Author friend Lyndsey Hall is part of a multi-author collection of fairy tale retellings where the villain gets their own happy-ever-after. I decided to sign up to read the ARCs for the entire series.

About the Book

Falling for the Sorcerer by Jes Drew

Once upon a time, he would have burned the world for her
But she ran away from their happily ever after.
Now they must find a way to work together if they want to break twin curses.

Gothel was once the most eligible maiden in the Empire. But when her little sister is endangered, she has no choice but to steal her away. Abandoning the man who claims to love her, Gothel dedicates herself to raising her sister in an isolated tower where no one can ever find them. Her enchantments further protect them from any intruder. Or so she thinks . . .

Rothbart was once the most feared sorcerer in the land. But when his gamble to win the hand of the woman he loves backfires, he’s left with nothing but a broken heart and a feathered prince in need of a guardian. Swearing off love, Rothbart has no choice but to exchange his plans of world domination for an honest trade to support the family he never asked for. At least he never has to see Gothel again . . .

Everyone’s plans go out the window when their teenage charges cross paths and trigger twin curses. Now Gothel and Rothbart must find a way to work together if they want to save their families. If they can put their bitterness aside, they might just be able to survive their joint quest. But resisting falling back into love? That is another matter entirely.

Falling for the Sorcerer is a retelling that combines elements of Rapunzel and Swan Lake. Part quest and part awkward-family-road-trip, this no-spice romantasy is brimming with magic, humor, and swoony second-chance kisses. It is the seventh book of the To Win a Dark Heart series retelling tales as old as time, but this time it’s the villains’ turn to get a happy ending.

Check it out on Goodreads.

About the Author

Jes Drew is the author of the Cursed Fae of Orphydice Manor Series, the Sunset at Dawn trilogy, The Samurai’s Student saga, the Ninja and Hunter trilogy, the Howling Twenty trilogy, the Kristian Clark saga/The Man on the Run series, the Castaways trilogy, The Dystopian Takeover trilogy, Summers of Yesteryear series, The Clockwork Faerie Tale Novellas, the Legends of the Master Spy series, The New ESE Files series, Tales from Parallel Worlds, Genie and Serena, Accidentally on the Run, This Side of Heaven, and The Death of a Hero.

She has three degrees, including a Master of Arts in Behavioral Counseling. Also, she has about five million houseplants (and counting— the plants and not the degrees . . . unless she relapses). She is still debating if having a fae husband is worth the hassle.

Goodreads | Blog | BookBub | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

So much fun to read! I liked that it was a second-chance romance for a couple who had to separate for the sake of the young children they had to protect and raise.

There’s a lot of great character growth (even in secondary characters) and rich worldbuilding. The romance was well-paced and the dangers (and adventure) was true to the characters and not just random things thrown at them.

A couple of typos, especially in the second half of the book, pulled me from the story, but I’m sure it will be fixed by the time of publication as this is an ARC and not the final product.

Gothel is such a strong character who did what she had to, no matter how scared she was, to protect those she loves. I liked that having Rothbart in her life wasn’t because she needed him, but because she wanted him.

Rothbart is a good man. It’s rare in romantasy to find a good man, even if he thinks he’s the villain because he did what he had to do to protect his loved-ones.

I liked the various themes that wove through the book.

A fast-paced, enjoyable story. I’ll read more from this author. Highly recommended.

*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Do you enjoy fairy tale retellings and no-spice fairy tale mash-ups? Have you read anything by this author?

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*