I like the writing amd setting in the story, and the world building. I unfortunately did not get to finish the arc due to illness before my time ran out but will be getting kindle version soon.

I got this book as a arc and im leaving a review of my own will.

I liked this book a lot, I read it constantly over some days, glued to my screen

Although the story was a very classical romantasy story, it was very well written and did not perse have the same curse rules as the normal beauty and the beast retellings, which was kind of refreshing.
Also love that the main character was actually questioning the magic of the shadow court, and not just accepting things which I thought weren't supposed to work a certain way. So that was also VERY refreshing hehe...

I only gave it 4 stars because the hate to 'I love you' period was a month and the transition from hate to love felt non-existing. It was just love all of the sudden. And one thing that felt like it was added afterwards but not fleshed out enought or explained was that they could talk into eachothers minds? but it didn't happen again after the first time and the characters didn't question it either. So that felt a bit weird.

But minor things in comparison to the overall book! I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for the E-ARC. My opinions are all my own.

I like the story and re-telling of Beauty and the Beasts, I didn't love main characters, but I didn't dislike them either. The arranged marriage is always a good trope and is done well enough. It was too spicy for me, but I am low spice reader. I like the dragon (duh!) and magic castle settings, gems/magic concept. . 4 stars!

I haven't read the first in the series. Yet. This was a nice, enjoyable read. It kept me interested in the plot and the characters. I liked the richness of the world. The authors imagination is well described and makes for a nice fantasy experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This book has noticeably better pacing than the first in the series, which makes the story flow more naturally and keeps the tension steady. The romance, though, is what really stands out for me. It leans into the slow-burn dynamic in a way that feels both intense and tender, with moments of vulnerability, banter, and longing that are genuinely satisfying to read. While the relationship follows some familiar beats, the execution makes it feel fresh, and the romantic tension carries the story forward beautifully. The chemistry is well balanced—emotional depth without losing the sparks of attraction.

What left me a little torn was how little connection there is between the books. While it works as a complete standalone, it almost feels too detached, especially considering how rich this magical world could become. A bit more shared lore or recurring threads would make the series feel more cohesive and rewarding to follow.

Overall, it’s a strong and enjoyable read that improves on the first book and leaves me invested in both the characters and their romance.

I was raised on Hans Christian Anderson, Grimm's Fairy Tales and Aesop's Fables so you know I love a good retelling of the classic fairytale....

Crown of Briars is a spicy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Sybelle, our sassy FMC and Varius, our delightful MMC will grip you right from the start. Their individual stories are so creatively written that you can't help but fall in love with them. However, it's their need for each other that captivates you and keeps you on edge til the very end.

Thank you to @rlperezbooks for the ARC, I throughly enjoyed it and have added Crown of Twelve and Crown of Slumber to my wish list...

P.S. those shadows are divinely naughty 😈😈😈

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

This was a great book! The story was well written and I loved the dragon aspects of this book. And the Romance was wonderful!

Thank you for NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Whilst I enjoyed this book and think it is a good read with a really interesting concept. It didn’t hit right for me. I think it will be good for a lot of people and is an easy, fun read but lacks the depth I seek in books. If there is a second book I would read it.

CROWN OF BRIARS is for you if you like:
🌹 Beauty and the Beast retelling
💍 Marriage of convenience
🧝‍♀️ Monster romance
🐲 Mythical creatures
✨ Old magic and curse
🌶️ Spicy

🌹I was quite curious about this new Beauty and the Beast retelling and this one serves dark fantasy, steamy romance, enemies-to-lovers. In a war between humans and faes, Sybelle's hand is offered to the feared Wraith King and his Earthen Court.

👑 I liked that the FMC had something to offer besides being a pretty or useful bride, that she had her own magic, pet dragon and knowledge. And that Varius, the kind had different layers to offer either be that kind leader, loyal friend or caring lover. There were quite the steamy scenes in there!

✨ It was interesting to see how the magic worked: how Sybelle wields gemstones and how King uses his shadows & the Castle that seemed to have its own free will was probably my favorite part!

❤️ I really like the side characters that were either really sweet like the maids Ramia and Enzira, or loyal to the core like Tislora! I wished we saw more of Princess Eira, Sybelle's friend who she is corresponding with.

✒️ Though I think there were some plot holes and parts of the word building or main character that would have deserved more explanation and growth, it was still enjoyable but maybe not THE book for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

~ Note that this is book 2 of the Crown of the Fae series but you can read it separately (as I did!) and still understand what's happening!

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

LITERALLY OBSESSED!!!! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN OMG I RACED THROUGH THIS!!! Worth way more than 5 stars!

4.5 stars
Okay somehow loving this book snuck up on me! I loved the first book in the series immediately and was desperately hoping for the same feeling with this book. While it wasn’t immediately my favorite, somehow I found myself crying in the stair master at the gym while reading the final fighting scene 😂
Overall I love this series so far. There was a few things I wish were a little different, such as the fact that Azure was hidden like the whole book. I wish we would have seen more of her in action. And, I think it was a little insta-lovey once the FMC and the MMC admitted they liked each other. They are truly enemies to lovers, but like a full enemy to suddenly a lover.

Wow. This was such a stunning retelling of Beauty and the Beast! R.L. Perez has managed to take a story we all know and love and breathe something completely fresh and magical into it. The dark fae elements, the curse, and the political intrigue gave the tale a whole new dimension while still keeping that fairytale heart at its core.

I absolutely adored the characters. Sybelle is a heroine you can’t help but root for - her resilience and growth throughout the story were beautifully done. And Varius? The perfect balance of terrifying and vulnerable. Watching their relationship slowly unfold was such a treat. The enemies to lovers tension paired with those delicious “touch her and die” moments had me hooked from start to finish. Their dynamic felt earned, layered, and wonderfully paced.

And let me just say - the plot twist! I was convinced I knew who the traitor was, only to be proven completely wrong. It kept me on edge and guessing right up until the reveal, which made the whole story even more addictive.

What I loved most was how this book captured not only romance but transformation. Sybelle’s journey - from sacrifice to strength, from surviving to truly living - was inspiring to follow. And seeing how her connection with Varius shifted from wary to tender left me grinning like an absolute fool.

If you love retellings, dark fae worlds, or just crave a romance filled with tension and heart, Crown of Briars is one that absolutely delivers. A fresh, enchanting, and utterly captivating twist on a classic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Crown of Briars swept me up with its enchanted castle, gem-powered magic, and a romance that went from sharp edges to sweet fire. Varius was a grumpy delight, and the humor tucked into the story made me smile more than once.

I did wish Sybelle’s magic had been explained more, and the romance sometimes jumped ahead faster than I expected, but honestly, I still had a great time reading. It’s fast, fun, and gave me a happy ending I was rooting for. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series.

This book is so good I love the slow pace it builds the suspense and I love how it goes from lovers by application to lovers by choice

I loved Crown of Briars. This is a stunning Beauty and the Beast retelling where the Beast stays beastly in all the best ways. Sybelle is fierce, loyal, and guided by a strong moral compass. She’s the kind of heroine whose inner strength sweeps you straight into her world, and I loved every beat of her journey.

King Varius? Growly, grumpy, and absolutely magnetic. His minor possessiveness toward his wife felt so genuine and protective and not at all overbearing, just the perfect touch of sweetness. His attitude pulls you in without ever tipping into toxic territory.

I flew through this book in one sitting, caught up in the atmosphere, the tension, and the lush cadence of R.L. Perez’s writing. In fact, I enjoyed her voice so much that I immediately dove into the series’ novella and Book 1 and finished those the next day. Now, I’m already on the first book of her other series. Needless to say, I’ll be reading everything she writes.

What I loved:

-A fierce, honorable FMC who anchors the story with integrity and heart
-A Beast who remains truly beastly yet lovable gruff, compelling, and protective in the best way
-Emotionally resonant but never cloying romance purely earned and deeply satisfying
-Writing style that’s immersive, elegant, and impossible to put down

Bottom line: Crown of Briars is a masterful blend of mythic retelling and emotional depth, brought to life by compelling characters and a voice that pulled me in from page one. I rarely give five stars, but with this one there was no question and I’m already eagerly awaiting more from this world and this author.

Thank you to R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. (Send me book 3 hahaha)

An amazing book with lots of plot twists. Loved the set up will definitely read more books from this author.

✨ crown of briars ✨

by R.L. Perez | @
Crowns of the Fae | Book 2

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

He must wed her to break the curse.

She must kill him to save her kingdom.

𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖎𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊:
💎 beauty and the beast retelling
💎 arranged marriage
💎 monster romantasy
💎 enchanted castle
💎 unique magic
💎 dragon familiar
💎 “i will always come for you”

Princess Sybelle of the Earthen Court has prepared her entire life to be married to the monster who has been terrorizing her people for generations, the Wraith King.

With her dragon familiar’s help, Sybelle plans to uncover the source of his deadly shadow magic and end her people’s suffering for good. But the more time she spends with the Wraith King, the more she realizes he is not who he seems and discovers he and his court are trapped by a powerful curse.

Torn between her duty to her kingdom and breaking the Wraith King's curse, Sybelle must decide where her loyalties to the home she was raised to protect, or to the dark king who has worked his way into her heart?

me 🤝 a beauty & the beast retelling

but throw in a demon shadow king, a dragon familiar, and gemstone magic? say. less.

Sybelle is a secretly strong fmc who is determined to save her lands. i especially loved her unique gemstone magic, as someone who was always obsessed with rocks as a kid and now crystals and gemstones as an adult. it was so fun to learn what gem gave her what power.

Varius is our mysterious shadow daddy who is also determined to save his people from the curse. the tension between the two was immediate and they were both just so annoyed with each other, it had me giggling the entire time.

i had a great time reading this one and finished it within days!the vibes were 🤌🏼✨✨✨✨ i have already added the first book to my tbr — Crown of Slumber, a sleeping beauty retelling 😍

thank you to NetGalley and RL for this arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and Willow Haven Press for the e-arc
Retellings are my weakness and this is no different! Beauty and the Beast is my second favorite princess movie so I was so excited to read this. Boy did it not disappoint! I love the story and how it connected with the Disney story we all know and love. I though Sybelle was great. She had moments where she wasn't thinking and being rude but we all have those moments. The Wraith King was also a great representation of what most of us wanted as kids. If you still love the Disney movie but want it to be a more adult this book is for you! There's not too much spice and it's much more plot driven. I will absolutely be continuing this series!

ARC read this sequel and lordy lou what in the, what could possibly happen next? Anyways I was screaming. BARBED? 👀

I had a fun, fantasy, leading ladies you just want to shake a little, time. MMC here was just so beastly in all the hottest ways. And can we have a moment for our dragon? I had a refreshing little moment with our magic system and fantastical politics. I'm considering reading it again tbh.

This series has been all gogogo girlies and you know she loves a standalone. It's in my good graces.

A beauty and the Beast retelling which was alot of fun! I had it one afternoon. It was slow and a bit silly in places but if there's a sequel I'll read it! thank you to Netgalley for a ebook in exchange for a honest review!