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The Sun and Her Shadow
A missing god. A fake marriage. And two hearts that were never supposed to find each other again.
Raelyn spent her life in the shadows, cursed to live without sunlight and tragically trapped under her vicious stepmother’s rule. But when a chance encounter with a masked vigilante awakens a strange power within her, Raelyn’s dream of a future free from her stepmother’s grasp is finally within reach. So long as the realm doesn’t die first.
Prince Kian’s search for a lost god leads him to Raelyn, the woman who stole his heart years before. While she doesn’t remember their past, a connection lingers between them. With the king’s ultimatum to choose a wife before the season’s end or be forced into an arranged marriage, Kian takes matters into his own hands.
A deal. A fake marriage to save them both. No feelings, no risk. But as old magic stirs and long-buried memories resurface, their careful bargain begins to fracture. The gods have other plans, and some bargains were never meant to last. Will their secrets bring them together or tear them apart?
The first in a series of interconnected fantasy romance standalones, Stephanie Combs will whisk you away on an adventure filled with heart, humor, and pining in this whimsical Cinderella/Robin Hood inspired re-telling.
Raelyn spent her life in the shadows, cursed to live without sunlight and tragically trapped under her vicious stepmother’s rule. But when a chance encounter with a masked vigilante awakens a strange power within her, Raelyn’s dream of a future free from her stepmother’s grasp is finally within reach. So long as the realm doesn’t die first.
Prince Kian’s search for a lost god leads him to Raelyn, the woman who stole his heart years before. While she doesn’t remember their past, a connection lingers between them. With the king’s ultimatum to choose a wife before the season’s end or be forced into an arranged marriage, Kian takes matters into his own hands.
A deal. A fake marriage to save them both. No feelings, no risk. But as old magic stirs and long-buried memories resurface, their careful bargain begins to fracture. The gods have other plans, and some bargains were never meant to last. Will their secrets bring them together or tear them apart?
The first in a series of interconnected fantasy romance standalones, Stephanie Combs will whisk you away on an adventure filled with heart, humor, and pining in this whimsical Cinderella/Robin Hood inspired re-telling.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
71 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 25, 2025
If you want a fast paced, Cinderella x Robin Hood inspired Romantasy story then look no further. Raelyn is an instantly likeable FMC and Kian is the perfect ‘spare heir’ to the kingdom. Sassy quips, innuendo, he falls hard and she knows her own mind, what’s not to love? This was an easy read with dual POV that I was able to read over the course of just a few days and would highly recommend you add to your TBR. Thank you to Stephanie Combs for sending me the ARC of her debut novel, can’t wait to find out what happens next.
October 12, 2025
This book started off almost as a Cinderella retelling with an evil stepmother, but it took a turn and I absolutely loved where it went. There are missing gods, a Robin Hood type character, an evil king, an evil stepmother and fake marriage.
Raelyn is hidden at home from the world by her family. Kian, the second son to an evil king, has been yearning and pining for Raelyn since they met as children. I am obsessed with Kian now. He is a top tier MMC. He is a cinnamon roll covered in green flags who would do anything for her, even when she doesn’t even remember him. He is definitely the touch her and die type.
There were a few plot twists and turns in this tale. I loved it. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
Raelyn is hidden at home from the world by her family. Kian, the second son to an evil king, has been yearning and pining for Raelyn since they met as children. I am obsessed with Kian now. He is a top tier MMC. He is a cinnamon roll covered in green flags who would do anything for her, even when she doesn’t even remember him. He is definitely the touch her and die type.
There were a few plot twists and turns in this tale. I loved it. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
January 6, 2026
If Blood and Ash were just one book it would be this one. I kind of with this was at least a two book series because everything moves so fast and I really really enjoyed the main characters
Good? Yes
Like it? Very much
Good? Yes
Like it? Very much
August 31, 2025
The Sun and Her Shadow is a unique and addictive romantasy (🌶️🌶️) set in a land of gods and kings. The dual POV is done perfectly to keep us on the edge of our seats, and the burn is slow and so worth it.
While The Sun and Her Shadow is a Cinderella retelling in some ways, the author gives enough twists to the old story to keep it fresh and unpredictable. And you know that trope where he helps her off his horse and drags her against his body on the way down? Yeah, that one’s in here too. 🤭
☀️ Cinderella x Robin Hood
☀️ morally gold MMC
☀️ marriage of convenience
☀️ unique mysteries & magic
☀️ she wears his blade
☀️ a plot twist you think you see coming but it’s completely different than expected
I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Forsaken Realm 🥰
While The Sun and Her Shadow is a Cinderella retelling in some ways, the author gives enough twists to the old story to keep it fresh and unpredictable. And you know that trope where he helps her off his horse and drags her against his body on the way down? Yeah, that one’s in here too. 🤭
☀️ Cinderella x Robin Hood
☀️ morally gold MMC
☀️ marriage of convenience
☀️ unique mysteries & magic
☀️ she wears his blade
☀️ a plot twist you think you see coming but it’s completely different than expected
I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Forsaken Realm 🥰
October 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It’s a complicated thing, to love one who treats you poorly.”
The Sun and Her Shadow starts off strong, blending a Cinderella-like setup with a Robin Hood–type vigilante, lost gods, and a marriage of convenience.
The story follows Raelyn, a lady afflicted by the Sun, whose condition makes her an outcast—especially after her father’s remarriage. When Prince Kian offers her salvation through a marriage of convenience, Raelyn accepts, unaware that he’s been keeping secrets of his own. In fact, Kian has known her for years, even if she can’t remember him. But their marriage is only the beginning. The city is suffering, gods are missing, and dangerous secrets are waiting to be uncovered.
The book initially hooked me with Kian and Raelyn’s banter and the intrigue surrounding their pasts. Kian was a lovable MMC—his caring nature really stood out. Raelyn was an interesting character too, though at times hard to relate to; I often found myself questioning some of her choices and thought processes.
While I enjoyed the multiple plot threads and the overall premise, I think the story tried to tackle too much too quickly. The pacing felt rushed at times, leaving certain aspects underdeveloped or unanswered. I still flew through it and enjoyed the ride—I just wished for a bit more of everything: more depth, more world-building, more time with the characters.
I’d recommend this one to readers who enjoy tropes like marriage of convenience, memory loss, and he falls first. It’s a fast-paced romantasy that keeps its focus firmly on the romance between the two leads.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“It’s a complicated thing, to love one who treats you poorly.”
The Sun and Her Shadow starts off strong, blending a Cinderella-like setup with a Robin Hood–type vigilante, lost gods, and a marriage of convenience.
The story follows Raelyn, a lady afflicted by the Sun, whose condition makes her an outcast—especially after her father’s remarriage. When Prince Kian offers her salvation through a marriage of convenience, Raelyn accepts, unaware that he’s been keeping secrets of his own. In fact, Kian has known her for years, even if she can’t remember him. But their marriage is only the beginning. The city is suffering, gods are missing, and dangerous secrets are waiting to be uncovered.
The book initially hooked me with Kian and Raelyn’s banter and the intrigue surrounding their pasts. Kian was a lovable MMC—his caring nature really stood out. Raelyn was an interesting character too, though at times hard to relate to; I often found myself questioning some of her choices and thought processes.
While I enjoyed the multiple plot threads and the overall premise, I think the story tried to tackle too much too quickly. The pacing felt rushed at times, leaving certain aspects underdeveloped or unanswered. I still flew through it and enjoyed the ride—I just wished for a bit more of everything: more depth, more world-building, more time with the characters.
I’d recommend this one to readers who enjoy tropes like marriage of convenience, memory loss, and he falls first. It’s a fast-paced romantasy that keeps its focus firmly on the romance between the two leads.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2025
4 ⭐️ This was a very enjoyable Cinderella/Robin Hood - fairytale retelling! Thank you, Stephanie for the opportunity to ARC read your awesome novel!
The Sun and her Shadow is book 1 in a series of interconnected stand-alones. I absolutely love fairytale retelling/reimaginings and I thought that Stephanie did a great job with those elements! The slow burn and tension in this story was torturous, but oh so worth it! The banter was on point. The storyline was interesting and engaging. Overall I think that this is an easily enjoyable read that you can binge! I am looking forward to the next installment in this series! Well done, Stephanie! 👏🏽
The Sun and her Shadow is book 1 in a series of interconnected stand-alones. I absolutely love fairytale retelling/reimaginings and I thought that Stephanie did a great job with those elements! The slow burn and tension in this story was torturous, but oh so worth it! The banter was on point. The storyline was interesting and engaging. Overall I think that this is an easily enjoyable read that you can binge! I am looking forward to the next installment in this series! Well done, Stephanie! 👏🏽
September 24, 2025
Ugh this was just so swoon worthy! From beginning to end it was a fun & wild ride with a thought of what the heck is going on in this kingdom?! Seriously once I was hooked there was no stopping me in finishing this book ASAP.
So many questions were had & the great part is they’re answered by the end of the book! Mostly. I have like one or two questions that I see playing a role in book two but no major cliffhangers so 👍. Kian & Raelyn together are so cute! The banter. Stop it. It was so good. They made me laugh. Both of their families sucked butt. Like major stinky butt. I really wanted to punch them for how horrible they were to Rae & Ki. I’m so glad where both of them ended up.
This definitely gave me the vibes of Ever After. I just kept imagining Anjelica Huston as the step mother & the sisters from that movie as the step sisters. It was fun having a reference to imagine the setting & characters of this new world.
AHHHH! I’m so excited to have this in my hands, for everyone to have it in their hands & for book 2. What a treat 😊.
So many questions were had & the great part is they’re answered by the end of the book! Mostly. I have like one or two questions that I see playing a role in book two but no major cliffhangers so 👍. Kian & Raelyn together are so cute! The banter. Stop it. It was so good. They made me laugh. Both of their families sucked butt. Like major stinky butt. I really wanted to punch them for how horrible they were to Rae & Ki. I’m so glad where both of them ended up.
This definitely gave me the vibes of Ever After. I just kept imagining Anjelica Huston as the step mother & the sisters from that movie as the step sisters. It was fun having a reference to imagine the setting & characters of this new world.
AHHHH! I’m so excited to have this in my hands, for everyone to have it in their hands & for book 2. What a treat 😊.
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September 20, 2025DNF at 45%
The premise of this one was so fun. So many elements were ones I love but they just didn’t work for me. The writing style and dialogue were really awkward and clunky and the mix of modern day and historical verbiage really threw me off. It was also hard to figure out what kind of world the characters lived in and I wanted so much more information about the kingdom and the gods. I usually enjoy fairytale retellings and this one was promoted as Cinderella meets Robin Hood (my favorite) and I was disappointed. It felt like the author didn’t put much of their own spin on the Cinderella portion (very Ever After coded) and the Robin Hood plot line was quite minor. So many things didn’t make sense and sadly, this is one I’m not interested in continuing.
Thank you to Stephanie Combs for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The premise of this one was so fun. So many elements were ones I love but they just didn’t work for me. The writing style and dialogue were really awkward and clunky and the mix of modern day and historical verbiage really threw me off. It was also hard to figure out what kind of world the characters lived in and I wanted so much more information about the kingdom and the gods. I usually enjoy fairytale retellings and this one was promoted as Cinderella meets Robin Hood (my favorite) and I was disappointed. It felt like the author didn’t put much of their own spin on the Cinderella portion (very Ever After coded) and the Robin Hood plot line was quite minor. So many things didn’t make sense and sadly, this is one I’m not interested in continuing.
Thank you to Stephanie Combs for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 8, 2025
“It’s a complicated thing, to love one who treats you poorly.”
“The Sun and Her Shadow,” by Stephanie Combs
I loved this book. I really liked the mix of retellings (Cinderella x Robinhood) and how it wasn’t overdone. I liked the unique plot of Raelyn not being able to step into the light, it immediately drew me into the story. My favorite part was the romance; I seriously loved the build of the romance, it didn’t feel too slow or too fast. I just loved the entire atmosphere to the book, it was amazing. 5 out of 5 stars.
-Cinderella X Robinhood
-Marriage of Convenience
-Slowburn
-Banter
-Gods
-Allergic to light
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
“I want someone to choose me. To look out for me. I’m tired of being treated like I don’t matter.”
“The Sun and Her Shadow,” by Stephanie Combs
I loved this book. I really liked the mix of retellings (Cinderella x Robinhood) and how it wasn’t overdone. I liked the unique plot of Raelyn not being able to step into the light, it immediately drew me into the story. My favorite part was the romance; I seriously loved the build of the romance, it didn’t feel too slow or too fast. I just loved the entire atmosphere to the book, it was amazing. 5 out of 5 stars.
-Cinderella X Robinhood
-Marriage of Convenience
-Slowburn
-Banter
-Gods
-Allergic to light
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
“I want someone to choose me. To look out for me. I’m tired of being treated like I don’t matter.”
September 20, 2025
5★
I'd like to preface this review by thanking the author for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! This is an incredible book that I enjoyed immensely!
The Sun and Her Shadow came as a bit of a surprise to me, to be honest. Despite it being over 400 pages long, it was a swift an easy read. The plot was quick-paced and there was never a moment in this book that I would find boring, Really, there was constantly something happening! Each next chapter brought answers, but also more questions that kept me in suspense and made me unable to put the book down—really, I finished it at my dentist's office. And while the main plot twist—or maybe I should call it a surprise reveal?—was quite predictable, the secondary one caught me off guard in the best way possible.
The driving force of this book was not only the constantly evolving plot, but also the characters. I immediately fell in love with Kian and I resonated with Raelyn on a spiritual level—both of us being the eldest sibling and all that. Since this book is written in dual 1st person POV, I could really dive into the emotions and thoughts of our main characters. This helped me developed a deep rooted hate for Raelyn's siblings and stepmother... and really most characters except for our main duo, Alex, and Sera. No, honestly, the vast majority of side characters are in some way or another douchebags.
As for the ending of this book, I have to say I was more than content with how it left off. Our main couple's story is over, but the author left just enough questions unanswered to make me yearn for the second book in this series of interconnected standalones—which I beg you, miss Combs, make it about Alex and Sera pretty please.
I'd like to preface this review by thanking the author for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! This is an incredible book that I enjoyed immensely!
The Sun and Her Shadow came as a bit of a surprise to me, to be honest. Despite it being over 400 pages long, it was a swift an easy read. The plot was quick-paced and there was never a moment in this book that I would find boring, Really, there was constantly something happening! Each next chapter brought answers, but also more questions that kept me in suspense and made me unable to put the book down—really, I finished it at my dentist's office. And while the main plot twist—or maybe I should call it a surprise reveal?—was quite predictable, the secondary one caught me off guard in the best way possible.
The driving force of this book was not only the constantly evolving plot, but also the characters. I immediately fell in love with Kian and I resonated with Raelyn on a spiritual level—both of us being the eldest sibling and all that. Since this book is written in dual 1st person POV, I could really dive into the emotions and thoughts of our main characters. This helped me developed a deep rooted hate for Raelyn's siblings and stepmother... and really most characters except for our main duo, Alex, and Sera. No, honestly, the vast majority of side characters are in some way or another douchebags.
As for the ending of this book, I have to say I was more than content with how it left off. Our main couple's story is over, but the author left just enough questions unanswered to make me yearn for the second book in this series of interconnected standalones—which I beg you, miss Combs, make it about Alex and Sera pretty please.
Read
October 8, 2025Thank you Stephanie for the ARC!
This is an incredibly unique romantasy that I was captivated by from the first chapter and kept up the pace all throughout.
If you want a MF romantasy where she's the all powerful one and he's pathetic for her (used as a compliment) but they both have substantial relationships outside of their romantic one, look no further than this.
The ending had me shoooooookkkkkkkk and I absolutely cannot wait for the next story set in this world!
This is an incredibly unique romantasy that I was captivated by from the first chapter and kept up the pace all throughout.
If you want a MF romantasy where she's the all powerful one and he's pathetic for her (used as a compliment) but they both have substantial relationships outside of their romantic one, look no further than this.
The ending had me shoooooookkkkkkkk and I absolutely cannot wait for the next story set in this world!
October 18, 2025
The book is a delightful play on the Robinhood and Cinderella. I loved Stephanie Combs’s writing, the pace, the delicious slow burn, the spice, the characters. It was such a fun easy read. It was also nice to read a standalone story with a HEA. I will for sure be checking out more from Stephanie Combs!
Thanks to the author for this heartwarming and engaging ARC!
Thanks to the author for this heartwarming and engaging ARC!
October 15, 2025
this had such a unique Cinderella retelling and the Robin hood as well was great!
October 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Firstly, thank you NetGalley for this Arc!
Wow I throughly enjoyed myself with this romantasy read. It was fast paced, AMAZING slow burn romance, gorgeous characters, and engaging plot! 💗
Kian and Raelyns romance is so so beautiful and they are one of my fav romantasy couples now.
I am so excited for book two of this series, can’t wait to see what will happen next :)))
Firstly, thank you NetGalley for this Arc!
Wow I throughly enjoyed myself with this romantasy read. It was fast paced, AMAZING slow burn romance, gorgeous characters, and engaging plot! 💗
Kian and Raelyns romance is so so beautiful and they are one of my fav romantasy couples now.
I am so excited for book two of this series, can’t wait to see what will happen next :)))
October 23, 2025
The Sun and Her Shadow is an interesting twist on both Cinderella and Robin Hood. It has recognizable elements from both stories while keeping itself unique. I enjoyed the meddling and missing gods plotline the most. The mythology of the world Stephanie created is interesting and I’d love to see more of it in the future interconnected standalones.
I do think the dialogue needed just a bit more refinement, which is the main reason I didn’t give this 5 stars. It just felt a little clunky at times and had a tendency to lean a little more towards telling us everything rather than showing us sometimes. I’m also generally not a fan when more modern phrases make their way into fantasy books, but I think that’s truly a personal preference as some people tend to like it!
Overall, this was a pretty good solo debut novel. The storyline kept me interested throughout the entire book and I liked the characters themselves. Kian was of course my favorite character. I really appreciated his dedication to Raelyn, despite their past and present issues.
Thank you Stephanie Combs for the early review copy of The Sun and Her Shadow! All opinions are my own.
I do think the dialogue needed just a bit more refinement, which is the main reason I didn’t give this 5 stars. It just felt a little clunky at times and had a tendency to lean a little more towards telling us everything rather than showing us sometimes. I’m also generally not a fan when more modern phrases make their way into fantasy books, but I think that’s truly a personal preference as some people tend to like it!
Overall, this was a pretty good solo debut novel. The storyline kept me interested throughout the entire book and I liked the characters themselves. Kian was of course my favorite character. I really appreciated his dedication to Raelyn, despite their past and present issues.
Thank you Stephanie Combs for the early review copy of The Sun and Her Shadow! All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
✨The Sun & Her Shadow✨
Author: Stephanie
Release: October 15, 2025
It’s so good to be back in a story written by Stephanie- and this time it’s her independent debut and first in a new interconnected standalone series!
In this Cinderella/Robin Hood vibes story, we follow two 1st person POVs: Raelyn and Kian. Raelyn is the eldest in her family, the only one who doesn’t look just like them, and has battled a mysterious illness where the sun makes her sick all her life. She’s been relegated to the shadows and marked a spinster not being married. However, when her father decides to remarry, Raelyn’s life changes radically as everything she’s ever known is taken from her. That is, until she gets an offer that would buy her freedom: bind herself to the second prince in a marriage of convenience.
Cue our second prince: Kian. He is sassy, a secret vigilante, and suddenly in need of a wife. So, who better than the woman he has pined over for 20 years yet continues to forget him? Though he navigates the distress of his kingdom, a controlling father, masked nighttime quests, a lost god, and now a fake marriage, our green flag cinnamon roll mmc never fails to keeps up giggling and swooning.
I knew from Steph’s previous series I would love this story, too. Equally emotionally suspenseful, I was constantly in my seat and shaking my kindle with every plot twist and reveal. The banter is so good. Our characters are precious, kind, and lion-hearted. The yearning was 👩🍳💋 and the communication between our MCs was top notch.
Tropes you may find in TSAHS are Cinderella/Robin Hood, retelling vibes, green flag masked man 🫠🫠, marriage of convenience, sloooow burn, memory loss, forced proximity, so much yearning, he falls first, touch her and 💀, hidden identities, low spice (1 open door scene), and a HEA with an open ending heading towards book 2!
Steph, I love being an arc reader for you. Thank you for this opportunity again!
Author: Stephanie
Release: October 15, 2025
It’s so good to be back in a story written by Stephanie- and this time it’s her independent debut and first in a new interconnected standalone series!
In this Cinderella/Robin Hood vibes story, we follow two 1st person POVs: Raelyn and Kian. Raelyn is the eldest in her family, the only one who doesn’t look just like them, and has battled a mysterious illness where the sun makes her sick all her life. She’s been relegated to the shadows and marked a spinster not being married. However, when her father decides to remarry, Raelyn’s life changes radically as everything she’s ever known is taken from her. That is, until she gets an offer that would buy her freedom: bind herself to the second prince in a marriage of convenience.
Cue our second prince: Kian. He is sassy, a secret vigilante, and suddenly in need of a wife. So, who better than the woman he has pined over for 20 years yet continues to forget him? Though he navigates the distress of his kingdom, a controlling father, masked nighttime quests, a lost god, and now a fake marriage, our green flag cinnamon roll mmc never fails to keeps up giggling and swooning.
I knew from Steph’s previous series I would love this story, too. Equally emotionally suspenseful, I was constantly in my seat and shaking my kindle with every plot twist and reveal. The banter is so good. Our characters are precious, kind, and lion-hearted. The yearning was 👩🍳💋 and the communication between our MCs was top notch.
Tropes you may find in TSAHS are Cinderella/Robin Hood, retelling vibes, green flag masked man 🫠🫠, marriage of convenience, sloooow burn, memory loss, forced proximity, so much yearning, he falls first, touch her and 💀, hidden identities, low spice (1 open door scene), and a HEA with an open ending heading towards book 2!
Steph, I love being an arc reader for you. Thank you for this opportunity again!
January 31, 2026
SPOILIES
This book is frustrating in the most earned way — which somehow makes it both excellent and infuriating.
At its core, this is a character-driven fantasy about identity, sacrifice, and power quietly inherited rather than loudly claimed. Raelyn’s arc is the real strength here. She’s compassionate to a fault, loyal even when it costs her, and her naivety makes sense given the emotional whiplash she’s endured: neglectful parents, political manipulation, and the slow unraveling of who she really is. Once you have her love, she will stay — sometimes to her own detriment — and that consistency makes her feel deeply human.
The mythology reveal is genuinely satisfying. Raelyn being the daughter of the Sun God reframes so much: her aversion to the sun, her healing, her suppressed strength. Kian’s power, tied to the Moon feeding his mother blood while pregnant, creates a compelling sun/moon symmetry that works. Kyros’s death, Luna’s blood pact to never re-enter the realm, the restoration of the land, and the quiet removal of the stepmother and sisters all feel like a clean but heavy-handed reset of the world.
And then there’s the emotional gut punch: Raelyn’s “fake father” — the man who truly raised and loved her — is the one who kills Kyros at the cost of his own life. That sacrifice lands hard and adds real weight to Raelyn’s inheritance. Blood may define power, but love defined her.
Where the book falters is in its romantic execution. Kian is… frustrating. His emotional withdrawal over a childhood hurt stretches credibility when he’s nearly thirty, especially when his silence allowed his best friend to pursue Raelyn openly during her season. Raelyn’s occasional, almost selective forgetfulness of their shared history feels less like character and more like a narrative device to soften his inaction. Their moments are tender, but the lack of direct, adult communication is a missed opportunity.
That said, the writing is strong, the twists are well placed, and the story trusts the reader enough not to overcomplicate itself. The reveal that Raelyn’s maid is fae, the tightly guarded secrets known only to the inner circle, and the gods’ withdrawal all point toward a sequel that could be incredible.
Which brings me to the biggest issue: there is no Book 2 announcement.
This story ends not with full emotional resolution, but with setup — and that would be fine if continuation felt imminent. Instead, it leaves the reader impressed, invested, and deeply unsatisfied in the best and worst ways.
I loved this book. I’m also annoyed by it.
Both things can be true.
If Book 2 delivers on Raelyn’s growth — especially her learning when not to sacrifice herself — this could become something truly special. Until then, I’m holding my breath… and side-eyeing the release strategy.
This book is frustrating in the most earned way — which somehow makes it both excellent and infuriating.
At its core, this is a character-driven fantasy about identity, sacrifice, and power quietly inherited rather than loudly claimed. Raelyn’s arc is the real strength here. She’s compassionate to a fault, loyal even when it costs her, and her naivety makes sense given the emotional whiplash she’s endured: neglectful parents, political manipulation, and the slow unraveling of who she really is. Once you have her love, she will stay — sometimes to her own detriment — and that consistency makes her feel deeply human.
The mythology reveal is genuinely satisfying. Raelyn being the daughter of the Sun God reframes so much: her aversion to the sun, her healing, her suppressed strength. Kian’s power, tied to the Moon feeding his mother blood while pregnant, creates a compelling sun/moon symmetry that works. Kyros’s death, Luna’s blood pact to never re-enter the realm, the restoration of the land, and the quiet removal of the stepmother and sisters all feel like a clean but heavy-handed reset of the world.
And then there’s the emotional gut punch: Raelyn’s “fake father” — the man who truly raised and loved her — is the one who kills Kyros at the cost of his own life. That sacrifice lands hard and adds real weight to Raelyn’s inheritance. Blood may define power, but love defined her.
Where the book falters is in its romantic execution. Kian is… frustrating. His emotional withdrawal over a childhood hurt stretches credibility when he’s nearly thirty, especially when his silence allowed his best friend to pursue Raelyn openly during her season. Raelyn’s occasional, almost selective forgetfulness of their shared history feels less like character and more like a narrative device to soften his inaction. Their moments are tender, but the lack of direct, adult communication is a missed opportunity.
That said, the writing is strong, the twists are well placed, and the story trusts the reader enough not to overcomplicate itself. The reveal that Raelyn’s maid is fae, the tightly guarded secrets known only to the inner circle, and the gods’ withdrawal all point toward a sequel that could be incredible.
Which brings me to the biggest issue: there is no Book 2 announcement.
This story ends not with full emotional resolution, but with setup — and that would be fine if continuation felt imminent. Instead, it leaves the reader impressed, invested, and deeply unsatisfied in the best and worst ways.
I loved this book. I’m also annoyed by it.
Both things can be true.
If Book 2 delivers on Raelyn’s growth — especially her learning when not to sacrifice herself — this could become something truly special. Until then, I’m holding my breath… and side-eyeing the release strategy.
October 9, 2025
This fantasy romance swept me away from the very first page. Raelyn is a heroine who’s spent her life in the shadows—literally cursed to live without sunlight and trapped under her cruel stepmother’s rule. But when a mysterious masked vigilante crosses her path, everything changes. The encounter awakens a strange, forbidden magic that might finally give her the freedom she’s always dreamed of—if the crumbling realm doesn’t fall first.
Prince Kian’s quest to find a lost god unexpectedly leads him back to Raelyn, the woman who once stole his heart. Though she no longer remembers their past, the pull between them is undeniable. With a royal ultimatum forcing him to marry before the season’s end, Kian proposes a daring solution—a fake marriage to protect them both. No feelings. No risks. Just survival.
But as ancient magic stirs and forgotten memories rise, their careful arrangement begins to unravel. Secrets, fate, and the gods themselves threaten to tear them apart. This story has everything I love—romance, danger, and a touch of divine chaos. A beautifully written, slow-burn fantasy filled with emotion and intrigue.
💭 From the very first chapter, it sweeps you into a world of hidden magic, daring heists, royal intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that’s equal parts swoony and dangerous.
Raelyn is an instantly likable heroine—fierce, witty, and far more capable than anyone around her gives her credit for. She’s spent her life under the thumb of her cruel stepmother, but instead of breaking, she learns to survive in the shadows. When she crosses paths with a masked vigilante and uncovers powers she never knew she had, her world opens up in thrilling and terrifying ways.
Then there’s Prince Kian, the so-called “spare heir” who proves to be anything but ordinary. Charming, self-aware, and occasionally infuriating, he’s the perfect match for Raelyn’s strength and stubbornness. Their chemistry crackles from the moment they reunite—full of teasing banter, charged glances, and heartfelt moments that make you root for them with every page.
Told through a dual POV, the pacing keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Between the witty quips, layers of political tension, and glimpses of old gods and long-forgotten magic, it’s the kind of story that balances romance and adventure perfectly. I devoured it over just a few days and found myself completely immersed in this rich world and its characters.
If you love fantasy stories with strong heroines, morally gray princes, and a touch of rebellion and fate, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR.
Huge thanks to Stephanie Combs for sending me an ARC of her debut novel—I can’t wait to see where Raelyn and Kian’s story goes next!
Prince Kian’s quest to find a lost god unexpectedly leads him back to Raelyn, the woman who once stole his heart. Though she no longer remembers their past, the pull between them is undeniable. With a royal ultimatum forcing him to marry before the season’s end, Kian proposes a daring solution—a fake marriage to protect them both. No feelings. No risks. Just survival.
But as ancient magic stirs and forgotten memories rise, their careful arrangement begins to unravel. Secrets, fate, and the gods themselves threaten to tear them apart. This story has everything I love—romance, danger, and a touch of divine chaos. A beautifully written, slow-burn fantasy filled with emotion and intrigue.
💭 From the very first chapter, it sweeps you into a world of hidden magic, daring heists, royal intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that’s equal parts swoony and dangerous.
Raelyn is an instantly likable heroine—fierce, witty, and far more capable than anyone around her gives her credit for. She’s spent her life under the thumb of her cruel stepmother, but instead of breaking, she learns to survive in the shadows. When she crosses paths with a masked vigilante and uncovers powers she never knew she had, her world opens up in thrilling and terrifying ways.
Then there’s Prince Kian, the so-called “spare heir” who proves to be anything but ordinary. Charming, self-aware, and occasionally infuriating, he’s the perfect match for Raelyn’s strength and stubbornness. Their chemistry crackles from the moment they reunite—full of teasing banter, charged glances, and heartfelt moments that make you root for them with every page.
Told through a dual POV, the pacing keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Between the witty quips, layers of political tension, and glimpses of old gods and long-forgotten magic, it’s the kind of story that balances romance and adventure perfectly. I devoured it over just a few days and found myself completely immersed in this rich world and its characters.
If you love fantasy stories with strong heroines, morally gray princes, and a touch of rebellion and fate, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR.
Huge thanks to Stephanie Combs for sending me an ARC of her debut novel—I can’t wait to see where Raelyn and Kian’s story goes next!
January 14, 2026
3 ⭐
Book #1 (interconnected standalones)
🔸MMC: 29, prince, spare heir, party/playboy rep (exaggerated), "the Shadow" = his Robin Hood persona
🔸FMC: 26/27 (?), lady, smart, quiet, innocent, likes to read and sewing, learnt to spar with her father, "allergic" to the sun, isolated, set aside from her family
🔸Cinderella vibes (wicked stepmother & sisters, cast aside, turned maid of the family)
🔸Robin Hood inspired (MMC is a vigilant at night, stealing from his father the king to give to the people)
🔸Blood and Ash vibes
🔸Forced to isolation
🔸He falls first
🔸First time they met: MMC 9 y.o. & FMC 6/7 y.o. (?)
🔸MCs meet several times along the years but FMC forgets and MMC is hurt she doesn't remember him
🔸Memory loss (tempering with memories, made to forget)
🔸Fake marriage turned real
🔸1 horse (and he does get hard)
🔸1 bed (and he likes to cuddle)
🔸Innuendos
🔸Knife play (including straddling with knife to throat)
🔸Lies & Betrayals (not between MCs)
🔸Unknown/Hidden identity & powers
🔸Gods
🔥Spice (not much but a few scenes), including oral, knife play, blood play, drinking blood
🔸Virgin FMC (not explicitly said but understood)
🔸MMC not a virgin, played the field a bit (off screen) but hasn't for awhile or so he says, but all of this happens even though he has known and been obsessed with the FMC since he was 9 y.o.
🔸No cheating
🔸2 POVs (with some flashbacks)
🔸Some parts of the story do get rushed
🔸Happy ending
❗Mentions: familial emotional abuse, food deprivation (1 scene), drugging + attempt rape + victim shaming (1 scene, not graphic/angsty, quickly resolved), long term use of tonic unknowingly to surpres powers, memory tempering, miscarriage (past, off page, distant side character), blood, drinking blood, violence
Additional notes:
Good, satisfactory but not great
🔸Some rushed scenes, explanations and resolutions
- like how the MCs get together
- how do the gods influence this world and how their powers work
🔸The past is rushed/messily explained
- MCs past
All the mess with the other male interested in the FMC years ago doesn't feel well resolved.
And the MMC met the FMC all those times and didn't find it weird she didn't even remember him, the prince???
-FMC's parents past
Another part very messy and lacking explanation.
🔸MMC party guy
Not a fan, especially when the MCs have already met and felt a connection. No matter he felt hurt or whatever, it is no excuse.
🔸Overall lack of a proper connection between different points of the story but it is just one book instead of a saga so...
Book #1 (interconnected standalones)
🔸MMC: 29, prince, spare heir, party/playboy rep (exaggerated), "the Shadow" = his Robin Hood persona
🔸FMC: 26/27 (?), lady, smart, quiet, innocent, likes to read and sewing, learnt to spar with her father, "allergic" to the sun, isolated, set aside from her family
🔸Cinderella vibes (wicked stepmother & sisters, cast aside, turned maid of the family)
🔸Robin Hood inspired (MMC is a vigilant at night, stealing from his father the king to give to the people)
🔸Blood and Ash vibes
🔸Forced to isolation
🔸He falls first
🔸First time they met: MMC 9 y.o. & FMC 6/7 y.o. (?)
🔸MCs meet several times along the years but FMC forgets and MMC is hurt she doesn't remember him
🔸Memory loss (tempering with memories, made to forget)
🔸Fake marriage turned real
🔸1 horse (and he does get hard)
🔸1 bed (and he likes to cuddle)
🔸Innuendos
🔸Knife play (including straddling with knife to throat)
🔸Lies & Betrayals (not between MCs)
🔸Unknown/Hidden identity & powers
🔸Gods
🔥Spice (not much but a few scenes), including oral, knife play, blood play, drinking blood
🔸Virgin FMC (not explicitly said but understood)
🔸MMC not a virgin, played the field a bit (off screen) but hasn't for awhile or so he says, but all of this happens even though he has known and been obsessed with the FMC since he was 9 y.o.
🔸No cheating
🔸2 POVs (with some flashbacks)
🔸Some parts of the story do get rushed
🔸Happy ending
❗Mentions: familial emotional abuse, food deprivation (1 scene), drugging + attempt rape + victim shaming (1 scene, not graphic/angsty, quickly resolved), long term use of tonic unknowingly to surpres powers, memory tempering, miscarriage (past, off page, distant side character), blood, drinking blood, violence
Additional notes:
Good, satisfactory but not great
🔸Some rushed scenes, explanations and resolutions
- like how the MCs get together
- how do the gods influence this world and how their powers work
🔸The past is rushed/messily explained
- MCs past
All the mess with the other male interested in the FMC years ago doesn't feel well resolved.
And the MMC met the FMC all those times and didn't find it weird she didn't even remember him, the prince???
-FMC's parents past
Another part very messy and lacking explanation.
🔸MMC party guy
Not a fan, especially when the MCs have already met and felt a connection. No matter he felt hurt or whatever, it is no excuse.
🔸Overall lack of a proper connection between different points of the story but it is just one book instead of a saga so...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
☀️ The Sun and Her Shadow: A Book that Needs a Therapist ☀️
Read This Book If...
* you're looking for a good book to lose yourself in.
* you're a fan of a good fantasy.
* you need a good laugh.
* you want to fall in love with a book.
😂 My therapist would have a field day with this book.
The main characters in this book have more unresolved family trauma than a Thanksgiving dinner at my house. It's great. The author, Stephanie Combs, somehow manages to make it hilarious, too. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll definitely feel better about your own family.
⚔️ The Fights are Everything
If you're a fan of a good action scene, this book is for you. The fights are so well-written and so intense that I had to put the book down a few times just to catch my breath. It's like a movie playing in your head, but with better dialogue.
💖 The Romance is Just... 🫠
I'm not going to give anything away, but the romance in this book is so good it hurts. The characters' chemistry is off the charts, and you'll be rooting for them to get together from the very beginning. It's the kind of romance that makes you want to reread every scene.
🔮 The Magic is Confusing in the Best Way
The magic system in this book is complex, but it's also so cool. There are so many different types of magic and so many different rules that I had to take a few notes to keep up. But it's worth it. The magic is so creative and so well-thought-out that it makes the world feel real.
🔍 A Minor Quibble, But a Quibble Nonetheless
While I loved this book, I have one minor complaint. There were a few moments where the pacing felt a little off, with some scenes dragging on longer than necessary. But honestly, it's a small price to pay for such an otherwise incredible book.
The Sun and Her Shadow is a truly compelling and well-written book. It's the perfect mix of fantasy, humor, and heart, and it's everything I've ever wanted in a book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. And a special thank you to the editor and writer, Stephanie Combs, for creating a world that made me want to get lost in it. You've ruined all other books for me.
Read This Book If...
* you're looking for a good book to lose yourself in.
* you're a fan of a good fantasy.
* you need a good laugh.
* you want to fall in love with a book.
😂 My therapist would have a field day with this book.
The main characters in this book have more unresolved family trauma than a Thanksgiving dinner at my house. It's great. The author, Stephanie Combs, somehow manages to make it hilarious, too. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll definitely feel better about your own family.
⚔️ The Fights are Everything
If you're a fan of a good action scene, this book is for you. The fights are so well-written and so intense that I had to put the book down a few times just to catch my breath. It's like a movie playing in your head, but with better dialogue.
💖 The Romance is Just... 🫠
I'm not going to give anything away, but the romance in this book is so good it hurts. The characters' chemistry is off the charts, and you'll be rooting for them to get together from the very beginning. It's the kind of romance that makes you want to reread every scene.
🔮 The Magic is Confusing in the Best Way
The magic system in this book is complex, but it's also so cool. There are so many different types of magic and so many different rules that I had to take a few notes to keep up. But it's worth it. The magic is so creative and so well-thought-out that it makes the world feel real.
🔍 A Minor Quibble, But a Quibble Nonetheless
While I loved this book, I have one minor complaint. There were a few moments where the pacing felt a little off, with some scenes dragging on longer than necessary. But honestly, it's a small price to pay for such an otherwise incredible book.
The Sun and Her Shadow is a truly compelling and well-written book. It's the perfect mix of fantasy, humor, and heart, and it's everything I've ever wanted in a book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. And a special thank you to the editor and writer, Stephanie Combs, for creating a world that made me want to get lost in it. You've ruined all other books for me.
October 12, 2025
3.75/5
Okay, so The Sun and the Shadow by Stephanie Combs surprised me in the best way. It’s pitched as a Cinderella/Robin Hood retelling—and yes, it’s that—but it also has this very classic fantasy romance energy that blends curses, gods, and emotional pining into one soft but mysterious package.
Raelyn instantly drew me in. A girl cursed to live without sunlight? Tragic and symbolic, I love that. She’s not your loud or sassy heroine; she’s quiet but determined, which honestly made her more interesting to follow. You can feel her desperation to be free, and that made her small moments of bravery hit harder. Her relationship with her stepmother was as awful as you’d expect, but I did wish the story showed more layers in that dynamic instead of keeping it strictly “evil stepmom, oppressed stepdaughter.”
Then there’s Prince Kian—our vigilante prince with a secret and a heart that’s too soft for his own good. His side of the story added the right amount of tension. The “fake marriage to save us both” trope? Always a win for me. Their chemistry worked, and their emotional connection felt genuine.
The writing itself is really pretty—lush without being overdone. Combs has this fairy-tale tone that makes the world feel dreamy but grounded. I also loved the touches of divine lore and forgotten gods; it gave the plot more depth. That said, the middle chapters dragged a bit for me. The pacing kind of dipped after the initial spark, and I found myself skimming through some of the mythological exposition just to get back to Raelyn and Kian.
The ending though? Beautifully bittersweet. It wrapped up the romance but still left enough open threads for future books in the series.
Overall:
✨ The romance? Soft, slow-burn, and full of longing.
✨ The world? Rich and atmospheric.
✨ The plot? Engaging.
If you’re into fantasy romances like Once Upon a Broken Heart, you’ll probably enjoy this one. It’s whimsical, heartfelt, and the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with tea and just feel things.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Okay, so The Sun and the Shadow by Stephanie Combs surprised me in the best way. It’s pitched as a Cinderella/Robin Hood retelling—and yes, it’s that—but it also has this very classic fantasy romance energy that blends curses, gods, and emotional pining into one soft but mysterious package.
Raelyn instantly drew me in. A girl cursed to live without sunlight? Tragic and symbolic, I love that. She’s not your loud or sassy heroine; she’s quiet but determined, which honestly made her more interesting to follow. You can feel her desperation to be free, and that made her small moments of bravery hit harder. Her relationship with her stepmother was as awful as you’d expect, but I did wish the story showed more layers in that dynamic instead of keeping it strictly “evil stepmom, oppressed stepdaughter.”
Then there’s Prince Kian—our vigilante prince with a secret and a heart that’s too soft for his own good. His side of the story added the right amount of tension. The “fake marriage to save us both” trope? Always a win for me. Their chemistry worked, and their emotional connection felt genuine.
The writing itself is really pretty—lush without being overdone. Combs has this fairy-tale tone that makes the world feel dreamy but grounded. I also loved the touches of divine lore and forgotten gods; it gave the plot more depth. That said, the middle chapters dragged a bit for me. The pacing kind of dipped after the initial spark, and I found myself skimming through some of the mythological exposition just to get back to Raelyn and Kian.
The ending though? Beautifully bittersweet. It wrapped up the romance but still left enough open threads for future books in the series.
Overall:
✨ The romance? Soft, slow-burn, and full of longing.
✨ The world? Rich and atmospheric.
✨ The plot? Engaging.
If you’re into fantasy romances like Once Upon a Broken Heart, you’ll probably enjoy this one. It’s whimsical, heartfelt, and the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with tea and just feel things.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 15, 2025
Arc Review✨
Thank you to the author Stephanie Combs for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Sun and Her Shadow by Stephanie Combs is an engaging romantasy with a compelling setup, a mysterious past, and a marriage of convenience that leads to much more than either character bargained for.
The story follows Raelyn, a young woman cursed by the Sun—a condition that makes her an outcast, especially after her father remarries. When Prince Kian offers her salvation through a politically advantageous marriage, Raelyn accepts… unaware that he’s been keeping secrets of his own. Kian has known her for years, even if she can’t remember him. As their marriage unfolds, they’re pulled into a deeper web of divine disappearance, political unrest, and dangerous secrets hiding just beneath the surface.
The book immediately hooked me with the chemistry and banter between Kian and Raelyn. Kian, in particular, stood out as a lovable and kind-hearted MMC—his devotion and gentleness made him easy to root for. Raelyn was intriguing, though at times I found it hard to relate to her or fully understand her thought process. Some of her choices felt a bit inconsistent, though she remained compelling throughout.
While I really enjoyed the multiple plot threads and the world Combs created, the story occasionally felt like it was trying to juggle too many things at once. The pacing moved quickly, sometimes at the cost of depth. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters, dig deeper into the world-building, and get more resolution on certain plot points that felt rushed or left open-ended.
Still, despite those minor issues, I flew through this book and enjoyed the ride. It’s the kind of fantasy romance that balances mystery, magic, and emotional connection in a way that’s easy to get lost in. A strong entry in the genre, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Stephanie Combs.
Thank you to the author Stephanie Combs for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Sun and Her Shadow by Stephanie Combs is an engaging romantasy with a compelling setup, a mysterious past, and a marriage of convenience that leads to much more than either character bargained for.
The story follows Raelyn, a young woman cursed by the Sun—a condition that makes her an outcast, especially after her father remarries. When Prince Kian offers her salvation through a politically advantageous marriage, Raelyn accepts… unaware that he’s been keeping secrets of his own. Kian has known her for years, even if she can’t remember him. As their marriage unfolds, they’re pulled into a deeper web of divine disappearance, political unrest, and dangerous secrets hiding just beneath the surface.
The book immediately hooked me with the chemistry and banter between Kian and Raelyn. Kian, in particular, stood out as a lovable and kind-hearted MMC—his devotion and gentleness made him easy to root for. Raelyn was intriguing, though at times I found it hard to relate to her or fully understand her thought process. Some of her choices felt a bit inconsistent, though she remained compelling throughout.
While I really enjoyed the multiple plot threads and the world Combs created, the story occasionally felt like it was trying to juggle too many things at once. The pacing moved quickly, sometimes at the cost of depth. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters, dig deeper into the world-building, and get more resolution on certain plot points that felt rushed or left open-ended.
Still, despite those minor issues, I flew through this book and enjoyed the ride. It’s the kind of fantasy romance that balances mystery, magic, and emotional connection in a way that’s easy to get lost in. A strong entry in the genre, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Stephanie Combs.
November 2, 2025
The Sun and Her Shadow by Stephanie Combs follows Raelyn—a young woman cursed to live without sunlight, forced to spend her life in the shadows. From the very first chapter, readers will catch subtle Cinderella vibes, complete with a wicked stepmother, but this story quickly grows into something much deeper. Add in a fake marriage, a missing god, and a crumbling realm, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a compelling romantasy.
Raelyn, our determined FMC, has always trusted her father and accepted her strange “allergy” to sunlight. But, as every good fantasy promises, there’s far more to her story—and the truth waiting to be uncovered will keep you hooked until the very end.
Prince Kian, the MMC, is consumed by his quest to find the lost gods responsible for his dying realm. When fate reunites him with Raelyn—the girl who once stole his heart—the two join forces on a journey that tests their courage, trust, and hearts alike.
Pros:
✨ Fast-paced and immersive—I could have finished it in one sitting if work hadn’t gotten in the way!
✨ Engaging, relatable characters
✨ Dual POV chapters that add emotional depth and tension
Cons:
🌙 The beginning follows the Cinderella retelling a bit closely, but clever twists soon set it apart and make the story shine on its own.
Tropes: Slow burn • Fairy tale retelling • Masked men • Questing • Marriage of convenience • Memory loss • Forced proximity • Hidden identities
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a fresh, heartfelt twist on classic fairytale fantasy that blends mystery, romance, and magic seamlessly. Huge thanks to Midnight Tide Publishing, Stephanie Combs, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Raelyn, our determined FMC, has always trusted her father and accepted her strange “allergy” to sunlight. But, as every good fantasy promises, there’s far more to her story—and the truth waiting to be uncovered will keep you hooked until the very end.
Prince Kian, the MMC, is consumed by his quest to find the lost gods responsible for his dying realm. When fate reunites him with Raelyn—the girl who once stole his heart—the two join forces on a journey that tests their courage, trust, and hearts alike.
Pros:
✨ Fast-paced and immersive—I could have finished it in one sitting if work hadn’t gotten in the way!
✨ Engaging, relatable characters
✨ Dual POV chapters that add emotional depth and tension
Cons:
🌙 The beginning follows the Cinderella retelling a bit closely, but clever twists soon set it apart and make the story shine on its own.
Tropes: Slow burn • Fairy tale retelling • Masked men • Questing • Marriage of convenience • Memory loss • Forced proximity • Hidden identities
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a fresh, heartfelt twist on classic fairytale fantasy that blends mystery, romance, and magic seamlessly. Huge thanks to Midnight Tide Publishing, Stephanie Combs, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
October 2, 2025
4.5✨
Loved this book it’s definitely giving Robin Hood/Cinderella vibes!! Such a fast paced book and very well designed world building 🥰
Forced to live in the darkness and never understand why her father tell her to stay away from the sun as it will make her sick Raelyn has lived a sheltered life. Her mother has pasted away 18 years ago after birthing her younger brother, living with her twin sister’s, young brother and father who’s just recently announce he will be marrying Lady Carlisle. A vicious, nasty woman who likes to make Raelyn life hell by makes her into a slave.
Kian is a selfless prince who father demands him to marry and produce a heir. Kian father the king has been stealing from the poor and sits on his throne eating a large feast every night. Kian is on the hunt for the lost son god and has a secret, he’s the shadow a nickname given to the ones that fear him. He is stealing from his own father the king to help the good of his people even if it leads to death of a few guards but nothing will stop him.
Loved how much yarning Kian does for Raelyn 😅 the push and pull of the MC was so good and frustrating at times.
Alex is a good friend of Kian he’s loyal, charming and caring, he’s also has Kian agree to helping him steal.
Sera is Raelyn maid who has been keeping secret from her but she’s loyal, takes care of Raelyn and has a kind of love hate relationship with Alex.
Highly recommend this book 😍
Can’t wait to read the next book!!
Thank you NetGalley & Victory Editing for the arc 🥰
Loved this book it’s definitely giving Robin Hood/Cinderella vibes!! Such a fast paced book and very well designed world building 🥰
Forced to live in the darkness and never understand why her father tell her to stay away from the sun as it will make her sick Raelyn has lived a sheltered life. Her mother has pasted away 18 years ago after birthing her younger brother, living with her twin sister’s, young brother and father who’s just recently announce he will be marrying Lady Carlisle. A vicious, nasty woman who likes to make Raelyn life hell by makes her into a slave.
Kian is a selfless prince who father demands him to marry and produce a heir. Kian father the king has been stealing from the poor and sits on his throne eating a large feast every night. Kian is on the hunt for the lost son god and has a secret, he’s the shadow a nickname given to the ones that fear him. He is stealing from his own father the king to help the good of his people even if it leads to death of a few guards but nothing will stop him.
Loved how much yarning Kian does for Raelyn 😅 the push and pull of the MC was so good and frustrating at times.
Alex is a good friend of Kian he’s loyal, charming and caring, he’s also has Kian agree to helping him steal.
Sera is Raelyn maid who has been keeping secret from her but she’s loyal, takes care of Raelyn and has a kind of love hate relationship with Alex.
Highly recommend this book 😍
Can’t wait to read the next book!!
Thank you NetGalley & Victory Editing for the arc 🥰
September 15, 2025
Oh, this book was PHENOMENAL! I really wasn't sure how I would feel after the first several chapters, but this booked dug in its claws and refused to let go. I need book 2 NOW.
This book starts as a Cinderella/Robin Hood retelling, which was fine, but the second the marriage of convenience hits, it was GRIPPING! Rae's stepmother and siblings are absolutely terrible, and the despair was palpable. Once we learn about the tonic, the memories, and godsblood, I could not put this book down. This was an artfully done slow-burn with the romance, but also with the plot. It starts with bread crumbs, then there is a path, then it's an entire avalanche as I desperately try to figure out what is going to happen next.
Im not normally one for political intrigue, and thankfully, it was pretty light in this book. I loved how the mythology slowly unraveled with no infodumping. The plot was so artfully done that I felt like every tidbit of information was important, and I needed to analyze it to figure out each and every twist.
My only complaint with this book is that the Shadow didn't really feel necessary. It made me like him more, but it felt a bit like keeping him busy until everyone wlse was ready to move to the next part of the story. I'm interested to see if that carries on to the next book or if it is dropped from the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Midnight Tide Publishing, and Stephanie Combs for the free eARC.
This book starts as a Cinderella/Robin Hood retelling, which was fine, but the second the marriage of convenience hits, it was GRIPPING! Rae's stepmother and siblings are absolutely terrible, and the despair was palpable. Once we learn about the tonic, the memories, and godsblood, I could not put this book down. This was an artfully done slow-burn with the romance, but also with the plot. It starts with bread crumbs, then there is a path, then it's an entire avalanche as I desperately try to figure out what is going to happen next.
Im not normally one for political intrigue, and thankfully, it was pretty light in this book. I loved how the mythology slowly unraveled with no infodumping. The plot was so artfully done that I felt like every tidbit of information was important, and I needed to analyze it to figure out each and every twist.
My only complaint with this book is that the Shadow didn't really feel necessary. It made me like him more, but it felt a bit like keeping him busy until everyone wlse was ready to move to the next part of the story. I'm interested to see if that carries on to the next book or if it is dropped from the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Midnight Tide Publishing, and Stephanie Combs for the free eARC.
September 27, 2025
Book Review: The Sun and Her Shadow by Stephanie Combs
Rating: (4/5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
The Sun and Her Shadow, the first book in the Tales of the Forsaken Realm series, is a captivating fantasy romance that cleverly updates the Cinderella story. It successfully blends familiar fairy-tale elements with a deep political mystery and the beloved fake marriage trope.
The story centers on Raelyn, cursed to live without sunlight under her stepmother's rule, and Prince Kian, who is searching for a lost god. Their paths cross, leading to a desperate bargain: a fake marriage to save them both. Their relationship is a highlight, especially since both characters are refreshingly written as older protagonists in their late 20s, giving them a mature and complex history.
I loved that this wasn't just a simple retelling. The mystery of Raelyn’s sun curse is intriguing and is tied into the realm’s larger stakes. The use of a dual-POV (Point of View) effectively helped to weave together the growing romance and the high-stakes political plot, making the story feel complete and well-paced.
The Sun and Her Shadow is a strong start to the series. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy forced-proximity romance and fantasy retellings that stand on their own. I am definitely looking forward to reading book two!
Rating: (4/5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
The Sun and Her Shadow, the first book in the Tales of the Forsaken Realm series, is a captivating fantasy romance that cleverly updates the Cinderella story. It successfully blends familiar fairy-tale elements with a deep political mystery and the beloved fake marriage trope.
The story centers on Raelyn, cursed to live without sunlight under her stepmother's rule, and Prince Kian, who is searching for a lost god. Their paths cross, leading to a desperate bargain: a fake marriage to save them both. Their relationship is a highlight, especially since both characters are refreshingly written as older protagonists in their late 20s, giving them a mature and complex history.
I loved that this wasn't just a simple retelling. The mystery of Raelyn’s sun curse is intriguing and is tied into the realm’s larger stakes. The use of a dual-POV (Point of View) effectively helped to weave together the growing romance and the high-stakes political plot, making the story feel complete and well-paced.
The Sun and Her Shadow is a strong start to the series. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy forced-proximity romance and fantasy retellings that stand on their own. I am definitely looking forward to reading book two!
October 5, 2025
This is a Cinderella/ Robinhood inspired retelling like you’ve never seen before!
Readers will instantly be intrigued by our fmc Raelyn, and her strength of character despite being burdened with an affliction that weakens her if she spends any significant amount of time in direct sunlight, and despite also being burdened with a family who at best doesn’t value or appreciate her, and at worst casts her in the role of servant, and gets sick enjoyment out of removing any small comfort or joy she manages to uncover in her increasingly miserable existence.
They will be equally intrigued by Prince Kian, who despite his playboy reputation, has a heart for his suffering kingdom and is willing to steal from the rich and go up against his own father’s less than ideal willing to see that the citizens don’t starve and are cared for.
Place these two remarkable characters into a marriage of convenience, a journey involving discovering secrets about Gods who appear to have abandoned the realm, and family and friends who have kept life altering secrets and committed unspeakable acts of betrayal, and add some delicious yearning and unraveling of the shocking truth, and you have a recipe for a comfortingly familiar tale with unexpected thrills, breath taking deceit, and an up all night adventure you just can’t stop reading!
This was my first ever read by Stephanie, and I cannot wait to see what adventures await in the next book!
Readers will instantly be intrigued by our fmc Raelyn, and her strength of character despite being burdened with an affliction that weakens her if she spends any significant amount of time in direct sunlight, and despite also being burdened with a family who at best doesn’t value or appreciate her, and at worst casts her in the role of servant, and gets sick enjoyment out of removing any small comfort or joy she manages to uncover in her increasingly miserable existence.
They will be equally intrigued by Prince Kian, who despite his playboy reputation, has a heart for his suffering kingdom and is willing to steal from the rich and go up against his own father’s less than ideal willing to see that the citizens don’t starve and are cared for.
Place these two remarkable characters into a marriage of convenience, a journey involving discovering secrets about Gods who appear to have abandoned the realm, and family and friends who have kept life altering secrets and committed unspeakable acts of betrayal, and add some delicious yearning and unraveling of the shocking truth, and you have a recipe for a comfortingly familiar tale with unexpected thrills, breath taking deceit, and an up all night adventure you just can’t stop reading!
This was my first ever read by Stephanie, and I cannot wait to see what adventures await in the next book!
October 8, 2025
This story was marketed as an adult romantasy retelling of Cinderella x Robin Hood, with meddling gods, missing memories, and a marriage of convenience.
While the premise sounds promising, the execution was sorely lacking. There were several times I wanted to DNF this book, but I powered through and it is the only reason I feel comfortable leaving this review and star rating. In hindsight, I should have stopped around 42%.
The pacing of this book was all over the place, leaving much to be desired, especially when it comes to the world building and lore of the gods. While marketed as an adult slow burn romance, the writing felt juvenile at best. The dialogue was not well executed and often times felt forced. These characters are supposed to be in their late 20’s, yet the banter was quite cringeworthy and more reminiscent of a teen drama than an adult fantasy.
The “meat of the story” does finally surface around the last third of the book, but again, the pacing felt rushed and disjointed. We were simply told what happened without much description or imagination. I literally blinked and the main conflict was resolved with plenty of plot holes throughout, despite the epilogue that tries to wrap things up in a neat little bow.
This book is a standalone and start of an interconnected series, and while the ending does set up the next book, I have no desire to continue on with this series.
While the premise sounds promising, the execution was sorely lacking. There were several times I wanted to DNF this book, but I powered through and it is the only reason I feel comfortable leaving this review and star rating. In hindsight, I should have stopped around 42%.
The pacing of this book was all over the place, leaving much to be desired, especially when it comes to the world building and lore of the gods. While marketed as an adult slow burn romance, the writing felt juvenile at best. The dialogue was not well executed and often times felt forced. These characters are supposed to be in their late 20’s, yet the banter was quite cringeworthy and more reminiscent of a teen drama than an adult fantasy.
The “meat of the story” does finally surface around the last third of the book, but again, the pacing felt rushed and disjointed. We were simply told what happened without much description or imagination. I literally blinked and the main conflict was resolved with plenty of plot holes throughout, despite the epilogue that tries to wrap things up in a neat little bow.
This book is a standalone and start of an interconnected series, and while the ending does set up the next book, I have no desire to continue on with this series.
October 13, 2025
Is there anything better than a marriage of convenience and let's not get feelings mixed into it because complications?! I absolutely love this trope, and Stephanie does an amazing job of it here!
Raelyn is the oldest daughter with three siblings that make her life hell. Living with a health infliction that keeps her in the shadows for most of her life, she becomes a prisoner in her own home as her new stepmother isolates her from her family. Seeking a way to escape, she accepts a proposal from a prince, who feels familiar to her. Rae soon discovers that the price keeps a secret as well catapulting them on a journey to find a solution for their kingdom for impending doom. Hoping to keep her heart out of it all.
Kian is a prince with a secret. He finds himself mesmerized by Raelyn thought she claims she doesn't know him. Unaware of her inflection and memory loss, he proposes a marriage of convenience to keep his father and brother from playing match maker. Ki is convinced that Rae is the key to unlock the answer he desperately seeks to keep his Kingdom from starving. He soon realizes that he is not only risking his secret but his heart as well.
If you love a Cinderella / Robin-Hood retelling & a marriage of convenience, this book is for you! Stephanie does a wonderful job creating such complicated & brilliant characters. The banter and tension are chef's kiss! It was an absolute privilege to Beta read this book, Thank you!
Raelyn is the oldest daughter with three siblings that make her life hell. Living with a health infliction that keeps her in the shadows for most of her life, she becomes a prisoner in her own home as her new stepmother isolates her from her family. Seeking a way to escape, she accepts a proposal from a prince, who feels familiar to her. Rae soon discovers that the price keeps a secret as well catapulting them on a journey to find a solution for their kingdom for impending doom. Hoping to keep her heart out of it all.
Kian is a prince with a secret. He finds himself mesmerized by Raelyn thought she claims she doesn't know him. Unaware of her inflection and memory loss, he proposes a marriage of convenience to keep his father and brother from playing match maker. Ki is convinced that Rae is the key to unlock the answer he desperately seeks to keep his Kingdom from starving. He soon realizes that he is not only risking his secret but his heart as well.
If you love a Cinderella / Robin-Hood retelling & a marriage of convenience, this book is for you! Stephanie does a wonderful job creating such complicated & brilliant characters. The banter and tension are chef's kiss! It was an absolute privilege to Beta read this book, Thank you!
October 15, 2025
Raelyn has spent most of her life hidden away, rarely seen by anyone outside her family, locked inside her family home, only allowed to go out at night, if at all. Prince Kian, infatuated with Raelyn, struggles to understand why she does not remember him. The two soon find themselves in a marriage of convenience, one that aims to save Raelyn from her evil stepmother and satisfy the Kings demands that Kian marry.
The Sun and her Shadow takes inspiration from Cinderella and Robin Hood, while weaving its own unique tale. Our MMC Kian is lovable, determined and just wants to do right by his people. Raelyn is at times frustrating, making choices that make you want to bang your head against the wall…though given her upbringing and all that she learns in a short amount of time, these choices make sense in a way. Even still, she is strong, fierce, witty and has a determination in her that’s admirable. Together Kian and Raelyn are adorable, entertaining and have you rooting for them.
While there was some world-building I am hoping that more will be fleshed out in the next book and that some plot points from this book will be further touched upon as well. I want to know more about the gods, the various kingdoms and the Shadow!
This is the first standalone in an interconnected series and I’m looking forward to book two!
Thank you Stephanie Combs for providing me with an ARC.
The Sun and her Shadow takes inspiration from Cinderella and Robin Hood, while weaving its own unique tale. Our MMC Kian is lovable, determined and just wants to do right by his people. Raelyn is at times frustrating, making choices that make you want to bang your head against the wall…though given her upbringing and all that she learns in a short amount of time, these choices make sense in a way. Even still, she is strong, fierce, witty and has a determination in her that’s admirable. Together Kian and Raelyn are adorable, entertaining and have you rooting for them.
While there was some world-building I am hoping that more will be fleshed out in the next book and that some plot points from this book will be further touched upon as well. I want to know more about the gods, the various kingdoms and the Shadow!
This is the first standalone in an interconnected series and I’m looking forward to book two!
Thank you Stephanie Combs for providing me with an ARC.
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