A Kingdom of Magic and Rain: A Cozy Fantasy Romance Standalone

by V.I. Davis

A broken kingdom. A broken princess. A love that can heal them both.

As the magical wards protecting her kingdom fade away, a powerless princess must train with a mysterious lord, only to learn that falling in love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Princess Emelin Clairborne is witnessing her human kingdom of Emeraldia fade before her eyes. The wards that keep their Fae enemies out are weakening, and the farmland is withering away. With her magic stubbornly dormant, Emelin is powerless to help.

Desperate, she seeks out Adrian Gray, a mysterious lord living near the border between human and Fae. Powerful and guarded, he reluctantly agrees to train her. Her journey to harnessing her powers is long and challenging, but amid her struggles, a romance blossoms between her and the lord. As her feelings for him grow, so does her magic.

Before their budding relationship can flourish, long-buried secrets shatter the very foundation of Emelin's world. With Emeraldia on the brink of collapse, she has no choice but to wed a Fae prince to forge an alliance with their most feared enemy. Through the marriage of convenience, Emelin may secure peace and power for her people, but the cost will be her future…and her heart.

With royalcore vibes, Regency-inspired romance, and whimsical fantasy elements, this low stakes New Adult Romantasy is perfect for fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart, Serpent & Dove, and The Cruel Prince.

A Kingdom of Magic and Rain is book one in the Three Kingdoms series of interconnected standalone novels.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 24, 2026

About the author

V.I. writes romance with a touch of fantasy and magic. She's currently in her fae era. Her new cozy romantasy, A Kingdom of Magic and Rain, will be released in August. If you’re in your vampire era, check out her completed Crimson and Shadows trilogy.
When she's not weaving tales filled with truly devoted heroes, you'll find her curled up on the sofa, lost in a book, with a blanket and delicious treats by her side. If you want to follow along on her author journey, you can sign up for her newsletter (www.vidavisauthor.com) or find her on Instagram (@vidavis.author).

Reviews

[Hira Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, so I absolutely had zero clue where this book was going. I was expecting cozy slow burn yearning, and I got emotional damage. 10/10 would do it all over again.

Both Emelin and Adrian are such a breath of fresh air. Emelin is soft and bookish and would do absolutely anything for her kingdom and family. I love that she’s not a stabby FMC and she’s a lot more relatable and genuine in my opinion. Adrian is also an absolute green flag. He listens to her and he’s incredibly supportive (also v hot). I love the whole he trains her dynamic. They both love reading and art and I loved watching their bond develop. They are absolutely perfect for each other. I also love that Emelin comes into her own power without sacrificing who she is at her core. I like that they both experienced similar heartbreak in their pasts and weren’t afraid to be vulnerable with each other. I think that really solidified their bond.

I think the book was paced really well. It wasn’t overly fast-paced, but I was fully immersed the entire time. There were definitely a couple of twists that surprised me (iykyk).

I was so eager to read this because of all the pretty art and it was even better than I expected. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who’s tired of the same morally grey MMCs and just wants a cozy romantasy with two green flags all up in their feels.

[Literary X Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you take a bookish Princess with dormant magic, a powerful, yet broody lord, and a broken kingdom with failing wards? A cozy, emotionally charged, and magical story that goes right for your heart. 💕 A Kingdom of Magic and Rain delivered the perfect balance of romance, yearning, and a sprinkle of action that hooked me while still maintaining the cozy elements of the story.

I found Emelin, our FMC, to be so beautifully vulnerable, and relatable. There were so many points throughout the story where I felt for her and found myself connecting to aspects of her character I don’t usually get to see in fantasy books. There is a quiet strength to her and it was such a fantastic reminder that strength is not always physical.

Adrian, our Mr. Darcy coded MMC, is powerful, but expressive even in moments of stoicism. He is a green flag, swoon-worthy MMC and is tasked with helping Emelin unlock her magic so that she can restore balance to the kingdom of Emeraldia.

Both characters are overcoming pasts that haunt them and find comfort in their growing friendship as they train together, but are not fully prepared to let their guards down. There are LAYERS to the yearning here, and there was a rollercoaster of emotions I experienced as I delved deeper into their story.

The side characters had such excellent development throughout the book and I found myself wanting to know more about each one. (I have some theories about one in particular 👀) I am hoping to see more of them in future books and found Quilliam 🦔 to be an extra special, endearing addition to the story.

AKOMAR is meant to be the first in an interconnected standalone series of books and releases on 08/24/2026.

Read this for a story about hurt x comfort, learning to trust again, and finding love in unexpected places. Grab a blanket and your favorite tea for this one, it’s going to be a captivating read. ✨

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting fantasy adventure filled with magical humans and fae and two realms on opposite sides of a magical barrier readying for war!

You follow the FMC, who as a princess was never meant for the throne or to use her magic to protect her kingdom, and spent her days in love. But when her heart is broken and she learns the shield protecting the kingdom is starting to fail, she convinces her father the king to let her train her magic in order to help reinforce it, and he allows her to stay on the edge of a kingdom at a new powerful lords house in order to train under him. Little does she know this lord is also single and rather handsome and seems to care about his people. She must race against time to train her magic, but secrets are revealed and when she finds out the truth she’s heartbroken again, only this time to keep the peace, she must marry him to save both their people and the dying realms.

I really enjoyed this story, it allowed me to get swept up in it between the training and the romance and the chapters unfolded almost like a diary. I understood why the FMC was so angry when she learned the truth but I also understood where the MMC was coming from hiding things from her and it’s also clear he cares for her. There were so many exciting twists and betrayals and of course plots for murder that had me on the edge of my seat always hoping for a happy ending for the FMC. There was some good allies to lovers to enemies tension that was the best and overall I really enjoyed this book. My rating 4.7/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Nanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you V.I. Davis for sending me the Arc!💗

I finished this in one sitting because this was written in such a way that feels light and easy to follow. If you want to read a cozy romantasy this one is definitely for you. The world building wasn’t complicated and it was so fun to read. I also loved the fmc & mmc they were just so sweet together and I’m an arranged marriage lover so this was definitely my vibe.

I believe that V.I Davis is an amazing author and can’t wait to read more.

[Jamie Lynn Snider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emelin’s story is not only one of self discovery but of love. It pulled me in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down.

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Kingdom of Magic and Rain✨

I have loved being back in a book by VI and it was such a joy seeing her in a new genre- Romantasy standalone!

KOMAR follows a singular POV from our FMC, Emelin, as she takes her future into her own hands after her engagement falls through. Having neglected her magic, Emon decides to stay at a powerful Lord’s home, Adrian Grey, to be trained in hopes to help save her kingdom as its barrier begins to fail. What she learns, though, opens her eyes to more than just her magic, but worlds unknown, love, friendship, and hidden history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy read! It took me through all the emotions and I just adored the gentle romance and the delicate way of falling in love. Grey is a BRILLIANT green flag MMC who really just solidified my appreciation for this book with the way he handled things and I am so proud of the growth Emelin goes through such as seeing her take in council with grace and understanding instead of rebellion. It made me swoon and giggle and I could hardly put the book down because I NEEDED to know how things ended.

Tropes you may find in KOMAR are forced proximity, mentor x mentee, hidden identities, marriage of convenience, low spice, falling in love over books and coffee, found family, fated mates with a twist, royalcore cozy vibes, green flag MMC, and a HEA.

VI, thank you so much for this gifted arc. It was such a joy to read another of your books and I cannot wait for more! Also, thank you to Iris Influencer Society!

[Madison Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved this book. It was so refreshing to read a cozy romantasy where with such beautiful and elegant writing.

V.I. Davis’ writing style is absolutely gorgeous, I felt like I was fully immersed in the world of Emeraldia. Emelin’s character is extraordinary and I loved her growth and healing journey.

I normally shy away from cozy fantasy books cause I’m a lover of intense settings and characters but this book has completely changed my mind!!!

I wasn’t expecting the plot twist at all but I loved it!!! Adrian Gray is definitely on my list of favourite book boyfriends!!!!

Thank you so much to V.I. Davis for letting me ARC read!!! AKOMAR comes out August 24th, you can preorder on V.I.Davis’ website or through certain indie bookstores!!!

[Ashley Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Iris Influencer Society and V.I Davis for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest and authentic review - All opinions are my own.*

Let’s start with this cover is GORGEOUS!!

This was a beautiful cozy fantasy romance full of grit, determination, forgiveness, and love. The plot pacing was perfectly executed and the author did a fabulous job of packing a full story into a standalone!!

I was very intrigued by the way V.I. Davis built this magical world, the connection to nature and the environment was beautifully done, and the characters suck you in.

I would have loved duo POV to get the inside scoop into Adrian’s headspace- but I also understand why that would have been hard to do with the plot.

[Sirena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, if you are craving a new adult (early 20s) Romantasy with a heart broken princess finding herself and love after heartbreak.

No, if you don’t like your cozy Romantasy to have high stakes and murder.

What I liked. The world building with the conflict between the humans and the fae. The beginning reminded me of a historical fiction novel and with a little magic. Good tension in the beginning of the story.

Pacing problems with the middle third of the books. Time hops took me out of the story. Adrian did not grovel enough. Conflicts were too easily resolved.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my sweet goddess what a read!!!!!! Obsessed!!!! I need more from Adrian Em Thea Tom… hoping more books to come💜

[Deirdre · Rating 2 out of 5]

- standalone in an intertwined series
- book one
- magical training
- magical wards
- humans and fae

❌❌❌WARNING: MFC declines in maturity second half and almost cheats! ❌❌❌

Overall: This started as a surprisingly refreshing romantasy with mature communication, healthy relationship development, and an MMC who wasn't afraid to respectfully call out the MFC. I loved watching their relationship grow through honesty, vulnerability, and earned trust instead of instant obsession. Unfortunately, the second half lost me. Once the betrayal arc began, the story fell into one of my least favorite romantasy tropes: prophecy about the MFC being the one, betrayal that leads to 30-40% of the book focused on pouting, internal dialogue about the betrayal that neglects the bigger picture, and conflict that dragged on far too long. The MFC's behavior became increasingly immature, including her almost cheating after the author EMPHASIZED the pain of cheating, and by the end I was struggling to stay invested.

Even readers who liked this book repeatedly commented in their reviews how immature the MFC was the second half of the book and the almost cheating was awful!

The story opened with the king and princess (MFC) discovering that the magical wards protecting the kingdom from the fae were failing. Because her hesitant magic could help save the kingdom, she suddenly needed proper training. Right away, we're introduced to how deeply patriarchal this society was. Women were considered "too special" and therefore needed to be protected, all while the men’s magic was prioritized. Since the kingdom's best instructors were committed to training the MFC’s brother, the MFC convinced her father that the newly appointed Lord Gray could train her instead. The king and MFC then showed up at Gray's manor and told him that he'll be training her and that she'll be moving in.

Initially, I really struggled with the MFC. While I appreciated that she wanted to break societal expectations and learn her magic to protect the kingdom, she also came across as incredibly entitled. She and her father upended Gray's life without giving him any choice or opportunity to consent. Then, during dinner, when Gray asked perfectly reasonable follow-up questions, she internally justified not answering because she "owed him nothing." Did she thank him? Nope. Did she acknowledge how much this impacted his life? Also nope. She lied to him while thinking she didn't owe him honesty. I understood why she wanted to advance her magic, but her complete lack of awareness about how her actions affected others was frustrating.

Thankfully, the book quickly addressed those concerns. The next day, the MMC called the MFC out, and I absolutely loved it. When she justified not learning her magic because she'd fallen in love years earlier, he challenged her by pointing out that she was a royal and that falling in love wasn't an excuse for neglecting abilities that could literally save her kingdom's agriculture. Honestly... he was right. I had empathy for her because she was young and understandably swept up in first love, but I appreciated that the story didn't pretend her choices had no consequences. Fall in love AND learn your magic so your kingdom doesn't starve.

Even better, the MFC didn't become defensive. She recognized he was right. Shortly afterward, she snapped at him but immediately realized her frustration wasn't actually directed at him, it was guilt over her own choices. When she felt discouraged, she reminded herself why she was there and kept going. Then came the moment that changed my opinion of her. She acknowledged that neglecting her magic had been a mistake, recognized that apologizing was emotionally difficult but still necessary, and admitted that her father had ordered the MMC to train her. Instead of relying on that order, she asked him if he would choose to train her because she wanted his consent. My initial frustration with her disappeared almost immediately. I really appreciated that growth and self-awareness.

For a while, I thought this was becoming the kind of slow-burn romance I absolutely love: respectful people slowly falling in love through genuine connection. Their relationship felt honest, earned, and full of integrity. The flirting was subtle, full of tension, and refreshingly innocent. As someone who primarily reads dark romance, this felt like the complete opposite in the best way, and I was genuinely enjoying the change of pace. THEN the story shifted into betrayal and rebuilding trust, ruining the book for me.

Lets talk about the MFC’s betrayal. The MFC had a pretty big secret. When the MMC learned this secret, instead of exploding with the typical, "I can't believe you betrayed me!" dramatics that romantasy loves, he responded with understanding, compassion, and calmness. He simply asked for honesty moving forward. YESSS. I should have known this was too early of a reaction, as you will read later that, when the MFC learned about the MMC’s secret (much bigger one), the book focused about the betrayal and her devastation, sucking up the plot.

Initially, the author did a wonderful job building the romance through small moments. Honest conversations, vulnerable confessions, playful teasing, flirting, learning together; it all made the MC’s relationship feel authentic. I especially enjoyed that they bonded over similar relational trauma from past partners cheating on them, giving them another layer of emotional connection. The time the author took to develop bonding over being cheated on was especially why what happened later was SO FRUSTRATING.

Around the 44% mark, I started figuring everything out. I overall guessed who the MMC really was, how the two main characters were connected, and where the story was headed.

One thing I wish romantasy would move away from is the constant "chosen one" prophecy. Why does every heroine have to be “the one” destined to save everything while falling for a prince? I'd love to see more originality in that area. Thankfully, the concept of breaking a mated bond was a creative twist that I really enjoyed.

Now for my biggest criticism. If you've read my reviews before, you already know I cannot stand betrayal arcs that lead to chapters upon chapters of one character sulking and we get endless repetitive internal monologues. I'm not saying the anger isn't justified, it absolutely can be. But this trope is everywhere, and we all know forgiveness is eventually coming. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened here.

The MFC was hurt by the betrayal for 30-40% of the book… her brothers girlfriend also betrayed her brother, yet he moved on. The MFC even acknowledged that her brother forgave his love interest much more quickly, and I desperately wished she'd taken that same approach. Again, being mad and needing time to heal makes sense, but for 40% of the book and the plot being stalled? Boring to me. Also, the MFC coped with this by becoming increasingly immature. She dismissed everything the MMC had done for her simply because of the betrayal and then intentionally tried to hurt him. She was spiteful and mean. That completely changed how I viewed her.

THEN, the MFC snuck out with another male (after married to the MMC) AND gave this other man her wedding ring AND came dangerously close to cheating. Her fiancé had cheated on her. The MMC had also been cheated on. Yet she nearly repeated that same cycle. Had the roles been reversed, if the MMC had secretly met another woman, gave her his ring, had dinner with her, flirted, and then she kissed his cheek, readers would have been furious!! On top of all of this, the MFC just kept lying and lying, especially about her wedding ring 🤮 . So they both lied to each other, fine, but sneaking around with another male and the cheating line almost being crossed AFTER THEY BOTH HAD BEEN CHEATED ON and the MFC knew the impact of sneaking around… GROSS!!!! 🤮 The MMC had his issues, but he was 100% always loyal to her. The fact that she coped by wanting to make him hurt (yes, she admits this… so juvenile) by sneaking out with another male and almost cheating was so pathetic.

Even reviews from readers that liked this book called out how DUMB the almost cheating situation was. Again, it was NOT NEEDED AND SO PATHETIC!!

On top of that, all the ex drama and jealousy. It was so dramatic.

Of all the directions this story could have taken... this was the one the author chose? I was honestly ready to DNF.

By the time roughly the last third of the book became almost entirely focused on the MFC hurt, dragging out the conflict, and nearly cheating, I'd completely checked out. The pacing slowed to a crawl, the repetitive emotional conflict overtook the plot, and I simply wasn't enjoying myself anymore. Even though the end picked up, I just didn’t care.

Super common tropes used in this story: magical wards protecting the kingdom, failing land and crops, prophecy/chosen one heroine, betrayal between the MCs, magical training

[Finger Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Breath......

5 FREAKING STARS!!!!!!!!
2.5 Spicy

A Kingdom of Magic and Rain is a cozy romantasy that will leave your chest constricting from the emotional turmoil that Davis puts you through. I absolutely breathed in this book and loved every page. It is a planned trilogy with every follow on being a standalone with different FMC/ MMC and I can't wait to see what happens. For those that love Danielle Jensen, Leena Kazak or Holly Black but want a lighter cozier version this is perfect for you. This is probably my favorite Cozy Romantasy of all time.

Emelin is a princess whose magic has remained dormant, but when her kingdom needs her she decides to start training with Lord Adrian Gray sto help strength the wards. Gray is new and young Lord whose estate shares a border with the exiled Fae kingdom. Both Emelin and Gray are nursing heartbreak from broken engagements. Their mentor/ mentee relationship is delicate at best with Gray almost loathing Emelin taking up space in his estate. However her quite resolve, loyalty and heart has them both turning into confidants and friendship amid coffee and quiet moments in the library.

Without giving too much away I'll say there was some hidden identities and a pretty decent betrayal. The book was slower the first 40% as Emelin and Gray were building into their friendship. Then the pacing picked up and it had a much steadier pace as the plot unfolded.

Things I loved:
-While there was some drama from past lovers, both Emelin and Gray were communicators!!! It was frankly refreshing to not have the MC's go on for half the book with miscommunication and not talking about their feelings. In AKoMaR both MC's discussed their feelings openly and immediately telling each other what they needed. They were both green flags and I lived for it!
-From the moment Emelin is introduced on page she remained the same throughout the entire book. She is a problem solver who doesn't want anyone to suffer. She leads with her heart though she is a royal. While she might wavier when hurt, her loyalty to friends and family will always win out.
-Someone else described Gray as a Mr. Darcy and I couldn't agree more. He grew up with a family who didn't have his best interest at heart so he trust few outside his inner circle. He feels arrogant at first instead of a man who deeply cares for those around him.
- Their relationship was beautifully built on friendship and respect first. While there were chemistry and some lust I loved that Davis wrote them this way. It made the yearning and slow burn that much more heart pounding.

There is open door spice but I didn't find it overtly detailed like most romantasy. It's there but not extremely descriptive - perfect for cozy.

Tropes:
- Green Flag MMC
- Mentor X Mentee
- Hidden identities
- Humans x Fae
- Touch her and croak
- Found family
- Marriage of convenience

There is no cliffhanger and when it ends you have a vague indication possibly of who book 2 is about but I'll definitely be following the author to see if I'm correct.

[Pandorameetsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

5* for Adrian; that man is a whole host of Green Flags
4* for the plot

The first half of this book was almost perfection. There's a realism to the book that you don't often get within romantasy books, because ya know, they feature magic and fae, and all the wonderful things the real world doesn't have. Yet, this is grounded in a way few are because we get a couple that grows gradually. I wouldn't say it's a slow burn in the typical sense, but the two of them slowly grow to love one another. They slowly open up to one another, and I love watching the two of them grow from two people who don't know one another to something more. The MMC calls the FMC out for her behaviour, and the FMC learns from it. She grows to a point.

We have a little danger, and while I knew exactly where this was headed, or at least, the MMC's big secret, I was still at the edge of my seat when it happened. The pacing in this part of the book was spectacular. You know something is coming, both because the prologue alludes to it, and because the build-up is just obvious (especially if you've read a lot of romantasy books). To me, it wasn't bad, because everything else leading up to this I really enjoyed, and it lends itself well to someone who is new to the genre.

The second half of the book lost me a little. Motivations became a little skewed, and the maturity of the first half of the ebook seemed to disappear. We get a lot of rightful anger towards the MMC's secret being exposed, but not the emotional maturity to stop, listen, and think things through. Yes, it was a BIG secret, BUT she didn't stop to even consider the bigger implications outside of her own hurt. She is the one who offers a solution and then spends the next chunk moaning about that solution and doing nothing about it, or with it.

We also get an almost cheating situation, which I hated, but even more so because what do you mean she's out here doing this and even states Oh well, can I be married and be with someone else? When she was cheated on, when the MMC was cheated on, and while she knows he loves and honours her and wants nothing but her?

Also I would have loved to know MORE about what that character wanted and what his plans are because he's sneaky and I do kinda love, just hated that entire plot point.

The back end does pick up again, and I was hooked again, and I do like where it goes and where it ends. I had a lot of fun with the book; there were just a lot of things towards that back end that niggled at me. I understand the need for the anger; we would all be angry, I just wish that there was more growth than lingering on it for the sake of it.

I also feel like we didn't really get to know any of the characters really; they felt a little surface-level to me, but once again didn't detract from me enjoying the book, and Adrian, that man deserves the world, he was doing what he thought was for the best, and I love him your honour. He deserves the world.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed up for an ARC of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain by VI Davis for the magical princess storyline and the beautiful artwork on the cover. This book is a cozy fantasy romance. It does contain spice, so it's not for everyone. While most princess stories I read are fairy tale retellings, this book follows many of the popular tropes in the YA market without adapting a known story. The closest thing I can compare it to is The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs, which was inspired by Legally Blonde. Both stories contain a princess protagonist trying to prove her worth after a breakup and finding love in unexpected places.

Princess Emelin is devoted to protecting her kingdom from the powerful fae, whose magic has been draining her kingdom for years. After being scorned by a former lover, she is determined to become a better mage and use her powers to restore the land. She goes to train with Lord Adrian Gray and discovers that he possesses not only the ability to unlock her magic potential, but also her heart. When she learns that he isn't quite what he appears, she wonders if she may have given away too much of herself too soon.

My favorite thing about this book is the worldbuilding. It takes place in a detailed fantasy world with a rich history of conflict between the humans and the fae. The rules of magic are explained well. Emelin's ability as a human to withstand an ancient magic that harms those with fae blood gives her a unique edge that allows her to benefit from her race as a mortal. The story also establishes common lore among YA romantasy books, such as fated mates and disguise glamor magic.

While the love story worked in places, there were times when either the romance or the conflict felt forced. Spice was used as a shortcut to rush the love story in certain places. Then Emelin suddenly began to question her feelings toward Adrian after their political arrangement, even though it had already been established that they cared for each other. There was also an unnecessary romantic rival who clearly never stood a chance against the main couple.

Overall, readers looking for a cozy romantasy with some spice will get exactly what they are expecting from A Kingdom of Magic and Rain. It incorporates many of the popular paranormal romantasy tropes, including conflict between the humans and fae, marriage of convenience, and paranormal romance. It will likely appeal to fans of The Princess Knight and Legally Blonde by offering a heroine who must find herself before she can love again.

[KaraMavis Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A light doesn’t have to burn brightly to radiate warmth.”
“Beauty doesn’t have to be loud to be exquisite.”


4/5⭐️

I thank the author for the opportunity to read an ARC for this book. So many feel good moments during my read.

I enjoyed the part 1 of the book the most. I was smiling and giggling with their flirting and exchange of words.

The way the author described the scenes was beautiful. I could picture myself in the castle, the library, the rose garden, in the carriage riding with them to visit the border.

The way the story was written and the words that were used made reading flow easy.

The way the author described the scenes was beautiful. I could picture myself in the castle, the library, the rose garden, in the carriage riding with them to visit the border. I can see Emelin’s dress with the fabric and texture, as if I can feel them, too.

Note that this is a COZY story. There are a lot of “feel good” vibes in the book.

The FMC had a lot of emotions described during the second part of the book. The MMC is the greenest green flag man I’ve read in a book. The way he tells her he loves her is over the top. (A little too over the top for my preference, but here is nothing wrong with that). The FMC’s feeling towards the MMC’s betrayal was very well emphasized that it was in a few chapters.

The story picked up towards the end, and Lady May’s story became more interesting and significant to the events. I feel for her.

If the author releases additional books (interconnected stand alone) for this series, I would love to read them. I am curious about what happens to the other characters after this love story. Especially if Finn’s arc.

This is a cozy, refreshing fae x mortal love story that involves magic, protecting the kingdom, marriage of convenience, found family and betrayal. It is a stand alone cozy romantasy. A good book to read if you want a break from dark romantasy. 😌

Tropes: he is her teacher/mentor | yearning | open door romance | love for books and art | nature magic | found family | fates mates

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow.

I haven't read a romantasy book this captivating in a very long time. I'm not gonna lie, I went into this book without much expectations since I just saw the tropes and applied for the ARC but I was very pleasantly surprised by the story! I was also in a reading slump too but this book was able to keep me entertained the whole way through! It had everything I asked for and more!

I haven't read a green-flag MMC this blindingly green in a very long time. Our man is sweet, devoted, and will get on his knees for our FMC in a blink of an eye! Likewise, our FMC, Emelin, is also so unforgivingly brave and likeable, she would do anything for her people and their safety. And the two of them together makes such a cute couple, they're so right for each other that you can't help but root for them.

The first half of the book was also such a cozy read. It would have been so nice to read this with the windows open on a rainy, fall day! Some may say that the first half of the book is a little slow but it was cozy and warm enough to keep me enticed ...UNTIL BOOM, RIGHT AT 50% OF THE WAY YOUR WHOLE WORLD WOULD BE FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. My jaw was on the floor at the plot twist and from there on out, I couldn't stop reading until I was on the very last page! The magic of the fae world will suck you in! And their stories and secrets of the past would keep you up until 3 AM. I did not regret giving this book a try at all! 4/5

✨Recommended for those who like✨
✅ Royalcore
✅ Humans vs Fae
✅ Fated mates with a twist
✅ Marriage of convenience
✅ A man with a PHD in yearning
✅ A lower stakes ACOTAR-type book

Have fun reading bc you would not be able to put this down until you're done!

✨Thank you so much to V.I. Davis for sending me an eARC of AKOMAR to read and review! Connect with me on Instagram!✨

[Karla Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to V.I. Davis and Iris Influencer Society for allowing me an early arc read for an honest review.

A Kingdom Of Magic And Rain is a unique story that is a sweet romance with added fae and fantasy incorporated into it. This story follows Emelin, a Princess of the human kingdom of Emeraldia, that is adjacent to the fae kingdom, of Aubrielle. They have been divided by a magical ward to separate the two enemy kingdoms as the fae are believed to be powerful enemies ready to take down the human kingdom at any point.

Emelin is a young princess and her powers are dormant and she needs them to awaken to help keep the wards strong as they are weakening. She seeks help from the lord of Zalie, Adrian Gray to help unlock her powers but they begin to fall in love.

This was a really easy to read story and wasn't overly complicated which was good. I really liked Adrian Gray as he seemed to be the perfect combination of authority but allowing himself to break his walls down for Emelin. This wasn't an enemies to lovers, more an acquaintance to friends, to lovers story with some extra stuff happening later which I won't say. The character building was great, and to be honest I feel like for a standalone there were not many, if any questions left unanswered which is always a concern for me for standalones. It flowed really well and it connected itself great. I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a cozy romance with some fantasy involved.

I do think this could have been 2 separate books and it could have added additional story in there to create the perfect series.

Definitely want to read the next one in this series as this is a standalone but I do believe the next book will be on some of the different characters that were in this book. 4.5 out 5 stars for me!

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What I saw in his eyes crashed into the wall of my doubts like a tidal wave, erasing it from existence. I wasn't scared of the powerful force. I wanted to be swept by its healing waters, losing myself in the current."

"I was his North Star, leading him out of the darkness into the light-out of death's cold embrace into a new life."

I was so fortunate to be an early ARC reader for my dear friend V.I. Davis’s new romantasy series, and it truly has everything you could want. It has cozy vibes, swoony romance, great adventure, and a magical world filled with humans and fae.

Emelin, princess of Emeraldia, lives in a human kingdom protected by wards that are slowly beginning to fail. With the threat of the fae world creeping closer, fear spreads across her land. Determined to help, Emelin struggles with one major obstacle, her magic remains dormant. Seeking a way to protect her land, she turns to the powerful Lord Adrian Gray, hoping he can train her to unlock her abilities. As their journey unfolds, something unexpected happens… she falls for him.

I absolutely fell in love with these two. Emelin may seem like a typical princess at first, but she’s full of determination and just the right amount of fire. Her love for her kingdom is transparent, she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her people. And Adrian? Instant book boyfriend. He's mysterious, he's guarded, and just completely captivating. Their instant chemistry and the way they challenge each other made this such a compelling read. They both have pasts they want to forget, but their experiences are what brings them closer.

The side characters are truly the icing on the cake. Some add tension, others bring comfort, but all of them enrich this whimsical world in such a meaningful way. Let's not forget Quilliam, the cutest side character of this story.

This story perfectly balances romance and fantasy, wrapping you in a cozy, magical atmosphere that’s so easy to get lost in. V.I. Davis has such a beautiful way with words. You can feel the magic flowing in every page. If you want a story to easily fall in love with, I definitely recommend getting lost in this gorgeous Romantasy read! I cannot wait to read the next story in this series!!

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating
5 💎
1.5 🌶️

Quick Summary
This story completely consumed me. The kingdoms magical struggles felt alive on the page. Emelin’s broken strength and desperate search for purpose hit deeply, while Adrian’s mystery & power had me obsessed. Their slow‑burn attraction was pure delicious torment, every push and pull made it difficult to put this book down. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, utterly hooked by the way VI Davis wove in the emotion, secrets, and chemistry. Wow brilliant story.

While Reading Thoughts
📗The kingdoms and what was happening was so interesting. The magic concept and the struggles the kingdom were having kept me hooked.
📗Emelin has been broken and trying to find her purpose. The way VI wrote her with vulnerability but still with strength.. Loved it
📗Adrian was full of strength and mystery. He wanted Emelin but there was something he was holding back and I was sooo intrigued. His storyline and history as it unraveled kept me turning the page.
📗The slow build of up their attraction to one another just had me squirming. The push and pull was written so deliciously.

Words that linger
🍷“A light doesn’t have to burn brightly to radiate warmth.” Our gazes locked and held. “As beauty doesn’t have to be loud to be exquisite.” - Adrian
🍷“To me, you are the brightest star, more luminous than the entire stellar sea above us.” - Adrian
🍷“You are my North Star,” Adrian
🍷You are magnificent, inside and out, with a gentle heart that bleeds for your people. There is a light inside you that you don’t realize you possess, capable of guiding me out of the shadows even in the darkest hour.” - Adrian

Tropes
⭐️Cozy Romantasy
⭐️Human vs Fae
⭐️Nature Magic
⭐️Kingdoms at War
⭐️Arranged Marriage

Thank you V.I. Davis for the early copy.

[ℛℰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

“To me, you are the brightest star, more luminous than the entire stellar sea above us. You are magnificent, inside and out, with a gentle heart that bleeds for your people. There is a light inside you that you don’t realize you possess, capable of guiding me out of the shadows even in the darkest hour. I want to be the guardian of that light, your fierce protector and more”

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

✨ friends to lovers
💕 mentor x mentee
✨ cinnamon roll MMC
💕 bookworms main characters
✨ YEARNING

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

One word PERFECTION. This is what I call perfect book. I have no comment on anything. The pace was perfect I couldn’t put it down from how good it was. Despite the book begin cozy and all but in the second half it picked up and it was full of delicious twists. As for the writing, it was so beautiful and easy to read. I loved BOTH of the main characters!!! The FMC and the MMC were written so beautifully. I loved them soooo much. All of their actions were reasonable and justified in my opinion. I adored their connection and their love for each. I could literally feel it. THE TENSION between them and The yearning was top tier🔥. Agh there is so much I want to talk about but unfortunately I won’t be able to do because I don’t want to spoil anything. I usually write more tropes at the beginning of the review but I didn’t want to spoil anything. But I cannot end this review without saying that this genuinely one of the best books if not the best that utilized the fated mates trope. BELIEVE ME when I say this because I’ve read hundreds of books that have fated mates in it and this was one of the best I’ve ever read.

In conclusion , PLEASE pick up this book and read it.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I hadn't started this book so late in the day, I would have finished it in one sitting.

ONE!

It was so good.

If cozy fantasy is your thing, you have to pick up this book.

Emelin and Adrian were such great, well-thought-out characters. They felt flawed and real, and I loved watching their relationship grow and change throughout the story. Their interactions felt natural, making it easy to become invested in both of them.

The world-building gives you everything you need to understand the world and how the magic works. This isn't an epic fantasy, so it doesn't spend hundreds of pages building the world, but it doesn't need to. Everything is woven into the story in a way that feels natural and never slows the pacing.

The side characters were another highlight for me. They were fully realized, each serving a purpose and adding something meaningful to the story rather than simply existing in the background.

Plot-wise, this book took a few twists that I wasn't expecting, so I'm going to keep this part vague because, as always, no spoilers from me. At its heart, this is the story of a princess doing everything she can to save her kingdom, and it kept me turning pages because I needed to know what would happen next.

If you've been reading a lot of dark fantasy lately and need something that feels a little lighter without sacrificing a great story, this is the perfect book to pick up.

You won't regret it.

[Thi L · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ 2/5 🌶️

Did I sign up for the ARC because of the cover? Yes.
And I am so glad that I did.

I went into A Kingdom of Magic and Rain expecting a sweet, cozy fantasy and instead walked away with some emotional trauma.

The first half of this book is wonderfully cozy and comforting. There are quiet moments, nature magic, and all the whimsical charm I was hoping for. Then somewhere around the halfway point, the story shifts and suddenly I was sitting on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what would happen next.

But what truly stole my heart was the yearning.

The painful yearning between these characters was exquisite. Add in a Mr. Darcy-coded green flag MMC and I was completely invested in every interaction, every lingering glance, and every almost moment. This book understood that sometimes a single touch can carry more emotional weight than an entire love confession, and those moments absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way.

I completely fell in love with the world, the magic, and this story.

If you enjoy:
✨ Nature magic
✨ A soft, bookish FMC
✨ Regency vibes
✨ A Mr. Darcy-coded green flag MMC
✨ Traumatizing yearning
✨ Cozy fantasy with emotional depth
✨ Romance that unfolds slowly and beautifully

then I highly recommend picking this one up.

This was easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I already know I’ll be thinking about these characters long after finishing the final page. I am so excited to return to this world and see where the rest of this trilogy takes these characters next.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ arc review
I really struggled to put into words how I felt about this book.

The plot was promising, and it being cozy, I didn’t expect much to happen. Which is why I wasn’t really bothered by a more character-centred narration. However, I didn’t really connect with either of the mcs. While the mmc started out giving me Mr Darcy vibes, he stayed kind of bland and didn’t develop much throughout the story. (I believe we really would’ve benefited from having his pov as well)

Emelin starts out as the sheltered princess. She does grow a bit, but her relationship with the mmc didn’t move me, and while I totally get feeling betrayed and needing space to find yourself, she dragged it out too long and made him suffer unnecessarily. Her character, while really getting the point across that she feels conflicted, felt a bit flat past that.

I also wasn’t the biggest fan of the dialogue. I’m not sure how often the phrase “are you alright/ is everything okay” is said, but it felt like a million times. It also felt like a lot of the times, we were being told things instead of shown them, which kind of made the world and characters feel a little less realistic.

The second half however felt much more lively and interesting, and I very much enjoyed it. I also quite enjoyed the family dynamics represented here. The sibling bond between Emelin and her brother was very sweet (and realistic). All in all, this was a sweet tale about love and forgiveness 💚

[Nouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from the Author



I really enjoyed how we got introduced to the two main characters right from the beginning. It makes the story feel warm and inviting from the start! Also i don't know why I was picturing a Disney movie the whole time I was reading this.

The main character felt so genuine and kind to others always showing her love for her kingdom and a sincere desire to help in any way she could. I especially admired how she wanted to access her power to assist her people not for revenge or selfish reasons but out of genuine care.
I absolutely loved the plot with the MMC! Even though I guessed what was happening I was still so shocked and excited about it!!

The only thing i didn't like about this book was when the FMC was having thoughts about Finn and even asked her mum about wanting to be with him. And then she get caught by the MMC and she say " I was trying to hurt you " no you didn’t !! What about the thought in your head and all that. Also both of them knows the feelings of being cheated on and she goes and do all of that. In my opinion that was pretty selfish and wrong !! But at the end i kinda started to like Finn and I see my self reading his book in the future!


Thanks to the Author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[HB the Nocturnal Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I adored this book. The world was captivating, and the magic system was new. I love the elemental aspect and how it blended fae magic with the stars. But as the plot developed, there were underlying secrets that intertwined both the FMC and the MMC in ways I didn't expect.

The writing was eloquent and beautiful, weaving in details to immerse you in the world without being too over the top and outlandish.

Emelin was a beautiful, soft, whimsical FMC. I love how there was strength to her, but she had to fight for it and have a reason to do so. We didn't get her moment until halfway through the book, and even then she was shaken with conflict. I wish she had a stronger backbone throughout the second half when dealing with the side characters, but she did make Adrian fight for her. His yearning was legit, and it was so good watching those side characters try to make her cave.

I wish Emelin would have made her friend fight for her forgiveness. Maybe I'm too much of a girls girl, but I felt that betrayal hard. I wish she was a bit pettier, but honestly, Emelin is a much more beautiful soul as shown through her actions throughout the book.

The only thing I would like expanded on is the lore of mates. I was confused about how the bond works, how you know someone is your mate, what you can do to dampen the bond, if it can be rejected completely, and if you only get one.

[Lissie Reince · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
With the latest trend of dark romantasy, this book is a breath of fresh air. I love angst as much as the next girl, but this book had me genuinely smiling on multiple occasions, and I like that even more.

The MMC, Adrian Gray, is a major green flag. I love the way he communicates in a mature way and doesn’t hide things just to be broody. Also, the YEARNING. He’s become one of my top book boyfriends.
The FMC, Emelin, is soft, bookish, tough, while also having her bratty princess moments, as well.
What I love most about their relationship is how they laugh together. Their love is earned and we get to see the small moments that make up their relationship throughout the book.

The writing is great. A couple of typos here and there, but nothing that disrupted the story for me. I thought the pacing was perfect and enjoyed the romance being the biggest part of the story.

Why it’s only 4.5 stars, without spoiling anything:
I wish that the relationship between the MMC and his ex-fiancée was fleshed out a little more. The ending kind of contradicted some things; I was left thinking, “How can both things be true at once?” and we never get an answer on this.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and am sad to say goodbye to these characters.

> Soft FMC
> Green flag MMC
> Yearning
> Who did this to you
> Magical bonds
> Open door spice 🌶️2.5/5

[Terri McCarrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one. I think part of my drops in ratings on this one is that it was categorized as a cozy fantasy romance and between that, the blurb and the art, I thought it was going to be something other than what it was. Perhaps I would have been far better off going in blind and then it wouldn't have impacted my overall rating. This isn't in any form what I would categorize as a cozy fantasy. That genre feels very different from this. This is more of just a new adult portal romantasy.

The world building was also lacking, and the first half of the book was difficult to stay interested because of that. I feel like we spent 45% of the book on telling us she's working on finding her magic (without ever doing anything interesting to help us be invested in how she is working on this). The pacing was definitely an issue for me, with chunks of time leaped forward (particularly in the first half). It felt disjointed.

I'm glad I stuck with it, because the last half of the book was infinitely more interesting than the first. I enjoyed that half a good amount, which is why it pulled up to a 3.5 There was more magic and understanding of the two worlds and the beings that lived in them.

While this book wasn't exactly what captures me as a reader, I do think there will be many readers that enjoy it a ton.

[Amber R · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I was completely pulled into this fantasy world, and honestly... I couldn't put this book down!

The story follows Princess Emelin as she struggles to save her kingdom while trying to unlock the magic that's been dormant her entire life. When she begins training with the mysterious Lord Adrian Gray, sparks start to fly—but with dangerous secrets, political alliances, and impossible choices ahead, nothing is ever that simple.

Can we talk about Emelin and Adrian for a second?! Their relationship was the most delicious slow burn, and it had me absolutely losing my mind. The tension, the longing, the little moments... I was rooting for them the entire time.

If you're looking for a romantasy with a cozy feel, a soft but fierce FMC, a total green flag MMC, magic, romance, and just the right amount of spice, definitely add this one to your TBR!

“If I must spend an eternity atoning for what I did, for the pain that I caused, I will do it. There is no one else, Emelin. There will never be, my star. If the wound never heals, and I have to spend the rest of my existence being unable to touch you again, I will accept that as my punishment and suffer alongside you.”

I had the opportunity to read this book as an ARC, and I can't wait for everyone else to experience it when it releases on August 24! ✨

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to IRIS Influencer Society and the author for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! The FMC and MMC are fantastic characters. I love the lore of the kingdom, and the side characters in the story.

There are major spoilers below. Don’t continue reading if you want to avoid any spoilers!

THAT PLOT TWIST!!

Up until 50% of the book, it met that cozy romance trope. And I loved that! Emelin was soft and sweet. Adrian was a total green flag. But I did start to have suspicions about Adrian, Thea, and Tom possibly being Fae.

When that was proven to be true, I was still shocked. The entire tune of the story changed at that moment. No longer was this story a cozy romantasy. Now we had fae, Adrian the Prince, a marriage of convenience, major tension between Adrian and Emelin. A sly con artist with Finn. Emelin killing King Sorin!!

The second half of the book was incredible! I was so sad when Emelin was leaving Adrian in the cold. But, I also understood why. She was betrayed and she was in love. Her heart broke again in a short span of time from when her previous fiancé broke her heart.

But it made their reconciliation all the more beautiful when Emelin’s heart healed. I’m happy they get to spend eternity together.

[Beth DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

Y'all, I was not prepared. I saw the author's character art on Instagram. I read the blurb. I saw it was a cozy fantasy. And I took all that to heart, especially the "cozy." And it is... but my GOODNESS does a lot happen! There were some nail-biting moments mixed in with the cozy...

Adrian is all sorts of green flags. And I love that we got a Darcy hand flex!

I also loved the sibling relationship between Emelin and Sebastian -- it was one of my favorite things.

It's all cozy, charming, morning cups of coffee until about 50%, and then the plot thickens! Suddenly what you know, you don't. I wouldn't say the plot twist shook me, but I didn't fully anticipate it, and I loved how subtle details in the beginning start to come together and make sense in a new light.

Reading vibes include warm and fuzzy, white-knuckling my e-reader, frustration at naivete, feeling better about the world, and side-eyeing the author because of a tiny little bargain made at the end... I'm both looking forward to the next book, and nervous about where that bargain will end up. 😅

And now I'm off to get a pet hedgehog.

🌶️🌶️ Three open-door scenes (2 brief)

Thanks so much to the author for the chance to ARC read!