A Winter Proposal

by Austin Ryan

Deep in the magical Northwoods, under ribbons of iridescent northern light in the night skies, Saoirse was raised on her grandmother’s tales of the faeries—a magical, shape-shifting folk, known for their ethereal beauty and deceitful ways.

Years later, she knows they were nothing but stories. At least until a cat shifts into an evil faerie before her very eyes and the little boy next door begs her to save it.

Cian is a faerie on a quest to protect an orphaned boy in the Northwoods and has little use for the human girl determined to believe the old stories about his kind—until his injury leaves him no choice but to trust her.

When Cian makes Saoirse an offer she can’t refuse, will she heed the warning in her grandmother’s stories, or will she strike a bargain with a faerie?

Escape into this fairy tale fantasy brimming with mythology, folklore, and the magic of dark Nordic winters.

A Winter Proposal is the first book in a series of interconnected novels set in the Magical Northwoods. This book rates a 4 on the Romantic Content Rating System (RCRS))

Genres: Fantasy Romance

Paperback

Published June 23, 2023

About the author

AUSTIN RYAN was born and raised in Norway, she has no previous experience hunting for magical cats in the English countryside, but after a childhood of desperately longing to be English, she accidentally wrote a novel about a wealthy heiress, a magical library, and the opportunistic dock-worker both author and heroine falls madly in love with. The Fairshaw Library is her second full-length novel.

Austin lives in Connecticut, surrounded by overflowing bookshelves, Christmas lights, and sparkly things.

When she is not editing words for other authors, getting lost in their stories, or writing her own, you can find her on adventures with her very favorite child, painting things that don’t need to be painted, and spending hours down by the ocean.

Connect with Austin at www.authoraustinryan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAustin...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorausti...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Austin-Ryan/e/...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/austinryan

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark but not too dark? Plus enemies to lovers and hooked from chapter one. Add in Fae and woooo! Such a great read!

[im.booked.on.a.feeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Winter Proposal is the first story in Austin Ryan’s new series, Tales from the Northwoods. In this cozy romantic story, you will find:

✨Norwegian folklore
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Only one bed
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Fade to black

This was the first time I’ve read a book by Austin Ryan. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and descriptions of life in the Northwoods of Norway. I really appreciated the pronunciation guide of the characters names at the start of the story, as many of the Finnish, Norwegian, and Irish names were new to me. I felt the female main character, Saoirse’s, motivations throughout the book were relatable. I especially enjoyed the warm relationships she shared with her sisters Ingerid and Liisa.

Although there was a lot to like, I found myself frustrated at times with the single person point of view. I was confused by Cian’s (the male main character) choices at various points throughout the story, which I believe would have made much more sense if I had a chapter or two from his perspective. Additionally, the plot felt a little fast. I wanted the author to slow down a bit and dig deeper into the story.

Overall, this would be an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a winter themed cozy romantic fantasy.

*Thank you to Austin Ryan for this complementary eARC to review. All opinions above are my own*

[Deanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional but magical journey!

Hot damn this was a bit of a wild ride. This was recommended to me by the author herself and the blurb had me totally intrigued. I’m glad I decided to go ahead with reading it because I quite enjoyed myself!

I did at times find myself want to smack some sense into Saoirse because damn was she a stubborn character but once we got past the whole enemies part of the enemies to lovers trope, I really started to get into the story and the relationship with her and Cian.

I loved how it focused heavily on found family, between her chosen sisters, Cian, and them all taking in wee Finn. It was beautiful and emotional considering everything they’d all been through.

The third act breakup was another moment where I wanted to throttle not only Saoirse but Cian too. She was too focused on being scared and stubborn, and he was just scared. Thankfully it worked out well for everyone in the end!

Overall this was a pretty, sweet, and magical read. It wasn’t spicy but it was romantic and I have to say, I’m super curious what happens next! Will Liisa get her story? I can’t wait to see what the next book will be about 💚

[sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the way Saoirse came to meet Cian in a true fairy tale fashion. I know her grandmother told her not to trust a fairy but…
I wish she would have been more confident and trusted him. He gave her no reason not to.
Once Cian told her what was happening next door she knew she had to help. Saoirse having been in the same situation years before made it a priority to help when no was there for her.
She does a lot of growing up from beginning to end. And even soul searching to understand what and who she really wants.
Everyone wants to be loved and feel safe and Saoirse gets both by the end of this story. 💚

[Caitlin O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Austin's work, she really develops worlds that are so easy to picture and get immersed in and this one was so fun. It was an interesting diversion from the normal fae stories but still has the devilishly handsome fae mmc we all fawn over. There's some steam but not spice, though i found myself wanting some because damn did I love Cian.

My only problem is I found myself wanting more, I'm hoping there's a second book? I wanted Asks reaction to the ending and I wanted to know if she ever made it to faerie. I don't want it to be over.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story made me smile. I read it while our desert temperature was around 100 and felt transported into a dreamy land of snow and magic. If you want a tale about a girl who finds her way to a place where her dreams come true, even if it's a bit of a rough journey, dive in!

[Danielle Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick fantasy read.

[Abby Erb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is probably one of my favorite books from Austin Ryan’s collection! It was almost smutty, but had me engaged the whole time! Had great plot twists!

[AL · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some time, I’ve been hoping to read Austin Ryan, particularly this novel. Ryan’s story brings me back to when I watched the True Blood series. I’m not huge on reading fantasy but this faerie tale greatly reminds me of the forbidden romances of True Blood that I’m so a fan of.

Unaware of Ryan’s personal background, her notes at the end of the novel sharing the Scandinavian, Finnish and Norwegian folklore intrigued me further.

A Winter Proposal introduces us to Saoirse, her closest friends and Cian, Finn and Ask-the men in her life. Although I imagined I was walking into a romance, I wasn’t expecting the sacrifice and beliefs at stake. Saoirse is all at once meant to grow up and make big decisions that not only affect her, but those she cares deeply for and growing with her through this reminds me that love isn’t always black and white.

[Melynne (mels_booknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an unexpected story! It was a little darker at times but had a beautiful message about family and belonging. Loved the addition of the Fae in this wintery story.

I was intrigued from the beginning and it kept me guessing how things would play out. Overall a great romance.

Content: abuse with vague details, death of loved ones
Romance: closed door, makeouts

[Lauren Wyant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saoirse’s grandmother told her all sorts of stories about the faeries. She grew up believing in magic and the evil that faeries possessed. When she meets a fae in real life her world gets all turned around. But will the faerie probe her grandmother’s stories to be true?

[Austin Ryan]

“But this man, with his sharp jaw and high cheekbones, smooth, golden skin, and full lips? Ethereal is the only way to describe this man.
No human could look this perfect.
And no human could transform from a cat to a man in a flash of light, Saoirse!

My mouth goes dry as I spot the most damning evidence of all—certain those are pointed ears sticking out of his hair.

I hold my breath as each and every childhood story swirls inside my head until bile tickles the back of my throat.

Faeries don’t exist.
They are stories, Saoirse. Folklore, faerie tales, fiction.

But while I was once happy to embellish my grandmother’s stories, to let the faeries be kind to humans, I know those were only the fantasies of an innocent child. If faeries are real, they must be like my grandmother told me—unpredictable and conniving, without regard for human life.

I shudder soundlessly in the dark, not daring to move a muscle. The man sighs deeply and removes a dagger from the leather sheath at his waist.

No. Not the man. The faerie.”