The Heart of Gaoithe

by A.J. Bryce

Book one of The Seanchas Collection.
______
In memories, we find the answers we seek.

Flora Everwood's mundane human existence shatters when her mother is brutally murdered. Deprived of time to grieve, Flora is dragged from the human realm into a world of wonder, elemental magic and secrets, she soon discovers she was never meant to be human...and never will be again. With the help of Sian, the handsome and haunted king of Gaoithe, Flora must navigate her family's past and earn her rightful place within the realm.
But with her mothers murderer lurking around every corner, it's up to Flora to prevent history from repeating itself.
____Rated 4/5 stars by BETA and ARC readers, this steamy romantasy is guaranteed to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

*Possible Spoilers* Reader
"6 out of 5 stars. This was like reading ACOTAR for the first time for me again. Favourite character was definitely Sian, he was so broody and broken, and when he cried and she sat just holding him and he let her, I near passed away! I'm book hungover"- J

"This will make you feel all the emotions. AJ Bryce will introduce you to a new world, with new creatures. 5 stars for the plot and writing style and 2 chillies for spice. Be prepared to fall in love. I feel like I did after fourth wing, desperate for the next book." - C

"The Heart of Gaoithe is a story which sets you on a whirlwind of emotions. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel like you are right beside Flora as she uncovers the truth of herself. 4/5 starts for story, 4/5stars for spice." - H

"I loved this book! I mean, the characters such a hottie, I have never reach such a romantasy and guess what? I loved it! I need to try more books like this. 4.5 stars." - A

"I genuinely loved it! Like truly it's stunning, characters are so well thought out, places and settings are so well described, genuine feelings are felt. Solid 4 stars, possibly even 5." - S

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Scottish romantasy writer who's lost in magical lands, fighting mythical creatures and breaking century old curses ✨

Reviews

[Stephanie Keijzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ARC recommandation. I really really loved this romantasy written by @ajbrycewriter It's the first book in a duet with a novalla in between. I loved the world, elemental magic an characters. So about the story.

Flora grew up with her mother in the human world. One day her mother gets murdered and suddenly she is transported to another realm. From there on the adventures begins. And let me tell you the brooding, handsome MMC Sian is to die for. Literally book boyfriend material. Thanks for the change to read this great book @ajbrycewriter Can't wait for the second one. Favorite quotes⬇️

📚 Elemental magic
📚 Betrayal
📚 Fated/Rejected Mates
📚 Family secrets
📚 Fast paced
📚 Dual POV's

"Look, I don't know who you are or what you've been smoking, but where I'm from, animals are just animals."

"His eyes locked onto my covered breasts, a flash of desire floated in his eyes before he shook it away. Flora could you please put something on? Preferably someting more."

"Fate has a twisted sense of humour, you are good and bright and see the best in people. I'm dark, Flora. Dark, twisted and broken in more ways than you could understand."

"In that moment, I wanted nothing except the king in my arms. In this moment, I wanted nothing more than to punch his stupidly arrogant face."

"I will not allow my darkness to destroy your light."

"Let me hold you, just for tonight. Let me be yours."

[Allie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up!

Witty banter? Check!
Elemental magic? You bet!
Dual POVs? You know it!
Relatable leading lady? Absolutely!
Spicy moments? Oh, why, yes!
Fast-paced? Zoom, zoom!

*The Heart of Gaoithe* is a romantasy novel that explores themes of identity, love, and resilience. Flora, the female main character, is literally dropped into a magical realm where everything she once knew is turned upside down. There, she meets Sian, the King of Gaoithe, and discovers a world infused with elemental magic. As a struggle for a kingdom unfolds, and suspicion surrounds too many characters, Flora must learn to trust herself before making a big mistake.

The writing is fast-paced, with the entire story timeline unfolding in just over two weeks. The world building is easy to understand as the reader and short chapters make this a binge worthy book. Flora is a relatable and likable FMC since she lacks the grace of being from royal lands. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the beautiful friendship that develops between two characters (which I won’t spoil) that I came to adore.

I would definitely recommend this to all romantasy lovers. Thank you for the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, my thoughts are entirely my own.

[Dani Novel Nut · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of Gaoithe
Release date: 1st of October 2024
5⭐
2.5 🌶️
Tropes: Elemental magic, Fated mates, Fast Paced romance, Found family, Family secrets, Dual POV, strong FMC, broody MMC

Favourite quote: "If you value your balls, I suggest you leave before she mounts them to the wall"

First thing the cover art and the art in general for this book are stunning. If you are a fan of ACOTAR then this is the book for you. The Heart of Gaoithe is an absolutely captivating story that will have you hooked from the first page and you'll find yourself unable to put it down. You will lose yourself in this world to the point that it will take a while to bring yourself back to reality at the end of it. You will fall in love with the incredibly strong willed Flora and our broody swoon worthy king Sian, be warned Sian will steal your heart. With fast-paced story telling and a dual POV, The Heart of Gaoithe is a must for any romantasy reader. Just have the ice cream and blankets at the ready as you will have an emotional hangover.

Also thank you AJ Bryce for allowing me to be a part of your arc team for this book ❤️

[Amber Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not even going into the plot yet and the map is amazing and the quote
" to those who feel like you don't belong, your kingdom awaits"

When she announces herself as a princess so he couldn't know who she really is. And she didn't expect fir him to say that he is the king.

Sian was his name
He knew that she was lying about her real name.
Her name is flora.

Sian got shy when flora was only in a towel from just getting out the bath ,(adorable)

Sian and flora shared a kiss
Page 115
" if you value your balls, I suggest you leave before she mounts them on the wall, now go"
I smirk and laughed.

What sian did for flora was so sweet and yes I did cry since it was soemthing I didn't expect to happen.

Flora is a ruler but her aunt wants her dead.

But the ending is what got me.
I cried.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Writing: ✍️✍️✍️✍️
Plot: 🤯🤯🤯
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Why is everyone ok with the ending of this book?? Rave reviews but no one seems to be giving any warning?? So here it is, do not read this book if you want to keep your heart intact! (Definitely do read it though, who doesn’t love having their heart stomped on).

After her mothers murder, Flora finds herself in a realm of elemental magic, and also finds herself a nice, broody king - Sian. Flora learns who she really is and the lengths her mother took to hide them in the human realm, whilst also navigating her newfound powers and her feelings for the King of Gaoithe.

This book was so easy to read, and super fast-paced, it hits the ground running and does not let you put it down. There are lots of twists and turns everywhere, I liked the original take on fated mates, and I loved the world building. I did kind of see one of the main twists coming, but the other I DID NOT. I’m still hoping there is some way back from this in the next book 😭?? Please?

Thank you so much AJ Bryce for the ARC, I loved it and can’t wait for book 2 ❤️

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow….. what a book.

I couldn’t put it down the story is captivating from start to end and Oh my goodness the ending of this book!!!!! I would say do not read this book if you want to keep your heart intact! (Definitely do read it though, who doesn’t love having their heart stomped all over again and again).
I really can’t wait for the next book for another roller coaster of emotions.

AJ Bryce

[bookish.and.girlish · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the story unfolds it will capture your heart. It’s a story about a girl finding out who she truly is in a heart-wrenching way! There’s betrayal and a twist that has me gasping. I love a good plot twist and this one definitely left my jaw on the floor! The romance is sizzling, the magic system is enchanting, the world-building is beautiful! This ended with a cliffhanger so that’s the best kind of storytelling! I highly recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in a day. What can I say. I felt ALL the emotions. The world building was fantastic. I was fully invested in the characters. The twists and turns had me gasping, I don't remember the last time a book made me do that. I can't wait to read the next book and see what rollercoaster awaits me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Silvia LD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect if you like a story that flows, packed with romance and action and a crazy twist (or two!!) that will leave you speechless and begging for more. The world building is not intricate, making the romance the centre of the story, developing more towards the end of the book and opening up for a sequel. Looking forward to read more 🥰

[Dana 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 1🌶

Format: E-book 📱

The emotional mess I felt after reading this book!!! From start to finish this book grabbed my attention and did not let go. I couldn't stop.
The writing 👌absolutely impeccable, the MC's absolutely loveable and the plot is amazing.
I really can't wait to see what else the author has in store for this series!!

[Kalsoom · Rating 5 out of 5]

So i read this book following a suggestion from a friend. Honestly such a heart wrenching book i fell in love with the characters. The writing style really sucked me in and the characters backstory literally made me cry. Trying hard not to spoil but I'm so excited for the next book and really can not wait to find out more about their journey.

Amazing! Amazing work!!!!

[Chloe Garth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to a new fantasy world to fall in love with.
Five stars and 1 🌶️.
This book made me feel all the emotions. The characters are all people to fall in love with, you won’t know what is going to happen with many twists and surprises.
This is a book you will not put back down until you finish it.

[Heather Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. The Heart of Gaoithe will take you on an emotional journey as you learn about this new magical land along with Flora. Can’t wait to see what happens next…

[Kass Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible romantasy and I was really intrigued by the use of elemental magic (wish I could just call on a tornado when I needed to get somewhere) and the world that was built.

The idea of mates is always fascinating to me and I loved how the author dealt and handled mates in this story. It was really cool and I don’t think I’m jags seen it anywhere else.

Our two main characters … oh I just love them. Their banter, their chemistry… it’s perfect. It’s what you want in a romantasy. This books romance was very fast paced and not overly spicy - definitely more plot then spice - but some of the quotes 🥵🥵 I also got to comment on our MFC Flora … the horrors she has to go through, her growth and strength is incredible and she was so well written. She has you rooting for Flora throughout the whole book.

I’m still not over the ending … I don’t know if I ever will be. I am so excited to read the next book because I need to know how this story plays out

[Kiarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fast paced. Right out the gate we are dealing with the murder of Flora's mother. Flora gets thrust into a world she doesn't know shortly after discovering her mother's body and meets Sian. From there, Flora's journey of uncovering family secrets and building her found family begins.
While powers in this book are based off the four elements, I found Flora's tree-seer ability to be the most intriguing. The Outlanders, whose magic works outside of the elements, also have very intriguing abilitys I am excited to see and learn more of in book 2.
The tactic used to approach the subject of fated mates in this book was interesting. The characters go through quite a rollercoaster before finally coming to the conclusion of how they feel. With the fast pace of this book, it felt a little like whiplash at times, even if the characters' reasoning for their decisions is understandable.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and binge read it over the weekend. The second half of the book really raised my review to four stars. The story started to click together. The second half also has me antsy for the second book because now I need answers.

[Rebeka Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of how the romance played out (it was really good until the end) which is part of the reason I dropped a star. The love story was fast-paced, but done extremely well. The push and pull, do or don't, was honestly one of the best I've read in a long while. Without spoiling anything, I see why the author did what she did, and I get the shift for the next book, but I'm not a fan of plot twists like this in romance. It's rare to have two characters full of so much chemistry without the spark dying later. How it played out....from a fellow writer's perspective, I get it, but as a reader, I wished it would have gone differently. There was so much potential.

Romance aside, I enjoyed the book and how Flora ends up in a different world surrounded by things very different to her life as a human. I loved getting to see a bit of her life in the human world before things take a turn. I wasn't expecting the twist of how Flora ends up leaving behind her old life and it allowed me to be in the moment with Flora as she's scrambling to make sense of her new surroundings.

I also loved the magic and the elemental connections it had. The introduction to it and explanations behind it were done very well. There's a lot more I want to add, but then I'd be giving spoilers away. The side characters were also present throughout the book and had more personality to them beyond moving the plot forward. Side characters often end up becoming my favorite, so it was nice to see them included beyond moving things forward. I did forsee the twist that happens near the end, which is the main reason I dropped a star. Nothing against the actual book because it's a great read and seeing the twist ahead of time didn't take away my enjoyment of the story. I recommend giving this book a chance! The writing style is also very well done!

Small spoiler in the following paragraph.

Overall, this was a fun read and I really enjoyed the burning attraction between the love interests. However, keep in mind the love story is a tragedy. There is no happy ending, which is a shame because it's one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book.

[Shannon Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flora is leading a normal life until one day her mother is killed and she unwilling travels to another realm that she didn't know ever existed. Her mother kept secrets from her and there is far more to Flora than she ever realized. Now she must choose who to trust, navigate new complicated relationships, and make some difficult decisions about her future.

The Heart of Gaoithe is a classic romantasy with many common tropes. Flora is a likable character, and I enjoyed her adventure. The characters have elemental magic, and some of their abilities are unique to this world. It's always fun to have to find books that have some unique twists on their magical systems. There is also plenty of romance with a swoon worthy king! I love dual POV and reading the thoughts of both characters. This is a 4 star book for me.

[K Von Hausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryce has truly outdone herself with her debut novel.
This story features captivating characters, vivid emotions, and addresses real-world issues within a fantasy setting that had me hooked mere chapters in. I devoured this novel in one sitting. I did not want to put it down.
Our heroine, Flora, confronts devastating loss and navigates an upheaval in her life, demonstrating resilience in ways many of us can only aspire to. Her journey of growth and self-discovery is compelling, enhanced by a backdrop of magic, mystery, and intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With moments of world-building, longing, romance, and a touch of spice, Heart of Gaoithe promises not to disappoint. Bryce has laid the groundwork for a sequel, and I sincerely cannot wait to see where we go from here.

[Courtney Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an imaginative read with a lot of potential. I really liked the Celtic-inspired folklore and the way AJ Bryce built a world that felt mysterious and magical. Flora’s journey had some powerful emotional moments, especially early on, and the elemental realm was fun to explore.

That said, the pacing felt uneven in spots—some parts moved quickly while others dragged a little—and a few of the tropes (tragic heroine, brooding king, sudden powers) felt familiar if you’ve read a lot of fantasy romance. Still, the writing was descriptive and atmospheric, and there were some great scenes that kept me turning pages.

Overall, it’s a solid start to a new fantasy series, especially for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance and magical-world adventures.
Thank you for the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, my thoughts are entirely my own.

[Danae Mancinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of Gaoithe is a fantasy gem! From the very first chapter, Flora’s story swept me away and kept me hooked. She’s strong, determined, and vulnerable in a way that makes her feel so real. Thrust into a magical realm, she faces challenges that test everything she thought she knew about herself, and her journey is both powerful and captivating. The romance is prominent, unfolding naturally and never feeling forced.
AJ Bryce crafts a magical world full of mystery, depth, and wonder. The writing pulls you in, the pacing never lets up, and every twist and moment of Flora’s growth shines. Some twists and turns will leave you gasping and devouring this book —and eagerly awaiting the sequel!

[Brandi Smallwood Uncaged Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF’d before the end up chapter 2. The book started out really great. It grabbed my attention and seemed interesting, but then the editing errors just became too great and the dialogue between the two main characters completely turned me off.
There is nothing worse than reading a book that feels like it was never even proofread a single time. I wanted to like it, it’s rare I DNF a book. This is only the third time in my entire life(I’m 49). Perhaps tighten up the editing and work on the dialogue being a little less juvenile.

[S.Y.K. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so fun, unique, and unforgettable! Right away I was hooked into this story and the world, and stayed for the romance! ❤️

I’m anxiously awaiting boon 2 and cannot wait to be immersed into the world again!

[Koen Eidhof · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Romantasy with lots of twists and a shocker of an ending can't wait for the next book cause I'm shure its gonna be fantastic.

[Irene Ellina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. The complexity of the characters and the way the story unfolds. Definitely would recommend