Title: The Courting of Bristol KeatsAuthor: Mary E. Pearson
Series: The Courting of Bristol Keats #1
Pages: 560
Publication Date: Nov. 12, 2024
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Mary E. Pearson comes a thrilling romantic fantasy full of dangerous fae, dark secrets, and addictive romance
After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.
Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae king, Tyghan. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.
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I’ve read most of Mary E. Pearson’s books, and I was thrilled to get an early copy of The Courting of Bristol Keats. It has such an interesting premise, and, based on how much I loved her previous books, I knew I’d enjoy this one. Pearson is such a great storyteller, and I love her rich and immersive writing style.
Bristol is a fantastic protagonist. Struggling to make ends meet after the loss of her parents, Bristol makes a bargain with the fae and leaves her sisters in the human realm. Bristol gets much more than she bargained for as she learns of her family’s connection to the fae world and the enigmatic male she made the bargain with. She’s a dynamically developed character – strong and smart and definitely one to give King Tyghan a run for his money.
“I’m Bristol Keats, but my friends call me Bri.”
He viewed her hand without taking it. “I’ll call you Keats.”
She silently stewed as she dropped her untouched hand back to her side. “And you are?” she prompted.
“Tyghan Trénallis of the Danu Nation. My friends call me Tygh. But you . . . you may call me Mr. High and Mighty.”
Bristol and Tyghan have a slow-building, swoon-worthy forbidden romance filled with excellent banter and sparring and a few twists that challenge their relationship. Ooof, I loved the enemies to lovers vibes and the push and pull between them so much! I’m really curious to see what will happen with these two, especially considering his complicated past with Bristol’s father.
The world-building is great, too, with vivid imagery and no info dumps, and I love how the author wove such a unique world into the story. It’s well-paced and immersive, and I was so happy to see that it’s going to be a duology! I can’t wait to get the next book. I’m hoping Bristol’s sisters have a bigger role in the rest of the story, and I need to know more about Bristol’s parents and their past.
- The romance.
- The world building
- The writing
Change was a distraction. Sameness demanded reflection.
Truth and lies had been longtime partners, and they’d played a glorious good trick on her.
There is not a creature in all of Elfhame that could turn my head from you. I am the scorched earth, and you are my rain.
Honor was like glamour, useful only when it served a purpose; otherwise, it just got in the way of who you really were.
- enemies to l overs
- morally grey MMC
- he falls first
- slow burn
- forbidden romance
Mary E. Pearson is the NYT bestselling and award-winning author of eleven YA novels and one novella. Her works include the completed trilogy, The Remnant Chronicles, which in a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly called “masterfully crafted.” Her favorite activities as a child were climbing tall trees imagining she was a hero in some fantastical world, or running along fence tops and roofs pretending she was a spy with a bagful of amazing gadgets. She was rarely herself. Amazingly, she never broke a bone until she caught a basketball in gym class. Catching real balls was not her forte. These days she continues to live in make-believe worlds she creates in her books. Her latest 2-book series, Dance of Thieves, allows her do all kinds of dangerous things without breaking any bones. So far.
I loved this one and can’t wait for the second book!!!!
Me tooooooo!
This one had been on my TBR for a bit, so when I saw it as a BOTM option, I snapped it up so fast! 😀 haha … Looking forward to diving in soon!
I hope you enjoy it, Rebecca!!