Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for this ARC!

I had a mixed response to this book.

I enjoyed the story with the FMC Delaira, the romance, and found family were big parts of what I enjoyed. There is a lot of intrigue and unexpected plot points which were fun, but somehow my attention was not always grabbed by this book and therefore this story took a little while to finish.

The chemistry between the characters was great and I enjoyed the plot overall but I think I wanted more magic and perhaps I wanted another book!! Lol! I think I'm really into series and learning more and more about the characters. I don't read a lot of standalone tales!! Hopefully there will be a second book out in the future and I will definitely pick that up and see if the standalone thing was the issue.

Thank you all for reading!

This was a good book! I loved the world building in this book and I also loved the story line which was very well thought out.

Tale of Lilies had moments that kept me interested.. The atmosphere often feels magical, with a fairytale like quality that pulled me in at times. The setting is beautifully described, and there’s a clear sense of mystery in the story.

That said, I struggled to stay fully interested in what I was reading. While the prose was a nice idea, the world building sometimes felt thin, leaving me wanting more context and depth. I also found some of the characters and their motivations almost nonexistent, which made it harder to connect with them on an emotional level. Certain plot points felt rushed or unclear, which occasionally pulled me out of the story too.

Overall, Tale of Lilies has potential and a unique premise, but it didn’t completely deliver for me.

This book follows a maid journeying from her small town to a grand castle where she unknowingly finds herself in the middle of a battle between the crown and its rebels.

The strengths of this author lie in the first third of the story. Delaira’s quaint, human, and fairytale-like beginnings offer a subtle look into this new character we’re getting to know. It allows the reader to connect with her more timid and normal side, avoiding some stereotypes like the orphan trope, childhood lovers, MC chosen by some magical leader—instead, we get the opportunity to see her lack of power in the world and how she chooses to wield it for her own purpose.
The author also shines when she brings us along this transient tale of Dela on the road, its obstacles, to finally reaching the capital. This form of storytelling gives the reader the chance to feel excitement and thrill as we have no idea what’s to come with each step. Additionally, we get to better feel for our MC whilst watching her struggle or grow when faced with tough decisions. (The bandit scene was very gripping)

However, after about 40% or so in, the writing begins to falter. The author could have done better with sticking with a loose, free-will type theme we were going for in the first part. Dela gets cornered into an awkward spot, then suddenly loses all the sense of adventure she showcased chapters before. It becomes stagnant, almost like the plot is trapped. Furthermore, the author should have leaned more into the worldbuilding, lore, and character depth we had glimpses of in the beginning and early middle of the book. Where and when did the resistance start? How has magic been kept secret—basically thought as nonexistent up until this point, but there is an entire underground city’s worth of practitioners? Beyond the myth of the goddesses, what history lies centuries behind them? Ancient ruins, old cities, the origins of the crown, magical wars that came and went. A fully realized history of wars and societal mechanics of magic creates ripples through time that trickle down to our characters, no matter how small they are. This creates depth. We simply did not get enough info to paint the world as real and therefore became less immersive. I think she would also have benefited from delving more in-depth with the side characters since their relationships with Dela warrant a lot of weight in her story. Aster becomes her best friend immediately after making no distinct connection? Suddenly, she knows her well enough to cradle her in her arms and treat her so intimately—it doesn’t make sense. As I read, there were just more and more discrepancies with the characters and their interactions with each other, feeling very flat and unrealized.
Overall, the author would benefit from taking time to describe and revel in the small moments, snapshots of detail that not only evoke feelings but exhibit MANY elements at once (setting, themes, worldbuilding, foreshadowing, subplots).
The storm that had Acorán and Dela find shelter and then defend their makeshift home against bandits was incredible, shaped our characters, showed us the dangers and expectations of the world they live in, added mystery, action and thrill, the plot came alive. Another good example is Acorán and Dela in the little treehouse. Beautiful and fairytale-like setting. Well-described visuals, could have leaned in even more. Showed authentic and tender moments between characters, gave a chance for the relationship to blossom realistically. Evoked sweet and vulnerable feelings. This is truly the only time I actually got a personality trait from Acorán, he likes stories, which is charming. Give us more.
Additionally, foreshadowing is an extremely useful tool, not only necessary for plot twists. Dela's big battle with denial when she finds out she's blessed could have been executed well if we had seen this denial impeding on her decisions, her view of the world, and her interactions with other characters from page one. Instead, it felt odd for her to be such a rational and sound-minded individual while not being able to figure out that she was gifted? Just cut the denial out of the story if it doesn't fit, at that point. Have her figure it out on her own pretty early, maybe she keeps it a secret because she doesn't trust either side of the war yet...etc.

I loved this book!!!! I’m not sure if it was the translation or not but at times I struggled to follow but once I understood what was happening oh my gosh I was hooked!! Loved every second of this book. Currently on holiday so haven’t had much time for reading but I have in fact finished this at my day at a waterpark (had an hour in the pool that’s it) I loved it.

The way I immediately scoured the author's social media profiles hoping to find an announcement for a second book after I finished. I absolutely loved every single minute I spent reading Tale of Lilies.

The setting was whimsical and gorgeous, the pacing was spot-on, and the romance felt authentic and well-paced.

The writing itself is beautiful and evocative. Every detail felt purposeful and transported me into the world alongside the characters without saying too much and dragging on.

I also really appreciated the minimal world-building upfront. There's no info-dumping, just pieces of information, lore, and even poetry woven throughout the story. Since Delaira is adjusting to life beyond her quiet village, we're discovering Astelena and her kingdom's secrets right along with her. It all felt so organic and added this wonderful layer of mystery that kept me hooked. However, if you do enjoy large amounts of world-building in the beginning of a story, the structure of this book may not be your jam.

Even though Delaira is experiencing life outside her hometown for the first time, she's far from being a weak or naive FMC. She's feminine but strong and street smart, which felt so refreshing. She consistently made smart decisions and could hold her own. Her character development throughout the book felt genuine and earned. As for side characters, I'm hoping we get to see more of that found family that emerged in the second half.

Last but not least, the romance was beautifully done. It had genuine tension, undeniable chemistry, and development that felt completely organic. Acoran is honestly the definition of a man written by a woman. He was tender, sweet, and oh so flirty.

Overall, if you're interested in a story that feels like escaping into a fairy tale with a beautiful romance, pick this book up! However, if you're looking for a heart-stopping, thrilling fantasy with intense battle scenes or plot twists every few chapters, this might not be your cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was absolutely invested by chapter 2.
The plot twists with the characters, the growth, and generally the FMC were amazing. I am super grateful I got to read this ARC cause I will (and have) purchased the book. Acoran is one of my favorite men now and I cannot wait for book 2!!
Thank you for allowing me to review this! All the love

I have been aching to write this review since 10% in. This book ensnared me from page 1. It has everything, mystery and intrigue, yearning and tension, it is sweet and tender, and heartwrenching and heartpounding. Everything I could possibly want and need. But more than that the writing is captivating. The author's descriptions are so precise and detailed, that it’s like watching a movie with every turn of the page. The world building was inventive and imaginative, nothing I have read before. According to Goodreads, I have read approx. 30+ books this year, and I can honestly say, this is in my top 10. If this does not go to the top of your TBR, you are missing out on some fantastic writing, the flirtiest MMC and a strong willed FMC, and the yearning and tension between these two is palpable. The world created is beautiful, mysterious and intriguing, with lore and magic that enhances the story throughout. Thank you @NetGalley and @authornoelia for creating such a beautifully written book, and @troubedorpublishing for allowing me the opportunity to read Tale of Lillies. I am so thrilled to own a copy of this book.

DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS:
This story doesn’t hesitate to grab you. The FMC, Delaira, feels stifled in her small town, and is selected from a lottery to become a maid at the castle in the city. Along the way, she meets our MMC, Acheron - he is mysterious and intriguing from the start, but then again, so is she. This is the start of their relationship and a fine duo they make. He is flirtatious and a bit cocky, but when he speaks it makes you want to melt. But our FMC’s strong will and determination to find something more, something better for herself, does not easily succumb to his flirtatious ways. While at the castle, she becomes privy to an underlying turmoil, not just in the castle, but in the city, she senses tension and discord, while all the while, our MMC makes appearances as though he is silently watching her, but the author is so good at hiding his true intentions, it seems he is around for his own nefarious reasons. The plot takes shape and we are made aware that there is an underground rebellion, quite literally, to overthrow the Crown. And if the story wasn’t good already, this is where the story gets really good. There is lore intertwined in the story of their gods and magic, and all of it inventive, new and beautiful. I can’t wait to read more and hope this becomes a series.

Synopsis: For Delaira Lirione, winning the raffle to become the personal maid for Princess Sanda means an escape from her small town. But when she meets an annoyingly handsome boy, she's drawn into the growing rebellion where she learns who she truly is.

Review: This was a classic young adult novel, with Delaira being the "chosen one" that catches the eye of the mysterious bad boy- a genre I'm not keen on. The romance and characters felt a little shallow, and the writing was plagued by convenient plot points and a jumpy storyline. I was expecting the raffle to be a much bigger part of the story.

ale of Lilies is the kind of book that wraps around you like a spell — lush, immersive, and emotionally gripping in all the right ways. From the very first page, I was pulled into a world so rich with atmosphere that it felt like I was living inside it. Noelia Acuña Perdomo has crafted a story that’s not only beautiful, but powerful in its quiet intensity.

The setting is simply stunning. There’s a dreamy, almost haunting quality to the world, and it sets the perfect tone for a story built on secrets, yearning, and slow-burning discovery. You can practically smell the lilies, feel the tension in the air, and hear the echo of every unspoken word.

Now let’s talk about the romance — because wow. The chemistry between the leads was on fire. ❤️‍🔥 The tension, the glances, the slow unraveling of their feelings — it had my heart in a vice. The push and pull was done so well, never feeling forced or overly dramatic, just real and emotionally earned.

The pacing was spot-on. Every chapter kept me hooked. It’s one of those rare books where you keep saying, “Just one more page,” until suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’ve fallen in love with fictional people.

And the character arcs? They felt so natural, like watching someone grow right in front of you — not in leaps and bounds, but in subtle, deeply meaningful ways. The emotional growth, the vulnerability, the choices they made — all of it resonated and made me care so much more.

This isn’t just a story — it’s a whole experience. If you love romantic tension, beautifully written fantasy, and characters who feel heartbreakingly human, Tale of Lilies deserves a spot on your bookshelf (and your heart). 💜

Highly recommend. Just… let it sweep you away.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

Found family. Secret powers. Kingdom wide rebellion. Also don't forget a little bit of romance. This book was so good. I loved the characters and the world. I can't wait to get the next book because I need more please!!!

I absolutely loved this book! So much so that I finished in one day. The author did an amazing job keeping the plot going without it getting boring which is something I really look for in books. The characters were unique and I became very invested in their journey. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Tale of Lilies was a fun and adventurous read. It had magic, romance, mystery, and a little bit of action. I am not sure if there is a planned sequel, but the ending definitely leaves room for one.

Delaira is naive throughout the story. Her naivete leads to some interesting moral questions towards the end of the book. The whole book is told from Delaira's first perspective, and we are limited to the facts she knows and learns about Agolea. She is portrayed as a hard worker, smart (but not genius level), and very relatable.

The "boy with caramel eyes" is the other main character. He is enigmatic, but sweet to her at the same time. I won't say too much to spoil the story.

It is a good book for someone looking for adventure with a PG dose of romance. I will look forward to a sequel if the author is planning one!

*** Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book. It was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall mythology that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall way it was told. The characters were so well written and enjoyed the feel of the journey with them. I'm excited for more with these characters hopefully and from Noelia Acuña Perdomo.