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Fae and Flames: A Romantic Regency-Inspired Fantasy
Not yet published
Expected 8 Jun 26A maid blackmails a fae prince to save her mother’s life. The prince lies to hide an identity. Neither one counted on an impossible love.
All Elora wants is to find a way her mother can survive the wasting illness. She has no idea or means to do it until she finds the prince, Duke, with a secret project his royal family would balk at. Blackmailing him is her only option to buy the vampire venom her mother so desperately needs.
Duke has ambition he’s not supposed to have. He’s expected to fulfill his social obligations and play the role of prince. He wants to be an inventor, so he hides his attempts at the first ever flying machine as well as an illegal pet, a phoenix he’s mind melded to. He’ll do anything to hide both.
What Duke and Elora don’t expect is to fight feelings neither should be having for each other. She’s a maid. He’s a prince. He’s expected to marry well. Love, however, has other plans.
For fans of adventurous fantasy with clean romance comes the fourth book in Realms of Lurin, a multi-author collection of standalone magical regency-inspired fantasy novellas that take place in the same world.
All Elora wants is to find a way her mother can survive the wasting illness. She has no idea or means to do it until she finds the prince, Duke, with a secret project his royal family would balk at. Blackmailing him is her only option to buy the vampire venom her mother so desperately needs.
Duke has ambition he’s not supposed to have. He’s expected to fulfill his social obligations and play the role of prince. He wants to be an inventor, so he hides his attempts at the first ever flying machine as well as an illegal pet, a phoenix he’s mind melded to. He’ll do anything to hide both.
What Duke and Elora don’t expect is to fight feelings neither should be having for each other. She’s a maid. He’s a prince. He’s expected to marry well. Love, however, has other plans.
For fans of adventurous fantasy with clean romance comes the fourth book in Realms of Lurin, a multi-author collection of standalone magical regency-inspired fantasy novellas that take place in the same world.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 8, 2026
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Sofia Simpson
8 books118 followersSofia drinks in fantasy like she would strawberry milkshakes. She lives in the fantasy world either dreaming up stories herself or immersing herself in clean, fun romances. She writes YA to believe she's still a teen at heart, but also loves providing beautiful stories to beautiful teens. Visit her at www.sofiasimpson.com and join her newsletter for up-to-date news on all her goings on.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 30, 2026
Love love love! I had the pleasure of reading this book for Sofia for “another set of eyes” and it was amazing. You will laugh, be angry, laugh again and possibly cry at moments. It is such a fun book! Definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Two captivating romantic leads and a sentient phoenix – what’s not to like?
Although this story involves a relationship between a fae prince and a fae commoner, and there is a ball, the similarities to Cinderella mostly end there. The commoner, Elora, has two loving parents and no step-anythings. The prince’s brother does call himself Elora’s fairy godfather, but only in the sense that he helps her (non-magically) get ready for the ball. There are no glass slippers---but there is something far more interesting to draw the prince out of the ball to look for her.
Both romantic leads have more depth to their character and personality than the original Cinderella stories typically contain. Those depths are best discovered as you read this charming story, so I will leave them as mysteries in this review.
The phoenix, Char, is a fun addition. She is a close companion to the prince, Duke. And the two can (and do) converse. Some readers might wish for even more of their conversation, but the dialog that is in the book is delightful.
I really liked the final “epilog”, consisting of an article from the Nebraria Gazette. The “one-year-later” summary it presents is unexpected, and yet, a logical (and better) ending than I anticipated.
I received a free Advanced Reader copy of this book.
Although this story involves a relationship between a fae prince and a fae commoner, and there is a ball, the similarities to Cinderella mostly end there. The commoner, Elora, has two loving parents and no step-anythings. The prince’s brother does call himself Elora’s fairy godfather, but only in the sense that he helps her (non-magically) get ready for the ball. There are no glass slippers---but there is something far more interesting to draw the prince out of the ball to look for her.
Both romantic leads have more depth to their character and personality than the original Cinderella stories typically contain. Those depths are best discovered as you read this charming story, so I will leave them as mysteries in this review.
The phoenix, Char, is a fun addition. She is a close companion to the prince, Duke. And the two can (and do) converse. Some readers might wish for even more of their conversation, but the dialog that is in the book is delightful.
I really liked the final “epilog”, consisting of an article from the Nebraria Gazette. The “one-year-later” summary it presents is unexpected, and yet, a logical (and better) ending than I anticipated.
I received a free Advanced Reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review:
This was a quick, easy read with some genuinely interesting ideas. I liked the Regency-inspired fantasy setting and the fact that your status in the world was reflected by how high up you lived in the trees.
That said, I do think this would have benefited from being a full-length novel rather than a novella. The romance felt rushed, and I never fully saw where or when the couple actually fell in love. I expect a certain level of cheesiness with YA, especially in a shorter format, but this leaned a bit more into the sap than I personally prefer. The epilogue also felt a little out of left field compared to the rest of the story.
Still, Simpson's writing itself was solid and easy to move through. I'd be interested to see where she takes her ideas in the future. 3⭐️
This was a quick, easy read with some genuinely interesting ideas. I liked the Regency-inspired fantasy setting and the fact that your status in the world was reflected by how high up you lived in the trees.
That said, I do think this would have benefited from being a full-length novel rather than a novella. The romance felt rushed, and I never fully saw where or when the couple actually fell in love. I expect a certain level of cheesiness with YA, especially in a shorter format, but this leaned a bit more into the sap than I personally prefer. The epilogue also felt a little out of left field compared to the rest of the story.
Still, Simpson's writing itself was solid and easy to move through. I'd be interested to see where she takes her ideas in the future. 3⭐️
April 26, 2026
I just finished reading Faye and Flames, and I am completely in love with it! As part of a beautifully crafted YA anthology by different authors, this one truly stands out. It’s a perfect mix of mystery, secrets, and unexpected twists. What makes it even more endearing is how the main male protagonist is pushed to be brave—he has to fully expose his true courage and his genuine self to the world. I adored how he falls in love first, and all the daring risks he takes add a charming depth to the story. It’s a must-read for teens and young adults who love a bit of intrigue and a whole lot of heart!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’d do far more. Give me the word. Become my bride, and I’ll shower you with every single star you wish upon. Your wishes will be my commands.”
I really enjoyed this novella!! It didn’t feel rushed or too short. Char, the sassy Phoenix, is my favorite character! I was immediately invested in the romance and enjoyed the world. The characters were well written.
No spice
No language
No violence just one deathly ill character
I received an advanced copy of this book and am willingly leaving an honest review.
April 30, 2026
This is a really fun story about a prince named Duke and a maid named Elora. They strike a bargain that has them working together on a secret project, and it is dual POV.
There are faith themes throughout, with no spice, no language, no violence, and no gore. It is a very clean, lighthearted, and enjoyable short story suitable for many ages.
The phoenix side character is especially memorable, sassy, and very lovable.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It feels like a Cinderella retelling mixed with a Wright brothers vibe (IYKYK). It is fun, fast-paced, and ends on a happy note.
There are faith themes throughout, with no spice, no language, no violence, and no gore. It is a very clean, lighthearted, and enjoyable short story suitable for many ages.
The phoenix side character is especially memorable, sassy, and very lovable.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It feels like a Cinderella retelling mixed with a Wright brothers vibe (IYKYK). It is fun, fast-paced, and ends on a happy note.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is written in the present tense which unfortunately makes it unreadable to me. For whatever reason my brain just refuses to process anything written in the present tense. If you don't share my issue, I'm sure this is a very good book, it just isn't for me.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!! I want to read it a thousand times over. I love all of Sofia's books. Chat is sooooo sassy and she makes me want a phoenix thats mind-melded to me. No spice or language. Duke is such a great guy and Harry feels like a great brother. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews