This is the first book in the Fires of Carinae series, a dark romantasy high on emotion and mystery. Tropes and themes include banter, found family, playboy fae prince, murder mystery, hurt/comfort, mental health representation and two prickly MCs. There are numerous very dark elements to this story so please read the trigger warnings. 

The Lovely: I don’t even know where to start on what I love - everything? I love, love the main characters. The FMC, Cyril, has been pushed down, held back and made to feel worthless by her “family” her entire life, and her mental health has suffered. It felt realistically raw, it hurt as the reader and I cried right along with her (and I’m still super angry at a male character). But she’s still tenacious and sometimes a little defiant despite of how she’s been treated. I loved how her relationship with the MMC developed and how he (eventually) start to treat her. He is like a burnt cinnamon roll - crispy on the outside but sweet on the inside. 

Also Lovely: I also loved the mystery underlying the plot. Cyril may be relegated to researching but she’s so clever (and deadly) you can’t help but try to figure out the puzzle right along with her. Mysteries are quickly becoming my favorite sub-genre of fantasy romance. 

Rating: 5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames 

Recommendation: I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I will admit, immediately after I finished reading this I may have messaged the author to gush about how much this story resonated with me. I (almost) always love a book with a reasonably accurate mental health representation, but this one really hit me in the feels. I have no doubt it will be on my mind for weeks, at least. This beautifully dark story made me feel all the feels - perfection. I will, obviously, be waiting with anticipation for book two.