]

The premise and execution of the story were entertaining enough to keep my attention, but the stakes felt too low to make me truly invested.

First, let’s start with what I ended up enjoying. The world building was lush and perfectly fleshed out. It gave good explanation of the 16 different kingdoms of Vaeloria and some of the politics between them. So no complaints regarding world building, (which is where I usually find the most issue when reading fantasy)

Second, I enjoyed the romance, but it felt lacking in some places. It was overall pretty cute but it was definitely missing the scorching chemistry and the intensity that I normally enjoy. Since the setting and premise of the book are more intense than a fluffy rom com, the cutesy romance felt a little out of place. Not to say that the romance was bad, it certainly wasn’t, I just wish it felt more passionate.

Beyond that, I thought the competition aspect was really well done. Although it wasn’t really a competition in a “you have to win trials” sense, it was a competition for Prince Dryden’s hand in marriage and I thought it was pretty intriguing.

Now, my biggest problem wasn’t the romance or the anything else, it was the painfully low stakes. Rowan was indentured as a slave and was bought by someone to infiltrate the palace during the competition for the prince’s hand. But the person who bought her contract gave her the option of freedom, the only thing she’s ever wanted. She chose to infiltrate the palace of her own free will. She had the option of leaving at any time, which to me made the stakes feel so low. The competition was entertaining but the stakes felt too low to truly capture my interest.

With all that said, I did finish this book very quickly. Despite the low stakes, it does read pretty fast paced, which I greatly appreciate.

3 stars ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own.

📆 Publication date: October 5, 2026

[Coffee&Cliffhangers]

The Secrets of Everlight is the first book I’ve read by Julie Hall, but it definitely won’t be my last. I was hooked by the story of an indentured thief offered the chance to help a prince in exchange for her freedom, and it did not disappoint. From the start, Rowan’s life is hard—poverty forcing her to scavenge and survive under the control of a corrupt master. She spends her days stealing trinkets to chip away at her debt, until a highborn offers to pay it off. She jumps at the chance, not realizing the true cost. Disguised as a princess, she must use her skills to uncover which of the women competing for the prince’s hand is actually an assassin. As Rowan navigates the world of highborn princesses to save Prince Dryden’s life, she discovers that freedom isn’t the only thing she wants. I loved this book and can’t wait to dive into more of the Shattered Kingdoms series. If you enjoy slow-burn fantasy romance, this one’s for you.

[suonnahbooks]

The secrets of everlight by Julie Hall
ARC from penguin random house
Release: Oct 6th 2026
-love how badass Rowan is , this world is really cool
-I love the princess pamper /glow up , the plan sounds intriguing I’m here for it
-the prep and the magical ball gave Bridgerton vibes ✨
-the princesses, dances, moments with the princes gave Barbie and bachelor in one lol kinda fun
-Neo 👀
-I feel like I’m in the book and falling for prince Dryden, this world, kingdom and castle is so magical and Dryden gives BDE
-this was was rideeee I had so much fun by the end I couldn’t put the book down
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kat]

Thank you NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing Group, and Julie Hall for sending me an eArc of The Secrets of Everlight!

“You don't see it, do you?"
"See what?"
"How exquisite you are."

It seems like I found a new favorite book! I knew from the very beginning this would be a five star read, but it deserves even more than five.

Lately when you read fantasy books about fae, sometimes the stories are so similar that it often feels like you’re reading a copy of another book. But The Secrets of Everlight is certainly not one of those books. I really enjoyed just how different it was! For example, the MMC is such a green flag, sweet and caring, not a “shadow daddy.”

As for the story itself, the world building absolutely transports you into the book. The immersive writing and well written descriptions, along with the character art sprinkled throughout the book, allow you to picture everything that’s happening. There were quite a few plot twists and secrets revealed, some of which I predicted and some I had absolutely no clue was coming.

And then there’s the end of the book. It was absolutely heartbreaking. And then we get left on that cliffhanger afterwards?! I am in desperate need of the second book (and a physical copy of this one)! I cant wait to see how everything plays out.

“Even though it would kill me to see him find love in the arms of someone else, I hope he does, because even though the words will never leave my mouth, I do love him. And if you love someone, you want the best for them, even if it means that's not you.”

[BookishKB]

👑🧚 The Secrets of Everlight 🧚👑

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Fae Romantasy
• Spy FMC
• Marriage Competition
• Fake Princess
• Royal Intrigue
• Assassin Mystery
_ _ __

📅 Pub Date: October 6, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Freya]

Love how this is a fae book that is different from the rest. I was sucked in from the first chapter. World building was perfectly done, especially with the art scattered throughout the book. Thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the MCs. So many plot twists, reveals and heartbreak. I saw one of the twists coming but not the others. That ending wrecked me!!

Rowan is a fierce FMC and loyal. She is an expert thief turned spy. The prince starts of broody but he is cocky and charismatic. He adores Rowan but she feels like they can never be because of her station. There is love, loss and betrayal. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can’t wait for the next book!!

Thank you to the author, Ace Books and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Dunaway]

This was so good, one of my favorites of the year so far! Definitely add to your TBR if you haven’t yet.

You follow Rowan who is a thief stuck in a decade long contract. One day her contract is bought out by a mysterious fae who offers her freedom if she becomes a spy to help him uncover who is plotting to kill the prince. To do this Rowan must go undercover as a princess competing for the prince’s hand in marriage all while trying to figure out as much as she can about everyone.

I absolutely loved this story. It is fast paced and the plot is fantastic. I love Rowan so much. She is feisty, selfless, and willing to do what it takes to fight for her freedom. She is a great friend and will do what is best for others. Prince Dryden is very intriguing. I laughed out loud at the dinner scene (if you know, you know). He is protective and so sweet. Their romance is so stinking sweet it had me kicking my feet and smiling so many times throughout the story.

There are also plenty of amazing side characters to love as well. The author keeps you guessing the whole time on who you think the assassin is which was fun. I loved The Selection series when I was younger and this gives me that same feeling as when I read that mixed with maybe some Bridgerton.

I am so excited for the next book and would HIGHLY recommend this book if you enjoy

✨Historical romantasy
✨Fae
✨Political intrigue
✨Forbidden romance
✨Slow burn and SWEET romance
✨Dangerous secrets
✨Yearning
✨Fake princess/undercover spy
✨Marriage competition
✨Assassination plot

Thank you so much to Berkley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Dakota]

I loved every second of this book. I could not put it down, and it will definitely be added to my list of all time favorites.

The entire world was enchanting. I felt completely transported into this kingdom, and every detail made it feel so magical. The illustrations throughout the book are absolutely gorgeous.

I fell in love with Rowan from page one. She is fierce, loyal, and fiercely protective of the people she loves. She has been through so much, and I adored her character.

And the prince… I loved him. He is caring, protective, and so attentive. One of my favorite scenes was when he was injured and Rowan was taking care of him. Even then, he noticed that she had a small injury and wanted to make sure she was taken care of too. The gentleness and tenderness in the way he spoke to her completely melted my heart.

And the banter between these two—oh my gosh! I loved every single interaction between them. Their teasing and chemistry were absolutely perfect and made me smile the entire time.

I don’t even have words for their relationship. Julie really knows how to pull on your heartstrings. I laughed, I cried, and this book truly touched me. And that ending… I already can’t wait for book two! This is a must read!

[Mella aka Maron]

DNF at 30%.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC but this is PAINFULLY BASIC. There is nothing new here. It's a typical marriage competition like The Selection. It's a typical, " we need this very specific female thief to help us uncover an assassination plot." Hell, there isn't even any MAGIC in this world. They're fae but with no magic. I am failing to see anything new or interesting here.

And guys, it was extremely obvious from the getgo that Dryden is Neo I stopped at chapter 13, that's 30% into the book. And apparently this is revealed in chapter 23. That is WAY too far into the book?? It just felt unnecessarily dragged out for no reason.

I am just very bored because like I said, there is nothing new to see here. If you want the same old, same old, sure, go for it. To me, it just doesn't feel refreshing at all. And also, it is incredibly slow and dry. Hall takes her time by giving us way too much description.

I'm sad I didn't like this because I enjoyed her Creatures of Chaos series but this just feels like an attempt to "write to the popular tropes" instead of writing to give us a good story.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat]

This is the first book in the Shattered Kingdoms series and I’m hooked. In this story you follow Rowan who is a thief turned spy competing for the fae prince’s heart in a competition.

The world building was so well done. It was gradually laid out so it wasn’t super overwhelming. I loved learning about this world and the magic system within it.

I really enjoyed how immersed I felt in the court with all of the descriptions, especially where Rowan’s wardrobe was concerned. The author really painted beautiful images in my mind as I read.

It was nice that there were some mystery elements woven into this fantasy romance story. There were plenty of twists throughout the book to keep me on my toes. Some of them I didn’t see coming, which I enjoyed.

Read this if you like:
🗡️      Slow-burn romance
🗡️      Forbidden attraction
🗡️      Fae court intrigue
🗡️      Thief heroine
🗡️      Marriage competition
🗡️      High-stakes political intrigue
🗡️      Hidden identities & powers
🗡️      Forced Proximity

Thank you to the author and @acebookspub for the gifted copy of the book.

[Ari]

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for this eArc!

5 ⭐️

This book sucked me in by the end of the first chapter. The banter between characters had me captivated and at times laughing out loud. The writing was descriptive, but not in a way that felt like overkill. I could truly picture the events in my head which isn’t always the easiest for me.

If you love the social season of Bridgerton, but wish one of the ladies was trying to assassinate a prince for political gain, plus a sprinkle of looming magic and otherworlders potentially coming for attack, you’ve found it baby! Plus a FMC who is an expert thief turned spy whose “urges” can at times throw her off? Chefs kiss. And don’t even get me started on the yearning.

This book was full of action and twists and turns, some of which I saw coming and others that I truly did not. I think that was something that was so exciting, I found myself excitedly waiting to see if I was right about a hunch I had, then audibly gasping and being totally thrown off (in the best way) by something else that happened.

This is going to definitely be a new favorite for me and I cannot wait to see where this series goes!!

[Dani (Daniiireads)]

I really enjoyed this one! Rowan was such a fun FMC, and I loved the whole thief pretending to be a princess situation. She was definitely one of my favorite parts of the story, and I loved watching her try to navigate the royal court while also trying to figure out who she could actually trust.

The mystery and all the secrets kept me invested, and I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance too. The banter between Rowan and Dryden was so good, and I definitely found myself wanting MORE from them 👀

There were a few twists I didn't see coming, which I always love, and that ending?? 😩 Yeah... I need the next book.

Overall, this was a really fun romantasy with a badass FMC, fae, secrets, a little romance, and plenty of court drama. Definitely excited to see where this goes!

[Melanie Watts]

This book kept my interest. It’s like a combination of bachelor meets the selection meets the Wren and the Holly Library. Rowan is an indentured thief for 10yrs to someone who only gives her half of what she’s owed. Neo buys her contract to have her help him save the prince. Rowan is sent to the castle to weed out the princess who wants to assassinate Prince Dryden. This is such a fun book. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thank you NetGalley and Julie Hall for this opportunity.

[Nicole]

I looooved this book. The Secrets of Everlight is a mashup of everything I love in fae romantasy: compelling political intrigue, interesting magic systems, thief in disguise, royal contests to win the prince's hand, secret identities and even more secret powers, slow-burn romance. Fast-paced with good character development, I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ace for providing me with an e-copy of this book.

[Jessi ❤️]

This book took me forever to get through, but I blame the fact that I’m reading it on my phone.

The storyline was fun. It was like the perfect combination of The Selection and Assassin’s Blade. Loved the characters and their interactions with one another. And the twists were so fun!

[Finger Pages]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

I was drawn in by the STUNNING cover of The Secrets of Everlight but stayed for Rowan and Prince Dryden. This book is wonderful-- what I call soft romantasy. Meaning it's not epic or cozy. It's somewhere in between but leans more into politics and plot then heavy romance.

Rowan is thief, who grew up an orphan in the streets. Due to her resemblance of a neighboring kingdom's princess and her unique skillset from the streets -she is recruited to help Prince Dryden uncover an assassin. It just so happens she is undercover with a handful of other princesses competing for his hand in marriage at the palace. I loved Rowan because she was a fighter but also fled when it was the smart choice. Her street smart character was really well developed. It feels that in most romantasy books today the FMC is either a baddie warrior or a complete damsel in distress. Rowan walks the line of both, but has grit and determination. I loved her from the first page.

Prince Dryden is stoic, broody and relies on a womanizing reputation. I love that he is really a softie who purposely tries to hide. Their interactions made me laugh (the dinner delicacy scene) and you could really feel them become friends as they circled around their attraction to each other.

The twists in the plot were good. And by end I was screaming at Rowan on each page- of course there is a cliffhanger so now I'm already crying to get to book 2. I believe this is a duology so at least in the next book all my questions will be answered. I have many surrounding the prince's family!!!

Overall this was a fantastic read and I highly recommend! Add to your TBR!

Tropes
✨Soft romantasy
✨Fae without magic
✨Political intrigue
✨Forbidden romance
✨Court politics
✨Slow burn and yearning
✨Undercover spy
✨Marriage competition
✨She saves HIM

Thank you to Berkley Publishers, NetGalley and the Author for letting me ARC read.
#TheSecretsofEverlight #NetGalley

[Misty]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of “The Secrets of Everlight.” I enjoyed Julie’s “Creatures of Chaos” series so I was really excited to be starting a new series from her. Overall, the story was enjoyable but it didn’t grab me like I was hoping. The premise of the book is that our FMC is a thief turned spy who must unravel the mystery of who is the to be assassin of the prince. We are in a Bachelor type setting where there are many princesses competing for the betrothal of the prince. I enjoyed the banter between the MMC and the FMC. There were several moments I laughed out loud including a very sketchy dinner that was served. The story did not captivate me until some secrets were uncovered. The ending felt rushed and there were elements never mentioned previously that were all the sudden thrown in. There were too many moments that had me questioning how our FMC could truly be a thief if she was getting caught frequently. The final thing that made my rating lower was the characters surnames were not likeable and seemed generated instead of thoroughly thought over. I’ll include my favorite quote from the book.

“In a world that’s doing its best to erase you, even the smallest kindness can remind you that you still matter.”

[Gali]

"The Secrets of Everlight" by Julie Hall is an enticing romantasy and the first book of a duology. Think "The Selection", but with a mystery at its core and Fae instead of humans. I've been on a streak of good books lately, and I was delighted to add this one to the list.

The book follows Rowan, an orphaned fae, a thief by necessity, who is bound by an indentured servitude contract to a cruel master. She lives in the Ember Kingdom, one of several kingdoms on the continent of Vaeloria, and the strongest among them. The continent is an isolated Fae island bound by a magical barrier that keeps their enemies, the vampire and werewolf kingdoms, outside their borders.

Rowan's life takes a turn when a mysterious fae named Neo buys her contract and offers her freedom and funds in return for her help. Neo and his friend Bram ask her to pretend to be Princess Greer Stormfeather of the Glacier Kingdom and take part in a competition to win Prince Dryden's hand in marriage. Each kingdom sends a princess to vie for the prince's hand. Unlike the other contestants, Rowan has no intention of winning the prince's heart. She must play the spy and uncover the assassin targeting the prince to earn her release. She finds herself thrust into a world of nobility, silks, and court intrigue, where the stakes are high, and one wrong move could cost her life.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. With a story told from Rowan's first-person perspective, eloquent prose, a well-constructed world, a memorable cast of characters, and an enthralling narrative, this is a fantastic read. Speaking of Rowan, she is a strong and complex heroine with uncontrollable urges to steal. She is also kind and courageous, and once she moves past the need to survive, she notices others' misfortunes and tries to help them in her own fashion. She dealt with the bad cards she was given the best way she knew how. I admired her for that.

One of my favorite moments was when she noticed a poor boy sitting outside the pub she visited and gave him her biscuit and a small silver teaspoon. She stole it, but it still shows she has a good heart. It might seem trivial to you, but in Rowan's own words, "in a world that's doing its best to erase you, even the smallest kindness can remind you that you still matter." A wonderful message to live by. Yes, she sometimes behaved foolishly, such as when she stole from the other contestants, and I wanted to shout, "What are you doing? You'll get caught! And you promised to stop." That aside, Rowan was born to be free, as the song goes. She may be a gutter fae and a former thief, but she is my kind of gal.

The book explores themes of perseverance, classism, identity, slavery, betrayal, freedom, loyalty, the cost of unchecked ambition, and, greatest of all, love. The characters were well drawn for the most part. Some of the princesses were forgettable and rather flat, while others were memorable. The villains were thoroughly detestable. I really enjoyed the dynamics and dialogue between the characters and the bonds Rowan formed with a couple of the rival princesses. The bridal contest was another highlight and added extra spice to the tale. The elimination process was a bit abrupt, but since it wasn't a major focus of the novel, it didn't bother me much.

Among the supporting characters, several made a lasting impression on me: Neo, whose integrity I admired; Bram, Neo's loyal companion; Olette, the prince's aunt; and Shayla, the princess from the Iron Kingdom. I had my suspicions about Neo's true identity, and it turned out I was right. Even so, the author still managed to surprise me with it.

The world-building is fantastic. There are sixteen Fae kingdoms on the island, including Honey, Bloom, River, Glacier, and Ember, to name a few. We learn about their lost magical powers, magical objects, otherworlders (their enemies), the class system, and much more. I was a bit surprised that no humans were among the races mentioned. I also found it strange that although the king was unmarried, the marriage competition was for his brother rather than for him.

The artwork between the chapters was gorgeous and brought the characters to life. There is a slow-burn romance and almost no spice beyond a few cuddles. It goes to show that a good book needs no smut to keep readers hooked. Julie Hall crafts a unique and captivating tale filled with twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages. Alas, it ends on a cliffhanger, not my favorite trope, and I can't wait for the next book.Fans of fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy with larger-than-life protagonists will enjoy it. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* My review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[Fifi’s Bookshelf]

Just a fairytale girl dipping her toes in fantasy! What can I say, any mention of princesses and I’m interested 👑

Concept: an orphan who is bought out of a indentured servitude contract from a cruel master by a fae but the drawback is she must first disguise herself as a princess to find out who the assassin targeting Prince Dryden is. I love the concept of fish out of water with orphan girl to royalty; it’s very Princess and the Pauper-y. Actually, this book reminds me a lot of the classic Barbie movie, because Rowan’s dynamic with her master is very similar to how it was with Madame Carp (classic Barbie movie fans iykyk).

The worldbuilding is PHENOMENAL. The continent of Vaeloria is an isolated island with 16 fae kingdoms, but outside of Vaeloria on the mainland are the enemy vampire and werewolf kingdoms who pose a threat. The Ember Kingdom is the most powerful and influential because it houses the crystal at its palace, which holds the magical barrier in place so that the vampires and werewolves can’t get through. There is SO MUCH you can do with that concept. So many spinoffs you could do with that. Just the fact alone that the werewolves and vampires are even greater enemies and are too preoccupied with their bloody battles on the mainland to focus on the fae kingdoms anyways. The world is so much bigger than just Vaeloria and there’s so much you could do with the worldbuilding even beyond the continent.

Most mostly, the best worldbuilding was within Vaeloria; the kingdoms were so distinctive and I would actually genuinely be interested in reading a geography and history book just about the continent. Cutesy kingdoms like the Honey Kingdom, the River Kingdom, or my personal favorite because it sounds the prettiest, the Bloom Kingdom? I loved learning about the kingdoms and their princesses. Some of the princesses are sweet, some aren’t. But could one of them be a killer?

I’m definitely a fairytale girl, not a fantasy one, and I normally don’t gravitate towards fae books, but I will aaaaalways be a princess book girl. If you mention a princess competition to win the hand of a prince, a castle setting, a Bridgerton meets The Selection high society atmosphere, a thief (or pauper, if you wanna stick with the Barbie theme) impersonating a princess?
I loved the princesses, the balls, the gowns, the royal events, the kingdoms. That kind of stuff is my happy place. So, I very much enjoyed this story about Rowan becoming Princess Greer Stormfeather of the Glacier Kingdom, getting princess lessons, playing princess with royals from other kingdoms to try to uncover a potential assassin.

Now let’s talk target audience. This is a fantasy for fairytale lovers. If you go into this expecting something like ACOTAR or whatever else is popular right now in fantasy, you’ll be disappointed. If you go into this expecting a light, fairytale-esque fantasy with princesses, palaces, kingdoms, glitz and glamour, you’ll love it. Think, more Bridgerton than LOTR, if that makes sense. It’s not a huge fantasy at war story with massive stakes. It’s a lighter fantasy tale where the aesthetic itself is what makes this book shine. The best example I can give is, we don’t watch Bridgerton because it has a massively interesting or elaborate plot; we watch it because the atmosphere itself is pretty to look at, it’s easy to romanticize, and you get swept away into the glitz and glamour of high society regency. The Secrets of Everlight is the same way. It’s not designed to be a huge high stakes life or death sword and knight fantasy tale. As a fairytale girl who is not a fan of ACOTAR nor do I generally like that kind of fantasy, I am the target audience for this lighter, princess focused type of fantasy. But I completely get if someone else might not be as into this as I was.

Is it a bit overly long? Yes. But the worldbuilding is so good that the immersion is enough to make this engaging. I loved this and want more from this book world, from the other princesses, and what their lives are like in their kingdoms. I only took off a star because the actual assassin was way too obvious for me personally, to the point where I was like surely they’re not gonna make it this because that’s too obvious (murder mystery 101!) but I still really liked this, for the expertly crafted immersion. I will be picking up the sequel for sure!

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

[Jessica]

Trope-y romantasy with a Bachelor competition that isn’t really a competition because the rest of the “competition” have no real personalities, there’s no actual competing happening, and the stakes are so low I had to stoop to find them, and I’m already pretty short? Check. Welcome to The Secrets of Everlight, where the really good thief gets caught every time, the “big” reveal was literally only surprising to one person (and the fact that that person had no inkling of an idea about this reveal made me question her IQ level a bit because what do you mean you’re “always observing everything” and didn’t see that coming), and pretty much nothing else happens until the last, I don’t know, 150 pages of an almost 500-page book. Did I hate it? No, but I didn’t love it either.

Rowan is “hired” to pretend to be a princess in order to spy on the other princesses because there was a report that came from somewhere saying one of them is going to try to kill the prince. Now, when I say “hired,” that’s because the person who hired her actually bought her slave contract, so she actually has to do everything he says. But don’t worry, he hates slavery, so if she doesn’t want to do the job, he’ll nullify the contract, give her money, and let her go free. But if she does the job, he’ll give her even more money and a free pass to any other kingdom she wants so that she can start over because she’s risking her life by impersonating a princess, so it’s worth paying more for.

What I don’t understand is why she took the risk. He was already going to let her out of the contract and pay her regardless. Yeah, it’s more money (and a free pass to any other kingdom!), but is that worth your life? Apparently, yes. I don’t think so, but I suppose I’m not Rowan. Anyway, literally on, like, the first day of the competition, it’s announced that the prince will be sending home princesses he doesn’t make a connection with. If you just thought, “Well, what if the first princess he sends home was the assassin?” then you, like me, would have asked a question that Rowan doesn’t even think about until over three-quarters into the book. I just had to take a moment after reading that because what is even the point now? Right? Like, why is Rowan here? Absolutely fantastic question. Remember how I mentioned the stakes? Yeah, this threw them right out the window. Now, of course, the assassin-princess isn’t going to get sent home because, again, what would even be the point of the story then, but come on. First, Rowan doesn’t even actually need to be there, and then, her whole reason for being there might not even come to pass. Sigh.

I really thought we were going somewhere with the ending. I hated it, but it felt like we were doing something. And then we made a complete 180, and I ended up hating the direction it went even more. It felt … silly? Too easy? As much as I disliked the original way I thought the end would play out, it was good. It gave the story the stakes it so desperately needed, with a choice that no one would want to make. It made me feel something, even if that something was anger (but a good anger). But no. It was going, I was mad, and then the story said, “GOTCHA! We’re actually not doing that. At all. Here’s something completely different.” It actually made me want to read the next book even less, and I was already probably not going to read it.

Okay, that probably sounded pretty negative for a three-star review, but I must say, despite my gripes, moans, and complaints, the story was engaging. Entertaining, if you will. I don’t know what it was about it, but the book flowed well, despite very few things of actual consequence happening. Did it read a little YA for an Adult book? Yes. Was the romance rushed and a bit underdeveloped? Yes. Did the FMC constantly contradict herself? Yes. But at no point did I consider DNF-ing. I was having a good time, and it kept me coming back. I also thought that the world-building was super interesting. Of course, I would have loved more, but I say that for practically every fantasy I read, so that’s nothing new.

Overall, I do think The Secrets of Everlight was a solid book, with a fast pace that kept me reading despite the lack of action. I just think some things were a little too contrived and/or nonsensical. Very middle-of-the-road, for me.

I received an advance copy of The Secrets of Everlight from NetGalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lexi]

💒 The Bachelor style competition

🗡️ Thief main character

👥 Allies to Lovers

🧚‍♀️ Fae

The Secrets of Everlight is a very serviceable book. I will not be returning for book 2. Thanks to Goodreads for a free print copy!

Rowan is a thief indentured to a scumbag, but when a secretive man buys her contract and asks her to spy on the royal family to sus out and assassin, her life is forever changed. She must enter a competition for the princes hand while scrutinizing its participants for villainy to earn her freedom.

Julie Hall isnt a bad writer, and shes put effort into the atmosphere of the book beyond just the love story which is fun. The book is full of ridiculous trope chasing and general pointlessness, but if you turn your brain off, its a fun ride.

A few notes on these:

- Absolutely no point in having these characters be fae, it serves zero purpose. Most of these characters are humans with pointy ears. Clearly chasing a trend/keyword thing. Also any time i hear people refered to as "male" and "female" I am like "welp, someone is really into knotting fanfiction". Its cringe.

- Rowan enters a competition for seemingly no reason- theres was clearly just a desire by the author to have a competition because it was what was "in", but theres no real competing going on, and the bachelor style mechanics, while told, are not a very relevant part of the story, you could have just as easily put Rowan into court as a visiting royal with the same result. There isn't even an actual COMPETITION element- no challenges, no stakes, nothing.

- Rowan was chosen because she is a capable thief and proceeds to do nothing. The mystery is not solved by her being useful, its entirely on accident. She basically falls conveniently into every single situation she gets into, and in fact, the one time she attempted to steal anything she was caught.

But on the subject of "good things" though, its a very easy book to fly though. The characters are a tad generic but fun, and there is some effort put into the side characters, though the vast majority of the book is focused on the main two characters. Rowan is a pretty standard romantasy FMC, but she is likable and being in her head is fun. Her love interest, prince Dryden is also written with a heavy level of simplicity, but hes not a overly troped out shadow daddy, and he's a bit of a scamp which is fun.

The princesses that Rowan is investigating are largely non characters, with a few stand outs that get a few scenes that share their motivations, hopes, etc- however, none of them are written to be full people as much as they are a collective plot device, which does feel standard for romantasy side characters unless they are being set up for their own spinoff.

I did have fun reading The Secrets of Everlight, but like a lot of romantasy it felt very surface level beach read to me.. Its nearly a 500 page book with almost nothing to say, and minimal justification for its massive size. I can't even imagine how a sequel will be possible- its hard to fathom that the author has another 500 pages of material left in her.

If you are looking for something warm and familiar, I DO think there is value here. I did enjoy this more than some other romantasy I have read and did feel it had potential. The first 100 pages were actually very fun, but the book struggled to find its footing and establish itself as something different. I picked the book up in a reading slump and to its credit. it did pull me out of it. Sometimes you need some "bad for your teeth" cotton candy style books to get you though burnout, so I am still glad I gave this book a shot, even if I will forget it quickly.

[Alison]

If slow burn romantasy, marriage competitions, forbidden attraction, hidden powers, a thief FMC, forced proximity, fae court shenanigans, a love triangle with a twist, and SHE saves him sounds like your kind of book, then The Secrets of Everlight needs to be on your TBR. And if that list alone doesn't convince you to give this one a try, are you even a romantasy lover?

The world building here is done pretty doggone well, in my opinion. We get enough to understand the world we're living in without being overwhelmed by mass amounts of information. We meet our FMC, Rowan, in Everlight. Everlight is one of the most modern cities of the Ember Kingdom, which is the mightiest fae nation in Vaeloria, but the streets can still be rough. Magic is nearly gone except for a handful of powerful objects, and there are threats lurking beyond the fae kingdoms in the form of vampires and werewolves known as otherworlders. We also get glimpses of other fae kingdoms through the various princesses competing for the prince's hand. This world definitely has room to grow, and I can't wait to see what else is in store.

The story follows Rowan, a street thief who is trained to become Princess Greer in order to uncover a plot against the prince during a marriage competition. Also, can we talk about marriage competitions for a second? Should I be tired of them by now? Maybe. Am I? Not even a little bit. Anyhow, that's really all I'm willing to say about the plot because I don't want to spoil a thing. Trust me when I say uncovering all of this book's secrets for yourself is part of the fun. It certainly was for me.

Rowan is fairly young, nineteen if I remember correctly, but she's reasonably mature, capable, and has absolutely no problem kicking bums and taking names. But she isn't the only star of the show. This book has so. Many. Good. Characters. You'll love some, loathe some, and feel completely conflicted about others. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent amongst the pages with them.

The romance is pretty tame in terms of spice, but don't let that fool you. The romantic tension is definitely palpable. The kisses were satisfying, and I was all in with the romance.

The plot kept me engaged throughout. I'd call it more medium-paced for most of the book, but once I hit the final twenty-five percent? Whew. The pace takes off, and I could not read fast enough. In fact, I may need to go back and reread a few sections because I'm pretty sure I was speed reading just to find out what happened next.

But we need to talk, Julie Hall. Are you really going to leave a sister hanging like that? I may or may not have screamed at my Kindle when I realized I was on the last page. Desperate doesn't even begin to cover how badly I need the next book.

Needless to say, I think this is another winner from Julie Hall, and it might just be your next romantasy obsession. I mean, I might be speaking from personal experience here.

5/5 stars. No notes.

[Sue Reads]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Secrets of Everlight was an absolute delight and one of my favorite fantasy romances of the year! As someone who loves trying to predict every twist, reveal, and ending, I can confidently say that Julie Hall completely outsmarted me. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, she pulled the rug out from under me and kept me guessing until the very end. ✨

Rowan, an orphan who has spent her entire life surviving on the streets, is a talented thief trapped in a decade long fae contract in exchange for food. When a mysterious fae purchases her contract, her life changes overnight. Suddenly, she is thrust into a glittering world of royalty, intrigue, and danger, where she must pose as a princess from a neighboring kingdom.

With several princesses gathered to compete for the heart of the king's younger brother, Prince Dryden, the court seems like the setting for a fairytale. But beneath the gowns, balls, and royal charm lurks a deadly threat. Rowan is tasked with uncovering the identity of a killer hiding among the princesses, a mission that could finally earn her the freedom she has dreamed of her entire life.

I absolutely adored Rowan. She was fierce, intelligent, courageous, and endlessly resourceful. Her determination to survive, combined with her sharp wit and humor, made her impossible not to root for. She is the kind of heroine who feels both powerful and relatable, and I loved watching her fight for both freedom and the chance at something more.

And the romance? I was hooked. Whether it was Rowan's chemistry with Bram or her growing connection with Prince Dryden, I was completely invested. The relationships felt authentic, heartfelt, and full of emotional depth. Watching Rowan experience genuine care and connection for the first time made every romantic moment hit that much harder.

If you love:
✨ Fae courts and magic
✨ The Bachelor style competition vibes
✨ Bridgerton inspired royal drama
✨ Undercover identities and court intrigue
✨ Witty banter
✨ Slow burn romance
✨ A heroine who saves the guy

...then you need to pick up this book immediately!
That ending had me immediately needing book two in my hands, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Aynsley Scheffert]

I received an ARC of this book (thank you!), and overall, it was an incredibly fun and engaging read that kept me invested from beginning to end.

The story follows a thief whose indentured servant contract is purchased by a mysterious upper-class benefactor. She is then tasked with impersonating a princess during the prince's courting season in order to uncover who is trying to assassinate him. It's a fantastic setup that immediately creates tension and high stakes. Between the hidden identities, court politics, competing princesses, and ongoing investigation, there was always something pulling the story forward.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the balance between the mystery and the romance. Neither felt like it existed solely to serve the other. The mystery unfolded at a steady pace, with enough twists and revelations to keep me guessing, while the relationship between the FMC and MMC developed in a way that felt believable and earned. The tension between them was particularly well done. There was one scene that genuinely gave me goosebumps because of how effectively the emotional and romantic tension had been built over the course of the story.

The worldbuilding also struck a nice balance. The story is firmly centered on the immediate mystery and the characters, but there are hints of a much larger world beyond the court. The history between the fae, vampires, and werewolves, along with the magical barrier separating the fae from the rest of the supernatural world, adds depth without overwhelming the central plot. As the story progresses, those larger conflicts begin to intersect with the events unfolding at court, creating the sense that the stakes extend far beyond the prince's courting season.

Although the book ends with a cliffhanger, I never felt frustrated by it because the primary storyline of this installment reaches a satisfying conclusion. Instead of feeling unfinished, it left me excited to see where the series goes next and how the larger conflicts hinted at throughout the novel will develop.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining blend of fantasy, mystery, court intrigue, and romance. If you enjoy hidden identities, political maneuvering, compelling romantic tension, and fae-centered fantasy, this is definitely worth picking up. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next book. Really excellent!

[Brittney]

thank you netgalley and berkley for the arc


The Secrets of Everlight • Julie Hall

One phrase: thief girl goes undercover princess 👑🗡️

A thief turned spy pretending to be a princess so she can uncover an assassin at a fae court?

Say less. I’m listening.

The Secrets of Everlight has such a fun romantasy setup. Rowan has spent most of her life fighting to survive, first as an orphan and then under a cruel contract that keeps her stealing for someone else’s gain. All she wants is freedom, but when a mysterious fae buys out her contract, that freedom comes with a very dangerous price.

Find the assassin targeting Prince Dryden.

The catch? The killer is hiding among the royal women competing for his hand, which means Rowan has to trade survival scraps and stolen trinkets for silks, finery, etiquette, court politics, and pretending she belongs in a world built to expose her.

And honestly? I love that.

Rowan sounds like exactly the kind of FMC I root for. Scrappy, smart, observant, and used to relying on herself. Sneaking around, listening at doors, and reading people comes naturally to her, but pretending to be a princess while catching feelings for the prince she is supposed to be protecting? That is where things get deliciously messy.

I’m also obsessed with the fact that the other princesses may become actual connections instead of just rivals. Give me court intrigue, assassination plots, complicated friendships, and stolen glances with a fae prince who absolutely should be off limits.

✨ Tropes and vibes:
👑 undercover princess
🗡️ thief turned spy
🧚 fae prince
🔎 assassination plot
💞 forbidden attraction
🏰 royal court intrigue
👀 secret identity
✨ forced proximity
🫶 unexpected friendships
🔥 slow burn tension
⚔️ enemies beyond the kingdom
💫 fighting for freedom

📚 Read this if you like:
Fae romantasy, royal competitions, hidden identity chaos, spies in glittering courts, clever FMCs, dangerous missions, and romances where the assignment gets complicated because feelings rudely show up.

This sounds magical, twisty, romantic, and full of courtly chaos.

#TheSecretsOfEverlight #JulieHall #RomantasyBooks #FaeRomance #BookReview

[Whitney]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love fantasy as a whole because of how transported I feel when I read it. This book was a prime example of everything I loved in it.
First, the main character Rowan. She was a victim of her circumstances, and she became who she is through sheer will. I love that in a female character. Her actions and words were heavily influenced by how she learned to survive, and I loved that it made her, to a degree, predictable. Even as her circumstances changed, her character was reliable even in her flaws.
I also loved an aspect of this book so much that I’m going to think about it for the next few years guaranteed, and that is Prince Dryden. Specifically, his magic. He was such a fascinating character, and I loved that even though I absolutely could tell what the plot twist was regarding everything with him, I still felt excited that I was right about it! I loved his banter with Rowan, I loved his motivations, and I loved that we got so much personality and perspective from him despite this book being only from Rowan’s eyes. This story did an excellent job and making me feel for him how Rowan did, and that is an impressive feat.

Another thing I loved about this book was the world. I normally prefer stories to be single books rather than being a series, but the ending made me so incredibly grateful that it was just book one. It is a beautiful world that was easy to picture. I got a little bit of Bridgerton vibes, if Bridgerton was set in a fantasy world made mostly of fae.
There were some aspects of the magic system and the politics that weren’t able to get their time to shine in the story (just because of the space everything else took), so I’ll be glad when that is expanded on in book two. And I know it will be, because the setup for it was well done.

Overall, this was a very well done book. The writing style was perfect for me, the world was stunning, the characters well developed. I liked that some parts of the story were predictable (like Prince Dryden) and other parts were not (like the princesses). I’m deeply excited to get my hands on a physical copy so I can make annotations! I highly recommend this book.

[J. L. Linn]

I’m a long time supporter of author Julie Hall, so I was incredibly excited to get an early copy of The Secrets of Everlight. And yep, she got me again. 😂

Rowan is a thief who finds herself recruited for a very different kind of job: pose as a princess, enter a competition for Prince Dryden’s hand, and secretly help uncover an assassination plot against him. A thief turned spy pretending to be royalty while falling for the prince she’s supposed to protect? Yes please.

This was just FUN. It has a lighter, almost fairytale quality to the fantasy that reminded me a little of The Selection, but with the added intrigue of an undercover mission and someone actively trying to kill the prince. I loved the different kingdoms, the court setting, the gowns and competition, and all the secrets Rowan has to juggle while pretending to be someone she definitely isn’t.

Rowan was incredibly easy to root for. She’s clever and resourceful because she’s had to be, but she also has a vulnerability that kept her from feeling like the stereotypical FMC who can magically handle everything thrown at her. And Dryden surprised me! Their relationship develops gradually through all the deception surrounding them, and I really enjoyed watching the two of them get to know each other.

The romance leans more about the slow burn, yearning, friendship, and growing connection between Rowan and Dryden than spice, and I genuinely loved them together.

I also really enjoyed the world itself. There are so many pieces of the kingdoms, magic, politics, and larger world that we’ve only begun to explore, and I have A LOT of questions about where this is going.

And then there is THAT ENDING.

Ma’am. You cannot just leave me there. 😭😂

The Secrets of Everlight gave me exactly the kind of fantasy escape I wanted: royalty, disguises, court intrigue, romance, danger, a heroine I could root for, and enough unanswered questions to have me completely invested in what comes next.

What to expect;
✨ Thief turned spy
✨ Hidden identity
✨ Marriage competition
✨ Fae prince
✨ Slow burn romance
✨ Court politics
✨ Assassination plot
✨ Secrets and deception

[Megan Witsche]

Early ARC Read From Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group

Tropes: Romantasy, Slow Burn, Hidden Identity, Political Intrigue, Forced Proximity, Assassin Mystery, Fae/Vampires/Werewolves, Marriage Competition, Forbidden Attraction, She Saves Him, Cliffhanger

Quotes: "Where courtship is a game, deception is survival, and desire is deadlier than the sharpest blade."

Review No Spoilers: Book Review (No Spoilers)

This fantasy romance delivers a compelling blend of court intrigue, espionage, and slow burn romance set in a beautifully imagined fae world. The story follows Rowan, a street thief whose desperate fight for freedom takes an unexpected turn when she’s recruited to become a royal spy. Tasked with posing as a princess in a marriage competition to uncover an assassination plot, Rowan is thrown into a world of glittering courts, deadly secrets, and dangerous political games.

Rowan is an easy heroine to root for. Her resilience, resourcefulness, and sharp instincts make her a standout protagonist, and watching her navigate the unfamiliar world of nobility while hiding her true identity creates constant tension. The romance develops gradually, with plenty of chemistry and emotional conflict as feelings grow between Rowan and Prince Dryden despite the lies keeping them apart.

The court politics, hidden agendas, and mystery surrounding the assassination keep the pacing engaging, while the friendships Rowan forms with the other competitors add surprising warmth and depth. As the story unfolds, the stakes expand beyond a single murder plot, introducing larger threats that promise an even bigger adventure ahead.

With rich world-building, memorable characters, strong found-family elements, and a satisfying mix of romance, suspense, and political intrigue, this is an enjoyable read for fans of fae fantasy, hidden identities, royal competitions, and slow-burn romance. It offers an exciting start to a series while leaving plenty of intrigue for what’s to come.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️

[Kala Rose]

Julie Hall has officially become an auto read author for me because WOW. This book had me hooked from the very first page and never once let go. It had everything I love in a fantasy: rich world building, an intriguing magic system, high stakes, mystery, and just the right amount of slow burn tension to keep me completely invested.

One of my favorite parts was watching our FMC navigate the story while hiding her true identity. It added such an interesting layer to the plot and kept me constantly trying to piece everything together alongside her. There was always another mystery to unravel, another secret waiting to be uncovered, and even when I managed to predict a few plot points, it didn't take away from the experience at all. If anything, it just made me even more excited to see how everything would unfold.

The world itself felt so vivid and well thought out. Julie Hall reveals the magic and history so naturally that it never felt like an info dump. Instead, the world slowly opened up chapter by chapter, making it feel immersive and incredibly easy to get lost in. The magic system was fresh, layered, and one of my favorite aspects of the book. It felt like there was always something new to discover.

I also absolutely loved both of our main characters. They are both fiercely loyal to their morals and convictions, and watching them slowly learn to trust each other was such a satisfying journey. Their relationship never felt rushed. Every moment of vulnerability, every piece of trust they earned, and every ounce of yearning felt completely deserved, I will eat up that kind of tension every single time.

And then... that ending...Excuse me??

The final chapters completely raised the stakes and set up what promises to be an incredible sequel. I closed the book already desperate for the next one because that ending left me with approximately one thousand questions and an unhealthy amount of anticipation.

An easy five star read for me and a series I will absolutely be recommending to every fantasy lover I know.

This book releases on October 6, 2026. Thank you to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Christina L.]

This book absolutely blew away all of the expectations I had going in. This is the kind of book that makes me want to read fantasy again (and keep reading it). It really had everything and more that makes a great fantasy book, and meanwhile it felt unique and did not fit the mold of the usual fantasy books coming out recently, making me love it even more. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves fantasy books, and anyone who wants to get into the genre—this is for you.

It all kicks off when Rowan, a fae trapped as an indentured servant is suddenly taken away from the world she knows in order to help a mysterious fae carry out a scheme to try to find the person trying to murder the crown prince. But, she has to pretend to be a princess in a courting competition that is designed for the same crown prince to pick a wife. So, she starts training and learning how to be a princess until she goes to the palace and the courting begins…

Rowan was a great main character—plucked as she was from the streets, she is brave, clever, and endearing, despite her flaws. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from her point of view, and seeing as she grew into the person she could be. I loved her interactions with the other characters in this book—Neo, Shayla, Olette, and Dryden especially. It was great to see her grow as a person and learn to trust in people other than herself. On a related note…I loved the romance that began to develop in this book—there was great banter, tension, and moments that were so tender I nearly cried.

As for the worldbuilding and story itself, it was so interesting to learn about the world this story is set in, and the world building that began in this book makes me so excited for what is to come. There were also some great twists in this book, even though I predicted one from the start. I cannot wait to continue this series and see where it goes next (I will be waiting very very impatiently).

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing, Ace, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.