What do you think?
War of the Underhill #2
Heartsworn
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Return to the world of Heartsong! A reclusive researcher gets the shock of a lifetime when the (very attractive) gargoyle statue in her rose garden awakens and claims her as his mate.
She’s known him all her life…
June Parkhurst is a prodigy, a conservator, and…an empath. Yet, her empathic abilities don’t feel like a gift; they’re a curse, one that’s driven her into isolation.
Overwhelmed by the feelings of others and her own grief, June sticks to what she loves statues. She’s always been fascinated by them, especially the gothic masterpiece in her family’s rose garden.
He’s watched over her for years…
For centuries, Alaric has despaired. Cursed to stone by the cruel Faerie Queen, Alaric has watched the world pass him by. He holds desperately onto a fleeting hope—that one day, June will come to understand what he’s known for she is his heartsong.
Magick stolen can be reclaimed, and curses cast can be broken…
A new museum with enigmatic owners has just opened, full of statues just like hers. Unable to resist, June emerges from seclusion determined to find answers about her statue. Yet, nothing is what it seems in this curious place, and June can’t ignore how…alive the statues feel.
The mysterious statues and their owners are just the start of the strangeness. During an attack by masked thieves, June swears one of the statues comes to life and flies away. But that’s impossible. As impossible as the whispers she hears from her beloved statue…mate.
• Monster romance
• Museum mystery
• Domestic bliss
• Protective monster mmc
• Nerdy fmc
• Neurodivergent fmc
• Healing/comfort over grief
• Fated mates
• Forced proximity
She’s known him all her life…
June Parkhurst is a prodigy, a conservator, and…an empath. Yet, her empathic abilities don’t feel like a gift; they’re a curse, one that’s driven her into isolation.
Overwhelmed by the feelings of others and her own grief, June sticks to what she loves statues. She’s always been fascinated by them, especially the gothic masterpiece in her family’s rose garden.
He’s watched over her for years…
For centuries, Alaric has despaired. Cursed to stone by the cruel Faerie Queen, Alaric has watched the world pass him by. He holds desperately onto a fleeting hope—that one day, June will come to understand what he’s known for she is his heartsong.
Magick stolen can be reclaimed, and curses cast can be broken…
A new museum with enigmatic owners has just opened, full of statues just like hers. Unable to resist, June emerges from seclusion determined to find answers about her statue. Yet, nothing is what it seems in this curious place, and June can’t ignore how…alive the statues feel.
The mysterious statues and their owners are just the start of the strangeness. During an attack by masked thieves, June swears one of the statues comes to life and flies away. But that’s impossible. As impossible as the whispers she hears from her beloved statue…mate.
• Monster romance
• Museum mystery
• Domestic bliss
• Protective monster mmc
• Nerdy fmc
• Neurodivergent fmc
• Healing/comfort over grief
• Fated mates
• Forced proximity
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
S.E. Wendel
27 books990 followersS.E. Wendel is a graduate of the MA Creative Writing program at the University of California, Davis. She loves maps, magic, and making epic fantasy worlds with romance thrown in. She has been writing fantasies since before she could even type (thankfully her mother was kind and patient enough to take dictation, but is relieved she can type for herself now)! From her first stories about raccoons hunting treasure on a haunted island to her latest sweeping epics, she loves to write strong heroines and noble heroes.
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
S.E. is a technical editor by day and in the evening loves to lose herself in her fantasy worlds and the stories of other amazing authors. She is currently working on the second part of the Broken Wings Duet. She loves her domineering orange tabby cat, true crime docs, tiramisu, pink nail polish, and swoony romantasies!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and S.E. Wendel for an ARC copy of Heartsworn.
I’ll give this cute gargoyle romance 3.5 stars.
I love how this overlaps with the first story. The main female character June is an interesting woman with smarts, empathy and a strong moral compass.
The MMC, Alaric, is the sweetest clan leader who has to grapple with the new world he awakens to. It’s fun to watch him earnestly adapt to his surroundings and patiently wait for his mate to come around to him.
I’ll give this cute gargoyle romance 3.5 stars.
I love how this overlaps with the first story. The main female character June is an interesting woman with smarts, empathy and a strong moral compass.
The MMC, Alaric, is the sweetest clan leader who has to grapple with the new world he awakens to. It’s fun to watch him earnestly adapt to his surroundings and patiently wait for his mate to come around to him.
August 30, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The cover grabbed my attention and I found myself diving into this after a reading slump. The fmc is a workaholic who is grieving the recent loss of her father. And the mmc is a gargoyle statue who has been listening to her vent while he was in the family garden. I didn’t read the first book prior to this one and I wasn’t lost on the plot or confused. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the suspenseful parts as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A grieving, empathic art conservator and a centuries-old gargoyle chieftain trapped in stone collide in a cozy, atmospheric fantasy romance set right along California's iconic Highway 1.
This was my very first Advance Reader Copy ever, and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to ARC reading! Having previously read and loved S.E. Wendel’s work (I recently ordered all her other novels directly from her website), getting early access to Heartsworn was a dream. I am so grateful to read the ARC and am in love with this story. I cannot wait to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf when it’s published!
I absolutely loved that the story is set along Highway 1 in California, it felt like stepping right into my own backyard, which made the gothic, coastal atmosphere feel even more magical and personal.
June Parkhurst is a brilliant art conservator and a secret empath. Her empathy isn't just tied to people, she can feel the pain, agony, and lingering echoes of emotion trapped inside stone statues and grotesques. Struggling under the weight of her gift and grieving the recent death of her father, June isolates herself. Her world changes when she meets Anna, a curator of a mysterious new collection of grotesques. When secret agent arrive and a chaotic raid breaks out, June watches in shock as a real gargoyle materializes and takes off into the night with Anna, leaving June to hide.
Realizing the gargoyle statue in her family's rose garden might be more than carved stone, June touches him, awakening Alaric, a protective gargoyle chieftain who has watched over her for years and claims she is his heartsong.
Content / Tropes: Protective monster MMC, gargoyle shifter, fated mates, museum mystery, grief & healing, neurodivergent/nerdy FMC, and cozy domestic spice.
I liked that June's empathic connection to statues adds a unique, tactile layer to her character. Her journey through grief felt genuine and deeply moving. Alaric is the ultimate devoted, protective cinnamon-roll monster. He respects June's boundaries while remaining steadfastly in her corner. The banter between June and Alaric is top-tier, especially their witty, heated debate over Jane Austen's Persuasion!
Highly recommended for lovers of cozy monster romance, protective gargoyle heroes, museum mysteries, fated mates, and healing, soft-gothic romantasy.
This was my very first Advance Reader Copy ever, and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to ARC reading! Having previously read and loved S.E. Wendel’s work (I recently ordered all her other novels directly from her website), getting early access to Heartsworn was a dream. I am so grateful to read the ARC and am in love with this story. I cannot wait to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf when it’s published!
I absolutely loved that the story is set along Highway 1 in California, it felt like stepping right into my own backyard, which made the gothic, coastal atmosphere feel even more magical and personal.
June Parkhurst is a brilliant art conservator and a secret empath. Her empathy isn't just tied to people, she can feel the pain, agony, and lingering echoes of emotion trapped inside stone statues and grotesques. Struggling under the weight of her gift and grieving the recent death of her father, June isolates herself. Her world changes when she meets Anna, a curator of a mysterious new collection of grotesques. When secret agent arrive and a chaotic raid breaks out, June watches in shock as a real gargoyle materializes and takes off into the night with Anna, leaving June to hide.
Realizing the gargoyle statue in her family's rose garden might be more than carved stone, June touches him, awakening Alaric, a protective gargoyle chieftain who has watched over her for years and claims she is his heartsong.
Content / Tropes: Protective monster MMC, gargoyle shifter, fated mates, museum mystery, grief & healing, neurodivergent/nerdy FMC, and cozy domestic spice.
I liked that June's empathic connection to statues adds a unique, tactile layer to her character. Her journey through grief felt genuine and deeply moving. Alaric is the ultimate devoted, protective cinnamon-roll monster. He respects June's boundaries while remaining steadfastly in her corner. The banter between June and Alaric is top-tier, especially their witty, heated debate over Jane Austen's Persuasion!
Highly recommended for lovers of cozy monster romance, protective gargoyle heroes, museum mysteries, fated mates, and healing, soft-gothic romantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🩶 I received this as an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion/review of this book! 🩶
I want to be honest when I tell you I saw this and was immediately intrigued! I hadn’t heard of this author and found this through NetGalley so I was excited when I saw j was approved for the eARC!
This story follows June, a doctor in art conservation who basically a perfect shining star in her respected field. She suffers a great loss and leaves home for a while but when she comes back it’s for a special opportunity to work with a new art gallery in restoring special (to her heart) gargoyle sculptures. We also meet Alaric.. surprise! He is a gargoyle! But!! He’s not one of the ones to be restored, he is one that has been pass down in her family, and only June’s touch can bring him to life!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! I am one to absolutely dive into and love a monster romance so this was a shoe in for soemthing up my alley! I really enjoyed Junes character and how she’s working through a lot at once but is also looking to help solve the main conflict in this. She, in my eyes, is awesome! With how she’s helping and setting boundaries. Alaric? What a cutie patootie golden retriever ass mannnn (or should I say gargoyle?)! He is perfect. All he wants to do is provide happiness for June and see to that exact thing if she isn’t happy. I really enjoyed the ebb and flow of their relationship throughout this!
The only draw back? I wish I’d read book one! This is book two in the series so I think it may have helped in my particular case to have read that first but that didn’t hinder my rating or the way I read through this (context clues helped plenty!)
The thing that took this from a 5 to a 4 was the timeline of things. I had a hard time figuring out if this was happening in weeks or months. It eventually was made to seem this story happens in months of time, which I like because either seems less insta lovey, but that clarification didn’t come until later on. Overall? I’d absolutely continue the series and plan to! I’d like to see where all of the characters story’s end up and how we get to (hopefully) a happily ever after!!
I want to be honest when I tell you I saw this and was immediately intrigued! I hadn’t heard of this author and found this through NetGalley so I was excited when I saw j was approved for the eARC!
This story follows June, a doctor in art conservation who basically a perfect shining star in her respected field. She suffers a great loss and leaves home for a while but when she comes back it’s for a special opportunity to work with a new art gallery in restoring special (to her heart) gargoyle sculptures. We also meet Alaric.. surprise! He is a gargoyle! But!! He’s not one of the ones to be restored, he is one that has been pass down in her family, and only June’s touch can bring him to life!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! I am one to absolutely dive into and love a monster romance so this was a shoe in for soemthing up my alley! I really enjoyed Junes character and how she’s working through a lot at once but is also looking to help solve the main conflict in this. She, in my eyes, is awesome! With how she’s helping and setting boundaries. Alaric? What a cutie patootie golden retriever ass mannnn (or should I say gargoyle?)! He is perfect. All he wants to do is provide happiness for June and see to that exact thing if she isn’t happy. I really enjoyed the ebb and flow of their relationship throughout this!
The only draw back? I wish I’d read book one! This is book two in the series so I think it may have helped in my particular case to have read that first but that didn’t hinder my rating or the way I read through this (context clues helped plenty!)
The thing that took this from a 5 to a 4 was the timeline of things. I had a hard time figuring out if this was happening in weeks or months. It eventually was made to seem this story happens in months of time, which I like because either seems less insta lovey, but that clarification didn’t come until later on. Overall? I’d absolutely continue the series and plan to! I’d like to see where all of the characters story’s end up and how we get to (hopefully) a happily ever after!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For having gargoyles and magic, Heartsworn is mostly a cozy book with minimal action. It focuses on the slow development of feelings and coming to terms with paradigm shifts in the characters’ lives.
The first portion of the book is pretty bleak, with a lot of pages dedicated to grief, inner turmoil, and overcoming grief, both from the FMC and MMC.
Overall, the romance is sweet and cozy, but the majority of it feels largely like normal person x someone displaced in time rather than a monster romance. I also find it strange that several of the steamy scenes are from the MMC’s perspective, which reduces the monster romance aspect since from his POV, it’s just him enjoying a woman.
I found it hard to root for the FMC. Many people, including the author, toss around “neurospicy” for her character, but I found it grating and lacking in depth. It tries for inclusion/representation but falls short of this and exists only for the people willing to squint their eyes and try to see it. The FMC often remarks that she has no friends, possibly because of 1 incident when she was 11, but offers no other comments about why or how she has no friends despite lamenting it throughout the book. And I can appreciate a woman who is competent and renown in her field, but with her severe (self-described) personal issues, it’s hard to believe that she attended college for long enough to earn her PhD. The FMC refers to herself as “essentially feral” at one point that doesn’t make sense in context at all, and again there is no evidence for this. She asserts that she “can’t be anybody’s mate” to reject the MMC and again provides no context, so the reader can’t understand this inner conflict. The FMC only ever “hurts or horrifies” other people but there’s not a single bit of evidence that this is actually true, and it makes her pity party hard to read. It just felt very performative, and didn’t carry any meaning or emotional weight to actually make the long, slow burn feel like it meant something.
The first portion of the book is pretty bleak, with a lot of pages dedicated to grief, inner turmoil, and overcoming grief, both from the FMC and MMC.
Overall, the romance is sweet and cozy, but the majority of it feels largely like normal person x someone displaced in time rather than a monster romance. I also find it strange that several of the steamy scenes are from the MMC’s perspective, which reduces the monster romance aspect since from his POV, it’s just him enjoying a woman.
I found it hard to root for the FMC. Many people, including the author, toss around “neurospicy” for her character, but I found it grating and lacking in depth. It tries for inclusion/representation but falls short of this and exists only for the people willing to squint their eyes and try to see it. The FMC often remarks that she has no friends, possibly because of 1 incident when she was 11, but offers no other comments about why or how she has no friends despite lamenting it throughout the book. And I can appreciate a woman who is competent and renown in her field, but with her severe (self-described) personal issues, it’s hard to believe that she attended college for long enough to earn her PhD. The FMC refers to herself as “essentially feral” at one point that doesn’t make sense in context at all, and again there is no evidence for this. She asserts that she “can’t be anybody’s mate” to reject the MMC and again provides no context, so the reader can’t understand this inner conflict. The FMC only ever “hurts or horrifies” other people but there’s not a single bit of evidence that this is actually true, and it makes her pity party hard to read. It just felt very performative, and didn’t carry any meaning or emotional weight to actually make the long, slow burn feel like it meant something.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars for a charming fated mates romance that blends sweetness and spice. If you thought Goliath from Disney’s Gargoyles was WAY too attractive for an animated stone-man-beast, this is for you!
June is a neurodivergent empath and art history PhD. She grew up wealthy and loved her parents’ stately garden. As a girl, she was always drawn to the larger-than-life gargoyle statue decorating the grounds and would tell him her secrets.
Grieving the recent death of her father, nothing feels right. June needs a distraction, so she takes a gig at a unique museum to help research, catalogue, and preserve a world-class collection of medieval Welsh gargoyle statues. Everyone at the museum is more than they seem, from the too-good-looking-to-be-real married couple who own the place, to the docent who can’t stop blushing around the hulking security guard, to the most frequent visitor, a debonair professor who dresses like British royalty.
One night while working, June witnesses a break-in by masked intruders and two of the huge gargoyle statues go missing. One is stolen, and she swears the other came to life and flew away with the museum docent in his arms, but that’s not possible, right? June has a theory and wonders if her backyard stoneboy is cut from the same slab. She touches him to test her hypothesis and to her shock, he wakes up from a centuries-old stone curse. Upon waking, he makes three declarations: his name is Alaric, he’s the chieftain of his clan, and June is his fated mate. Her response? Dissociating into next week.
June’s inquisitive mind whirls with questions: Who robbed the museum and why? Who cursed Alaric and his clan to stone? Why did her touch wake him? What about the other statues at the museum? How can she avoid this scary fated mate arrangement Alaric keeps talking about? What’s the deal with the enigmatic museum owners? Why is Mr. Fancypants Professor so interested in the museum? Read to find out!
Thank you to author S. E. Wendel and publisher Avon Harper Voyager for this advance review copy!
June is a neurodivergent empath and art history PhD. She grew up wealthy and loved her parents’ stately garden. As a girl, she was always drawn to the larger-than-life gargoyle statue decorating the grounds and would tell him her secrets.
Grieving the recent death of her father, nothing feels right. June needs a distraction, so she takes a gig at a unique museum to help research, catalogue, and preserve a world-class collection of medieval Welsh gargoyle statues. Everyone at the museum is more than they seem, from the too-good-looking-to-be-real married couple who own the place, to the docent who can’t stop blushing around the hulking security guard, to the most frequent visitor, a debonair professor who dresses like British royalty.
One night while working, June witnesses a break-in by masked intruders and two of the huge gargoyle statues go missing. One is stolen, and she swears the other came to life and flew away with the museum docent in his arms, but that’s not possible, right? June has a theory and wonders if her backyard stoneboy is cut from the same slab. She touches him to test her hypothesis and to her shock, he wakes up from a centuries-old stone curse. Upon waking, he makes three declarations: his name is Alaric, he’s the chieftain of his clan, and June is his fated mate. Her response? Dissociating into next week.
June’s inquisitive mind whirls with questions: Who robbed the museum and why? Who cursed Alaric and his clan to stone? Why did her touch wake him? What about the other statues at the museum? How can she avoid this scary fated mate arrangement Alaric keeps talking about? What’s the deal with the enigmatic museum owners? Why is Mr. Fancypants Professor so interested in the museum? Read to find out!
Thank you to author S. E. Wendel and publisher Avon Harper Voyager for this advance review copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a beautifully unique gothic romance. An endearing FMC museum conservator + a sweet protective MMC gargoyle garden statue come to life = mates?? Which = of course I requested an ARC. I loved book 1 in this series, but I also read the Monstrous World series prior so I knew I loved S.E Wendel's writing style. She has this way of blending immersive world building + significant emotional depth + high tension longing dynamics. The perfect recipe for an amazing book.
June and Alaric won my heart. They both displayed true vulnerabilities to each other slowly over time. Alaric being conscious and trapped in stone for centuries is an agony like no other that he has to overcome once no longer paralyzed. He was deeply protective, and understandably so since June was the only thing keeping his mind intact over the years. June herself has to grapple with her father's death, along with the overwhelming aspect of feeling others emotions very deeply (which she finds is more of a curse than anything else), causing her to isolate herself. Those two aspects paired together led to Alaric deeply yearning for her and loving her quietly through observation. Once he could be with her, the way he helped heal her and made her feel cherished was so deeply heartwarming. A soul deep love.
Their character growth was captivating, all the while there was such an immense slow burn that could be felt throughout their entire story. He fell first trope, but amplify 10X. And the way the author writes spice is perfectly plot driven and SO emotional, it feels so earned. It truly made my heart happy seeing these two flourish and have the life they deserve.
Thank you to S.E Wendel for having the perfect recipe in your books to where they are all truly incredible. I am grateful for your creative mind and bringing these characters to life. Thank you also to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley, so thankful for the approval.
June and Alaric won my heart. They both displayed true vulnerabilities to each other slowly over time. Alaric being conscious and trapped in stone for centuries is an agony like no other that he has to overcome once no longer paralyzed. He was deeply protective, and understandably so since June was the only thing keeping his mind intact over the years. June herself has to grapple with her father's death, along with the overwhelming aspect of feeling others emotions very deeply (which she finds is more of a curse than anything else), causing her to isolate herself. Those two aspects paired together led to Alaric deeply yearning for her and loving her quietly through observation. Once he could be with her, the way he helped heal her and made her feel cherished was so deeply heartwarming. A soul deep love.
Their character growth was captivating, all the while there was such an immense slow burn that could be felt throughout their entire story. He fell first trope, but amplify 10X. And the way the author writes spice is perfectly plot driven and SO emotional, it feels so earned. It truly made my heart happy seeing these two flourish and have the life they deserve.
Thank you to S.E Wendel for having the perfect recipe in your books to where they are all truly incredible. I am grateful for your creative mind and bringing these characters to life. Thank you also to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley, so thankful for the approval.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heartsworn • S.E. Wendel
War of the Underhill #2
One phrase: cinnamon roll gargoyle romance 🖤🪽
A reclusive empathic researcher, a gothic gargoyle statue in a rose garden, and one very protective monster MMC who wakes up and claims her as his mate?
Say less.
Heartsworn is a cozy, spicy modern romantasy with museum mystery, fated mates, forced proximity, grief healing, and the softest gargoyles. June’s empath abilities have pushed her into isolation, and Alaric has spent centuries trapped in stone, waiting for the woman he knows as his heartsong.
I loved the mix of comfort, mystery, magic, and domestic bliss. It felt soft and cozy while still giving us spice, danger, and monster romance goodness.
Also, cinnamon roll gargoyles? I eat that up every time.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪽 gargoyle MMC
🖤 monster romance
🌹 rose garden statue
🔮 fated mates
🏛 museum mystery
🫶 healing and comfort
🧠 neurodivergent FMC
🏡 domestic bliss
🔥 cozy spice
🛡 protective MMC
📚 Read this if you like:
Cozy monster romance, protective cinnamon roll heroes, fated mates, magical museums, grief healing, nerdy heroines, gothic statues, and romantasy that feels soft, spicy, and comforting.
This was sweet, cozy, spicy, and such a fun binge read.
#Heartsworn #SEWendel #MonsterRomance #CozyRomantasy #BookReview
War of the Underhill #2
One phrase: cinnamon roll gargoyle romance 🖤🪽
A reclusive empathic researcher, a gothic gargoyle statue in a rose garden, and one very protective monster MMC who wakes up and claims her as his mate?
Say less.
Heartsworn is a cozy, spicy modern romantasy with museum mystery, fated mates, forced proximity, grief healing, and the softest gargoyles. June’s empath abilities have pushed her into isolation, and Alaric has spent centuries trapped in stone, waiting for the woman he knows as his heartsong.
I loved the mix of comfort, mystery, magic, and domestic bliss. It felt soft and cozy while still giving us spice, danger, and monster romance goodness.
Also, cinnamon roll gargoyles? I eat that up every time.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🪽 gargoyle MMC
🖤 monster romance
🌹 rose garden statue
🔮 fated mates
🏛 museum mystery
🫶 healing and comfort
🧠 neurodivergent FMC
🏡 domestic bliss
🔥 cozy spice
🛡 protective MMC
📚 Read this if you like:
Cozy monster romance, protective cinnamon roll heroes, fated mates, magical museums, grief healing, nerdy heroines, gothic statues, and romantasy that feels soft, spicy, and comforting.
This was sweet, cozy, spicy, and such a fun binge read.
#Heartsworn #SEWendel #MonsterRomance #CozyRomantasy #BookReview
September 24, 2026
Thank you Avon for the eARC through NetGalley!
I love S.E. Wendel's writing. She builds beautiful worlds and really dynamic characters. The first book of this series did something that many monster romances can't, at least for me, and that's be dreamy, realistic, and swoon worthy in a contemporary world. I loved the characters of the first book and could not wait to jump into the world again for book two.
Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the first. The dynamic between the FMC and MMC was not as developed, nor did I feel that their relationship was earned. The beginning was also hard to get through since nothing new in the plot happened until 51%. Everything up until then was the events of the first book but from June's perspective.
I would have loved more scenes about June and Alaric becoming friends and their relationship unfolding from roommate to friends to more versus seeing her conversations with Anna from her side. I think this book is too long to be a retelling of everything that happened in book one.
That said, I am very interested in the overarching plot and the rest of the clan. I look forward to reading more from this series and everything else S.E. Wendel has to offer.
I love S.E. Wendel's writing. She builds beautiful worlds and really dynamic characters. The first book of this series did something that many monster romances can't, at least for me, and that's be dreamy, realistic, and swoon worthy in a contemporary world. I loved the characters of the first book and could not wait to jump into the world again for book two.
Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the first. The dynamic between the FMC and MMC was not as developed, nor did I feel that their relationship was earned. The beginning was also hard to get through since nothing new in the plot happened until 51%. Everything up until then was the events of the first book but from June's perspective.
I would have loved more scenes about June and Alaric becoming friends and their relationship unfolding from roommate to friends to more versus seeing her conversations with Anna from her side. I think this book is too long to be a retelling of everything that happened in book one.
That said, I am very interested in the overarching plot and the rest of the clan. I look forward to reading more from this series and everything else S.E. Wendel has to offer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Grab your favorite cozy sweater and a warm cup of tea, because Heartsworn is absolute perfection for all my soft, gothic-loving hearts! ☕️🌸✨ If you adore a nerdy FMC, a protective monster MMC, and a delicious museum mystery, this book will completely sweep you off your feet! 🏛️💖
June Parkhurst is such a sweet, relatable, nerdy FMC,l an empath and conservator who feels overwhelmed by the world and finds comfort in her beloved statues. Meanwhile, Alaric is the ultimate devoted, protective MMC! Cursed to stone in June’s family rose garden, he’s spent centuries watching over her, holding onto the hope that she’ll realize she’s his heartsong. The angst! The pure devotion! 🌹
When a curious new museum opens filled with statues that feel a little too alive, June emerges from isolation to uncover the truth, setting off a wild ride filled with masked thieves, gargoyles coming to life, and magical whispers! ✨ Under all the curse-breaking and intrigue, there’s the sweetest sprinkle of cozy domestic bliss that will leave you swooning. Heartsworn is the ultimate blend of monster romance sweetness and heart-melting devotion 🏰
June Parkhurst is such a sweet, relatable, nerdy FMC,l an empath and conservator who feels overwhelmed by the world and finds comfort in her beloved statues. Meanwhile, Alaric is the ultimate devoted, protective MMC! Cursed to stone in June’s family rose garden, he’s spent centuries watching over her, holding onto the hope that she’ll realize she’s his heartsong. The angst! The pure devotion! 🌹
When a curious new museum opens filled with statues that feel a little too alive, June emerges from isolation to uncover the truth, setting off a wild ride filled with masked thieves, gargoyles coming to life, and magical whispers! ✨ Under all the curse-breaking and intrigue, there’s the sweetest sprinkle of cozy domestic bliss that will leave you swooning. Heartsworn is the ultimate blend of monster romance sweetness and heart-melting devotion 🏰
September 24, 2026
I was so excited for June and Alaric’s story after reading Heartsong last year, and this did not disappoint! I loved how their story partially overlapped with the timeline of the first book, but it didn’t feel like we were repeating the story and I wasn’t bored with the scenes that overlapped. I really liked seeing June’s POV on those scenes that did overlap.
I liked June and Alaric’s relationship, and how Alaric had known she was his heartsong for years but he couldn’t do anything about it until she woke him from the curse. But then he had to work for her since June had closed herself off from connections because of her gift and grief. So I really liked seeing June learn to let people in and how to work with her empathy abilities so the world wasn’t so overwhelming. Not only did she end up falling in love with Alaric but she was able to make friends with Anna and Carys as she learned to open up.
Im so intrigued with where the overall storyline is going and how they hope to break the curse for the rest of the clan. Im especially intrigued to figure out who the next book is about!
Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC.
I liked June and Alaric’s relationship, and how Alaric had known she was his heartsong for years but he couldn’t do anything about it until she woke him from the curse. But then he had to work for her since June had closed herself off from connections because of her gift and grief. So I really liked seeing June learn to let people in and how to work with her empathy abilities so the world wasn’t so overwhelming. Not only did she end up falling in love with Alaric but she was able to make friends with Anna and Carys as she learned to open up.
Im so intrigued with where the overall storyline is going and how they hope to break the curse for the rest of the clan. Im especially intrigued to figure out who the next book is about!
Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
I’m not going to lie—monster romances aren’t normally the type of books I gravitate toward. But I received a copy of Heartsong from the Avon booth at ApollyCon 2026, and when I saw the opportunity to read and review book two, Heartsworn, I jumped at the chance.
This book has a lot of heart. It’s an easy, enjoyable read that didn’t feel quite as high-stakes as many of the books I typically read—and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
I especially liked the premise of an ancient guardian suddenly having to navigate the modern world (and modern technology). Alaric trying to make sense of how much the world has changed added some fun and charm to the story, while his connection with June gave it plenty of sweetness.
Overall, Heartsworn was a cozy, lower-stakes fantasy romance that was easy to settle into and enjoy. Monster romance may still not be my usual genre, but this series has definitely kept my attention. I’ll most likely be picking up book three whenever it comes out!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I’m not going to lie—monster romances aren’t normally the type of books I gravitate toward. But I received a copy of Heartsong from the Avon booth at ApollyCon 2026, and when I saw the opportunity to read and review book two, Heartsworn, I jumped at the chance.
This book has a lot of heart. It’s an easy, enjoyable read that didn’t feel quite as high-stakes as many of the books I typically read—and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
I especially liked the premise of an ancient guardian suddenly having to navigate the modern world (and modern technology). Alaric trying to make sense of how much the world has changed added some fun and charm to the story, while his connection with June gave it plenty of sweetness.
Overall, Heartsworn was a cozy, lower-stakes fantasy romance that was easy to settle into and enjoy. Monster romance may still not be my usual genre, but this series has definitely kept my attention. I’ll most likely be picking up book three whenever it comes out!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked this one! It's a cozy yet spicy modern-day romantasy with the most cinnamon roll gargoyles ever. I eat it up, and I have a good time binge-reading it. I will say that I didn't enjoy as much as book 1. That might have been due to book 1's representation of chronic migraines, which is something really close to my heart. While I liked June and Alaric, they felt a little too similar to Anna and Frey for me. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I would have liked seeing more of the bossy chieftain within Alaric and see him be a little different to Frey. However, I'm excited to continue reading this series, and I really hope we'll get Heirik's and Dragan's books soon!! I have a feeling those two MCs will be very much my speed.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
S E Wendel... its getting to the point where I think we may have the same brain. You are just better at getting those words out of your brain and into a book than I am, I hyperfixate too quickly onto something else or get distracted by...life things. Anyways, as a huge commitment fobe and a constant overworrier, this addition to your already incredible romances hit the main anxieties I would. If its fate then is it real? You dont know me so what do you mean we belong together? And of course, why does everyone else feel so damn much and how can I get them to shut up? I might not have supernatural empathy like June, but i feel more than I want to of other people and I'm glad someone else understands that isnt always a blessing. At this point, I'm just writing you a love letter not a review, oh well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartsworn was a cute, lighthearted read that I found easy to breeze through. It has a fun premise, plenty of charm, and an overall cozy feel that made it an enjoyable palate cleanser.
That said, I did feel like it left a little to be desired. While I enjoyed the characters and the general direction of the story, I wanted a bit more depth and development in certain areas. Some parts felt like they could have been explored further, and I occasionally found myself wanting a little more from the romance and/or plot.
Overall, this was a sweet and entertaining read, even if it didn't completely win me over. Definitely a good choice if you're looking for something cute, easygoing, and lighthearted!
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Heartsworn was a cute, lighthearted read that I found easy to breeze through. It has a fun premise, plenty of charm, and an overall cozy feel that made it an enjoyable palate cleanser.
That said, I did feel like it left a little to be desired. While I enjoyed the characters and the general direction of the story, I wanted a bit more depth and development in certain areas. Some parts felt like they could have been explored further, and I occasionally found myself wanting a little more from the romance and/or plot.
Overall, this was a sweet and entertaining read, even if it didn't completely win me over. Definitely a good choice if you're looking for something cute, easygoing, and lighthearted!
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2026
Review originally on NetGalley: If you enjoyed the first book in the series, Heartsong, then you will definitely enjoy the second one. To start with the romance part, we've got a true slow burn relationship that on ignition (about 75% of the way through the book) gets spicy quickly! The slow burn, however, is due to our FMC's reflection of her own past experiences, worries, and fears. We do not have a FMC who is trying to deny her own feelings; we have a FMC who does inner personal work through reflection before then becoming (truly) romantically interested in the MMC. For the plot, you'll get to see another side of the events that happened in the first book, which I find interesting. The story then progresses past that point, so there is progress in the 'world' of the story as well. I'm interested to see what happens in future installments!
September 24, 2026
3.75 rounded up!
Thank you Avon for the eARC through NetGalley!
This was fun! The first half is incredibly slow moving, but the back half made up for it imo. It’s definitely a slow burn but I found that there wasn’t any of the tension that makes a slow burn fun- just 2 people sharing a house and not speaking to each other for weeks until suddenly they do. I would’ve liked to have seen June begin softening toward Alaric way sooner than she did!
BUT I really am enjoying the overall plot of these books! It was fun to see what was happening for June during the events of the first book’s events. I adored Alaric. He’s such a sweetie pie honey bun.
I loved getting bits and pieces of Anna and Frey throughout the book and enjoyed how everything progressed and wrapped up!
Overall- yes, it’s a little slow on the upswing! But that doesn’t mean I didn’t still have a great time.
Thank you Avon for the eARC through NetGalley!
This was fun! The first half is incredibly slow moving, but the back half made up for it imo. It’s definitely a slow burn but I found that there wasn’t any of the tension that makes a slow burn fun- just 2 people sharing a house and not speaking to each other for weeks until suddenly they do. I would’ve liked to have seen June begin softening toward Alaric way sooner than she did!
BUT I really am enjoying the overall plot of these books! It was fun to see what was happening for June during the events of the first book’s events. I adored Alaric. He’s such a sweetie pie honey bun.
I loved getting bits and pieces of Anna and Frey throughout the book and enjoyed how everything progressed and wrapped up!
Overall- yes, it’s a little slow on the upswing! But that doesn’t mean I didn’t still have a great time.
September 28, 2026
Thank you so much to Avon Books & Harper Voyager for allowing me to read this as an ARC through NetGalley!
I absolutely loved Heartsong, so I was incredibly excited when I was approved for Heartsworn too! June and Alaric were so different from Frey and Anna but of course, they both had to work through their emotions together and understand their differences!
I loveeeeed Alaric, he was so warm and protective and just wanted to love June to his heart’s content, even with her being closed off and guarded. Understandably, June was guarded with her emotions and heart because of her past and her gift as an empath, but he still tried.
It was great to read more about Carys, Gavren, Anna and Frey as well. Reading more about them felt like meeting old friends.
Overall, this was a lovely and heartwarming read!
I absolutely loved Heartsong, so I was incredibly excited when I was approved for Heartsworn too! June and Alaric were so different from Frey and Anna but of course, they both had to work through their emotions together and understand their differences!
I loveeeeed Alaric, he was so warm and protective and just wanted to love June to his heart’s content, even with her being closed off and guarded. Understandably, June was guarded with her emotions and heart because of her past and her gift as an empath, but he still tried.
It was great to read more about Carys, Gavren, Anna and Frey as well. Reading more about them felt like meeting old friends.
Overall, this was a lovely and heartwarming read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost I want to give a huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me this lovely ARC to read!
The depth of character and the world building in this book was so much fun for me. I really appreciate the various representations that are explored through this story. It plays out like a day in the life, centered on magic, whimsy, romance, mystery, and introspection. This book feels like a warm hug, and if you liked the first book then I think you’ll love this one. Being more of a slow burn this book gives you time to fully become immersed in the world and the lore, balancing both character and plot beautifully.
If you’re looking for more Fourth Wing vibes mixed with a dash of lit fic, then I recommend you read this book.
The depth of character and the world building in this book was so much fun for me. I really appreciate the various representations that are explored through this story. It plays out like a day in the life, centered on magic, whimsy, romance, mystery, and introspection. This book feels like a warm hug, and if you liked the first book then I think you’ll love this one. Being more of a slow burn this book gives you time to fully become immersed in the world and the lore, balancing both character and plot beautifully.
If you’re looking for more Fourth Wing vibes mixed with a dash of lit fic, then I recommend you read this book.
September 12, 2026
I absolutely loved reading this , I don’t want to give any spoilers away . I loved that Anna and Frey are in this second book. But to also see the other side of a new FMC and new guardian hat have quickly become my favorite couple. The book is written really well and live the banter . I can’t wait to see what happens next . The first book and this one are definitely 5 stars reads for me as I love the way the authors writes and gives you details and backstory . This book had me cheesing and giggling at parts and the spice was spicing . Can’t wait to add a physical copy to my library
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this, but I enjoyed the first more. I found June to be an interesting but frustrating heroine. I’m not saying she had to be Alaric’s Heartsong immediately, but man is it a slow burn. I absolutely loved Alaric, and thought seeing the events of the first book from June’s POV was interesting. I did skim quite a bit near the end, though.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2026
I was dying to get my hands on book Heartsworn after finishing Heartsong and it was so worth the wait!
We meet June in book 1 so there’s a little bit of story overlap but the author does a great job of giving us just the important moments and not rehashing the story over. June and Alaric are so cute and I love how their story got to take its time while also being compelling and giving us more of the info we will need for the rest of the series!
We meet June in book 1 so there’s a little bit of story overlap but the author does a great job of giving us just the important moments and not rehashing the story over. June and Alaric are so cute and I love how their story got to take its time while also being compelling and giving us more of the info we will need for the rest of the series!
August 20, 2026
If you love magic and monsters and mystery this is the book for you!
In this second book in, The War of the Underhill series, June is grieving the loss of her father but slowly trying to pull herself out of her depression nest she’s made. An exciting opportunity to work with grotesque statues arises and she dives in head first. Although the statues remind her of her own family’s grotesque, she knows hers is special.
Alaric and June were so exciting to read. They had a will they/won’t they vibe and kept me on my toes. The beginning was a little slow but once it was moving I couldn’t stop reading. I can’t wait for the next one already!
This story was very spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
With a wonderful ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review ⭐️
This book will be published November 10, 2026!!
In this second book in, The War of the Underhill series, June is grieving the loss of her father but slowly trying to pull herself out of her depression nest she’s made. An exciting opportunity to work with grotesque statues arises and she dives in head first. Although the statues remind her of her own family’s grotesque, she knows hers is special.
Alaric and June were so exciting to read. They had a will they/won’t they vibe and kept me on my toes. The beginning was a little slow but once it was moving I couldn’t stop reading. I can’t wait for the next one already!
This story was very spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
With a wonderful ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review ⭐️
This book will be published November 10, 2026!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a charming, sweet story with fated mates. One of the mates just happens to be a stone gargoyle. I loved how sweet and low-angst this book was.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved it! Full rtc!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Overall a very enjoyable sequel! I wish the author hadn't retread the original plot line from June's POV though. Made the beginning kind of tedious.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The unique gargoyles in the world made by S.E. Wendal are really fun for me to read. This being the 3rd if you count the prequel make an enchanting series so far.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 / 5.0
This was very much like the first book but with only slightly different circumstances surrounding the FMC. My full review from the first book can be applied to this one as well.
There are still pacing issues and the characters are just as restricted to the museum or the FMC's home as they were in the first book. Again, why? “With a whole HUGE city to fly through and the coast just stretching forever in either direction, why stay in night after night? The MMC needed to scoop her up and take her to see everything. Go explore and yes, be home by midnight or whatever, but still get out of the house. Better yet, go back to the museum to figure out what is going on and engage with the other "gargoyles" more”, I wrote about the first book and this still hold true.
The plot slogs through chapters of mundane and boring conversations, internal emotional turmoil, and poorly examined grief. It was actually hard to read at times and I wanted more for the second book in the series, the third overall story written if you include the prequel. It was actually disappointing for about 80% of the story and then got a tiny bit interesting at the end. I wasn’t captivated by the hook for future books and so am sadly putting this series aside.
Until Next Time, MC
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.
This was very much like the first book but with only slightly different circumstances surrounding the FMC. My full review from the first book can be applied to this one as well.
There are still pacing issues and the characters are just as restricted to the museum or the FMC's home as they were in the first book. Again, why? “With a whole HUGE city to fly through and the coast just stretching forever in either direction, why stay in night after night? The MMC needed to scoop her up and take her to see everything. Go explore and yes, be home by midnight or whatever, but still get out of the house. Better yet, go back to the museum to figure out what is going on and engage with the other "gargoyles" more”, I wrote about the first book and this still hold true.
The plot slogs through chapters of mundane and boring conversations, internal emotional turmoil, and poorly examined grief. It was actually hard to read at times and I wanted more for the second book in the series, the third overall story written if you include the prequel. It was actually disappointing for about 80% of the story and then got a tiny bit interesting at the end. I wasn’t captivated by the hook for future books and so am sadly putting this series aside.
Until Next Time, MC
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.
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