Fairydale by Veronica Lancet is dark gothic steamy fairytale that takes place in multiple timelines. It comes with a lot of trigger warnings in the beginning of the book so I'd advise you to read them because this book is intense. I personally feel it would have been easier to follow if the story was told chronologically and maybe in a series of books, rather than all at once. It is a dark epic story though so it is definitely worth reading, especially if you like gothic, mysterious, morally gray characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed the writing style and world building the author gives us. The story is complex and unique, truly a one of a kind book. A instant favorite of mine.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Veronica said, “dark gothic fantasy needed? I got you.” And she delivered. The way the author completely submersed me in this world was impeccable. Our FMC, Darcy, is just a girl trying to collect her inheritance after learning her long-absent father has passed—landing her in the eerie, enchanting Fairydale.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was unique and different, which I truly appreciated. The love between the main characters is beyond special—it’s absolutely lovely. And our MMC? DEVOTED in every sense of the word.

My only criticism is that I wish the flashbacks had been shorter. I understand the author was building the depth of their love, but I was already sold early on. Additionally, the ending felt just a little too convenient for my taste.

That said, I was completely intrigued and didn’t want to leave this world. Veronica nailed gothic romantasy to a T.

When someone tells you that going into reading Fairydale completely blind is the right way, they are correct. Because, let's be honest, you will have no idea what you are reading most of the time anyway. It's a journey. And when you think you've reached the end, you truly haven't even begun. I didn't know what I was reading, but i was enjoying myself the entire time! A truly epic story. Highly recommend if you like multiple timelines, creatures of all kinds and a mysterious magical town where you truly have no clue who to trust. Including yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Fairydale.

This one’s for the girls who romanticize red flags, haunted towns, and morally complicated men. Fairydale walks the line between sensual and sinister, stitching together gothic romance, paranormal mystery, and just enough chaos to make you wonder if the narrator’s losing her mind—or if it’s just you.

Darcy O’Sullivan isn’t naïve—she’s curious, angry, grieving, and disoriented. Which, honestly, makes her exactly the kind of woman I want at the center of a story like this. She arrives in Fairydale to claim an inheritance and ends up unraveling not just the secrets of her lineage, but of her own desires—torn between a brooding, dominant man of this world and a ghost who doesn’t feel like one.

The atmosphere is rich, dark, and cinematic. There were moments when I paused just to reread a paragraph because it made me feel something—then rolled my eyes two pages later because Caleb said something that made me want to slap him and kiss him at the same time.

If you like your romance twisted, your men dangerous, and your plot full of fog, blood, and whispered names in the night—this is for you.

Bonus points for the ending. No spoilers, but the epilogue? Yeah. Worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Fairydale* by Veronica Lancet is a dark, gothic romance set in a mysterious town filled with secrets and danger. When the main character arrives, she quickly becomes entangled in a web of twisted relationships and haunting truths, all while navigating an intense and forbidden connection.

The eerie atmosphere and slow-burn tension were really well done, and I enjoyed the darker take on familiar tropes. However, the narration could be tighter — the main character often describes every little action she takes, which slows the pace and leaves little room for the reader to engage more actively.

Despite that, it’s a compelling read with strong mood and emotional depth. I’m definitely interested in reading more from Veronica Lancet!

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. I really truly enjoyed it and look forward to more from the author in the future.

Characters: Without spoilers, the characters were very well developed and the history, motives, desires, etc were well thought out and interesting to learn more of.

Plot: The plot of the story felt very unique, especially add in 3 timeliness, magic, mystery, and more. I didn't find myself bored with this book aside from the repetitive (and very long) intimacy scenes.

Setting: This books has multiple settings which i cant discuss without spoilers. Just know that the settings feel well developed and each have a history of their own.

Target Audience: For anyone who loves dark fantasy, with elements of romance. This is perfect. Its a definite need to read trigger warnings if youre a sensitive reader.

Writing: The writing was very well done, and I enjoyed the overall style. I did however struggle at times with the way the characters spoke didn't fit the time period that they were in.

Pacing: Overall, for a 800+ page book, the pacing was well done. The chapters are however abnormally long. As a fast reader, most were 25 minutes, with some reaching the 45 minute mark.

Rating/Overall Thoughts: Overall this was a very enjoyable read, with many dark elements. 3.75/5 because the ending felt extremely rushed compared to the rest of the story.

I wont give away anything with this review because it would be such a disservice to the crazy twists in this book but I would HIGHLY recommend! The enduring love and sentimental attachment with the drop of obsession. 10/10. The length did put me off at first and admittedly there are parts that are extraneous that didn't really add to the story and the characters didnt really need those parts to make their connection believable. That said, those parts, extra thought they were, were fun to read to I didnt mind. I'm happy to have ready this and again, I'd recommend for the gothic paranormal lovers out there.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the most powerful book I’ve ever read. Fairydale is a dark, gothic, soul-binding kind of love story that claws its way into your heart and refuses to let go. It’s not just a romance, it’s an experience. One that consumed me entirely.

I highlighted so much that my Kindle probably needs therapy.
I cried, hard. I swooned to the point of needing to physically set the book down and breathe. And through it all, I was completely lost in the pages, confused in the best way, and utterly captivated.

The love in this book is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. It’s obsessive, eternal, broken, and breathtaking. It’s not simple affection, it’s madness, devotion, fate, and the kind of all-consuming yearning that ruins you for anything else.

The gothic atmosphere is lush and haunting.
The spice? Dark, daring, and impossibly addictive.
And the writing? Devastatingly beautiful, lyrical, poetic, and filled with emotion that bleeds off the page.

I don’t know how to move on from this story. I don’t even know who I am after Fairydale. It left a mark on me, and I know I’ll be chasing this feeling, this depth of connection, for a long time.

“How could I want anyone else when I am only because you are? I exist for you just as I exist because of you.”

**I would like to thank the publisher, Atria books, for providing me with an advance copy for review via NetGalley**

Fairydale was quite the ride of a story. It started out strong with Darcy discovering she has an inheritance, and needing to travel to a Town called Fairydale. What could go wrong? Turns out, the answer is everything. There is a mystery to the town that grips the reader. Every chapter had me guessing what was going to happen next, and what was going to be revealed next. There were also times when I was just as confused as Darcy was, with the information she was being bombarded with.

The information relayed from the different perspectives of the townspeople really gives the reader a sense that there is no absolute truth, and the conclusions need to be drawn from the shared facts and personal knowledge. This happens for Darcy around the middle of the book, and when you think you know enough, there is still more to learn.

The love story in this book is a classic one, but meaningful nonetheless. Told through time, many dynamics and these are explored. You can really feel the devotion on behalf of the MMC, and then later from the FMC as the story makes its conclusion. Once the mysteries get solved, the romance really takes center stage to finish the story off nicely. Even the epilogues were wonderful.

This book was a wonderful blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance. And I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of those genres. But pay attention to the trigger warnings in the author's note at the start of the book. As some darker themes are explored and actually written on the page, not just alluded to off page.

My only complaint was that the chapters were way too long. Even as I was reading them, I found that they could have been broken up into smaller pieces. As a reader, I like to read a chapter at a time, so it took a while to get through the book as some chapters were 40+ minutes of reading.

Fairydale had no business being as good as it was. It was so complex, unique, and I was completely captivated by every word. I had a hard time putting it down.

There were gothic vibes, historical aspects, an epic romance that spans centuries, paranormal elements, a mystery you can’t quite get a grip on until suddenly you can. It keeps you guessing without trying too hard to be clever. The atmosphere felt eerie and heavy, like something is always just out of reach. And when it finally all falls into place, it is so worth the wait.

Now, just a forewarning this is a thick book. It will feel like an eternity but just hang on for the incredible journey. The story is brilliant. Toward the end I was still very interested, but also kind of checking the time and wondering how many hours were left. That said, the characters stuck with me, the story was unique and original, and I absolutely loved it!

Read if you enjoy:
✨Duet narration
✨Gothic fantasy
✨Slow unraveling mystery
✨Atmospheric storytelling
✨Fated mates
✨Slow burn romance

Tropes & Themes:
Gothic & Paranormal
“Mine”
Romantasy
Creepy Small Town
3 Alternating Timelines
Twists

"You're my fucking madness, the fever in my blood, a never fucking ending psychosis that leaves me breathless, helpless, and so fucking weak with want for you."

Wow, buckle up, buttercup, because this book is a wild ride through eternal love that's so freaking good it'll make your head spin!

I was absolutely captivated by how this complex, multi-timeline epic unravels, showcasing a love that truly spans decades, and then some. And when the spice hits... it hits hard, leaving me swooning hard for Amon, who's now officially vying for the top spot as my book boyfriend. With its gorgeous Gothic vibes, unique magic, and a plot so intricate it's like a perfectly put-together puzzle, this is hands-down one of the most unique and satisfying romantasy standalones I have ever read.

2 Stars ⭐️🧚🏻

Fairydale started off with a bang. The first 30% had me completely hooked—Veronica Lancet’s world-building was so amazing and the plot was very intriguing.

I liked the FMC Darcy up until about 50% of the way and then I had to stop making excuses for her, she was so naive.

The pacing of the story really dragged, the multiple timelines became unnecessarily confusing, and the story lost the tight grip it had on me early on. I found myself more frustrated than invested.

And then there’s the MMC. I absolutely did not enjoy Amon as a character. His treatment of the FMC was off-putting instead of the intended “morally grey” character, which made it difficult to root for their relationship at all. And that sex scene? Totally unnecessary…..

This could’ve been a hit for me, but by the end, I was just pushing through to finish. A strong beginning doesn’t always make up for a weak execution.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fairydale has elements of
🖤Horror
💧Suspense
🖤A non traditional love triangle
💧A naive FMC who learns to embrace the darkest parts of herself
🖤Hallucinations
💧Morally Grey Obsessive MMC
🖤Witches & Demons
💧Cryptic Messages
🖤 Multiple Timelines
💧Spicy

Darcy was an orphan after losing her mom and was raised by nuns. She received a letter stating the fact that her father has passed away, and she’s in the will. In order to receive her part she needs to go to an unknown town called Fairydale. This is where she encounters strange deaths, and stranger people.
Nothing is as it seems in Fairydale. Everyone is keeping secrets, including Darcy. She starts getting these dreams about an archdemon Amon, who seems to have had a relationship with her supposed ancestor Elizabeth.
Nobody seems to be giving her the entire story, not Mr. Vaughn who is her father’s lawyer, the Hales who are an outcasted family, or Mr. Nicholson a very secretive older man. Darcy not only starts to question her own sanity, but her growing relationship to the mysterious Caleb Hale.

Fairydale is an extremely unique dark gothic fantasy novel. I have not read a book that is like it. I would say the closest feelings I’ve had altogether from a different book was Penpal by J.T. Geissinger.

This book is probably the most complicated but also the most beautiful thing I’ve read. I’m still having a hard time on how to rate it in Stars because overall it’s probably the best love story I’ve ever read but the writing was quite repetitive and errored. But hey we’re all human and it’s really the story that matters to me. This story is truly unique and heart wrenchingly beautiful. I felt every emotion in the best and worst way. It tore me apart in every direction and I said thank you.
I saw a lot of complaints about the length of this book-which in all fairness yes it is a very long book, I mean basically 800 pages. But when I tell there isn’t one page nor chapter that shouldn’t have been there I tell the truth. I was hooked and immediately intrigued and addicted just within the first couple chapters. It can be a bit confusing at times but I was surprisingly able to keep up. A family tree diagram may be helpful though😂
I love story that spans over thousands of years and I’m sad that it’s over😭 please read this I promise you it’s worth it.

I believe this new release is a re-edited version… but even then it was a read that was more of told rather than shown. The detailed descriptions made it difficult to focus even when conversations were introduced. Combine that with so much inner monologue had me rereading paragraphs and become quite bored. This book was already long to begin with and I kept on putting it down and reading other books, which already told me this book was not going to be for me. Spoiler, it wasn’t. I so badly wanted to love it but it didn’t hit the mark for me. The FMC was on my last nerve and the MMC I found to be annoying. IMO I didn’t feel that they had a connection. It was mostly just lust. Having so many flashbacks from different time periods I feel added to my loss of interest in wanting to continue reading. I do wish it would have been shorter and just focused on one time period flashback rather have the plot drag on and on. Unfortunately, it was a bit predictable as well. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This book quickly became one of my favorites of all time! I’m not typically a fan of Gothic stories, but this one pulled me in from the very first chapter. It is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I can’t even compare it to anything. I loved the multiple timelines, especially the earliest one this Romance is truly a love that spans across the millennium.

I don't even know where to begin with this one. This book started off very intriguing and then got spooky and exciting. And then almost as quickly, it got confusing and boring. I knew going into this thst there would be parts I didn't like and to continue. I was warned to "trust the process and see it through." Trusting the 800 page process to enjoy 80 of them....not for me.

I hated Caleb Hale and wanted more Mr. Meow. He was the only likable character until Sela. She was tolerable.

My favorite part was the last 10% and especially the bonus epilogue. I would have liked a book that took place during that time period and more Reva Amon.

This book is ultimately a love story, with Gothic elements, some mystery and it spans many years and multiple worlds. I won't tell you not to read it because the people that love it, really love it. I would have dnf it pretty early on, but I really wanted to give it a fair shot. And...I really wanted to get to the scene with the tail 🌶🌶 too bad it was part of the last 10%.







I

I made it 21% into this book and Caleb gives me the creeps. i love the gothic style of this book and the way that it reminds me of wuthering heights but Caleb gives me the creeps and has made me cringe too many times. I usually love an mmc saying "darlin" but he makes me hate it and the way he calls Darcy "precious" makes me think of Golum. The air of mystery and suspense had me wanting to keep reading because what the heck is going on in this creepy town??? So it's written well and it's captivating but I loathe Caleb. I also loved Amon, Darcy, and Mr. Cat.

Fairydale by Veronica Lancet is a gothic romance/fantasy set in 1950s Massachussetts with flashbacks to the FMC's previous lives. I was intriguied by the premise of the story and the online discussions around the book. Unfortunately, I think a lot of the discussions I saw regarding the book failed to get across the triggering nature of some the events in the story. This is actually what ultimately led me to decide to not finish the book at this time. I made it through 47% of the book. (Note: the author does mention content warnings at the beginning, which I did read) I was very interested throughout the first half of the book. The author does do a great job leaving readers uncertain of what is happening and wondering how everything is connected. I am still genuinely curious about the rest of the story, and I may decide to pick it up again later. The story's pacing overall is slow (the author notes it is a "long journey"), which is not my preference but may be suited for others who really enjoy immersing in the setting and experiencing the spooky and mysterious vibes. I hope the right audience finds this book because I think it likely has a great payout at the end!