Book Review: Fae's Captive by Lily Archer (Fae's Captive Book 1)

Genre: Fantasy Romance / Portal Fantasy

Tropes: Kidnapped to Another World, Fated Mates, Language Barrier, Captive Heroine, Enemies to Lovers (Potential), Survival Fantasy, Fish Out of Water

Spice Level: 🌶 – Slow-build romantic tension (based on early chapters)

Format: eBook

Series: Previously Serialized (Now Combined Edition)

Taylor can’t stand her college roommate, but when Cecile offers to pay her to be the designated driver—all she has to do is sit in the car and wait—Taylor reluctantly agrees. Bad decision. After being drugged, Taylor wakes up in a cage in a world she doesn’t recognize, beside a man desperately urging her to stay quiet before the guards return. She insists she doesn’t belong there—but no one believes her. Not that it matters, since she can barely understand the language being spoken around her.

    This is a portal fantasy romance with strong fated mate undertones and immediate survival stakes.

I originally read an earlier version of this book when it was broken into shorter installments (roughly 100 pages each). At the time, the story mainly covered Taylor meeting Gareth and establishing her backstory. It ended before the plot truly expanded, and I didn’t continue because I’m not a fan of serialized stories marketed as full books.

However, Amazon now indicates that the previously separated installments have been combined into one 600-page complete novel. That alone makes it much more appealing.

From what I read in the earlier version, I genuinely enjoyed the premise. The fated mate setup, the world-building hints, and the dynamic between Taylor and Gareth were compelling enough that I plan to revisit the full edition now that the story appears complete.

I’ll update this review once I’ve read the expanded version in its entirety.

    The 614 page option is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $6.49 by clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Portal fantasy romance
• Kidnapped-to-another-world plots
• Fated mate slow burns
• Language barrier tension
• Survival-based fantasy romance
• Previously serialized stories now compiled into one volume

Book Review: My Darling Jane by Isla Madden-Mills (The Darlings Book 1)

 Genre: Contemporary Romance / Rom-Com

Tropes: Frenemies to Lovers, Sports Romance, Quarterback MMC, Matchmaker FMC, Single Mom Romance, Celebrity Romance, He Falls First, Slow Burn, Banter-Filled Romance

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 – Moderate spice with strong romantic tension

Format: Audiobook 

Series: The Darlings Book 1

    Jane has the perfect business idea: matchmaking. Never mind that her own love life is practically nonexistent. Dressed in her Cupid costume, she heads to a local bar to drum up potential male clients. Unfortunately, she runs into Jasper. The same Jasper who has driven her crazy every time they’ve met. But if he’s willing to let her set him up on dates—with someone who isn’t her—what’s the harm?

    I listened to the audiobook (included with Kindle Unlimited), and I loved every second of this frienemies-to-lovers romance. He’s a quarterback with a playboy reputation; she’s an up-and-coming matchmaker with abandonment issues. (To be fair, he has his own baggage too.) Their chemistry is immediate, and the banter is top-tier.

    Jake (yes, I adored him) is blunt, sarcastic, and occasionally insufferable—in the most entertaining way possible. His brutally honest dating questionnaire responses had me laughing, especially when he turned everything into something explicitly inappropriate. Watching him play along with Jane’s matchmaking plan—even when he already knew exactly who he wanted—was peak rom-com energy.

    This is a lighthearted contemporary romance that wraps up beautifully with a satisfying, feel-good ending. It’s funny, flirty, and emotionally grounded without being overly angsty. I will absolutely be reading on in this series because I am attached to these characters and will be needing more. Full disclaimer it is a single mother celebrity read. I know single parent reads aren't everyone's cup of tea, so just wanted to put it out there. 

📚 Availability:

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $2.49 by
clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Sports romance with a quarterback MMC
• Frenemies-to-lovers tension
• Matchmaker heroines
• Banter-heavy rom-coms
• Single mom romance
• Celebrity/athlete love stories