Review posted July 9th 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@authorveronicalancet absolutely got me with this book. ✨ when I say that, to me, this is a literary MASTERPIECE, I mean it.
A little horror, a little suspense and thrill, a little fantasy, A LOT OF PERFECTION. 🔥
This is a very in depth story, and is definitely not something to skim over (but honestly, once you read it, the word “skim” won’t even be in your vocabulary). With three different timelines, I was able to stay on track and everything rounded out amazingly! 🖤
I wept. I smiled. I gasped. All of the emotions were present for this one.😮‍💨

The romance between our main characters is electric, beautiful, poetic, and raw.🥹 the spice was 🔥🔥
The world building was executed perfectly.
I couldn’t form a complaint for this book if I tried. I’m literally obsessed. 😍

There were moments that I was left dumbfounded and moments where I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone. The plot twists keep coming and they will get you EVERY SINGLE TIME.

This is NOT a book you want to miss. I won’t say more for fear I might give something away, but just know, you will not be disappointed with this rollercoaster of a story.❤️

OMG! I loved this book! Favorite book I read this year so far! It has a mix of tropes:Gothic romance, historical fantasy ,creepy small town, paranormal and lots of plot twists. There were three timelines in the book with many layers. This was one of the most beautiful, heart wrenching love stories I have ever read. The love story between Sela and Amon that spans over 1000 years. Loved the chemistry between the two main characters and many twists and turns. This book was an adventure and a literary masterpiece.

Fairydale is an ambitious fantasy novel with compelling elements, but ultimately, it struggles under the weight of its own length.

From the halfway mark, I felt like the story should have been reaching its climax—only to realize I still had another 50% to go. Unfortunately, not enough meaningful plot development happens in that first half to justify such an extended page count. The pacing has SO much filler, which made the inevitable twist (that I found very predictable) and the anti-climactic ending more frustrating than impactful.

That said, this isn’t a bad book. The multiple timelines were executed well and added depth to the story I especially enjoyed Caleb/Amon’s character and arc. The FMC was fine—though I didn’t personally connect with her, she carried the story adequately.

There’s definitely a strong story buried here, and I think if the novel had been trimmed down to around 500 pages, the core plot and emotional aspects would have been more noticeable. With tighter pacing and a bit more surprise in the twist, Fairydale could have been truly memorable.

This is definitely a LONG book. When it tells you that this is not a book you can just skim through, you need to LISTEN! Otherwise the whole story will feel very convoluted and confusing. But don’t get me wrong, just because a story warns you of its sins does not mean it can be forgiven.

The book in my opinion, was entirely too long and definitely dragged at some points. The author builds a very atmospheric world but it gets lost in itself, there are things that are described or talked about for way longer than it should. The plot twist are also entirely predictable. There is a lot of internal monologue which at times can drive you to grow tired of the FMC.

Yet for all of its flaws, the book has some amazing qualities. It is 100% not everyones cup of tea but if you love certain tropes and are a very big atmosphere person, this book may be for you! I appreciate how complex the story is, having multiple timelines, if feels like the author truly took her time building this world and story. The romance is well developed and I love love loveee a slow burn, yearning, type of vibe.

While it may not be for me…
If you love a slow slow slow burn, this book will have every inch of you on fire. It is a “love” story that embodies “I will find you in every lifetime.”
If you love a morally grey (bordering on black) obsessed man, this book has exactly that.
If you love hot steamy spice, girl pick this book up right now.

DNF @ 45%.

I just can’t. I’m 350 pages in and suffering.

I’ve disliked everything about this book.

The FMC’s never ending internal monologue. How she’s letting everyone gaslight her and just goes along with it.

There is absolutely zero chemistry between our leads.

The author’s note (which, to me, read as condescending) warns of a slow burn - where??? Caleb proposes marriage after a couple days of knowing the FMC. And she’s just like ‘oh I’m falling for him’ - girl what.

This book is agonizingly long - and for what? For three (!!!) different plots (that are basically the! same! thing!). Also every female character is sexually harassed/assaulted to the point it became gratuitous and about shock value.

And the writing - oh man. I knew I was in trouble at just the prologue:
“She spent moments on end in the river, dreading the fact that she would have to face reality when she was done. Slowly, she got out of the water and for a moment simply stood on the riverbank next to her dress, unable to bring herself to put on the garment again. Luckily, because of her ability, she could keep herself warm without the need for clothing. Yet as she stood there contemplating her life, she noted a colorful butterfly flying close to the surface of the water. She didn’t know how any butterfly could survive a winter there, but she was too taken by the beautiful scene to question such a sighting.”

Also why set your book in different time periods and not change your anachronistic writing? For vibes???

I heard such good things and I really wanted to love this one but I am DNFing it at 39%. It is just way too slow for me. Lots of stuff is happening but I don't know what? It just wasn't keeping my attention. I may attempt to finish it at some point. but for now it's a DNF for me. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

• Slow-burn
• Small town with secrets
• Past and present timelines

I was very conflicted reading this book. I was struggling to connect with any of the main characters. Some of the "secrets" I figured out earlier on..which was fine. But when the others were revealed..it was like oh ..okay.. But overall that read was okay.

This is a very true slow burn book. Please take the author's note into consideration if you're thinking of reading Fairydale.

I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity.

Fairy Dale by Veronica Lancet is a gripping, intricately woven story that kept me turning pages late into the night. With multiple storylines that slowly unravel and then collide in a satisfying way, the plot had me hooked from the start.

Lancet does a great job balancing mystery, emotion, and suspense. The pacing builds tension throughout, making it hard to put down—even when I knew I should. Each thread in the story feels purposeful, and by the end, everything clicks into place.

I’d recommend Fairy Dale to readers who enjoy layered storytelling, complex characters, and stories that reward patience and attention. It’s not a light read, but it’s a rewarding one.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is a re-release. It was initially published in 2022. I tried to read it then, and forgot about it... and when it came up as an "ARC" on Netgalley, I requested it, forgetting I'd attempted to read it once.

This book... well.. its just toooo long. Its a 'slow-burn' which just means it didn't capture me enough to want to keep reading. Some parts of the book seem to only have been written for shock-value.. they don't further the story at all, and just portray violent and graphic sex.

I loved the premise, and wanted to love this book. Sadly, for me... it fell flat.

This book? It owns me.
I picked it up thinking it’d be just another cute inheritance romance, a light read with maybe a little mystery and a lot of swoon. But no. This was a full-on spiral into obsession. That blurb? Just the tip of a very deceiving, icy iceberg. 🧊

I’ve been searching for a book to consume my thoughts, to give me that feeling again—and this is the one. It hit me like fate.

The moment Darcy steps into Fairydale, I was hooked. The town is everything I dream about—small, intimate, shrouded in charm and something just a little eerie. Cozy, quiet, and crowned by a castle that felt as beautiful as it was haunting. I imagined it so vividly it felt real. Fairydale isn’t just a setting, it’s a character—alive with secrets and shadows.

Darcy’s invitation to the town? Just a trapdoor into something so much bigger. At first, it reads like a modern-day contemporary with small-town charm, but then the story twists, and everything you thought you knew unravels. That’s when you realize: you’re not reading a love story. You’re witnessing a legend unfold.

I can’t even say his name without clutching my heart. This man. This otherworldly, loyal, obsessed, poetic man. He’s so deeply, eternally in love with her, he waited for her. Risked everything for her. Spoke like the stars carved every word into his soul just for her.

A few things he says—just a taste:

💖 "You called for me."
💖 "Your soul called for me. So make your wish. What is it you want, ****** mine?"
💖 "How could I want anyone else when I am only because you are? I exist for you just as I exist because of you."

Excuse me while I go cry into the void. He wasn’t just flirting with her—he was seducing me. The ache of knowing he’s fictional is too real.

He cherishes her. Respects her. Trusts her. Communicates without ever leaving space for doubt or misinterpretation. You never question how deeply he feels—he shows you. He lays everything bare. And when I say “if he wanted to, he would”? HE DID.

This isn’t a story you’ll find in a Hallmark aisle. This is a love that defies timelines, wars, death, societal expectations. A love woven with destiny and the belief that some souls are meant. That kind of fated, violent, world-bending love that makes your chest hurt in the best way.

She trusts him enough to go against everything she’s known. And he? He would burn the world for her.

And the romance? Off the charts. Explosive yet tender. Epic yet intimate. They aren't just falling in love—they're remembering that they always have.

The writing? Stunning. Beautiful without being overly flowery. Accessible but magnificent. Veronica crafted this book with such purpose—from the atmosphere to the slow build of tension and revelation. She didn’t just write a romance. She created a world. A myth. A soul-deep experience.

The only thing I hated? That it ended. I would give anything for more. For an epilogue. For even one more page. I will re-read this again and again, and it still won’t be enough.

This is more than a book. It’s a feeling. It’s a heartbeat.
This is an EPIC love story.

I had super high hopes for this book. Within the first chapter I was hooked, I was eating up all the pages and reading at a rapid pace. But as the book went on, I started becoming less interested. I do not believe the book should've been 700 pages. I got to 74% of the book and was not able to continue.
3/5 stars.

Fairydale completely pulled me in with its dark, gothic atmosphere and haunting sense of mystery. From the start, it felt like I was being guided through the story by an unreliable narrator, which kept me on edge in the best way. The psychological tension was so well done—there’s a lingering unease throughout the book, and I loved how everything unraveled and came together at the end.

Veronica Lancet has a really unique storytelling style that suits this kind of eerie, emotionally charged narrative. The mood and setting were so vivid and immersive—it almost felt like the book itself was haunted. I wasn’t always sure what was real or who to trust, and that uncertainty kept me hooked the whole way through.

If you’re into dark psychological reads with gothic vibes and plot twists that actually land, I’d definitely recommend Fairydale. It’s the kind of story that lingers in your mind after you finish it.

oh this was bad..like really bad. I am all for description, but choppy sentences to get there? no wonder this is 700+ pages. sorry NetGalley and publisher, hard pass.

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for the ARC.

This book is incredibly long. I had no idea going into it how long it was going to be, but it showed in the first chapter. Each chapter was way too long and, frankly, could be split up. I think one thing that put me off the book was the disclaimer and the prologue. I wasn't expecting this book to have graphic SA, or start with aftereffects of a r@pe. If I had known, I wouldn't have requested this book.

All you need to say is gothic paranormal romance and im strapped in for the ride 😂 once again i am super grateful for netgalley copies of these pre released books because they are offering me the opportunity to finally join in the fun and read them! This has been on my wish list for a while so yay!!

The pure length of this book could be a detractor for some people, but my mama didn’t raise a coward and the zodiac academy series has conditioned me to thickkkkk books 😂😂😂 one more bit of potentially bad news, this book is also slow burn so if the length and the speed aren’t for you then maybe consider if you really want to read this, I noticed the reviews are a mixed bag and I strongly believe the negative views are stemming from individuals who hate long and slow books and couldn’t give this one a fair shot 😪 safe to stay I stayed up all night trying to finish this book 😆

My over all thoughts are that I really enjoyed this book! I loved a bit of mystery and a bit of paranormal so the fact these genres were blended in seamlessly with this romance book fully worked for me! I struggle with “historical” books unless it has another interesting component so the gothic vibes, epic love story and darker aspects made the journey much More interesting.

I loved the fact that the characters remain a little ambiguous until later on in the book so you are constantly trying to work out who has bad or good intentions which keeps you on your toes. By the end of the book you are deep into this world and fully invested in the characters lives.

This book is definitely worth sticking through, you are rewarded handsomely with the ending of the book.

Thank you Atria for coming through with the best books!

Veronica lancet never fails at delivering and this time, once again, she serveeeeeed. I loved loved everything about this book, from the prose to the characters and storyline. So well done as always..

Veronica’s writing is very rich and detailed and that is something that many readers will appreciate for the liveliness it brings to this gothic historical romance. However, at times, the level of description felt a bit overwhelming, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

I was excited going into this book, especially since fantasy isn’t a genre I typically go for. Unfortunately for me, the time jumps made it hard to keep my attention. Although is it different and not for me I can see it being a go to for the right reader.

This book would be a cautious recommendation for me and may not be for everyone, but it absolutely has an audience.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this story!

“Us. A simple word. But a complicated history.”

4 ⭐️

Upon learning of her estranged father’s death, Darcy is called to Fairydale to claim her inheritance.

But as soon as she arrives, strange things begin happening:
A string of mysterious deaths
Unexplained moments of “forgetting”
Hostile family members
Vivid dreams of a mysterious man

Darcy struggles with who to trust & as an evil threat looms over the town, she must decide to follow her heart despite what she’s been told.

What to expect:
🪞 Dark / gothic fantasy
🐈‍⬛ Paranormal romance
🪞 Multiple timelines
🐈‍⬛ Possessive / morally grey MMC
🪞 Demons, healers, witches & other magical elements / creatures
🐈‍⬛ Spice

Thoughts:
When the book was over, I just sat there for a minute. Formulating thoughts for this review was so hard. So intricately woven and unique, this is one of those stories that will stick with you forever.

One of my favorite reads of the year! I was super lost until about the 70% mark but in the best way. The story is so captivating and unique. This was a long book, but the worth every second. I loved all of the characters, and the story was very well written. I loved reading each of the different timelines and how everything came together at the end.

Wow, what a ride we went on with this book. I went into this book completely blind and what I thought was happening ended up being something completely different by the end.

I loved the Characters and the Character development. I loved the mystery and gothic elements.

&& of course I absolutely unequivocally loved the love and devotion in this book! It was unmatched!

I will admit I wasn’t completely understanding of the direction the book took at about 80% but I was along for the ride regardless.

If you love a timeless gothic, epic love story full of yearning, desire and ‘touch her and die’ then you will devour this. However I do encourage to check the trigger warnings.

Thank you the Net Galley and Atria books for the ARC in return for my honest opinion!