I absolutely loved listening to this book! The different voices give you a great visual of everything that’s happening. I had this book on my wishlist, so I was extremely eager to listen to it when I came across it on NetGalley!
I love the amount of detail the book gives and the characters are great too! The book had me hooked from the first few chapters! I really enjoyed it!

I will definitely be recommending this book at all of my friends and family. I also may purchase just to have in my collection!

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary R. Pearson is a captivating fantasy novel that blends elements of adventure, family secrets, and romance with the allure of fae and magic. The story takes readers on a thrilling ride through an unfamiliar realm filled with gods, fae, monsters, and dark secrets—though it’s Bristol Keats’ emotional journey that ultimately makes the book stand out.

Bristol, the protagonist, is a young woman reeling from the loss of both of her parents. Along with her sisters, she is trying to make do in their quiet, unassuming town of Bowskeep, until she receives a series of letters from an unknown “aunt.” These letters promise to help her and reveal things about her family she never knew, including a shocking revelation: her father might not be dead but kidnapped by terrifying creatures and taken to another realm. Desperate for answers, Bristol embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, only to find herself thrust into a world filled with gods, magic, and dangerous creatures she never knew existed.

The strength of the novel lies in Pearson’s world-building. The realm Bristol is drawn into is richly imagined—dark, dangerous, and full of tension. There is a palpable sense of mystery as Bristol is pulled deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems. The author does an excellent job of weaving a plot filled with intrigue, offering just enough clues to keep readers hooked without giving away too much too soon. The fantasy elements—particularly the fae—are explored with a mix of wonder and dread, giving the story a perfect balance of awe and tension.

Bristol’s character is compelling. She starts as a young woman defined by her grief and her loyalty to her family, but over the course of the novel, she grows into someone with an inner strength and resilience she didn’t know she had. Her determination to find the truth about her father and uncover the hidden secrets of her family is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The dynamic between her and her sisters also adds depth to the story, highlighting the importance of family bonds and personal sacrifice.

The romance between Bristol and Tyghan, the fae leader, is an intriguing and complex subplot. Tyghan is both a source of temptation and a figure shrouded in mystery. As Bristol navigates her relationship with him, the reader is never quite sure whether he is a trustworthy ally or a dangerous adversary. His history with Bristol’s parents, including his role in driving them to live in hiding, adds a layer of tension to their interactions, making for a slow-burn romance that is equally filled with distrust and undeniable attraction. Their relationship is far from straightforward, and that’s what makes it so compelling—neither character fully knows the other’s true motives, creating an emotional push and pull that keeps the reader invested.

The pacing of the novel is well-handled for the most part, though there are moments when the plot slows down as Bristol learns more about the realm and its politics. While these sections are important for world-building and establishing the stakes, they can occasionally feel a bit drawn out. That said, the tension in the narrative always picks up again when Bristol is faced with new revelations or confrontations.

The primary drawback of the novel, however, is that some of the secondary characters—particularly the fae and gods Bristol encounters—could have been fleshed out a bit more. They are intriguing, but at times they feel more like plot devices than fully realized characters. It would have been nice to see more depth to these figures, especially given the importance of the world Bristol enters and the conflicts she faces within it. Additionally, while the romance is central to the plot, some readers may find the emotional stakes of the relationship with Tyghan to be a bit drawn out, as the tension between attraction and distrust goes unresolved for longer than expected.

Despite these minor issues, The Courting of Bristol Keats is an engaging and entertaining read with a strong emotional core and a compelling narrative. Mary R. Pearson succeeds in crafting a world that is both captivating and mysterious, with characters who are flawed, complex, and memorable. Fans of romantic fantasy with a strong sense of adventure and intrigue will likely enjoy this book, as will readers who appreciate complex relationships and the exploration of family secrets. The book sets up an intriguing world, and with its strong cliffhanger, it leaves the door wide open for future installments, which will surely have readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Bristol’s journey.

This is peak high fantasy. I absolutely adored this immersive story of a complicated family and a fae world. It had so many of the things I'm looking for in fantasy romance, including enemies to lovers, training sequences, and major plot twists! I had an excellent time reading this and can't wait to recommend it to others.

I was so fortunate to receive an audio ARC of The Courting of Bristol Keats. The narrator brings this story to life in such a powerful way. I absolutely think readers should consider consuming the story this way.

I loved the inclusion of tricksy fairies alongside the ‘high fey’ that we more often see in the genre.

I really enjoyed Bri as a character, and the group of recruits she meets once she’s in their world gave me that found family energy I need in a story.

The magic system was interesting and included the traditional along with unique aspects - like the portal windows and the way that animals sometimes make them - which kept me intrigued.

The plot was fast paced and easy to follow, but included lots of twists and turns. My only disappointment, slightly, was the ending, which felt quite abrupt and left me a bit wrong-footed.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the book and will continue the series when the sequel comes out.

Listening on 2x speed, I had no issues with any of the narration. Enjoyed the pacing and inflections

This one was interesting. Some twists I saw coming, some I didn't. The time element of the time in fae lands working differently than in human lands also had an interesting effect on the plot. I wouldn't necessarily say that I enjoyed Bristol as a MC, but I did like the story overall and would continue the series.

Overall: 3 stars (I liked it)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Bristol and her sisters have always been on the run — their family packing up and moving from one place to the next. Bristol has always chalked it up to her eclectic artistic parents, but after both her parent’s untimely deaths and the appearance of a long lost aunt, things are not exactly as they seem. Couple the need to care for her sisters, the urge to find the truth, and the possibility that her father might just missing in a different world, Bristol travels to faerie. Here she must navigate truths and omissions, history and revenge. Will she come out on the other side with her family whole once more?

First, I was instantly in love with this audiobook. Narration is spot on and engaging — super clear and easy to listen. The narration supplements the world building creating a much more expansive feel to it. No issues listening at 1.5x speed.

The novel itself is well written. The world and character building was excellent. You instantly are pulled into the story and are attached to both Bristol and Tyghan. Their polarizing roles, attraction and secrets are laid out perfectly and keep you turning pages. Definitely a great romantasy! 5 stars.

Review based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. Thank you!

Was this book completely unique? No... Did I still enjoy reading it? Yes...

We follow Bristol, who is struggling to support herself and her sisters after their parents die. She gets a lucrative financial offer she can't refuse to enter the realm of Elphame after she finds out her father might not be dead, but taken there as well. The story is pretty predictable if you've read a lot of romantasy, and for being Pearson's debut into adult, it read pretty YA to me except for a few spicy scenes. This isn't necessarily bad, I read a lot of YA, just not exactly what I was expecting. It is well-written, which I think is why I had a good time reading it. I'm torn between a 3 or 4 star, but I did get attached to the characters by the end, and I will be continuing the series, so I'm bumping it to a 4. I loved her Dance of Thieves duology, so I have confidence that she can write a great ending to this duo!

The audiobook narrator kept me engaged and helped bring the story to life. I usually prefer dual narration when switching POVs so frequently, but she did a good job distinguishing the voices so I wasn't distracted.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy in exchange for this honest review.

4.5 Stars!!

I was lucky enough to receive the ebook and audiobook to review!

Brittany Pressley did an amazing job at narrating all the characters and showcasing their personalities. She really helped me differentiate the characters better. Lastly I highly recommend readers to pair the novel with the audiobook you will not be disappointed.

If you’re a fan of Dance of Thieves, the YA duology by Mary E. Pearson, then you absolutely need to dive into The Courting of Bristol Keats, the first book in her new adult fantasy duology!

The Courting of Bristol Keats is packed with adventure, action, forbidden romance, magic, fae, portals, treacherous kings, betrayal, dark secrets, and promises that must — and will — be kept. Although the book is thick, don’t let that intimidate you! You’ll be immediately drawn into Bristol’s journey as she navigates the Fae world and a magical school, all while uncovering family secrets and discovering her true identity. ✨

I especially loved the dynamic between Bristol, the heroine, and Tyghan, the king, as they were refreshingly honest with each other about their feelings, which led to little to no miscommunication between them. The chemistry and banter between them are fantastic, not to mention their magical moonlit dances.

I’m eagerly awaiting book two, because I can't wait for even more jaw-dropping moments as new secrets are revealed — and of course, I’m dying to know if their love will survive the trials ahead!

3.75⭐ rounded up to 4. I have mixed feelings about this one. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t feel compelled, mostly due to tired tropes and flat characters.

❤️ Interesting worldbuilding
❤️ Easy, entertaining, and addictive read
❤️ Lots of sexual tension
❤️ Great narration
❤️ Relatability due to the multi-world setting
❌ Lack of likeable characters
❌ Weird switch from slow burn to instalove
❌ Predictable plot twists and weird ending
❌ Confusing POV shifts
❌ Cringey smut

Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death and grief (including of a parent), war, injury and injury detail, body horror, poverty, abandonment, car accident, toxic relationship, etc.

Plot:
Bristol has been struggling to make ends meet for her and her sisters. One day, she starts receiving letters from a generous aunt she’s never heard of and decides, out of desperation, to meet with her. She is exposed to a world she never knew existed, where magic exists and where Fae and monsters live. Following a lead on her (supposedly dead) father’s whereabouts, she makes a bargain with the dangerously attractive Fae king.

Fans of The Cruel Prince will probably enjoy this book. But, for me, it felt like a plot written around popular tropes (hate-to-love, slow burn, instalove, obliviously superpowered, secret legacy, villainous lineage, trainer/trainee romance). In the end, it was easy to listen to, entertaining, and addictive, but many things annoyed me and I already forgot most of it. I don’t think I will continue this series.

Characters:
Maybe it’s just me, but it felt like the set of characters was too large. They remained surface-level, and I never grew attached to any of them. I liked Bristol at first, but halfway through the book her character had a drastic personality change. (Why do many authors confuse rude/confrontational with feisty/strong? I don’t get it.) I couldn’t quite ship her with the Fae king, considering how manipulative and secretive they are toward each other. Finally, the sudden shift from a hate-to-love slow burn to an instalove dynamic was also offputting. I know this is fiction and all, but I can’t deal with ILYs after sooo little time.

Writing:
Pearson is clearly good at building tension and angst, describing action scenes, and knowing when to keep it simple and when to elaborate. I enjoyed the pace and storytelling, but I found some dialogues and the steamy scenes a little cringey. (There’s something about “the enormity of his desire pressing against her” that made me guffaw for a good 7 minutes.) I’m also not a fan of the 110-chapter format, nor the mid-chapter POV switches.

Audiobook:
I enjoyed the narration. The actor’s voice was very smooth and soothing. (However, her “male” voice made every man sound like a goblin—but I listened at 1.5 speed, so it might have something to do with that as well.)

I have so many thoughts about this book. Please excuse the misspelling as I listened to the book and did not have the correct spellings to refer to.

First off, I love Mary Pearson. She is one of my favorite authors. I have read six of her works and each one would be an easy 5 stars from me.

As I was listening to The Courting of Bristol Keats, I kept on feeling like this wasn't really Mary Pearson's ideas, as if she's been pushed to be more this and more that and it really bothered me.

The main protagonist, though her decisions were commendable; she was very unlikable. Even though she was in her 20's, she was rash, dramatic and had morals of an alley cat.

As far as Taigen goes, he felt very one dimensional. As if his own trait was his personal trauma. He reminds me of a version of Rowan Whitethorn from Throne of Glass series.

The plot was very clunky, Not only did it take far too long to take shape, but I was constantly confused by what the actually goal was. What door were they looking for? What bloodmarked actually meant? Why, if there's such an urgency do they spend all this time training and not looking for the door? Why are they spending every evening dancing?

The slow burn of the romance was far too stretched, and when they finally admit feelings; what do they even have to build on? And suddenly they are in bed? I felt there was way too many spicy scenes, it was over the top. And to put the chapter of her father having sex with her mom directly after Taigen and Bristol's coupling was really uncomfortable.

Bristol has an interesting back story, but her experiences are almost unused to her character. The friends she meets, Why wasn't there more development with them. But at the same time, why are they even there. Why isn't Bristol constantly wondering why they want her in Elfhame if she was only a mere mortal? And if Elfhame knew who her mother was, wouldn't they check her for ticks to begin with? And what about the monsters she witnessed in the beginning, where did they go?
Where's the urgency? Troes are never explained. The plot isn't even really explained. It finally became interesting when Bristol finds her dad, but instead of moving the plot forward it turns to drama and going back to training? Just why?

And then the book ends. Just ends. Why would you alienate your reader like that?

Bristol Keates just wants a normal life. She is the middle sister helping to raise her younger sister Harper, along with her older sister Kat. Bristol is always worrying how they are going to keep the lights on and food on the table when she gets a letter from a long lost aunt. Bristol finds that what her parents told her was all lies and now she must enter a portal to another world to hep the fae people and somehow find her father whom was thought to be dead a year ago. Bristol is just a mere mortal being trained as a knight for Tyghan's army, so that they can fight the monsters that are hunting them. Will Bristol reunite with her father and sisters when her promises are fulfilled? The Courting of Bristol Keats is book one in the series by Mary E Pearson you will not be disappointed by this book where magic, mystery, and romance are all abundant throughout the book. I can't wait for the next installment and where Bristol's journey will take her. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me have an advanced copy of this audio book..

I did like this first book overall. Yes, I did get frustrated at the way Bristol and Tyghan's relationship bloom so quickly, mostly because I knew it was built like a house of cards, with a bomb at the bottom that would definitely explode by the end of the book and everything would come crumbling down and their love would take a major hit. Too many secrets and with the time differences between the mortal world and fae realm, caused so many problems (especially with how Tyghan felt about Bristol's dad) That was pretty obvious. What I did like was the training and Bristol making friends with the other recruits. That was a much better made relationship.

So, putting aside disastrous loves doomed to fail (at least till the second book I am sure). I did like the mystery of hunting down Bristol's father, learning about her heritage, and the discovery of her magical fae side (though the tick is so gross!). Plus the training and her fellow recruits who have awesome abilities too and are always ready to spring together and help each other out. And there was a nice buildup of trying to find the door to the abyss and stop the restless dead from consuming everything. Though as this is the first book, do not expect anything to be resolved ( a bit disappointing, I wish something could have been fixed). Quite the cliffhanger.

I will say, I am glad I got the chance to listen to this book, rather than read it. The narrator did a great job with voices and building up the scene for the listener to see. It would have been harder to read it, especially when I was yelling at the characters to stop keeping all the secrets, and also get over themselves (mostly Tyghan) and see things from other people's points of view because that makes a big difference. I will be interested to see what happens in the next book and the final transformation of Bristol.

What a breathtakingly beautiful and vividly written Romantasy. I enjoyed the writing style very much, and the characters were multi dimensional and relatable. I loved how resilient Bristol was. She overcame so much and was very easy to root for. I also liked that she had flaws. She wasn't perfect by any means, and because of that, she felt very real.

The fae lore was intriguing, and it worked very well to learn it along with Bristol as she came to this world unaware of her background. The romantic aspect was enemies to lovers and fit in nicely within the context of the story.

Overall, this book was well written, and the world building was exceedingly well done. Brittany Pressley, as the narrator for this audiobook, was phenomenal. She brought a lot of humor and understanding to the story as a whole and to Bristol in particular.

From what I understand, this is to be a duology, and I'm super excited about book two. I can't wait to read it!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for this ALC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a fun adult fantasy read, full of fae creatures, magic, mysterious backstories, and a touch of spice. I enjoyed the call to action, the setting, and the “fish out of water” feel of a mortal finding herself in Elfame. It was definitely reminiscent of The Cruel Prince, but a tad more “grown up.”

There were a lot of characters introduced (which I typically love), but I’m hoping we see some more depth/development from the supporting cast in book 2. As a side note, the audiobook narrator did an exceptional job with the various voices and accents!

Overall, a solid start to the duology.

🗝️ Book Review 🗝️

The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
🗝️
This was my ideal romantasy: moody, dark, dramatic, and atmospheric. I have no notes; it was absolutely perfect. If you loved “The Cruel Prince” for the fae realm, royal politics, revenge plot, and swoony romance filled with a slow burn, forbidden, enemies to lovers side plot that is exploding with hate filled chemistry, you need to read this IMMEDIATELY! The plot is fast paced and filled with twists and betrayals, the prose is dreamy, the characters are complex, and it all combines to create something completely addicting. The multiple points of view was genius, and Brittany Pressley does an absolutely perfect job with the audio! She brings each character to life with their own accents and inflections, and her attention to detail was amazing! This book was epic, and was one of my very favorite reads of the year. Drop everything and read it immediately!!
🗝️
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♾️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
🗝️
Read if you like:
▫️fae, Elfhame, and bargains
▫️demigods and magic
▫️warring kingdoms
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️forbidden love
▫️multi POV
🗝️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Mary E. Pearson for the ALC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this book. It is giving heavy Cruel Prince vibes. The world and character-building were solid and the pacing was perfect! If you enjoyed The Cruel Prince then you will eat this up! Brittany Pressley did the character acting justice on many levels. She brought atmosphere and emotion to each scene and every character. I finished this book in one day...it was that good to me.

THE ENDING....PLEASE DO NOT DELAY WITH BOOK 2!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Mary E. Pearson for the ability to enjoy this ALC of The Courting of Bristol Keats and for allowing me to leave an honest review without coercion.

I listened to the audiobook, and I enjoyed it. The narration was excellent and I thought the story was good. I would recommend everyone to great it, it was a great event that Bristol had to go go. The story kept ne engaged and interested to to find out what happened next.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook!

First off, this author sure knows how to make perfectly paced slow burn romance! It wasn’t too fast, but also wasn’t Geezus just get to it before I pull my hair out slow! Just absolutely right in the middle perfect.


I love fantasy books about Fae, and this one absolutely did not disappoint. The characters were diverse, the plot was plotting, and it kept me engaged and interested through the entire book, whereas a lot of books it’s kind of a toss up on whether I’ll only like certain chapters, or half of the book or none… this time I loved the entire thing.
The world building was amazing, too. She didn’t go overboard on the details and make it boring.
Overall if you’re a fan of Romantasy (or Mary E. Pearson’s other books) you should pick this up and give it a try.

Audio: I can be pretty picky on my narrators! However I would definitely listen to another book with this narrator. Seemed to be the perfect voice to do the job.

Thank you Macmillan Audio & Flatiron books for my advance audio copy in return for a honest review. Receiving this ARC does not affect my opinion of the narrator or story.

The world of Elfhame was so different than most fantasy books I have read. This multidimensional world is full of a variety of creatures and fae which I loved. The world building was well written and easy to follow.

The relationship between Bristol and Tyghan wasn’t what I would call “enemies to lovers”, it was more like dislike to lovers. The banter between the two did have me giggle a few times. The pace of their relationship was perfect! Slow burn, but not so slow that you are screaming with frustration “Kiss already!”

The main plot of the story kept me engaged and wanting to keep going to find out how it was all going to play out. And the tick! I mean, what is that??! There are several twists and turns and the dynamics with the other characters kept things interesting. There were points where I just did not know who Bristol should trust because each person had their own agenda. The ending, well, was very abrupt which is the only thing I did not like.

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be reading the next book in this series!

Audio:

I truly enjoyed the narrator. With the large number of characters, the narrator did an amazing job! Her ability to change voices allowed no confusion on which character was speaking.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating

This is a journey into Mary E. Pearson’s first go at an adult themed duology. She did a phenomenal job! I cannot wait for the second book to come out and until then, will have to live with the wait.

✨Romantasy
✨Reluctant allies to lovers
✨Secret identities
✨Fae
✨Magic
✨Found family
✨Fae and Gods
✨Slow burn
✨Morally gray characters
✨Multi POV

This story sucked me in pretty quick. I feel like the pace was just right for me. I did enjoy the world and character building. It was detailed but not overly and I wasn’t confused by any characters. I really enjoyed the FMC and her character coming to life. I’d say it’s an open door romance.

This was my first book from the author. She is on my TBR list and I have heard great things. I’m glad this is where I started and I look forward to reading her other books. This is definitely worth a read!

Audio Review: Brittany Pressley did a great job. I don’t have any complaints and would listen to more of the books she narrates.

Thank you to Mary, Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC!