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Enchanting Confections
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment
A helping of brownies. A fistful of gremlins. And a sprinkling of love to mend what is broken.
The proudest day of Bryony’s life is the day her father, the village carpenter, is knighted for saving the king. The worst is when she learns the king has a reward for her, too: marriage to a stranger. Not just any stranger, but an earl with a frightening reputation.
Bryony arrives at Aberarth expecting polished floors, bustling servants, and a grand welcome. She’s met with an empty, neglected house and withered fields.
But Bryony isn’t delicate. She’s a village girl with stubborn optimism and capable hands. No servants? A new husband who's too busy making mysterious magical explosions in his study to help with the laundry? Fine. She’ll rebuild Aberarth herself. First step: leave milk on the hearth for the household brownies. Then she'll roll up her sleeves and get to work.
Because Bryony isn’t alone. Brownies, gremlins, dryads, kobolds—the fae have had reason to stay hidden. As Bryony coaxes the estate back to life, old magic stirs. And so does something dangerous and tender between her and the eccentric young earl. But Aberarth’s decay is a warning. Is Bryony the key to waking its true power—or the bait that triggers what’s buried beneath it?
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment, a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as arranged marriage, friends to lovers, and villager to countess. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.
The proudest day of Bryony’s life is the day her father, the village carpenter, is knighted for saving the king. The worst is when she learns the king has a reward for her, too: marriage to a stranger. Not just any stranger, but an earl with a frightening reputation.
Bryony arrives at Aberarth expecting polished floors, bustling servants, and a grand welcome. She’s met with an empty, neglected house and withered fields.
But Bryony isn’t delicate. She’s a village girl with stubborn optimism and capable hands. No servants? A new husband who's too busy making mysterious magical explosions in his study to help with the laundry? Fine. She’ll rebuild Aberarth herself. First step: leave milk on the hearth for the household brownies. Then she'll roll up her sleeves and get to work.
Because Bryony isn’t alone. Brownies, gremlins, dryads, kobolds—the fae have had reason to stay hidden. As Bryony coaxes the estate back to life, old magic stirs. And so does something dangerous and tender between her and the eccentric young earl. But Aberarth’s decay is a warning. Is Bryony the key to waking its true power—or the bait that triggers what’s buried beneath it?
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment, a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as arranged marriage, friends to lovers, and villager to countess. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2026
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April 15, 2026
I received this ebook arc in exchange for an honest review. This was adorable and I loved it! East of the Moon and West of the Sun isn’t my favorite fairytale retelling, but this was really good! Bryony was a good character with spunk and a heart of gold. It took me a bit to like Arthur, but soon he had my heart. The two of them were the sweetest and had me grinning and cheering on their love story from the start! Not to spoil, but the scene with the butter was so funny! I loved all of the talk about brownies! It made me hungry for some! I might have to try the recipe in the back of the book! It was a bit odd with all of the different magical creatures…there were a ton of them. It was hard to keep track at times and not my favorite thing. But overall, this was very good! I can’t wait to have a physical copy!
April 27, 2026
ARC Review - A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment by Sarah Carlisle.
This was one of those books that you read with a smile on your face the whole way through. It was such a beautiful sweet story and I loved everything about it.
The characters and magic system was different and fun and some of the scenes were so funny but also heartwarming. You just can’t help but to love everyone.
There were some twists with the curse that I didn’t see coming, and the final test had me in tears, but not sad, and not happy but some kind of tears I can’t even explain.
Bryony is a strong positive village girl who takes everything in stride. She’s not one of the “normal” annoying fmcs who sits and sulk and complain about everything. She was an amazing character.
I will highly recommend to anyone who wants a clean short story that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. And again you get an amazing recipe
This was one of those books that you read with a smile on your face the whole way through. It was such a beautiful sweet story and I loved everything about it.
The characters and magic system was different and fun and some of the scenes were so funny but also heartwarming. You just can’t help but to love everyone.
There were some twists with the curse that I didn’t see coming, and the final test had me in tears, but not sad, and not happy but some kind of tears I can’t even explain.
Bryony is a strong positive village girl who takes everything in stride. She’s not one of the “normal” annoying fmcs who sits and sulk and complain about everything. She was an amazing character.
I will highly recommend to anyone who wants a clean short story that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. And again you get an amazing recipe
May 5, 2026
I was lucky to receive an Arc of A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment in exchange for an honest review. East of the Sun and West of the Moon is my favorite fairy tale so I was excited to read a new retelling. And overall this book did not disappoint. I will admit its pace was slower than I expected but the whimsical atmosphere, the helpful fae, and the mystery surrounding Bryony’s husband Arthur keep the story interesting and entertaining. Bryony is also a wonderful hardworking protagonist. I love how she is an achiever and puts in the hard work even when the situation seems hopeless. She reminded me of the protagonist of The Sea-Bears Wife by Eliza Prokopovits (which is also a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon) as they both settle into their new lives from commoner to nobility. I also really enjoyed the scenes where Arthur teaches Bryony to read and creates magical tools to aid her work in restoring his rundown estate. Overall A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is a sweet enjoyable read for fans of fairy tales and cozy reads. I look forward to reading more of the books in the Enchanting Confections series.
May 27, 2026
Such a sweet book!
I enjoyed this take on the fae and this myth, and I’m eager to try the brownie recipe! Such a sweet book!
I enjoyed this take on the fae and this myth, and I’m eager to try the brownie recipe! Such a sweet book!
April 17, 2026
East of the Sun, West of the Moon is one of my favorite fairy tales, and this sweet retelling with fae rather than giants, charmed me to pieces.
We have our main characters, the young Duke Arthur and Briony, a carpenter’s daughter who the King pairs together in a surprise wedding with only one day’s notice.
Arthur, it turns out, hadn’t expected a bride, having only just lost his father and elder brother a week previous. Summoned before the king to have his father’s title bestowed upon him, the king’s proclamation is devastating. His family’s holding may be enormous, but the entire property lies fallow, the house falling apart, no servants and no tenants to help fill their empty coffers.
Expecting Briony to be some pampered noblewoman who will do nothing but complain about their shoddy circumstances, he has no idea what to make of Briony, and decides to mostly just avoid her.
Briony, however, is not afraid of hard work and, having been raised to respect the fae, begins her new life by leaving offerings for the brownies and kobolds, despite the disbelief of her husband. As more and more fae begin showing up, drawn by Briony’s attempt to start a garden (even managing to get Arthur to put his hands in the dirt to feel how good the newly fertilized beds feel) Briony finds her days filled with hard work made easier with the help and friendship of the fae.
She has no idea what Arthur is working on in his private study all night, nor where he spends his days, but Briony begins to fall for this strange and secretive man she married, but Arthur’s continued refusal to touch her baffles her… does he find her repulsive?
Filled with so much heart, kindness and humor (the smallest squirrel is too precious for words), this timeless classic has been reborn into a charming story all its own.
Plus, who can resist a gooey brownie… the author even includes a recipe (don’t worry, iron filings and oak leaves are entirely optional!
You’ll fall in love with this clean and sweet romance and while I was granted an advanced digital copy to review, I am happy to be purchasing a copy for my library upon its official release.
We have our main characters, the young Duke Arthur and Briony, a carpenter’s daughter who the King pairs together in a surprise wedding with only one day’s notice.
Arthur, it turns out, hadn’t expected a bride, having only just lost his father and elder brother a week previous. Summoned before the king to have his father’s title bestowed upon him, the king’s proclamation is devastating. His family’s holding may be enormous, but the entire property lies fallow, the house falling apart, no servants and no tenants to help fill their empty coffers.
Expecting Briony to be some pampered noblewoman who will do nothing but complain about their shoddy circumstances, he has no idea what to make of Briony, and decides to mostly just avoid her.
Briony, however, is not afraid of hard work and, having been raised to respect the fae, begins her new life by leaving offerings for the brownies and kobolds, despite the disbelief of her husband. As more and more fae begin showing up, drawn by Briony’s attempt to start a garden (even managing to get Arthur to put his hands in the dirt to feel how good the newly fertilized beds feel) Briony finds her days filled with hard work made easier with the help and friendship of the fae.
She has no idea what Arthur is working on in his private study all night, nor where he spends his days, but Briony begins to fall for this strange and secretive man she married, but Arthur’s continued refusal to touch her baffles her… does he find her repulsive?
Filled with so much heart, kindness and humor (the smallest squirrel is too precious for words), this timeless classic has been reborn into a charming story all its own.
Plus, who can resist a gooey brownie… the author even includes a recipe (don’t worry, iron filings and oak leaves are entirely optional!
You’ll fall in love with this clean and sweet romance and while I was granted an advanced digital copy to review, I am happy to be purchasing a copy for my library upon its official release.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I received an ARC from the author, and all opinions are my own.
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment was a fantastic retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon!
I really love East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and retellings of this story are something I really enjoy. I absolutely loved this book so much- it’s probably my favorite retelling of this story!
It did change one of the main parts of the story, but I was absolutely okay with that. I was never the biggest fan of the sharing a bed but not knowing what the other person looked like. So, I was happy that was changed around a little. A small spoiler: instead, he couldn’t touch anyone. I loved this aspect of the story. As someone who is sensory sensitive, I loved having this representation, though it’s a little different.
Bryony was the absolute best! She was hardworking and dedicated to her work! I loved how this book showed the power of hard work. Most of the story was about her making her new home a livable place and befriending the local Fae. I liked that this book shows how doing the work and being kind is important. She was also very kind to those around her.
Arthur was also amazing! He wasn’t in the story too much, but the parts he was in were great. He was very dramatic, which I loved; the first quote I share below demonstrates that. I am also drawn to being melodramatic at times, so this was very entertaining to me. He was also hardworking, though in a different way from Bryony, and caring. In the beginning you think that Arthur is very gruff, but throughout the course of the story you see a deeper side to him.
Their relationship started off a little rocky, but it quickly grows into something more. They are in a surprise arranged marriage, which causes some issues, along with the fact that he is never seen during the day. They do challenge each other and work well together. I loved the way that Arthur quietly cared about Bryony. He would see she needed something, so he made it for her- it was so cute. I loved seeing their relationship grow!
Bryony was also a commoner while Arthur was an earl, so there were some class differences that were explored. Bryony showed Arthur how to work hard, while Arthur taught Bryony how to read. It was incredibly cute!
I loved the way the curse was broken. It was unique and fit the story really well. The way the Fae were woven into the story was also wonderful. They brought a lot of fun and energy to the story, as well as shenanigans!
The way the story ended was everything! It was so sweet and brought everyone together!
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is a cozy retelling with Fae, magic, and sweet romance that I highly recommend!
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment releases on May 15, 2026.
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment was a fantastic retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon!
I really love East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and retellings of this story are something I really enjoy. I absolutely loved this book so much- it’s probably my favorite retelling of this story!
It did change one of the main parts of the story, but I was absolutely okay with that. I was never the biggest fan of the sharing a bed but not knowing what the other person looked like. So, I was happy that was changed around a little. A small spoiler: instead, he couldn’t touch anyone. I loved this aspect of the story. As someone who is sensory sensitive, I loved having this representation, though it’s a little different.
Bryony was the absolute best! She was hardworking and dedicated to her work! I loved how this book showed the power of hard work. Most of the story was about her making her new home a livable place and befriending the local Fae. I liked that this book shows how doing the work and being kind is important. She was also very kind to those around her.
Arthur was also amazing! He wasn’t in the story too much, but the parts he was in were great. He was very dramatic, which I loved; the first quote I share below demonstrates that. I am also drawn to being melodramatic at times, so this was very entertaining to me. He was also hardworking, though in a different way from Bryony, and caring. In the beginning you think that Arthur is very gruff, but throughout the course of the story you see a deeper side to him.
Their relationship started off a little rocky, but it quickly grows into something more. They are in a surprise arranged marriage, which causes some issues, along with the fact that he is never seen during the day. They do challenge each other and work well together. I loved the way that Arthur quietly cared about Bryony. He would see she needed something, so he made it for her- it was so cute. I loved seeing their relationship grow!
Bryony was also a commoner while Arthur was an earl, so there were some class differences that were explored. Bryony showed Arthur how to work hard, while Arthur taught Bryony how to read. It was incredibly cute!
I loved the way the curse was broken. It was unique and fit the story really well. The way the Fae were woven into the story was also wonderful. They brought a lot of fun and energy to the story, as well as shenanigans!
The way the story ended was everything! It was so sweet and brought everyone together!
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is a cozy retelling with Fae, magic, and sweet romance that I highly recommend!
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment releases on May 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Retellings of East of the Sun and West of the Moon are becoming my favorites and this one did not disappoint! I loved all of the different magical creatures and how vital their roles were. I was captivated by the world-building and how the magic of the land was brought to life! I enjoyed watching the Aberarth lands come back to life with Bryony taking the lead and befriending all of the creatures. I admired Arthur for teaching Bryony how to read and how he was constantly looking for a cure to his curse and ways to help Bryony. I felt bad for Bryony at first because it seemed like Arthur was rude and inconsiderate, but they had both been thrown into their marriage unexpectedly, and he came around after a while. I definitely recommend this slow-burn no-spice fantasy!
When the King decides to Knight Bryony's father for saving his life, he also decrees she must marry the Earl of Aberarth. Arthur seems repulsed to touch her, but goes through the ceremony, and takes her to his estate where the land is "cursed" and there's no servants. Luckily for them both, she was a village girl and knew how to cook, clean, and garden. Sticking to her parents' superstitions, she leaves gifts for the magical creatures of the lands, even though she's never seen them before. To her surprise she's greeted by many different creatures that start to help bring the estate and farmlands back to life. All while Arthur stays in his study for "magical research" and only sees her for dinner, until he sees the good that Bryony is bringing to the land and he starts helping. However, when they let their guards down, the magical curse shows its true form.
Will Arthur be able to prove his noble intentions not only to the creatures of his lands but to Bryony as well?
I received an Advanced Reader Copy with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.
When the King decides to Knight Bryony's father for saving his life, he also decrees she must marry the Earl of Aberarth. Arthur seems repulsed to touch her, but goes through the ceremony, and takes her to his estate where the land is "cursed" and there's no servants. Luckily for them both, she was a village girl and knew how to cook, clean, and garden. Sticking to her parents' superstitions, she leaves gifts for the magical creatures of the lands, even though she's never seen them before. To her surprise she's greeted by many different creatures that start to help bring the estate and farmlands back to life. All while Arthur stays in his study for "magical research" and only sees her for dinner, until he sees the good that Bryony is bringing to the land and he starts helping. However, when they let their guards down, the magical curse shows its true form.
Will Arthur be able to prove his noble intentions not only to the creatures of his lands but to Bryony as well?
I received an Advanced Reader Copy with no expectation of a review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gut rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Closed door
ARC publication date: May 15th 2026
Tropes: Fairytale retelling, East of the Sun and West of the Moon inspired, arranged marriage, rags to riches, fae world, dark secrets, reading lessons, found family
Quote: “Dryads in my kitchen taste testing pie. Don’t tell me, next we’ll be burning a pie or two to feed to the kobolds in my study.”
My synopsis
As part of her carpenter father's knighthood ceremony, 19yo village girl Bryony Davies is horrified when the King "honours" her family by arranging her marriage to the old Earl of Aberath - a marriage that gives her no security with his heirs already grown. So when she finds the Earl's handsome 25yo son at the end of the aisle instead of his father, Bryony is delighted. But this delight quickly sours as she finds her new husband cold and distant, with a strange refusal to see her until after sundown. What's more, there's no servants in the rundown estate, and a hulking creature roams the barren, aching land during the day. What secrets is her husband hiding and can she find happiness in this new life?
My review
What a charming story that truly felt like a fairytale! I loved Bryony's optimism and courage as she settled into her new life, facing challenges head on with heart and love. I adored the found family she made in the Fae, especially brownies Thistlebottom and Stumbletoes and the cheeky gremlins Tackle, Axle, and Rotor. The author's family recipe for choc chip brownies at the end was a sweet surprise too!
With thanks to the author and Enchanting Confections team for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Death, death of parent, abandonment, murder, physical abuse, animal cruelty
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Closed door
ARC publication date: May 15th 2026
Tropes: Fairytale retelling, East of the Sun and West of the Moon inspired, arranged marriage, rags to riches, fae world, dark secrets, reading lessons, found family
Quote: “Dryads in my kitchen taste testing pie. Don’t tell me, next we’ll be burning a pie or two to feed to the kobolds in my study.”
My synopsis
As part of her carpenter father's knighthood ceremony, 19yo village girl Bryony Davies is horrified when the King "honours" her family by arranging her marriage to the old Earl of Aberath - a marriage that gives her no security with his heirs already grown. So when she finds the Earl's handsome 25yo son at the end of the aisle instead of his father, Bryony is delighted. But this delight quickly sours as she finds her new husband cold and distant, with a strange refusal to see her until after sundown. What's more, there's no servants in the rundown estate, and a hulking creature roams the barren, aching land during the day. What secrets is her husband hiding and can she find happiness in this new life?
My review
What a charming story that truly felt like a fairytale! I loved Bryony's optimism and courage as she settled into her new life, facing challenges head on with heart and love. I adored the found family she made in the Fae, especially brownies Thistlebottom and Stumbletoes and the cheeky gremlins Tackle, Axle, and Rotor. The author's family recipe for choc chip brownies at the end was a sweet surprise too!
With thanks to the author and Enchanting Confections team for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Death, death of parent, abandonment, murder, physical abuse, animal cruelty
Review of advance copy received from Author
An unexpected arranged marriage that becomes even more unexpected
Brownies, gremlins, kobalds, naiads, dryads, banshees, and all manner of fae fill this East of the Sun West of the Moon fairy tale retelling. I absolutely loved A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment. It was fun watching the deteriorated manor be restored through Bryony and the fae folks' efforts. The brownies were cute and added humor to the story, and I loved their reaction to brownies (the treats).
Excellent characters that caught my attention from the first page. There are few instances where a commonor could be suddenly elevated to a countess and forced arranged marriage without the believability suffering. This book makes it work perfectly. A manor that needs help being cleaned and restored needs a commonor accustomed to these tasks and unafraid to accomplish them herself, and Bryony is the best suited to the task. She's strong and determined, but not obnoxious about it. The king though was kind of awful, in a good way. Arthur, fortunately, became a better husband as the book progressed, and he began to partake in his wife's restoration work. Together, Bryony and Arthur grow together and help the manor thrive while developing friendships with a variety of fae.
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is clean in language and content. I highly recommend it to all readers who love fae characters, surprise arranged marriages, and female characters unafraid to step up and do what's right.
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Brownies, gremlins, kobalds, naiads, dryads, banshees, and all manner of fae fill this East of the Sun West of the Moon fairy tale retelling. I absolutely loved A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment. It was fun watching the deteriorated manor be restored through Bryony and the fae folks' efforts. The brownies were cute and added humor to the story, and I loved their reaction to brownies (the treats).
Excellent characters that caught my attention from the first page. There are few instances where a commonor could be suddenly elevated to a countess and forced arranged marriage without the believability suffering. This book makes it work perfectly. A manor that needs help being cleaned and restored needs a commonor accustomed to these tasks and unafraid to accomplish them herself, and Bryony is the best suited to the task. She's strong and determined, but not obnoxious about it. The king though was kind of awful, in a good way. Arthur, fortunately, became a better husband as the book progressed, and he began to partake in his wife's restoration work. Together, Bryony and Arthur grow together and help the manor thrive while developing friendships with a variety of fae.
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is clean in language and content. I highly recommend it to all readers who love fae characters, surprise arranged marriages, and female characters unafraid to step up and do what's right.
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment
The Enchanting Confections
By Sarah Carlisle
When Bryony's father does a great service to the crown, he rewarded and Bryony finds herself marrying a stranger. After all, one doesn't refuse an honor from the king. Bryony just wishes the king hadn't felt the need to force such an honor on both her and her new, strange husband.
And Aberarth, the place she's supposed to call home? Well, we'll just say it needs lots of elbow grease. Fortunately, Bryony isn't afraid of hard work, after all she's only married into the nobility, not born into it. But it isn't just the house that needs work, no the land too is affected by the curse that has fallen over everything.
Bryony is more than a little confused by her new husband. Arthur always keeps a distance between them. He disappears and she never sees him during the day. And his office/study she is to stay out of it, no matter what, even if he blows things up on occasion. Then there is his talk that all she's doing is worthless if he can't fix something with his magic.
As the story progresses one begins to wonder if Bryony will ever discover what Arthur's secret is. I know I wanted to know what he was doing. This was a fun read based on a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I found it to be very engaging and loved how we never are quite sure what to make of Arthur, who at times could be sweet and charming and at other times a grumbly grouch.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.
The Enchanting Confections
By Sarah Carlisle
When Bryony's father does a great service to the crown, he rewarded and Bryony finds herself marrying a stranger. After all, one doesn't refuse an honor from the king. Bryony just wishes the king hadn't felt the need to force such an honor on both her and her new, strange husband.
And Aberarth, the place she's supposed to call home? Well, we'll just say it needs lots of elbow grease. Fortunately, Bryony isn't afraid of hard work, after all she's only married into the nobility, not born into it. But it isn't just the house that needs work, no the land too is affected by the curse that has fallen over everything.
Bryony is more than a little confused by her new husband. Arthur always keeps a distance between them. He disappears and she never sees him during the day. And his office/study she is to stay out of it, no matter what, even if he blows things up on occasion. Then there is his talk that all she's doing is worthless if he can't fix something with his magic.
As the story progresses one begins to wonder if Bryony will ever discover what Arthur's secret is. I know I wanted to know what he was doing. This was a fun read based on a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I found it to be very engaging and loved how we never are quite sure what to make of Arthur, who at times could be sweet and charming and at other times a grumbly grouch.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.
May 16, 2026
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment by Sarah Carlisle is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories. This standalone novella is a delightful retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
While I am not familiar with the original fairy tale, I found the story in A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment to be interesting, fantastical, and incredibly sweet.
The plot kicks off when the village carpenter saves the king, and his daughter, Bryony, is rewarded with a marriage to an earl with a frightening reputation. Following an evening wedding, Bryony arrives at the Aberarth estate to find an empty, neglected house and withered fields. However, as a village girl with stubborn optimism and capable hands, she readily takes on the task of rebuilding Aberarth. She even enlists the help of the local fae, all while her new husband is busy causing mysterious magical explosions in his study at night and disappearing during the day.
At first, Bryony's situation seems terrible, but she proves to be a strong character with a great can-do attitude. Her respect and kindness are quickly returned by the fae creatures emerging from the surrounding forest. Furthermore, despite his absence from daily chores, Arthur turns out to be a genuinely caring husband within the limits of his mysterious condition. As a fun bonus, the inclusion of brownie fae and actual baking brownies ties perfectly into the "enchanted confections" theme. There is even a brownie recipe included!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy fairy tales, enchantments, and sweets.
While I am not familiar with the original fairy tale, I found the story in A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment to be interesting, fantastical, and incredibly sweet.
The plot kicks off when the village carpenter saves the king, and his daughter, Bryony, is rewarded with a marriage to an earl with a frightening reputation. Following an evening wedding, Bryony arrives at the Aberarth estate to find an empty, neglected house and withered fields. However, as a village girl with stubborn optimism and capable hands, she readily takes on the task of rebuilding Aberarth. She even enlists the help of the local fae, all while her new husband is busy causing mysterious magical explosions in his study at night and disappearing during the day.
At first, Bryony's situation seems terrible, but she proves to be a strong character with a great can-do attitude. Her respect and kindness are quickly returned by the fae creatures emerging from the surrounding forest. Furthermore, despite his absence from daily chores, Arthur turns out to be a genuinely caring husband within the limits of his mysterious condition. As a fun bonus, the inclusion of brownie fae and actual baking brownies ties perfectly into the "enchanted confections" theme. There is even a brownie recipe included!
Highly recommended for those who enjoy cozy fairy tales, enchantments, and sweets.
May 19, 2026
{190 print pages}
Genre: Cozy fantasy, fairy tale retelling [of East of the Sun, West of the Moon]
Tropes: Arranged marriage, sudden rise in station, slowburn, curse
Setting: Estate
Writing style: 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Occasionally uncertain with some tension, but otherwise pretty light
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 1 instance of kissing minimally described over two paragraphs: he dips her, her legs get weak and her head swims; after the second kiss, he is left panting against her neck, and she kisses his head
• 1 mouth kiss minimally described over two paragraphs; 1 including dipping her, her legs weak and head swimming,
• 1 mouth kiss with the barest description
• 1 instance of lying with her head on his chest
• 1 instance of resting foreheads together, him cupping her cheek and brushing back hair, her sliding her hand behind his neck
Favorite aspects of the book:
• The characters
• The curse
• The fact that she is allowed to see him, since that part in the original is kind of annoying
This is a delightful version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, full of fun magical characters and led by a sweet, bright protagonist. Instead of her not being able to see her husband in human form, he is not allowed to touch anyone at all. The backstory for and expansion of the curse makes for the most original take on this tale that I’ve read, and I’ve read a number recently. I like that the curse wasn’t driven by pettiness but by something serious and impactful.
Much of the growth in the couple’s relationship is behind the scenes, as the narrative covers 7+ months. This keeps the focus on the breaking of the curse on the estate through the befriending of and respect for the fae of the land, as well as displaying respect for the land itself. It is slow at times, but that does also make the long timeline make more sense. Even though they don’t spend as much narrative time together as I would have liked, the moments the reader is privy to are always meaningful and of substance and/or consequence.
(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
Genre: Cozy fantasy, fairy tale retelling [of East of the Sun, West of the Moon]
Tropes: Arranged marriage, sudden rise in station, slowburn, curse
Setting: Estate
Writing style: 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Occasionally uncertain with some tension, but otherwise pretty light
Character- or plot-driven: Plot-driven
Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 1 instance of kissing minimally described over two paragraphs: he dips her, her legs get weak and her head swims; after the second kiss, he is left panting against her neck, and she kisses his head
• 1 mouth kiss minimally described over two paragraphs; 1 including dipping her, her legs weak and head swimming,
• 1 mouth kiss with the barest description
• 1 instance of lying with her head on his chest
• 1 instance of resting foreheads together, him cupping her cheek and brushing back hair, her sliding her hand behind his neck
Favorite aspects of the book:
• The characters
• The curse
• The fact that she is allowed to see him, since that part in the original is kind of annoying
This is a delightful version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, full of fun magical characters and led by a sweet, bright protagonist. Instead of her not being able to see her husband in human form, he is not allowed to touch anyone at all. The backstory for and expansion of the curse makes for the most original take on this tale that I’ve read, and I’ve read a number recently. I like that the curse wasn’t driven by pettiness but by something serious and impactful.
Much of the growth in the couple’s relationship is behind the scenes, as the narrative covers 7+ months. This keeps the focus on the breaking of the curse on the estate through the befriending of and respect for the fae of the land, as well as displaying respect for the land itself. It is slow at times, but that does also make the long timeline make more sense. Even though they don’t spend as much narrative time together as I would have liked, the moments the reader is privy to are always meaningful and of substance and/or consequence.
(I received a free ARC of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a sweet, cozy, and romantic book! Bryony is such a hardworking girl who is determined to make the best of things despite her entire life crumbling down around her. I loved how she reassured her parents and, although she was scared and worried about the future, she was determined to do her best. She was determined to try and love her husband and to be a good wife, and I loved how her hard work and dedication allowed her to make friends of the fae. All the fae side characters were wonderful, humorous, and so nice to Bryony! It was wonderful seeing how Bryony's kindness brought her friends. Arthur was also a great MMC as he was funny and also developed as a result of Bryony's influence. It was wonderful to see Bryony and Arthur grow closer together and I was really glad that the enactment of the curse was not a result of a lack of trust. It made the book much more enjoyable to read. This book was so sweet as the majority of the book focused on Bryony's attempts to improve Aberarth, Bryony's fae friends, and character development and friendships. There weren't really high stakes, making this book a perfect cozy read! Overall, this book is a wonderful addition to the Enchanting Confections series. And brownies were a really good choice for a sweet treat!
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book so much! Sarah Carlisle's writing is always very fun and easy to get into. I love the magic system in this world, as well as the abundance of fae creatures. I love how Sarah portrays the fae. It's very different from a lot of books with fae creatures. I loved seeing all the fae interacting with each other and using their magic to help out. The magic system was also very fun and enjoyable. The plot was very different from the original East of the Sun, West of the Moon, but with enough similarities that it was obvious it was a retelling. The elements of the original fairytale were incorporated very well and twisted masterfully and uniquely, in my opinion. The main characters were also great and likeable. I love Bryony so much! She is very hard-working and optimistic and I love how kind she is to everyone - human and fae. Arthur was also a great MMC. I loved seeing him grow and develop as a result of Bryony's influence on him.
The brownies that Bryony made sounded so delicious and I would definitely love to try them sometime. Thank you, Sarah, for including the recipe at the end of the book!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The brownies that Bryony made sounded so delicious and I would definitely love to try them sometime. Thank you, Sarah, for including the recipe at the end of the book!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so amazing and heartwarming I loved it! My favorite part of the book was definitely seeing all of the different mythological creatures from Naiads to Dryads, hobgoblins, brownies, kobolds, banshees, and barghests. I loved this book so much and seeing how all of the different races of mythological folk connected and met with each other. It was funny to see their little language in action and just watching all of the brownies helping to cook in the kitchen or any of the other critters that were cleaning the chimneys, doing the laundry, gardening, or any of the other chores that needed to get down around the place.
I also loved seeing the connection between her and her husband grow and it was really sweet, when her husband went to help her garden and chase off intruders during the day even though he was cursed and could not be his normal self the fact that he still wanted to help her and be there for her was just the cutest thing ever. I rlly like that they grew much closer over the book and that he even offered to tutor her with reading.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the book.
“His grin broadened. ‘Bryony, I have laughed more since our marriage than any other time in my life. I don't always overflow with mirth, but... I'm happy.”
I also loved seeing the connection between her and her husband grow and it was really sweet, when her husband went to help her garden and chase off intruders during the day even though he was cursed and could not be his normal self the fact that he still wanted to help her and be there for her was just the cutest thing ever. I rlly like that they grew much closer over the book and that he even offered to tutor her with reading.
Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the book.
“His grin broadened. ‘Bryony, I have laughed more since our marriage than any other time in my life. I don't always overflow with mirth, but... I'm happy.”
May 24, 2026
4.25 stars
Okay, clearly I'm a sucker for a great retelling of EotS & WotM (just thought of that! lol).
This was no different.
I absolutely loved Arthur. I've read reviews where they had some trouble warming up to him. But he and I just clicked immediately! I wish we could have his POV, but it's only from Bryony's.
Bryony is such a strong and capable woman. I loved that her background was not "she's a princess" or "she's a duchess." She was a village girl who knows how to work for what she wants and forged her own path after being basically forced into a marriage by the king. Granted the king was trying to show gratitude to her father for saving his life, he really could have done better. King, do better!
But Bryony finds herself on Arthur's cursed land. All he wants to do is learn to break the curse. All she wants to do is be married to her handsome recluse & live life. He's definitely the quintessential grumpy character and that did it for me! I wouldn't say she was sunshine, but she didn't let the curse stop her from trying and living life.
There were some seriously cute parts! Plus all of the EotS & WotM attributes! And add fairytale creatures and it made for a fun read!
All's well that ends well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Okay, clearly I'm a sucker for a great retelling of EotS & WotM (just thought of that! lol).
This was no different.
I absolutely loved Arthur. I've read reviews where they had some trouble warming up to him. But he and I just clicked immediately! I wish we could have his POV, but it's only from Bryony's.
Bryony is such a strong and capable woman. I loved that her background was not "she's a princess" or "she's a duchess." She was a village girl who knows how to work for what she wants and forged her own path after being basically forced into a marriage by the king. Granted the king was trying to show gratitude to her father for saving his life, he really could have done better. King, do better!
But Bryony finds herself on Arthur's cursed land. All he wants to do is learn to break the curse. All she wants to do is be married to her handsome recluse & live life. He's definitely the quintessential grumpy character and that did it for me! I wouldn't say she was sunshine, but she didn't let the curse stop her from trying and living life.
There were some seriously cute parts! Plus all of the EotS & WotM attributes! And add fairytale creatures and it made for a fun read!
All's well that ends well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
April 17, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCED READERS COPY
Before I read this book I had never heard of the story of an east of the sun and west of the moon. This book was captivating and so very interesting to read, especially with all the fae and different creatures, but nonetheless I found this book intriguing and I enjoyed it immensely!!! The story was so unique and had so many twists!!
I loved the magic system and more than anything I loved the characters!! Bryony was such an amazing character and I loved how she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and I loved the Earl too, and though it took a little bit, I did end up falling in love with his character!! And don’t even get me started on all the creatures, like I fell head over heels for all of them. I couldn’t put this book down and will definitely reread it!!
Sarah Carlisle did a fantastic job of weaving such a unique fairytale and she truly brought the story to life in her own unique way!!! Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for clean romance and unique, but special magic!!
Before I read this book I had never heard of the story of an east of the sun and west of the moon. This book was captivating and so very interesting to read, especially with all the fae and different creatures, but nonetheless I found this book intriguing and I enjoyed it immensely!!! The story was so unique and had so many twists!!
I loved the magic system and more than anything I loved the characters!! Bryony was such an amazing character and I loved how she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and I loved the Earl too, and though it took a little bit, I did end up falling in love with his character!! And don’t even get me started on all the creatures, like I fell head over heels for all of them. I couldn’t put this book down and will definitely reread it!!
Sarah Carlisle did a fantastic job of weaving such a unique fairytale and she truly brought the story to life in her own unique way!!! Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for clean romance and unique, but special magic!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
While cozy isn't always my vibe, this book hit the perfect balance of cozy and mystery to keep me intrigued from start to finish!
The FMC is fun to read due to her kindness and determination. She looks on the bright side and does a lot of good, leading with love and not fear. The MMC is also charming in his own way (quirky, nerdy, and a bit secretive), and by the time I hit the end of the book, I found myself wanting to go back and reread it so I could see things more clearly from his perspective.
While I wasn't terribly familiar with the fairytale this was a retelling of, when I read a brief summary of what it was, I found that I liked the way it was adapted for this book more than the original tale itself. The prose and worldbuilding was fun and dynamic, and the magical creatures were all distinct and highly entertaining!
If you're looking for a cozy read to unwind after a difficult day (or you're just in the mood to treat yourself), A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is the perfect fit for you!
The FMC is fun to read due to her kindness and determination. She looks on the bright side and does a lot of good, leading with love and not fear. The MMC is also charming in his own way (quirky, nerdy, and a bit secretive), and by the time I hit the end of the book, I found myself wanting to go back and reread it so I could see things more clearly from his perspective.
While I wasn't terribly familiar with the fairytale this was a retelling of, when I read a brief summary of what it was, I found that I liked the way it was adapted for this book more than the original tale itself. The prose and worldbuilding was fun and dynamic, and the magical creatures were all distinct and highly entertaining!
If you're looking for a cozy read to unwind after a difficult day (or you're just in the mood to treat yourself), A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment is the perfect fit for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a charming retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. The MCs are thrown into marriage without having met each other first. Their predicament had me eating up the pages because I couldn't wait to see how they would smooth things out.
I loved how Bryony instantly began befriending all the fairy creatures. There were so many! The brownies, especially, were quite delightful and brought a lighthearted tone to the story.
I also loved how Arthur slowly got used to having Bryony around and eventually grew to care for her. I was a bit disappointed that Bryony never got to interact with his bear form since spoilery things happened before she figured it out. But it was still very sweet watching them together.
This cozy fairytale retelling will having you craving brownies (the chocolate kind, not the fairy kind) and sighing in happiness.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I loved how Bryony instantly began befriending all the fairy creatures. There were so many! The brownies, especially, were quite delightful and brought a lighthearted tone to the story.
I also loved how Arthur slowly got used to having Bryony around and eventually grew to care for her. I was a bit disappointed that Bryony never got to interact with his bear form since spoilery things happened before she figured it out. But it was still very sweet watching them together.
This cozy fairytale retelling will having you craving brownies (the chocolate kind, not the fairy kind) and sighing in happiness.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 1, 2026
I received an ARC copy from the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own :)
This was an absolutely adorable and stunning retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Bryony is a most excellent FMC as she embodies strength, courage, faigth, sight, and love. She is incredibly hard working but finds the job and beauty of it. Our lovable bear, Arthur, is a handsome but kindhearted MMC. He does not follow the traditional story by being a creatured cursed personally because of who he is or what he has done ut goes to the lengths to show he is every bit good and caring at his core. I was enraptured by Sarah's twist on a tale that I love so much. All of the little magical creatures are such a wonderful edition that you can't help but adore. Of course there is also the beautiful message about respecting and loving those around us and in our space and not fearing the beauty and magic that surround us in this world.
This was an absolutely adorable and stunning retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Bryony is a most excellent FMC as she embodies strength, courage, faigth, sight, and love. She is incredibly hard working but finds the job and beauty of it. Our lovable bear, Arthur, is a handsome but kindhearted MMC. He does not follow the traditional story by being a creatured cursed personally because of who he is or what he has done ut goes to the lengths to show he is every bit good and caring at his core. I was enraptured by Sarah's twist on a tale that I love so much. All of the little magical creatures are such a wonderful edition that you can't help but adore. Of course there is also the beautiful message about respecting and loving those around us and in our space and not fearing the beauty and magic that surround us in this world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
100/10!! I cannot say enough about how wonderful this book is!! An arranged marriage, curses, magic, fae, mischief, barren wastelands, a home in shambles, found family, this book has it all!
The MFC has an absolutely insane amount of grit and determination along with kindness and a strong sense of right and wrong, Lady Bryony was a pleasure to follow!!
The MMC is mysterious, reserved, smart, and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Lord Aberarth’s character truly evolves as the story progresses.
I loved reading about the struggles, the wins, the losses, and the growth and strife they endure that brings them closer together. And the fae? Love them!! And all their quirks!!
If you love no spice romance, slow burn, yearning, found family, a decided lack of cursing, hardships, with a dose of magic, this one is for you!!
The MFC has an absolutely insane amount of grit and determination along with kindness and a strong sense of right and wrong, Lady Bryony was a pleasure to follow!!
The MMC is mysterious, reserved, smart, and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Lord Aberarth’s character truly evolves as the story progresses.
I loved reading about the struggles, the wins, the losses, and the growth and strife they endure that brings them closer together. And the fae? Love them!! And all their quirks!!
If you love no spice romance, slow burn, yearning, found family, a decided lack of cursing, hardships, with a dose of magic, this one is for you!!
May 14, 2026
This book constantly had me giggling.
I loved all the different fae they made this book a joy to read. All their different personalities and the ways they communicated was so interesting. I loved learning about each of them and who they were and what they liked to do.
Arthur and Bryony had a sweet but a little sad story. His father and brother died and a week later the king is marrying him to a village girl who is now suddenly a countess. This isn’t something either of them wanted or planned for but now they have to figure out what to do next.
I loved watching her make friends with all the fae and bring the land back to its former glory. It was fun to see Arthur make friends with a few of the fae as well.
This is a book I would definitely reread if I needed a book to put a smile on my face because this book is definitely a joy to read. I read this book as an arc.
I loved all the different fae they made this book a joy to read. All their different personalities and the ways they communicated was so interesting. I loved learning about each of them and who they were and what they liked to do.
Arthur and Bryony had a sweet but a little sad story. His father and brother died and a week later the king is marrying him to a village girl who is now suddenly a countess. This isn’t something either of them wanted or planned for but now they have to figure out what to do next.
I loved watching her make friends with all the fae and bring the land back to its former glory. It was fun to see Arthur make friends with a few of the fae as well.
This is a book I would definitely reread if I needed a book to put a smile on my face because this book is definitely a joy to read. I read this book as an arc.
June 3, 2026
This was such a sweet read! I absolutely loved it.
I really enjoyed this take on EotSWotM. It was very unique and I think the author did a really good job intertwining parts of the fairytale with her own world.
I really loved both MMCs. The FMC was strong but also generous. She treated the creatures and the fae with respect. She also tried to do well by her new husband, despite their unexpected marriage.
The MMC is quirky and charming. I like how he tries to make the FMC feel at home even though there are certain things he cannot provide. He is also rather funny.
the inclusion of the magical creatures was amazing. They were adorable and provided both a coziness and humor.
I highly recommend this story to East of the Sun, West of the Moon fans.
I received and ARC from the Author, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this take on EotSWotM. It was very unique and I think the author did a really good job intertwining parts of the fairytale with her own world.
I really loved both MMCs. The FMC was strong but also generous. She treated the creatures and the fae with respect. She also tried to do well by her new husband, despite their unexpected marriage.
The MMC is quirky and charming. I like how he tries to make the FMC feel at home even though there are certain things he cannot provide. He is also rather funny.
the inclusion of the magical creatures was amazing. They were adorable and provided both a coziness and humor.
I highly recommend this story to East of the Sun, West of the Moon fans.
I received and ARC from the Author, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 24, 2026
Smiles… all smiles. This was one of those cozy fairy tale retellings that has the reader smiling so much throughout the story. I have never been a big fan of this fairy tale; however I changed my mind with this retelling. Not only did the FMC not marry an actual bear on her wedding day like the original story, but she also was able to interact with so many different fae that weren’t in the original story. I loved how all of the fae were described! I was so pleased with the setting and the characters, that I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended. While it was not as romantic as some stories, it still had a sweet romance and a happy ending. This is definitely my favorite retelling of this story! 😊
I received this as an ARC; however, these thoughts and opinions are all my own.
I received this as an ARC; however, these thoughts and opinions are all my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Batch of Bears and Bewitchment by Sarah Carlisle
Can a village girl save a decaying earldom?
If you love magical creatures, this is the perfect book for you! This one is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and I loved it sooooo much! I was immediately drawn into the arranged marriage storyline and thought the author did a great job retelling this particular tale. I particularly liked how she handled the first-touch scene. And all the magical creatures were so cute! The kobolds (little black spiky creatures living in the chimneys) were my favorite! Would absolutely recommend!
Genre: Fairytale retelling (no spice)
Standalone in Enchanting Confections
Favorite character: Arthur (MMC)
Favorite scene: the wallowing
ARC (will be published May 15, all opinions are my own)
Can a village girl save a decaying earldom?
If you love magical creatures, this is the perfect book for you! This one is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and I loved it sooooo much! I was immediately drawn into the arranged marriage storyline and thought the author did a great job retelling this particular tale. I particularly liked how she handled the first-touch scene. And all the magical creatures were so cute! The kobolds (little black spiky creatures living in the chimneys) were my favorite! Would absolutely recommend!
Genre: Fairytale retelling (no spice)
Standalone in Enchanting Confections
Favorite character: Arthur (MMC)
Favorite scene: the wallowing
ARC (will be published May 15, all opinions are my own)
May 14, 2026
This book was absolutely perfect in every single way. I absolutely love this retelling. It has the right amount of whimsical and creatures and it’s essentially what if east of the sun west of the moon met Spiderwick. Bryony is just the answer that this estate was looking for. And she was raised as a commoner and because of it, she has a different understanding of how the Earth works, and how to get along with some of the Fae. I think my favorite part is all of the different creatures that are in this book that come to help because of the kind actions of Bryony. It’s definitely a book that gives you a good reminder. That perspective is everything and there are so many funny moments in this bug that I was just giggling through the whole thing. I absolutely love this book and one with 100% reread this over and over and over.
May 24, 2026
This was such a fun, cute read, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish! I absolutely loved this book and its twist on the original fairytale, it was so clever and I had such a good time reading it. I loved the main character’s Bryony and Arthur, they complimented each other so well and I absolutely loved their interactions. I love how positive Bryony was from the very start, she has a heart of gold and is such a fun character and so hardworking. She’s so kind to everyone around her and her interactions whether with Arthur, the villagers or the fae were so lovely to see. Arthur’s personality was written so well, he had some hilarious lines and although he was in it less at times, I still felt like I got to know him so well. I loved how dramatic he could be yet also so caring and I loved him teaching Bryony how to read. I loved the fae creatures and Hurricane too, they each had so much personality and were absolutely hilarious especially the Brownies (it was so funny when they were explaining their names!) and I loved that the author was able to capture such distinct personalities for each of them. I loved the twists and the direction the author took in terms of changing certain aspects of the original tale and loved the unique twist on it. The book gave me a Howls moving castle vibe in the best way and was full of everything I look for in a fairytale retelling! I fully recommend it and will be rereading again, this was such a heartwarming book and such a joy to read!
Reviewed 16th May
Reviewed 16th May
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an advance reading copy from the author.
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. However, I was prepared to read the whole thing anyway to be able to give an honest review. And boy, am I glad I did. Once they arrive at Aberarth in chapter 2, I was captivated by the story and didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the inclusion of such a variety of fae and the various traditions associated with them. I also really liked the story arc and the redemption of the land and the earl. I would recommend this book to others and I would reread it.
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. However, I was prepared to read the whole thing anyway to be able to give an honest review. And boy, am I glad I did. Once they arrive at Aberarth in chapter 2, I was captivated by the story and didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the inclusion of such a variety of fae and the various traditions associated with them. I also really liked the story arc and the redemption of the land and the earl. I would recommend this book to others and I would reread it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fun story to read. From the start, there were enough differences from what I might expect if an East of the Sun and West of the Moon retelling that I didn't really know what else might likely be changed. Despite the differences, I found it a delightful narrative that had enough references to the original tale to be recognizable.
The romance was sweet and the characters were fun to get to know. I enjoyed the various twists and turns of the plot. The end was satisfying, even though I didn't want it to be over. I hope to see more stories set in this world.
I received an advanced copy from the author and this review contains my honest opinions.
The romance was sweet and the characters were fun to get to know. I enjoyed the various twists and turns of the plot. The end was satisfying, even though I didn't want it to be over. I hope to see more stories set in this world.
I received an advanced copy from the author and this review contains my honest opinions.
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April 20, 2026I received an ARC,
This story was sweet and I loved the dynamic between our MC's
Bryonny is ordered to be married as a reward, as her father was knighted, she fears her marriage to the Earl of Abernath be dismissal for all she knows he's her fathers age. To her surprise her intended is the youngest, who seems adverse to touch or speaking. No matter she'll still be a dutiful wife despite the task the lands of Abernath are. Always friendly with the fae, she leaves food out for them and brings the estate back to life. As the days drag on, she and the earl grow closer but somethings she still doens't know.
This story was sweet and I loved the dynamic between our MC's
Bryonny is ordered to be married as a reward, as her father was knighted, she fears her marriage to the Earl of Abernath be dismissal for all she knows he's her fathers age. To her surprise her intended is the youngest, who seems adverse to touch or speaking. No matter she'll still be a dutiful wife despite the task the lands of Abernath are. Always friendly with the fae, she leaves food out for them and brings the estate back to life. As the days drag on, she and the earl grow closer but somethings she still doens't know.
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