4.5 ⭐️

This book was fabulous. I didn’t know what to think about a Rumplestiltskin retelling but this book did it fantastically.

I love that the fmc is 40 and not a fresh 18 year old. Such a nice change. The way their relationship developed was fantastic. My Malediction ❤️.

I loved the rest of the ensemble and the found family ending. The way this book handled loneliness on both sides was so great to see.

My favourite was definitely Zingiber! The best cat ever!

I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!

Thank you to A. J. Lancaster, NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

Spicy, male female, 3rd person single point of view, paranormal romance. This is my first book by this author and I found it quite delightful. I enjoyed the author's writing style and the premise was so much fun. I enjoyed all of the characters; I especially appreciated a 40 year old female lead. The situations and humor filled my cozy loving heart, and the spice was very nice. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Damn okay. Well, I wasn’t expecting this! (In a good way!)
When I first read the blurb I was like okay sounds interesting… but i was really happy with how the author went about treating certain topics and what the MC has to go through.
It wasn’t just some ‘silly cute’ story despite having its cute and funny moments, it def had a layer to it. It was a nice balance.
I think that if you enjoyed books like Emily Wilde that can be whimsy and a bit interesting prose wise, than you’ll most def enjoy this one too!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this NetGalley ARC.

I was so excited to be sent this ARC. I read AJ Lancaster's Stariel series last year and fell in love, so seeing their name pop up almost gave me a heart attack.

How To Find A Nameless Fae was an amazing read. The emotions of each character, even side ones, were so poignant and touching. Gisele and Mal's unique yet similarly profound expressions of loneliness were absolutely heart wrenching. I couldn't put the book down. Their journey towards discovering the truth about Gisele's curse was incredibly well done, with little clues sprinkled throughout the text that felt entirely natural once you have the solution and can look at them in hindsight. I often find that clues of that nature have been put in kind of as an afterthought without much integration, resulting in the clues being flashing neon signs you immediately flag as the answer, but every facet of the world building and knowledge building felt integral to both Gisele's POV of events as well as the overarching plot.

While arguably this story was more romance driven than the Stariel novels, you will be drawn into the worldbuilding just as swiftly and deeply. I am a sucker for fairytale retellings and especially slow burn romances. I frequently find that intimate scenes in romantasy/fantasy romance novels are a little too detailed and acted too roughly for me to actually believe that the two characters are in love, but that was not a problem at all for me with this story. The balance between emotion and physical desire was *chef's kiss*.

I wholehearted recommend this novel, and any other work by AJ Lancaster if you are a fan of fantasy romance.

Princess Gisele just turned 40, and she's done. Done waiting for the evil nameless fairy sorcerer to come collect her as his firstborn bargain prize. She has worked her ass off to be the perfect... whatever he needs from her. How DARE this surely horrible, monstrous being stand HER up? No matter! Gisele will go find him herself and demand he explain himself. And free her, damn it. Because her curse has gotten so bad, no one in her own realm wants to even be near her. That's not a life. And after decades of waiting, hasn't she suffered long enough? Although the title of the book is "How to Find a Nameless Fae", she locates him spectacularly easily. Briefly traversing through Fairyland, she feels herself pulled almost directly to his mishmash home, Skymallow. And when he opens the door, he's utterly, terribly-
...actually, not so bad looking? Handsome even? Are those cat ears? And his whole set-up with his magical house is... cute? Huh. OK. Gisele can maybe roll with it. But then he has the gall to tell her he'd simply... forgotten about her. FORGOTTEN?!?! The nerve-

AJ Lancaster's retelling of a long-existing, well-known fairy tale had me in absolute stitches. Rather than retell it as a story about a beautiful, world-strange, doe-eyed 16 year-old princess in danger of being taken away by an actual meanie, Lancaster changes the entire dynamic by giving us a hilariously indignant 40 year-old who positively fumes about being forgotten by a really cute guy who has feline ears, a tail and a sentient house. I was thoroughly amused throughout. This book had me at "premise".

I love the representation in this book. The LGBTQ+ community is represented well: for example, the MMC is bisexual. Not only that, but heroines in their forties are in short supply in romance novels as it is, so Gisele's age is a massive plus. Add to it that she's written with gumption, well... That's not a hard decision to make: yes, I'll read the heck out of a book that offers this! I also adored our hero, referred to by Gisele as Mal (as in: her curse, her Malediction). He stumbles a little, here and there. He isn't always the bravest. He is chaotic and antisocial and at times deliciously submissive when compared to Gisele. A breath of fresh air!

Lovable characters are a must for me, and I feel pretty spoiled by How to Find a Nameless Fae's additionally fun side characters. Female characters Apfela and Niressa both have take-no-shit personalities of their own, and readers can count on even more levity by way of a demanding, lazy, chatty cat named Zingiber. But my favorite character (after Gisele) is Mal's house, Skymallow: a sentient house who takes care of its occupants... and dabbles in interior design. I'm a goner for magical houses; it instantly checks off "cozy" on my list of ways to describe a story (and this book is so cozy even without a magical house). Some of the book's sweetest moments are related to Skymallow.

The other sweeter moments are of course found in Gisele and Mal's romance. One of my favorite tropes is forced-proximity-because-of-a-bond-we-can't-shake (be it fated mates, or a curse): there is a quickly apparent reason Gisele finds Mal so easily. Things can only go up from here. And they do. And I love a take-charge heroine, both in moving the plot and the romance forward, and we get an exciting build-up and - because of their refreshing personalities and dynamic - some titillating scenes between these two.

I'm glad to learn there is a preceding standalone novel in this universe: How to Marry a Winged King (a Cinderella retelling). The main characters from this first book do make an appearance in How to Find a Nameless Fae, but these books are legit standalone: you don't need book 01 in order to read 02. That said, I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to enjoy more of Lancaster's enjoyable takes on known fairy tales, and I've already put the book on my "to read" list.

How to Find a Nameless Fae is a truly lovely, light, fun read. Mal may once have accidentally forgotten all about Gisele, but I sure won't. 

Thank you NetGalley and Camberion Press for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

It was an interesting magical fairytale.

I liked that the main character was about 40 years old and not an 18 year old like it is in some books. That made the whole love story much better since he is also much older.

The story is a slow-burn which I really loved. The enemy to friends to lovers story was well-paced and enjoyable.

I liked the house. It was truly a unique and magical concept. Also, the cat. How nice would it be to actually talk to cats in our world?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will be sharing this review on Goodreads and Instagram (it will be posted soon and the link will be added here at that time).

Gisele is a cursed princess, forced to live a life in fear of hurting others and waiting for the faerie who cursed her to come collect her. However, she grows tired of waiting after 40 years and seeks him out only to find out how she envisioned her malediction is very different from reality. In this Rumplestiltskin retelling, Gisele learns a great deal about the world of Fairyland as well as herself, finally stepping into who she was meant to be all along.

This was a fun and quaint book with a bit of spice too. The prose wasn't exactly my favorite as it was a tad windy but overall it wasn't bad! This book also felt a bit reminiscent of The Cruel Prince but I can't decide if it's because both male main characters have tails or not. My biggest issue with this book was I felt some larger plot points were far too drawn out. It took a few chapters to learn about what Gisele's curse even was though it was heavily hinted at from the start. Often, withholding this information makes sense but here it felt a little unnecessary. Overall, this was a fun and easy read and one of the more unique retellings I've encountered!

I loved it! This author is a great story teller. The characters are sweet and funny and I can't pick a favorite because I adored them all. Discovering where the Name has been kept all these years was just perfect! I enjoyed this book very much.

I came across this book on Netgalley and thought it sounded really interesting so I wanted to give it a try. I had no idea after reading the description who this book would be about. I don't know I must have been have a day to not put two and two together, but Im actually glad I didn't. While reading this book I got the bets surprise ever when I finally put it together who this book as about and got so excited. Growing up I loved this fairy tale and was obsessed with a low budget(very) movie my dad would rent me every weekend he had me at the grocery store(I'm aging myself aren't I). But this brought all that back for me. This book as already great but adding that in made this book all the better on a personal level.

Giselle is the first born and since before her birth she has been promised to someone else, it doesn't matter that she was a twin and she happened to be born first that one act changed her whole life. She didn't have a life, everyone knew she would leave and soon it was too hard for even her family to be by her. Finally fed up Giselle leaves her castle and home to find the magical creature who after claimer her left and forget about her.

What she finds is not what she expects but what she knows is she will get her life back and he will make sure she does. What she never guesses will happen is that she ends up helping him in the process of freeing herself and finding others who may just care about her. In the process of saving herself and freeing herself she may just save the one who imprisoned her and come to realize she's free in ways she couldn't have believed.

This is such a good read, I enjoyed every minute of this book, another book that is just perfect for summer especially if you have a nice vacation but even if not such a good, good read. I loved the characters and the twists and turns this books takes. I also really loved this authors writing. Sometimes it pays to take a chance and though small really Im so glad I tried this new author(for me). It was such a fun read that I can't recommend enough.

*Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC.

This book felt like the exact kind of cozy fantasy I didn’t know I needed until I started reading it. I was hooked from the first few chapters — like, give me a magical house with attitude and a grumpy, mysterious fae with a soft side any day of the week.

Gisele was such a refreshing main character. I loved that she wasn’t the usual perfect fantasy heroine — she was dealing with real pressure, some not-so-great family stuff, and still held her own with this whole “you were promised to a fae lord before you were born” situation.
Mal was honestly a surprise. He’s not your typical dark and broody fae — more like an awkward, powerful, slightly feral stray cat you accidentally fall in love with. And his little quirks (the tail! the ears!) were oddly endearing. I loved how their relationship unfolded slowly, with banter, misunderstandings, and some really sweet moments.

The pacing was gentle (not slow, just cozy), and the writing had this lyrical, fairy-tale vibe without being too flowery. Also, the worldbuilding? Gorgeous. I wanted to curl up in that magical house and never leave.If you’re into soft magic, charming grumpy-sunshine energy, and fairy tales with heart, I think you’ll love this one.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this ARC!

4.25

There's nothing I love more in a book than a sentient house and a talking cat! This was really nice read - a cosy romance that had fae in it, what more could you ask? I loved Gisele from her first meeting - she's older and yet vengeful after being locked away for so long due to a curse! (I mean she stabs someone) From their first meeting, they clash (literally)! It felt like being wrapped into a blanket half the time and also on the edge of my seat with their tension as they go on an adventure to find his true name.

The cover is so cute, the title hilarious and I found myself smiling through this! Would recommend if you're looking for a nice, chillaxing read to curl up with!

Cosy fantasy with a sentient house, talking cat, fae with a tail and cat ears, and a FMC that stabs someone with a poisoned blade and then immediately bandages the wound? So much yes.

This was a delight to read. The characters are well fleshed out, and the relationship between the FMC and MMC is a glorious cosy slow burn.

There was some spice which was unexpected because of the cosy vibes, but it genuinely didn’t feel out of place at all or like it had been shoehorned in.

The pacing is potentially a smidge on the slow side in one or two places, but honestly it wasn’t an issue at all, the world itself is such a delight to be in.

4.5/5 rounded up to 5

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

This book took me by surprise in the best way. I picked it up expecting a warm fantasy fae romance, and what I got was a clever, character-driven story with memorable banter, emotional tension, and a strong romantic thread between two older leads.

What immediately stood out to me was how funny the book is. The banter between the characters, the internal monologues, even the narration are all sharp, clever, and genuinely entertaining. The writing strikes a great balance of fantasy in setting, but contemporary in tone. It doesn’t lean into flowery or whimsical prose like some fair folk books I read tend to. Instead, it is grounded and witty, which made it all the more enjoyable for me.

The romance features older leads, which felt refreshing. Gisele, a 40-year-old princess determined to confront her fate, and Mal, a not really evil sorcerer, but a guarded fae with baggage of his own, have believable emotional layers and fun chemistry. Their dynamic—built on forced proximity, mutual intrigue, and emotional growth—was compelling and well-paced. I also loved the moments of vulnerability woven into their interactions.

The world building itself isn’t the focus, and while I found some elements a bit unclear (especially in terms of time period or broader lore), it didn’t pull me out of the story. This book is more about characters navigating personal conflict in a fantastical setting rather than an epic adventure. Also, the found-family thread adds a softer, heartwarming, and more emotional layer to the otherwise banter-filled tone, which I really really enjoyed.

For readers seeking a romantic fantasy rich with clever dialogue, mature characters, emotional tension, high-stakes drama, and some truly gaggy, steamy scenes, this book comes highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book brought me out of my reading slump!!

I have been on a cozy romantasy kick and this truly has keep me on that train. Giselle and Mal are everything.

I think my favorite part of this was that she was an older heroine and we see that she's no wiser, which is so real as someone who through growing up, I'd eventually have all the answers. The beginning where she was like waiting and waiting for the journey to be harder to validate her prolonging the journey is so me and my ADHD forever putting off things I need to and then being like oh, it was that easy? I feel like as the story went on and on I just connected with her so much - which I don't find often in romantasy books. We aren't the same age by any means but I definitely connected with her on a level I haven't with other characters before. I would definitely read more books by this author for this fact alone.

I love the yearning in this book and watching these two go from wanting nothing to do with each other to just pining so hard. It eats.
The grumpy/sunshine in this book was chefs kiss.

The fairytell retelling in this book was so different than other ones I've read before and I want more like this!!

This whole book is so magical, its witty, its fantastic. I just loved it.

Whimsically warm and wonderfully sweet, A.J. Lancaster’s new cosy fantasy ‘How to Find a Nameless Fae’ follows the journey of Gisele, a 40 year old angry princess who decides to hunt down her own fate… literally. Only, when she finds the almighty terrible fae sorcerer who claimed her in a first-born bargain all those years ago, he might not be as terrible as the stories make him out to be…

What to expect
➸ cosy fantasy romance
➸ rumpelstiltskin retelling
➸ forced proximity
➸ magical bond/curse
➸ human x fae

This novel was such a sweet little breath of fresh air. It ticked off many boxes: a magical bond that refuses to be broken, mature main characters who love tenderly, a talking cat who demands attention, and even a living house with a personality of its own. Gisele and Mal (a nickname Gisele gave him as he quite literally lost his name) both want the bond as little as each other in the beginning, and watching them slowly start to yearn for one another was just what I was looking for.

I enjoyed Lancaster’s take on the faerie world. Her lush prose and vivid descriptions painted such a magical picture, I could see the sentient house (Skymallow - what a name) bursting with life and moving things about as if I was watching a cosy cartoon. Moreover, though the plot progressed slowly at times (which could partly be put down to the genre), I really appreciated how the story tied together at the end.

Perfect for those chasing that feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket.

Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7680821289

This book hits all my favorite notes: a house with a mind of its own, shared dreams, magical connections, curses, a chatty cat sidekick, a fae ball, found family, and real emotional depth. The world is rich and whimsical without feeling superficial. It’s packed with witty banter, slow-burn moments, and characters who genuinely come alive. I loved it!!

Really enjoyed this unique enemies to lovers cozy romantasy! The setup: A fae on the run made a “firstborn bargain” (think Rumplestiltskin), believing he’d be able to trade his true name and come back for it in a year it no problem; instead the queen’s firstborn lives a cursed, lonely life in limbo waiting for a bogeyman who never shows up to claim her. Our story starts as the princess, Gisele, sets off to find and demand answers from her erstwhile nemesis. Instead of the evil sorcerer she has envisioned, she finds a lithe, charming redheaded fae with cat ears, a tail, and a jaunty little earring, living in a sentient house called Skymallow. Turns out, he’s in hiding from a terrifying enemy, his true name has been lost (along with most of his power), and he’s utterly dismayed to learn of the unintended consequences of his unfulfilled bargain. Now that they’re together, the magical bond comes with forced proximity, delicious dream overlaps, and the uncertainty of not knowing if the bond is to blame for their growing feelings for each other. Top it all off with the perfect conflict: finding his true name will break her curse, freeing her from the need to be with him.

I loved how Gisele gets to see herself through Mal’s eyes—how much of a right she has to be angry at him and at her family, how brave and strong and resilient she is. Lancaster does a great job of illustrating her attachment difficulties (trusting, building relationship) given the isolation of her life till now. It’s a lovely arc as she learns what it feels like to be prioritized and fought for. The found family element is fun and endearing, I very much hope they will be future mc’s.

While I predicted the ultimate solution to the story’s problem pretty quickly, I still loved seeing the craft and care with which Lancaster facilitated it. Mal is one of my fave hero archetypes, which we’re thankfully seeing more of — he is not just gone for her, he is claimed, he is HERS.

Definitely recommend!!

THIS BOOK!! There is a feeling that you get when you start reading a book that you know is going to be a 5 star read. I’m not sure I can even properly put into words how much this book delighted me. First of all, I am OBSESSED with the fact that our main character Gisele is a 40 year old woman and she speaks her mind. I loved that she finally decided to take fate into her own hands, even though she was cursed by magic, and try to do something for herself. Our other main character, the nameless fae, is equally as charming. I love the intricacies of the plot and that the reader gets to explore and discover with the characters in “real time”. All of that aside, I also now want a sentient house! I didn’t want this book to end, but the ending was cozy and beautiful and everyone should read this book. I loved it so much!!

This ARC was provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you A.J. Lancaster, Victory Editing, NetGalley Co-op for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review
This is my first time reading something by A.J. Lancaster. Let's just say I now want to read everything ever written. I loved the no-nonsense FMC. This book was whimsical and magically cozy. It grabs you right from the beginning. The characters were likeable and relatable, the pace was great, and the plot was on point. I'm sad it's over, it was such a fun read. A.J. Lancaster is stuck with me now.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7644895529
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Thank you to Netgally, AJ Lancaster and victoryeditingngc for allowing me an early copy of this book. I love a fae story with tension, banter, antagonists to lovers vibes in my books and this one did not let me down.

Giselle is an older female character who decides to save herself and take her future into her own hands by tracking down the fae who cursed her as a child and forcing him to remove it. What she wasn’t expecting was a very handsome fae with who she has a connection to.

This book is absolutely hilarious. I found myself laughing so much throughout this story. The dynamic between the fae and Giselle is so fun and so full of banter.

Although we are watching these two try to remove the curse and mishaps start to happen it has this wonderful cozy feel which I enjoyed even though I’m not the biggest cozy fantasy reader.

The spice was spicy and I really enjoyed the shared dreams where things got spicy before we get to the real spice which was so fun.

The MMC is such a cinnamon roll which I really loved, he’s so cute and I love him so so much.

I’m so excited to jump into more of Aj’s work in the future.