If this was AO3 it would absolutely have the 'dead dove do not eat' tag.

I wouldn't consider myself easily triggered, but when the MMC rapes the FMC then doesn't acknowledge it and gaslights her into thinking it didn't happen, that's a no for me.

DNF at 20%

Standalone
Original series (not a spin off/not same world as previous series but there is another series after with the same world)
Spice: 5/5 (Explicit and Plentiful based on romance.io)
Available on Kindle Unlimited
First Release Date: 2022

This book is a little odd but I loved it! So many romantasy books can run together but this definitely stands out! It borders on dark romance. It mostly has gothic vibes which I'm about.

I would definitely recommend this book!
Specifically for:
- dark gothic lovers
- high spice readers
- readers looking to read something a little different! (It's worth it)

Here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7470673515

This version of Fairydale has a bonus epilogue which gives us some closure and just a little more romance from our favorite couple!

Fairydale by Veronica Lancet was haunting in the most unexpected way. I went in thinking it would be a dark fairy tale, but it ended up being so much more layered and emotionally intense. The writing is lyrical and soft, which makes the darker turns of the story hit even harder. The town of Fairydale itself felt like something out of a dream, beautiful but rotting at the edges, and the characters were just as fragile and complex. There’s this quiet horror threaded through everything, not always in what’s said, but in what’s left unsaid. It explores grief, obsession, and the blurred line between love and control in a way that’s deeply unsettling. I found myself rereading certain lines just to sit with them. This book doesn’t scream; it whispers, and that’s what makes it unforgettable. If you’re drawn to stories that are eerie, emotional, and poetically written, this one stays with you.

This book is a journey with many phases.

To me, some of the phases nailed it and some left a lot to be desired. It immediately hooked me in, and then just as I was about to lose interest and DNF (the FMC Darcy starts out very naive and things start to feel unrealistic) we are introduced to Elizabeth who lived hundred of years before.

I found myself more interested in Elizabeth’s story so when it shifted back to modern day Fairydale I lost a lot of my interest. I found overall that I was much more interested in the narratives from the past. Other than having to ignore some phrases and things that didn’t fit it with the time period, those sections of the book pulled me in and intrigued me the most.

Eventually the story in the present does pick up and become more engaging. I felt like this book was too long and I can definitely understand how it’s polarizing, sometimes I hated it and sometimes I loved it.

The major win for me was the love story coming together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I was sure to love this novel, sharing all the hallmarks of my favorites - historical, gothic, nonlinear, a little paranormal... Sadly, the writing style just isn’t for me and I gave up mid-way to skim the rest of the novel.

For a reader who enjoys a lot of internal monologue this might be a better read; I felt like the book was talking at me instead of absorbing me into its world. I just couldn’t connect emotionally with the characters - I thought I was getting somewhere with Darcy but once the two love interests got involved it seemed like all plodding plot - yes there are some pretty interesting twists but they are dulled by the sonorous march of dialogue with unbalanced world building. I actually set it aside and read another book to refresh before trying again. It’s just not for me. This was a very long book that felt like a journey to nowhere.

I will not be sharing my thoughts on social media. I can see that many have loved Fairydale and while I don’t understand it, I’m not going to contribute to negativity about something someone worked so hard to produce and so many others enjoy so well.

Thank you so much to Atria and NetGalley for this eARC!

Fairydale had a promising start, and I was genuinely intrigued during the first quarter. I loved the eerie, uncertain tone, not knowing if Darcy was truly unhinged or if something more sinister was going on kept me turning pages. But unfortunately, the story lost its grip on me halfway through.

Caleb’s intense fixation on Darcy felt more unsettling than romantic, and that dynamic just didn’t work for me. It crossed into red flag territory fast, and I couldn’t root for them as a couple. While the flashbacks added depth and were one of the stronger elements, once the central mystery began to unfold, the tension fizzled. Knowing the stakes made the rest of the plot feel predictable and, honestly, a bit flat.

It’s a cool idea, but the execution didn’t deliver the dark, gripping vibe I was hoping for. I feel like avid fans of dark romance, mafia romance will enjoy this.

I did love the multiple timelines and true love aspect but the writing style wasn’t for me. I was confused for most of the beginning before things started to click. This was really like a mystery/thriller fantasy. I haven’t read a book like this before. Something that unintentionally knocked it down a star for me was the FMC. She was a little too naive for me to like. Knowing it’s the 1950s helped but still considering the circumstances, I would’ve liked to have her more of a backbone.

I would be interested in reading other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for this eARC in exchange for a honest review!

Fairydale was nothing like I expected. This is truly a slow burn with lots of twists and turns and it’s a book that really defies genres. I appreciated the spooky and gothic vibes but this story was very long! The characters, Darcy in particular, were very well written and I really enjoyed getting to know them all. The plot had me really needing to concentrate and re-read, this book definitely took some effort. Overall I liked the book vibes and characters but wished it would have been a bit shorter.

Fairydale was a wild ride—I was confused for much of it, but I think that was intentional. The story itself is layered and complex, and I appreciated the author’s ambition in exploring a love that transcends time. That theme was genuinely sweet.

That said, the dark gothic elements were overwhelming for me at times. There’s definitely an audience for this kind of story, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I found myself bug-eyed and scratching my head more often than not. If you like your fantasy strange, immersive, and a little unsettling, this might hit the mark for you. IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES A SPOOKY VIBE

Fairydale is a story of love defying all odds. I loved this world and seeing the perspectives of the characters over time. This story was atmospheric, eery and immersive. I was transported to a world where demons are real, magic is important, and love is the only thing that matters. I loved this so much thank you for the ARC.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read!

This was a step outside of my normal reading que of TBR’s. There are things I loved about it and things that just weren’t for me.

The gothic, dark atmosphere and multiple layers of story going on are fabulous. I enjoyed the characters, their “past lives”, and the setting.

But this book definitely will have triggers for some, and they are pretty well advised. There’s also a warning to be prepared to dive deep into this, and it’s not a light story. The multiple timelines I can see getting confusing to readers, and I really had to actually keep focus on where I was, and who I was reading in each chapter.

This one wasn’t for me, but I would still recommend it for dark romance lovers, especially for books with a haunting vibe.

I will start by saying this book took me a long while to finish. IT WAS A LONG ONE! I had to take several breaks to finish it.
Some parts did feel pretty repetitive to me so I was like.. "COME ON HURRY UP AND GET TO THE POINT!"

I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley.

this book takes place in 1955 and has 3 different story lines so towards the end I was like WTH is going on here haha. I will say I did enjoy the different time lines and it all finally came together at the end and made so much more sense.
It was a true Dark Gothic Fantasy with witches demons and other paranormal aspects to it. Once I got a hold of the storylines it all started to give me the " AHH haaa!" Moment where it all clicked and I really enjoyed it. I think if you enjoy Fantasy and paranormal reads you will probably enjoy this one just BEWARE it is a very long read and kind of drags on a bit.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I can confidently say, I’ve never read a book like Fairydale before. I would classify this book as Gothic Paranormal Romantasy. Amon d’Artan is unlike any MMC you’ve ever met. He is irrevocably and wholeheartedly obsessed with Darcy. Talk about a man that will go to the ends of the earth for the woman he loves. I am not even going to try to fully summarize the book but I will say that there were so many plot twists and pivots that I was just along for the crazy ride! You need to just experience it for yourself 😏

The spice in this book caught me off guard and had my jaw on the floor. I don’t even want to say too much lest I ruin anything but WOW🥵. It didn’t pull away from the intricacies of the overall plot which I appreciate!

If you are an audiobook girlie, I HIGHLY recommend grabbing that as well. It is hands down one of my favorite duel narration audiobooks I’ve ever experienced!

I can’t wait to reread this in the future. I’m sure it will still be just as much of a wild ride. While I don’t think this book will be for everyone, I will absolutely be recommending this book! It is quite lengthy and takes a minute to really kick into action. If you’re not willing to stick it out through that, this may not be the book for you right now. I think the girls that get it, will get it when it comes to this one.

Tropes/Vibes:
✨ He Falls First
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Multiple Time Lines
✨ Town with Plenty of Secrets/History
✨ Fated (soul)Mates

Quotes I loved:
“You only have to exist and you’re all I see”

“You would be mine under any other name. Just like I would be yours.”

“For you must have loved to know loss and you must have lost to know the fear of loving again.”

This is my first Veronica Lancet book and I’ll be coming back for more, this story was just so unique and creative to me! Thank you Atria and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC💗

I was lucky enough to have read the indie edition last year and have done a reread this year by audio. So it was nice to be able to compare to the traditional published version. Let me say I love fairydale, it has changed all other books for me. It is absolutely beautifully told story spanning generations. I have tried to find other books that could compare but this is so special. You have to be ok going in and being confused for 80% until everything comes together. Now I must say I might be a little bit biased that I feel that the indie version was perfect and should not have been edited. I can’t pin point what was cut exactly but that would be the only criticism I have.

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 3/5🌶️

Fairydale by Veronica Lancet is a gothic historical and paranormal romance. Darcy an orphaned English teacher journeys to an unknown town to claim her inheritance from a father she’s never known. With the possibility of a large inheritance she stays in Fairydale but strange things keep happening and she isn’t sure what is real and what isn’t.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

Now buckle up and hold on because I have a lot to say…

First things first. The atmosphere of this book was everything. Hauntingly eerie and very much a gothic feel. I loved the historical aspect and how it really fit into the way the author helps you imagine and visualize Fairydale.

There are about three different timelines and sometimes I got a little lost but eventually would find my way back. I did enjoy the different timelines though. I thought it really gave you that added perspective to the emotional depth of the story between the main characters.

This is a long book. I think with long books the pacing has to be right. I was hooked in the beginning, got a little bored in the middle, then hooked again towards the ending. The pacing felt a little off for me. However, the atmosphere, romance, and paranormal touches really made up for it.

Amon is the morally gray MMC we all love. I don’t want to spoil anything but seriously *fans self*. I also really enjoyed a lot of the side characters and what they brought to the story. This had quite a bittersweet feel and an emotional story that really lasts the whole book.

“What if my madness recognizes yours?” I will just leave you with that one little quote.

If you love gothic dark romance with a historical feel and a love story that isn’t cut and dry this is for you!

A romance that leads over many centuries. This book was spicy, dark and mysterious. I really enjoyed it. Darcy goes to fairytale after receiving a mysterious letter and a lot of money in the envelope. This is where the story starts.

If you love suspense, love triangles and a creepy town this book is for you.
Thanks NetGalley

All I can say is this book has officially earned a spot on my top tier list. It’s beautifully written, with the multiple timelines woven together seamlessly. The story kept me engaged and constantly questioning what was happing, and I couldn’t put the book down. The world building was beautifully done, as were all the character development. If you’re in the mood for a high gothic fantasy that grips you and doesn’t let go, this one is a must read. Just make sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

This book was a trip. I spent most of it alternating between confused and enthralled. The story itself was great & unique, the love story spanning literal centuries was swoon worthy, i loved the MMC, the FMC made me want to shake her for stupidty half the time though. The multiple timelines, POVs, worlds, etc was all little rough to get into and follow but once i got the hang of it i couldnt out it down (that beign said i struggled through the first half so badly, this books a beast). I still have so many questions left unanswered, one being what genre what this book supposed to be even. Also this needed a solid edit, I've never read a book with so many spelling errors. I'm just giving it 4☆ for the vibes at this point.

Wow. I don’t even know where to start with this book.
It’s wild, intense, and unexpectedly emotional. The romance? Absolutely gripping. The connection between the main couple felt genuine, even after lifetimes apart — literally thousands of years. They stayed loyal to each other through everything, which honestly made my heart ache in the best way. Their love felt unbreakable, like it could defy time itself.

Now, yes... the book is long (think 700+ pages), but I get why. The story needed the space, and for the most part, I really enjoyed the ride. Though I have to admit, the ending felt a bit rushed — almost like the start of a whole new book instead of a wrap-up. They’re finally back together, even expecting a baby, but their future still felt kinda up in the air.

And about that steam factor... Whew. Let’s just say, it got a little more intense than I expected toward the end. Some scenes were just over the top for me — not bad, just... a lot. If I’d known beforehand, I probably would’ve skimmed a few parts.

Still, I don’t regret picking this up at all. It’s emotional, a bit crazy, but definitely worth the time and tears. I’ll be checking out more from this author for sure — though I might be ready to skip a few steamy chapters next time.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

Whew... where do I even start? Fairydale is one of those books that warns you upfront it’s gonna be long — and it delivers on that warning. But honestly? I think it was too long. There’s no denying Veronica Lancet can write, and the bones of an epic love story were there, but I personally feel like it would've hit harder if the story was split into two (or even three) books.

I was hanging on, hoping for that deep, sweeping emotional payoff — but when it came time to explain why the male lead was so utterly obsessed with her... it kind of fell flat for me. Like yeah, she’s beautiful and sweet, but I needed more- for all he was willing to do for her I just thought there would have been more that lead up to that. More emotional depth. More connection. More believable love.I was really hoping there would be a stronger core to anchor it.

Now, the book is split into three parts, and I gotta say: Darcy and Sela's sections were definitely the parts where you get more details, but ALL the details are not needed. If the story had focused more on those two time periods and what was most important, I think I would've walked away feeling way more satisfied.

As for the spice? Oh, it’s there. It’s hot, it’s wild, and some scenes had me blushing (no complaints in that department). But even with the heat, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that too much was crammed into one book. Plotlines stacked on plotlines, and by the end I was like... wait, what just happened?

Final verdict: I liked the book, but I wanted to love it. Instead, I feel like I need a nap just from the sheer volume of it all. It’s a three-star read for me — not bad, just a little too much and not quite enough where it really mattered.