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The Bound Dreamer: A Paranormal Fae Romance
Woman on a mission for petty revenge ✓
Flirty shadow fae ✓
Teasing and banter ✓
Quick read novella ✓
Madi is supposed to be the Angel's Bride—a pious and holy devotee—but she hates the reclusive order she grew up in.
Abandoned by her family and punished for existing by the Temple’s faithful, she's on a mission for petty revenge before the last pieces of her plan come together and she leaves for good.
But the Temple’s fanatic leader is becoming desperate as a rash of uncontrollable nightmares breaks out, and Madi knows she must escape soon, or she’ll discover what happened to the Brides that came before her… the ones who were never seen again.
It's then that a man too beautiful to be human and too flirtatious to be safe starts appearing in her dreams.
And also in real life.
...Or is she still dreaming?
Step into the Inperium War with this quick-read paranormal romance novella. The Captive Dreamer can be read a standalone or continue to the Spell Caster’s Familiar trilogy afterward for another story in the same world.
Flirty shadow fae ✓
Teasing and banter ✓
Quick read novella ✓
Madi is supposed to be the Angel's Bride—a pious and holy devotee—but she hates the reclusive order she grew up in.
Abandoned by her family and punished for existing by the Temple’s faithful, she's on a mission for petty revenge before the last pieces of her plan come together and she leaves for good.
But the Temple’s fanatic leader is becoming desperate as a rash of uncontrollable nightmares breaks out, and Madi knows she must escape soon, or she’ll discover what happened to the Brides that came before her… the ones who were never seen again.
It's then that a man too beautiful to be human and too flirtatious to be safe starts appearing in her dreams.
And also in real life.
...Or is she still dreaming?
Step into the Inperium War with this quick-read paranormal romance novella. The Captive Dreamer can be read a standalone or continue to the Spell Caster’s Familiar trilogy afterward for another story in the same world.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2026
9 people want to read
About the author
Tamsin Hawthorn
14 books74 followersFind me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortamsi...
Tamsin is an author and designer living in the marshlands of coastal South Carolina with her husband Mr. Hawthorn, a reclusive and enigmatic genius. When not creating, she enjoys reading, witching around, and visiting new places. The Spell Caster is her first published novel.
Tamsin is an author and designer living in the marshlands of coastal South Carolina with her husband Mr. Hawthorn, a reclusive and enigmatic genius. When not creating, she enjoys reading, witching around, and visiting new places. The Spell Caster is her first published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The perfect palate cleanser between reads and bonus points for being a novella. I was so hooked I couldn’t stop reading and ended up finishing it in one sitting. I absolutely loved Madi and Vesper, and I really hope we get to see them again someday in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars Rounded up
Wow did I eat this one up 😅
Im not sure what I was expecting but I LOVED Madi the FMC. She was fabulous and sassy even with her doubt and abandonment.
This was a super short and fast read that had me eager to know more! I do hope to read more about these two and find out what happened with the Angel 👀 🙏🏼
Wow did I eat this one up 😅
Im not sure what I was expecting but I LOVED Madi the FMC. She was fabulous and sassy even with her doubt and abandonment.
This was a super short and fast read that had me eager to know more! I do hope to read more about these two and find out what happened with the Angel 👀 🙏🏼
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐ 5 out of 5 stars
The Captive Dreamer by Tamsin Hawthorn is such a strong little novella. Quick, sharp, and enjoyable. Set in the same world as The Spellcaster’s Familiar, it gives us cult vibes, forbidden love, and just enough chaos to keep you turning pages.
Madi is lined up as the Temple’s “Angel Bride,” but she’s done being obedient. Watching her scheme her way toward freedom, fueled by little acts of petty revenge, was so satisfying. Then enters the flirty shadow fae man of her dreams. The banter was fun, the tension was there, and the darker undertones of the cult gave the story real weight.
Tamsin really knows how to balance a dark setting with characters who still carry hope. For a short read, this packs a punch. Such a great intro to this corner of the Imperium War world.
The Captive Dreamer by Tamsin Hawthorn is such a strong little novella. Quick, sharp, and enjoyable. Set in the same world as The Spellcaster’s Familiar, it gives us cult vibes, forbidden love, and just enough chaos to keep you turning pages.
Madi is lined up as the Temple’s “Angel Bride,” but she’s done being obedient. Watching her scheme her way toward freedom, fueled by little acts of petty revenge, was so satisfying. Then enters the flirty shadow fae man of her dreams. The banter was fun, the tension was there, and the darker undertones of the cult gave the story real weight.
Tamsin really knows how to balance a dark setting with characters who still carry hope. For a short read, this packs a punch. Such a great intro to this corner of the Imperium War world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tamsin never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful storytelling. She weaves words and emotions flawlessly, putting together a tapestry of heart-wrenching moments, high-paced action, and blooming love stories. And now she has managed to weave it all into this devastatingly beautiful novella set in the universe of her Inperium War series, The Captive Dreamer.
Novellas don't usually offer much space for character development, and yet I feel like Tamsin found a way to truly show us the depths of her characters, especially Madi. Madi's story is heartbreaking and infuriating, and I felt so much anger toward her captors and the entire situation. Yet, her resilience and bravery truly shone and felt inspiring. She was her own savior, and I admire her for that.
And then, when she was paired with her Nightmare, everything fell into place even more. Two captives, two souls yearning for freedom, finding each other in the dark.
The Captive Dreamer is a must-read, and the same goes for the Inperium War series.
Thank you, Tamsin, for having me on your ARC team. I have loved every moment of it.
Novellas don't usually offer much space for character development, and yet I feel like Tamsin found a way to truly show us the depths of her characters, especially Madi. Madi's story is heartbreaking and infuriating, and I felt so much anger toward her captors and the entire situation. Yet, her resilience and bravery truly shone and felt inspiring. She was her own savior, and I admire her for that.
And then, when she was paired with her Nightmare, everything fell into place even more. Two captives, two souls yearning for freedom, finding each other in the dark.
The Captive Dreamer is a must-read, and the same goes for the Inperium War series.
Thank you, Tamsin, for having me on your ARC team. I have loved every moment of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦
This was such a fun little story, and I really loved how Tamsin builds the world around us. It’s not a kind or gentle world—far from it—but that only makes the story of our FMC, Madi, even more captivating.
What stood out most to me is how vividly this book explores the many facets of cult life, portraying the emotional and psychological toll on those forced to endure such intense fanaticism. That darkness is perfectly balanced with incredible chemistry and an MMC you’re never quite sure is real… or imagined.
I truly love Tamsin’s take on paranormal romance, and this book is the perfect introduction to her Spell Caster’s Familiar trilogy.
Highly recommend—go read this.
20/26
This was such a fun little story, and I really loved how Tamsin builds the world around us. It’s not a kind or gentle world—far from it—but that only makes the story of our FMC, Madi, even more captivating.
What stood out most to me is how vividly this book explores the many facets of cult life, portraying the emotional and psychological toll on those forced to endure such intense fanaticism. That darkness is perfectly balanced with incredible chemistry and an MMC you’re never quite sure is real… or imagined.
I truly love Tamsin’s take on paranormal romance, and this book is the perfect introduction to her Spell Caster’s Familiar trilogy.
Highly recommend—go read this.
20/26
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’d seen ten Brides older than me be taken into the Sanctuary, one each year until it was my turn.”
Tamsin Hawthorn has done it again!
A standalone novella within the world she masterfully built in the Spell Caster's Familiar trilogy, The Captive Dreamer is a a wonderful addition. It expains the world, adding fae into the mix with witches and angels. Even thought Madi is such a strong character, I wanted to pull her out of the story to make her safe. The odds are so stacked against her, but she keeps fighting. I also love the shadow-daddy fae. I hope to see them again in the rich story of The Inperium War.
Tamsin Hawthorn has done it again!
A standalone novella within the world she masterfully built in the Spell Caster's Familiar trilogy, The Captive Dreamer is a a wonderful addition. It expains the world, adding fae into the mix with witches and angels. Even thought Madi is such a strong character, I wanted to pull her out of the story to make her safe. The odds are so stacked against her, but she keeps fighting. I also love the shadow-daddy fae. I hope to see them again in the rich story of The Inperium War.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews