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This Damsel Is Not in Distress
A magical castle.
The woman who's to become queen.
And her growing feelings for the bodyguard that might just ruin it all.
When Niamh Merridon flees her war-torn kingdom, she doesn't expect to stumble upon a tower that provides the protection she's always wanted . . .
Until some idiot arrives to "rescue" her and somehow gets her locked out. Now she's stuck with Rafe "the Wolfe" Wolfgang, a grumpy guard who's wholly unsusceptible to her charms. Worse, he claims she's to marry his prince because of some prophecy.
Niamh isn't keen on the idea, especially when she arrives at a sentient castle and discovers she can't become queen until the castle presents her with a key. How does she get this key? No one seems to know.
Niamh quickly realizes this might give her the safety she seeks . . . if she can survive the disappearing doors, shifting rooms, and mysterious secrets, secrets more dangerous than her own. Yet the hardest part of it all might be resisting the broody guard who makes her feel brave. If she can't avoid the temptation, it won't just be her heart on the line, but her life.
This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a standalone cozy, spicy romantasy with a grumpy/sunshine forbidden romance, a mischievous castle, and a know-it-all magical bookwyrm.
The woman who's to become queen.
And her growing feelings for the bodyguard that might just ruin it all.
When Niamh Merridon flees her war-torn kingdom, she doesn't expect to stumble upon a tower that provides the protection she's always wanted . . .
Until some idiot arrives to "rescue" her and somehow gets her locked out. Now she's stuck with Rafe "the Wolfe" Wolfgang, a grumpy guard who's wholly unsusceptible to her charms. Worse, he claims she's to marry his prince because of some prophecy.
Niamh isn't keen on the idea, especially when she arrives at a sentient castle and discovers she can't become queen until the castle presents her with a key. How does she get this key? No one seems to know.
Niamh quickly realizes this might give her the safety she seeks . . . if she can survive the disappearing doors, shifting rooms, and mysterious secrets, secrets more dangerous than her own. Yet the hardest part of it all might be resisting the broody guard who makes her feel brave. If she can't avoid the temptation, it won't just be her heart on the line, but her life.
This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a standalone cozy, spicy romantasy with a grumpy/sunshine forbidden romance, a mischievous castle, and a know-it-all magical bookwyrm.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
120 people are currently reading
1500 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 601 reviews
March 28, 2026
"You make me want so much more for myself than I’ve ever wanted before... But mostly, I just want you.”
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I love it when my impulsivity pays off.
Cozy (which is not my fave usually)
Funny
Magic
The FMC is 35
The MMC is 40
An actual book worm who talks
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I love it when my impulsivity pays off.
Cozy (which is not my fave usually)
Funny
Magic
The FMC is 35
The MMC is 40
An actual book worm who talks
March 11, 2026
I absolutely loved this one. What a delightful, cozy romantasy.
From the very beginning, this book felt charming and warm while still delivering tension, magic, and swoony moments. The sentient castle was such a fun element, but let’s talk about the real star of the show… the bookwyrm. I would like one immediately. He completely stole my heart.
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was adorable. I loved that she called him “sunshine” even though he was the grumpiest guard imaginable. There was something so soft and endearing about him having that nickname. Their banter felt playful and natural, and the chemistry built in a way that was both sweet and satisfying.
I also really appreciated the underlying message about self-reliance and not waiting around to be rescued. It added depth beneath all the cozy charm. And the fighting gargoyles? Such a fun touch.
This was magical, comforting, and romantic in all the right ways. A fantastic read that left me smiling. Thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC! UPDATE I received the ALC and man was it good!! Duet narration and I just loved hearing the characters come to life especially my favorite bookworm!! If you are an audiobook listener then go listen to this!!
From the very beginning, this book felt charming and warm while still delivering tension, magic, and swoony moments. The sentient castle was such a fun element, but let’s talk about the real star of the show… the bookwyrm. I would like one immediately. He completely stole my heart.
The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was adorable. I loved that she called him “sunshine” even though he was the grumpiest guard imaginable. There was something so soft and endearing about him having that nickname. Their banter felt playful and natural, and the chemistry built in a way that was both sweet and satisfying.
I also really appreciated the underlying message about self-reliance and not waiting around to be rescued. It added depth beneath all the cozy charm. And the fighting gargoyles? Such a fun touch.
This was magical, comforting, and romantic in all the right ways. A fantastic read that left me smiling. Thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC! UPDATE I received the ALC and man was it good!! Duet narration and I just loved hearing the characters come to life especially my favorite bookworm!! If you are an audiobook listener then go listen to this!!
February 15, 2026
“But ever since I met you, I’ve wanted to be better at one thing.”
“What’s that” she whispered.
“Deserving you.”
This Damsel is Not in Distress by Tee Harlowe
Read on 3/26!
A big thank you to Tee Harlowe and The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I thought this cozy romantasy was so damn cute. I love a big broody man who’s only soft for his girl. I loved the dynamics between Rafe and his brothers, and Niamh with pretty much everyone! I will definitely be reading the books in the series that feature the other brothers! (And that twist though! I’m looking forward to learning more about that…)
Things to Expect:
-Grumpy/Sunshine - he’s the grump and she nicknames him Sunshine.
-Cozy Romantasy
-She hears him making noises in his cottage (and peaks in his window) after he runs into her bathing in the pond outside…
-Forbidden Romance
-A Sassy Bookworm
-He trains her in self defense
“What’s that” she whispered.
“Deserving you.”
This Damsel is Not in Distress by Tee Harlowe
Read on 3/26!
A big thank you to Tee Harlowe and The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC!
I thought this cozy romantasy was so damn cute. I love a big broody man who’s only soft for his girl. I loved the dynamics between Rafe and his brothers, and Niamh with pretty much everyone! I will definitely be reading the books in the series that feature the other brothers! (And that twist though! I’m looking forward to learning more about that…)
Things to Expect:
-Grumpy/Sunshine - he’s the grump and she nicknames him Sunshine.
-Cozy Romantasy
-She hears him making noises in his cottage (and peaks in his window) after he runs into her bathing in the pond outside…
-Forbidden Romance
-A Sassy Bookworm
-He trains her in self defense
Review of advance copy
This was just the perfect cozy fantasy romance I was looking for! The characters were great, the story was fun, I adore a grumpy x sunshine trope, and this was perfect! Throw in some engaged to your brother, teaching them to fight, and a little bit of kidnapping, and this just had some perfect tropes in it! Not to mention the sidekicks - looking at you Morton and Marg! - I just loved them! How could you not love a sentient painting?! That was amazing! And a bookwyrm?! Like yes please! This goes right to the top of my absolute favorite cozy romantasy! ❤️
thank you to Nerd Fam and Tee for this ARC!
thank you to Nerd Fam and Tee for this ARC!
March 25, 2026
4.5. This is super cute and cozy read! Niamh lives in a magical tower that supports her every need. She never needs to leave, which is just fine by her after she escaped the war in her kingdom. She even has a magical bookworm friend! Suddenly, she’s taken- rescued- from her tower to become a queen because of a prophecy. The guard, Wolfe, is mean and grumpy. The kingdom she’s taken to is invisible to all except those inside of it. Her soon-to-be husband is charming but just not for her. But the kingdom may give her the safety she craves… she just has to survive it first.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story is just plain cute. I love the “animal” companion. The sentient castle is the cherry on top. The narrators were fantastic. Niamh’s narrator captured her worry, sass, and intelligence well. Wolfe’s bored and tired attitude is conveyed perfectly.
If you need a cozy, spicy, and just plain fun romantasy that has older characters, this is the perfect read!
Thank you NerdFam for the ALC!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story is just plain cute. I love the “animal” companion. The sentient castle is the cherry on top. The narrators were fantastic. Niamh’s narrator captured her worry, sass, and intelligence well. Wolfe’s bored and tired attitude is conveyed perfectly.
If you need a cozy, spicy, and just plain fun romantasy that has older characters, this is the perfect read!
Thank you NerdFam for the ALC!
March 28, 2026
Two guys, as per usual, can't solve their own problems, so they go and ruin the peace of a poor woman who’s just chilling in her magic tower with her bookwyrm and reading.
March 24, 2026
New cozy rec incoming 🎉🎉🎉
***************
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted ALC!
If you know me, you know I just love cozy fantasy. And I’m always looking for new ones to recommend to people. And let me just say, this one’s going right up at the top for me. I loved it from the moment it started, and Niamh and Morton the bookwyrm immediately stole my heart. And as soon as Wolfe and Cillian showed up I knew I was sold. This book had such an incredible cast of characters, and I want to see each and every one of them get a happy ending 🥹.
I loved watching Niamh and Wolfe grow. And how they helped each other. It was so touching to watch them work through grief, guilt, and trauma, and in Niamh’s case, seeing how little acts of bravery can help you learn to save yourself. This story was not only entertaining, it also brought me a lot of comfort and joy, and reminded me to celebrate the little acts of bravery in my life as worthwhile actions.
While I highly recommend this story as a whole, I recommend the audio even more . The duet narration is STELLAR. Both narrators bring the characters to life in such beautiful ways, and they’re so dynamic and differentiate between characters so well. I would have loved this story no matter what, but the narration really brought it to a whole new level for me. Also there’s a growl and it’s 🔥.
Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for a new cozy rec!!!
***************
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted ALC!
If you know me, you know I just love cozy fantasy. And I’m always looking for new ones to recommend to people. And let me just say, this one’s going right up at the top for me. I loved it from the moment it started, and Niamh and Morton the bookwyrm immediately stole my heart. And as soon as Wolfe and Cillian showed up I knew I was sold. This book had such an incredible cast of characters, and I want to see each and every one of them get a happy ending 🥹.
I loved watching Niamh and Wolfe grow. And how they helped each other. It was so touching to watch them work through grief, guilt, and trauma, and in Niamh’s case, seeing how little acts of bravery can help you learn to save yourself. This story was not only entertaining, it also brought me a lot of comfort and joy, and reminded me to celebrate the little acts of bravery in my life as worthwhile actions.
While I highly recommend this story as a whole, I recommend the audio even more . The duet narration is STELLAR. Both narrators bring the characters to life in such beautiful ways, and they’re so dynamic and differentiate between characters so well. I would have loved this story no matter what, but the narration really brought it to a whole new level for me. Also there’s a growl and it’s 🔥.
Definitely check this one out if you’re looking for a new cozy rec!!!
March 29, 2026
THIS WAS ADORABLE. A talking bookworm, magic, and a forbidden love?! Sign me up. This was a cute , humorous and whimsical fantasy to the extreme This author may be an auto read for me now. I was entertained the whole time and when the spice hit, HIT. 🥵 I am so interested in how book two will go down! Will be reading it ASAP.
March 16, 2026
This was such a nice cosy vibes read!
It is a perfect palette cleanser between high-stakes complex reads.
It got me completely addicted, and I loved the bookwyrm and sentient castle.
I enjoyed the characters and liked their ages.
The boy mom is hilarious with her matchmaking needs.
I liked the emotional parts too!
And to see there’s gonna be a sequel!!
Deffo recommend. Also, thank you very much for the ARC.
It is a perfect palette cleanser between high-stakes complex reads.
It got me completely addicted, and I loved the bookwyrm and sentient castle.
I enjoyed the characters and liked their ages.
The boy mom is hilarious with her matchmaking needs.
I liked the emotional parts too!
And to see there’s gonna be a sequel!!
Deffo recommend. Also, thank you very much for the ARC.
February 7, 2026
✨This Damsel is Not in Distress✨
Gosh, I just love jumping into a story written by the wonderful Tee. I always know that I will feel so good, laugh a whole lot, swoon indefinitely, and be completely sufficed by the end. TDINID was exactly that.
We follow a dual point of view, adventuring into a new and magical realm of enchanted objects and scheming brotherhood. Our FMC, Niamh, has been living inside an enchanted tower for three years, ever since her kingdom was captured and burned down, leaving her alone. She is content to stay safe, because safe = good. But when the tower crumbles and she’s “saved” by a prince and his bodyguard, Wolfe, Niamh begins a new journey: one to marry the prince and hopefully save a kingdom. Except she isn’t brave and she doesn’t want to marry the prince.
Niamh, along with her talking bookwyrm, work to gain acceptance to a sentient castle and learn to overcome her fears. She does all this from the conviction brought about by her grumpy bodyguard and prince’s brother, Wolfe. Both MCs struggle with the need for safety and find themselves overcoming battles + healing because of the other. This story was sweet, calm, and so whimsical. I laughed often (Morton, the gargoyles, Margaret, Cillian). I adored the grumpy x sunshine dynamics and banter. The way things moved made me happy and appreciative of the author. And the slow burn pay off was 👩🍳💋. I can see myself rereading this. I’m already so excited for book two. 🤭
Tropes you may find in TDINID are grumpy x sunshine, sentient castle, bookwyrm buddy, she calls him sunshine, bodyguard, he falls first, forced proximity, forbidden love, banter, he only likes/opens up to her, slow burn to medium spice, found family, over 30+ MCs, and a HEA.
Thank you, Tee and Nerdfam for this gifted arc. I just love reading your stories and meeting all your hilarious characters.
Gosh, I just love jumping into a story written by the wonderful Tee. I always know that I will feel so good, laugh a whole lot, swoon indefinitely, and be completely sufficed by the end. TDINID was exactly that.
We follow a dual point of view, adventuring into a new and magical realm of enchanted objects and scheming brotherhood. Our FMC, Niamh, has been living inside an enchanted tower for three years, ever since her kingdom was captured and burned down, leaving her alone. She is content to stay safe, because safe = good. But when the tower crumbles and she’s “saved” by a prince and his bodyguard, Wolfe, Niamh begins a new journey: one to marry the prince and hopefully save a kingdom. Except she isn’t brave and she doesn’t want to marry the prince.
Niamh, along with her talking bookwyrm, work to gain acceptance to a sentient castle and learn to overcome her fears. She does all this from the conviction brought about by her grumpy bodyguard and prince’s brother, Wolfe. Both MCs struggle with the need for safety and find themselves overcoming battles + healing because of the other. This story was sweet, calm, and so whimsical. I laughed often (Morton, the gargoyles, Margaret, Cillian). I adored the grumpy x sunshine dynamics and banter. The way things moved made me happy and appreciative of the author. And the slow burn pay off was 👩🍳💋. I can see myself rereading this. I’m already so excited for book two. 🤭
Tropes you may find in TDINID are grumpy x sunshine, sentient castle, bookwyrm buddy, she calls him sunshine, bodyguard, he falls first, forced proximity, forbidden love, banter, he only likes/opens up to her, slow burn to medium spice, found family, over 30+ MCs, and a HEA.
Thank you, Tee and Nerdfam for this gifted arc. I just love reading your stories and meeting all your hilarious characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: ThisDamsel Is Not In Distress
Author: Tee Harlowe
Synopsis: A magical castle.
The woman who’s to become queen.
And her growing feelings for the bodyguard that might just ruin it all.
When Niamh Merridon flees her war-torn kingdom, she doesn’t expect to stumble upon a tower that provides the protection she’s always wanted . . .
Until some idiot arrives to “rescue” her and somehow gets her locked out. Now she’s stuck with Rafe “the Wolfe” Wolfgang, a grumpy guard who’s wholly unsusceptible to her charms. Worse, he claims she’s to marry his prince because of some prophecy.
Niamh isn’t keen on the idea, especially when she arrives at a sentient castle and discovers she can’t become queen until the castle presents her with a key. How does she get this key? No one seems to know.
Niamh quickly realizes this might give her the safety she seeks . . . if she can survive the disappearing doors, shifting rooms, and mysterious secrets, secrets more dangerous than her own. Yet the hardest part of it all might be resisting the broody guard who makes her feel brave. If she can’t avoid the temptation, it won’t just be her heart on the line, but her life.
Review: what a delightful cozy book! The story had me intrigued from the start! I adore the grumpy/sunshine trope! I loved the side characters Morton and Marg! They were absolutely perfect!! I loved that Niamh and Wolfe were both in their mode 30’s to early 40’s it’s so refreshing! This book left me feeling so happy and calm!
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Author: Tee Harlowe
Synopsis: A magical castle.
The woman who’s to become queen.
And her growing feelings for the bodyguard that might just ruin it all.
When Niamh Merridon flees her war-torn kingdom, she doesn’t expect to stumble upon a tower that provides the protection she’s always wanted . . .
Until some idiot arrives to “rescue” her and somehow gets her locked out. Now she’s stuck with Rafe “the Wolfe” Wolfgang, a grumpy guard who’s wholly unsusceptible to her charms. Worse, he claims she’s to marry his prince because of some prophecy.
Niamh isn’t keen on the idea, especially when she arrives at a sentient castle and discovers she can’t become queen until the castle presents her with a key. How does she get this key? No one seems to know.
Niamh quickly realizes this might give her the safety she seeks . . . if she can survive the disappearing doors, shifting rooms, and mysterious secrets, secrets more dangerous than her own. Yet the hardest part of it all might be resisting the broody guard who makes her feel brave. If she can’t avoid the temptation, it won’t just be her heart on the line, but her life.
Review: what a delightful cozy book! The story had me intrigued from the start! I adore the grumpy/sunshine trope! I loved the side characters Morton and Marg! They were absolutely perfect!! I loved that Niamh and Wolfe were both in their mode 30’s to early 40’s it’s so refreshing! This book left me feeling so happy and calm!
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
March 24, 2026
I absolutely judged this book by its cover and oh did it deliver! This Damsel is Not in Distress was absolutely enjoyable! I devoured it in one day! This novel is the perfect cozy fantasy romance. The pairing of the grumpy Wolfe and the sunshiny Niamh was done so well.
One of the things I love about the novel is the sassy but super kind-hearted Niamh who is not your typical romantasy FMC. She’s a curvy, plus-size, 35-year-old who is dealing with anxiety attacks triggered by trauma and suffers from Raynaud’s disease. She’s not perfect. But, it is her struggle with her trauma and eventually, her determination to overcome limitations that makes her such a good character to read. To top it off, she’s a bookish gal who loves to read and whose best friend is a magical bookworm!
Wolfe definitely couldn’t resist Niamh’s charm. . .despite the fact that she is supposed to be meant for his brother. There’s definitely yearning in this pairing and a slowish burn as the main characters try to resist the attraction between them. Their attraction though, is not the only thing that magnetizes them to each other. Like Niamh, Wolfe is dealing with his own trauma. And yes, Niamh and Wolfe’s bond is born out of trauma as well.
But despite the trauma bond, this is a cozy book that is full of whimsy. With a magical, sentient castle, gargoyles that squabble, a gossipy lady who moves from painting to painting, and a suit of armor that asks for the password, the world of This Damsel is Not in Distress is whimsical and wonderfully crafted.
I did an immersive read, listening to the audiobook while also eyeball-reading and that made this whole experience even more. The duet narration of the audiobook was just AMAZING!!! The voicing of the characters definitely added to the whimsy and the coziness of the book. An easy 5-star read and listen for me!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC and ALC. #thisdamselisnotindistress #thenerdfam
One of the things I love about the novel is the sassy but super kind-hearted Niamh who is not your typical romantasy FMC. She’s a curvy, plus-size, 35-year-old who is dealing with anxiety attacks triggered by trauma and suffers from Raynaud’s disease. She’s not perfect. But, it is her struggle with her trauma and eventually, her determination to overcome limitations that makes her such a good character to read. To top it off, she’s a bookish gal who loves to read and whose best friend is a magical bookworm!
Wolfe definitely couldn’t resist Niamh’s charm. . .despite the fact that she is supposed to be meant for his brother. There’s definitely yearning in this pairing and a slowish burn as the main characters try to resist the attraction between them. Their attraction though, is not the only thing that magnetizes them to each other. Like Niamh, Wolfe is dealing with his own trauma. And yes, Niamh and Wolfe’s bond is born out of trauma as well.
But despite the trauma bond, this is a cozy book that is full of whimsy. With a magical, sentient castle, gargoyles that squabble, a gossipy lady who moves from painting to painting, and a suit of armor that asks for the password, the world of This Damsel is Not in Distress is whimsical and wonderfully crafted.
I did an immersive read, listening to the audiobook while also eyeball-reading and that made this whole experience even more. The duet narration of the audiobook was just AMAZING!!! The voicing of the characters definitely added to the whimsy and the coziness of the book. An easy 5-star read and listen for me!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC and ALC. #thisdamselisnotindistress #thenerdfam
March 21, 2026
TW: k!lling, fires
Omg I was hooked like instantly in this book and it only took me 9 days to read it because I was listening to this one mostly while I worked and made more calls than usual this week.
It was 10/10
She’s a strong heroine and she has a talking bookworm as a companion. It was super fun and the magic was honestly new and interesting.
This is a super cozy Romantasy with insta attraction but a little enemies to lovers vibes. Also forbidden love as she is supposed to be with his brother.
Again. This was sooo good! Also I listened to the audiobook and it is a duet narration and was amazing. Both the voice actors did a fantastic job and I would read with them again!!!
Tropes: touch her and ☠️, who did this?, protective MMC, grumpy/sunshine, forbidden love, he hates everyone but her, magical animal sidekick
Micro tropes: he teachers her to fight, she catches him self loving 🌶️, you can take it, he’s convinced he’s not good enough for her, magic 🤝science
Spice:🌶️
Steam:🔥🔥
Sweetness:💗💗💗💗
Omg I was hooked like instantly in this book and it only took me 9 days to read it because I was listening to this one mostly while I worked and made more calls than usual this week.
It was 10/10
She’s a strong heroine and she has a talking bookworm as a companion. It was super fun and the magic was honestly new and interesting.
This is a super cozy Romantasy with insta attraction but a little enemies to lovers vibes. Also forbidden love as she is supposed to be with his brother.
Again. This was sooo good! Also I listened to the audiobook and it is a duet narration and was amazing. Both the voice actors did a fantastic job and I would read with them again!!!
Tropes: touch her and ☠️, who did this?, protective MMC, grumpy/sunshine, forbidden love, he hates everyone but her, magical animal sidekick
Micro tropes: he teachers her to fight, she catches him self loving 🌶️, you can take it, he’s convinced he’s not good enough for her, magic 🤝science
Spice:🌶️
Steam:🔥🔥
Sweetness:💗💗💗💗
March 22, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and ALC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I absolutely loved the dual narration of this book! This was a cute romantasy with magical feel good vibes. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. I love the bookwyrm and need to have one now. I can’t wait to read the other books i. This series.
“This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a standalone cozy, spicy romantasy with a grumpy/sunshine forbidden romance, a mischievous castle, and a know-it-all magical bookwyrm”
“This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a standalone cozy, spicy romantasy with a grumpy/sunshine forbidden romance, a mischievous castle, and a know-it-all magical bookwyrm”
March 24, 2026
Thank you NerdFam for the advanced listening copy!
The narrator was amazing !
A fantasy that is Cute, Cozy and spicy!!!! I am here for it !
Not to mention a funny talking book worn; a gossip that lives in paintings, and some argumentative gargoyles.
I love that our FMC is older and curvy and the MMC is also is older and grumpy !
It’s about time is older readers get a FMC that is not 20
The narrator was amazing !
A fantasy that is Cute, Cozy and spicy!!!! I am here for it !
Not to mention a funny talking book worn; a gossip that lives in paintings, and some argumentative gargoyles.
I love that our FMC is older and curvy and the MMC is also is older and grumpy !
It’s about time is older readers get a FMC that is not 20
March 8, 2026
Why did I wait so long to read a cozy romantasy??
This Damsel is Not in Distress is FANTASTIC! I'm struggling to write a review because I enjoyed it so much I don't know where to start. I loved everything about this book. It draws you in from the very start with a witty girl living in a tower with a magical bookwyrm. Then along comes two Princes (one the High Prince and the other a bodyguard) to rescue her despite that she does in fact, not need rescuing. The action and banter from then on out is creative and imaginative. The banter between all of the characters is hilarious. The mental health rep for so many of the characters is done so well and it truly hit home. And let's not forget the forbidden romance! The yearning between the bodyguard and the Prince's betrothed is scrumptious! It's such a slow burn but when it ignites, it's spicy and oh so perfect.
My only comment is that it ended too soon! The book ends kind of abruptly but I can see how it will seamlessly flow into book 2 with all the same characters but focused on another Prince.
Don't sleep on this one! There is also a prequel novella available that I cannot wait to read.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Tee Harlowe for the early copy (seriously, thank you!). All opinions are my own!
This Damsel is Not in Distress is FANTASTIC! I'm struggling to write a review because I enjoyed it so much I don't know where to start. I loved everything about this book. It draws you in from the very start with a witty girl living in a tower with a magical bookwyrm. Then along comes two Princes (one the High Prince and the other a bodyguard) to rescue her despite that she does in fact, not need rescuing. The action and banter from then on out is creative and imaginative. The banter between all of the characters is hilarious. The mental health rep for so many of the characters is done so well and it truly hit home. And let's not forget the forbidden romance! The yearning between the bodyguard and the Prince's betrothed is scrumptious! It's such a slow burn but when it ignites, it's spicy and oh so perfect.
My only comment is that it ended too soon! The book ends kind of abruptly but I can see how it will seamlessly flow into book 2 with all the same characters but focused on another Prince.
Don't sleep on this one! There is also a prequel novella available that I cannot wait to read.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Tee Harlowe for the early copy (seriously, thank you!). All opinions are my own!
March 11, 2026
4/5 stars. This was such a fun cozy fairytale adventure with just a bit of spice! This book was just what I needed after many traditional romantasy stories this coxy romantasy was perfect and i finished it in just one day. This book featured our FMC Niamh (pronounced knee-v), a curvy over 30 damsel who quite literarily lives in a sentient tower with her best friend the book worm. Upon meeting Niamh I think you could say with a fair amount of certainty she was in quite a bit of distress. Her life is shaken up again by two brothers who desired to save their kingdom by fulfilling a prophecy that if they found the prince's bride they would save their kingdom from it's failing magic. Our Prince, Cillian and our grumpy bodyguard, Wolfe, don't know what they got themselves into with Niamh. Niamh is slow to trust because her traumatic past filled with grief but eventually she starts building trust with Cillian, Wolfe, and her other new friends in the Kingdom of Fairwitch Isle.
Niamh doesn't care to be queen and has no romantic connection to Cillian, a well known "bachelor". But that doesn't bother Niamh, who is just looking for a safe place to life for fear of the evil brotherhood who is after her looking to finish her off like they did with her family. This works fine for Cillian who has no desire to marry for love. Niamh, determined to find her own place in Fairwitch Isle and the secure the safety she has so desperately wanted, does her best to get the castle in Fairwitch Isle, to accept her, allowing her to stay forever.
Niamh doesn't know what to do when she starts falling for the other brother, the ultra broody body got for Cillian, Wolfe. This grumpy/sunshine pairing have some excellent banter and their relationship builds with such emotional depth you can't help but smile.
This story was lovely, and it was so easy to get lost in. The whimsey of the magical items, people, and places kept the world building simple, yet effective. I really enjoyed that the FMC/MMC were mature (30-40), the FMC was curvy, and there was a lot of mental health representation. I also am a sucker for grumpy/sunshine trope and Wolfe's grumpy but sensitive personality quickly grew on me. I also really enjoyed Tee Harlowe's story telling I am definitely wanting to pick up more of her work. Also, I think this is being marketed as stand alone but in the title you will notice "book 1" and there is definitely room for uncovering more about this story. I wonder if a book 2 might be in the future??
If you're looking for a quick, cozy, fairytale, romantasy book with medium spice, you need to pick this one up. I listened to this as audiobook and really enjoyed the duet narration. Thank you so much to the Nerd Fam for providing me with this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Niamh doesn't care to be queen and has no romantic connection to Cillian, a well known "bachelor". But that doesn't bother Niamh, who is just looking for a safe place to life for fear of the evil brotherhood who is after her looking to finish her off like they did with her family. This works fine for Cillian who has no desire to marry for love. Niamh, determined to find her own place in Fairwitch Isle and the secure the safety she has so desperately wanted, does her best to get the castle in Fairwitch Isle, to accept her, allowing her to stay forever.
Niamh doesn't know what to do when she starts falling for the other brother, the ultra broody body got for Cillian, Wolfe. This grumpy/sunshine pairing have some excellent banter and their relationship builds with such emotional depth you can't help but smile.
This story was lovely, and it was so easy to get lost in. The whimsey of the magical items, people, and places kept the world building simple, yet effective. I really enjoyed that the FMC/MMC were mature (30-40), the FMC was curvy, and there was a lot of mental health representation. I also am a sucker for grumpy/sunshine trope and Wolfe's grumpy but sensitive personality quickly grew on me. I also really enjoyed Tee Harlowe's story telling I am definitely wanting to pick up more of her work. Also, I think this is being marketed as stand alone but in the title you will notice "book 1" and there is definitely room for uncovering more about this story. I wonder if a book 2 might be in the future??
If you're looking for a quick, cozy, fairytale, romantasy book with medium spice, you need to pick this one up. I listened to this as audiobook and really enjoyed the duet narration. Thank you so much to the Nerd Fam for providing me with this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
March 16, 2026
Format: 🎧
Spice: 🌶️.5
This Damsel is Not in Distress gave me Beauty & the Beast’s enchanted castle vibes, where household items do tasks for you (brooms clean, dishes wash themselves, books go back to their shelf, etc) and Rapunzel & Pascal vibes with Niamh and Morton the sassy talking book wyrm 🐛 (who I really imagined as a tiny worm-sized Chinese dragon, once scales were mentioned).
The trauma and PTSD rep for both MCs was so well done 👏🏼 The FMC has survivor’s guilt and fire PTSD, and the MMC has survivor’s guilt and sibling loss.
The Audio — the narrators did an amazing job in this duet audio, and Patrick Zeller showed SO much personality and range with all the characters he got to voice. Morton & Wolf couldn’t have been more different and he voiced them PERFECTLY.
This is book 1 in what appears to be a series of interconnected standalones - The Brothers of Fairwitch Isle.
Notable tropes & themes —
🐛 Grumpy bodyguard MMC
📖 Plus-Sized FMC
🐛 Dual POV
📖 Grumpy x Sunshine
🐛 Mischievous enchanted castle
📖 Forbidden Romance
🐛 Sassy book wyrm
📖 Brother’s Bethrothed
🐛 Older MCs (30+)
Thank you to author Tee Harlowe & The Nerd Fam for the gifted ALC and the opportunity to listen and review!
Spice: 🌶️.5
This Damsel is Not in Distress gave me Beauty & the Beast’s enchanted castle vibes, where household items do tasks for you (brooms clean, dishes wash themselves, books go back to their shelf, etc) and Rapunzel & Pascal vibes with Niamh and Morton the sassy talking book wyrm 🐛 (who I really imagined as a tiny worm-sized Chinese dragon, once scales were mentioned).
The trauma and PTSD rep for both MCs was so well done 👏🏼 The FMC has survivor’s guilt and fire PTSD, and the MMC has survivor’s guilt and sibling loss.
The Audio — the narrators did an amazing job in this duet audio, and Patrick Zeller showed SO much personality and range with all the characters he got to voice. Morton & Wolf couldn’t have been more different and he voiced them PERFECTLY.
This is book 1 in what appears to be a series of interconnected standalones - The Brothers of Fairwitch Isle.
Notable tropes & themes —
🐛 Grumpy bodyguard MMC
📖 Plus-Sized FMC
🐛 Dual POV
📖 Grumpy x Sunshine
🐛 Mischievous enchanted castle
📖 Forbidden Romance
🐛 Sassy book wyrm
📖 Brother’s Bethrothed
🐛 Older MCs (30+)
Thank you to author Tee Harlowe & The Nerd Fam for the gifted ALC and the opportunity to listen and review!
March 24, 2026
✨”I’ve messed up so many times, and I didn’t think my words, even if I could manage them, would be enough. I thought to seek your forgiveness, I needed to do something big, something romance worthy like in one of your books.”✨
In one word….OBSESSED!!!! I loved this book so so much and I CANNOT wait for the next book in the series!!!
This is literally the perfect cozy fantasy romance!!! There is magic without an overly complicated magic system, there is found family, a broody MMC and a sunshiny FMC and the best slow burn romance!!!
Niamh is a breath of fresh air for an FMC!! And you can’t help but love broody Wolfe!!
This book has definitely made my list of comfort reads and will be revisited frequently!!
I was able to listen to the audio and read the ebook early and the audio narration was phenomenal!!! The narrators did an amazing job at differentiating the different characters voices and it definitely enhanced the experience!!!
**Thank you to the author for the advance copy and the advance audio.**
In one word….OBSESSED!!!! I loved this book so so much and I CANNOT wait for the next book in the series!!!
This is literally the perfect cozy fantasy romance!!! There is magic without an overly complicated magic system, there is found family, a broody MMC and a sunshiny FMC and the best slow burn romance!!!
Niamh is a breath of fresh air for an FMC!! And you can’t help but love broody Wolfe!!
This book has definitely made my list of comfort reads and will be revisited frequently!!
I was able to listen to the audio and read the ebook early and the audio narration was phenomenal!!! The narrators did an amazing job at differentiating the different characters voices and it definitely enhanced the experience!!!
**Thank you to the author for the advance copy and the advance audio.**
March 15, 2026
A standalone fantasy that is both cozy and spicy. I feel like the lighter fantasy reads don’t tend to be open door romances so this stood out to me. If you like a slow burn with banter and fun characters you will enjoy this read. There is a sentient castle, magical objects, and a talking sassy bookwyrm. The author mixed the light and humor filled moments with some deeper themes like grief and trauma.
If you like more mature characters you will love that Niamh and Wolfe are over 30. As someone who typically avoids cozy romantasy books, I found this to be refreshing. It’s a good break from some of the intense and higher stakes books I’ve been reading. Overall a quick and fun read with a little heart to it too.
Although this is a standalone, there will be interconnected books in the future.
If you like more mature characters you will love that Niamh and Wolfe are over 30. As someone who typically avoids cozy romantasy books, I found this to be refreshing. It’s a good break from some of the intense and higher stakes books I’ve been reading. Overall a quick and fun read with a little heart to it too.
Although this is a standalone, there will be interconnected books in the future.
March 27, 2026
4 and a half stars!
ARC Review
Such a cozy, warm fantasy! This is the kind of book you want to pull out when it’s raining and you’re curled up next to the fire place with your blanket and favourite reading beverage and snacks.
I loved how Wolfe and Niamh helped each other work through their past trauma.
Also, I need a Morton in my life!
ARC Review
Such a cozy, warm fantasy! This is the kind of book you want to pull out when it’s raining and you’re curled up next to the fire place with your blanket and favourite reading beverage and snacks.
I loved how Wolfe and Niamh helped each other work through their past trauma.
Also, I need a Morton in my life!
March 27, 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to "This Damsel Is Not In Distress" by @teeharlowe and it was the best time!!
This book has everything one needs in a romance: a fun/ honest bookwyrm sidekick named Mort, a leading man who is super grumpy a to everyone else but eventually is
sunshine for her, fight scenes i, and a leading lady
who has curves and is in her 30s. I love that the representation of non-mainstream characters is becoming more frequent in the book world, as most Fantasy book main characters are: short, petite, and non-curvy teenage to 20-year-olds. @teeharlowe does a beautiful job of writing these characters; giving them fun banter and real world problems that we as readers can connect to even in a fantasy world!
This book has everything one needs in a romance: a fun/ honest bookwyrm sidekick named Mort, a leading man who is super grumpy a to everyone else but eventually is
sunshine for her, fight scenes i, and a leading lady
who has curves and is in her 30s. I love that the representation of non-mainstream characters is becoming more frequent in the book world, as most Fantasy book main characters are: short, petite, and non-curvy teenage to 20-year-olds. @teeharlowe does a beautiful job of writing these characters; giving them fun banter and real world problems that we as readers can connect to even in a fantasy world!
February 23, 2026
Thank you to NerdFam and Tee for this ARC. All of these thoughts are my own.
The premise for this book is just so cozy and sweet! I loved the idea but this one was just not for me. It was very predictable but also so slow. Morton the bookworm was hilarious and probably my favorite character. Niamh was just so sunny and it felt very surface level, she did start to turn the corner as the book went on. Wolfe was so grumpy that I wasn’t sure Niamh and him were going to get together. Cillian I think was supposed to be a play boy but he wasn’t? Again I really wanted to love this! If you need a slow burn, some banter, and an easy read then this could be an option.
The premise for this book is just so cozy and sweet! I loved the idea but this one was just not for me. It was very predictable but also so slow. Morton the bookworm was hilarious and probably my favorite character. Niamh was just so sunny and it felt very surface level, she did start to turn the corner as the book went on. Wolfe was so grumpy that I wasn’t sure Niamh and him were going to get together. Cillian I think was supposed to be a play boy but he wasn’t? Again I really wanted to love this! If you need a slow burn, some banter, and an easy read then this could be an option.
March 30, 2026
☆ 4 stars
This Damsel Is Not in Distress is the first instalment in the Brothers of Fairwitch Isle series by author Tee Harlowe. This is a beautifully tender and emotional romance that is filled with ample swoon-worthy and highlightable moments that made for an unforgettable reading experience. I had a lot of fun getting to explore this cosy universe and the many magical elements that are implemented into the world. The pacing felt steady with enough mortal ‘stakes’ to not feel out of place and to keep you turning the page with a keenness to see what happens next. The characters are wonderfully explored and fully fleshed out, and I adored getting the opportunity to delve into not only our main couple but also the several side characters whose personalities shine through the page. I found the ‘forbidden romance’ dynamic to unexpectedly be a lot of fun to explore with the way it unfurled and the supportive community (most of them anyway) that exists within the hidden isle of Fairwitch. The exploration of grief felt tactfully expressed with apparent intent and great emotional impact… and most of all I just adored getting to see the unexpected friendships that blossomed throughout this romantic tale. The romance is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but the platonic relationships forged felt equally as impactful based on the journey that we find both main characters upon. This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a must-read Cosy Romantasy that delivers on equal parts romance, humour and emotional storytelling with main characters aged . I immediately rushed to read the ‘prequel’ novella that takes place in our sentient castle, This Is Not Love at First Sight, which I urge all who enjoyed this book to also do so.
Niamh Merridon spoke to my very soul from the moment she was first introduced and I continued to feel my connection to her character grow as her journey progressed. Her backstory broke my heart as becomes clear very early into the story that Niamh has grown to find greater comfort in self-imposed isolation after suffering a staggering amount of loss. Her fear over experiencing that very loss and heartbreak again felt palpable and compelling to understand, and yet at the same time I admired how Niamh managed to dig deep into her reserves to gather her bravery when the reality of her life took a massive unexpected turn. It felt impactful to witness her refuse to shy away from that fear as she instead used it as a means to fuel her purpose. Niamh was a breath of fresh air to experience with her sunny demeanour and hopeful outlook on life no matter how dark things become. She takes everything within her stride and is determined to make the best of every situation that she finds herself in with a kind and open approach. I love that Niamh refused to back down under pressure and tackled every problem with a wilful stubbornness and it was incredible to witness Niamh truly grow into her own independence as she realises just how capable, and worthy, she is. She’s a romantic book lover at heart with a bookwrym as a best friend who eats and regurgitates books to retain their knowledge… so there’s really nothing to dislike about Niamh’s character.
Rafe ‘Wolfe’ Wolfgang felt like a truly complex and multi-layered character that I eagerly awaited unravelling as the story continued to progress. The first thing I noticed about Wolfe was the sheer intensity of his protective instincts and the way that they are largely directed towards his family. Being the oldest of his brothers and a hidden tragedy that is waiting to be unveiled helps to showcase the immense pressure and responsibility that he carries upon his shoulders. My heart truly broke for Wolfe as the revelation of his trauma helped me not only understood his character on a more intimate level but also the self-imposed guilt that he forces upon himself. I felt greater clarity surrounding Wolfe’s character after this information came to light which truly helped me to better connect with him. I love a fictional man with a grumpy demeanour, no question there, however I loved getting to witness the hidden softness and gentle nature that was just waiting for the right person to bring it into the light. I adored getting to witness the hidden yearning that Wolfe harbours and it was beautiful to see him slowly come to the realisation that he is as deserving of love and happiness as his peers. He does nothing in half-measures so it felt satisfying and swoon-worthy to see Wolfe commit to his woman almost immediately despite the forbidden nature of it their dynamic, and I couldn’t be happier with the conclusion to his story knowing that he put in the work to secure his own love story.
This Damsel Is Not in Distress was my first book by author Tee Harlowe and it will most definitely not be my last. I’m very excited the second book in the series, This Witch Is Not Wicked, to release in Summer 2026 after the fun couple reveal that you will spot at the end of book one.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
This Damsel Is Not in Distress is the first instalment in the Brothers of Fairwitch Isle series by author Tee Harlowe. This is a beautifully tender and emotional romance that is filled with ample swoon-worthy and highlightable moments that made for an unforgettable reading experience. I had a lot of fun getting to explore this cosy universe and the many magical elements that are implemented into the world. The pacing felt steady with enough mortal ‘stakes’ to not feel out of place and to keep you turning the page with a keenness to see what happens next. The characters are wonderfully explored and fully fleshed out, and I adored getting the opportunity to delve into not only our main couple but also the several side characters whose personalities shine through the page. I found the ‘forbidden romance’ dynamic to unexpectedly be a lot of fun to explore with the way it unfurled and the supportive community (most of them anyway) that exists within the hidden isle of Fairwitch. The exploration of grief felt tactfully expressed with apparent intent and great emotional impact… and most of all I just adored getting to see the unexpected friendships that blossomed throughout this romantic tale. The romance is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but the platonic relationships forged felt equally as impactful based on the journey that we find both main characters upon. This Damsel Is Not in Distress is a must-read Cosy Romantasy that delivers on equal parts romance, humour and emotional storytelling with main characters aged . I immediately rushed to read the ‘prequel’ novella that takes place in our sentient castle, This Is Not Love at First Sight, which I urge all who enjoyed this book to also do so.
Niamh Merridon spoke to my very soul from the moment she was first introduced and I continued to feel my connection to her character grow as her journey progressed. Her backstory broke my heart as becomes clear very early into the story that Niamh has grown to find greater comfort in self-imposed isolation after suffering a staggering amount of loss. Her fear over experiencing that very loss and heartbreak again felt palpable and compelling to understand, and yet at the same time I admired how Niamh managed to dig deep into her reserves to gather her bravery when the reality of her life took a massive unexpected turn. It felt impactful to witness her refuse to shy away from that fear as she instead used it as a means to fuel her purpose. Niamh was a breath of fresh air to experience with her sunny demeanour and hopeful outlook on life no matter how dark things become. She takes everything within her stride and is determined to make the best of every situation that she finds herself in with a kind and open approach. I love that Niamh refused to back down under pressure and tackled every problem with a wilful stubbornness and it was incredible to witness Niamh truly grow into her own independence as she realises just how capable, and worthy, she is. She’s a romantic book lover at heart with a bookwrym as a best friend who eats and regurgitates books to retain their knowledge… so there’s really nothing to dislike about Niamh’s character.
Rafe ‘Wolfe’ Wolfgang felt like a truly complex and multi-layered character that I eagerly awaited unravelling as the story continued to progress. The first thing I noticed about Wolfe was the sheer intensity of his protective instincts and the way that they are largely directed towards his family. Being the oldest of his brothers and a hidden tragedy that is waiting to be unveiled helps to showcase the immense pressure and responsibility that he carries upon his shoulders. My heart truly broke for Wolfe as the revelation of his trauma helped me not only understood his character on a more intimate level but also the self-imposed guilt that he forces upon himself. I felt greater clarity surrounding Wolfe’s character after this information came to light which truly helped me to better connect with him. I love a fictional man with a grumpy demeanour, no question there, however I loved getting to witness the hidden softness and gentle nature that was just waiting for the right person to bring it into the light. I adored getting to witness the hidden yearning that Wolfe harbours and it was beautiful to see him slowly come to the realisation that he is as deserving of love and happiness as his peers. He does nothing in half-measures so it felt satisfying and swoon-worthy to see Wolfe commit to his woman almost immediately despite the forbidden nature of it their dynamic, and I couldn’t be happier with the conclusion to his story knowing that he put in the work to secure his own love story.
This Damsel Is Not in Distress was my first book by author Tee Harlowe and it will most definitely not be my last. I’m very excited the second book in the series, This Witch Is Not Wicked, to release in Summer 2026 after the fun couple reveal that you will spot at the end of book one.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was very kindly sent an ARC of this book, my opinions are my own. Thank you so much for taking a chance on a relatively unknown ARC reader!
And oh I wanted to like this one. I did. Because Ms Harlowe writes well, her writing flows beautifully, it engages the reader, and the premise of the story actually sounds right up my alley: a grumpy bodyguard, the woman he falls for who happens to be his opposite but what he needs, a magic castle, a talking sidekick, and an overarching plot with the Brotherhood to keep you hooked into following the story further.
So it's got great bones. What doesn't work, then?
For me it's the characters.
And I know people will expect me to say how much I hated Wolfe, but truthfully I think he deserves to go somewhere far away from his ridiculous family, and from Niamh who never. Shuts. Up.
I've noticed this trend with myself before where I end up disliking the FMC, and sure enough, here it is again. While I actually think her backstory is awful - and people in it made her into a damsel she wasn't - and she rises above it, that doesn't make her likeable. She just irritated me to hell and back, didn't know being quiet is a good thing sometimes, and pushed even when she shouldn't have. Not to mention the castle gets attacked, she survives, gets to the library, and instead of doing literally anything else - SHE GOES BACK TO CLEANING IT. La di da, all is well! Be so for real right now.
Outside of my Niamh irritation, the supporting cast also didn't do it for me. Cillian needed to be beaten over the head with his own crown to not turn everything into a joke (and I swear it wasn't funny the fiftieth time he talked about what good hair he has), and the parents are assholes. They lose one son, but then get this: in text, it specifically says Wolfe tries to keep going to the monthly family dinners. The parents can't look him in the eye (he was there when their firstborn got taken), and so he develops self-loathing and guilt and stops going because having the people you love literally pretend they can't see you hurts. THEN they have the AUDACITY to be HURT AND MISS HIM?!? Fuckers drove him away themselves and nobody ever acknowledges it!! They make it all his fault!
Actually, looking at the text as a whole, this entire family has a boatload of psychological issues nobody's addressing because they're all too busy pretending everything's fine and they're right but Wolfe is going about it the wrong way. I think the main reason I keep hitting roadblocks was because they all sound so much younger than their supposed ages. Cillian is supposed to be 30, Niamh 35, but I don't believe it. They both act like teenagers that haven't fully developed into rational thinking adults yet, and this disregarding the fact they were supposedly adults when tragedy struck them, each in their own way. So they were ALREADY not behaving like adults before.
I think, while the story's bones are great, Ms Harlowe just sadly doesn't write characters that would appeal to me. I'm struggling with her Potions and Prejudice novel, too, for almost the exact reason of disliking the FMC and thinking the MMC would be better off miles from her.
So while I DO believe this story is fundamentally GOOD, it just doesn't seem to be the right fit for me, and I wish Ms Harlowe all the best in the world in her future endeavors.
And oh I wanted to like this one. I did. Because Ms Harlowe writes well, her writing flows beautifully, it engages the reader, and the premise of the story actually sounds right up my alley: a grumpy bodyguard, the woman he falls for who happens to be his opposite but what he needs, a magic castle, a talking sidekick, and an overarching plot with the Brotherhood to keep you hooked into following the story further.
So it's got great bones. What doesn't work, then?
For me it's the characters.
And I know people will expect me to say how much I hated Wolfe, but truthfully I think he deserves to go somewhere far away from his ridiculous family, and from Niamh who never. Shuts. Up.
I've noticed this trend with myself before where I end up disliking the FMC, and sure enough, here it is again. While I actually think her backstory is awful - and people in it made her into a damsel she wasn't - and she rises above it, that doesn't make her likeable. She just irritated me to hell and back, didn't know being quiet is a good thing sometimes, and pushed even when she shouldn't have. Not to mention the castle gets attacked, she survives, gets to the library, and instead of doing literally anything else - SHE GOES BACK TO CLEANING IT. La di da, all is well! Be so for real right now.
Outside of my Niamh irritation, the supporting cast also didn't do it for me. Cillian needed to be beaten over the head with his own crown to not turn everything into a joke (and I swear it wasn't funny the fiftieth time he talked about what good hair he has), and the parents are assholes. They lose one son, but then get this: in text, it specifically says Wolfe tries to keep going to the monthly family dinners. The parents can't look him in the eye (he was there when their firstborn got taken), and so he develops self-loathing and guilt and stops going because having the people you love literally pretend they can't see you hurts. THEN they have the AUDACITY to be HURT AND MISS HIM?!? Fuckers drove him away themselves and nobody ever acknowledges it!! They make it all his fault!
Actually, looking at the text as a whole, this entire family has a boatload of psychological issues nobody's addressing because they're all too busy pretending everything's fine and they're right but Wolfe is going about it the wrong way. I think the main reason I keep hitting roadblocks was because they all sound so much younger than their supposed ages. Cillian is supposed to be 30, Niamh 35, but I don't believe it. They both act like teenagers that haven't fully developed into rational thinking adults yet, and this disregarding the fact they were supposedly adults when tragedy struck them, each in their own way. So they were ALREADY not behaving like adults before.
I think, while the story's bones are great, Ms Harlowe just sadly doesn't write characters that would appeal to me. I'm struggling with her Potions and Prejudice novel, too, for almost the exact reason of disliking the FMC and thinking the MMC would be better off miles from her.
So while I DO believe this story is fundamentally GOOD, it just doesn't seem to be the right fit for me, and I wish Ms Harlowe all the best in the world in her future endeavors.
March 23, 2026
This Damsel is Not in Distress is a super cute and cozy romantasy
FMC Niamh is just enjoying her solitude in a magical tower that provides her with everything she needs, along with her book wyrm companion, when some very rude people come and ruin her perfectly cozy existence. It is announced she will be queen to their kingdom Fairwitch Isle, but must also be accepted by the magical castle, or risk getting kicked out forever. While Niamh is skeptical, she is also excited at the prospect of living somewhere safe. Unfortunately, she starts to harbor feelings for the High Prince's guard, instead of the Prince himself, as the Brotherhood are also trying to infiltrate this magical town and steal its magic. Niamh must stay vigilant, and also navigate her new love interest.
Firstly, my favorite character in the story is of course, the book wyrm Morton! Not only is he a wonderful companion, but he is so brave, and sounds so cute! I can just imagine his little pink self, living in the library devouring stories!
Niamh's character goes through a wonderful transformation, from being scared to leave her magical tower, to being brave enough to assist others to safety when in danger. I love that Niamh has the courage to ask Wolfe to train her, so that she can defend herself when needed. Of course, she would also prefer to just stay in the library all day, and I completely agree with her there! I love that she is able to find the lost library with Morton, and the two of them work tirelessly to get the it back in order so that the people can once again check out books. During her training sessions with Wolfe, she starts to have some deeper feelings for him, but hides them as she is supposed to marry the High Prince Cillian.
Wolfe on the other hand is a very grumpy guard, who has very little interest in training Niamh, but also is attracted to her in a way he does not anticipate. While training her, he sometimes has a hard time being in such close proximity. He also unexpectedly comes upon Niamh while she is bathing, and that really gets to him. While both Wolfe and Niamh try their hardest to hide their growing feelings, the other characters in the story see right through it, and push them toward each other.
This story is super cozy, it has action, character development, and a perfect romance. And of course, Morton the book wyrm! I am excited to read more about Fairwitch Isle and these characters, as they navigate their next adventure.
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book!!
Some fav quotes:
"If we didn't find Cillian soon, I was going to take this stupid pink scarf and shove it in her mouth. F***, that was an image I hadn't expected to pop into my mind and be so...erotic."
""Oh, I can't help it. I'm so hungry!" Morton glided across the floor, devouring every book in his path."
"I'd never seen anything so brave in my entire life, or anyone so willing to do things out of their comfort zone. I stared down at her in awe as she took deep breaths, saying the same words over and over."
"I'd fallen asleep with Wolfe. Right after I'd seen him naked, seen his long, thick c*** and imagined all the things he could do to me with it."
"Prickles of heat erupted everywhere her fingers touched, every place her body pressed to mine. I would devour this woman, or maybe she'd devour me, and I'd gladly let her."
"Morton peered at me from underneath those shaggy pink eyebrows that, quite frankly, looked ridiculous on him."
"She let out a guttural moan that went straight to my c***. That. That was my new favorite Niamh sound."
""You have such a lovely appendage." He choked, coughing. "Lovely? Did you just call my c*** lovely?""
FMC Niamh is just enjoying her solitude in a magical tower that provides her with everything she needs, along with her book wyrm companion, when some very rude people come and ruin her perfectly cozy existence. It is announced she will be queen to their kingdom Fairwitch Isle, but must also be accepted by the magical castle, or risk getting kicked out forever. While Niamh is skeptical, she is also excited at the prospect of living somewhere safe. Unfortunately, she starts to harbor feelings for the High Prince's guard, instead of the Prince himself, as the Brotherhood are also trying to infiltrate this magical town and steal its magic. Niamh must stay vigilant, and also navigate her new love interest.
Firstly, my favorite character in the story is of course, the book wyrm Morton! Not only is he a wonderful companion, but he is so brave, and sounds so cute! I can just imagine his little pink self, living in the library devouring stories!
Niamh's character goes through a wonderful transformation, from being scared to leave her magical tower, to being brave enough to assist others to safety when in danger. I love that Niamh has the courage to ask Wolfe to train her, so that she can defend herself when needed. Of course, she would also prefer to just stay in the library all day, and I completely agree with her there! I love that she is able to find the lost library with Morton, and the two of them work tirelessly to get the it back in order so that the people can once again check out books. During her training sessions with Wolfe, she starts to have some deeper feelings for him, but hides them as she is supposed to marry the High Prince Cillian.
Wolfe on the other hand is a very grumpy guard, who has very little interest in training Niamh, but also is attracted to her in a way he does not anticipate. While training her, he sometimes has a hard time being in such close proximity. He also unexpectedly comes upon Niamh while she is bathing, and that really gets to him. While both Wolfe and Niamh try their hardest to hide their growing feelings, the other characters in the story see right through it, and push them toward each other.
This story is super cozy, it has action, character development, and a perfect romance. And of course, Morton the book wyrm! I am excited to read more about Fairwitch Isle and these characters, as they navigate their next adventure.
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book!!
Some fav quotes:
"If we didn't find Cillian soon, I was going to take this stupid pink scarf and shove it in her mouth. F***, that was an image I hadn't expected to pop into my mind and be so...erotic."
""Oh, I can't help it. I'm so hungry!" Morton glided across the floor, devouring every book in his path."
"I'd never seen anything so brave in my entire life, or anyone so willing to do things out of their comfort zone. I stared down at her in awe as she took deep breaths, saying the same words over and over."
"I'd fallen asleep with Wolfe. Right after I'd seen him naked, seen his long, thick c*** and imagined all the things he could do to me with it."
"Prickles of heat erupted everywhere her fingers touched, every place her body pressed to mine. I would devour this woman, or maybe she'd devour me, and I'd gladly let her."
"Morton peered at me from underneath those shaggy pink eyebrows that, quite frankly, looked ridiculous on him."
"She let out a guttural moan that went straight to my c***. That. That was my new favorite Niamh sound."
""You have such a lovely appendage." He choked, coughing. "Lovely? Did you just call my c*** lovely?""
March 7, 2026
Tee Harlowe does it again with a beautifully developed cozy fantasy! I swear I could read her books non stop and never get bored. This Damsel is not in Distress was such an intriguing story, it’s a different approach to most cozy fantasies, instead of 1 villain there’s the Brotherhood which seeks out magical objects for themselves. I can’t wait to see the development of Fairwitch Isle, as there are so many characters she can go more into depth with. I’m also interested on see more of the Brotherhood and maybe even the backstory to how they came to be.
Now my favourite character was obviously Morton, because who wouldn’t love a sassy bookwrym with sarcastic comments! Also the idea of Morton being able to eat a book and retain all the information is so fascinating, as someone who can read a book and literally the next day not remember anything that happened I would love that gift.
Rafe “Wolfe” Wolfgang you broody, adorable man! Although there were many times I wanted to smack him upside the head, he still deserves so much love. The way I cried at every memory he told and every family interaction he had. I swear Tee Harlowe really knows how to twist your heart when it comes to family confessions, and this book made me cry like 5 times!
Niamh has so much sunshine for someone who has lost everything. If I was her I wouldn’t have left that library in the castle, but she made it her mission to overcome her fears even when it was hard. Her care and kindness for others shows her strength in more ways then she knows, with all that she’s been through she could’ve been so selfish and I wouldn’t have judged her one bit, but her heart is so pure that she feels others needs more important than hers.
I can’t wait to continue this series, as I want to see each brother find their own happiness. Thank you so much Tee Harlowe for the eARC and giving us such an incredible story that will live on in my heart💗
Now my favourite character was obviously Morton, because who wouldn’t love a sassy bookwrym with sarcastic comments! Also the idea of Morton being able to eat a book and retain all the information is so fascinating, as someone who can read a book and literally the next day not remember anything that happened I would love that gift.
Rafe “Wolfe” Wolfgang you broody, adorable man! Although there were many times I wanted to smack him upside the head, he still deserves so much love. The way I cried at every memory he told and every family interaction he had. I swear Tee Harlowe really knows how to twist your heart when it comes to family confessions, and this book made me cry like 5 times!
Niamh has so much sunshine for someone who has lost everything. If I was her I wouldn’t have left that library in the castle, but she made it her mission to overcome her fears even when it was hard. Her care and kindness for others shows her strength in more ways then she knows, with all that she’s been through she could’ve been so selfish and I wouldn’t have judged her one bit, but her heart is so pure that she feels others needs more important than hers.
I can’t wait to continue this series, as I want to see each brother find their own happiness. Thank you so much Tee Harlowe for the eARC and giving us such an incredible story that will live on in my heart💗
March 27, 2026
Thank you to @highgravityaudiobooks for the free audiobook of This Damsel is Not in Distress by @tee.harlowe in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Available Now
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I went into this with very high expectations based on that stunning cover and perfectly clever title, and I’m so happy it delivered.
Niahm Merridom is a heroine who immediately stands apart. After a devastating tragedy, she makes the choice to confine herself within a castle for her own protection. She’s not waiting to be saved. She’s surviving on her own terms. So when a charming high prince shows up determined to rescue her and crown her queen… yeah, she’s not exactly swooning.
But then there’s his brother Wolfe and that’s where things get interesting. The tension, the pull, the “this is a terrible idea but I want it anyway” energy. . . So good. Watching Niahm wrestle with duty versus desire while Wolfe quietly becomes everything she didn’t expect made this romance incredibly compelling.
The magical kingdom setting adds such a rich backdrop, but what really stood out to me was the magical library. There’s something so cozy and immersive about those scenes, and it gave the story a softer, more intimate contrast to the royal stakes and looming expectations.
WOW! This is how you do duet narration right. Gail Shalan and Patrick Zeller absolutely elevate this story. Their performances feel so natural and emotionally in sync, and the way they bring Niahm and Wolfe to life makes the tension, banter, and vulnerability hit even harder. You can feel every shift in emotion, every moment of hesitation, every spark between them. It added so much depth and made it incredibly easy to get completely lost in the story.
This is one of those audiobooks where the narration doesn’t just complement the story, it enhances it in every way.
The pacing builds beautifully, and while it starts a bit more contained, it truly shines as the characters grow, evolve, and begin to challenge the roles they’ve been placed in. By the end, I was fully invested and didn’t want to leave this world.
Available Now
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I went into this with very high expectations based on that stunning cover and perfectly clever title, and I’m so happy it delivered.
Niahm Merridom is a heroine who immediately stands apart. After a devastating tragedy, she makes the choice to confine herself within a castle for her own protection. She’s not waiting to be saved. She’s surviving on her own terms. So when a charming high prince shows up determined to rescue her and crown her queen… yeah, she’s not exactly swooning.
But then there’s his brother Wolfe and that’s where things get interesting. The tension, the pull, the “this is a terrible idea but I want it anyway” energy. . . So good. Watching Niahm wrestle with duty versus desire while Wolfe quietly becomes everything she didn’t expect made this romance incredibly compelling.
The magical kingdom setting adds such a rich backdrop, but what really stood out to me was the magical library. There’s something so cozy and immersive about those scenes, and it gave the story a softer, more intimate contrast to the royal stakes and looming expectations.
WOW! This is how you do duet narration right. Gail Shalan and Patrick Zeller absolutely elevate this story. Their performances feel so natural and emotionally in sync, and the way they bring Niahm and Wolfe to life makes the tension, banter, and vulnerability hit even harder. You can feel every shift in emotion, every moment of hesitation, every spark between them. It added so much depth and made it incredibly easy to get completely lost in the story.
This is one of those audiobooks where the narration doesn’t just complement the story, it enhances it in every way.
The pacing builds beautifully, and while it starts a bit more contained, it truly shines as the characters grow, evolve, and begin to challenge the roles they’ve been placed in. By the end, I was fully invested and didn’t want to leave this world.
Read
March 13, 2026This is the kind of cozy fantasy romance that wraps you up like a warm blanket while still delivering magic, humor, and heartfelt romance. Listening to the audiobook made the experience even more immersive.
From the very beginning, the story has a charming, whimsical tone while still weaving in tension and adventure. The magical elements were delightful—the sentient castle added so much personality to the world, and the fighting gargoyles were a fun surprise. But the real scene-stealer was the bookwyrm. I adored every moment with him and would absolutely keep one as a pet if that were possible.
The romance features a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic that was handled beautifully. The heroine calling the grumpiest guard imaginable “sunshine” never stopped being adorable. Their banter felt natural and playful, and the chemistry between them developed in a way that felt both sweet and satisfying.
What I appreciated most was that beneath the cozy fantasy charm, the story carries a strong message about self-reliance and not waiting around to be rescued. It adds depth to the romance and reinforces that this truly is a damsel who refuses to be helpless.
The audiobook narration elevated the entire story. The duet narration brought the characters to life and made their personalities shine even more, especially during the banter and emotional moments. If you enjoy audiobooks, this is absolutely one to listen to rather than just read.
This was magical, comforting, and romantic in all the best ways—a cozy fantasy romance that leaves you smiling long after it ends.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #thisdamselisnotindistress #thenerdfam
From the very beginning, the story has a charming, whimsical tone while still weaving in tension and adventure. The magical elements were delightful—the sentient castle added so much personality to the world, and the fighting gargoyles were a fun surprise. But the real scene-stealer was the bookwyrm. I adored every moment with him and would absolutely keep one as a pet if that were possible.
The romance features a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic that was handled beautifully. The heroine calling the grumpiest guard imaginable “sunshine” never stopped being adorable. Their banter felt natural and playful, and the chemistry between them developed in a way that felt both sweet and satisfying.
What I appreciated most was that beneath the cozy fantasy charm, the story carries a strong message about self-reliance and not waiting around to be rescued. It adds depth to the romance and reinforces that this truly is a damsel who refuses to be helpless.
The audiobook narration elevated the entire story. The duet narration brought the characters to life and made their personalities shine even more, especially during the banter and emotional moments. If you enjoy audiobooks, this is absolutely one to listen to rather than just read.
This was magical, comforting, and romantic in all the best ways—a cozy fantasy romance that leaves you smiling long after it ends.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #thisdamselisnotindistress #thenerdfam
Review of advance copy
Finally a mature age fmc and mmc!
First Id like to thank The Nerd Fam and Tee Harlowe for this arc, I absolutely loved it!
This Grumpy x Sunshine cosy romantic fantasy was a refreshing change from your typical romantasy.
I loved everything about this. the magic system is this was really interesting, I loved that the castle was sentient, the magic was fun and whimsical. think dishes that clean themselves, mops that smack you if you try to handle them, entire cities that are invisible. it was really fun and you never really knew what to expect which I think added to the playfulness.
Wolfe our 40 year old mmc was the definition of hard exterior with a soft teddy bear on the inside- secretly , because no one can know he has a soft side.
Niamh our 35 fmc was a character i found myself relating to in alot of ways, plus size (check) loves to read (check) talks way too much all the time (check and check). Her character was fun to follow, her anxieties were justified and her little outbursts were also, again, very relatable. I also loved her little bookworm sidekick, who eats books to digest the information - this for me was such a cool and clever concept.
I liked the way the author wrote the characters inner turmoils, guilt, ptsd and healing/overcoming trauma, these are all elements to the characters development that i think was handled nicely.
this was such a fun story, the magical elements really made my inner child glow while the romance was so satisfying for my adult brain. it was so refreshing and overall just a really good book
5 stars
First Id like to thank The Nerd Fam and Tee Harlowe for this arc, I absolutely loved it!
This Grumpy x Sunshine cosy romantic fantasy was a refreshing change from your typical romantasy.
I loved everything about this. the magic system is this was really interesting, I loved that the castle was sentient, the magic was fun and whimsical. think dishes that clean themselves, mops that smack you if you try to handle them, entire cities that are invisible. it was really fun and you never really knew what to expect which I think added to the playfulness.
Wolfe our 40 year old mmc was the definition of hard exterior with a soft teddy bear on the inside- secretly , because no one can know he has a soft side.
Niamh our 35 fmc was a character i found myself relating to in alot of ways, plus size (check) loves to read (check) talks way too much all the time (check and check). Her character was fun to follow, her anxieties were justified and her little outbursts were also, again, very relatable. I also loved her little bookworm sidekick, who eats books to digest the information - this for me was such a cool and clever concept.
I liked the way the author wrote the characters inner turmoils, guilt, ptsd and healing/overcoming trauma, these are all elements to the characters development that i think was handled nicely.
this was such a fun story, the magical elements really made my inner child glow while the romance was so satisfying for my adult brain. it was so refreshing and overall just a really good book
5 stars
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