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Fae and Shadow #1
End of the Forest
Inspired by the poem “Goblin Market” and the myth of Endymion, this sizzling, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Scarlett St. Clair.
Everyone knew to stay away from the wood at twilight. Maidens most of all.
When Laura’s sister disappears into the forest they’ve been warned against since childhood, she defies her mother’s advice for the first time and charges in to save her, only to be kidnapped by the infamous King of the Fae.
Trapped and still without her sister, Laura uncovers dark secrets about King Endymion that threaten not only the Fae, but the human world as well.
Despite the allure of the beautiful and wicked Endymion, Laura knows she must somehow find a way to protect all she loves and write a new ending to their story. When a prophecy proclaims that peace will follow the King’s marriage to a mortal, Laura knows what she has to do…
Author note: This story contains explicit content and is not intended for readers under 18.
Everyone knew to stay away from the wood at twilight. Maidens most of all.
When Laura’s sister disappears into the forest they’ve been warned against since childhood, she defies her mother’s advice for the first time and charges in to save her, only to be kidnapped by the infamous King of the Fae.
Trapped and still without her sister, Laura uncovers dark secrets about King Endymion that threaten not only the Fae, but the human world as well.
Despite the allure of the beautiful and wicked Endymion, Laura knows she must somehow find a way to protect all she loves and write a new ending to their story. When a prophecy proclaims that peace will follow the King’s marriage to a mortal, Laura knows what she has to do…
Author note: This story contains explicit content and is not intended for readers under 18.
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2022
52 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 29, 2023
4 stars
Enjoyed it. It was a good retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast'. Though there were some plot holes and parts that didn't make much sense. There were a lot of mysteries. Like, how did Rose's book end up in Laura's household? Where did MMC go to cure the curse? We didn't get MMC's POV, so I feel we didn't get the full story.
Enjoyed it. It was a good retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast'. Though there were some plot holes and parts that didn't make much sense. There were a lot of mysteries. Like, how did Rose's book end up in Laura's household? Where did MMC go to cure the curse? We didn't get MMC's POV, so I feel we didn't get the full story.
January 4, 2023
I liked this book!! It was a nice short read for the start of the year, can’t wait to see what else this author writes :)
January 21, 2023
3.75 stars
This book was a nice quick read.
The plot gave detectable hints of resemblance to the "Beauty and the beast" fairytale as well as Acotar (first book) vibes.
I enjoyed the plot twist at the end, alas, I didn't understand much from the frenzy curse breaking that occurred in the stables.
This book was a nice quick read.
The plot gave detectable hints of resemblance to the "Beauty and the beast" fairytale as well as Acotar (first book) vibes.
I enjoyed the plot twist at the end, alas, I didn't understand much from the frenzy curse breaking that occurred in the stables.
December 24, 2022
It was a slow start.
I think the book was self published, there were a few grammar mistakes. The writing could do with some polishing.
A few plot holes here and there that could have done with some explaining.
But not a bad read overall.
Though I didn't like the whole, I'm not over Rose thing.
I think the book was self published, there were a few grammar mistakes. The writing could do with some polishing.
A few plot holes here and there that could have done with some explaining.
But not a bad read overall.
Though I didn't like the whole, I'm not over Rose thing.
January 15, 2026
Spoiler free!
As it should be for all good stories, I was pretty hooked on this one from the start and wanted to keep going just to see what would happen next. The basic premise of the book is nothing new if you're a fan of romance/fantasy BUT it adds some new elements that I found interesting and quite enjoyable. This one is pretty predictable and tropey. Whether that is a good or bad thing is subjective. For me, I didn't mind it. I don't expect every book to be groundbreaking in terms of plot or tropes. Not every fantasy has George R R Martin level world building, nor should it. What the author is able to deliver though is a story that hooks you and keeps you reading and that is good enough for me! I do wish the book had a little bit more meat to it in terms of building up the romance and the relationship so that the spice could end up being more rewarding. (This is one of her milder books in terms of spice, from what I understand, but it is still there.) I'm a big fan of yearning, personally. I felt that there was somewhat of a lack of connection established before we dove straight into the "I love you's" and spicy scenes. It felt very rushed. Additionally, the main conflict of the story sort of fell short for me in terms of establishing the severity of it, the potentially consequences of it if isn't resolved, and the struggles our main characters face because of it. There are nods to terrible things that happen that aren't shown or talked about much that happen behind the scenes and it is only minimally explained with little to no detail. The explanations themselves left me going, "Um.. okay. I guess that is believable/makes sense?". The main conflict really took the backseat to the romance side of the plot. I personally would've loved to see more of both but I won't complain too much since this was a pretty short novel. The resolution at the end felt a little lackluster and too easy for our characters to achieve. Maybe I'm just a sadist and like to see my main chracters suffer a little bit before the overall big end. Who knows. If you're looking for a safe and predictable romantasy that doesn't get overcomplicated, this is the one for you. Overall, I had a fun time reading this! I love supporting indie authors and look forward to seeing her grow her career. :)
As it should be for all good stories, I was pretty hooked on this one from the start and wanted to keep going just to see what would happen next. The basic premise of the book is nothing new if you're a fan of romance/fantasy BUT it adds some new elements that I found interesting and quite enjoyable. This one is pretty predictable and tropey. Whether that is a good or bad thing is subjective. For me, I didn't mind it. I don't expect every book to be groundbreaking in terms of plot or tropes. Not every fantasy has George R R Martin level world building, nor should it. What the author is able to deliver though is a story that hooks you and keeps you reading and that is good enough for me! I do wish the book had a little bit more meat to it in terms of building up the romance and the relationship so that the spice could end up being more rewarding. (This is one of her milder books in terms of spice, from what I understand, but it is still there.) I'm a big fan of yearning, personally. I felt that there was somewhat of a lack of connection established before we dove straight into the "I love you's" and spicy scenes. It felt very rushed. Additionally, the main conflict of the story sort of fell short for me in terms of establishing the severity of it, the potentially consequences of it if isn't resolved, and the struggles our main characters face because of it. There are nods to terrible things that happen that aren't shown or talked about much that happen behind the scenes and it is only minimally explained with little to no detail. The explanations themselves left me going, "Um.. okay. I guess that is believable/makes sense?". The main conflict really took the backseat to the romance side of the plot. I personally would've loved to see more of both but I won't complain too much since this was a pretty short novel. The resolution at the end felt a little lackluster and too easy for our characters to achieve. Maybe I'm just a sadist and like to see my main chracters suffer a little bit before the overall big end. Who knows. If you're looking for a safe and predictable romantasy that doesn't get overcomplicated, this is the one for you. Overall, I had a fun time reading this! I love supporting indie authors and look forward to seeing her grow her career. :)
May 14, 2025
3.25✨
This was an enjoyable, short, accessible fantasy. I haven't read a ton of fantasy lately because I just don't have the brains right now to process a ton of new lore, but this was a fairytale-like story that didn't drown you in too much information while still giving a fun mystical story. The writing was descriptive and kind of whimsical which I enjoyed!
However, the accessibility of it was also a bit of a detriment. The antagonist/threat and ending were kind of unclear, and I needed more scenes/development of our MCs together for the romance to work for me personally. I think there were some great ideas at play but it needed more in execution to solidify them. There were also a handful of typos throughout, although they weren't too distracting.
This was an enjoyable, short, accessible fantasy. I haven't read a ton of fantasy lately because I just don't have the brains right now to process a ton of new lore, but this was a fairytale-like story that didn't drown you in too much information while still giving a fun mystical story. The writing was descriptive and kind of whimsical which I enjoyed!
However, the accessibility of it was also a bit of a detriment. The antagonist/threat and ending were kind of unclear, and I needed more scenes/development of our MCs together for the romance to work for me personally. I think there were some great ideas at play but it needed more in execution to solidify them. There were also a handful of typos throughout, although they weren't too distracting.
December 29, 2025
OMG I could not put this book down! If you are looking for a book with fairy tale, Fae vibes then this is the book for you! End of the Forest is book one in a duology and I really enjoyed Laura's story! It wasn't super spicy but I've been told that book 2 is where it goes down! I can't wait to go back to the Fae world with the next book, Trapped by the Fae.
February 12, 2023
This book was an enchanting read. You can feel the love and hard work the author put into it on every page. It's one of the better Beauty and the beast inspired books I've read thus far and I was completely drawn into the story.
August 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book—the writing pulled me in and I really liked the overall atmosphere. But I did feel like parts of the plot were missing, and it left me with a few unanswered questions. It had so much potential, and while I liked it, I just wish it had gone a little deeper in some areas.
September 25, 2025
Loved this little duology! (I'll leave a review for book2 as well)
A great dip of the toe into fantasy romance. Not too spicy for this first book (the second one heats up quite a bit). I very much enjoyed the writing and the romance!
A great dip of the toe into fantasy romance. Not too spicy for this first book (the second one heats up quite a bit). I very much enjoyed the writing and the romance!
January 9, 2023
Simple short fantasy book, with a tiny hint of spice.
Perfect for a cozy weekend at home 🤍
- Not sure if I would read the second book though.
Perfect for a cozy weekend at home 🤍
- Not sure if I would read the second book though.
May 31, 2025
Gillade verkligen viben med berättelsen i berättelsen och sången.
Kunde ha vart längre och att det hände mera eftersom allt kändes väldigt snabbt. Hade velat veta mer och få känna karaktärerna mer
Kunde ha vart längre och att det hände mera eftersom allt kändes väldigt snabbt. Hade velat veta mer och få känna karaktärerna mer
July 1, 2025
I absolutely loved the story and the characters! I just feel like it could have been longer. I could read so much more about End and Laura!
September 11, 2025
1.75 stars. no buildup, surface level characters, don’t really know what the plot was.
September 18, 2025
Great story!
Very well written and fun! Best i have read in awhile, going for book number 2 next in the series.
Very well written and fun! Best i have read in awhile, going for book number 2 next in the series.
July 28, 2024
It has the feeling of a true fairytale. It was wild and magical.
However, it was a little insubstantial. There was nothing to hold on to. Laura was inconsistent as a character, and we didn’t really spend too much time with Endymion. The conflict and main antagonist was too nebulous and vague.
And though it did burn very quickly, the romance was felt true.
However, it was a little insubstantial. There was nothing to hold on to. Laura was inconsistent as a character, and we didn’t really spend too much time with Endymion. The conflict and main antagonist was too nebulous and vague.
And though it did burn very quickly, the romance was felt true.
December 18, 2025
End and Laura were charming, as well as the Fae kingdom. I wish this had been longer so the plot could have developed better; there were too many holes and things not fully explained.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews