All's Fae in Love and War: A sweet and spicy second chance fantasy romcom

by Lee Nichols

Pandora Voss has one last summer to unlock her powers—or lose all memory of magic forever.

No pressure.

Pandora returns to her enchanted hometown in Maine to nurture the magic she knows must be inside her. Time is running out, and the last thing she needs is a distraction…

Which makes the return of her high-school heartbreak, Leo Carter, deeply inconvenient.

The handsome antiquarian bookseller has come back to the island in search of a rare book. Leo still has that warm, devastating smile that sets pulses racing wherever he goes… Not that Pandora has noticed because she is absolutely, completely over him.

But when an unexpected encounter at Leo’s family boathouse ends in a wildly sexy kiss, Pandora’s plans are blown apart. And when she’s “volunteered” to work with him at the library the next day, the tension between them unleashes a spell that goes spectacularly wrong.

As enchantments wreak havoc across the island, Pandora and Leo team up to save the town. Racing to contain fairytale creatures and dodging unresolved feelings, Pandora must decide what’s more untamed magic… or falling for Leo all over again.

With magical mayhem, spicy romance, and laugh-out-loud humor, All’s Fae in Love and War is the first book in a trilogy that’s perfect for fans of fantasy rom-coms like The Ex Hex and Rewitched.

It's impossible not to love All's Fae in Love and War:

“A smart, funny, big-hearted novel about discovery, friendship, family, love, hot romance… A five-star read!” New York Times bestselling author Melissa Senate

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Audiobook, Fae, Magic, Cozy, Mystery

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

About the author

Lee Nichols is the author of five novels for adults, including the bestselling TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN. She'll be making her YA debut in 2010 with DECEPTION: A Haunting Emma Novel. Follow her on Twitter at LeeXNichols or Friend her on Facebook at Lee Nichols. http://www.leenicholsbooks.com/

Reviews

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-arc and an audiobook in exchange for an honest review!*

3.5

All Fae's in Love and War was a fun and entertaining conclusion with plenty of fae magic, action, and emotional moments. I loved getting to spend more time with these characters and seeing their story come together.

The audiobook was also a great experience — the narration brought the characters and the world to life and made it easy to stay immersed. A solid, enjoyable read for fans of fae fantasy and paranormal romance!

[kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an alc of this audiobook for a voluntary and honest review in return.

okay so wow... if im being completely honest, this book frustrated me quite a lot in places - it felt like our fmc (who is almost 30 btw) couldnt have a simple conversation with our mmc which wouldve resolved their relationship issues with like.... 4 sentences maximum? and the mmc also didnt make a point to explain it from his side either - miscommunication levels off of the charts on this one i fear

i was also a bit thrown off by the writing - Pandora's chapters begin as if she is writing in a diary but it often seems to veer off from this and then suddenly jumps back into it every now and again
all this being said, there were hints of greatness in the spikes of chaos we got every now and then which i did enjoy! it reminds me vaguely of the emily wilde series in the sense that we investigate mischievous fair folk while also feeling quite cosy sometimes

in terms of narration; i did really enjoy the narrators in this book! both of them did great jobs at conveying the emotions of our main characters which really helped me stay engaged with this book! they blended together really well and i would love to check out more of their work in the future!

[Kristen Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I wanna say thank you to NetGalley. I was able to get my hands on the ALC version and I loved it. This was such a cute book. I honestly wish it was longer, I actually didn’t even realize that my audiobook had finished. I thought that my AirPods had died so I was a little disappointed that I didn’t have more to listen to. So needless to say, I definitely would recommend this book. It was a really easy lesson and I’m sure it would be an easy read too for anybody who would like to get their hands on the physical copy once it’s released. This is one that I liked so much. I would probably end up buying the physical copy and then rereading it.

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming read. I’m a sucker for small town romances, and adding magic, fairy tale creatures, and a little bit of chaos made it even more fun. Pandora was easy to root for, and I really enjoyed watching her navigate family expectations, rediscover herself, and deal with the return of the one person she thought she’d left in the past.

The second chance romance was sweet, the magical mishaps kept me smiling, and the cozy island setting made me want to stay a little longer. If you enjoy lighthearted fantasy romances with plenty of charm, heart, and a touch of spice, this is a delightful escape.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨Book Review: All’s Fae in Love and War✨

By: Lee Nichols

Spice: 🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

📚Review📚

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the advance listeners copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review*

If you want a summer rom-com fantasy beach read then this would be the perfect book.

We have Pandora, our spunky FMC, whose diary we are reading through out the book. This spicy, curly haired, fairyfolk who is about to come to her 30th birthday and has not yet shown her fae gift. We follow her back to her home town of Bean Island Massachusetts for her summer vacation, where she plans on focusing on the ✨magical moments✨. However, things suddenly change when her ex- high school boyfriend, and bookish MMC, Leo shows up.

Now we have Leo, our magically gifted book worm, fairyfolk is coming back to the island, reluctantly, due to his gift giving him the itch for a book. And after a dark encounter in his family’s boathouse brings him face to face with the girls heart he broke, Pandora. Now being back after years away, he has to face the fact that he still loves the girl who might get away.

With these two back together again, they find themselves in a “magical” mishap that takes the island by storm and tests their relationship in more ways than one.

The narrators for this audio book were what I could imagine these characters would sound like and was pleasantly surprised by the emotions that were expressed by both of them. The flow worked well and would be happy with other books by these narrators.

Overall, this was a chill book but probably not a series I will be coming back to.

Please note that all these are my own opinions and are to be taken with open minds and hearts 🩷

And as always…

💕Happy reading friends!!!💕

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so fun and quick; definitely one to look out for this summer for all my cosy fantasy lovers!

All’s Fae in Love and War was so compulsively readable - I found it so addictive to read!

The faerie aspect was so fun and whimsical and I loved how the creatures were described - it very much gave me Emily Wilde vibes!

I loved how it was written from a diary perspective - it was such a unique spin and the epigraphs were so much fun (especially Leo’s)!

Sadly, I found the romance lacking. It felt like a loop of fighting and then getting back together without any communication, and it made the idea that they were ‘madly in love’ hard to believe…

I also often found Pandora frustrating - she was very self-centred at times and I don’t think her character developed out of this by the end.

The novel had such a witty and lively voice, which I loved - however, it made the seriousness of the spice seem like such a jarring tone shift that kept making me cringe😬

Overall, this was still really fun and lighthearted; perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced summer read!

Thank you so so so much to Second Sky for the early finished copy (as well as the NetGalley widget)🩵🧚‍♀️

[Phoebe Floyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookcouture Audio for this early release audiobook of All’s Fae in Love and War by Lee Nichols. I would compare this story to the chaos and enchanting world of The Ex Hex, but make it summer vibes and fae, however, I didn’t find it as cozy and lovable. I requested this hoping for a quick magical read, and I struggled to really make sense of a whole lot! I felt like there were too many characters introduced early on (to gear up for the next two books) which led to confusion on storylines and made a lot of revelations seem unimportant as there was so much going on at once. What made the most sense was that the main character, Pandora, seemed to emulate her name by finding her fae magic and causing mass chaos and disorder in town. The romance between Pandora and Leo just felt flat and unexciting. Overall I didn’t love this and the audiobook itself was hard to get through for me! I struggle to enjoy a male/female narration unless it’s a true duet. Wishing I could’ve had a better review to write but this just didn’t check the boxes for me!

[Ally Maurer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC!

This ended up being okay for me. I decided to pick it up due to the title and I enjoy second chance. There were definitely moments that felt fun and whimsical, but overall I never fully connected with the story or characters the way I wanted to. The pacing and romance felt a little flat for me, so I found myself wanting more emotional depth and tension. It wasn’t bad, just one of those books that didn’t leave much of an impact once I finished.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, cosy read and I had a really lovely time with it. The mix of magical chaos, small-town charm, romance, and humour made it such an easy book to sink into. ( I finished it in a day) I really enjoyed Pandora and Leo’s chemistry, and the enchanted island setting was the perfect backdrop for all the fae-fuelled mayhem.

If you love cosy fantasy rom-coms with a tiny bit of spice, second-chance romance, and plenty of magical mishaps, this is definitely worth picking up. A really enjoyable escape.

[🧸🎀Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a cute, light, quick read & I really enjoyed it! it was much needed after so many heavy reads lol. Aside from Pan getting on my nerves being so childish, she def made up for it in the end. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Cameron Sauschuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before 75% this was a solid 4 stars…

After 75% dropped to a 3…

After he gave up his magic for her… 2…

Are you fucking kidding me???? The beginning of the book was SOOOOO GOOOOOD!!! I was so excited to see how she got her powers (if she did) and how they navigated that. I couldn’t wait to watch her slowly find out what the magic was doing to his mother. But she never cared. She never once cared. She was so full of herself, so insufferable. If I was him I’d be so mad at her. She was so mad at him at the end of the book, so done with him, so disgusted by him and hated him. And then he fully gave up his magic for her… after all that. After everything she did. After not listening to him when he said maybe they should rein in the faerie creatures and keep them in check. But no. She just thought he didn’t like that she had magic now and that he was jealous or something?? No bitch. He’s responsible and wants to make sure this doesn’t get out of hand. Which is exactly what happened. He was worried about his mother because he knows what happens to her when there’s a lot of magic around, and how much she suffers from it. He didn’t want to put you through that. YOU DUMB BITCH!!!! She never once listened to him about his mother. She just assumed that she was fine because she was loved, but she never once considered how hard it must actually be to be his mother, even if she was loved. He had a valid reason on wanting to get his parents out of the town. His mother was suffering. And I know that the end sort of made all of that okay, like they can remember magic but not get their magic back, but come on… they never even had a real conversation about any of this. She just swooped in and fixed the “problem”… Am I supposed to be happy because of that???

Towards the end, Pandora became so selfish. She only thought of herself and her magic, which is so weird because she was always so high and mighty with the idea that she didn’t need magic. And then she gets magic and it’s all she concerns herself with. Doesn’t think about the consequences for anyone else, just thinks of herself. And then gets mad at him when he reasonable has concerns. She said some of the most vile things to him when they weren’t on good terms. I don’t think I would forgive her if I was him. I wouldn’t have given up my magic either… bullshit it was for love. She let it go too far by not listening to anyone, and then HE had to fix it by giving up his magic. No. If this was revered everyone would be pissed that she gave up her magic. I will not be okay with this just because it was a man giving up his magic. That would be all well and good if the circumstance behind it didn’t irritate me so much. She did this all herself. She should have had to clean up the mess herself… I don’t even care that she gave him back his memories or magic. Doesn’t that hurt more??? To know that all these years she never wanted it, never thought she needed it and then he gave it up for her to be able to have it peacefully??? Maybe I’m just crazy. But I couldn’t get behind it all. The beginning was so promising, but all the chaos at the end ruined it for me. Too much was happening, and there was no concern for consequences until things got really really serious. Poor fucking Leo… yeah she made me feel bad for a fucking man… wtf… but I do. I wish they could have had an honest conversation about his other before she went and bulldozed everything.

I wasn’t even fully invested in their relationship. Towards the end, I was hoping they’d stay friends and not date. I didn’t even feel chemistry between them at the end. They didn’t even feel like a couple. They had no communication. They just slept together and got back together. No talk about the bad that had just happened. No solution. And then he goes and gives up his magic for her? Nope… not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this advanced copy!!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to describe All’s Fae in Love and War in one sentence, I’d say it feels like a warm, chaotic, magical summer wrapped in fairy lights, unresolved heartbreak, and the kind of romance that makes you grin while reading. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into this whimsical coastal town in Maine where magic feels both enchanting and unpredictable, and honestly, I didn’t want to leave.

What I loved most about this novel was Pandora herself. She’s not the “perfect” fantasy heroine who instantly knows her destiny or handles everything gracefully. She’s anxious, uncertain, emotional, and trying so hard to prove herself before time runs out. That made her incredibly relatable. Her fear of losing magic forever doesn’t just feel like a fantasy problem—it mirrors the real-life fear of losing a part of yourself before you’ve truly discovered who you are. I found myself rooting for her not only to master her powers, but also to believe in herself.

And then there’s Leo Carter. The second-chance romance element was done so well because it never felt forced or overly dramatic. Leo has that classic charming-book-boy energy, but underneath the warm smile and chemistry, there’s history, regret, and genuine emotional depth. Their interactions are full of tension, sarcasm, awkwardness, and undeniable attraction, which made every scene between them entertaining. The boathouse kiss especially feels like the turning point where all the emotions they’ve buried come crashing back at once.

The magical chaos throughout the story was another highlight for me. Instead of taking itself too seriously, the book embraces the absurdity and fun of magic gone wrong. Fairytale creatures causing havoc, spells spiraling out of control, enchantments disrupting the town—it all creates this cozy fantasy atmosphere that feels cinematic and playful rather than dark or heavy. It reminded me why fantasy rom-coms are such a comforting genre: they balance emotional vulnerability with humor and wonder.

I also appreciated how the story explores family expectations, belonging, and rediscovering old versions of yourself. Returning to your hometown after years away is already emotionally complicated, and adding magic into that mix makes Pandora’s journey even more compelling. The setting itself almost feels alive—small-town Maine with enchanted secrets hidden beneath everyday life is such a perfect backdrop for this kind of story.

The romance is definitely spicy at times, but what makes it work is the emotional connection underneath it. The chemistry between Pandora and Leo isn’t just physical—it’s layered with nostalgia, heartbreak, familiarity, and unfinished feelings. Their relationship develops naturally through shared chaos and vulnerability rather than instant perfection.

What really surprised me was how funny the book is. The humor feels effortless, especially during magical disasters and awkward interactions. I laughed more than I expected to, and that balance between romance, comedy, and fantasy kept the pacing engaging throughout.

Overall, All’s Fae in Love and War is the kind of book that feels cozy, magical, and emotionally satisfying all at once. It’s perfect for readers who love second-chance romance, whimsical fantasy worlds, charming small-town settings, and stories that don’t shy away from both emotional depth and playful chaos. By the end, I felt attached not only to Pandora and Leo, but to the entire magical atmosphere of the island. It’s the kind of story that leaves you wanting the next book immediately.

[Dotti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5 stars

All’s Fae in Love and War is a cute fantasy rom-com set in small-town Maine. The faerie-kin have long since lost their deep connections to the fae, but one thing has remained: every faerie-kin has a gift, and it is up to them to discover it. If a faerie-kin have not found their gift by their thirtieth birthday, they lose all memory of magic. Our main character, Pan, is a twenty-nine year old teacher living in Boston. She returns home for the summer to enjoy one final magical summer before her lack-of-gift makes her memories hazy. Her teenage sweetheart, Leo, is also back for the summer, and sparks fly as the two are drawn together.

This book has a lot of cute, fun small-town elements. There’s a good, old-fashioned Maine lobster bake, cute shops and bars and restaurants run by locals, a rich friendship between the characters’ parents, and a fun chemistry between our characters and their community. The magic system is straightforward and used in interesting ways throughout the story, with the author often finding clever new gifts to work within the plot.

I also really appreciated the queer representation in this book. Most of our characters seem to be fluid in their choice of sexual partner, and everyone feels very accepting of it without any issue. Small town settings can sometimes feel bigoted, so it was nice to have the environment be explicitly pro-queer.

The character development in this book felt a little odd; Pan seems emotionally disconnected. It’s hard to trust that the feelings and thoughts that she reports are actually how she feels, rather than a projection of how she wants to feel. Also, in the relationship development, the third act conflict was just an argument that had been resolved earlier in the book, which made our main character feel petulant.

The book describes itself as a “steamy second chance romance”, and I think it honestly leans more towards the fantasy elements in its pacing. The couple has multiple major conflicts throughout the story, which I felt like should have been combined into just one. The romance is closed door, with one scene depicting foreplay but none with descriptions of intercourse, so I’m not sure if “steamy” is the correct adjective.

The pacing for this book felt odd; I almost feel like it would have been better as two separate books. The story feels disconnected between its two sections, enough that it’s hard to describe the book without giving anything away. The prose also felt a little awkward, especially in the beginning, but it smoothed as the book went on. The tone also shifts as the story goes on; it starts out very positive and cheery, and twists to sinister throughout the second act.

Content warnings: violence against humans and non-humans, death, magical violence, explicit content (no intercourse).

This book was cute and fun. I think there were some things in the plotting that would have improved the story. The magic system was used cleverly, and the romance was fun, as long as you can get over some repetition. If you’re looking for a fun fantasy romance novel with some solid stakes and a fun romance, this is probably a great book for you!

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the ALC of All’s Fae in Love and War and honestly… I wasn’t ready for it to end 🥹✨ The audiobook finished and I genuinely thought my AirPods had disconnected because there was NO way the story was already over 😭 That’s how completely immersed I was in this magical little world.

This book feels like cozy chaos in the absolute best way 🧚‍♀️🌊✨ Imagine a charming seaside town in Maine filled with unpredictable magic, emotional baggage, fairytale disasters, old heartbreaks, and second-chance romance wrapped up in summer vibes and sparkling fairy lights. It was whimsical, funny, emotional, and ridiculously comforting all at once.

Pandora was such a lovable FMC ❤️ She isn’t written as some fearless fantasy heroine who has everything figured out. She’s anxious, messy, emotional, uncertain about herself, and terrified of failing — which made her feel SO real. Her struggle to hold onto her magic and figure out who she’s supposed to become felt surprisingly emotional beneath all the fantasy elements. I rooted for her the entire time 🥹

And Leo Carter??? 😮‍💨❤️ The second-chance romance between him and Pandora was done so well. Their history together added so much emotional depth to every interaction. The banter, awkward tension, unresolved feelings, sarcasm, longing — it all felt so natural and believable. Leo has that effortlessly charming energy, but underneath it there’s regret, vulnerability, and so much affection for Pandora that it practically pours off the page.

Their chemistry was EVERYTHING 🔥 The romance wasn’t just about attraction either — it carried nostalgia, hurt, comfort, and familiarity from their shared past. Watching them slowly reconnect through magical chaos and emotional honesty made the relationship feel incredibly genuine.

And speaking of chaos… the magical disasters throughout this book were hilarious 😂✨ Spells constantly backfiring, enchanted creatures causing trouble, and complete magical mayhem gave the story such a fun and playful atmosphere. I loved that the fantasy elements leaned whimsical and cozy instead of dark or overly serious.

The small-town setting was another huge highlight 🌊🏡 The island itself felt alive with hidden magic and secrets tucked into everyday life. Returning home already comes with emotional complications, but adding old memories, family pressure, and fading magic into the mix made Pandora’s journey even more compelling.

I also really appreciated how funny this story was 😭 The humor felt effortless and balanced perfectly with the emotional moments and romance. It made the pacing feel light and addictive the entire time.

And the audiobook narration?? 🎧✨ SO well done. The performance added so much personality and warmth to the story that I honestly think it made the magical atmosphere feel even more immersive.

All’s Fae in Love and War is sweet, magical, emotional, chaotic, romantic, and ridiculously easy to fall into 🖤 If you love second-chance romance, cozy fantasy, small-town magic, playful humor, and emotionally messy characters finding their way back to themselves and each other, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the next book because I am NOT ready to leave this world yet 😭✨

[HereThereBeBookDragons | Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, the concept is charming and the cast of characters appropriately wacky for a small town romance series with a fantastical bent. And my goodness do I feel like going on a vacation to a beach town now that the weather is warming up and I read this book. But this was an incredibly aggravating read and I can't in good conscious recommend it.

Full disclosure: I finally gave up about 70% of the way through the book because I just couldn't stand Pandora anymore. I presume she eventually got over herself and made the appropriate apologies and whatnot, but honestly I was fast losing faith in the author so I can't promise anything. I normally don't review DNFs, but here I do feel like I read more than enough to give a comprehensive opinion, so here we are. Every problem I had with the story just kept getting worse every time there was a chance for character growth instead.

Problem 1: The entire romantic plot is The Miscommunication Trope, but even beyond that, it's miscommunication where the miscommunication is clearly identified - out loud, to both characters, as a clear miscommunication - quite early on in the story, but it persists, largely because of Problems 2 and 3.

Problem 2: It feels silly to accuse a literal main character of having Main Character Syndrome, but my god. Pandora lacks empathy for every other character, and even when they lay out exactly what they are feeling and why they are acting a certain way, she completely (and quite rudely, more often than not) discounts their explanations and feelings in favor of insisting that the world be run exactly as she sees fit. Seriously, the amount of times she is handed a gift-wrapped understanding of the world and others in it, and yet nothing.

Problem 3: Leo is too much of a wimp to explain things to her even after her misunderstanding of a passing remark he made as a teenager is explicitly explained to him, by both Pandora and additional side characters. Then again, perhaps he is avoiding the conversation because he knows Pandora will just ignore what he has to say in furtherance of her own assumptions.

Problem 4: You can't literally subtitle a book as being "spicy" and then fade to black. That's called lying to the reader, and they don't like it. (Also, what is even the point of fading to black if you're going to be fully explicit during the foreplay?)

Because I hate being entirely negative, a few more positives: there is some very witty writing - her long running joke/torture of her friend with language magic by using as many malapropisms as possible is extremely well-executed. Leo does pine well, and when things do get romantic he often expresses very swoon-worthy sentiments without getting cheesy. And again, the island community created feels very rich and lived in and still a charming fantasy all at the same time.

Tropes:
- Second chance romance
- Second world contemporary romantasy
- Small town
- Mischievous magical creatures
- Fae descendants

Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the invitation to read an advance copy.

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔄𝔩𝔩'𝔰 𝔉𝔞𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔚𝔞𝔯 𝔟𝔶 𝔏𝔢𝔢 𝔑𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔰 (𝔉𝔞𝔢 ℑ𝔰𝔩𝔢 𝔗𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔶 #1 )

Release Day: May 28, 2026

4⭐️3🌶

Pandora Voss has decided to spend one last summer on the magical island off the coast of Maine that she grew up on. One last summer to unlock her powers—or lose all memory of magic forever.

This book was such a cozy fantasy read. With all the small town vibes, and small magics. I very much enjoyed reading this book.

Minor Spoilers Ahead:

Pandora returns to her enchanted hometown in Maine to nurture the magic she knows must be inside her. Time is running out, if she hasn't gained her magical gift by the age of 30, she will forget ever having known magic existed. She's spent her adult life in Boston as a school music teacher, and loves every second of it. She is frustrated that her friends and family are all trying different things to get her magic to appear, because she's a complete and happy human being without having a magical gift.

Leo Carter has also come back to this small magical hometown for the summer to try and get his parents to move away. His mother grew up knowing about magic, but her gift never appears, so she will always get headaches or migraines anytime she sees too much magic and her brain tries to convince herself that it was something else. Leo grew up trying to explain away his gift of finding very rare and valuable books with his magical gift. His mom just always thought he was obsessed with thrifting and finding valuable books, she never understood that it was more than that for him.

Leo and Pandora grew up together and had a romantic connection when they got older, but when Leo explained at a party to a mutual friend that he could never marry someone who was "normal" or didn't show a magical gift, because they would never fully understand him or his life, Pandora lost it. She said he basically said that she wasn't good enough without a magical gift, and they went their separate ways.

Now, as adults, they are able to talk and understand that he had to deal with his non-magic mom his whole life and hide his ability to find rare and valuable books. Pandora explained that she is happy with herself and her life without a magical gift, but understands why he would want to spend his life with someone who is magical.

This book was full of cozy small town vibes, and real life problems. Will Pandora get a magical gift? Will Leo and Pandora end up together despite their struggles?

I would definitely recommend this book to people who love rom coms and cozy fantasies.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Small Town Romance
🍁Second Chance Romance
🍁Practical Magic Vibes
🍁Finding One's Powers
🍁Friends to Lovers

TW:
✨Too much small town cozy
✨Parents who value you gifts more than the person

#allsfaeinloveandwar #leenichols #faeislestrilogy

[Franky · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25⭐

(+) :
- The overall concept of a witch having to come into their magic by a certain age or be doomed to lose all memory of magic (and have their memories *with* magic effectively rewritten) is really captivating and also deeply melancholic. It was the reason I was drawn into the book and why it captured my attention for the first chunk of the story.
- The climax of the book was surprising. I won’t say that it was necessarily a choice that I liked, but at the very least it was not the easy path to take.
- I like this cover. It’s a little busy and it is a bit just characters standing stagnant, but the character art itself is lovely.

(-) :
- I get it. It’s a diary. The amount of “Diary, [blah blah blah]” that happened was like nails on a chalkboard. I’m sure it was in some part to justify the two different POV styles, but just big oof from me.
- Without spoiling too much, there is a magical gift in this book that is supremely overpowered to the point of confusion. And when we are introduced to this power, it lost all sense of stakes or intrigue for me.
- Not *everything* has to be fae, I stg. This was such a flimsy use of them and it frustrated me so much. LIke, I’m all for magic being deluded as it gets passed down by generations, but it didn’t need to be fae to begin with!
- The FMC has more chemistry with her fuck buddy than she does with her actual love interest. And we GET it he looks like Paul Mescal, ffs. Although, tbh, I found all of the characters really grating. They all felt very thin in their development and I just wanted to be able to connect with them more (and not…be annoyed).
- The mythical creatures that show up about halfway through were obnoxious and distracting and just 100% not for me.
- There was a thread about stinky tofu that felt weirdly microaggressive in tone. It’s low hanging fruit as a food to make fun of and it’s not funny.
- I do not like this title. I’m not a fan for punny/wordplay to begin with, but again, with the lackluster use of fae of it all, this just aggravated me.

(?) :
- Seriously, why have them be “fae”? It felt like there was an attempt to have them be more akin to some cultures’ folkloric use of faeries but the commitment never really stuck the landing.


WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : No.

(HOW LONG) DO I THINK THEY’LL STAY TOGETHER? : Trap them on this island. Lock them up to fester together.

*Thank you to Second Sky & Netgalley for providing this ARC!


SIMILAR BOOKS :
- 'Love's a Witch' by Tricia O'Malley
- 'Resting Witch Face' by Juliette Cross
- 'A Demon's Guide for Wooing a Witch' by Sarah Hawley
- 'Best Hex Ever' by Nadia El-Fassi
- 'Payback's a Witch' by Lana Harper

[Jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture Audio, Second Sky Books, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review.

Pandora returns to her childhood island for perhaps the last summer she'll have her memories of magic. She's fairykin, but if she doesn't receive her "gift" by the time she turns 30 in a few months, she will forget everything having to do with magic, replaced by mundane memories and confusion. Meeting back up with Leo, her high school boyfriend who broke her heart, complicates the summer. After powerful magic is released on the island, the two must team up to save the island and prevent disaster.

This was a sweet read with interesting magic and a lively cast of characters, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it very much.

I didn't find it to be as cozy as I thought it'd be, and the romance lacked the chemistry I was hoping. I started out loving Pandora, but she quickly became frustrating and annoying, acting more like a teenager than someone almost 30. She could have done without mentioning not needing a gift so often. I started out disliking Leo, but he grew on me, always pragmatic and logical. I thought their problems were silly; the two (particularly Pandora) never listened to the other. They were too wishy washy for no good reason, and I didn't find their dynamic funny at all, just frustrating.

The treatment/view of "normals" by the fairykin wasn't very nice, and I disliked that "normals" would get migraines and potentially permanent brain damage by being exposed to too much magic. And nobody except Leo took that seriously?? It's just not the cozy rom-com vibe I was expecting.

I did enjoy the ending, but I am pretty sure I would have DNF'd this book if it wasn't an advanced copy. It was still a nice story, and I'm sure it'll resonate with many other cozy fantasy rom-com lovers!

Narration Review: Ina Marie Smith's narration was lively and engaging. The audio was crisp and clear, a joy to listen to. Her character voices didn't vary as much as I typically like (the men in particular mostly sounded the same), but I was able to tell the characters apart just fine by the writing.

Christopher Ragland's energy was great, but the "s" sounds were really strong. I'm not sure if it was the audio mixing or just how he speaks, but the strong "s" sounds were pretty distracting. His character voices were not all that distinct, but I was still able to keep up with the dialog.

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley, Bookoture Audio and Second Sky books for the Advance Reader & Listener Copy

🎧 Ina Marie Smith & Christopher Ragland
did a wonderful job narrating 🧡

Pandora Voss has one last summer to unlock her powers—or lose all memory of magic forever. Buuuuuut she’s adamant she doesn’t want/need a gift to be happy (really she just wants to be loved for who she is with or without a gift)

Her ex- boyfriend from high school, Leo, is also back for the summer. He’s a rare book seller and he’s usually galavanting around the world sourcing rare books with the help of his fae gift. The gift which has now lead him back to the island he grew up on.

Pan has no interest in reconnecting (even if he is still annoyingly attractive) coz he broke her heart in high school by claiming he could never love a “normal” - she overheard and was hurt and pisssssed.

Pan and Gabe (her friend with benefits) are the only 2 from the friendship group who haven’t had gifts yet and they are both approaching 30 (the cut off, bye bye memories of magic) and she wants one last summer making great memories whether she loses them or not.

But let’s just say a spell gets unleashed and shenanigans ensue where Leo and Pan have to work together to reign in the magical mayhem, and she has to resist his charms 😏

I had a really fun time with this one - loved the dynamics between the islanders, the faerie folk and our main characters. It really was giving small town - everyone in everyone’s business vibes that had me chuckling. And how they deal with the “normals” on the island too coz they can’t see/acknowledge magic or their tiny minds would explooooode(!)

There was plenty of banter and the romance was pretty swoony like 70% of the time but Pandora was grinding my gears a bit with the repetitiveness about not needing a gift. Like she really hammered that home.

Maybe drawing unnecessary parallels with the ticking clock etc and just coz I’m going through this atm but everyone forcing her to try and trigger her powers made me think of “WhEn ArE yOu GoInG tO hAvE a BaBy” chat 😂

I feel like the title is cool but doesn’t feel all that relevant to the actual story - but too nuanced 🤷🏼‍♀️

Miscommunication makes me mad 😠

Overall a whimsical tale that had the right amount of depth, humour and shenanigans. One to add to your read list 🧡

[costitanza (onetoomanybooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did you ever want to DNF a book at 85%? Weirdly specific, I know—but that’s exactly what happened to me with All Is Fae in Love and War.

And honestly? That’s frustrating, because this book had so much potential.

The plot is genuinely strong, and the worldbuilding is the standout element for me. The setting felt whimsical, cozy, and full of charm. I loved the island dynamics and the idea that every faekin has a gift—whether it’s something grand like moving boulders or something oddly specific like sensing rare books. Those little, seemingly useless powers gave the story so much personality and made the world feel alive.

My issue, unfortunately, was the FMC.

Pandora completely lost me as the story progressed. This is a second-chance romance built around a breakup that happened when they were teenagers: Leo, at 17, says he could never be with a non-faekin person, and Pandora—already insecure about never receiving her gift—overhears him, breaks things off, and avoids him for eight years.

At first, I was fully on her side. I understood her hurt, and I wanted her to stand firm in demanding to be loved fully and without conditions.

But the deeper the story goes, the more context we get—and the less her behavior worked for me. We learn how difficult it is for non-magical people to exist around magic, and how much Leo’s own family history shaped his fears and views. As those layers were revealed, Pandora became increasingly unreasonable in my eyes—not just about that conflict, but about many things. Her priorities often felt completely upside down, and instead of connecting with her, I found myself growing more irritated chapter after chapter.

By the time I reached 90%, in the middle of all the action, the main thing I was feeling was frustration.

That’s what makes this one such a disappointment. Beneath it all, there was the foundation for a whimsical, cozy fantasy romance that could have given me Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries vibes. Instead, it ended up being a 2-star read and a near-DNF.

I think this book would have been amazing, if the FMC behaviour actually improved during the book, like i understand her initial fears, but the meaning of character ARC is that the character should get better by the end, and not worst.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to receive this ALC. I went into this book with really high hopes, but sadly it didn’t work for me as much as I hoped it would. It has great bones, just too many things did not work for me.

The narration itself was done really well and fit the emotions and personalities of the characters. I thought the narrators (Ina Marie Smith & Christopher Ragland) did a great job bringing the story to life and keeping me engaged.

My biggest issue was the marketing of this book. The title calls this a “spicy” second-chance romance, but there was honestly very little spice. The first spicy scene was fade-to-black, and the second felt rushed, lacking detail, and also quickly faded out. If “spicy” is going to be such a big part of the title and marketing, I expected a lot more.

Another thing that threw me off was how immature the characters felt. If I didn’t already know they were almost thirty, I would have assumed they were teenagers based on the dialogue and inner thoughts. Outside of mentions of jobs and age, the characters just didn’t feel mature enough for where they were supposed to be in life. I feel like there was very little character growth, it was a little dissapointing.

What I did enjoy was the magic aspect of the story. I liked the idea that the characters are descendants of the fae and either gain their magic before turning thirty or become “normal” and lose their memories of magic completely. I also thought the little magical creatures were a cute and mischievous addition to the world. Pandoras magic awakening creates a world of chaos and unleashes unique creatures from long long ago.

Pandora is quirky and a little selfish, but still interesting as an FMC. Leo is more of a bookworm type whose magic appeared when he was younger. They were childhood sweethearts who broke up because of miscommunication—which brings me to my biggest issue with the book: the miscommunication trope. It was extremely frustrating and dragged on so much that I almost stopped listening multiple times. Because of that, even the few “spicy” moments felt awkward and forced instead of emotional or satisfying.
The ending was cute, thanks to her magic.

Overall, the magic and narration were the strongest parts for me, but the romance and character dynamics just didn’t land the way I wanted them to.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook + eBook: All's Fae in Love and War-Fae Isle Trilogy #1

Author: Lee Nichols-new to me author

Page Count: 364

Publication date: 5-28-26| Read: 5-25-26

Run Time: 11:03

Setting: Beane Isle, Maine

POV: 1st person dual

Genre: Fantasy, PNR, Rom-Com, Mystery

Tropes: 2nd chance romance, family drama, magic/Fae, Small town, normals-non magical people

TW: Fae attacks

Narrator: Ina Marie Smith and Christopher Ragland voice all the characters with standouts from Leo, Pandora, and Gabe. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.


Summary: Pandora is home after years living in Boston teaching. She is thirty and if she doesn't come into her magic, she will forget everything from her magical childhood home in Beane Isle. She also reunites with her childhood love Leo who broke up with her without an explanation. When Pandora finds her magic-being able to bring Fae creatures out-break-ins, missing pets, and dangerous plants appear in town.

Heroine: Pandora "Pan" Voss-an art teacher

Hero: Leo Carter-an antiquarian bookseller

Side Characters:
*Leonard and Leora-Leo's parents
*Grace and Frank-Pan's parents
*Gabe and Deja-Pan's BFFs and siblings
*Shrig-works with Deja
*Ava-Gabe's girlfriend, a realtor

My Thoughts: I disliked Pandora as she obsessed over getting her magical gift. She kept saying she'd be okay if she didn't have a gift, yet she went crazy releasing the pixies and brownies. I wished Leo had supported her more rather than crushing her dreams. I wanted Pan to end up with Gabe, but the history between Leo and Pan was undeniable. I felt for Leo and his father Leonard having to care for Leora as if she had dementia. I understood why Leo wanted Pan to get her gift, but all they had to do was talk about it. I loved the ending with a fitting HEA for Pan and Leo.

*Spice: 4/5
*Emotion: 5/5
*Couple: 3/5
*Rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley, Second Sky Books, Bookouture Audio, and Lee Nichols for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

[Cheyenne Oleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All's Fae in Love and War was an absolutely charming blend of cozy fantasy, second-chance romance, and magical chaos. From the very first chapter, I was swept away to the enchanting island setting, where fae magic, family expectations, and unresolved feelings collide in the most entertaining way.

Pandora was such an easy character to root for. She isn't a perfect heroine with all the answers. Instead, she's anxious, uncertain, and struggling to prove herself before she loses something incredibly important. Her journey felt relatable despite the fantasy setting, and I appreciated watching her learn to trust both her abilities and herself.

The romance between Pandora and Leo was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their shared history added depth to every interaction, and the second-chance romance was handled beautifully. The chemistry between them felt natural, balancing playful banter, lingering hurt, and undeniable attraction. I loved seeing them slowly reconnect while navigating magical mishaps and old wounds.

The setting was another standout. The small-town coastal atmosphere combined with whimsical fae magic created a world that felt warm, inviting, and full of surprises. The magical disasters, enchanted creatures, and spells gone wrong added plenty of humor and kept the story feeling light and fun even during the more emotional moments.

I also appreciated the themes of family, belonging, and rediscovering who you are. Beneath the romance and fantasy elements, there is a heartfelt story about finding your place and embracing the parts of yourself you've been afraid to accept.

My only reason for not rating this higher is that I wished the story had been a little longer. I became so invested in the characters and the magical world that I wasn't ready for it to end. There were a few moments where I would have loved more time to explore the relationships and the island's enchanting lore.

Overall, All's Fae in Love and War is a delightful fantasy romance filled with magic, humor, heart, and a wonderfully cozy atmosphere. If you enjoy second-chance romance, whimsical fantasy worlds, charming small-town settings, and lovable characters, this is definitely a book worth picking up.

[Georgen Charnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, interesting worldbuilding: there are "fairykin" throughout the world - people who get a power, called a "gift," (sometimes less than useful) and while they can live anywhere, often live in small quirky communities open to "normals," like the one where this story is set. When you're born fairykin, you can see all the magical things fairykin can do with their gifts. However, if you don't get a "gift" by your 30th birthday, your brain goes "normal" and not only can't you see magic, but your memories of it are gone (making your memories like Swiss cheese) and you get migraines and brain damage if you're around magic too much. Interesting plot involving a magic illuminated manuscript bestiary of magical creatures.

Enter our main characters, a 29 year old woman with no gift and her ex, who has a great gift and a mom with no gift. They were high school sweethearts until she dumped him for saying he wanted a life partner with a gift. Understandably, she wants someone who'd love her no matter if she gets a gift or not. Understandably, he, after witnessing the pain and exclusion his mother has had to live through his whole life, continues to maintain that he wants to have a relationship in which he doesn't have to hide such an essential part of himself or fret about his love getting brain damage. It's an interesting conflict.

Unfortunately, both of them are too inarticulate and immature to resolve it. The FMC has the maturity of a 14 year old, narcissistically expecting her friends focus on her love life while they're trying to run businesses, demanding they not be friends with the ex high school boyfriend even though they all grew up together, and using a friend as a booty call. The MMC is not much better, being completely inarticulate about why he has said that he wants a partner with a gift. But her childish mooning over wanting to be loved for herself pales compared to the whole threat of brain damage. By the time they broke up for the third time, I was hoping whatever evil they've unlocked on the island would kill them both.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC

[Rainbowsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

​If you’re looking for a whimsical escape filled with magic, teenage yearning, and a dash of destiny, All’s Fae in Love and War is a delightful ride. This story follows Pandora, a fae-kin caught in a race against time. In this world, if you don't receive your magical gift by your 30th birthday, you lose your memories of magic forever and become human.

​What I Loved

​The World-Building: This is a "light fairytale" adventure in the best way possible. It’s packed with goblins, pixies, and inventive magical creations that kept me smiling throughout.

​The Narrative Voice: The story is told through Pandora’s perspective, often structured like her diary entries. It feels incredibly intimate—as if she’s speaking directly to you—which pulled me right into her head.

​The Emotional Core: At its heart, this is a story about teenage love and the heavy sacrifices one makes for it. It’s sweet, poignant, and full of "giggle-worthy" moments.

​Pacing: With over 50 chapters, it’s a substantial journey, but it never felt long. My curiosity stayed peaked from start to finish.

​The Spice: There is a light spice level (🌶️) that felt perfectly balanced. It added heat without overshadowing the whimsical tone of the plot.

​The Audio Experience

​I listened to this as an audiobook, and while the story itself was a joy, the production style was a bit unique.

​A Note on Narration: The chapters alternate between a male and female narrator. However, rather than performing just their own dialogue, each narrator performs all characters within their specific chapter. Hearing a male voice do the female lines (and vice versa) felt a little "odd" at first, though the strength of the story kept me hooked regardless!


​Final Verdict

​Despite the slightly unusual narration style, All’s Fae in Love and War is a beautiful, imaginative, and feel-good fantasy. If you enjoy stories about magical deadlines, cute creatures, and first loves, Pandora’s journey is one you don't want to miss.

​Perfect for fans of: Whimsical fae lore, diary-style narration, and sweet-but-spicy romances.

[Gabby S-Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3/5 stars
All’s Fae in Love and War by Lee Nichols is a cozy fantasy romance set in a charming small coastal Maine town during the summer. It’s a light, easy audiobook that leans into a low-stakes, magical atmosphere with plenty of whimsical elements.
One of the highlights for me was the unique magic system. Fae Kin either come into their powers by age 30 or lose their memories and ability to see or use magic entirely. This added an interesting layer of tension to the story, and I enjoyed the variety of magical creatures woven throughout the town.
The romance follows a second-chance, childhood friends-to-lovers dynamic. While I appreciated the emotional foundation between the characters, the central conflict felt somewhat repetitive and unclear at times. The couple’s initial breakup—centered around whether the FMC would come into her powers—seems to be resolved, only to resurface again later without adding much new depth. Because of this, I found the FMC’s reactions frustrating at times, especially when the MMC appeared to be making genuine efforts to prove himself.
The pacing picks up significantly toward the end, with a burst of action that was engaging and added excitement to the story.
The audiobook narration was a standout. Ina Marie Smith and Christopher Ragland delivered strong performances, with clear, expressive dialogue. The dual narration format—alternating between the FMC’s first-person diary entries and the MMC’s third-person “notes”—worked well and added variety to the listening experience.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers looking for a cozy, low-spice, low-stakes summer fantasy romance with a unique magical premise and strong narration.
Tropes / What to Expect:
* Second chance romance
* Childhood friends to lovers
* Small town summer setting
* He falls first
* FMC in 1st person (diary format)
* MMC in 3rd person (“notes” style)
* Cozy fantasy
* Low spice (mostly closed door)
* Mild recreational drug use (magic-enhancing edibles)
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own.

[Narelle Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairykin are the distant kin of the now very gone fairyfolk - they reside on an enchanted island off the coast of Maine where magic (gifts) are part of their everyday life. Each fairykin must come into their gift before turning 30 or they lose their ability to see and experience the magic of this island. They bcome 'normals' and interacting with too much magic is not overly good for them.
Pandora has come back from Boston to experience one last summer of magic as she has not come into her gift and 30 is looming. She has lots of memories to make even if the magical element of them will be forgotten without a gift. The only thing she wants to avoid this summer is Leo, the boy now man who broke her heart many years before when he declared he could never love a normal for ever. Pandora doesn't understand the reasons Leo feels this way.
This audio book was really good fun and there was lots to love about the world Lee Nichols built. Pandora's family and friends were delightful helping to build a strong sense of community around both her and Leo. The magical creatures were a joy and I definitely would have enjoyed spending time with the pixies or watching the brownies cause gentle chaos.
However, I didn't love the romance between Leo and Pandora - they started to really irritate me towards the end with the lack of communication about how they both felt about gifts and 'normals'. I just wanted them to have a clear conversation about what all the hang-ups were. They almost did this a few times and then derailment occurred again.
The style of the book is really interesting with a diary set-up for Pandora and notes on Leo's book discoveries to introduce his chapters. The narrators were very expressive and it was easy to immerse yourself in this story.
Overall this is a good romantasy that just didn't completely work for me. Others may reall enjoy the to and fro of it all. Worth a listen if you like magical worlds with a little bit of mystery and intrigue.
Thanks Netgalley, Bookoture Audio and Second Sky books for the chance to experience this audio book.

[Gemma Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pandora doesn't care if she gets her gift, it's never been priority.
She returns to her home island for the summer, where magic is in abundance. Due to it being where most fae live. To have one last magical summer (a precaution Incase her gift doesn't come in).

Leo a rare book seller.
Travels the world searching for books using his fae magic to aid him.
His magic is calling him home. A book is needing to be discovered.

The thing is Leo and Pandora ex lovers, Pandora doesn't want to see him again.
Leo doesn't understand why they broke up.
The romance is sweet and fun and I liked reading about their past, it really helped see why Pandora held a grudge.

Overall it was a joy to read. I enjoyed every second!
Fun, witty and magical.
The characters are a delight. I love how the people of the island connect and support each other.
Pandora’s mum is brilliant. Love her.
And I feel for Leo and his dad, as if a fae doesn’t get magic before they are 30, they lose all knowledge of magic and, sadly, Leo’s mum lost her magic. Yet Leo and his dad are fae, so they try to protect her from it. It’s a very difficult situation, and you really feel for the family.
Leo and Pandora’s families bonding was really sweet and realistic!

I love the magic and how it works. I really like how it fits in the modern world and how they manage ‘normals’ with the magic on the island! Which is hilarious at times.
The writing is descriptive, and I loved how easy it was to picture the world in my head because of the brilliant writing.
There is a bit of miscommunication, and I am normally one to hate it. However, it is not a bother at all. It doesn't consume the whole story and feels natural. Especially, with everything that’s going on the island.

The magical creatures have my heart! They are an amazing addition to the story. I love brownies!!
It has some unexpected turns and the ending. Also unexpected!
A great book.
Thank you for allowing me to read this early!!

[Rebecca Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to All’s Fae in Love and War as an audiobook, and overall—it was a fun, cozy time, even if it didn’t completely wow me.

The standout here is the worldbuilding. The concept of “fairykin”—people who develop magical “gifts” (sometimes hilariously useless)—is genuinely unique. If you don’t get your gift by 30, your brain basically reboots to “normal,” wiping your memories of magic and making magic physically harmful to you. Add in quirky fairy communities, a magical bestiary manuscript, and lots of whimsical chaos, and I was fully sold on the setting.

The vibes are very light, whimsical, small-town cozy with a touch of magical nonsense—and I loved that. It’s easy to sink into without feeling overwhelmed, and honestly, the world carried the book for me. I adored the community, Pandora’s family dynamics, and the general enchanted slice-of-life feel.

The romance, though… was a bit hit or miss. Pandora and Leo have chemistry, but Leo made me sigh more than once—like, sir, think before you speak. Their on-and-off dynamic also got repetitive, and since it’s pretty obvious where things are going, the journey there dragged a little.

Pandora’s friends leaned a bit immature, though you could argue they’re just chaotic free spirits living their best magical lives.

The audiobook narration was solid, and I especially enjoyed the dual narration—it added a lot to the experience.

Overall: a cozy, whimsical romantasy with great worldbuilding and charm, but a romance that didn’t fully land for me. I kind of wish it leaned more into cozy fantasy than romance, because those elements were delightful.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3—but I do see potential for the series to grow in future books.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of this book by Lee Nichols. Publication date 28/05/26. This is the first in the series Fae Isle Trilogy. I listened to the audio version.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, fun and entertaining.

Let’s get the good stuff first. The concept and world for this series is fully built and I’d love to move right into it. Plot is there, it’s a bit predictable and thats ok. It’s always good to have a reliable fun read that won’t take you too much by surprise in my reading line up. The MMC Leo is high school crush worthy.

Also the audio is fantastic. Narrated by Ina Marie Smith, Christopher Ragland and it’s done extremely well. Both voices fit well and all the depth of feelings is delivered skillfully.

Now why it’s only a three star read for me. First, the FMC Pandora I want to literally smack. She breaks up with Leo at 17 because she overheard him say something that broke her heart. Ok fine I’m with you there. But at almost 30 blaming a 17 year old boy for saying something stupid (come on what boy doesn’t) especially when you know his history with that issue is absolutely ridiculous. Teenage boys are mostly made up of narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies. I was fine with it for about 3/4 of the book until I wasn’t. Then the spice… it’s right there in the title “All's Fae in Love and War: A sweet and spicy second chance fantasy romcom” you can’t tell me spicy and not deliver the SPICE. The first scene of them is closed door and the only other spicy scene is basically just salt and pepper. And my last issue is also something that’s right in the title. If you tell me romcom I want to at least chuckle to myself a few times. It got a few amused smiles but that’s as far as this goes for me.

Overall I’d recommend this if you need a palette cleanser for heavy fantasy or dark romance and/or if you just need something light and fun.

Thank you to Lee Nichols, NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Second Sky books for providing me this audiobook ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.