that cover is what drew me in and I'm so glad I got to read this, it was a great start to the Tales of the Lost Kingdoms series. It had a unique concept and I was invested in what was going on, it worked well in the genre. I enjoyed how good the characters were written and it worked with the story. I enjoyed the way Elodie Rowan wrote this and look forward to more books like this.

"You are the bastard witch that killed my mother,” I hiss, crossing the distance between us in an instant. I want to wrap my fingers around his throat again, feel the give of his flesh beneath my fingers as I squeeze and squeeze until those arrogant brown eyes turn glassy with death."

I received a free arc from Netgalley, this is my honest opinion about this book.

Wonderful fairytale romance! It's got just enough adventure to romance. I am not familiar with the story this book is based off but it's got a strong, independent mc that trying to break away from a controlling life of being a princess. It's like attitude of Merida and the story beauty and the beast but magic is the main focus. I love the interaction of the characters there is the tension of the love interest. Great romance novel. If you love fantasy romance and Italian setting this is a wonderful book.

DNF 42%

2.5⭐️/5 ~🇪🇸
~Siento decir que este libro no ha sido para mí. Quizá iba con las expectativas altas si me dicen que es una lectura perfecta para amantes de Sarah J. Maas. Ni punto de comparación.
~He abandonado el libro por que no soporto a la protagonista. Me parece insufrible, la verdad sea dicha. Además de que no veo sentido al ritmo del libro. De un momento a otro (porque no me vale que diga que han pasado X semanas o X días), la protagonista se siente atraída por el MMC, y de otro momento se odia por hacerlo. Me parece un intento de enemies-to-lovers que no tiene sentido.
~Pasan cosas muy rápidamente, y la protagonista piensa cosas que no tienen ni pies ni cabeza. Una de las veces pensó que el MMC le ha torturado psicológicamente, pero no veo dónde.
~En definitiva, lo siento pero no me ha convencido.

•••••
2.5⭐️/5 ~🇬🇧

DNF 42%
~I'm sorry to say that this book was not for me. Maybe I was going in with high expectations if you tell me it's a perfect read for Sarah J. Maas lovers. Not even close.
~I abandoned the book because I can't stand the main character. I find her insufferable, truth be told. Plus I don't see the point of the pace of the book. From one moment to the next (because I don't care if the narrator says it's been X weeks or X days), the main character is attracted to the MMC, and from another moment she hates herself for doing it. It seems to me an attempt at enemies to lovers that doesn't make sense.
~Things happen very quickly, and the protagonist thinks things that don't make sense. One of the times she thought that the MMC has tortured her psychologically, but I don't see where.
~All in all, I'm sorry, but I'm not convinced.

I really enjoyed this book!

It is a fun standalone & I highly recommend it to someone that wants something quick and fun to get out of a reading slump.

I enjoyed the talks of the Italian scenery, talks of art & magic. I liked the way the author wrote about the main character and her connection to the land of her home.

The main characters were fleshed out and the love interest was a good one. I liked him but I can't say that I am in awe of him.

My favorite had to be the main character, Cannetella. She is so badass and I relate to her a lot.

I love the book's cover and it was one of the reasons I wanted to read this book.

Lastly, when it comes to the plot twist, it was one I could predict from the beginning of the book but that isn't necessarily bad.

Thank you to Netgalley for lending me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ever since this book crossed my path a few weeks, I have looked for information about it. I had seen in some places that the book was to release in February 2023 and others have it in either March or April of 2023. I decided that it was time to go look in Netgalley. I am seriously glad I did.

The characters are well-written, pull you into their world, and have you invest in their lives until the very end. And they mean to make sure that you still think of them afterward. This is what you want in your books. Characters that give the story meaning.

Canetella is a young princess who has no desire to marry. Each of her suitors that have graced the castle walls is always sent away. This seems to aggravate her uncle but her father always wants what is best for his daughter and if she has not found the right one, he won't make her marry. As her twentieth-year approaches, she has no choice but to find someone to marry. So, she gives them a ridiculous list for her husband - he has to have gold on him. Thinking she is free from the idea of forced marriage, Canetella finds how wrong she is when her future husband walks right into her birthday party.

Enzo is a Stregone- a dark sorcerer - wanting nothing more than to regain the magic he lost while trying to save Canetella's mother all those years ago. Believing that marrying Canetella would be the key to finding the answer, the two embark on a marriage filled with misunderstandings, attempted murder (on her side), and unfulfilled desires.

But something darker lurks in the shadows and in the necklace that Canetella's father gives her on her birthday. Canetella and Enzo must find the key to break the curse upon the necklace and learn who the dark Stregone is behind the murder of Canetella's mother and Enzo's lost magic.

This book has everything a reader loves - an original story filled with the retelling of Italian folklore. The world-building is small and yet enough to give you an idea of a lush and beautiful world filled with magical beings, different regions that are given small glimpses, and Cursed Woods where the deadliest creatures live. The world is not saturated too much with information and this is what makes it different, and unique in its quality.

The storyline is vivid and well-created. We learn of Enzo's tragic past and his ties to Canetella's mother's passing. Enzo is the tragic character wanting to protect Canetella from his world especially when Lucia threatens to harm her. He also tries to fight the desire he has for her. He wants nothing more than to throw caution to the wind to love her but at the same time, his desire to find the curse to his curse also drives a wedge between them.

Canetella can be seen as bratty and spoiled in the way she acts. She has no desire to marry. She wants adventure and freedom from the chains that hold her as a princess. She knows her father loves her and will do anything she wants when it comes to marrying. This is why she gives a ridiculous list but I love how the tables are turned on her when Enzo, disguised as a king from another kingdom arrives. Every bit of her hope for freedom just flies away. She is not happy. She is furious that she has been thawed. And when he carries her way, it just makes her ire even worse.

But I can see why she gets aggravated in the beginning. Still don't understand the need to try to kill him. xD I mean, he is hot. I would be tearing off his clothes and dragging him to my room. I mean, if she doesn't want him I will gladly take him off her hands. LOL

I loved this book. I loved the characters. I love the retellings. It was everything I had hoped this book would be. I am so glad I looked for this book on Netgalley because it was worth it. Every bit of it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.