I’m a little obsessed with the dynamic between Dawn and Zander in this book. There’s flirting and chemistry, but there’s also the way he thinks about her. He admires her, is confident in her skills and basically thinks she’s amazing - who doesn’t want a man like that?! Their road is definitely a bumpy one with a few obstacles along the way, and plenty of danger. I would have liked to have seen more of Dawn and Zander together, and their romance felt very sudden and rushed despite how much I liked the vibe.

All in all though it’s an easy read and has interesting fantasy elements, leaving me looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

I was excited for the story, but unfortunately I didn't feel like it lived up to it's potential. It was supposed to be a slow-burn romance, but for me it felt more insta-lovey with forbidden yearning. I liked the hidden identity part and the romance when they actually got together. They were a cute couple, but again, love at first sight. Which makes sense further into the book, but it shouldn't be laid out as a slow burn romance. Additionally I felt thrown into the story without any worldbuilding, which I found very confusing in the start. The ending was however, very good and makes me want to read the next book in the series.

I read this in a day! I liked the characters, the plot, and the overall concept of a curse across realms that needs to be broken.

The story starts with Dawn, a powerful princess of the Summer Court in Faerie, embarking on a quest to a parallel realm to cut out the black heart of an Ethereum lord, in order to save her land from the curse that is ravaging it.

The minute she steps through the portal, she knows it’s gone wrong because she is no where near a lords castle, but then she bumps (quite literally) into Zander, the Northern lords’ army commander. He takes her prisoner and together they make their way towards the castle.

There are reveals along the way which make Dawn question everything she’s been taught, and question the future of her world. Dawn and Zander’s relationship was sweet and I loved the lengths they went to for each other, although their relationship did seem to progress super fast! But when you know, you know I guess.

It was a fun, YA read, it hooked me in from the start, and I’m fully invested in what happens next! I’m looking forward to reading Aribella’s story in the next book.

However, I thought there could have been more world building, and more tension. It felt a bit like they just went from one place to the next to the next, and whilst some traumatic things happened, they were never really addressed or processed. I suppose everything just seemed too easy and there didn’t seem to be much depth to it? It was easy to read and I enjoyed the idea of it and where it was going, but I do prefer a darker, more emotional ride to get there, so I’d give it a 3.5 overall.

Thank you to the authors, NetGalley, and HQ for this ARC 🙂

Yess! I really really enjoyed this !
I was so excited after reading the blurb and I wasn’t disappointed loved the characters the plot it was such a suck you in book I picked it up and didn’t want to put it down.

Really got me back in for my love of reading fantasy!

Full review on good reads

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 📖

“Eliminating one man would be easy”

First I would like to thank NetGalley for this book. It was exactly what I needed a fast paced standalone than you can literally devour in one sitting.

Now we all know I’m a Romantasy girl through and through but the trouble with that is things get a bit repetitive after a while but I loved the premise of this book it was something fresh whilst also tying in some staples from cult favourites that keeps you familiar and I think that makes the world building that bit easier.

The story itself is so enchanting and I really grew to care for Dawn our main character who although was trained and raised a certain way went onto show that doesn’t mean you have to blindly follow.

This enemies to lovers fated mate romance was a great read and I throughly enjoyed it. However I will give a quick warning for the slow burn because ouch.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Thank you very much for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. This was an excellent read and is definitely a great recommendation for those who enjoy enemies to lovers, fated mates, and the world of the fae. I thought this book had some excellent world building, character development and followed a really unique and interesting story. I loved the plot twists that occurred along the way and the introduction of side characters and that the author also develops their stories alongside that of the main character. The characters are so likeable and interesting from the very start and each character is given their own developments which added so much to the story. I would definitely read future books by this author. I would say it definitely reads a little more like a young adult fantasy rather than adult fantasy but this did not take away from the story at all. I also noticed a few spelling mistakes but these will most likely be edited for the release of the book and they didn’t impact the meaning the author was trying to convey so this wasn’t a problem for me at all. Thanks so much 😊

I really looked forward to reading this but was unable to due to formatting issues.

My review is based solely on the blurb and I will be reading this when it is released.

Cold Hearted by Leia Stone/Julie Hall
Rating: 3.5/5
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Fated Mates, Forbidden Love

Cold Hearted is the story of Dawn, a princess from the Summer Court embarking on a journey to a parallel real to get the heart of a Ethereal lord in order to save her land and people from a curse that dates far back.

Unfortunately for her, she think the wrong thought when going through the portal and finds herself not where she’s supposed to be. In steps Zander, the Northern lord’s army commander. He takes her as prisoner and off the they go.

This was a quick, fast-paced read, and I enjoyed the banter between the characters.

I just felt overall that the book could have had a bit more depth and a bit more world-building to it to make it that four/five start read. Perhaps a little bit more showing than telling would have been good too.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for this ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Dive into a world where love and destiny collide admits kingdoms of magic and intrigue.

Leia Stone and Julie Hall's collaborative effort, Cold Hearted, transports readers into the enchanting realms of Faerie and Ethereum with all the allure of a classic fantasy tale. From its captivating world-building to its dynamic characters, this book offers a thrilling escape into a realm where destiny and duty collide with unexpected consequences.

The story revolves around Dawn, the crown princess of the Summer Court in Faerie, who embarks on a perilous mission to Ethereum. The mission, to secure the black heart of a Lord of Ethereum, has been undertaken by generations of princesses before her, each completing the task swiftly to maintain their kingdom's magic. However, Dawn's journey takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself not before a Lord, but in a barn facing a pig. This twist sets the stage for a gripping adventure filled with challenges, deception, and ultimately, unexpected romance.

What truly sets Cold Hearted apart is its engaging plot and well-crafted characters. Dawn's struggle with her responsibilities and her blossoming relationship with the Commander of Noreum's army, add depth and emotion to the narrative. Their dynamic, from initial animosity to a slow-burning romance, is beautifully portrayed, offering a satisfying enemies-to-lovers trope that fans of fantasy romance will adore.

The authors skilfully weave together intricate details of Faerie and Ethereum, from the different courts to the curse that binds them. The vivid descriptions transport readers into this magical world, allowing them to experience the dangers and wonders alongside Dawn and Zander. Stone and Hall excel in creating a narrative that keeps readers on edge, eagerly turning pages to discover what challenges and revelations await next.

Stryker, a compelling character introduced later in the story as one of Zander's brothers, adds further intrigued and complexity. His enigmatic nature hints at deeper layers waiting to be unraveled, promising future installments ed with suspense and excitement. The anticipation of his future interactions and potential romance makes the forthcoming books in the series highly anticipated.

Overall, Cold Hearted is a five-star read that satisfies on multiple levels. If offers a delightful mix of adventure, romance, and intrigue set against a backdrop of richly imagined worlds. For fans of fantasy novels brimming with magic and romance, this book is an absolute must-read. As Dawn and Zander's journey continues to unfold, readers will undoubtedly be drawn deeper into the captivating tapestry woven by Stone and Hall.

With its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and a dash of forbidden love, Cold Hearted is a gem in the fantasy genre that promises an enthralling series ahead. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the next installment to see where the fates of Dawn, Zander and the kingdoms of Faerie and Ethereum lead next.

My thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this in a day! I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the overall concept of a curse across realms that needs to be broken.

The story starts with Dawn, a powerful princess of the Summer Court in Faerie, embarking on a quest to a parallel realm to cut out the black heart of an Ethereum lord, in order to save her land from the curse that is ravaging it.

The minute she steps through the portal, she knows it’s gone wrong because she is nowhere near a lords castle, but then she bumps (quite literally) into Zander, the Northern lords’ army commander. He takes her prisoner and together they make their way towards the castle.

There are reveals along the way which make Dawn question everything she’s been taught, and question the future of her world. Dawn and Zander’s relationship was sweet and I liked the lengths they went to for each other, although their relationship did seem to progress super fast! But when you know, you know I guess! However, I did feel like everything Dawn encountered was a bit too.. easy? I would’ve preferred a bit more tension.

But it was a fun, YA read, it hooked me in from the start, and I’m fully invested in what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading Aribella’s story in the next book!

I wanted to like Cold Hearted, I really did. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

It was super tropey and derivative. Given this could be said about the majority of fantasy romance novels, this in itself is not a problem. However, the executed was terrible.

Although I don't like giving wholly negative reviews, I don't have much positive to say about the novel.

The writing - all tell and no show
The plot - boring and badly paced (not helped by the fact that it was less than 300 pages)
The characters - a very obvious mishmash of the some of the main characters of some of the most popular books in the genre
The romance - terrible. Some (cheesy) flirty banter and a kiss and boom, there in love. Oh, and by the they're also mates.

Title: Cold Hearted By Leia Stone & Julie Hall (Cursed Fae Book 1)

Release Date: May,23rd 2024

4.5 Stars

This fantasy romance is a spellbinding blend of action, intrigue, and forbidden love that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Read this in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Enter this enchanting realm where a centuries-old curse threatens Faerie, and our heroine Dawn, trained to be the perfect assassin, holds the fate of her kingdom in her hands. But when her mission goes awry and she's captured by the captivating Zander, a royal guard with secrets aplenty, her loyalties are tested like never before. As she grapples with duty and desire, navigating a treacherous landscape of deceit and romance, she must decide whether to follow her heart or fulfil her destiny and save her kingdom.

Packed with enemies-to-lovers tension, fated mates, and the irresistible pull of forbidden love, "Cold Hearted" is a thrilling journey to a satisfying happily ever after.

This story offers an exhilarating blend of fantasy and romance, expertly crafted with great world-building, every detail contributes to the immersive experience.

I cannot wait to read what is next in this series.

Tropes:

Enemies-to-Lovers
Fated Mates
Romantasy/ Fantasy Romance
Secrets and Lies
Forbidden Love

Thank you to HQ, Leia Stone & Julie Hall for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters, the world building.. chefs kiss.

I simply cannot wait for book 2!

I didn't feel it ended on a cliff hanger but nevertheless I still instantly googled when book 2 was available!

5*