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Bright and Brash:
An interconnected standalone fantasy romance series that can be read independently of the others.She's leaving home for the first time on a journey of self-discovery.
He just wants a paycheck and to live past forty.
But Lydia has no clue how to protect herself and it's Miles's job to keep her alive.
Lydia Foster has uncovered a secret of personal significance. In an effort to embrace the truth of her birth, she must venture further than her books for the first time in her life. She'll need a guide, a protector, and someone to pose as her husband. She has found the perfect rogue to aid her journey. The fact that he is handsome and surprisingly knowledgeable about history does things to her heart, but he's adamant that they remain professional. However, when their adventure takes a perilous turn and their trip escalates into shared nights, one horse, and mounting attraction, neither of them may be able to truly keep their hearts at bay.
Miles Harrow lives his life as if it will end tomorrow. A fact more true for him than most. His need of funds is well understood and it's exactly what Miss Foster exploits when she requests he accompany her to the country--and pretend to be her husband. Miles isn't eager to mix business and pleasure, but the alluring, charming, baffling Miss Foster might be more than he can resist. She surprises him at every turn and he can't quite shake the attachment forming between them. As their situation takes a dangerous turn, he's finding it harder to resist her charms. And for her, he might just have to break his own rules.
BRIGHT AND BRASH is a fantasy romance with rom-com adventure vibes. Inspired by the Mummy and Tangled, but with spice. Be aware that there is adult language, mild violence, explicit open door content, and a vampire-type villain.
He just wants a paycheck and to live past forty.
But Lydia has no clue how to protect herself and it's Miles's job to keep her alive.
Lydia Foster has uncovered a secret of personal significance. In an effort to embrace the truth of her birth, she must venture further than her books for the first time in her life. She'll need a guide, a protector, and someone to pose as her husband. She has found the perfect rogue to aid her journey. The fact that he is handsome and surprisingly knowledgeable about history does things to her heart, but he's adamant that they remain professional. However, when their adventure takes a perilous turn and their trip escalates into shared nights, one horse, and mounting attraction, neither of them may be able to truly keep their hearts at bay.
Miles Harrow lives his life as if it will end tomorrow. A fact more true for him than most. His need of funds is well understood and it's exactly what Miss Foster exploits when she requests he accompany her to the country--and pretend to be her husband. Miles isn't eager to mix business and pleasure, but the alluring, charming, baffling Miss Foster might be more than he can resist. She surprises him at every turn and he can't quite shake the attachment forming between them. As their situation takes a dangerous turn, he's finding it harder to resist her charms. And for her, he might just have to break his own rules.
BRIGHT AND BRASH is a fantasy romance with rom-com adventure vibes. Inspired by the Mummy and Tangled, but with spice. Be aware that there is adult language, mild violence, explicit open door content, and a vampire-type villain.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Luci Briar
5 books10 followersLuci Briar lives in Florida with her family and too many pets. Five cats, two dogs, a snake, and blue death feigning beetles. She enjoys writing romance, reading romance, watching romance, analyzing romance, and observing romance. All her life Luci has found charm in Regency tales and fantasy settings, combining all her passions into her books. Always with a touch of humor and plenty of spice. All her characters are assured to get their HEA because reality is hard enough and books are her happy place.
When not writing she's doing her best to keep a small human alive and, hopefully, help her to grow into a functional, well-adjusted version of a big human. Luci also enjoys board games, video games, cottage-core vibes, and not being outside.
When not writing she's doing her best to keep a small human alive and, hopefully, help her to grow into a functional, well-adjusted version of a big human. Luci also enjoys board games, video games, cottage-core vibes, and not being outside.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 7, 2026
Thank you to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for the digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! I'm a huge fan of low-stakes romantasy, and this had a little bit of everything I love: forced proximity, a fake marriage, adventure, magic, and plenty of romantic tension.
Lydia was such a refreshing FMC. I loved that she was intelligent, bookish, and determined to uncover the truth about her past, even if it meant stepping far outside her comfort zone. Miles was the perfect balance to her personality, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. The slow-burn romance felt natural, and the chemistry between them kept me invested from beginning to end.
This book gave me a bit of a Bridgerton vibe, but with magic, adventure, and fantasy woven throughout. It was lighthearted, charming, and an easy book to get lost in.
Even though this is the third book in an interconnected series, I had no trouble following the story without reading the first two books. After finishing this one, I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the series.
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in an interconnected standalone series
Format: E-book
Genre: Low-stakes romantasy
POV: Third person
Spice: 3/5 – open door, explicit
What to expect:
Noble FMC × bodyguard MMC
Fake marriage
Forced proximity
Slow-burn romance
Smart, bookish FMC
Adventure and magic
One horse
Shared travel
Vampire-like villain
I really enjoyed this book! I'm a huge fan of low-stakes romantasy, and this had a little bit of everything I love: forced proximity, a fake marriage, adventure, magic, and plenty of romantic tension.
Lydia was such a refreshing FMC. I loved that she was intelligent, bookish, and determined to uncover the truth about her past, even if it meant stepping far outside her comfort zone. Miles was the perfect balance to her personality, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. The slow-burn romance felt natural, and the chemistry between them kept me invested from beginning to end.
This book gave me a bit of a Bridgerton vibe, but with magic, adventure, and fantasy woven throughout. It was lighthearted, charming, and an easy book to get lost in.
Even though this is the third book in an interconnected series, I had no trouble following the story without reading the first two books. After finishing this one, I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the series.
Standalone/Series: Book 3 in an interconnected standalone series
Format: E-book
Genre: Low-stakes romantasy
POV: Third person
Spice: 3/5 – open door, explicit
What to expect:
Noble FMC × bodyguard MMC
Fake marriage
Forced proximity
Slow-burn romance
Smart, bookish FMC
Adventure and magic
One horse
Shared travel
Vampire-like villain
June 29, 2026
Thank you to Luci Briar for the ARC!
This was such a fun read from start to finish.
Lydia and Miles completely stole the show for me. Their chemistry was fantastic, the banter had me smiling throughout, and I loved watching their relationship develop. The slow burn, forced proximity, fake marriage… it had so many tropes I love, and they were all done really well.
The adventure side of the story was just as enjoyable as the romance. There was plenty of action, mystery, humour, and a few emotional moments that completely caught me off guard. It was one of those books where I kept telling myself "just one more chapter."
I also loved that, despite being part of a series, it worked perfectly as a standalone. It made me want to go back and read the earlier books, which is always a good sign.
If you're looking for a fantasy romance with adventure, brilliant chemistry, plenty of laughs, and characters you'll quickly fall in love with, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Luci Briar has officially become another auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to read more from this world.
This was such a fun read from start to finish.
Lydia and Miles completely stole the show for me. Their chemistry was fantastic, the banter had me smiling throughout, and I loved watching their relationship develop. The slow burn, forced proximity, fake marriage… it had so many tropes I love, and they were all done really well.
The adventure side of the story was just as enjoyable as the romance. There was plenty of action, mystery, humour, and a few emotional moments that completely caught me off guard. It was one of those books where I kept telling myself "just one more chapter."
I also loved that, despite being part of a series, it worked perfectly as a standalone. It made me want to go back and read the earlier books, which is always a good sign.
If you're looking for a fantasy romance with adventure, brilliant chemistry, plenty of laughs, and characters you'll quickly fall in love with, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Luci Briar has officially become another auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to read more from this world.
September 22, 2026
What an adventure! This was so much more than I was expecting. 🌶️🌶️🌶️. The FMC Lydia is reserved and bookish. She steps out of her shell to find a man to pose as her husband, so they can travel the path of her birth mother’s journal for answers. The MMC Miles is the opposite of Lydia. He’s charming, 100% human and lives every moment like it’s his last. They develop a slow burn romance during their journey. There’s stagecoach and animal adventures, forced proximity, mystery, and a relentless vampire. I totally get The Mummy inspiration. The HEA was overdone a bit, but overall it was a very charming read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 23, 2026
What a ride! Lydia is so much fun, I loved her. Miles wasn't half bad either ;)
The plot was plotting, spice was spicing, overall a great time.
Highly recommend if you like fantasy adventures with quirky characters and good storytelling. It is part of a series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. I'll be going back to Miranda's story for sure now that I've discovered Luci's books!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot was plotting, spice was spicing, overall a great time.
Highly recommend if you like fantasy adventures with quirky characters and good storytelling. It is part of a series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. I'll be going back to Miranda's story for sure now that I've discovered Luci's books!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2026
Lydia and Miles completely won me over. Their fake marriage and forced proximity make the slow-burn romance especially fun, with plenty of banter and tension along the way. I also loved the adventure side, from following Lydia’s mother’s journal to the magic, mystery, and relentless vampire. It’s funny, charming, and occasionally surprisingly emotional, with the kind of momentum that makes “one more chapter” very easy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another knock out book by Luci. This one was so "The Mummy " coded. It has great humor and it's fast paced. Miles and Lydia are the dynamic duo and I could not love them more. The yearning was top tier! This one made me laugh out loud and cry, yes, I cried. It was perfection!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 3, 2026
This book was funny and full of banter. There was plenty of action and mystery. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews