- an orphaned school teacher is sent a letter that her biological father has passed away and she needs to go to the town of fairydale for the will reading for a promised large inheritance
- everything about fairydale is weird and mysterious and you aren’t quite sure what is real because everything is very haunting
- slow burn but once it hits, the spice takes off
- during the day she’s falling for the mysterious man across the street, but at night, another man haunts her dreams, a man who lived thousands of years ago
- the book is told over 3 different timelines
- i feel like this could have actually been multiple books because of how much was packed into it. i was pretty over it by the last 20%
- my favorite part was actually the first 20%
- i loved the dark vibes of it and will look out for more from this author!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7162522406

Marissa's reviewJun 09, 2025 · edit
really liked it

4.5⭐️✨

Gothic fantasy has had my heart lately and this one was phenomenal!!
The atmosphere had me hooked from the first chapter and the dark & twisty plot made this book so hard to put down, I was constantly shocked and wanting to find out what happens next!
Perfect book if you’re looking for something unique and dark, with a layered plot that is meant to keep you guessing - Also a great book if you like small creepy towns with a bunch of mystery to unravel🕵🏻‍♀️
Also I 🖤 Mr Meow😭

This was so fun! I see why it has been so hyped.

These characters had such good chemistry and this book had such a good atmosphere. I liked the eerie, almost gothic town. I loved the ever-so-slightly horror vibes that appeared every now and then. And I liked that I was surprised by the direction that this story took. We get romance, a little bit of mystery, fated lovers, some spooky magical happenings, and it worked out so well! I would recommend if you're looking for a new darker fantasy-esque situation!

And as a historical fashion knowledge girlie, I tried so hard to ignore the corset inaccuracies. You can do your own research on that.

I did find the year jumps to be a bit confusing, even up until the end (but I always have trouble with that kind of thing in books, so it really wasn't much of a big deal in this one).

This is a very long book with very long chapters, just so you know. I know that some people really care about that sort of thing, so I figured I would put that information out there for those who want it.

I will say this: I did not like the reveal at the very end in the epilogue, but at least it was at the very end. My least favorite trope. (If you know, you know. And I think we all know.) But I know that some people don't mind that.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Fairydale is a haunting, slow-burn romance layered with mystery, magic, and emotional payoff. The multi-timeline plot is intentionally disorienting at first, but once it clicks—especially in Sela’s section—it’s captivating.

Amon is a chaotic force of nature: cruel, devoted, and unforgettable. The writing is intense, with plenty of explicit spice and brooding tension. While it takes time to get there, the story delivers a satisfying, aching depth by the end.

TL;DR: A dark, twisty supernatural romance with rich atmosphere, high heat, and a love that spans lifetimes. Worth the burn.

DNF at 40%. I tried, I really did — but after more than 300 pages, this one is just not for me.

I was intrigued, until I wasn’t. I think the concept is really cool and had a lot of potential, but it’s taking a turn I’m not interested in.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

4.5/5 stars!

WHOA. Well. I feel like this book is much anticipated all around IG and Booktok (even before it got a trad pub deal), so I won't say too much because of spoilers/atmosphere, but I can say that this is the kind of book that I live for.

We follow our FMC, who finds out her father who she's not close with, has died and she decides to go to the will reading in a town called Fairydale. The antics begin not long after. I feel like if you've heard anything about this book, it's a bit of a genre mash-up, and I'm definitely for it.

If you're a fan of gothic-vibes, a bit of fantasy, horror, romance, historical (ish?)ness all wrapped in one gigantic standalone, this one is for you. I can say, it wasn't a full five stars, only because the beginning took me *quite* the amount of time to really sink into, but once I was at the halfway point, I was pretty much sold.

If you've been debating picking this one up--especially now that the cover is redone and it's getting a new format--I DEFINITELY encourage you to do so. And push through even if you feel confused, because you're on the right track if you are.

The description of the book says that Darcy questions her sanity while being in Fairydale, and throughout this book I was questioning mine too in the best of ways because I was wrapped up in it with Darcy. This has all the paranormal vibes with the mysteries surrounding Fairydale and Darcy’s life changing, to the point where the weird things that are happening really swoop you in. There were so many blurred lines of reality as she is experiencing different timelines and learning about herself. Learning with Darcy as the story progresses along made for such an interesting read. And Amon?? Ohhhh boy, what lengths that man would go to for his Darcy. I will say as it got to the final timeline of Darcy learning about her past, it dragged on a bit and I found myself wanting instead to get to the final action scene that was in Fairydale, but overall I found myself not wanting to put this book down. This was such a unique read and I would recommend!!

~I received this eARC free from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley, Veronica Lancet, and Atria books! My opinions are my own and voluntarily given~

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! This one got a bit weird for me I’ll be honest, but at least there were adequate trigger warnings. Will not be for everyone.

If you are looking for a fantasy dark gothic novel then Fairydale is the book for you. It is also a dual timeline story taking place in the 1950's and the eighteenth century. Although it is a bit on the long side but if you are one of those people who appreciate big books then this is definitely the one for you. Although there are some dark themes in this novel to be made aware of before you read on. However, despite that it is still a very good read.
Our main character of focus in the novel is a young woman named Darcy who is a schoolteacher in the 1950's. Darcy grew up an orphan and never truly had a family of her own. One day she receives word that her biological father whom she has never met has died and she decides to go to the town of Fairydale for the funeral.
When she arrives she is united with family she has never met and she also meets the resident Caleb Hale. However Darcy feels like there is something off with the town and soon starts to think that their is someone watching her. Things start to get really weird when she starts having these vivid dreams about a man from the eighteenth century named Amon.
Again this novel was indeed a pleasure to read if you are someone who enjoys outlander then this is the novel for you. The characters were so well written and though I am not someone who is fond of love triangles I though that the one in this book was very interesting.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

this by far is one of my favorite books ive ever read. the dual POV timeline, touch her and die, & the ill find you in every time line is just ugh perfect. i recommend this to everyone that i can. the bonus chapter gave me some of the closure i wanted but i will always want more of amon and sela 😭.

So I’m not sure I finished the book, it may have finished me. When I tell you Fairydale is not at all what I expected, I sincerely mean it.

First things first, mind your triggers going into this book- it was pretty dark at times, so definitely good to be aware of that going in.

I did not expect anything of this book at all. Before reading it and based on blurb I 100% would have clocked it similarly to Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake or Gothikana by RuNyx. Both great books, but honestly not good comparisons to Fairydale at all. Fairydale follows three separate timelines and honestly it's a pretty big book, but I read it so fast because I was desperate to figure out what was actually going on.

Veronica Lancet's style of narrative here was so engaging- I honestly felt like Darcy reading through it and learning everything as she learned. It's like Lancet was able to form this ominous cloud around the narrative that lightly dusted the smallest little piece of information and leaving you feral for the full story.

We have to talk about Amon, I don't want to give anything away for the story, because I went in blind and I would urge all readers to do the same, because unravelling his role in the story and how things actually go was absolute magic. I will say this, if you are someone who wants a man who YEARNS with a capital Y, he's your man.

Fairydale like I said is a big book, she's a daunting read. It took me awhile to get to it, not to mention it's tagged as a gothic, horror, romance, historical, paranormal romantasy? That's a lot of things. But I am happy to report that Veronica Lancet was not wrong and all of these components worked in tandem to create the perfection that is Fairydale.

Fairydale is a dark, genre-bending triumph that grips you from page one and refuses to let go. A tapestry of gothic, paranormal, fantasy, mystery, and historical threads, this story is, at its core, a love letter to devotion and sacrifice. It’s a haunting journey through loss and healing that will challenge and move you, provided you’re ready to brave its shadows. The hero’s raw vulnerability and unwavering loyalty will absolutely make your heart ache—in the best way. This is not just a book; it’s an experience you’ll carry with you long after you turn the last page.

DNF at 35%

Thank you so much to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but in the end, I just couldn’t continue. The beginning started off so strong and had my immediate attention but as the story progressed I found it hard to stay plugged in. I had a hard time believing the character would continue on as she did, given some things that had taken place and I felt a bit lost in the plot as the story progressed. I truly did like the concept of the story with the FMC going to a strange town and all but this one just wasn’t for me, but I know others may love it.

Shocked I finished this in 5 days. I feel like I’ve been put through the wringer sixty seven times only to be put the a meat grinder next. WHAT. WAS. THIS?! 800 pages of pure what the fuck is this. The entire time.

I ADORED the creepy, gothic vibes. The monsters. The magic. The mayhem. It really was so unique! BUT Plz. This is not for everyone. Know that right now. It almost wasn’t for me. But AMON, sweet baby boy. He made everything right for me, that was wrong in this book lmao.

READ THE WARNINGS cuz … period play was WILD.

I haven’t had a five star read in so long and this was worth the wait! This easily became a five star read for me. I loved all the mystery, the longing, and the truly epic love story. And Amon is just that man!!!

This story takes place in 1955 Massachusetts and follows our FMC Darcy O'Sullivan who is an orphan and a school teacher. She finds out her biological father (whom she has never met) has died and she needs to travel to Fairydale for the funeral and the will reading. There she meets her biological family and Caleb Hale. All the while she's having very vivid dreams of a man named Amon in the 18th century. There are very odd things happening to Darcy and she feels like she's being watched and that the people in Fairydale know more than they're letting on.

And the bonus epilogue was much needed! You can only find the bonus epilogue in the traditionally published version of Fairydale which is being published on Aug 19, 2025 in the US.

Thank you to Atria Books for this eARC! This eARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gothic fantasy, historical fantasy, gothic romance this book has it all is so so beautifully written it was my first 6 star read of 2025!
There is a plot twist that had me GAGGED and I don’t want to share too much but it’s a must try read for all people that are fans of gothic literature!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review:

4.5 ⭐️ At its heart, this is undeniably a love story—a lengthy and intricate one, at that. The rich atmosphere, the allure of curiosity, the intertwining timelines, and the complexities of the plot all kept me engaged and eager to continue reading. I went in blind and had no idea where this story was going and to my surprise I never could have guessed its destination. It’s a unique story with an unpredictable plot.

This IS a slow burn that requires patience but will leave you with lingering thoughts about it months later and in my opinion the book earns its pages.

If you are looking for an action packed story that is fast paced this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re willing to put in the time for a slow burn love story that knows no bounds and has mystery and secrets this might be the one for you.

Eh it was fine. It kept my attention but not enough where I really liked it. Liked the story but didn’t love it enough to rate it higher.

What a bold emotional rollercoaster of a book! I love the gothic paranormal vibes.

Fairydale is an ambitious paranormal romance that spans centuries, weaving together ghosts, witches, demons, and reincarnated love. At the center is Darcy O’Sullivan, who inherits a strange estate and becomes entangled in a love triangle that stretches across lifetimes—between the brooding Caleb and the mysterious Amon.

Honestly, I kind of wish that I DNFed this one.

It’s sooo long and it just did not keep my interest throughout. I was intrigued, then I wasn’t, then I was, then I wasn’t. I definitely liked the first 25% of the book the most, and then I feel like it turns into an entirely different book that isn’t at all related to the beginning of the book.

I saw so many mixed reviews, and I see why people love this book, but it just was not for me. Especially the fact that there are three story lines. I feel like I could’ve lived with just two of the timelines and not the third, especially because it took me out of the story a bit.

There’s a little too much spice in this book as well considering the plot.

I don’t regret reading this book, but it isn’t something that I’m super glad to have read.

Thank you very much to Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.