I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
〰️
Review:
These Hollow Vows follows the story of Abrielle, Brie, a you g woman who will sacrifice anything to protect the people she loves... but what happens when those people are the ones who betray her?

“These are the hours of spies and thieves. They’re my hours.”

These Hollow Vows is the latest novel from NYT bestselling author, Lexi Ryan. It’s a young adult fantasy book that includes several favorite YA tropes, including faerie princes, enemies to lovers, and a confusing love triangle centered around the novel’s protagonist, Brie.

The novel places strong emphasis on the importance of family. Throughout the course of the book, Brie begins to stand up and fight for her independence and her sister’s freedom. The romance elements keep the readers on their toes, wanting to know what happens next.

The end of this novel leaves so many questions open, laying the groundwork for a very compelling second novel.

As soon as I saw Cruel Prince meets A Court Of Thorns And Roses I knew this book was for me!

Brie has hated the Fae ever since her mom abandoned her and her younger sister Jas, to live in the Faerie lands. She left them with their uncle but when he died they fell in to the care of their aunt Madame V and their two horrible cousins (major Cinderella vibes). The sisters live in a dark, cramped basement and are worked hard to pay off a never ending debt to Madame V.. they’re trapped in that life with no possible escape. That is until one day Brie is short (again) on the latest payment to her aunt so Madame V sells her sister to the Unseelie King. Brie will do anything in her power to get Jas back including going to the Faerie lands and making a deal with the Shadow King himself to free her sister.

This book was so good! A love triangle, secrets & lies, Golden Fae Vs Shadow Fae, plots & schemes and magic... what’s not to love?!

I really enjoyed the writing style, the pacing was perfect and the story flowed well. It was definitely a read in one day book for me. Once I started I didn’t want to put it down.

I loved the characters! Brie with her red hair and badass attitude, Sebastian with his sweet, puppy dog demeanour and Finn with his little group of misfits (I was #TeamFinn throughout!)

That ending! I knew it or something like it was coming but I didn’t want it to end like that. I need the next book NOW!

I would definitely recommend These Hollow Vows, I think it’s going to be a huge hit when it’s published.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

First of all, I want to say that I am really grateful to have been provided with an ARC for this book by NetGalley ! I'm a big Cruel Prince and A Court of Thorns and Roses fan so this book was right up my street. Finn....Sebastian...I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting! And the ending!! Bring on Spring 2022 now!

Trigger Warnings*: assault (character is attacked), blood, blackmail, death (mention, reincarnation), drugging/spiking of drink (character is drugged so she can be coerced in to making a decision), execution (mention), fire (character has a fear of fire / got trapped in one), murder (mentioned), kidnapping, prostitution/slavery (mentioned, a character is sold as blackmail), parental abandonment, stabbing

*This is not an exhaustive list, as I read a review copy & the final copy may have changes. Additionally, this is just what I picked up on & remember, there may be others.*I>

I'm finding it hard to review this book because every time I think of the ending I internally begin to yell because I FREAKING KNEW IT!! AND I NEED THE SEQUEL. COME ON BRIE HOW DID YOU NOT REALISE??

I was unsure about this book to begin with as the writing seemed clunky, overly descriptive, and ah, idk how else to describe it but 'edgy'. The main character was all 'I don't fear the dark, because I am the dark' and all sorts of stuff, and it's like the author wanted to fit in every description she could. Sentences often felt repetitive, when all the author was getting at was 'she walked along the corridor'. I nearly put the book down after the first chapter, but I stuck it out, and the writing did improve as the book went on & I got to know the character more.

(One thing that also really annoyed me, and look away because of spoilers, is when the main character was like "does it bother you that I've had sexual partners before you? Is this okay?" like 1) that shouldn't bother him for reasons that should be obvious and 2) it really shouldn't bother him since you caught up getting on with another woman!!!!)

I did find this book an enjoyable read! It had an exciting plot, I found the main character interesting and I really enjoyed her relationship with Finn, especially (#TeamFinn. Look I know why he came across as shady Brie, BUT REALLY, you should've listened to him).

Some parts of the books felt predictable, and that's not overwhelmingly a bad thing as the book built up to it, but I did find it frustrating because it was so obvious so I found it difficult when Brie didn't get it. But other parts did pleasantly surprise me, and when they were revealed, I was like of course, that makes sense!!!!

Overall, I am very excited for the sequel and can't wait for Brie to kick some arse now that the truth has revealed itself to her.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

We know very well that Lexi Ryan is best known for her romance novels, but with These Hollow Vows she takes on a new adventure.

Abriella hates the Fae and wants nothing to do with them, but that all changes when her sister is sold to the king of the Unseelie court to pay off a debt and she's willing to do whatever it takes to get her back home with her, including making a deal with the evil king.
To get her sister back, Brie will have to steal three relics and to do so, she must have free access to the Seelie court and to succeed she will pretend to be Prince Ronan's bride-to-be.
Things get complicated when Brie begins to have feelings and asks Fin for help.
Brie's heart is now divided in two, but her priority remains her sister.

“I don’t hope. It’s a waste of time. Dangerous, even.” He tilts his head to the side. “You’re wrong about that. What’s truly dangerous is not having hope.”

Princes, fairies, mysterious powers and deception, I don't know about you, never this mix of ingredients make me a happy reader!
I have to say, as a first try, Lexi Ryan didn't do too badly. It's a book that falls a bit into clichés and predictability, but that doesn't ruin the read at all.

Brie is a strong girl, she cares deeply about her family and is willing to do anything to save her sister.
But let's talk about the highlight of this story.... Ronan and Fin. So much stuff!
The plot of the story is really well done and bodes well for a second chapter full of events and twists.
The worldbuilding is little hinted at, but I didn't find it a flaw.
As a start it's not bad and I can't wait to read the second book!

"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐬" 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐱𝐢 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧

⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

First of all, I want to say that I am really grateful to have been provided with an ARC for this book by NetGalley !

This was actually the first time I was reading about Faes and Fairies, and I really enjoyed it. That book was such a wild ride !

I'm not a big fan of books that take 300 pages of explanation before anything happens, but with this book we jump right into the action. And we are already off to a strong start !
The universe and magic system is introduced really smoothly along the way, and it doesnt feel forced, which can happen sometimes with high fantasy.

I really loved the characters and the fact that not everything and everybody is what they seems to be ! And it's always shifting !
Not gonna lie, sometimes Brie annoyed me a little bit but I kinda liked her anyway !
Also I'm a sucker for a bad boy so I'm rooting for Finn all the way, not matter what 😈

There was some parts, if not most that I saw coming, but I still liked it all the same ! And I wondered anyway if sometimes it probably was intented by the author, to keep us on our toes ! As the plot is always twisting and jumping and going in different directions so you cant be bored !

It was such an easy read, I actually couldnt put the book down and spend my day reading it ALL instead of doing my chores and taking care of my home ! 🙊

Oh also, it's marketed as a young adult book but I think it's more on the line between new and young adults, so beware !

As soon as i read "The Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses" i knew this book was for me and was instantly sold!!

I love a good love triangle just as much as i love an enimies to lovers plot.

The World Building in this book was amazing. I loved how courts and human were described and how completely different they both were. I loved that the fae world was wicked and scary and just beautifully written.

The story was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing what was about to happen next and the pacing was perfect. Also two princes need i say more.

Brie was the perfect protagonist. I loved how determined and courageous she was. I love how even though she was a human in a fae world she held her own!

Two handsome princes!!

This book was grewat from beggining to the end and i cant wait to own a pysical copy.

I have received an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion. Thank you to Netgalley and the
publisher.
"Perfect for the fans of A court of thorns and roses and the cruel prince" ? COUNT ME IN !
ACOTAR is one of my all time favorite, I've lost count of how many time I've read it. I can definitely see the resemblance. These Hollow vows reminds me of a lot of YA book. ACOTAR but with a cinderella twist, the cruel prince and for some reason it reminded me of the Selection by Kiara Cass as well. Those are pretty big shoes to fill but I can see Lexi Ryan fill them. The story was good and kept me up all night because I coud not put it down. The only thing that prevent it to be a 5 stars reading for me is THE ENDING ! This book is typically the kind of book where I wait for the serie to be complete before jumping in. I HATE cliffhangers. Especially when there is a love triangle I like to know which couple is endgame before reading the book (yeah I'm weird like that). I saw a review where the person said they had read the book way to early because waiting for the sequel is going to be torture and I couldn't agree more.
WHAT I LIKED
- The pacing of the story
- All the twists and turns
- It was sexy
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
- the ending (hate cliffhangers)
- the love triangle (I would have be ok with it if it was resolve at the end but it wasn't)

I can see this book be an other favorite alongside ACOTAR so I can't wait to read the next book !

I loved this book so much I’ve read it twice in practically as many days. This book is just everything you want in a YA dipping into New Adult fantasy. If you love the top fantasy series at the moment e.g The Folk of the Air trilogy, ACOTAR, The Grisha series you will love this; just mix them with the Selection series and that is this book.

Brie could think of nothing worse than having to deal with the Fae, but when her sister is sold as a slave to a Fae King she has to make a deal in order to get her back. With two opposing Fae males fighting for her attention, she has to decide who she can trust; whilst also finding out about how her mother’s past links in with her destiny.

This book was such a good start to a series. It was very fast paced, but not lacking in world building. Although, I do wish we had a few more scenes outside of the palace/castle or Finn’s homes. It sort of is an introduction book, setting the world and characters up for the next book - which I already know is going to be epic from that ending.

Brie is a strong but trusting character. From the world she came from I thought she would’ve been a little less trusting, but she fell in with characters quite easy. It made the plot interesting, just didn’t really go with what we were being told of her. However, I do see her character having a massive development in the next book and I cannot wait. Sebastian, on the other hand, had the most character development and it was really well done. As in, very, very well done. I feel we’ve not had enough scenes with Finn to really see a change, but I loved how sincere he was. All of the characters each had their own focus and I liked that they didn’t move from what they wanted. The book is very family oriented, with all of the characters doing what they think is right for the people they love.

The plot was really well written. Some things did move a little too fast at times and I would’ve loved to have lingered on certain scenes just to get a better feel for them. The book was a little predictable at times, but there was a big plot twist that I never saw coming. All of the book just flowed really well and everything naturally clicked into place. I would love to see more POV’s in the next book though, I think it would just add that little extra depth to the love interests.

Overall, I loved this book and I really need the next one! As in, I literally cannot wait for it and will probably have a countdown going when they release a date. The book is such a good addition to the fantasy genre and is more in the New Adult category, which is something readers have been craving more books in.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I throughly enjoyed reading These Hollow Vows, so much so I read it in 1 day! The story is gripping, full of adventure and so much deceit it’s just amazing!!

The story is a twist on Cinderella and how the main character Abriella (and her sister) is trying to get out of serving her aunt Madame V and cousins. When they fail to come up with this months pay Abriella’s sister is sold to the faeries. Humans know that faeries exist and that they live in another dimension to theirs, they also know that getting sold to the fae is not a good thing. In a bid to try and save her sister Abriella goes to the seelie fairy kingdom so she can search for her sister. Along the way she encounters friendly faces as well as evil ones. What she doesn’t expect is for a familiar face to be in fairie! Abriella navigates her way through faerie and her attraction to a prince all the while looking for her sister.

The writing in the book is amazing and full of layers! I really liked Abriella and her sister Jas and was rooting for them throughout. There’s so many twists, turns and deception you don’t know who to trust and have faith in, but this makes it all the better! There is another book on the way and I will be buying it as soon as I can, I need to know what happens next!

I’d recommend the book for ages 14+ - theses mild sex scenes and a few swear words but used in context.

This one felt like a loose Cinderella retelling - yeah, it has Cinderella vibes - combined with some elements from The Cruel Prince, ACOTAR and The Selection. I have a soft spot for faerie books so even though the idea does not feel super new, and it felt WAY too predictable, I have enjoyed this book very much. It was a captivating read. It really kept me turning the pages. It delivered what was promised.

I loved the characters. Abriella (Brie) is courageous and I was rooting for her. She deeply hates Fae, but love for her sister Jas is stronger. For her, Brie would do anything, even going into the Fae lands and make a bargain with the king of Unseelie to retrieve three artifacts stolen from his court in the Seelie court in exchange for her sister's safe return home.

I usually hate love triangles, but I did not mind this one that much. I've grown fond of both Fae princes even though I knew where was going. Well, if you keep in mind how Fae act, it is not surprising at all.

The story has got some great side characters too. Especially one goblin and Finn's band of misfits. They really bring in some humor. I really need more of them.

I loved the world building. Like I said, I am a huge fan of Fae books and this one did not disappoint. Yeah, I loved Seelie and Unseelie courts and all the creatures. It works with familiar concepts, but I did not mind at all. I´ve enjoyed the folklore depicted in this book even though we just got to see a glimpse and I cannot wait to learn more about this world and its politics in the sequel. I love how Fae books always feel so.... fairy tale like.

The book includes:
- magic... healing, shadows, illusions and more
- a love triangle with two hot Fae princes
- a goblin that takes hair as payment
- pixies, banshee and some other creatures from Faerie lore
- political intrigue
- a lot of secrets, twists and turns
- a sex scene described in details
- magical drugs

Huge thanks to publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for honest review.

Of course, is this only my personal opinion on the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn't mean, that everyone will have that opinion. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All my opinions are my own.

To be honest: I WOULD REREAD THIS BOOK IN A SECOND AND I CAN NOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!

So after this is off my chest we can start.
I think, that "Cruel Prince meets A Court of Thorns and Roses" fits the story perfectly. Normally I hate it when books are marketed this way (this is the new harry potter and so on. Can you see my eye roll?) but in this case, the description is right. Of course, the plot is not the same as in the ones named above but there are fae and a badass female protagonist, which I adored.

The writing style was really easy to get into and I was hooked from the first page and read until 1 am to finish this book.
The world is kind of familiar, because we have the Seelie and Unseelie Court which we know from multiple other fae stories. However, this story doesn't lack originality in my opinion.
There were some plot twist, that really took me by surprise and I can't wait to read the second book because the first book ends with a cliffhanger.

I liked the main protagonist a lot and I am curious how her character development will be in the second book. I also liked the two males that have an important part in her story. The love triangle, that was teased in the synopsis had me a little bit scared but I liked how the author wrote it and I already have my favourite picked!

I can't wait for the second book and I hope many people will read this story!

This book is a possible 2021 highlight for me and to be honest, there is only one thing that could be done a little bit better in my opinion and that is "more spice" but we will see how book two will turn out!

Conclusion:

A fantastic new fae fantasy! Can´t wait to read book 2
I give 5+ from 5 Stars

Thank you to Netgallery for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have to admit he comparison to The Cruel Prince and A Court of Thorns and Roses is what first drew me in, as these are big favourites of mine. Upon reading the blurb I knew this was a book for me.
Fae.
Mystery.
Love triangle.


I found this book a very easy read and incredibly hard to put down. It only took me a couple days of reading and I already can't wait for its sequel. The word building flowed nicely and I liked the take on the different courts in Faerie.

I normally know who I root for in a love triangle but found myself switching back and forth. And when I thought id made my decision that Last reveal changed me mind.

Any fans of fae, love triangles and a mystery should guve this book a read. Throughly enjoyed.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing me with an eArc!

Do you love books with fae in? How about high stakes and a swoon-worthy romance? Well then this book is for you! Highly reminiscent of well-loved books such as “the cruel prince” and “a court of thorns and roses” this book lives up to every expectation and more!!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

These Hollow Vows has comparison titles of 'The Cruel Prince' and 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' and to a certain extent, I do agree with these. Fae. Mystery. Deception.
However, I do think that These Hollow Vows is catered to the higher end of the Young Adult genre and sometimes branches into the New Adult genre.
I found it extremely easy to immerse myself into this book, the prose flowed nicely, and the world-building. It had all the classical features of a novel with fae characters (the different courts etc), but it had a fresh take on magic.
There are a lot of secrets in These Hollow Vows, and I appreciated how we learned everything when Brie learned everything, as I was able to fully connect to her reactions and therefore understand her character development/arc in this book.
I thoroughly enjoy a love triangle, so the dynamic between Brie, Finn, and Bash was perfect for me. One minute I was rooting for Bash, the next Finn, and my mind kept swapping throughout the whole book, until the very LAST moment.
For me, this was a 'one sitting' book. And in a way, I was annoyed that it was not longer and ended how it did - because I now have to wait a very long time for the next book.
I will definitely be wanting to buy a physical copy of this book as I do feel like it could become a comfort read.

If you are a fan of secrets, deception, love triangles, and anything fae then you should enjoy These Hollow Vows.

Please take in mind it’s my opinion, and everyone is allowed to have one.

This book was honestly so amazing, truly one of my favorite reads of this year. I got sucked in the story since the first page. The story and plot were so great, and it was well written.

It was so great to see how Abriella grew as a character. Than we’ve Ronan and Finn. It was kind of predictable who Ronan was, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to know more. Finn was my favorite character.

The ending though!!! I’m here for the next book because you can’t leave me hanging like that.