In the Shadow of a Hoax

Fareview Fairytale #2

by Maci Aurora

In the Kingdom of Kaloma, a woman is forced to rely on a man to “keep her” and is forbidden from maintaining anything of her own. It’s the law.

In the remote village of Sevens, at the northernmost point of the kingdom, there lives a family with four daughters and a son, toiling day in and day out together, hopeful a treaty with the boarding kingdom of Jast might change things.

When one daughter—at risk of being imprisoned for fighting back—hides away in the Whitling Woods. She stumbles upon a dying man and despite the risk to herself, chooses to save him. Only who he is has the power to change everything...

Tarley Fareview, idealistic and stubborn, does what she can to support herself in spite of an unjust Kaloma law. When she fights back after being attacked, she flees into the woods disguised as a boy. While in hiding, she discovers a dying man and must decide if she risks her life to save him. Unable to walk away, Tarley chooses to intervene and works to save the stranger, only little does she know that by doing so she’ll also risk the heart she promised herself she’d never give to anyone.

When the Crown Prince of Jast, Lachlan Nikolas—forced by the king to attend treaty negotiations with the kingdom of Kaloma in disguise—is attacked, his horse bolts, and they both careen over a cliff, falling to their deaths in a raging river below. Only, miracle of miracles, Lachlan doesn’t perish, and instead is given a second chance at life, but at a price. When he wakes, he’s not only been stripped of his clothes but also his identity. Saved by a strange woman—in a terrible disguise because she looks nothing like a boy—Lachlan must learn very quickly how to survive in a world where he isn’t a prince anymore and with zero skills other than his entitlement and his charm. Unsure who to trust, Lachlan must reinvent himself, learn how to survive, open his heart to discover the truth about worthiness, and discover what it means to sacrifice one’s self for true love.

 

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Adult, Steamy, Retellings

544 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2023

About the author

Maci Aurora also writes as CL Walters, the author of several published books for YA readers. She’s been writing stories since she was a child. At eleven, she fell in love with reading Sunfire Historical Romances about girls who made a difference in their lives and still fell in love. Then in high school, a friend introduced her to Lavyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught, and those stories cemented her writing journey to telling stories about love. Maci writes in Hawaiʻi where she lives with her husband, their children, and their fur-babies. This is her 8th novel.

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Crown Prince of Jast, Lachlan Nikolas-forced by the king to attend treaty negotiations with the kingdom of Kaloma in disguise-is attacked, his horse bolts, and they both careen over a cliff, falling to their deaths in a raging river below. Only, miracle of miracles, Lachlan doesn't perish, and instead is given a second chance at life, but at a price. When he wakes, he's not only been stripped of his clothes but also his identity. Saved by a strange woman-in a terrible disguise because she looks nothing like a boy-Lachlan must learn very quickly how to survive in a world where he isn't a prince anymore and with zero skills other than his entitlement and his charm

If you though Aurora's first book was good, hold on because Lachlan and Tarley are about to blow you away.

Aurora is the Queen of fantastic storytelling and steamy romance, and has you blushing from ear to ear.😊

So far, each book I have been enthralled with and devour them in almost one sitting.
I'm curious as to how she finds a way to make each one better than the next.

And have you figured out what happened to the girls ribbons?
Did they lose them? 🤔

Maci Aurora has me hooked and a fan for life. I cannot wait for book 3.💜

That little blurb at the back, oh! I wanted to 😱
Now I have to wait!!! Noooo!!!

Until book 3 my friends. Sigh!!!

❤#MACIAURORA

Thank you, NetGalley\Maci Aurora\Mixed Plate Press\ For this FANTASTIC eARC in advance for my honest opinion. My opinions are of my own volition!

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time has finally come for the next book in this series to be released and now that I've read it I can't wait for the third one.

If you haven't read the first book I'd suggest you do, because while this one can be read as a standalone, you'll miss some pieces of the larger puzzle that has been forming since the beginning.

But if you're not hugely into solving a mystery and just want the romance then you can safely dive right into this book, because there's plenty of it to go around.

It's been a while since I've read In the Shadow of a Wish so I can't accurately say if this one had more romance and steam or not, but it felt that way.

The first part follows Tarley and Lachlan in the woods and it was cute, they do have chemistry and A LOT of angst. They didn't fully click with me though, like Auri and Nix did. But I did like getting to know them throughout the book.

Tarley is also capable of saving herself, but lets other people save her sometimes too. She's kind of the grumpy in this grumpy-sunshine pairing, and Lachlan is like a golden retriever who has his own insecurities that he hides behind a smile.

So that forest part was a bit slow, I didn't mind, but I was glad that things started moving a bit faster when they made it back to the Sevens.

The end was my favourite however, because so many things happened, parts of the mystery were revealed and I thought that we'd get to hear the full story FINALLY...unfortunately Tarley's mother had other plans so now I have to wait till book three.

The world keeps expanding with each book, with some new creatures, and it seems there are brighter days ahead for the characters, but it'll take them a while to make the changes necessary to get there. As before, I'm definitely in it for the whole ride.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[☽｡⋆ Shells (jlreads_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: January 24, 2023
Ratings: ★★★.75

.

Finally finished this book, AND I MISS NIX AND AURI. Anyway, this was again, a good read. The vibe that the 1st book gave is still present here which I'm so grateful to see.

The character dynamics of the main leads here are quite interesting to me, I didn't expect Lachlan to be hilarious at times so that was a plus. The banter between Tarley and Lachlan is something to look forward to as well. There are times that Tarley annoyed me along the way but it wasn't that much to the extreme.

I think the parts that I think were minor missed where it went too slow for my liking, there were also parts- some minor parts that were forgettable to me, probably because I was way too hyped for this story that I wanted it to speed up.

Aside from that, the romance, felt kind of a little bit ehh to me, but it did pick up along the way and the steamy scenes were good as well.

Overall, this was still a good one, definitely excited and still hyped up after THAT SUSPISH- I'd say suspish lol. The cliffhanger definitely had me chokehold. AND will probably reread the 1st book soon and this one soon!

-Thank you author for the e-arc.-

[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to head back to the Kingdom of Kaloma, with Tarley's story. While hiding in the woods, Tarley discovers an injured man. Taking him to her hideout, she nurses him back to health but little does she know, the man she's caring for is the Crown Prince of Jast. As the two of them become closer and the Prince's identity is revealed, Tarley is given the opportunity to improve conditions in Kaloma but only by agreeing to a bargain put forward by the Queen.

I already knew I was going to love this book. I devoured book one, In the Shadow of a Wish and have been eagerly awaiting this one and you know what, it exceeded my expectations! Maci Aurora has written another stunning novel, filled with excitement and the promise of new beginnings. I love how strong Tarley was, standing up for herself and her family and going forward, taking on her new role in assuring Kaloma is a better place. I'm already hanging out for the next book in the series and hope the wait isn't too long! I highly recommend picking up this series - read them in order if you can. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you so much to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[RoXXie | The Art of Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Shadow of a Hoax ♦ Maci Aurora | Review

Firstly I would like to thank Maci Aurora , the author of In the Shadow of a Hoax for sending my the ARC of the second installment in the Fareview Fairytale series. It was a wonderful trip back to Kaloma and the Fareview sisters.



In the Shadow of a Hoax ♦ Maci Aurora

Opinion

After I read In the Shadow of a Wish, the first installment in this series, I was very intrigued by the plot. It was really hard to wait patiently for In the Shadow of a Hoax. Not only that I wanted to find out, what kind of adventure would lie ahead of Tarley, Auries sister, but also what kind of secret will I discover behind the mysterious red ribbons all the Fareview sisters wear.

In the Shadow of a HoaxMaci Aurora was a fast-paced read and page by page I cheered for Tarley and Lachlan. Personally, I am not a huge fan of drama and beating around the bush, that’s why I had to roll my eyes from time to time while reading. But I do know, that these kinds of books do need all that to build some tension and keep the readers glued to their seats. And Aurora never overdid it in my eyes.

The way Tarley and Lachlan came together in the book was somewhat surprising. Because in contrast to the first book, where Aurie meets Nixus, the God of Darkness, Lachlan was no supernatural being. I really had a strong hunch, before reading the book and before know of the blurb, that Maci Aurora would keep the pairing just like that. But in the end it just doesn’t matter, because both protagonists worked very well together. I just can’t see who this will end with the idea of who or what the Fareview sisters are. But I’ll keep this thought to myself for now and just wait for the third book.

For those readers who like it spicy you won’t be disappointed. The love story and some erotic parts are not overloading the plot which held some interesting twists and turns.

Conclusion

★★★★★

As I mentioned above, I hoped for another Fareview sister and supernatural being pairing, but altogether the whole story did not disappoint me. The unexpected twist and turns kept my eyes glued to the pages. And the reason that I still have no idea what the red ribbons around the sisters‘ wrists could mean, will make me read the next book without a doubt.


This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

[Maggie Friedenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in the series about the Fareview family does not disappoint! Maci Aurora masterfully combines spicy romance, magical creatures, family secrets, and political drama into a fast-paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

[C.L. Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book again (for the bazillionth time) and each time it makes me smile. It makes me feel happy, excited, flushed (the spice!) and every time I close the covers, I think: that's exactly what I hope one of my stories makes a reader feel... I am biased (since Maci Aurora is my other pen name).

In the Shadow of a Hoax is the 2nd book in the Fareview Fairytales series which begins with In the Shadow of a Wish. This story follows Tarley and Lachlan, who meet in the woods under dire circumstances and in disguise. There's close proximity, only one bed, a bit of a grumpy-sunshine tug-o-war, and hints of magical elements that rage in full force toward the end. The romantic tension is why I love this genre.

[Maci Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hoping it counts if you wrote the book?

Here's what I love about it:

1. Two new amazing protagonists: Tarley and Lachlan
2. Mistaken identity..close proximity...marriage of convenience.
3. The return of Auri and Nix as secondary characters.
4. We learn about the ribbon (no spoilers)...
5. The third act . . . oh my.

I hope it delivers.

[Jazelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

"His honesty illuminated her own struggle. Her weakness wasn't the fear, but her failure to face it. She was always running away. Worse yet, lying to herself that doing so was her being strong & capable, but instead it was just hiding & making herself smaller & invisible."

By law, women in the Kingdom of Kaloma own nothing of their own. After fighting back, Tarley Fareview runs into the Whitling Woods to avoid capture, only to come across a dying man. Unknown to Tarley, he's the Crown Prince of Jast, a nearby kingdom, who was visiting Kaloma in disguise with hopes of brokering a treaty between the nations. Tarley saves his life, unknowingly granting Prince Lachlan a second chance to do right by his father, nation, and Kaloma. Though both are wary to trust a stranger, they quickly become far more; catalysts for change when change is paramount.

Maci Aurora crafted the perfect blend of secrecy, royalty, hidden identities, and an unexpected touch of magic. From the first page and mention of Kaloma's draconian system, I admit I was a bit worried about the direction Tarley's story might follow. Finding such a realistic heroine--a little stubborn, a lot independent, and steadfast in her loyalty toward those she loves--was a pleasant surprise. The chemistry between Lachlan and Tarley is quick to spark without feeling rushed or forced. Having not read the first book of the series, I didn't feel entirely out of place with the world-building; this novel stands alone in its own right. I was desperately interested in the relationship between Nix and Auri, which we catch in glimpses, so I'm eager to rewind and dive into the series' first novel. The author is also careful to give each character their own mind and motivations, which is easier to understand given the dual point-of-views.

However, I do think there's a bit too much focus on the physical aspects of Tarley and Lachlan's relationship, which seems to drive Lachlan's motivations a bit too much once they're (literally) out of the woods. A LOT of unexpected surprises get dumped at the novel's end, leaving readers with more questions than answers (and anticipating the series' continuation with another Fareview sister). I was also a bit bothered by the claim ("Yours") both Lachlan and Tarley make, considering how opposed Tarley (and hopefully, readers) are to the Law of Means.

All in all, this is a great series if you're a fan of fairytale retellings, hints of magic, suspenseful secrets, and shameless flirting.

Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Leslie Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author Maci Aurora for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I first read an ARC of the first book in this series, In the Shadow of a Wish from NetGalley and I was obsessed.

The first book I devoured. I loved Nixus and his story with Auri. Their storyline was riveting and the filthy things that Nixus said still lives rent free in my mind. So as soon as I found out about the second one I reached out to Maci expressing my love for the book. And now here we are.

In the Shadow of a Hoax, follows other sister Tarley. She is resilient, brave, and says what’s on her mind. When she has to escape to the woods and hide she comes across a man dying by the river. Men are dangerous in this world she lives in, especially to unwed woman, but she aids him.

Over a few weeks, they form a bond of sorts as they tend to each other and keep each other alive. Little does Tarley know she saved the Prince’s life who survived an assassination attempt on his life.

This book was a little slower paced and less action-packed than I thought it would be compared to the first one, but I loved the banter between Prince Lachlan and Tarley. The sexual tension was clear as day and I loved that Maci gave us both POVs throughout.

We finally learn some more hints about these mysterious ribbons, and for all that is Holy, Maci please, please reveal Scarlett’s story in the third because my patience is running thin for that woman.

I loved the snippets of Auri and Nix - although I do wish we got more of their relationship instead of a few sentences exchanged between them.

This book definitely leaves you hanging on a cliffhanger in a way, that makes you anticipate the third more and I can’t wait to see what the third reveals for the next sister, Brinna and what secrets will finally come to light.

Overall, 4 stars.

Read if you like: feeling like you’ve been transported into a fairytale with some Grimm fairytale like vibes, hidden identities, interconnected stories, tending to wounds, touch her and you die, one bed trope, royalty, assassins, forced proximity

[Rebecca Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the shadow of a hoax

I definitely think this book is slightly better than the first one. The first half is essentially just a romance, close proximity in a tent while one is injured style. The second half bring in the fantasy aspect a little more. It was nice to see more world building since most of the first book was in a pocket dimension. I love the irony of kaloma having a queen when they think women are the weaker sex.

I will say if you want a full blown fantasy this probably isn't for you, romance takes the wheel here. Tarley is the kind of MC I enjoy reading because she is independent but recognises when she needs help rather than digging her heels in. Lachlan respects that which is always nice to see. There is some smut but it didn't feel like too much.

I like that we get to see the previous characters in this book and that there seems to be a bigger plot that will carry on through the series. I do wish we got a little more answers rather than more questions as there are a lot of plot points going on that don't fully make sense yet. I am looking forward to the next book (that sneak peak was killer) fingers crossed we find out that the ribbons mean.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to edelweiss, the publisher and Maci Aurora for the opportunity to read this book

[Ez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd rate this 4.5 stars - it was a really satisfying read for me. I'm a fan of fairy tale retellings, with this novel basing itself around the story of King Thrushbeard. I'd read Book One by this author which was a retelling of The Golden Key. In the Shadow of a Hoax is set in the same world with Tarley (Auri's sister from Book 1) as the lead. It's a standalone so while you don't have to have read the first in the series, some of the same characters, settings, themes, etc. are revisited. The Kaloma Law of Means continues to keep women oppressed as females' lives are dictated to them, having them require male 'protection' in all aspects of life. When Tarley's involved in an altercation, she flees to the woods until the trouble hopefully passes and she can move on with her life. Wary of Hunters who seek women to sell under the Law, she's hesitant when she comes across a man, Lachlan, close to death at the edge of the river where her camp is. She chooses to save him and nurse him back to health. However, the secrets he carries literally has the fate of two countries on his shoulders.

The world created by the author was extended a bit more in this book and think I enjoyed it even more than the first in the series. While the backwards laws of Kaloma continued to frustrate me, this book shone a bit of light on the draconian system and gave the reader hope that things may pick up and change for the better. I really enjoyed both Tarley and Lachlan and they had a bit of a grumpy/sunshine feel (a catnip of mine), but with some role reversal as it was Tarley who rarely smiled and Lachlan the one doling out the charm and humour. They were both likeable and not too overdone (there can often be a fine line with a strong, independent female lead coming across as a bit obnoxious but the author did a great job for me here) and I loved the cheeky cameos from Nixus and Auri, as brief as they were.

The book is sectioned off into parts with the first lot of chapters focussing around Lachlan and Tarley's relationship developing while he was still on the mend and they were in the woods. The latter part of the book is when they return to the Fareview family's hometown of Sevens. While the two main characters' romance is definitely the focus of the story, the overarching plot of a secret evil coming for Tarley's family and the Kaloma/Jast relations is throughout the story as well. There was a bit of intrigue and action, secret identities, an arranged marriage and treason and while the reader will be able to guess where most of the story was headed, I still really enjoyed it. There was just the right amount of steam and smexy times heating up the pages, too. As the story has a bit of instalove with both parties falling hard, there was a small amount of cheese thrown around as well but since the writing was solid, it didn't bother me.

The story was a really good length and as a darkness continues to pass over Kaloma and perhaps into other countries, I'm looking forward to Book 3 in the series.

[Joanna- LifeWithPrinceMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

"Wherever you go, I will follow." ~ Prince Lachlan

What's the last book you couldn't put down? For me, it's anything written by Maci Aurora. She's honestly one of the best Fantasy Romance Writers out there. If you haven't already read 'In the Shadow of A Wish,' stop what you're doing and GO READ IT NOW. It's phenomenal, and it will give you more insight into the backstory of this world.

📝 Tarley is a headstrong, resourceful woman. When she hits someone after being assaulted, she must flee into the woods to protect herself from the corrupt Kaloma Law. While hiding, she stumbles across a man near death. She does everything she can to save him, even though it means risking her life.

Prince Lachlan has led a privileged life. But when his horse flees after a surprise attack in the woods, he must allow a strange woman to care for him. He hides who he really is in order to protect his identity. Can these two learn to trust one another in order to survive?

What I 🤍:
⛺️ All the Tent Scenes
💪 Tarley's Character (She's easy to adore)
⛰️ Lachlan's Character Growth
👅 So much TONGUE!
💍 Arranged Marriage

This book was so hard to put down. I basically ignored my family for a whole day! I love how the story is put into three parts: the woods, the village, and the ending....and WOW! So much happens that I didn't see coming. I appreciated how much more insight we were given into Tarley's family, and the town she lives in. There is less 'fantasy' in this book than the first, but I have a feeling the author is setting us up for Book #3.

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Passion: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Read if ➡️: You love a spicy fantasy romance, but with a slow burn.
Read 📅: Anytime of Year

🙏 Huge thank you to Maci Aurora for gifting me a free advanced copy of this book. This review is my own, and I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review In the Shadow of a Hoax.

Prince's Rating:

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆

As I said with Book 1, although it's a 500-page book, it's surprisingly a pretty fast read.

I enjoyed the plot, it's sort of divided into 3 parts, so I will divide my thoughts in 3.

The first part takes place inside the woods: Lachakan, found by Tarley, almost dead. Tarley takes care of him and saves him. Then they have to cohabitate and deal with each other until he is well enough to travel. This might be my favourite of the three parts. Their chemistry was so good and the tension oof. Also, my favourite quote of the entire book is in this part:

"What's yer relation if I may? Brother?"
...
(Lachlan) placed himself between her and the man. "She's my wife. Now bugger off." I'm not screaming, you are

The second part is when they finally leave the woods and go back to Sevens. I enjoyed Lachlan pining for her whilst she's in denial a bit. There was a tinge of a miscommunication trope but thankfully it was done in a way I don't mind. The third part was ok, the only part I enjoyed was the wedding.

Although Tarley and Lachlan are good characters, they're nothing compared to Nix and Auri. I think I much preferred book one even though I gave them the same rating. The romance in this book felt more wholesome than in the first book, which isn't bad. I think it's just personal preference. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the romance, and the smut is one of the biggest pluses of this series. If you like forced proximity, one bed, dual POV, and a marriage of convenience-ish, this is for you.

The mystery of the ribbon remains a mystery even after reading around 1000 pages total of this series. I am still confused but hopefully all will be revealed soon aka in a year when the next book comes out.

Overall, fun and I'm excited for book 3.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ariana Weldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book so I was quite looking forward to the second one beyond the excerpt from the last one's end.

I was slightly disappointed but not hugely. Where the first book had plot with some steam and sexual tension moments, this one was the opposite. It was steam and sexual tension with some plot sprinkled about. Also, as I said in a text to my friend when describing the book, "What prince in old timey, carts and horses, candles as the only light, magical world says 'So hot' over the female MC touching herself?" And I stand by that statement. Some of the sex scenes and dialogue in them were verging on just plain crass. In the one in the tent I'm pretty sure Maci used nearly every common word for vagina she could write in.

I also have to point out, Lachlan says Tarley's name WAAAAAY too much. We all know the military sir sandwhich, "sir, yes, sir!" and this felt like a Tarley name sandwich. Maybe it didn't start and end each sentence but it really felt like it did.

I did like we saw Nix and Auri again, I'm looking forward to seeing more in their developing relationship in the next book. I also think hearing how Tarley and Lachlan grow in the next book will be good. I liked we got more insight into the red ribbons and I was really looking forward to that in this book when things kicked off but apparently that's a next book subject to cover, so at the very least I have to read no. 3 for that.

I still like that the MCs are in their 20s. Coming up on 30, it's getting a big awkward to read 17-19 year old MCs getting down to business. There are some good aspects of this but I would struggle to say it's as strong as the first book, and unfortunately if the third doesn't pull it back I will probably not continue onto the fourth.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I gave it five stars, it was entertaining, I loved the tension and romance, the setting was interesting and really gave me intense feelings good and bad about what was happening in this story. This is a fantasy romance, with a dual perspective of Tarley and Lachlan, one is royalty and the other has to be careful of their every move and hide who they are. When Tarley rescues Lachlan after an assassination attempt and needs to nurse him back to health, it forces them to rely on each other in order to survive.
This world and setting made me so angry at times, while cheering Tarley on to keep fighting in every way possible. I think that one of the great aspects of this book is that it can provoke such strong feelings while reading that you know you're invested in what happens to these characters.
Another compelling part of this book was the tropes that were used included secret identities, forced proximity, and a type of enemies to lovers. I love all these scenarios and it was an amazing combination not to mention I loved both Tarley and Lachlan, strong, resourceful, both have reason for keeping secrets. The development of their relationship and the tension between them, not to mention the spicy bits, were all top notch. I highly recommend checking this book out. It is one of the best books I have read so far.
Trigger warning: sexual harassment, blood, violence, death of animal
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Shandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Land of Kaloma the Law of Means forces all women to be beholden to any male relatives, unable to own anything on their own. And they can be sent to live within convents if they are found out alone. Collectors are hired to hunt these women down and turn them in. Tarley Fairview is hiding in the forest after an altercation with a man, who got too handsy with her. On her second day she finds a man unconscious at the riverside next to his dead horse. Despite her fear Tarley cannot let him die and works to save his life. Lachlan, the crown prince of Jast, was traveling to the Sevens to meet the Queen of Kaloma for a treaty when his party was attacked and he went over a cliff. Near death his life is saved by a woman living in the forest. Saying his name is Ollie he has no choice but to put his life in Tarleys hands.

I feel bad that it took me so long to read this book. I enjoyed the first book so much and was looking forward to more of the Fareviews. Tarley was incredible. She is such a strong willed and stubborn woman. The banter between her and Lachlan was witty and I enjoyed reading it. I was also happy to see more of Nix and Auri. Also just gotta say the scene with Nix and Tarley at the end had me laughing. My problem is that the overarching mystery of their mom and her history seemed to take over the end of the story. We got one answer and then were presented with like five more questions. I need the answers and the next book is so far away. But I do look forward to it, despite all the questions I have.

Rating 3.5 stars

[Cary Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very close to being a five-star book for me, but with one caveat: This book doesn't entirely stand on its own. Though a fair bit of the story does, there's a lot of mystery woven into the story that has to do with the first book in the series, as well as continuing threads of the overall series mystery of what Tarley's Mother and Father are up to, and why all their children must wear a red ribbon wrapped around their wrists. For the majority of the story, this is a minor unsolved plot point, but in the last half of the story, it becomes a huge component that STILL isn't explained by the end.

The mysteries aside, I loved the story. I think I enjoyed Lachlan as a love interest to Tarley more than I liked Nixus to Auri - and I loved the first story, so that's saying something. The romantic tension between Tarley and Lachlan was beautifully written. Both Tarley and Lachlan are imperfect people in an imperfect world, but they both have their strong points - Lachlan his tenacity and willingness to learn, and Tarley her hard-working and calm personality.

The story was filled with an undercurrent of political turmoil, overt misogynistic cultural issues, and threatening dark magic - but this was very much a romance at its heart. The book was well-written and other than one or two stupid choices by emotional characters, the storyline was well-crafted. Overall, It was an engaging and heart-warming read that I enjoyed from start to finish.

[LoveReadingRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Maci Aurora’s In the Shadow of a Hoax is the second fantasy novel to her Fareview Fairytales series.

Tarley Fareview is strong and independent so when she protected herself from an assault, she had to run into the woods due to Kaloma law. She then comes across a man at death’s door and helps him in every way she can.

Lachlan Nikolas is the crown prince of Jast and has lived a privileged life. On his way to meet the Queen of Kaloma, a surprise attack occurs and he is nearly killed. Luckily, Tarley saves him. Together, they must survive in the woods and navigate their newfound feelings towards one another.

"I want you, Tarley, just like this. I want your anger, your passion, your stubbornness, your pride, your arguments, your kisses. I want your love. Because that’s what I know-and maybe I don’t deserve it–but I fucking love you."--Lachlan Nikolas

Do I recommend it? An absolute yes! Its setting and characters are interesting. Both main characters were wonderful. I loved the fact that Lachlan was the one depending on Tarley for survival. Also, I liked the dynamics between the two. There is action and political intrigue that kept the plot going.

I did not have to read the previous book to enjoy reading this one but now I would like to continue reading this series. It feels like there is much more to come.

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could In The Shadow Of A Hoax be my new fav book of the Fareview Fairytales series? My heart is saying "Yes! yes! yes!" but my head is saying "Whaaat? Don't you remember how good In The Shadow Of A Wish was?". I guess what I am trying to say is that Maci Aurora gifted us with another amazing book. It really got me hooked from page one. I loved being able to wonder through the streets and woods of Kaloma once more and meeting "old friends" like Auri, Nix, and the entire Fareview family again. What I liked the most was the new couple: Lachlan and Tarley. They gave me Tristan and Isolde vibes (I am talking about some pretty swoony material, if you know what I mean). They conquered me with their strong and irreverent personalities, their teasing, their banter, their flirting, their passion... and I swear I am obsessed!

I really wanna thank the author for providing me with an ARC of this book and for writing another beautiful fairytale that makes us think about the meaning of independence, power, desire, consent and respect. (If you've read Maci Aurora/CL Walters books, you know what I mean).
I really can't wait to read the next installments of the Fareview Fairytales series. Maci Aurora promised they're going to be as addictive as the previous ones and I totally believe her! I can feel it in my bones: this series is going to be epic!

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

"In the Shadow of a Hoax" is a fantasy fairytale geared for adults. In it, our heroine, Tarley, lives in a poor/middle-class family in a small village, part of a kingdom with an incredibly sexist policy--women can't be alone, can't own things, can't even own themselves. A GOP dream, in other words.

One day, events propel Tarley to run to the nearby woods to hide from an angry male villager. And eventually, her life collides with that of a prince who happens to have been lost from his traveling party. Said prince doesn't reveal his name at first, because who would? And you can guess where we go from there.

What's good: It's a straightforward fairytale. The main characters aren't idiots, which is my #1 grievance with a lot of romances.

What's iffier: It feels like 2/3 of the book are the characters just getting to know each other in the woods after their initial meeting.

In addition, frankly, the title is not memorable. (I couldn't suggest a better one myself, to be fair.)

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read an ARC of this book.

[Biggs_bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Tarley. This isn’t as off the wall as book one but we see a continuation of the sisters and Tarley is the main character. Ari continues to come through as her relationship develops but all of this book is set in one world. It’s a fun adventure with a girl who just wants to be herself and needs the time with nature to reset. After an altercation send her to the woods out of necessity she doesn’t expect a half dead man to wash up on shore. Her conscience won’t allow her to leave him, nursing him back to begins an adventure I don’t think she is ready for. This tale is full of mistaken identities, backwards thinking, secrets and villains with a healthy dose of heat.

Narrators do a great job with giving each character its own personality and inflecting emotions so you feel them down to your toes.

[Lora - My_last_writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being back in this world!

I loved that Auri and Nix still made appearances - the great nap escapade - throughout.

The Fairview family a featured more which I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into their lives and who they are.
The found family trope was amazing! Loved it!

After the high from ITSOAW I was really hoping for more.
While I still really enjoyed it, I felt there was something lacking.

Miscommunication isn't a trope I enjoy, while it is featured in this book, it is bearable.

I expected more from the woods.

Really looking forward to the next book! I've got a few theories I can't wait to see if they play out and of course see how are couples are going.

Thankyou Maci for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura A. Miscione · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3.5 stars!

After absolutely LOVING the first book from this series, I was looking forward to reading Tarley's story.

First of all, the few appearences Nix makes were the best. He still manages to make me laugh even though this book isn't about him or Auri.

Now, to Tarley and Lachlan. These two were amazing together and their chemistry was on point. My only bone to pick isn't with them but with the politics and conflicts. I got a bit lost at times and found it a bit hard to follow. The info dumps were a bit heavy at times.

The plot twist continues to be secret but hopefully we'll get a reveal soon! Overall, a highly enjoyable read.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a second in the series, however, I believe it can stand on it's own without a reader missing too much or being too far behind. The World building is adequate. The characters are decent and have developed arcs. The romance develops quickly but is not, by any means, instant lust or anything; just not tons of tension and wait in it either. The story is good and easy to follow. I think over all this is a fun series to read, especially for those who like the new genre of fairytale retellings. The end does leave readers with a ton of questions - a lot more unanswered questions than wrapped up and resolved ones, but this serves to keep a reader interested in the next in the series.

Again, overall a fun book to read, and an enjoyable series thus far as a whole.

[Kristen (BokmaBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely sequel!

The political stuff in here was so well done. The explanation was clear, answers to who is on what side was concise and little to no duplicity. Loved that.

Also, the pacing of this book, top notch. Like honestly, chefs kiss. So well done.

However, I felt like I was missing chapters. There were a lot of gaps in the stories that were not the main characters. WHAT DID AURI AND NIX FIGHT ABOUT?! Why did he leave? What happened to Mathias? Why can no one see Jessamine? WHY ARE THE RIBBONS FALLING OFF???

Even with the holes, I'm still screaming for more of this story. Is it 2024 yet?

[K.N. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some fairytales are light and lace, full of dreams and songs, but In the Shadow of A Hoax is fire and spice packed with danger and dark romance. Journey deep into the woods where Tarley Fairview is free of society's expectations and the danger that comes with non-compliance. Or so she believes. Her sanctuary and her virtue are endangered by political intrigue and Tarley must decide if she should follow her head, her heart, or another part of her anatomy.

This book is well written with a layered plot and realistic characters. The spice is entertaining without being vulgar. I
enjoyed the second installment of this series and look forward to part three.

[Asteroula · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite an exciting adventure. I haven't read the first book in the series and felt pretty overwhelmed by all the names. The characters' names and the different creatures in this story were a lot of information.
The love story was cute and actually the premise was interesting.
It left us with more questions than answers, so it is not a standalone. Even though the books are focused on different couples, there is a main plot that they follow.

I'm not sure that I was really intrigued by this story but I was definitely entertained.

Thank you @netgalley for the copy.

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

I requested this one, not realizing it was the second in a series. After reading the first, I started this. The series overall was a but smuttier than I expected lol but I enjoyed it overall. I liked that this one picked up with a different sister and her story. I feel like this one had more action compared to the first but it was nice to see some of the characters return for this one. Curious to see where the series goes!

[Rae Nason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited when I saw that Maci Aurora was releasing the second Fareview Fairytales book. I read the first one and I was immediately in love. The second one was just as tantalizing. The Fareview sisters are an amazing group of girls and I can't wait to follow the family's exploits further! This book totally ended with a build up to a major plot point that arcs through the whole series! I'm glad the characters in the first book made appearances in the second and I want more of their story, too!