✨ Ever read a book that transports you into a different world? ✨

The Shadow of a Wish by Maci Aurora does just that in her fairytale retelling of The Golden Key. This story takes you into a world filled with magic, love and sacrifice.

📝 Auri Fareview is trapped by circumstances. In the Kingdom of Kaloma, she must marry by age 26 or face the consequences of death, imprisonment or life at a birthing house. She wants a love match like her parents, but time is not on her side. One day, while gathering supplies in the woods, she comes across a golden key.🔑 Auri thinks this key may be the solution to her family's problems, but instead, she's transported into a magical realm.

Nixus Uriah has been trapped inside a magical labyrinth. The enchantment requires him to grant 3 wishes to the key keeper. But with every wish, comes an equally great consequence. He's the villain stuck in this never-ending prison, and the only way out is by the key keeper making a sacrifice. Will the seventh key keeper be the key to freedom? Or, is something even more powerful and important?

What I 🤍:
🪄 Reimagined Fairytale
💕 Fantasy Romance
📦 Forced Proximity
♥️ Forbidden Love
⚡️ Lovable Villain

I loved EVERY SECOND of this book! It is so much more than a romance. Aurora created a whole world filled with characters that had serious depth. Auri was so thoughtful and considerate. She was selfless and you can't help but root for her. Her wishes were so unpredictable, and I loved how much consideration she put behind each one. Nex was ADORABLE! Honestly, new book husband! He's meant to be a villain, but you can't help but love him and his contemplation. I love how protective he was of Auri. I'm excited that this is the first in the series, because I can't wait to see how this world is developed even further.

Prince's Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steaminess: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

⚠️ Book Warning: domination, being subjugated, sexual assault (all these handled in a thoughtful way by the author)

💜 This book is perfect for any fantasy lovers. You will be engrossed by this romance and the world that's created! Anyone who loved a Court of Thorns and Roses will love this book.

(This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@lifewithprinceman) in the near future.)

Thank you to Net Gallery for this ARC.
Deep in the Whitling Woods awaits a golden key. Not just any key but a magical key. Auri Fairview must decide between living and having the life she's always want, or taking a chance on a dark and sensual Nix. This adult fantasy is a page turning heart throb. Pulling at the strings of desire and wishing for true loves kiss. In the shadow of A Wish is a must have for any fantasy lover. Maci Aurora's world building and characters are beautifully well written. I have found in this experience a new favorite book and a new favorite author. Looking forward to reading more of this world.

Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
It's unusual retelling or rather combination of favourite fairytail elements combined with fast moving plot and romance that start immediately with desire, but the love part takes a while to start burning. It's the start of a very intriguing journey. Definitely looking forward to the next book.

In the Shadow if a Wish is a retelling of the Grimm Fairy Tale - The Golden Key. Auri Fareview and her older sisters live in the small, poor village of Sevens. They must all find husbands; It's the law. While foraging for herbs one day, Auri finds a golden key and thinks the riches may be the solution to her family's woes. What she doesn't know is that the key is enchanted and home to a trapped god, Nixus Uraiahs. Immediately transported into the spell the key holds, Auri is now subject to the spell and gets to make 3 wishes. But those wishes have consequences.

I just want to start off by saying this book is definitely for adults. I picked it up thinking, "Oh, I like retellings. This should be fun." I didn't know it was possible to make a fairy tale erotic, but I guess anything is possible if you try hard enough. I appreciate that the author offered up a trigger warning in the preface of the book, but I was undeterred. I can see how some readers may be uncomfortable with the content, so proceed with caution. I was immediately engrossed in the story, however, and the world that Auri and Nix inhabit is enthralling. I finished reading rather quickly and the book left me feeling an odd feeling for a book - hope. From about the halfway mark onward and getting more invested in the characters, I couldn't help but feeling hopeful. All in all, an enjoyable read. Definitely surprising. I can't wait for the next Fareview Fairytale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mixed Plate Press for providing me with a digital copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of the author or publisher,

<I>”And as afraid as she was, she reminded herself it was temporary, that she was strong even if she was afraid.”</I>

Auri Fareview is an innocent minded, yet strong willed woman. She lives in a world where she will be forced to marry, and soon. Where she has no autonomy over her body or her life.
Nixus Uraiahs is far less innocent and incredibly lonely, but is equally courteous and kind. He is trapped in a spell, and has been for what feels like eternity. Forced to grant key keepers wishes - with a side of curse - before hoping they will be the one to set him free.
The two are very different, but with very similar wishes, to be free of their circumstances. When they meet, they discover they have the power to free each other, but they will learn much about themselves along the way.

A beautiful fairytale retelling, In the Shadow of a Wish is a story of empowerment, love, and trust. Rather than taking us on an incredibly slow burn, the forbidden romance is obvious and acknowledged from the beginning. But as Auri and Nixus’ desire grows, so to does their love, and the intensity of the situation binding them. Filled with beautiful imagery and a fast moving story, Maci Aurora takes us on a journey through Nixus’ labyrinth.

In the Shadow of a Wish is the first in a series. While there is no major cliffhanger, loose threads are scattered throughout, ensuring an exciting release for future novels.