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The World of the Narrows
Tides: Paj & Auster
Some tides always pull you home—and others carry you somewhere entirely new.
Auster has always belonged to the Roth family—thieves, smugglers, and masters of deception. Paj belongs to the sea. When a chance encounter turns into a forbidden love, the two men are forced to choose between loyalty and freedom. But escaping a legacy built on blood comes at a devastating price.
A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books
Auster has always belonged to the Roth family—thieves, smugglers, and masters of deception. Paj belongs to the sea. When a chance encounter turns into a forbidden love, the two men are forced to choose between loyalty and freedom. But escaping a legacy built on blood comes at a devastating price.
A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books
Audible Audio
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Adrienne Young
34 books19k followersAdrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/
Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks
For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/
Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 8, 2023
Intéressant mais je suis un peu restée sur ma faim, j’avouuuuuue
September 26, 2026
Back to the Narrows and the terrifying Roth family, and straight into Auster’s head. 🌊
If you’ve read Adrienne’s other books, you already know the world-building is fantastic, but her wordsmithery deserves applause.
This quick return to the Narrows gives you a deeper look at Auster and the agonizing conflict of being born into a crime family when that family threatens your chance at a life outside of it.
The forbidden romance was unexpected and may not work for every reader, especially if you’re coming in without the previous books. The current tagging doesn’t fully prepare you for what’s inside.
👉For fans of the Narrows, this is a quick trip back into a dangerous family you definitely should not trust.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for the writing ⭐️⭐️ stars for the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.
If you’ve read Adrienne’s other books, you already know the world-building is fantastic, but her wordsmithery deserves applause.
“The flame on the bedside candle traveled down the wick slowly until it drown into pool of clear wax below.”
This quick return to the Narrows gives you a deeper look at Auster and the agonizing conflict of being born into a crime family when that family threatens your chance at a life outside of it.
“I want to pretend my family doesn’t exist.”
The forbidden romance was unexpected and may not work for every reader, especially if you’re coming in without the previous books. The current tagging doesn’t fully prepare you for what’s inside.
👉For fans of the Narrows, this is a quick trip back into a dangerous family you definitely should not trust.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for the writing ⭐️⭐️ stars for the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ever wondered how your favourite found family members from the Narrow world came to be?
Well, wonder no longer.
Grab this audio and get lost in the torrent affair and heartbreaking sweetness that is Paj & Auster's origins.
I love them even more than I already did.
Giant thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for hooking me up with the ALC.
Well, wonder no longer.
Grab this audio and get lost in the torrent affair and heartbreaking sweetness that is Paj & Auster's origins.
I love them even more than I already did.
Giant thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for hooking me up with the ALC.
July 24, 2024
3,5 agréable et rapide à lire mais pas suuuper utile
May 19, 2024
J'étais vraiment contente de découvrir l'histoire de Paj et Auster. On y découvre surtout ce qu'Auster a vécu à Bastian et ce qu'il a laissé en quittant Bastian et j'avoue que la fin est allé me chercher, mais j'en aurais pris tellement plus.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I loved diving back into the world of Fable and Namesake, learning more about Paj and Auster. Tides gives us the background of their first meeting and the decisions they made along the way that lead them to the Marigold. There’s a good mix of secrets, danger, and love. What I appreciate is that the challenges they face aren’t rooted in homophobia. MM relationships seem to be well-received; they face dangers because of their unique roles in their families and in their professions. So things are still fraught, but it’s refreshing to read a book that doesn’t include homophobia as a challenge to overcome.
Readers already familiar with The Narrows series will really enjoy this book. If this is your first book of the series, it’s still a great place to start because you’ll know these characters before you meet them again in the full novels.
Narration: The narration was really good. It’s a short book with a lot of characters and emotion. Neither Paj or Auster have easy lives and the emotion throughout their dialogue is compelling.
Audiobook: Great audiobook and a great story to listen to as an audiobook. No unnecessary or distracting noises. Smooth flow. Good chapter transitions.
Rating: 4 stars. Great read. It’s a novella and intended to be short. But I always wish for more. We get so little time with just them and I think a full novel would be wonderful.
I loved diving back into the world of Fable and Namesake, learning more about Paj and Auster. Tides gives us the background of their first meeting and the decisions they made along the way that lead them to the Marigold. There’s a good mix of secrets, danger, and love. What I appreciate is that the challenges they face aren’t rooted in homophobia. MM relationships seem to be well-received; they face dangers because of their unique roles in their families and in their professions. So things are still fraught, but it’s refreshing to read a book that doesn’t include homophobia as a challenge to overcome.
Readers already familiar with The Narrows series will really enjoy this book. If this is your first book of the series, it’s still a great place to start because you’ll know these characters before you meet them again in the full novels.
Narration: The narration was really good. It’s a short book with a lot of characters and emotion. Neither Paj or Auster have easy lives and the emotion throughout their dialogue is compelling.
Audiobook: Great audiobook and a great story to listen to as an audiobook. No unnecessary or distracting noises. Smooth flow. Good chapter transitions.
Rating: 4 stars. Great read. It’s a novella and intended to be short. But I always wish for more. We get so little time with just them and I think a full novel would be wonderful.
September 19, 2026
So cute!
I made the mistake of going into this completely blind without realizing it was a novella set in a series I hadn’t read yet! That being said, it’s incredibly impressive how much Adrienne manages to build into such a short story.
Paj and Auster’s story is short but impactful. Their love is socially unacceptable and they’re constantly pulled in opposite directions. Paj is a sailor who is often away at sea, always worried about what trouble Auster might get himself into as part of his family’s crime ring. While Auster is terrified every time Paj leaves port for the dangerous life of a sailor.
There’s never any question about how much these two love each other, even if it was love at first sight. The real question is whether their love can withstand everything the world throws at them.
And for Auster, that means making one impossible choice:
Love or family?
Note to past self: Because of Tides, I borrowed the audiobook of Fable , the first book in The World of the Narrows series, and immediately got hooked. This is proven by the fact that I somehow managed to finish Fable, Namesake, and Saint all in one weekend!
This series has officially earned a spot among my favorite pirate fantasy series, and I’m so glad this little novella for hooking me in! Thank you Paj and Auster for opening the door to this amazing world/series to me!
Happy reading!📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!
I made the mistake of going into this completely blind without realizing it was a novella set in a series I hadn’t read yet! That being said, it’s incredibly impressive how much Adrienne manages to build into such a short story.
Paj and Auster’s story is short but impactful. Their love is socially unacceptable and they’re constantly pulled in opposite directions. Paj is a sailor who is often away at sea, always worried about what trouble Auster might get himself into as part of his family’s crime ring. While Auster is terrified every time Paj leaves port for the dangerous life of a sailor.
There’s never any question about how much these two love each other, even if it was love at first sight. The real question is whether their love can withstand everything the world throws at them.
And for Auster, that means making one impossible choice:
Love or family?
Note to past self: Because of Tides, I borrowed the audiobook of Fable , the first book in The World of the Narrows series, and immediately got hooked. This is proven by the fact that I somehow managed to finish Fable, Namesake, and Saint all in one weekend!
This series has officially earned a spot among my favorite pirate fantasy series, and I’m so glad this little novella for hooking me in! Thank you Paj and Auster for opening the door to this amazing world/series to me!
Happy reading!📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a great backstory on Paj and Auster!
In this M/M romance origin story we get to see how Paj and Auster met, as well as the turmoil they faced due to forces outside of their relationship.
As the two navigate their feelings they have to decide how much to let their families and their questionable work practices affect their ability to be together.
Adrienne Young is a master at making us fall in love with her characters! She describes scenarios and emotions with such depths that it feels like us as the reader is part of the story!
Tides is no exception!
It’s incredibly well written and I found myself deeply enthralled in the story and emotions of our characters, despite this being a short novella!
I also feel that this could be read as a standalone M/M novella. If you haven’t yet read “The World of the Narrows” series, you can still appreciate this book and fall in love with Paj and Auster.
Even if you read the novella first, Adrienne wrote it in a way that provides context but doesn’t spoil any parts of the rest of the series. Therefore this could be read at any time and only add to what you know about the series, but doesn’t spoon anything.
Spice: Mild
-M/M kisses, yearning, and alludes to sleeping together but no graphic or descriptive content.
Language: None
Violence: Mild
-Some descriptions of effects of someone being beat up, one non decorative scene when a knife injury occurs
In this M/M romance origin story we get to see how Paj and Auster met, as well as the turmoil they faced due to forces outside of their relationship.
As the two navigate their feelings they have to decide how much to let their families and their questionable work practices affect their ability to be together.
Adrienne Young is a master at making us fall in love with her characters! She describes scenarios and emotions with such depths that it feels like us as the reader is part of the story!
Tides is no exception!
It’s incredibly well written and I found myself deeply enthralled in the story and emotions of our characters, despite this being a short novella!
I also feel that this could be read as a standalone M/M novella. If you haven’t yet read “The World of the Narrows” series, you can still appreciate this book and fall in love with Paj and Auster.
Even if you read the novella first, Adrienne wrote it in a way that provides context but doesn’t spoil any parts of the rest of the series. Therefore this could be read at any time and only add to what you know about the series, but doesn’t spoon anything.
Spice: Mild
-M/M kisses, yearning, and alludes to sleeping together but no graphic or descriptive content.
Language: None
Violence: Mild
-Some descriptions of effects of someone being beat up, one non decorative scene when a knife injury occurs
January 7, 2026
Un peu déçue du rythme du livre, et en même temps, en aussi peu de pages, je ne sais pas à quoi je m'attendais.
Peut-être que si Auster avait passé un peu moins de temps à répéter les mêmes actions, peut-être que si l'histoire avait fait plus de 120 pages, on aurait pu développer un peu plus ce qui allait se passer.
Mais là je reste sur ma faim. J'adore toujours l'univers, en plus on en savait assez peu sur Bastian, donc le point de vue était intéressant, alors pourquoi? Pourquoi si peu?
C'était mignon, mais c'était pas grand chose. Le début d'un livre qui aurait mérité 100, 150 pages de plus pour que l'histoire décolle, qu'on comprenne comment ils sont arrivé sur le Marigold.
Peut-être que si Auster avait passé un peu moins de temps à répéter les mêmes actions, peut-être que si l'histoire avait fait plus de 120 pages, on aurait pu développer un peu plus ce qui allait se passer.
Mais là je reste sur ma faim. J'adore toujours l'univers, en plus on en savait assez peu sur Bastian, donc le point de vue était intéressant, alors pourquoi? Pourquoi si peu?
C'était mignon, mais c'était pas grand chose. Le début d'un livre qui aurait mérité 100, 150 pages de plus pour que l'histoire décolle, qu'on comprenne comment ils sont arrivé sur le Marigold.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.
This was a cute backstory of the couple. I enjoyed reading Fable and Namesake a few years back, I especially liked the found family on the sea aspect. Their story was sort of as expected but I liked the writing, the yearning was described so well. I would recommend this to anyone who has read the rest of the series. I think you could read it as a standalone for the romance but the connection to the story and characters only come from the main series.
The narrator definitely did a great job of bringing all aspects of their romance to life with all its passion. Definitely would recommend the audiobook.
This was a cute backstory of the couple. I enjoyed reading Fable and Namesake a few years back, I especially liked the found family on the sea aspect. Their story was sort of as expected but I liked the writing, the yearning was described so well. I would recommend this to anyone who has read the rest of the series. I think you could read it as a standalone for the romance but the connection to the story and characters only come from the main series.
The narrator definitely did a great job of bringing all aspects of their romance to life with all its passion. Definitely would recommend the audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tides is a short novella that deals with Paj and Auster from the Fable series (which I've also seen referred to as The Narrows series because the overall expanse of the stories). It gives a nice background as to how these two met and kind of where they came from before the main parts of the series began. The Fable duology itself is one of my favorite books and anytime I get to delve back into this world it's a treat.
Adrienne Young has such a way of bringing this world to life. It's gritty, it's salty, it's mysterious and yet filled with characters who love deeply.
This one was such a quick listen and the narrator expertly brought Paj and Auster to life. It's really impressive to be able to establish characters so quickly and give each of them such life.
You don't have to have read the rest of the books in the series to understand what is happening here (quite the feat by Adrienne Young) but I hope for anyone who does come into this with new eyes you leave again wanting to continue the story. It's definitely worth your while.
I truly hope that Adrienne Young never really leaves the Narrows behind. I would take a quick novella like this from her anytime.
Adrienne Young has such a way of bringing this world to life. It's gritty, it's salty, it's mysterious and yet filled with characters who love deeply.
This one was such a quick listen and the narrator expertly brought Paj and Auster to life. It's really impressive to be able to establish characters so quickly and give each of them such life.
You don't have to have read the rest of the books in the series to understand what is happening here (quite the feat by Adrienne Young) but I hope for anyone who does come into this with new eyes you leave again wanting to continue the story. It's definitely worth your while.
I truly hope that Adrienne Young never really leaves the Narrows behind. I would take a quick novella like this from her anytime.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A novella that I somehow missed, but so happy to discover more of this world. This novella follows Auster and Paj. Forbidden love, and all the dangers that come with a MM romance. I enjoyed following both characters and learning more about them, and seeing how their relationship progressed.
The narrator, Major Curda, was wonderful and swept me away in this novella. I absolutely loved it.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
The narrator, Major Curda, was wonderful and swept me away in this novella. I absolutely loved it.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
September 16, 2026
Tides is a quick, intriguing little origin story that pulled me in almost immediately. Even in such a short format, Adrienne Young creates a world that feels atmospheric and lived-in, with just enough mystery and emotion to make you want more.
It’s a fast read, but it doesn’t feel empty or unnecessary, it feels like getting a small glimpse behind the curtain at a story that existed long before we arrived. I especially enjoyed the sense of history running underneath everything and how much Young was able to suggest without trying to cram an entire novel’s worth of story into a novella.
Cute, compelling, and easy to fly through. This definitely made me curious to spend more time in this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a fast read, but it doesn’t feel empty or unnecessary, it feels like getting a small glimpse behind the curtain at a story that existed long before we arrived. I especially enjoyed the sense of history running underneath everything and how much Young was able to suggest without trying to cram an entire novel’s worth of story into a novella.
Cute, compelling, and easy to fly through. This definitely made me curious to spend more time in this world.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was lucky to receive an advance copy of the audiobook from NetGalley. Adrienne Young is an expert at atmospheric fiction, and I was thrilled to return to the world of the Narrows. Interestingly, this novella may have already been released at one point with another short- Drift, which I read and enjoyed. Perhaps it has been too long since I read the original books in the series because I felt like I needed to re-meet these characters. This book felt a bit too short, too focused on the M/M romance/relationship and not enough on the action and adventure in the Narrows. The narrator felt appropriately cast.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Short, sweet love story. I love the Narrows world Adrienne has created. I binge read the entire series in a week. I will always need more.
November 9, 2024
4⭐️
C’était une petite lecture très agréable, mais sans grande utilité. J’ai adoré retrouvé l’univers de Fable et en découvrir un peu plus sur Paj et Auster, mais c’étaut une histoire tres prévisible!
C’était une petite lecture très agréable, mais sans grande utilité. J’ai adoré retrouvé l’univers de Fable et en découvrir un peu plus sur Paj et Auster, mais c’étaut une histoire tres prévisible!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm always happy to return to the Narrows!! This was a short, sweet M/M novella that you can absolutely read as a standalone if you haven't read Fable or any of the other Narrows books. I did the audio version and it was a quick, easy listen - very well done. Adrienne Young's writing just draws you in from the very beginning and there was a lot of heart packed into this little novella. My one critique is I know it's a novella, but it still felt too short. I feel like I needed just a bit more from the story.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I won't lie... I read Fable in 2020 and couldn't tell you who Austere and Paj are 🤷♀️ I recognize their names and knew they were significant to the story somehow, but don't ask me how. But I enjoyed their story nonetheless.
Their genuine love and affection for each other was just beautiful! Love really does make the world go round. Makes me want to go back and reread everything from this world.
Their genuine love and affection for each other was just beautiful! Love really does make the world go round. Makes me want to go back and reread everything from this world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25☆
Thank you to @NetGalley and @MacMillan Publishing for this ALC.
I did not think I would like this as much as I did. I typically don't have a lot of interest in MM romance, but I like this world that Adrienne Young has created, so I wanted to know these characters better. The story told here is very romantic, engaging, and beautifully rolled out. I am so glad I decided to read this one! and the Audio narration is so well done. The pacing and the EMOTION in the acting, wow. I definitely recommend this as audio rather than an eyeball read.
I would honestly give this 4.25 stars.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @MacMillan Publishing for this ALC.
I did not think I would like this as much as I did. I typically don't have a lot of interest in MM romance, but I like this world that Adrienne Young has created, so I wanted to know these characters better. The story told here is very romantic, engaging, and beautifully rolled out. I am so glad I decided to read this one! and the Audio narration is so well done. The pacing and the EMOTION in the acting, wow. I definitely recommend this as audio rather than an eyeball read.
I would honestly give this 4.25 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook, and the story was engaging for such a short duration. I haven't read the rest of The Narrows series but will definitely look into now since I enjoyed this novella.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novella was a wonderful quick read. I enjoyed the timber and tone of the narrator so much. I will be seeking out more books read by Major Curda.
Paj and Auster's story was all the feelings! It felt like a complete story and an opening for more at the same time.
Paj and Auster's story was all the feelings! It felt like a complete story and an opening for more at the same time.
Review of advance copy
An enjoyable short story about Paj and Austers love story, how they met and being torn between family loyalty and love and when one puts the other in danger taking a risk that could mean you loose both.
October 6, 2026
This was exactly what I want from a prequel novella. It did not try to rewrite characters I already knew. It made me understand them differently.
Tender, dangerous, intimate, and surprisingly emotional for such a short story, Tides gives us the part of Paj and Auster’s relationship I was missing: the moment Auster realized blood and belonging were not the same thing.
If you already know Fable and Namesake, there is very little suspense about where these two end up.
I was never asking: Will they choose each other?
I already knew they would.
What interested me was:
What did choosing each other cost?
Auster has grown up inside the Roth family long enough to understand its rules. Obedience. Loyalty. Survival. He is not someone who has always known he deserves something different. He knows how to function inside the life he was given.
Then he meets Paj. And Paj does not rescue him. He becomes proof that another life exists. Another definition of loyalty. Another way to belong. A relationship Auster chooses instead of one blood chose for him.
That is why the romance worked so well for me.
Paj is not simply the man Auster falls in love with. He becomes the person who makes Auster realize he is allowed to have a future that is not dictated by where he came from.
Because I already knew Paj and Auster later, every small interaction carried extra weight. I was not waiting to discover whether they lasted. I was watching the moment before they became the people I already knew. That gave the romance a kind of emotional inevitability I really loved.
Not fate.
Choice.
Again and again.
I also loved that leaving the Roths does not require Auster to declare his entire former self false. That life shaped him. Those survival instincts were real. But surviving somewhere does not mean you owe that place the rest of your life.
I received an advanced listening copy of Tides: Paj & Auster, narrated by Major Curda, and the narration was an easy 5/5.
Auster is restrained, and restraint can become flat very quickly in audio. That did not happen here. Curda kept the emotion inside him without overplaying it, which made the fear, loyalty, want, and hope underneath that restraint feel even more effective and that is exactly what I want from companion material.
I already knew Auster left. Now I understand what he was leaving. I already knew he loved Paj. Now I understand why that love represented freedom. I already knew they built a life together. Now I understand what had to be risked before that life was possible.
The novella is short, and there were absolutely moments where I wanted more. But importantly, I did not want more because the relationship felt underdeveloped. I wanted more because I believed them enough that I did not want to leave yet.
A 4.5-star read for chosen belonging, complicated family loyalty, and a prequel that deepened what I already knew instead of trying to change it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Vibe: Saltwater • Dangerous • Intimate • Bittersweet
Emotional Impact: Much stronger than I expected from such a short novella.
Romance: Forbidden • Tender • Chosen over inherited loyalty
Spice: 🌶️
Auster: 5/5
The heart of the novella. His story is not about discovering he was never really a Roth. It is about realizing being a Roth does not have to determine the rest of his life.
Paj: 4.5/5
Not a rescuer. A possibility.
Romance Overall: 4.75/5
Knowing their future made the beginning feel more tender, not less compelling.
Family / Belonging: 5/5
Blood explains where Auster came from. It does not get to decide where he belongs forever.
Audio Performance: 5/5
Major Curda was excellent. Auster’s restraint still felt emotionally alive, and the performance made the novella feel fully inhabited rather than slight.
Connection Factor: Perfect for readers who love the Narrows, queer romance, complicated family loyalty, chosen belonging, and prequels that deepen canon without rewriting it.
Aftertaste: Like watching a ship leave a harbor when you already know where it eventually docks, but finally understanding what it cost to untie the rope.
Final verdict: Tides is not really about Auster choosing between his family and Paj. It is about realizing blood and belonging are two different things. The Roths shaped him. They taught him how to survive. But surviving inside a life does not mean that life belongs to you.
Paj gives Auster something more important than escape. Perspective.
He shows him that another kind of life is possible. That he can want something. Choose something. Belong somewhere because he decided to. Because I already knew the future, watching that realization begin felt especially emotional. That is what a good prequel does.
It does not make the future surprising. It makes the past matter more.
Blood may tell us where we came from. It does not get to decide where we are allowed to call home.
Tender, dangerous, intimate, and surprisingly emotional for such a short story, Tides gives us the part of Paj and Auster’s relationship I was missing: the moment Auster realized blood and belonging were not the same thing.
If you already know Fable and Namesake, there is very little suspense about where these two end up.
I was never asking: Will they choose each other?
I already knew they would.
What interested me was:
What did choosing each other cost?
Auster has grown up inside the Roth family long enough to understand its rules. Obedience. Loyalty. Survival. He is not someone who has always known he deserves something different. He knows how to function inside the life he was given.
Then he meets Paj. And Paj does not rescue him. He becomes proof that another life exists. Another definition of loyalty. Another way to belong. A relationship Auster chooses instead of one blood chose for him.
That is why the romance worked so well for me.
Paj is not simply the man Auster falls in love with. He becomes the person who makes Auster realize he is allowed to have a future that is not dictated by where he came from.
Because I already knew Paj and Auster later, every small interaction carried extra weight. I was not waiting to discover whether they lasted. I was watching the moment before they became the people I already knew. That gave the romance a kind of emotional inevitability I really loved.
Not fate.
Choice.
Again and again.
I also loved that leaving the Roths does not require Auster to declare his entire former self false. That life shaped him. Those survival instincts were real. But surviving somewhere does not mean you owe that place the rest of your life.
I received an advanced listening copy of Tides: Paj & Auster, narrated by Major Curda, and the narration was an easy 5/5.
Auster is restrained, and restraint can become flat very quickly in audio. That did not happen here. Curda kept the emotion inside him without overplaying it, which made the fear, loyalty, want, and hope underneath that restraint feel even more effective and that is exactly what I want from companion material.
I already knew Auster left. Now I understand what he was leaving. I already knew he loved Paj. Now I understand why that love represented freedom. I already knew they built a life together. Now I understand what had to be risked before that life was possible.
The novella is short, and there were absolutely moments where I wanted more. But importantly, I did not want more because the relationship felt underdeveloped. I wanted more because I believed them enough that I did not want to leave yet.
A 4.5-star read for chosen belonging, complicated family loyalty, and a prequel that deepened what I already knew instead of trying to change it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
Vibe: Saltwater • Dangerous • Intimate • Bittersweet
Emotional Impact: Much stronger than I expected from such a short novella.
Romance: Forbidden • Tender • Chosen over inherited loyalty
Spice: 🌶️
Auster: 5/5
The heart of the novella. His story is not about discovering he was never really a Roth. It is about realizing being a Roth does not have to determine the rest of his life.
Paj: 4.5/5
Not a rescuer. A possibility.
Romance Overall: 4.75/5
Knowing their future made the beginning feel more tender, not less compelling.
Family / Belonging: 5/5
Blood explains where Auster came from. It does not get to decide where he belongs forever.
Audio Performance: 5/5
Major Curda was excellent. Auster’s restraint still felt emotionally alive, and the performance made the novella feel fully inhabited rather than slight.
Connection Factor: Perfect for readers who love the Narrows, queer romance, complicated family loyalty, chosen belonging, and prequels that deepen canon without rewriting it.
Aftertaste: Like watching a ship leave a harbor when you already know where it eventually docks, but finally understanding what it cost to untie the rope.
Final verdict: Tides is not really about Auster choosing between his family and Paj. It is about realizing blood and belonging are two different things. The Roths shaped him. They taught him how to survive. But surviving inside a life does not mean that life belongs to you.
Paj gives Auster something more important than escape. Perspective.
He shows him that another kind of life is possible. That he can want something. Choose something. Belong somewhere because he decided to. Because I already knew the future, watching that realization begin felt especially emotional. That is what a good prequel does.
It does not make the future surprising. It makes the past matter more.
Blood may tell us where we came from. It does not get to decide where we are allowed to call home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
La nouvelle "Paj et Auster" est centrée sur les deux personnages secondaires de "Fable". J'ai beaucoup aimé retrouver l'univers de la saga et découvrir un nouveau point de vue, car cette fois-ci point de Fable, c'est Auster qui nous raconte son histoire et c'est émouvant, palpitant et très rapide à lire.
« Le sang qui coulait dans mes veines serait toujours celui des Roth, mais mon cœur appartenait à Paj. »
Dans la ville de Bastian, Auster, un jeune membre de la famille criminelle Roth, est envoyé par son oncle pour voler la cargaison d'une goélette. Mais lorsqu'il est intercepté par un matelot nommé Paj son monde est bouleversé. Il entrevoit un autre avenir possible. Mais il n'est pas si facile de gagner sa liberté. L'amour suffira-t-il à le sauver ?
Les + : J'adore les nouvelles ! Elles permmettent de se concentrer sur d'autres protagonistes, de développer une intrigue peu exploitée dans la saga originale. De plus, elles regorgent de détails et de clins d'œil permettant d'enrichir l'univers.
Dans "Fable", j'avais trouvé que les personnages secondaires n'étaient pas assez développés. Avoir l'occasion, ici, de découvrir la jeunesse d'un de mes personnages préférés et l'origine de ce couple, déjà si touchant dans la duologie a été un vrai plaisir.
Le - : 120 pages c'est trop court ! Je veux un livre ENTIER sur Paj et Auster ! D'ailleurs j'espère que l'éditeur va traduire le roman "Saint" et la nouvelle "Drift" sur Willa et Koy.
Perso Préféré : Auster ! Déjà un de mes chouchoux (avec Willa), je l'ai encore plus aimé ici. On découvre sa vie quotidienne en tant que Roth. Il est coincé dans une vie de criminel, un pion sur l'échiquier du pouvoir de son oncle Henrik le chef de famille et du gang des Roth. Lorsqu'il rencontre Paj, il prend conscience qu'il pourrait être plus que le simple soldat d'Henrik, qu'il a le droit de choisir de mener sa vie comme il veut. Paj et Auster c'est une belle histoire d'amour et d'espoir.
Citation Préférée : « Nous. L'entendre me fit l'effet de mille coups de poignard dans le ventre. Mon esprit bondit au-dessus du flot de pensées qui m'assaillit, les eaux se fendant autour de ce petit mot. »
« Le sang qui coulait dans mes veines serait toujours celui des Roth, mais mon cœur appartenait à Paj. »
Dans la ville de Bastian, Auster, un jeune membre de la famille criminelle Roth, est envoyé par son oncle pour voler la cargaison d'une goélette. Mais lorsqu'il est intercepté par un matelot nommé Paj son monde est bouleversé. Il entrevoit un autre avenir possible. Mais il n'est pas si facile de gagner sa liberté. L'amour suffira-t-il à le sauver ?
Les + : J'adore les nouvelles ! Elles permmettent de se concentrer sur d'autres protagonistes, de développer une intrigue peu exploitée dans la saga originale. De plus, elles regorgent de détails et de clins d'œil permettant d'enrichir l'univers.
Dans "Fable", j'avais trouvé que les personnages secondaires n'étaient pas assez développés. Avoir l'occasion, ici, de découvrir la jeunesse d'un de mes personnages préférés et l'origine de ce couple, déjà si touchant dans la duologie a été un vrai plaisir.
Le - : 120 pages c'est trop court ! Je veux un livre ENTIER sur Paj et Auster ! D'ailleurs j'espère que l'éditeur va traduire le roman "Saint" et la nouvelle "Drift" sur Willa et Koy.
Perso Préféré : Auster ! Déjà un de mes chouchoux (avec Willa), je l'ai encore plus aimé ici. On découvre sa vie quotidienne en tant que Roth. Il est coincé dans une vie de criminel, un pion sur l'échiquier du pouvoir de son oncle Henrik le chef de famille et du gang des Roth. Lorsqu'il rencontre Paj, il prend conscience qu'il pourrait être plus que le simple soldat d'Henrik, qu'il a le droit de choisir de mener sa vie comme il veut. Paj et Auster c'est une belle histoire d'amour et d'espoir.
Citation Préférée : « Nous. L'entendre me fit l'effet de mille coups de poignard dans le ventre. Mon esprit bondit au-dessus du flot de pensées qui m'assaillit, les eaux se fendant autour de ce petit mot. »
September 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was very excited to be approved for an advance copy of Adrienne Young’s Tides. This short novella takes us back into the World of the Narrow Seas and was such an enjoyable return to a world I already love.
Although Tides connects to the previous books, I think it could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. You do not need to have read the earlier books to understand the story, but readers who are already familiar with the series will appreciate the small details and Easter eggs woven throughout. Those connections added another layer to the story without making it inaccessible to new readers.
Minor spoiler: The story has a bit of a Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story feel to it, with two people who should be on opposite sides finding themselves unexpectedly connected. During a job gone wrong, a member of a criminal organization finds themself falling for the very person who was supposed to be their mark—after they saves their life. I really enjoyed this dynamic and the tension created by their circumstances, especially within the already dangerous world of the Narrow Seas.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the experience. The narration complemented the story well and made this short return to the Narrow Seas especially enjoyable. My only complaint is that, as a novella, it was over far too quickly. I would have happily spent much more time with these characters and in this world.
I was very excited to be approved for an advance copy of Adrienne Young’s Tides. This short novella takes us back into the World of the Narrow Seas and was such an enjoyable return to a world I already love.
Although Tides connects to the previous books, I think it could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. You do not need to have read the earlier books to understand the story, but readers who are already familiar with the series will appreciate the small details and Easter eggs woven throughout. Those connections added another layer to the story without making it inaccessible to new readers.
Minor spoiler: The story has a bit of a Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story feel to it, with two people who should be on opposite sides finding themselves unexpectedly connected. During a job gone wrong, a member of a criminal organization finds themself falling for the very person who was supposed to be their mark—after they saves their life. I really enjoyed this dynamic and the tension created by their circumstances, especially within the already dangerous world of the Narrow Seas.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the experience. The narration complemented the story well and made this short return to the Narrow Seas especially enjoyable. My only complaint is that, as a novella, it was over far too quickly. I would have happily spent much more time with these characters and in this world.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Book rating: 4⭐️
Genre: novella
Themes: forbidden love, family dynamics, crime family, pirates
📖 Read if you like: Fable, Powerful
Auster is a member of the renowned Roth crime family. Known as thieves, smugglers and masters of deception, theirs is a ruthless family of power and control. When the young Auster has a chance encounter with a visiting seaman, the two will be thrown into a love neither expected. It is an affair of the heart that must be kept in the shadows away from the Roths, yet nothing can escape their notice. As the relationship between Paj and Auster is discovered, Auster will be forced to choose between true love and family.
This was a very sweet return to the world of Fable and gave a history to two beloved characters that led them onto the Marigold. It is actually a prequel, so a great place to start the Narrows series and sample Adrienne’s immersive style of storytelling and character development.
It is a short story, but it managed enough world building and history to set the stage well. The writing was riveting with a good combination of danger, secrets, familial duty, swaying allegiances and of course love. It was refreshing to have a male relationship that was full of yearning and faced many challenges, but that none of them had to do with gender.
🎧 Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an ALC. Major Curda’s narration immediately dropped me into this intriguing tale. He created an air of mystery, tension, curiosity and longing with his tone and pacing.
Genre: novella
Themes: forbidden love, family dynamics, crime family, pirates
📖 Read if you like: Fable, Powerful
Auster is a member of the renowned Roth crime family. Known as thieves, smugglers and masters of deception, theirs is a ruthless family of power and control. When the young Auster has a chance encounter with a visiting seaman, the two will be thrown into a love neither expected. It is an affair of the heart that must be kept in the shadows away from the Roths, yet nothing can escape their notice. As the relationship between Paj and Auster is discovered, Auster will be forced to choose between true love and family.
This was a very sweet return to the world of Fable and gave a history to two beloved characters that led them onto the Marigold. It is actually a prequel, so a great place to start the Narrows series and sample Adrienne’s immersive style of storytelling and character development.
It is a short story, but it managed enough world building and history to set the stage well. The writing was riveting with a good combination of danger, secrets, familial duty, swaying allegiances and of course love. It was refreshing to have a male relationship that was full of yearning and faced many challenges, but that none of them had to do with gender.
🎧 Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an ALC. Major Curda’s narration immediately dropped me into this intriguing tale. He created an air of mystery, tension, curiosity and longing with his tone and pacing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything you wanted this story to be.
This book is a must read if you like: The World of the Narrows, The Fable series, Forbidden love, LGBTQ+ love stories, found family.
I read The World of the Narrows books almost exactly a year ago. When I saw this audiobook I pressed “Request” so fast…and had an immediate sense of dread.
This relationship was one of my favorite parts of The World of the Narrows. For me, this backstory was well built out and really hyped up in the books. I realized, that this story had a LOT to live up to what I have created in my mind.
I was pleasantly surprised in the best way. A quarter of the way through the story, I was nervous it was going to be a simple, cheap version…but then Young doubled down and the tension grew and grew until I nearly couldn’t stand it…and I know what happens.
This story was exactly what I hoped it would be and more. It absolutely lived up to the build up, and I finished completely satisfied.
While love stories aren’t my usual type of book, I was already so invested in these characters that I ate this book up.
Please note the content warnings for younger readers, (very similar to Fable).
The audiobook was a perfect way for me to read this story. The narrator delivered the tale flawlessly. His delivery served to enhance the already compelling tale.
Despite my anxiety, this book absolutely delivered a fabulous story and a backstory worthy of the characters we love.
This book is a must read if you like: The World of the Narrows, The Fable series, Forbidden love, LGBTQ+ love stories, found family.
I read The World of the Narrows books almost exactly a year ago. When I saw this audiobook I pressed “Request” so fast…and had an immediate sense of dread.
This relationship was one of my favorite parts of The World of the Narrows. For me, this backstory was well built out and really hyped up in the books. I realized, that this story had a LOT to live up to what I have created in my mind.
I was pleasantly surprised in the best way. A quarter of the way through the story, I was nervous it was going to be a simple, cheap version…but then Young doubled down and the tension grew and grew until I nearly couldn’t stand it…and I know what happens.
This story was exactly what I hoped it would be and more. It absolutely lived up to the build up, and I finished completely satisfied.
While love stories aren’t my usual type of book, I was already so invested in these characters that I ate this book up.
Please note the content warnings for younger readers, (very similar to Fable).
The audiobook was a perfect way for me to read this story. The narrator delivered the tale flawlessly. His delivery served to enhance the already compelling tale.
Despite my anxiety, this book absolutely delivered a fabulous story and a backstory worthy of the characters we love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not at all what I was expecting, but still a good novella!
Also, this is apparently part of a series that I have not read… so I was in the dark…
Auster is from a thieving family that operates on the seas…
He has a chance encounter with Pam, who also operates on the high seas… he thinks he’s a goner… but somehow, he lets him live!
Later, they again meet up by chance and recognize each other… and somehow, sparks fly!
But this can never happen. Auster’s family controls everything he does, and they will kill anyone they don’t like…
And so it begins…
Short and not so sweet.
#TidesPajAndAuster by @AdrienneYoung and narrated nicely by @MajorCurda.
3 stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️. But I believe I was at fault here, as I was definitely NOT the target audience!
**** This one has not been released yet, but look for it soon! Release date is 10/06/26. ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @MacmillanAudio and @MacmillanYoungListeners for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Also, this is apparently part of a series that I have not read… so I was in the dark…
Auster is from a thieving family that operates on the seas…
He has a chance encounter with Pam, who also operates on the high seas… he thinks he’s a goner… but somehow, he lets him live!
Later, they again meet up by chance and recognize each other… and somehow, sparks fly!
But this can never happen. Auster’s family controls everything he does, and they will kill anyone they don’t like…
And so it begins…
Short and not so sweet.
#TidesPajAndAuster by @AdrienneYoung and narrated nicely by @MajorCurda.
3 stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️. But I believe I was at fault here, as I was definitely NOT the target audience!
**** This one has not been released yet, but look for it soon! Release date is 10/06/26. ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @MacmillanAudio and @MacmillanYoungListeners for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for Goodreads and NetGalley.
I didn’t realize Tides: Paj & Auster was a prequel novella to an existing series when I started it! I’ve loved Adrienne Young’s other books, so I jumped at the chance to listen to this ALC.
Even though I was completely unfamiliar with the series and these characters, I found this short story surprisingly impactful. Paj is a sailor who is often away at sea, constantly worrying about what trouble Auster might get himself into as part of his family’s crime ring. Meanwhile, Auster is terrified every time Paj leaves port to face the dangers that come with life at sea. Their connection is immediate, but the world around them makes a life together anything but simple.
For such a short novella, there is a lot packed into the story: love, danger, family loyalty, and two people trying to find their way to each other while everything around them seems to be falling apart.
I also really enjoyed the narration. It was easy to listen to and pulled me right into the story. Now I’m curious to go back and continue with the series someday!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I didn’t realize Tides: Paj & Auster was a prequel novella to an existing series when I started it! I’ve loved Adrienne Young’s other books, so I jumped at the chance to listen to this ALC.
Even though I was completely unfamiliar with the series and these characters, I found this short story surprisingly impactful. Paj is a sailor who is often away at sea, constantly worrying about what trouble Auster might get himself into as part of his family’s crime ring. Meanwhile, Auster is terrified every time Paj leaves port to face the dangers that come with life at sea. Their connection is immediate, but the world around them makes a life together anything but simple.
For such a short novella, there is a lot packed into the story: love, danger, family loyalty, and two people trying to find their way to each other while everything around them seems to be falling apart.
I also really enjoyed the narration. It was easy to listen to and pulled me right into the story. Now I’m curious to go back and continue with the series someday!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
November 28, 2023
"Le sang qui coulait dans mes veines serait toujours celui des Roth, mais mon cœur appartenait à Paj."
"Lorsqu'il me regardait, il le faisait avec profondeur, comme s'il voyait tout. Jamais je n'avais ressenti les émotions qui me saisissaient tandis que je l'observais, comme si j'attendais qu'une tempête m'avale entière."
"Ce que je vivais là, ce n'était pas comme avec Ezra, Murrow ou mes oncles. Ce n'était pas non plus une passion fugace que des nuits secrètes à la taverne rendaient plus intense encore. C'était un coup de chance incroyable, comme un lancer de dés exceptionnel au jeu des Trois veuves. Trois étoiles."
Un retour dans cet univers tout en douceur. Ayant préférée l'histoire des Roth, j'ai beaucoup aimé en apprendre plus sur Auster.
Même si ce n'est qu'une nouvelle, la relation entre Auster et Paj est douce, passionnante et touchante. Le conflit entre sa loyauté envers sa famille et son amour profond pour Paj rend le dilemme d'Auster difficile, mais il n'en sort que plus libre.
Une novella cute et qui se savoure pour les fans de cet univers.
"Lorsqu'il me regardait, il le faisait avec profondeur, comme s'il voyait tout. Jamais je n'avais ressenti les émotions qui me saisissaient tandis que je l'observais, comme si j'attendais qu'une tempête m'avale entière."
"Ce que je vivais là, ce n'était pas comme avec Ezra, Murrow ou mes oncles. Ce n'était pas non plus une passion fugace que des nuits secrètes à la taverne rendaient plus intense encore. C'était un coup de chance incroyable, comme un lancer de dés exceptionnel au jeu des Trois veuves. Trois étoiles."
Un retour dans cet univers tout en douceur. Ayant préférée l'histoire des Roth, j'ai beaucoup aimé en apprendre plus sur Auster.
Même si ce n'est qu'une nouvelle, la relation entre Auster et Paj est douce, passionnante et touchante. Le conflit entre sa loyauté envers sa famille et son amour profond pour Paj rend le dilemme d'Auster difficile, mais il n'en sort que plus libre.
Une novella cute et qui se savoure pour les fans de cet univers.
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