3.5 ⭐️

“Crown of Briars” is part of a fantasy series that retells classics. Bonus points for the fact that, despite being part of a series, each book works as a standalone, hence you can read about your favorite classic in any order.

In this one, specifically, we have a beauty and the best retelling. It’s an easy and captivating romantsy read. It relies on the enemies-to-lovers trope that is highly well achieved. The slow pace allows our characters to develop feelings for one another in a very organic way. It has interesting plot twists in the fantasy realm that keep us interested throughout the book. Personally, I felt there was too much focus on the romance, which some repetition due to the dual POV. Some of the scenes could have been faster, as they did not add that much to the overall narrative.

I love a good retelling and this did not disappoint,

For anyone who grew up loving fairy tales and magic, this is definitely a fairy tale for grown-ups. R.L Perez’s Crown of Briars is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that is done so well.

“He must wed her to break the curse.
She must kill him to save her kingdom”

The Earthern & Shadow Court have an agreement going back generations, a human bride in return for protection, but nothing is quite as it seems, the history between the courts has resulted in prejudice and hatred, Varius & Sybelle have their own agendas but as truths come to light and they get to know each other can those plans change?

This had some typically good tropes, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, bit slow burn, mine, protective, I felt there was a feel of fated/soul mates, dark magic, a shadow daddy and some steamy moments,

The book had a proper fairy tale, enchanting feel for me and I think a lot of that had to do with the castle, it felt like a character of it’s own which I loved, there were hat tips throughout to the original story which I also think contributed to the fairy tale feel (like even the descriptions of some of Sybelle’s dresses reminded of watching the film when I was a child) but it was also a wonderfully unique retelling, with twists and intrigue, in a world I could imagine and with a really interesting magic system, I simply enjoyed getting lost in this story, and it’s the first book in a long time where I regretted how late I stayed up to keep reading!

Some of the side characters were great, (Enzira, Azure and the Castle) Varius and Sybelle’s story is beautiful, there were times my heart ached for Varius and in the early stages of them thawing to each other I couldn’t help but smile and kick my feet a little, and who doesn’t like a shadow daddy? The dedication at the beginning of this book "To all the readers who were disappointed when the beast transformed into a human, Varius, in all his monstrous glory, was written for you” yes just yes!

For me this ended up a 4 star read, the overall story was great, but I felt there was just a little something missing, I am a sucker for books where the romance is the stuff of legends so I know it's a me thing, I think seeing more of the story and their relationship between the arranged marriage and the “your mine” parts would have just made me love this story more, that said I’m off to find the other books in this series to jump right in to, (the Crown Of Briars is a standalone, but it’s part of the Crowns of the Fae series)

Thank you to NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review,

<strong> I will be VERY surprised if this doesn’t take off on BookTok </strong>

Thank you NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for providing this e-ARC book for my honest review. All opinions on this book are my own.

I loved this book. It is somewhat of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Looking at the maps at the beginning, I was afraid that this book would be a disappointment like a lot of the romantasies I’ve been reading recently. I say that because, in my opinion, the maps look very similar to the ones in ACOTAR. I enjoyed that book but I thought “oh no, here’s another book that’s just like all of the others.” Boy, am I glad I was wrong. I was engrossed the entire time.

I usually have a problem with getting bored easily during any genre of book. I was glued to this book, though. I loved the magical world building in this. Plus, DRAGONS. Who doesn’t love dragons?! I did not see some of the plot twists coming. I honestly just had a fun time.

The romance also wasn’t insta love, which I loathe. I don’t know what witchcraft the author used, but she somehow made the miscommunication between the main characters not insufferable. I usually hate the dreaded miscommunication trope. This was more realistic and not just a way to add strife between the characters. One thing in the book that I haven’t seen before is that the spice was so much more realistic. Finally, an author that addresses how the foot-long appendage can “fit” 😏🫡. The intimate scenes were 10/10. Not too frequent and not cringe-worthy.

I wish this was a duology because I want to keep reading about the main characters. Luckily, there is a book out starring other characters in this story. .

<strong>I definitely recommend this book. Read this one when it comes out August 4th! </strong>

2/5 🌶️

Tropes: arranged marriage, one bed, forced proximity, more reluctant allies to lovers than enemies to lovers

TW: (g)rape (not of MCs; past; no details), genocide, war


* please disregard grammatical errors due to accessible voice texting. Thanks.

Thanks to Net Galley and Willow Haven Press.

This was an enjoyable read.

What worked for me:

I like the writing style and the beginning particularly was tight. We knew who the characters were pretty quickly.

I liked the FMC. I like the way that she was written to lean into that she was raised to be a political tool. She leaned into the political marriage and her unexpected attraction to her new husband as well. I gravitate more towards plots where there is a lot of conflict and resistance to the political pairing between the main romantic couple, but it's also refreshing to see this kind of take as well.

I appreciate that many authors are avoiding the virgin bride trope.

The gemstone conduit.

We always like the dragon, right?

I personally like the minimal court politics. Sometimes fantasy gets bogged down in the weeds there.

I like the almost cozy mystery and forced proximity flavor. I also liked the focus on the pairing. The side characters stayed where they belonged, secondary and tertiary. This really focused the reader to the point that the two main characters were mirrors of each other.

The twist and the curse and the incorporation of the shadows in the curse so we have a new shadow daddy.

What didn't work for me:

I'm beginning to think that there's a database for authors where are they just recycle and cut and paste the same smexy scenes. This followed the same dialogue and formulas. Especially the same giant forearm between the leg that magically somehow fits inside the woman to the hilt. As well as this giant forearm between the leg that may or may not fit, but yet can also be inserted in one giant thrust. I recognize these are common tropes especially in monster romance. That said all of these scenes are pretty mild.

I would love for this author to up her game on some sensuality and rake her time.

I mentioned the cozy aspect and the focus on the pairing. And that the secondary character stayed in their places. That said it the story could be more layered and rich by building and showing the reader the closeness between Sybell and Azure, and Varian and Lor. Not every secondary and tertiary character needs a full character development, and that includes sometimes the besties, but let's give the besties a tad more connection.

I didn't much like that Azure came off as a possession (references that she she was Sybelle's dragon) rather than a sentient being that was friends with Sybelle.

Additional thought:

I do not think this needed to be wrapped up as a beauty and the beast retelling, as it was very much its own world and original characterization.

All in all, it was a enjoyable romantic monster romance read and fun fantasy aspects. I would read this author again.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Willow Haven Press, and R.L. Perez for letting me read an e-ARC of this novel!

When I first read the description for this book I was intrigued. It sounded right up my alley (since I'm a romantasy girl), but I wasn't sure how I would feel about a fairy-tale retelling. BUT, fear not, because OMG did this book keep me from putting it down. R.L. Perez, girl, you owe me a couple of hours of sleep back lol because I definitely stayed up wayyyyyy too late reading this novel.

What I really loved about this book was that there was no insta-love between these two royals from kingdoms who have no trust in each other. Sybelle and Varius really had to work to break through the long-standing issues and prejudices that existed between them due to their upbringings and had to learn to communicate to do that. The slow trusting of each other and development and appreciation of each other's personalities and qualities over the course of the book was delightful and different and made me really appreciate the author's attention to detail--relationships don't usually develop quickly but over time and continued interactions with each other. Some books have the characters fall deeply in love so quickly; this one was a slow-burn but man, when the good stuff happens, get your fan ready because honey, you'll need it for the heat.

I also really loved Sybelle's relationship with Ramia and Enzira; she never treated them as subordinates but as friends which made her endearing. She was also intelligent and powerful in her own right and we all love ourselves a badass romantasy FMC. And Varius' desire to change the way he approached the tradition of his kingdom and seeking to be a good leader for his people and kingdom instead of just selfishly looking for a cure for the curse himself made you admire him.

I loved the plot of this book--even though it's a fairy-tale retelling, it is it's own unique story and I really appreciate how the author really made this fairy-tale her own. I honestly could not put it down. I'm so glad I found this author and can't wait to read more from her. Four and a half stars for me :)

“𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎.”

I read Crown of Briars by R.L. Perez in one sitting. Yes all 600+ pages. And honestly? I didn’t even realize how long it was until I hit the last page and noticed the sun was rising.

This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but with a darker, more magical twist. Sybelle was raised with a single purpose: marry the Wraith King of the Shadow Court and kill him, all to save her people in the Earthen Court. She didn’t question it. But the moment she steps into the Shadow Court, that purpose starts to unravel. Nothing is as it seems, and the man she was meant to kill is nothing like the monster she was warned about.

One of my favorite parts of the book was how slowly and carefully the truth was revealed. There’s a curse tied to the Shadow Court that no one talks about, and Sybelle doesn’t even know it exists at first. I was just as confused and curious as she was, trying to piece things together. Every discovery felt earned, and that sense of mystery never let up. I also liked that the dual POV didn’t spoil anything too early. We got glimpses into the Wraith King’s thoughts, but it never felt like the whole puzzle was handed to me. In fact, I kept wondering how different the story would feel if we’d only been in Sybelle’s head the entire time. It might’ve felt even more intense and twisty, but I still liked the balance we got here. Also, that push and pull between loyalty, survival, and the inconvenient spark of connection? It delivered and had me swooning.

The worldbuilding was rich without ever being overwhelming. I loved the gemstone-based magic, it was easy to follow yet still layered and interesting. And the atmosphere of the Shadow Court? Gloomy, eerie, and strangely beautiful the castle reminded me a bit of the House of Wind. It added so much to the mood of the story.

But if I’m being honest, Azure the dragon companion completely stole the show. Her sarcasm, loyalty, and banter made me smile constantly. Her bond with Sybelle brought warmth and heart to a story that could’ve easily stayed heavy and grim without it.

Pacing-wise, it was solid from start to finish. There were no chapters that felt like filler, every moment moved the plot forward or deepened the emotional stakes. I also appreciated how nearly every side character gave me trust issues (in the best way). I never felt fully settled, and some reveals genuinely caught me off guard.

Crown of Briars is part of a series, with each book set in a different court. This is technically book two, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. That said, I’m definitely curious about the other courts. If those stories carry the same blend of darkness, emotion, and magic as this one, I’ll be first in line.

The wait’s nearly over, Crown of Briars releases August 4.

Thanks to the author, Willow Haven Press, and Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book caught me off guard—in the best way. 🥀✨ Crown of Briars is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that blends emotional vulnerability, rich fantasy, and slow-burn romance into something that feels both familiar and totally its own.

From the start, I was pulled into this haunting, magical world—thorny, cursed, and dripping with atmosphere. It’s the kind of setting that feels alive, like it’s holding its breath with you through every page. R.L. Perez’s writing is beautiful and lyrical, but never too flowery—it just hits right in the chest sometimes. 💔🌹

The Beast? Oh, he’s not just brooding—he’s broken in the way that makes you ache for him. And the heroine? She’s fierce, loyal, and doesn’t fall in love easily (thank God). Their connection builds slowly, crackling with tension, and when the walls finally come down... let’s just say I felt everything. 🫠

What held me back from a full five stars? There were a few pacing dips in the middle, and I wished some side characters had a bit more complexity. But honestly? That didn’t take away from how much I felt this story.

If you love fairytale retellings with real emotional stakes, magic that feels like poetry, and a romance that doesn't rush the burn, this one is so worth your time. I closed the last page feeling both satisfied and aching for more. 🖤

I really enjoyed book one Crown of Slumber.
Crown of Briars by R.L. Perez was no different.
A beautifully crafted dark and steamy Beauty-and-the-Beast retelling that was super entertaining.
I really enjoyed this retelling! Beauty-and-the-Beast is one of my absolute favourite fairy tale so I was a little excited but a bit nervous! I was absolutely captured by the story. It has great world building, a strong FMC, a playful MMC, great banter and emotional depth.
I can’t wait for book three Crown of Poison.

Thank you NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for this ARC.

A dragon best friend, an enchanted castle, and a beastly king with a wild side? COUNT ME IN!!

If you love:

🌹Beauty and the Beast retelling

✨Grumpy x brave sunshine

🏰 Enemies to lovers (kinda)

Crown of Briars is a fun YA romantasy with really solid worldbuilding and fairy tale vibes. The main character isn’t your typical damsel — she’s clever, independent, and doesn’t exist just to fix the beast. Loved that. And let’s be real: a DRAGON best friend?? That alone was the cherry on top.

The fantasy side of things was strong — cool ideas, good pacing, and every character had a role to play. I also liked how it stayed true to the Beauty and the Beast core while building a fresh new world around it.

My only issue? The romance didn’t quite click. It went from tension to “I’d die for you” a bit too fast, with more lust than emotional build-up. I wanted more of that slow, enemies-to-lovers burn. Also, some parts — like her assassin background and dragon bond — could’ve been fleshed out more. And the spice? A little unexpected for YA.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — If you love fairy tale retellings, rich fantasy settings, and strong female leads (and don’t mind when the romance leans more vibes than development), definitely give this a go. I still flew through it and will be reading any additions to the series for sure!

I was approved for the arc through Netgalley, and I am very happy I was. This was my first book from this author but it definitely won't be my last.

At first I struggled, I'm not sure if we get more context from her first book, but the way we jump in was kinda confusing, however I quickly got hooked. I love Sybelle, she is truly a badass and I love her relationship with Azure. Varius I liked from the very start too and the way his personality comes out throughout the book is great.

There are some parts where it does drag a little and I got frustrated thinking will you two just get on with it, but that's more on me than the story.

grateful to NetGalley for granting me the e-ARC of this book.

i didn’t really know what to expect going into this book as i’d never really read anything like it but i was intrigued by the premise and was actually excited for it. the first few chapters were quite hard to get into as we dive straight into it without much explanation for the world and supposed motivations but as we got further into the meat of it, i really started to appreciate the world and the overall story of this book.
the female main character was kind of stupid and annoying while the male main character was cringe and corny in the first half but while the corn definitely lingered, they both started to show more character traits that i personally connected to. at the end of it though, it just felt like their relationship boiled down to the lust of it all and i didn’t really see the supposed love story that this was supposed to be. also, the spice was so intense; i had never read anything like it, and i still don’t know how to feel about it…
i also did not appreciate the excessive miscommunication and unnecessary back and forth throughout this book as it literally felt pointless and were all resolved so quickly(with sex). the writing was quite good for what it was but at a point it started to feel clunky and distorted with inconsistencies and confusing archs.
all that said, i didn’t hate this book but i also didn’t love it. i had a good time thought and was entertained throughout. the ‘talking’ dragon was also a nice touch but we had no real explanation for its existence...

This book had all of the right ingredients for me to go absolutely feral for this book
🧚‍♀️ Fairytale Retelling
🔮 Magic and Curses
🏰 Magical castle with doors that are portals
🖤 Enemies to Lovers - arranged/forced marriage
🩶 Forced Proximity
❤️‍🔥 DELICIOUS Spice

For me, for some reason I just didn’t gel with the book. I couldn’t completely get into it and be transported to the Shadow Kingdom to break the curse and rid the lands of the Necro Shadows. I know a lot of people are going to be absolutely obsessed with both this book and Varius, (I mean who wouldn’t say no) but for me it was just a book I enjoyed.

The spice was absolutely spicing and the scenes we did get nothing was held back. It was DELICIOUS and appeared in what would feel like a natural time, it wasn’t thrown in just because or to prop up the story. I want to thank both the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to receive a copy of this book and know come release day it’s going to do brilliant.

This was *peak* romantasy from start to finish.

This book is a beauty and the beast retelling done well, in my opinion. It’s not anything out of this world or never seen before, but it was FUN. Escapism all the way, and that’s what I was looking for. I was giggling the entire way through.

The writing (while leaning a bit juvenile at times) was simple and easy to understand, and the magic system was easy to grasp. There were quite a few twists and turns, and while I predicted most of them, I didn’t really mind. It didn’t take away from the story, and I was still intrigued going forward.

If you love a typical enemies to lovers romantasy (with a crimson, winged man who’s kind of an ass but in the best way) I think you’ll enjoy this one.

A curse, rival courts, found family, enemies to lovers, betrayal, and a super cute dragon. Chef's kiss.

I had a great time with this book - Sybelle and Varius were both so powerful, and there are some incredible supporting characters too. I love them all - apart from the bad guys, of course.

Medium/Hot spice - one scene in particular stands out there... Who doesn't love a revel?

Massive thank you for allowing me to arc read this, I absolutely loved it!!
I’m a sucker for a retelling, but this is by far one of my favourites
It had me hooked and gripped all the way through, from enemies to lovers, slow burn, spice, fae, witches, dragons, action and love… I can’t compliment it enough!!
I loved the writing style and the flow of the book, this is another author adding to my favourite list for sure 😁

A delivery on a darker, edgier twist on Beauty and the Beast, with a fierce princess determined to marry and kill her monster bridegroom for the good of her people. Princess Sybelle has trained for this her whole life to wed the Wraith King, but discovers that the demon she's bound to is trapped by a curse and more alluring than terrifying.

It's a rich blend of dark fae magic, layered court schemes, and steamy romance. The pacing is sharp, tacking swiftly through intrigue, power plays, and chemistry without unnecessary filler.

Sybelle's internal struggle is the story's true heart, torn between her duty as princess and the unexpected devotion she feels toward her shadowy king. Their connection unfolds slowly, with respect and consent driving emotional intimacy rather than glamorising Stockholm Syndrome.

Overall, Crown of Briars is an immersive romantic fantasy with haunting stakes, a powerful heroine, and a shadow-drenched king worth falling for: a solid standalone and a standout in the Crowns of the Fae series.

5 Stars — A Hauntingly Beautiful Tale of Love, Pain, and Power

I wasn’t prepared for how deeply Crown of Briars would pull me in. From the very first page, I was lost in the haunting beauty of R.L. Perez’s world; one drenched in shadows, pain, and fragile hope.

Sybelle... where do I begin?

She’s everything I love in a heroine: resilient, fierce, yet full of heart. Her strength doesn’t make her hard, but rather it’s softened by a kindness that refuses to dim, even in the face of betrayal from the very kingdom that should have protected her.

Watching her story unfold, seeing how she was groomed and manipulated, broke something in me. And yet, she still chooses to rise, to hope, to love. That takes a different kind of power.

Then there’s Varius.... dark, brooding, scarred not just physically but emotionally. He’s Sybelle’s mirror in so many ways: a man forged by suffering, but not consumed by it. At first, they circle each other with suspicion, both carrying the weight of trauma and mistrust. But beneath all that tension was something raw and beautiful, a thread of trust bound in a quiet, aching love they didn't yet understand.

Their connection felt earned, not forced. It was messy, real, and so incredibly tender. Like two jagged pieces that somehow make sense only when they’re together.
The writing itself is lyrical and immersive, every scene painted so vividly I felt like I was walking those shadowed halls, tasting the air, hearing every whispered lie and shouted truth. There were moments I had to pause just to breathe, because the emotional depth hit that hard.

This story isn’t just fantasy but a journey through healing, trust, and the discovery that love doesn’t always come easy, but it’s worth every painful step when it does.

I would recommend Crown of Briars a hundred times over. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after the last page, and honestly, I already miss it.

Crown of Briars by @rlperezbooks
5🌟

❤️Beauty and the Beast re-imagining
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🥀Dual POV
🖤Shape Shifters, Witches, Dragon, Fae
❤️Some Spice

Half Human/Half Fae born into the Eathern Court, raised to be giving as a pawn to the Shadow Court to keep the peace between the humans and the monsters. Sybelle is taken from the only home and everything she knows. She's sent with one mission and that's to kill the Beast.

You guys.....this was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I was behind excited to receive this ARC. RL Perez KNOWS how to write, twist, re-imagine, retell and remake classic tales. Beauty and the Beast is my absolute favorite classic fairy tale, so when authors retell the tale, they need to bring it! I absolutely love her unique spin and how bad a$$ her FMCs are.

Thank you RL Perez and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Crown of Briar.

Wow this book had me hooked!! It’s my first time reading a retelling and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The characters are so well written, Sybelle is badass and I loved how she did what she wanted but also has such a big heart! Varius is so typically ‘The Beast’ but in the best way and I love how his true self comes out the more he gets to know Sybelle!
As I said I was hooked from the start and did not expect some of the twists!
If you’re looking for a spicy Romantasy retelling then I 100% recommend you add this to your TBR!

Thank you for sending me an e-arc!

5⭐️/5

This was my first RL Perez book and it won’t be my last. I love her writing style! This was also my first fairytale retelling and I loved it! It was different enough from the original while also having similarities. I loved the characters, the twists and turns, and the mystery. It was just a really good spicy beauty and the beast retelling!

Sybelle is the human princess born to wed the shadow court king in order to save her people from the shadows encroaching on the earthen courts lands. She is capable and fierce which I LOVE for a FMC. She is suddenly sent to the shadow court to fulfill her duty and finds herself thrown into a court full of secrets, unseelie fae, and a stubborn shadow king. Except he is nothing like she thought he would be. And she is keeping many secrets of her own.

Varius is the shadow king born to wed an earthen princess. He needs her to help break the curse. His body falls deeper and deeper into the curse which is also destroying his land and people. Everyday he is losing more control. He also is used to people shrinking and being afraid of him and Sybelle is not. He is thrown for a loop and finds himself an unsuspecting ally in his new wife.

There is magic, mystery, fae, politics, tension and a curse that needs to be broken. There is chemistry and banter in this delicious fairytale! 🌶️🌶️🌶️


Favorite Quotes:

I could not lose her. The entirety of my soul belonged to her. She was my lifeblood. My salvation. The light that beckoned me from the darkness.

“Come back to me, Sybelle,” I breathed, my voice ragged. “Be my wife. My queen. My everything. Please.”