Ember is half human and half fae and after her father died she was left in the less than caring hands of her stepmother, where it’s Ember that does the caring. Ember calls her stepmother Mrs. Coleman, and because Ember is half fae a promise is painful if unkept, so she is under bond to Mrs. Coleman and her two stepsisters until she turns 18 and receives her inheritance This was everything. Absolutely EVERYTHING!! When I say I love fantasy romance books, this book is exactly what I’m talking about!! It gave everything it needed to give. A beautiful faerie universe, an amazing magic system, fun and interesting characters, an intriguing plot and a romance that is to die for!!!

That’s only because of their own outdated traditions. They choose to follow these strictures of chastity, etiquette, and social hierarchy, values leftover from when the humans on the isle bowed to a human king. When the fae won the war, we liberated them from King Grigory. Now it’s almost as if they expect their fae rulers to take his place.” Fake dating, enemies to lovers, forced proximity and secret identity??? I mean what more can you want?? It’s literally the perfect combination and the execution did NOT disappoint whatsoever! Her footsteps approach the dressing screen but—thankfully—stop on the other side. If she sees the state I’m in, she’ll know I’ve been outdoors. “What excuse do you have today?” Absolutely. Please save me from boredom. Nyxia will be gone on her lovers’ holiday with her mate all month. The rule of Lunar will rest solely on my shoulders.”There is some truth to that, considering the city of Evanston is the only human city within a twenty-mile radius of the unseelie palace, where my inheritance is being held until the day I turn nineteen. It’s not normally the duty of the unseelie ruler to deal in human matters of life and finance, but after the death of Father’s executor earlier this year, his estate was turned over to the crown. His will and finances were moved to the nearest royal vault, which is, of course, at Selene Palace. I hated the stepfamily and the human guy from the church. Only Clara has redeeming qualities and they all got what they deserved. Although, the stepmother deserved a harsher punishment.

Why take a train,” says another, her voice slightly higher than the first, “when we could guide you where you want to go?” She was delightful, not at all a damsel in distress but not a warrior either. She had her own strength and her character was beautifully written and developed. I loved her connection with the music and her sharp retorts, which made the banter more enjoyable.It was a valiant effort,” I hear him call overhead before he soars over the buildings and out of sight. Ignore her,” Mrs. Coleman tells her daughters, as if I was responsible for the teasing. “It doesn’t matter how brightly one burns if no one cares to look.” Gritting my teeth, I pin every teal strand beneath the bonnet. Not only is the hat hideous—a monstrosity of floral-patterned linen and nothing like the pretty bonnets that were fashionable twenty years ago—but it is also enormous. Perfect for keeping my face in shadow while making me look utterly ridiculous. Ember, the female MC in this novel was in a few scenes in the first book COTWK and Maisie, the female MC in the next novel, was in a few scenes in this installment. Half fae Ember craves freedom from her conniving stepfamily. As if they weren’t enough to deal with, a chance encounter with the arrogant Prince Franco leaves her humiliated and in a fiery rage. Nothing could convince her the prince is anything but a rake. But when the opportunity to evade her scheming stepmother falls into her lap, she’ll pay the price—even if it means impersonating the prince’s newest flame…

What I didn't like: the stepfamily and the guy from the human church (you know villains are well-written when you hate them lmao). The chapters are alternative, written either from Ember's POV or Franco's and they both offer a chance to see things through different perspectives, making it easier to love Franco (even more than I already did!) and Ember. Introducing Maisie was a great move to set the scene for the third book in this series: Kiss of the Selkie, and the ending was sweet, giving a conclusion to Franco and Ember's story, offering an update on Gemma and Elliot's and also making us curious about what's coming next for the Sea princess. Soon, I’ll have more moments like this. Soon, music will fill my days and illuminate my nights. Soon, I’ll be free from my stepfamily, free from my past and everything I’ve had to endure. I’ll be able to become someone new. You know why we’re here, Clara,” Imogen says, silencing her sister. She then casts a withering glance over her shoulder at me. “It’s almost time for Ember to claim her dead father’s fortune.” Fine, but going nowhere,” Mrs. Coleman snaps. “Neither you nor Imogen managed to secure a husband yet again. We’ve attended every court’s social season, one after the other, for three years in a row, and still, my daughters fail me.”Why does it matter what you look like? Your face could be hideous by traditional standards, and it wouldn’t diminish your beauty, for I’ve seen the tapestry of your emotions. I’ve felt what you’ve felt, I’ve witnessed the kind of person you are." Why does it matter what you look like? Your face could be hideous by traditional standards, and it wouldn’t diminish your beauty, for I’ve seen the tapestry of your emotions. I found it really refreshing that Franco wasn't described as the typical fae male who is big, beefy, and muscular. He was still alluring with his silver hair and eyes, his tattoos, and his wings and raven form. Such a captivating hero, but it was a refreshing reminder that a love interest doesn't have to be chiseled and muscular for me to enjoy the romance. Their relationship was slow burn, going from hate to friendship and then to love, offering us delicious banter, touching confessions, sweet scenes and a little bit of steam. I think they brought the best in each other and they both had much more to gain than a mate; Franco found love but also the strength to stop hiding his real self, to live up to his worth and to become someone great, while Ember finally managed to accept and actually love her power and discover a place where she belonged. I try to hide my alarm, but a flush of panic rushes through me. Did I forget to wash my face this morning? With the sleeve of my coat, I wipe my cheeks.