5/5⭐️
5/5🩷
2/5🌶

This cosy shit just made my whole week!

What do you get when you put an badass orc named Daella and a grumpy but beautiful elf Rivelin together on an island that supposedly don't exist? You get a lot of cuteness!

When Daella is sent to kill the last dragon magic wielders but washes up on the shores of an unknown island she finds herself in the company of a grumpy elven blacksmith Rivelin and thing get pretty interesting.

I don't know how Jenna Wolfhart managed to put so much world building and so much romance in one book. I loved the story explained that was shown and not told, like the whole world building was forming as things kept happening and it had me engaged till the last moment. I loved the magic island concept and the wish part of the competition. This book, however the high stakes was such a heartwarming read! I love LOVE.

Absolutely fell in love with Daella, she was so strong and had been through so much. My heart was bleeding for her. I think she and Rivelin were the perfect match and managed to learn from each other throughout the book.
The ammount of characters that were brough into this book was quite a lot and I thing it was done wonderfully. When that SPICE hit around 60% in the book,,, OOOOOH BOOOY, Rivelin did not disappoint at all. Not overly long and descriptive, the spice was very well done and I loved that addition to the story.

Through this book the reader can find themselves on an island that everyone wishes to be on, no violence, everyone is accepted there, everyone is honest... But even then the corruption of the human mind finds its way to the service and I think that is sadly very true. Even in the nicest places on this planet, humans just can't give it a break.

These are my favourite things from the book:
💟 COSY
💟 Enemies (soort of) to lovers
💟 The green skinned beauty orc Daella is just a badass ✨
💟 Grumpy Rivelin with dirty mouth 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 and definitely not not unattractive 😏
💟 Sexy times
💟 Dragons! 🐉
💟 HEA
💟 Magic competition
💟 The high stakes

Absolutely loved it! I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Charming. Adventurous. Heart warming. Fun. Cozy. Need I go on? Yes…

I was completely enthralled with this cozy fantasy romance about a grumpy elf and fierce half-orc. The story was so whimsical and original that I fell in love with the characters immediately. This is not a fast paced high stakes read - this nicely unfolds the history and world building while introducing you to the characters as you go along with them on the village competition. Best of all, there are dragons.

I just loved the idea of a grumpy elf that was the local black smith who now needs to figure out how to befriend a mercenary half-orc. It was a constant tug of war of could they trust each other, are they falling for each other, and could there be a HEA?

Read if you enjoy…
🌳Small town vibes
🌊Forced Proximity
🧁Slowburn Romance
🌳Grumpy/Sunshine
🌊Low Stakes Fantasy
🧁Enemies to Lovers

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Victory Editing for the arc.

Okay this was very fun. There was more danger, violence, and actually higher stakes than I expected from a ‘cozy’ fantasy, but that certainly didn’t take away from the coziness of this world. The 1st chapter dumps a lot of info but honestly, I think the 2nd chapter is where the story begins - after our heroine Daella is washed ashore on a rural island.

Rivelin, our hero, is the most excellent of grumps - I’ll always be a sucker for a blacksmith too - it just works for me every damn time.

There are two plots moving along in the story, one is much more in the background (off the island) while the other is almost like a cozy mystery about mysterious goings on and sabotaging during a local competition for the island’s magical favour. I wish we had had a little less of the first plot, since our characters were not too involved (for good reason) and that plot felt a little conveniently wrapped up for me - especially where it tied into the second plot. But, still, Forged by Magic never lost its cozy feel and I really enjoyed following Rivelin and Daella’s story.

If a cozy fantasy, with a hint of magic, some dragons, super interesting worldbuilding, a small town mystery, and a hint of very nice spice sounds intriguing, Forged by Magic might just be something you want to check out. And if the cover tempts you - definitely do it 😘
.
.
Hisses & Kisses 🐍
.
*Thank‌ ‌you‌ Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌eARC in exchange for my honest review*

This delightful fantasy romance captivated me from beginning to end. The chemistry between Daella and Rivelin, our main characters, showcased through their banter and simmering attraction, kept me engrossed throughout.

The setting of Hearthaven, a charming utopian fantasy island village, stole my heart, and I found myself yearning to inhabit its idyllic world. The midsummer competition added a delightful touch to the story, providing a comforting backdrop and structure. And let's not forget the dragons! The inclusion of these majestic creatures made the book even more irresistible, fulfilling all my fantasy cravings. The pacing was beautifully executed, carrying me effortlessly from start to finish.

In terms of the story and world-building, this debut novel in the Falling for Fables series exceeded my expectations. The lore was introduced seamlessly, leaving me eager to explore and expand upon it, especially considering the intriguing ending of this installment. Although the story does have moments of tension, competition, and betrayal, the overall tone remains feel-good, allowing readers to revel in the pleasure of the tropes and immersive world-building without excessive worry. This book serves as an excellent entry point for those seeking to explore the fantasy romance genre.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into this book if you crave a cozy fantasy romance filled with magic, dragons, and a captivating story. It truly held my investment and kept me utterly engrossed, making it nearly impossible to put down.

𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 ✨

4|5 ✩

I absolutely devoured this book! It was such a cosy, heartwarming fantasy read with epic world-building qualities.

I was sceptical at first (I don’t tend to read about orc’s), but was blown away by this fantastic magical world and the FMC Daella who is a half-orc. To see her relationship with Rivelin (an elf) blossom, was just mesmerising, and I enjoyed the unexpected spice 🌶️ (because who doesn’t love a bit of spice 😉). Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope and this book certainly didn’t disappoint.

The duel POV was interesting and I enjoyed being able to see from both Daella and Rivelin’s POV, it just added something else to the book.

The overall plot was fun, action-packed and had me not wanting to put the story down! I’d highly recommend this to anyone that wants a cosy fantasy read with a bit of spice and some elements of danger.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing me with an ARC.

This is an enchanting tale of a romance between an half-orc and an elf was so delightful and such a different take. I loved how the story developed and the magic system in this world.
Jenna delivers a story that made me want to root for the Daella and Rivelins relationship and *sigh* at the happy moments on the island.

Even though Daella was kept captivated for well over a decade and was forced to find the dragon magic users or be turned into an ice sculpture. Being promised to give her freedom, she reluctantly agrees to this absurd quest.
But things don’t go as planned. Her ship is capsized and washed ashore on a beach where a grumpy elf greets her. Okay, extraditing a bit. Tolerating her. Because he knows who she is and who she works for. But he can't get rid of her because the ships on the island won’t be back for weeks.

Rivelin is a grumpy elven blacksmith that wants to compete in the games that the island has. If he wins, he gets one magical wish from the island. But the problem is, he needs an assistant to help him compete. So, through some convincing from other villagers, in exchange for shelter, asks her to help him compete.

I love the action in this, the slow burn of the romance, and overall the magical island in this. The villagers here as well crack me up.

Would certainly recommend this read if you want a cozy fantasy romance.

I finished Forged by Magic, this weekend, and oh my gods, I loved it!

Before I go any further, for the sake of transparency, I was given an ARC of this book. But, this is my honest review.

In case you missed it, I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

This was the perfect cozy, romantic fantasy with a surprising splash of spice, and just enough danger to keep you hooked. And I devoured it.

I loved the banter, the steam, the lovable characters... The pacing was perfect, the writing style flowed beautifully, and the twists and turns kept me on my toes with suspense.

This pulled me right out of a book hangover, and I loved every second of it. Easy 5 stars 🤌

Forged by Magic Review 🗡️

I LOVED this book! There was amazing plot, world-building, spice, characters that I fell in love with, and so many cute moments that melted my heart!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶️-🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
-Grumpy x Grumpy
-Enemies to lovers
-Dragons
-Forced Proximity

You follow Daella, a half-orc, who has been locked away by a tyrant emperor who uses her as a mercenary. He sends Daella on a deadly mission and when her ship capsizes, she ends up alone on a beach near a small village. A grumpy blacksmith elf, Rivelin, finds her and he agrees to let her stay with him as long as she helps him win the magical contest the village holds every year.

As they prepare for each challenge, their connection and bond grows. Rivelin and Daella are so freaking sweet together! I absolutely loved learning about their past and experiencing their friendship and relationship develop.

The villagers are all so charming, the village has all the cozy vibes I love, and the fantastical creatures in the story added so much.

If you are looking for another cozy fantasy book with some good spice, check out Forged By Magic!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in an exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Jenna Wolfhart for allowing me to read this cutie of a book!

Grab your blanket & a mug of hot cocoa because this book will give you all the cozy vibes.
I loved the story. I loved the setting & the magical world building. I loved our characters with their personal growth and just so many aspects from this book.
I would definitely describe this as a *cozy fantasy* with a touch of drama, danger & steamy love-making. Simply put, I adored every second, every word & the two adorable MCs.

My only complaint is that the romance scenes felt a little off balance or forced. It seemed to go from very little sexual tension to higher sex scenes than the book needed. Don't get me wrong, I love smutty books, but this book would have felt more appropriate / authentic at a lower level of spice / fade to black. It just was missing a few connecting dots to fully bring the story, characters & spicy scenes together. (I still enjoyed them, nonetheless).

What you will find -
Adventure forward plot
Dual POV
Grumpy blacksmith elf
Badass FMC who is half orc
A cozy, adorable island
Magical creatures AND adorable moments with dragons
E2L
Happiness in a book

Will definitely be on the look out for more works from this author.
Recommend!
4 star!

Will be posting to Goodreads and my Instagram page @gabsabookworm

4.5 🌟

Thank you to netgalley & Jenna Wolfhart for an advanced copy of this book!

Talk about a WHIRLWIND! I just never knew what would happen in this and I was all here for it.

I absolutely adored the growing romance between Daella & Rivelin even though they were both too stubborn and untrusting to truly see it at first. I love a book where the couple brings out the best traits of the other. Daella is a strong badass MC and although I would’ve liked to have seen her kick some ass at the end I’m glad it ended the way it did. The growing tension between our main couple - and the spice? Damn 🥵 - got me through this book so so quickly.

I loved the tasks they had to complete as they were so different to what I expected them to be and were just celebrating each element’s beauty and strength. The islanders truly feel like a family and despite the little hiccup where they suspected Daella of all the wrong doings, they truly accept her with Rivelin.

If you’re looking for a fun, loving story with found family and romance, this is definitely up your street. Oh and of course - there could be dragons 😏

This book was the perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers, Hunger Games vibes, but without the high stakes, magic, DRAGONS. I just loved this perfect cozy, low stakes fantasy. Even though it was low stakes, the things that did happen still made me on edge and excited to see what was going to happen next. I also really connected to both of the main characters and loved the dual POV. It pulled me right out of a book slump and now I am just craving more books like this one! I highly recommend it if you love the fantasy vibes without the high stakes.

Forged by Magic is a cozy fantasy romance in the vein of Legends & Lattes that gives us:

- small town romance vibes
- enemies to lovers romance
- a magical competition
- dragons and
- a bit of spice!

The book follows the half-orc Daella who was forced into being a mercenary for Emperor Isveig who conquered her homeland. On a mission for the Emperor, Daella's ship wrecks and she is stranded on the Isles of Fable and brought into the town of Hearthaven by the town's blacksmith, Rivelin. At Hearthaven, people have sworn to live without violence and thus despise mercenareis such as Daella. Even so, Rivelin enlists Daella to help him win a local tournament that will grant the winner any wish.

Overall, I enjoyed the cozy feel of the story and the worldbuilding which was very fairytale-esque, Dungeons and Dragons inspired. The romance between Daella and Rivelin could have used a bit more development in my opinion, but it was sweet nontheless.

What dimmed my enjoyment of the story a little was the writing. The author spoonfed you the information and characters often resorted to stating the obvious. Nothing was left for the reader to puzzle out themselves. Moreover, at times the writing was a bit clunky and the dialogue awkward. There were also some inconsistencies that bothered me - for example, right at the beginning, Daella argues with Emperor Isveig and he lefts her bargain with him despite literally holding her life in his hands. You would think that a conqueror who killed thousands of people wouldn't argue with a prisoner. It seemed like the author ignored logic at times just to make things easier for the main characters or to make them seem smarter. Overall, the antagonists seemed very one-dimensional and more like plot devices / tropes than characters. If you want a book that is pure escapism and entertainment without having to think too much - like, at all - you will probably enjoy this but I do tend to get very critical when reading.

So despite its faults, I overall enjoyed Forged by Magic and will be picking up the sequel. 3/5 stars.

I think the cover may be my favorite thing about this book.
Now, don't get me wrong - it wasn't a bad book at all, it just also wasn't my favorite for several reasons. Well, mostly one reason and that is, that I think this book tried to do too much at once.
»Forged by Magic« is described as heartwarming and a feel-good fantasy romance. It's set on this really idyllic, cozy island. But it somehow didn't feel like a cozy fantasy. It also didn't felt like a romance at least I wasn't really feeling the chemistry between Daella and Rivelin. There is just too much going on in this 400 pages book in my opinion. Overall political unrest in this fantasy world, some kind of game/competition on the island that Daella and Rivelin are participating in, the romance, dragons, Daellas history as an orc - and it felt like all of that came too short, at least for my liking. For me personally there was too much going on and at the same time I was a bit bored because I wasn't invested enough because I couldn't really connect with the characters or the story.

Unfortunately I didn’t like this very much. The characters - both main and supporting - were great. Likable, but just complicated enough for a cozy fantasy. That said, any high fantasy world requires more than quality character development. There was something here that just didn’t click for me. I didn’t understand the magic system and the history of the land wasn’t explained enough for the weight it carried in the present day. The competition at the core of the story was oddly unstructured and flippant, despite the high stakes. To me, it felt like many of these elements were sacrificed in an effort to keep things characteristically “cozy.” But, one shouldn’t come at the expense of the other.

Thank you to Victory and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I loved this cozy and fast-paced fantasy! This was an easy fantasy read with quirky characters and a great world to boot! I loved that Daella is a curvy half-orc that gets stuck staying with the dashing but brooding elf, Rivelin. Their banter is hands down my favorite! I loved the vibes of the town she stays in and especially the traveling tavern! There’s so many great characters, powers, and history in this book that are drawn together in a way that’s easy to understand and still carries the story along. Daella is a prisoner in her homeland and made to go out and do the Kings bidding, so she is a great fighter but still naive to the world, which adds a nice touch to all her new experiences. Plus if you love stories with competitions, like I do, there is a competition Daella and Rivelin enter to help save the island from the tyrannical king which involves four phases of elemental magic. We learn so much more about Daella, Rivelin, and the town as we read and their characters are really fun to get to know! If you’re looking for a slow burn fantasy, with found family, a charming town, magical dragons, and adventure, look no further!

Forged by Magic follows Daella, an imprisoned Orc held by Isveig; an ice giant. He sent Dealla on a mission to find any draugr (who can control dragons) on some hidden islands. But on her way, her ship finds a storm and fortunately Dealla washed up on a beach. And there, she encounters the paradise along with a grumpy blacksmith elf.

This was a cozy, fun, fast paced read with some spice! it quickly became a comfort read for me. I read it in a day and really enjoyed it. Did I say that I love the cover it’s giving Rowan Whitethorn vibes all over the book.

The main characters and all the sub characters were well developed and well matched for each other. The perfect amount of tension and angst made for a delightful read. Even if this is a stand-alone, can we get another book please?! I’m really obsessed with this.

Five-freaking-tastic stars!

4.5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

For the first time in my life, I did not need to hide the truth or who I was and how I felt. I was free to just be me.

Forged by Magic is a standalone fantasy romance novel set in the growing world of Falling For Fables. In this novel we follow the character of Daella and Rivelin.

Daella is half orc who has spent her life trapped by an emperor who uses her for mercenary work. Yet she finally finds a chance a freedom when she is offered a deal...track down the last remaining wielders of dragon magic. Just as she begins her journey she finds herself shipwrecked on island where she meets the elf Rivelin.

Rivelin is a gruff blacksmith who is none too keen to find the emperor's merc on his beach...but circumstances lead him to offer Daella shelter in return for her assistance until the next ship arrives to the island. As these two bicker and banter attraction begins to kindle and smoulder...except secrets lie between them and they may centre around the very thing Daella is after. In the end, with hearts on the line, they must decide how much Daella's freedom worth...

This is an incredibly fun and cosy fantasy romance that I devoured in a day. Daella is a likeable character who is fierce, inquisitive, and compassionate. Rivelin places into the grumpy sunshine trope and I appreciated how his backstory was approached and introduced. Together their banter, sexual tension, and relationship held me fast the entire time.

We also get some excellent side characters that left their impact on me - one in particular that would be a spoiler :P I felt the side characters provided excellent movement to the plot and I really enjoyed their time with the characters. They felt part of the story rather than vehicles for change.

This book does contain spice - I would say 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. This is a slow burn romance but oh, boy, is it done well! We really get to see these characters find themselves and each other. The spice was well done and reflected the passion of the characters well.

"I want to be yours, at least until day breaks," he murmured against my hot skin. "I don't want to stop kissing you and touching you and tasting you."

In terms of story and world, this was an excellent debut to the world of Falling for Fables. The lore was introduced well and I am invested in seeing it grow, especially after the ending of this one. The story itself is a feel good experience as the stakes are quite low in the book. There is still tension, competition, betrayal, and more but I never had to worry too much (though there was one twist towards the end I was not expecting). I feel this a great introduction to fantasy romance for anyone looking for low stakes with all the fun tropes and world building in the larger epics.

I highly recommend diving into this book if you are looking for a cosy fantasy romance with magic, dragons, and great story. I felt invested and could not put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC.

This book was so much fun! Such a great standalone fantasy romance that has the perfect amount of romance & spice, alongside a fun plot that has you invested and on the edge of your seat. The world building was great and very intriguing. Our main characters have a grumpy/sunshkne dynamic with banter that has you laughing. And cant forget all the side characters that make this book conplete. Very well rounded book & i highly recommend this!!

I thought cosy fantasy wasn’t for me until I read this book. I absolutely ADORED this fantasy stand-alone. Technically it’s not considered cosy fantasy because there’s a pinch of danger and some spice, but for me, it was the perfect snuggly, cosy read.

Daella is the half-orc prisoner of an Ice Giant tyrant who sends her out on a dangerous mission. When her ship is wrecked, she finds herself washed up on the most peaceful and idyllic island full of kind and mystical creatures - including a grumpy and (literally) steamy hot blacksmith elf named Rivelin.

I loved our main characters Daella and Rivelin who gave us dual POVs. The setting of Hearthaven is the cutest, utopian fantasy island village and I frankly want to live there. The midsummer competition was pretty low stakes so it made for a super comforting read while also giving the story a lovely structure. Oh, and have I mentioned the dragons?! This book just had everything I wanted and it carried a beautiful pace right to the very end.

I feel like this book found me at the perfect time - if you’re suffering a Fourth Wing hangover or feeling a bit burnt out, trust me, pick up this book! Sitting down with a steaming mug of coffee and snuggling up with this cosy fantasy has been my vibe for the last week, and I know I truly love a book when I purposefully read it
s l o w l y because I don’t want it to end. It releases on Tuesday 11th July and will also be on KU!

Massive thank you to @netgalley @victoryediting for this ARC and for helping me find a new favourite romantasy! This review is on goodreads and bookstagram @libraryofpearl and I simply cannot wait for the next standalone from the Falling For Fables world!

I think I wasn’t the reader most likely to find this book great although I was expecting a cozy romantasy and that’s what it was, I still felt a little underwhelmed in the end. This is kind of a “small town” romantasy, a light and easy read which was pleasant but I felt off whenever an intimate scene between the two characters unfolded like everything felt a little bit too cliché and just not for me. I didn't grew particularly attached to these two characters and I thought their personnalities fell a bit flat and unoriginal.
I didn't find the plot or the writting very original either but it still kept me interested enough to reach the end without having to necessarily force myself throughout it all.
Hearthaven seemed like a beautiful island though, inhabited by sweet and endearing characters for the most part and it's a cozy and flowery kind of read, perfect for summer season. I appreciated the sweet tone of the book in general and the bunch of different magical creatures we encounter.