Lady Scarlett: A Retelling of The Highwayman

The Favored's Curse #1.5

by M.K. Felix

A rebellious lady. A noble highwayman. A trade that will change their lives. Lady Marian Wessex

Being a lady in the kingdom of Lyriva is not as glamorous as one might think, so when I have the chance to seize my destiny, I take it. Joining Robin Hood’s camp can only be an improvement over an arranged marriage to a foreign prince. Who knows, I may even fall for the handsome highwayman assigned to me.

William Scarlett

I’ve been an outlaw since Robin Hood faked my death three years ago. I’m shocked when the woman gallivanting in the forest in a fancy dress turns out to be a family friend from my past. I’m not ready to reveal my existence to Lady Marian yet. When she offers me a trade I can’t refuse, I find my feelings for her go deeper than I expected. But can I woo her and keep her safe as Robin Hood plans a coup?



Lady Scarlett is a companion novella to the full-length novel Fairest Hunter. It is best read after Fairest Hunter as the events take place concurrently.

This clean romantasy book is a retelling of Robin Hood and The Highwayman. For readers who want witty banter, swoony kisses, characters who won't sit around waiting for their happily ever after, and a wonderful dose of best friend's brother romance, this story is for you.

With kissing only, no swearing, and light action, this book is perfect for teens and adults alike.

Genres: Romance, Romantasy, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings

120 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2026

Reviews

[Shayla Riley]

LADY SCARLETT
by: M.K. FELIX
@mkfelixauthor

-I give 4.5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~A Rebellious Lady. A Noble Highwayman. A Trade That Will Change Their Lives…

-LADY SCARLETT, is a wonderful choice if you want a quick fantasy love story! (Heavy on the love story). It is is only available right now by joining @mkfelixauthor ‘s newsletter and you’ll get it for FREE! ••But, if you want a paperback those are available on Amazon, right now! I best recommend reading this delightful novella tale AFTER Fairest Hunter as the events take place concurrently. Lady Scarlet is a quick but delightful short adventure with plenty of sweet swoony moments, fun humor, bravery, and stitched with such heart! I truly enjoyed every moment spent reading this tale and look forward happily with more to come in The Favored’s Cruse Series this year!🙌🏻📚❤️✨

“Maybe falling for William Scarlett isn’t the worst idea
I’ve ever had. Especially when he makes me feel seen and appreciated, despite my efforts to mask who I am.“

•Content: low amount of fantasy violence, community uprising, a touch of magic, mild danger lurking with curses, no language. Kisses only. Clean closed-door.

“Lady Marian is a cunning woman-one who I’m afraid has already absconded with my heart.”

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“If anyone should be considered a highwayman, it’s
you, my dear Marian. You’ve run away with my heart, tied it up in those scarlet ribbons of yours, and now I’m helpless to do anything but fall at your feet, begging for even a moment of your attention.”

#ladyscarlett
#mkfelixauthor
#allaboutthebestreads

[Megan Crofton]

I loved this extra behind the scenes of William Scarlett and Maid Marian. Their romance was sweet and fun. I loved that there was so much more to Marian than meets the eye. They felt safe together and I just loved their connection. It was a fun way to see a different perspective of the story in Fairest Hunter. I loved their story so much!

[Shawna Z]

A sweet novella that takes place during the timeline covered in Fairest Hunter, but from Will Scarlett and Maid Marian’s POV. Best to read this after Fairest Hunter before moving on to Charmed Beast.

The additional POV is charming as Will Scarlett tumbles headlong under Marian’s spell, and she under his. These two are so besotted with each other and the banter is definitely delicious to read through.

Due to the novella’s shorter length, the storyline unfolds I’m a variety of paces… obviously we get to slow down and cherish the moments these two are together, but then we zip through the narrative until another scene specifically for these two, either on their own or together.

You will be confused at what’s happening in the background and parts of Fairest Hunter will be spoiled for you if you try reading this one first! And trust me when I say, you will want to know what’s happening as Fairest Hunter is such an interesting take on both Snow White and Robin Hood (but gender swapped in fun and original ways).

The novella is a retelling of The Highwayman poem by Alfred Noyes, and fits with the Robin Hood backdrop so well.

Is it a necessary read? No, but it is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Felix’s charming land of Miraveil and more moments with its memorable characters. I would love more novellas for this series to twine around the novels if the author decides to go that route.

[Ariel]

Lady Scarlett is an adorable novella featuring William and Marian from Fairest Hunter!

I loved this novella so much! My gratitude goes to the beta reader who suggested that these characters get their own story to the author! It was adorable!

This story is a short and quick read and needs to be read after Fairest Hunter. This book doesn’t spoil big parts of the main book, but it shows some of the background that we don’t get to see from Rowena and Alvor’s perspective.

This book was a little more focused on romance than on action. I loved William and Marian together! They were absolutely adorable together, and I just love their characters so much. The romance was a little rushed, but it was still really sweet. They protected each other in their own ways and were their for each other.

We got to see more of William and his family, which I liked. I enjoyed getting to understand this world and country on a different level. Through this book we also get to see how cunning and smart Marian was, and I loved it. She was the highlight of the book! One of the things that I liked about Marian was her feisty personality, but she never became something she wasn’t. She didn’t pick up a weapon and learn how to fight. She did what she could to help, but it remained realistic and relatable.

I highly recommend reading this novella, especially if you loved Fairest Hunter! It really expands the world, and we get to see the love story of two beloved characters!

[Nicole Wright]

This was a fun novella. You need to read Fairest Hunter first as this story takes place within the majority of Fairest Hunter, therefore it contains major spoilers for book 1. This story we followLady Marian Wessex and William Scarlett on their journey of love and survival. I loved their adorable love story and how much it intertwines into book 1 but expands greatly through these characters' eyes.

[Shebb]

Another great addition to the series...

I loved seeing William and Marian in Fairest Hunter, so it was great getting a sneak peak into their side of things while that story took place.

I enjoyed the banter, the extra parts we didn't get in Fairest Hunter and the explanation for how they ended up besotted so soon. While this novella is short, it helps flesh out their story well.

[Chapters With Heather]

I loved this sweet, funny Highwayman retelling. MK Felix does an amazing job of pulling you in and making you love the main characters with their flaws and their good points. Reunions, sweet kisses, a coup, and the saving of a highwayman are all packed into this novella that pairs with The Fairest Hunter. Seriously, Read them both 😍😍😍

[Natasha Beagley]

Language: None
Spice Level: 1.5 (kisses only, some descriptive)

Very fun and cute novella! Love how it fit in with the original book, The Fairest Hunter, but it didn’t just retell the same story. Marian’s independent boldness is refreshing, and her highwayman is swoony yet gentlemanly. The wrap up was perfect with bravery, risk, a grumpy father figure and happily ever after.

[Alura Heindel]

This was so good! I loved getting to see a more of Marian and William’s interactions! They are adorable! I quite literally laughed out loud, and then proceeded to bawl during the more tender moments. M. K. Felix manages to squeeze so many emotions into such a sweet novella. Definitely worth the read!

[Joelle Gibson]

A really charming novella. The writing was strong & engaging, and the love story felt sweet without dragging. It had just the right touch of adventure to keep things moving, which made it a super fun, quick read. Definitely the kind of story you can curl up with and finish in one sitting. I’m already looking forward to reading more from this author!

[K.A. Ramstad]

Love this! I like how the author makes Marion, the FMC, be ditzy on the outside but cunning on the inside, and there's awesome chemistry between her and Will Scarlett. However, I would recommend reading Fairest Hunter (another great read) before this book, as it helps me appreciate Scarlett and Marion's adventure more.

[Ami Jacobs]

I loved this little gem of a book! It had hints of the poem “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes, but with a happy ending, and continued the story of the characters from Fairest Hunter! The fast pace, the nonstop action, and the fairytale atmosphere, all made this clean (only kisses) romance a delight to read! I look forward to the next book by this author!

[Katie - cozy.chapterclub Hay]

I enjoyed it, but I wish it was longer. I need more about their story! I know they marry, but are there children? It was too short! I know it was a novella, but I just wanted to know so much more. The scenes between Red and Lady Scarlett were so sweet. I need more

[D'anah]

It was interesting, but, in my opinion, needed a bit more detail on the nature of the magic and the story itself. To me, it read a bit like a draft, jot yhe ehole story?Apart from that, loved the characters.

[Amy Ramsey]

I loved this novella and time traveling to the time of Robin Hood! The banter between Marian and Will, the twist and turns and the budding romance made me unable go put it down! Can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series!

[aem]

Enjoyable

[Elise Tohru]

Fun romp. It was good to know more of what was going on with the most important side characters of Fairest Hunter.

[Liv Hamilton- livs.littlebookshelf]

❤️A sweet, swoony novella! I loved Marian and Will in the first book (Fairest Hunter) and was so happy to read more of their story! It’s written to be a companion novella for Fairest Hunter as it takes place during that book, but can be read as a standalone bc it doesn’t give much detail about it. Although I recommend you read Fairest Hunter first and then read Lady Scarlett. You can grab this novella for free by subscribing to author M.K. Felix’s newsletter!

🪭Reader’s Notes:
•Format: Ebook
•Pov: Dual- Marian & William
•Genre: Fantasy Romance
•Romance Level: 1.5: a few light, non-descriptive kisses and light romantic touches
•Swearing Level: None, just in world swears
•Violence Level: mild-G
•Other Notes: None
•Triggers: loss of mother during childbirth
•Age rating: 12+ (while it is a romance between older characters-adults-it is still appropriate for younger readers if desired

[Britt Galbraith]

➡️ This novella is a companion to Fairest Hunter. Read Fairest Hunter first if you can!

Kisses only
No profanity
PG violence
Light faith themes

- Hidden Identity
- Best friend’s brother
- Fish out of water

A retelling of The Highway Man that has a happy ending!

Marian and her highwayman are adorable! I loved getting to know their characters more. I also loved learning more about Solwain and His light, as well as the gifts of magic He grants to mortals to bless their lives.

⚠️ content
- a character retches when seeing a lover one on the gallows