1 .25🌶️ 

“You should see the back of your dress. I’ll have to cut you out later tonight.” His fingers faltered. “Ah, I meant…” Elden’s words trailed off while he raced to finish the lacing.” 

Thank you to R&R Book Tours and Vermilion H Baine for allowing me to ARC this novel!

This is Vermilion H Baine’s debut novel and it is the first of an interconnected series of standalone novels. The Fey Hotel transports the reader from Seattle, Washington where two sisters with magical powers are employed to help revitalize a hotel on the coast called Refuge on the Moor after its change in ownership. 

Elden and Avalon’s working relationship starts off with a lot of tension after Elden refuses to shake Avalon’s hand upon their meeting. As things progress however, Elden and Avalon end up sharing many secrets and the secrets of Refuge on the Moor are also revealed to Avalon and her sister Odette. 

Along with the work that Avalon and Odette are doing to revitalize the hotel and support Elden’s transition to managing it, Avalon ends up accidentally portalling into the Fey realm and revealing her biggest personal secret. Upon revealing her secret, Avalon is deemed a potential threat to Refuge on the Moor and the rest of the plot builds from there. 

A story full of secrets, witty banter, bargains with Fey, and major slow burn, provides readers with a great introduction to Baine’s work. The plot twists and strength the characters show helps keep readers interested and willing to return to the story if they put it down. 

Overall, an excellent debut novel with likeable characters and a lighthearted feel.