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The Fae of the Forest #3
Realm of Winter and Roses
In the Realm of Eternal Spring, nothing is ever as it seems…
When Prince Beau and Queen Juliana are stranded in the icy wilds of Winter, Juliana sets off in search of help—but never returns. Determined to find her, Beau ventures out… only to find himself trapped in the Realm of Eternal Spring alongside a fearsome beast.
But the beast—Caoimhe—is no ordinary monster. Fierce, sharp-tongued, and hiding more secrets than truths, she’s not what Beau expected… and not someone he can afford to mistrust. To survive, Beau must ally with this strange, shape-shifting girl and confront the dark forces that have ensnared them both.
Meanwhile, far from Spring’s deceptive beauty, Princess Aislinn uncovers a terrible the ancient Mirror in the Dwarven vault of Avalinth is a fake. With her brother and mother missing, Aislinn and her father vow to bring their family home—no matter the cost.
But as old powers stir and forgotten bloodlines are revealed, Beau may learn that monsters are made, not born—and that sometimes the real danger wears a familiar face.
The third spellbinding instalment in the Fae of the Forest series, where loyalty is tested, secrets unravel, and love might just bloom in the unlikeliest of places.
When Prince Beau and Queen Juliana are stranded in the icy wilds of Winter, Juliana sets off in search of help—but never returns. Determined to find her, Beau ventures out… only to find himself trapped in the Realm of Eternal Spring alongside a fearsome beast.
But the beast—Caoimhe—is no ordinary monster. Fierce, sharp-tongued, and hiding more secrets than truths, she’s not what Beau expected… and not someone he can afford to mistrust. To survive, Beau must ally with this strange, shape-shifting girl and confront the dark forces that have ensnared them both.
Meanwhile, far from Spring’s deceptive beauty, Princess Aislinn uncovers a terrible the ancient Mirror in the Dwarven vault of Avalinth is a fake. With her brother and mother missing, Aislinn and her father vow to bring their family home—no matter the cost.
But as old powers stir and forgotten bloodlines are revealed, Beau may learn that monsters are made, not born—and that sometimes the real danger wears a familiar face.
The third spellbinding instalment in the Fae of the Forest series, where loyalty is tested, secrets unravel, and love might just bloom in the unlikeliest of places.
- GenresFantasy
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2026
About the author
Katherine Macdonald
37 books477 followersKatherine "Kate" Macdonald writes the books she wishes she could have read more of as a teen—stories of fierce girls and gentle boys, of romance and adventure, and where the "three Cs" (chemistry, communication and consent) reign supreme. There may still be a little bit of miscommunication along the way as the characters grow as people, but she tries not to rely on that trope too much!
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
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February 7, 2026The book is now in edits! Caoimhe and Beau's story is over, and the "Ladrien" saga is now finished.
Finally, after all this time...
Beau and Caoimhe are a funny pair. The best comparison I can think of is Tarzan and Jane. There's not much banter as a result, but it's both funny and heartwarming to watch. I think everyone's going to really enjoy the cameos, as well as how crazy Hawthorn goes with Juliana missing. There's a lot of "my wife!"
We also get to dive into Ladrien's history, and a lot of Faerie law... including how it came to be that the faeries cannot lie.
I didn't like this book all that much when I was first writing, because my default is antagonistic/love-to-hate couples, and while Beau and Caoimhe have a sunshine-and-grump dynamic, they're also quite sweet to each other really early on. HOWEVER, upon editing, I've decided that they adorable and must be protected at all costs.
Observe:
“Are you all right, Beau?”
His heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name on her lips. “I’m fine,” he managed, grateful for his lies.
“Am I too close again?”
No. Yes. No. “You’re ferfect,” Beau said, and then mentally kicked himself.
Caoimhe inched back, her brow furrowed. “I don’t know that word.”
“It means fine,” Beau said quickly, once more glad for his lies. She didn’t need to know he’d mixed up ‘fine’ with ‘perfect.’
“Your cheeks are red again.”
“That’s because you’re painting them!”
Caoimhe smiled again, bearing her fangs. Beau had the distinct impression he was being teased. He was growing steadily more used to her smiles, though his stomach still fluttered in protest.
Caoimhe dragged another streak down the side of his jaw, slower this time, as though the act mattered more than the result. Then she took his wrist and painted a curling line of dark purple down the inside of his forearm. The intimacy of it was startling, like she was drawing secrets into him.
Beau’s throat tightened. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted her to stop, or to keep going until there was nothing of him left untouched.
Finally, after all this time...
Beau and Caoimhe are a funny pair. The best comparison I can think of is Tarzan and Jane. There's not much banter as a result, but it's both funny and heartwarming to watch. I think everyone's going to really enjoy the cameos, as well as how crazy Hawthorn goes with Juliana missing. There's a lot of "my wife!"
We also get to dive into Ladrien's history, and a lot of Faerie law... including how it came to be that the faeries cannot lie.
I didn't like this book all that much when I was first writing, because my default is antagonistic/love-to-hate couples, and while Beau and Caoimhe have a sunshine-and-grump dynamic, they're also quite sweet to each other really early on. HOWEVER, upon editing, I've decided that they adorable and must be protected at all costs.
Observe:
“Are you all right, Beau?”
His heart skipped a beat at the sound of his name on her lips. “I’m fine,” he managed, grateful for his lies.
“Am I too close again?”
No. Yes. No. “You’re ferfect,” Beau said, and then mentally kicked himself.
Caoimhe inched back, her brow furrowed. “I don’t know that word.”
“It means fine,” Beau said quickly, once more glad for his lies. She didn’t need to know he’d mixed up ‘fine’ with ‘perfect.’
“Your cheeks are red again.”
“That’s because you’re painting them!”
Caoimhe smiled again, bearing her fangs. Beau had the distinct impression he was being teased. He was growing steadily more used to her smiles, though his stomach still fluttered in protest.
Caoimhe dragged another streak down the side of his jaw, slower this time, as though the act mattered more than the result. Then she took his wrist and painted a curling line of dark purple down the inside of his forearm. The intimacy of it was startling, like she was drawing secrets into him.
Beau’s throat tightened. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted her to stop, or to keep going until there was nothing of him left untouched.
July 1, 2026
Realm of Winter and Roses is the third and final novel in Katherine Macdonald’s The Fae of the Forest series and readers who love fairy lore and fairy tale will devour this book! Although reading the first two books in the series (Forest of Dreams and Whispers: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling and Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight: A Snow White Retelling) is ideal, Macdonald provides a succinct overview of the plots and characters along with a list of tropes and triggers to perfectly prepare new readers to enter her gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling, Realm of Winter and Roses.
The story focuses on Beau, the son of the King Hawthorne, a fairy once cursed to sleep for one-hundred years, and Queen Juliana, the once mortal woman who woke him from a sleeping curse with her kiss. The epic love story between the King and Queen who have pledged themselves to one another so fully neither can live without the other, has set the precedent for their grown children. Although Aislinn Ardenthorn, the eldest child and heir to the throne of Faerie found the true love of her life in the second installment of the series, Beau, the 19 year-year-old son with an artist’s heart, begins the third book wondering if he will ever feel for someone so deeply. While following his battle-ready mother into the Winter Realm, he finds himself in danger and is saved and nursed back to life in an enchanted castle inside the Realm of Eternal Spring. Trapped by vines which seal the entrance and exit to all but its monstrous master, Beau finds comfort in the arms of the castle’s only resident, a shapeshifter named Caoimhe with a monstrous past of her own.
I adored this book which presents an endearing twist on my favorite fairy tale. Beau is not the Prince Charming of lore, but a sensitive and inquisitive soul who would rather draw than fight, and Caoimhe is no Damsel in Distress. She is a fierce and resilient force who strives to do the right thing in the face of evil. The slow-burn development of their relationship is artfully done, and the witty dialogue that accompanies the interactions between two people from vastly different backgrounds made me laugh out loud. When the two young lovers decide to hold a ball for themselves, Beau’s fashion is half-suit and half-gown in “defiance of both,” and Caoimhe, while beautiful, is an “other” with a tail, always ready to fight and defend the man she loves. While Beau is caught in the Realm of Eternal Spring, his mother’s whereabouts are completely unknown, and his father and sister, Hawthorne and Aislinn, launch an epic journey to rescue them, bringing closure to the saga of the Fae that has stretched itself across three books and generations of time.
This is high fantasy with battles, villains, and systems of magic, but Macdonald’s prose also carries a cozy, contemplative, literary vibe, forcing readers to consider what makes a villain monstrous and how all living beings act as shapeshifters, moving through life by adapting to their circumstances. If, like Beau, your dark side is “navy blue,” but you still enjoy all the drama fairy lore has to offer, check out Katherine Macdonald’s series. As Beau would say, “Vines, this book is great!”
The story focuses on Beau, the son of the King Hawthorne, a fairy once cursed to sleep for one-hundred years, and Queen Juliana, the once mortal woman who woke him from a sleeping curse with her kiss. The epic love story between the King and Queen who have pledged themselves to one another so fully neither can live without the other, has set the precedent for their grown children. Although Aislinn Ardenthorn, the eldest child and heir to the throne of Faerie found the true love of her life in the second installment of the series, Beau, the 19 year-year-old son with an artist’s heart, begins the third book wondering if he will ever feel for someone so deeply. While following his battle-ready mother into the Winter Realm, he finds himself in danger and is saved and nursed back to life in an enchanted castle inside the Realm of Eternal Spring. Trapped by vines which seal the entrance and exit to all but its monstrous master, Beau finds comfort in the arms of the castle’s only resident, a shapeshifter named Caoimhe with a monstrous past of her own.
I adored this book which presents an endearing twist on my favorite fairy tale. Beau is not the Prince Charming of lore, but a sensitive and inquisitive soul who would rather draw than fight, and Caoimhe is no Damsel in Distress. She is a fierce and resilient force who strives to do the right thing in the face of evil. The slow-burn development of their relationship is artfully done, and the witty dialogue that accompanies the interactions between two people from vastly different backgrounds made me laugh out loud. When the two young lovers decide to hold a ball for themselves, Beau’s fashion is half-suit and half-gown in “defiance of both,” and Caoimhe, while beautiful, is an “other” with a tail, always ready to fight and defend the man she loves. While Beau is caught in the Realm of Eternal Spring, his mother’s whereabouts are completely unknown, and his father and sister, Hawthorne and Aislinn, launch an epic journey to rescue them, bringing closure to the saga of the Fae that has stretched itself across three books and generations of time.
This is high fantasy with battles, villains, and systems of magic, but Macdonald’s prose also carries a cozy, contemplative, literary vibe, forcing readers to consider what makes a villain monstrous and how all living beings act as shapeshifters, moving through life by adapting to their circumstances. If, like Beau, your dark side is “navy blue,” but you still enjoy all the drama fairy lore has to offer, check out Katherine Macdonald’s series. As Beau would say, “Vines, this book is great!”
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Booksprout and Katherine Macdonald for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Forest of Dreams and Whispers was my very first Katherine Macdonald book, and I fell in love with the world immediately! Since then, I've been looking forward to each future installment, so for this to be the final one definitely leaves me feeling bittersweet. But mostly sweet!
To be honest, I feel like Hawthorn and Juliana set the bar pretty high in terms of what I expect from a romance, but that's not to say I found Beau and Caoimhe to be boring (or Aislinn and Caer, for that matter). I loved how much they cared for one another while also getting to see their own personal arcs outside of each other, though it probably helps that Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories and I personally thought this book adapted the fairy tale pretty well!
Then there's the Ladrien and Mabel of it all. Sometimes I feel like authors will try to cram in too much backstory before the final scene, so I wouldn't have minded if they had gotten their own separate stories instead, with only hints and tidbits sprinkled into the main books. However, for what we did get, I thought it was pretty good and I hope to return to this world again someday.
Overall, a great finale! The Fae of the Forest series will always hold a special place in my heart!
Forest of Dreams and Whispers was my very first Katherine Macdonald book, and I fell in love with the world immediately! Since then, I've been looking forward to each future installment, so for this to be the final one definitely leaves me feeling bittersweet. But mostly sweet!
To be honest, I feel like Hawthorn and Juliana set the bar pretty high in terms of what I expect from a romance, but that's not to say I found Beau and Caoimhe to be boring (or Aislinn and Caer, for that matter). I loved how much they cared for one another while also getting to see their own personal arcs outside of each other, though it probably helps that Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories and I personally thought this book adapted the fairy tale pretty well!
Then there's the Ladrien and Mabel of it all. Sometimes I feel like authors will try to cram in too much backstory before the final scene, so I wouldn't have minded if they had gotten their own separate stories instead, with only hints and tidbits sprinkled into the main books. However, for what we did get, I thought it was pretty good and I hope to return to this world again someday.
Overall, a great finale! The Fae of the Forest series will always hold a special place in my heart!
June 8, 2026
This is a loose Beauty and the Beast-inspired paranormal romance, but it quickly becomes something more original. A key “swap” in the premise adds an unexpected twist that sets it apart from the traditional fairy tale structure.
The story takes place in a forest realm with detailed and layered world-building. There are several plot twists that are not part of the original fairy tale, which kept the narrative unpredictable and engaging. The author clearly puts effort into developing the setting and its rules, which adds depth to the reading experience.
The characters are well developed and feel grounded within the world they inhabit. I particularly appreciated that the romance is slow burn and unfolds gradually alongside the main plot rather than dominating it. It feels present throughout, but not rushed or forced.
Overall, this is not a standard romance retelling. It is more complex, more layered, and more focused on world-building and character development than on romance alone. Still, it delivers a satisfying and well-written romantic arc and is definitely worth reading for fans of slower, more intricate fantasy romance stories.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story takes place in a forest realm with detailed and layered world-building. There are several plot twists that are not part of the original fairy tale, which kept the narrative unpredictable and engaging. The author clearly puts effort into developing the setting and its rules, which adds depth to the reading experience.
The characters are well developed and feel grounded within the world they inhabit. I particularly appreciated that the romance is slow burn and unfolds gradually alongside the main plot rather than dominating it. It feels present throughout, but not rushed or forced.
Overall, this is not a standard romance retelling. It is more complex, more layered, and more focused on world-building and character development than on romance alone. Still, it delivers a satisfying and well-written romantic arc and is definitely worth reading for fans of slower, more intricate fantasy romance stories.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2026
From the very start, with the recap of books one and two, I was hooked.
I had not read the previous books yet ( I received a free review copy via booksprout) but was able to follow along easily, and I loved the set up of Beau, the artistic Prince, out on a surveying adventure with his mother.
Caoimhe is a delight. I love her feminine beast nature that she expresses with her shape shifting ability, the tattered dresses and soft fur and wings, the golden shimmer she added to her form.
There's bits of the story everyone grew up on, with wolves and libraries and a ball, roses that she will protect, soft glimpses and longing and confusion. There's also the bits that are added and make the Fae of the Forest a wonderful blended story — Ladrien with his broken horn and power over the thorns, Ladrien's tale, the return of the Mirror.
I think my favorite little bit was how Caoimhe, so used to changing to please her father, asked Beau what he wanted her to change into and his response was for her to do as she likes (because he thinks her beast form is beautiful). It was a nice moment that had ripples for their relationship.
I had not read the previous books yet ( I received a free review copy via booksprout) but was able to follow along easily, and I loved the set up of Beau, the artistic Prince, out on a surveying adventure with his mother.
Caoimhe is a delight. I love her feminine beast nature that she expresses with her shape shifting ability, the tattered dresses and soft fur and wings, the golden shimmer she added to her form.
There's bits of the story everyone grew up on, with wolves and libraries and a ball, roses that she will protect, soft glimpses and longing and confusion. There's also the bits that are added and make the Fae of the Forest a wonderful blended story — Ladrien with his broken horn and power over the thorns, Ladrien's tale, the return of the Mirror.
I think my favorite little bit was how Caoimhe, so used to changing to please her father, asked Beau what he wanted her to change into and his response was for her to do as she likes (because he thinks her beast form is beautiful). It was a nice moment that had ripples for their relationship.
May 29, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Katherine MacDonald has become an autobuy author for me. Not just auto-read, autobuy. Once hubby and I finish our move this summer, all her awesome books will have new special shelves!
And her Fae of the Forest has been some of my favorite bits! (That and her seriously underrated Mechanical Kingdoms!) If you haven't read the other two, please do! She gives a great sum up in the beginning of each book to bring you up to speed but the other two stories make this one all the better!
Beau is a special kind of adorable awkward. Watching him stumble and make mistakes and mix his words up is...he is adorable incarnate. And Caoimhe is an understanding and sweet counterpart. I can definitely see the Tarzan and Jane comparisons!
Their romance is enough to recommend this read but as always, the side characters and worldbuilding add just enough extra taste to this tale.
I have come to expect no less from the Queen of Beauty and the Beast retellings!
Katherine MacDonald has become an autobuy author for me. Not just auto-read, autobuy. Once hubby and I finish our move this summer, all her awesome books will have new special shelves!
And her Fae of the Forest has been some of my favorite bits! (That and her seriously underrated Mechanical Kingdoms!) If you haven't read the other two, please do! She gives a great sum up in the beginning of each book to bring you up to speed but the other two stories make this one all the better!
Beau is a special kind of adorable awkward. Watching him stumble and make mistakes and mix his words up is...he is adorable incarnate. And Caoimhe is an understanding and sweet counterpart. I can definitely see the Tarzan and Jane comparisons!
Their romance is enough to recommend this read but as always, the side characters and worldbuilding add just enough extra taste to this tale.
I have come to expect no less from the Queen of Beauty and the Beast retellings!
June 1, 2026
This book was a lovely and fitting conclusion to the Fae of the Forest trilogy. I really enjoyed returning to this enchanting fae world and seeing familiar characters again while following Beau and Caoimhe's story. Their slow-burn romance was sweet and heartfelt, built on friendship, trust, and acceptance. I especially liked how Beau appreciated Caoimhe for who she was, making their relationship feel genuine and natural. The Beauty and the Beast inspiration was woven in beautifully while still feeling fresh and unique. Katherine Macdonald's writing brought the fairytale setting to life with vivid descriptions and strong emotional moments. The expanded lore and backstory added depth to the world and helped tie the trilogy together. While some parts felt slower than previous books, the story delivered a satisfying sense of closure. Overall, this was a charming, magical finale that left me both happy and a little sad to say goodbye to these characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2026
✨ ARC Review ✨
Oh my heart… Realm of Winter and Roses by Katherine Macdonald is such a dreamy, magical escape! ❄️🌹 From the very first page, I was swept into a world that’s equal parts icy intrigue and tender romance. The wintery setting is absolutely enchanting—it feels like walking through a frost-kissed forest where every shadow hides a secret.
Katherine Macdonald’s writing is so immersive and lyrical that I felt every emotion right alongside the characters—the longing, the tension, the sparks of hope and heartbreak. The characters themselves are so beautifully written; I rooted for them, swooned with them, and sometimes even let out a little gasp at the twists!
This ARC was impossible to put down. It’s magical, romantic, and just the right mix of sweet and dark to make my reading heart happy. If you love atmospheric fantasies with strong characters, a hint of danger, and romance that warms you even in the coldest winters
Oh my heart… Realm of Winter and Roses by Katherine Macdonald is such a dreamy, magical escape! ❄️🌹 From the very first page, I was swept into a world that’s equal parts icy intrigue and tender romance. The wintery setting is absolutely enchanting—it feels like walking through a frost-kissed forest where every shadow hides a secret.
Katherine Macdonald’s writing is so immersive and lyrical that I felt every emotion right alongside the characters—the longing, the tension, the sparks of hope and heartbreak. The characters themselves are so beautifully written; I rooted for them, swooned with them, and sometimes even let out a little gasp at the twists!
This ARC was impossible to put down. It’s magical, romantic, and just the right mix of sweet and dark to make my reading heart happy. If you love atmospheric fantasies with strong characters, a hint of danger, and romance that warms you even in the coldest winters
May 23, 2026
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to get back into this world. Forest of dreams and whispers was a 5 star read for me! So it’s delightful to be able to see Juliana and Hawthorn’s life together after the first book.
The love story between Beau and Caoimhe was very sweet! I enjoyed the build up and the journey to their romance. Katherine always does a great fairytale retelling so I loved the beauty and the beast vibes. I enjoyed Caoimhe’s character, the gender swapped beast was a great decision.
Seeing the characters from the second book return and what they are up to added a nice sense of closure for ending the series.
The first book will always be my favourite but this felt like a natural end and a good send off for the series.
I was really excited to get back into this world. Forest of dreams and whispers was a 5 star read for me! So it’s delightful to be able to see Juliana and Hawthorn’s life together after the first book.
The love story between Beau and Caoimhe was very sweet! I enjoyed the build up and the journey to their romance. Katherine always does a great fairytale retelling so I loved the beauty and the beast vibes. I enjoyed Caoimhe’s character, the gender swapped beast was a great decision.
Seeing the characters from the second book return and what they are up to added a nice sense of closure for ending the series.
The first book will always be my favourite but this felt like a natural end and a good send off for the series.
Review of advance copy
Realm of Winter and Roses is the third book in the series. I read the books out of order, reading the first and third but not the second yet. Although it's about the same family, each book focuses on a different couple. There are enough re-cap lines that you could potentially read this as a stand-alone, but I think it would be more enjoyable to read book 1 and book 2 first.
I found the pacing of the book was a little slow at the beginning when Beau and Caoimhe first meet. The story picks up after a while as more threads are introduced. Like book 1 with Juliana and Hawthorn, it's a slow burn - except over a shorter time period. The romance between Beau and Caoimhe is sweet. I plan on going back and reading book 2 to see what I missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found the pacing of the book was a little slow at the beginning when Beau and Caoimhe first meet. The story picks up after a while as more threads are introduced. Like book 1 with Juliana and Hawthorn, it's a slow burn - except over a shorter time period. The romance between Beau and Caoimhe is sweet. I plan on going back and reading book 2 to see what I missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
May 17, 2026A very entertaining read but I'm afraid it didn't live up to the first book of the series. It started in an interesting way but I was expecting to feel a bit more about the characters, and the world than I did.
You can see that the author tried really hard to tie everything up for the trilogy finale, but it felt like it lacked some passion for the story that had been there previously.
I also was not the fan of the worldbuilding. When it was rather vague, I was okay with it. But when it was further explained it felt flat for me.
All in all, a good read for a lazy weekend, but not the strongest of the series for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You can see that the author tried really hard to tie everything up for the trilogy finale, but it felt like it lacked some passion for the story that had been there previously.
I also was not the fan of the worldbuilding. When it was rather vague, I was okay with it. But when it was further explained it felt flat for me.
All in all, a good read for a lazy weekend, but not the strongest of the series for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This world of fae is one of my favorites, so I was ecstatic to return and visit the characters I love. Beau and Caoimhe have a fun dynamic that reminded me a bit of Tarzan and Jane (gender-swapped), but it still has plenty of nods to the Beauty and the Beast story. The lore and world-building was fleshed out even more in this book, taking an epic, unexpected journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m sad to see the series done, but this book wraps everything up wonderfully.
This trilogy is on my favorites shelf—I highly recommend you binge it if you haven’t (or even if you have!).
Contains:
-Trauma
-Abuse
-Grief
-Sexual Content
-Violence
This trilogy is on my favorites shelf—I highly recommend you binge it if you haven’t (or even if you have!).
Contains:
-Trauma
-Abuse
-Grief
-Sexual Content
-Violence
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh how I love Katherine Macdonald's Fae!!!
This book was beautifully written, with a gorgeous slow burn romance in a gorgeous fairytale setting.
Kate's attention to detail is exquisite and as a visual reader, I could see every scene like a painting.
Beau and Caomhie are wonderful, their banter, friendship and romance are told in such a way that it feels so real, so natural.
I loved being reunited with characters I've met before, because that what Kate does...she writes romance and you fall in love. With everyone.
A beautiful, enchanting read. 🖤
This book was beautifully written, with a gorgeous slow burn romance in a gorgeous fairytale setting.
Kate's attention to detail is exquisite and as a visual reader, I could see every scene like a painting.
Beau and Caomhie are wonderful, their banter, friendship and romance are told in such a way that it feels so real, so natural.
I loved being reunited with characters I've met before, because that what Kate does...she writes romance and you fall in love. With everyone.
A beautiful, enchanting read. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a continuation of a wonderful series based on fairy tales. This version loosely wrapped its story around a gender swapped beauty and the beast tale. A prince finds himself in a bad situation when he can't find his mother and ends up almost dying trying to locate her. In comes the beastlike female to save him and they slowly get to know each other and fall in love. This is one of the best endings to a series that I've read and I'm sad to see it end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2026
I’d recommend this book to someone who is into the history of a character and doesn’t mind jumping back and forth between different storylines for every chapter. The writing itself was easy to follow along but as someone who wasn’t super interested in the background of the main villain it made some chapters hard to read and I had to push through them. Overall it was a lovely rendition of Beauty and the Beast.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2026
Beauty and the beast is my ultimate favourite fairytale and I do love a good retelling and this one is incredible. Told with the author twists we find ourselves following prince Beau and beast Caoimhe deep in the forest realm. Brimming with plot twists and turns, this wonderful slow burn romance draws you in hook, line and sinker as we follow a friendship blossom into more. It’s heartfelt, it’s charming and it is truly magical and I loved every moment.
Review of advance copy
Book 3 of The Fae of the Forest series, This is about Caoimhe and Beau. You can read these as standalone, but it would be helpful to read these in order. I enjoyed their friendship, and thought the choices towards the end is very sweet. Overall, an enjoyable series to give a chance to.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2026
I received an eARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The vibrant, poetic-like writing brought out the fairytale world of the story brilliantly.
Beau and Caoimhe were a sweet couple to read, even through the darker parts of the book.
I still enjoyed Hawthorn’s wit whenever it was present.
A wonderful book to finish off the Ardenthorn’s tales.
The vibrant, poetic-like writing brought out the fairytale world of the story brilliantly.
Beau and Caoimhe were a sweet couple to read, even through the darker parts of the book.
I still enjoyed Hawthorn’s wit whenever it was present.
A wonderful book to finish off the Ardenthorn’s tales.
June 27, 2026
I have really enjoyed this series and this last book is once again an exciting read.
Another fairytale retelling, Beauty and the Beast, that kept me invested and invites you to a magical adventure.
The winter setting and elements, the tension and characters themselves are a big plus for me.
I can really recommend this author and her universe!
Another fairytale retelling, Beauty and the Beast, that kept me invested and invites you to a magical adventure.
The winter setting and elements, the tension and characters themselves are a big plus for me.
I can really recommend this author and her universe!
May 23, 2026
Realm of Winter and Roses was a really incredible story. The world building was amazing, and the characters were likable and engaging. The overall storyline was easy to follow and I enjoyed it immensely.
June 8, 2026
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book. Our heroine and hero are on the younger side and reads like it too. It is, like it's predecessors, a gender swapped fairytale story. We do see old characters back again. Reading from multiple POVs. 3.5 stars
June 12, 2026
I loved a forest of dreams and whispers and it was good to see Hawthorn and Juliana again even though they are not the main focus of the story. I thought Ladrien’s backstory worked but it was not a comfortable read, the anticipation of betrayal often seems worse than the betrayal. I did love reading about Caoimhe and liked the echo of her mother behaving just like Mara. This book felt bittersweet because so much tragedy lingers but I liked the ending and Caoimhe and Beau are sweet together . I liked the bonus scenes too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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