*Received as a free ARC*
I didn't super care for this at first, which was disappointing because I enjoyed Lord of Stariel. However, it picked up around the halfway point. I enjoyed the world building and supporting characters far more than the romance, but that was decent too. Would certainly recommend as a (mostly)(currently) standalone fantasy for the romantasy set.

Oh this was absolutely delightful!!

I absolutely love books about fae but I’m always reluctant about them because a lot of people just write them as like… hot elves, basically? Like, totally normal people with pointy ears and magical powers. That’s so boring. I want them to be weird little freaks! And this book DELIVERED. Mal with his little cat ears and tail were EVERYTHING. All the other fae characters were delightfully weird too, and I’m obsessed. I will absolutely be reading more of this author’s work about the fae.

If you like the vibes and aesthetic of The Cruel Prince but you want something a little more cozy this is definitely for you. It’s definitely still got high stakes, but the vibes are very cozy overall. It also has a very sweet found family that I’m obsessed with.

The only reason this went down a star was because the main character– while she was VERY likable and fun 90% of the time– had moments of willfully not understanding what was going on. There were moments it was extremely clear how serious Mal’s situation was and she continuously got upset with him because she refused to understand that. Similarly, the miscommunication when he clearly wanted her but was keeping his distance to protect her but she was so certain he just didn’t want her but it was so obvious that wasn’t the case. It was slightly infuriating! Not enough to ruin the book by any means but just enough to knock it down a star.

I also didn’t like all the words that were used during the spicy scenes but that’s just a personal preference thing.

Anyway, overall this book was absolutely adorable and so sweet and full of things I love. I absolutely recommend it and will be reading more by the author!!

Thank you to the folks at NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

More retelling like this please!!

Such a great idea to explore this “what if” scenario we see all the time in fairytales. It also meant that our FMC was in her 40s which was so refreshing. Also having the “evil sorcerer” be a Chaotic Bi was brilliant. The world of faerie and its magic was so well developed as we’re all the twists in the plot relating to their bond/curse. It does have some very cosy fantasy elements but doesn’t sacrifice any world building for that feeling, so I hesitate to put it in that category but I definitely think cosy fantasy readers will enjoy it. There is a sentient house and a cat that can communicate how could it not be cosy. The romance developed in a wonderful slow burn, never overlooking how complicated it was between them but also working through it.

I had read from this author before so I was familiar with her writing style and sense of humour, for some it might take a second to get used to or need to be in the right mood. I definitely recommend giving it a try though as Gisele is a character you quickly bond with and relate to. As the author states this book is mainly about loneliness and how hard it can be to break out of that bubble. To manage to get across such a normal everyday feeling in the midst of faerie and all its wonders is a true skill.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by AJ Lancaster in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Can we start with a round of applause for a FMC over the age of 18?! It was so nice to have a mature lady with life experience and quiet confidence.

This is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling with a HEA. Gisele is sweet but ready to go for what she wants in life and Mal is a true dandy with hidden depth.

Is this book action packed? No. And I would have preferred a different catalyst (personal preference), but if you're looking for a cozy, adult fairytale with cottagecore vibes, then this will not disappoint and Skymallow will definitely steal your heart.

I recommend this book if you enjoy:
✨️ Fairytale retellings
✨️ Sentient homes
✨️ Fae
✨️ Slow burn

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I've read How to Find a Nameless Fae, written by AJ Lancaster. This Arc has given to me in exchange for an honest review, this by Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op.

The story is about princess Gisele, a 40 year old woman who has been cursed and the Fae are coming to get her as a firstborn. But she waits and is done waiting, so she's going to look in Fairyland for this Fae. But she's not finding the one she has always been expecting...

This book is cosily written, it's a lighthearted romantically story. For me this book earns a 4 star read, because maybe I'm almost at the age of princess Gisele, I don't want to feel like this and I need to feel younger, so my FMC's need to be younger.. I know, it's a bit weird, but I don't like being almost 40 myself.

Nonetheless, it's worth your while!

How To Find A Nameless Fae by @a.j.lancaster

Oh my goodness this book was so good!
I was sucked into the story from the first page.

This is a fairytail retelling of Rumplestilskin that goes horribly wrong for poor Gisele and her Malediction.

She waits for years to be taken away by an "evil fae" and then decides if he can't be bothered to come for her she's going to go to the land of the fae and see him herself but what she discovers is the complete opposite of what she expected.
He is not evil, terrifying or cruel. Instead he is a sweet, nerdy cinnamoroll character.

I love all the quirky characters found in this book from a sentient house to a food obsessed talking cat. It is filled with magical theory, curses and accidental magical bonds. (including some spicy shared dreams).

Overall, A.J Lancaster wrote an amazing book that I would definitely reccomend you read as soon as its widely available. I am so incredibly lucky to have received an arc copy of this book from @netgalley

4/5🌟
2/5🌶️

*spoiler ahead*
My favourite quote of the book is:

"I think I half fell in love with you the moment you proposed to bandage me immediately after poisoning me"

I received a free copy from Victory Editing Co-op via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date June 26th.

I devoured AJ Lancaster's Stariel series in about a week, so I was happy for a early chance to snap her latest novel up. In How to Find a Nameless Fae, Gisele was bargained away to a fairy as a baby--but he never showed up, and now she's forty. Determined to end her worsening curse, Gisele plots to track down the fairy and threaten him into freeing her...

This fantasy romance had a relentlessly sensible older protagonist with a love for gardening which reminded me strongly of T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, and a touch of Howl's Moving Castle about the plot. Unsurprisingly, I had a blast with a book that reminded me of two of my favorite authors. It's immensely readable. I started reading at 9 pm at night and finished by 7 am (Regret). Lancaster wields an expert's touch with the romance, which contains an outrageous quantity of pining tempered by Gisele's inherent practicality and prior sexual experience. The endlessly inconvenient curse forces a sort of empathetic emotional connection between the two of them, which is a fun romance trope.

The majority of the plot is set in the fae's house, which has a strong personality of its own, playfully moves rooms around, and in a particularly delightful touch, subscribes to interior design magazines. The nameless fae himself is about the sort of man you'd expect to live in a playful sentient manor with an overgrown garden and a gorgeous yet disorganized library, with the addition of cat ears and a tail. The reason he cursed Gisele is a complex story that the novel takes its time revealing, and he's spent forty years hiding in the manor from an enemy. Ultimately, the plot twists are fairly predictable, but in a way I found satisfying rather than frustrating.

My only complaint is that this book didn't include more graphic scenes of Gisele gardening. A VERY crunchable novel. If you enjoy T Kingfisher's fairy tale romances, run, don't walk, to pick this novel up.

A delightfully fun and cozy retelling of the classic fairytale of Rumplestiltskin!

Gisele has been waiting for forty years for the fae who made a bargain with her mother to spin straw into gold to come and collect her as his prize. Except when he never showed. Tired of the negative way the curse impacts her life, she makes the decision to find him on her own. But he is hiding from a curse of his own, and the loss of his name has left him powerless to break the bargain bond between them. Together, along with a magical cat and a cast of fae with their own problems, they must rediscover his real name before his enemy can find them.

I was so happy we actually got an adult peotagonist and it wasn’t another teenager hooking up with a faerie male 500 years older than her! Gisele is practical, knows her own mind and strengths, but also understanding of the world around her, having experienced being ostracized because of her own curse. It was wonderful to see her create friendships, which she had been denied, and to learn to trust in her own magic.

The best parts about cozy fantasy is the vibes. Everyone wants a magical house that anticipates your every need, a talking cat that likes to boss you around, and a handsome shape shifting water fae to deliver your mail. The friendships and the found-family feels were the best parts of the book!

The romance was wonderful. I absolutely adored Gisele and Mal’s witty and playful interactions, but also their multual compassion for each other and their determination to free each other from the burdens the bargain had brought them. There is a bit of a trigger warning for dubious consent at the begining considering the bond between them pulls them together, including sharing each others’ dreams when both think they are aimple fantasies, and neither can be sure how much its influence over them is distorting their own thinking/feelings.

Overall this was a wonderful spin on a classic fairy tale that makes it new and fresh and exciting. I would love to read more about these characters and their adventures together!

This is one of the best cozy fantasy romances I have ever read! Give me more books about 40 year old princesses breaking out of the situation she has been forced into and taking her life into her own hands. Adventure, romance, personal growth and a sentient house!

Gisele is the first born princess who her mother promised to a fae sorcerer in exchange for a magical wish, however, Gisele's been stuck at home for 40 years because the sorcerer has apparently forgotten about her. She's tired of her life becoming smaller and her curse affecting everyone around her so she goes in search of the sorcerer. When she finally finds him, she's surprised to see he's a kind man hiding away from the world in a beautiful magical house. They become a whole lot closer as they are pulled together to break the curse.

A charming, lighthearted read. Our 40 year old FMC, Princess Gisele, is done being cursed and sets off on a journey to Fairyland to find the evil fae sorcerer who’s supposedly to blame. Instead, she finds a scatterbrained, scholarly fae; a hilariously cheeky, smart-mouthed cat named Zingiber; and a cozy magical house with a personality in spades.

This book is brimming with charm, and even includes some unexpected spice for a cozy fantasy. I was pulled in from the very beginning and finished it in a single day. The characters are well-developed and likable, and the writing style felt refreshingly different.

I’d highly recommend this to fans of cozy fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook reviews will be posted on the publication date: June 26, 2025. Links will be added once live.

How To Find A Nameless Fae.
Published 26th June

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Run, dont walk for this amazing, cosy, witty and smart romantasy.

If you like yearning, fae bargains, magical worlds and fairytales, this is the read for you.

A sentient house that you adore ✅️
A funny, witty and heartwarming read✅️
Set in the land of fae and magic✅️
Magical bargains and quests to fix it✅️
An incredible fairytale retelling✅️

If you loved my feral romance, youll love this one! Im a sucker for a book where the main characters try to dislike eachother but end up being perfect for eachother. I love the yearning and the development of a friendship to lovers situation. This one made me chuckle and smirk along with the story and I couldn't put it down. I didn't even read the whole blurb... I was sold as soon as the first line mentioned a fae bargain.

Parts of this book had me gasping, giggling and on the literal edge of my seat. There must be crack in this because how have the characters been written to be so wholesome, loveable and kind. Left me wishing I was living in the fae world with them. An excellent read in my opinion and I will be buying a shelf trophy of it!!!

Not me crying happy tears at the end. Adored this book.

(Posted to goodreads and will go on tiktok and insta)

Gisele has waited 40 years for the forbidding fae sorcerer to claim her, as part of the first-born bargain he made with her mother. When he doesn't arrive, and magical consequences start piling up, Gisele heads out to save herself. What she finds in Mal (Malediction, her nickname for him) isn't at all what she was expecting.

I loved this story. It's a wonderful addition to the cozy fantasy genre, adding in a fairy tale retelling. For those unfamiliar with cozy fantasy, prepare for the stakes to be low, for fairyland to be welcoming and cozy, not dark and dangerous, and for the burn to be slow. For those familiar with the genre, be prepared for the spice to be high!

Other reviewers have remarked on the use of the miscommunication trope. Usually I also hate when miscommunication is used to further the plot. In this case it didn't bother me, I think in part because the assumptions are natural and not willful. Sometimes miscommunication is used as "I don't want to talk about this thing because it's uncomfortable or it will change things" but in this book it was more, "how would I even know to ask that?!" Or a natural extension of the curse, which made it feel part of the plot rather than a plot manipulation, if that makes sense?

Lovely story about found family, forgiveness, curses, healing. Content warning for toxic/controlling relationships. Plus! Talking cats, sentient houses, gardens, and magic. Really wish this book was getting more buzz.

Imagine if a whimsical scholar of magical beings stumbled into a gothic fairy tale co-written by a master of dry wit and someone who understands cozy charm—that’s the kind of delightful alchemy this novel offers. How to Find a Nameless Fae is an enchanting blend of romantic fantasy and emotional depth, and I found myself thoroughly captivated from beginning to end.
The story centers on Princess Gisele, whose fate was sealed before she even drew breath—pledged to an unknown fae entity as part of a forgotten pact. Years pass with no sign of him, until the consequences of that ancient promise begin to unravel her life. Determined to confront her elusive would-be suitor, she instead discovers a mysterious fae noble who has lost his name and, with it, much of his identity. Bound together by magic and necessity, the pair embark on a quest to recover his true name and break the enchantment tethering them—though their mutual exasperation threatens to derail everything.
This book is brimming with the kinds of details that elevate a fantasy: a sarcastic feline sidekick, enchanted architecture with a mind of its own, elaborate masquerade balls in the fae courts, and a host of secondary characters who feel just as real and flawed as the leads. The setting is richly imagined, whimsical but grounded, and the prose is both witty and lush, creating an atmosphere I didn’t want to leave.
What truly shines here is the chemistry between the leads. Gisele is in her forties—a rarity in fantasy heroines—and brings with her a sense of maturity, self-awareness, and emotional nuance. Her counterpart, the unnamed fae she dubs “Malediction,” is equally compelling: flamboyant, haunted, and irresistibly chaotic. Their relationship develops slowly, full of tension, banter, and quiet longing. The connection between them feels earned and deeply human beneath the magical trappings.
Though their misunderstandings at times had me wishing for more direct communication, the emotional stakes and the influence of the curse made their missteps believable. And yes—there’s a romantic element with a touch of heat, written with care and emotional weight, making it feel integral rather than gratuitous.
The narrative unfolds at a gentle pace—never rushed, but never dull either. If anything, I wished for a bit more depth in the antagonist’s arc, as the final act wrapped up a bit too neatly. Still, the journey more than made up for it, and I closed the book feeling full in the best way.
In short: this is the kind of story that wraps around you like a warm, magical cloak. Charming, thoughtful, and utterly enchanting. I already miss these characters and sincerely hope there’s more to come from this world.
Grateful thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

"How To Find A Nameless Fae" is everything I want from a cosy fantasy romance: magical, meaningful, and thoroughly enchanting. A.J. Lancaster weaves a reverse Beauty and the Beast meets Rumpelstiltskin retelling with a deliciously original twist—a knife-wielding, forty-something princess seeking out the fae sorcerer she was promised to at birth... only to find a grumpy, nameless lord, a sentient house, and a telepathic cat instead.

Gisele is a relatable, refreshingly older heroine whose independence and quiet vulnerability shine through in every scene, and Mal—the misunderstood, mysterious fae mage—completely stole my heart. Their one-sided enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc is beautifully paced with just the right amount of tension and tenderness (plus a good dose of sizzling chemistry).

The worldbuilding is rich, with a couple of nods to New Zealand’s flora and fauna that lend the setting a lush and distinctive charm (yay for NZ authors!). I loved the subtle humour, the emotional resonance, and the comforting magic that pulses through every page.

This is a story about names and bargains, yes—but at its core, it’s about loneliness, identity, found family, and learning to choose yourself. And best of all? No third-act breakup!

"How To Find A Nameless Fae" was my first A.J. Lancaster book, and it absolutely won’t be my last. A heartfelt recommendation for anyone who loves cosy, clever, and quietly powerful fantasy tales.

4.5 stars!
This book felt like if T. Kingfisher and India Holton wrote Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries together. I know that sounds weird, but it works so well. I loved every magical, cozy minute of it!

How to Find a Nameless Fae is a beautifully written cozy fantasy romance that completely swept me away. Princess Gisele was promised to a fae sorcerer before birth as payment for a magical bargain, but decades have passed and he’s never come to collect. When the lingering debt begins to ruin her life, Gisele sets out to confront him... only to find a reluctant, nameless fae lord instead of the villain she expected. Now magically bound together, they must work to uncover his true name to break the spell—if they don’t strangle each other first.

This story has everything I love: a sentient house, shared dreams, magical bonds, curses, a talking cat companion, a fae ball, found family, and real emotional stakes. The world is lush and whimsical, but never shallow. It’s full of sharp banter, slow-burn tenderness, and characters who actually feel like people!

Gisele and the nameless fae (whom she nicknames "Malediction" because, well, he lost his name) were the absolute highlight for me. Gisele is forty years old (a grown-up fantasy heroine!), and she reads like it. She’s practical, sharp, and emotionally complex. And Mal (his nickname) gives off major Howl vibes in the best way: dramatic, magical, a little bit of a mess. Their romance was everything I wanted; slow, full of tension and mutual pining, but also incredibly sweet. They’re both so lonely when they meet (or when Gisele barges into his crumbling house and stabs him, as one does), and watching them slowly open up and fall in love was honestly so satisfying. The yearning is real! I did want them to talk through their misunderstandings more instead of making assumptions, but given the curse and the stakes, it made sense.
Also: there is spice! I’m someone who doesn’t really need spice in a book (and sometimes I even dislike it), but I really liked how it was written here! It was emotionally grounded and felt like a natural extension of their relationship.

The plot itself moves at a cozy pace, and while it’s a little slow in places, I didn’t mind at all. The writing is warm and immersive, and I just wanted to stay in this world. There’s also a villain (one who’s genuinely intriguing) but I do wish we’d gotten to explore him a bit more. The final confrontation wrapped up a little too quickly for me, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the journey.

Overall, How to Find a Nameless Fae was such a delight! It gave me exactly what I was craving: heartfelt fantasy, deep characters, and a romance that felt earned and full of magic. I already miss Gisele and Mal, and yes, I am manifesting more books about the side characters! No pressure, though.

5 Stars. No Notes. I need more of this world and these people/ Fae sooo bad. Seriously, don't get me started on Gisele and Mal because I would type you a book, almost. Loved it.

This book is a charming and whimsical escape into a world of fae magic, a sentient house, and slow burn mystery. What really stood out to me in this book was the character growth—Gisele’s journey from self-doubt to quiet strength was so satisfying to watch unfold, and Mal completely won me over with his unexpected depth and vulnerability. Their dynamic had me hooked, full of subtle tension, mutual respect, and just the right amount of banter. If you like cozy fantasy with a hint of mystery, then I highly recommend this book.


Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGally and the author for granting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the cute cover and fun name. However, this story is dialogue heavy and plot thin. I did love that our FMC is an adult and 40 at that!

I do think that people who enjoy, cosy fantasy, grumpy/sunshine pairings, and magical houses with personality will enjoy this story.

Holly Black meets Emily Henry in the shadow of the Brothers Grimm in this cosy, heart-flutteringly romantic take on the Rumpelstiltskin story.

Gisele is not your average princess. For one thing, at 40, she's rather aged out of most of the stereotypes, and for another she's cursed. The first-born of an unfulfilled first-born bargain, Gisele is suffused with unhappy magic, at her wit's end she decides to take matters into her own hands. Armed with knowledge, determination, and a knife, Gisele makes her way to Fairy, and the doorstep of the fae sorcerer who failed to claim her. Expecting an evil, cruel, terrifyingly powerful man, someone worthy of the nickname 'My Malediction', she is surprised to find a dandy, cat-eared, fae-male, a telepathic ginger tom-cat, and a overly friendly sentient house - none of whom are expecting her. What follows is a magical, romantic, humorous romp of a novel, as princess and sorcerer work together to uncover his name, and put the magic between them to bed... ideally without toppling into bed themselves.

Lancaster's How to Find a Nameless Fae is a hilarious, cosy, and touchingly romantic take on a fairy tale. Suffuse with old-school fairly rules, and populated with fantastical and beautiful people (and places) this is an adult novel overflowing with child-like wonder. Gisele is a powerhouse of a woman, determined, and wilful, she is all too aware of her own failings, and desperate to win her freedom. Malediction, as she calls the eponymous nameless fae, at first seems reserved, but his personality soon comes bursting through, and the two build a strong allyship. The relationships at the heart of this novel felt developed and well considered, no one fell into abiding love in mere hours. Of equal import was the undercurrent of loneliness, an aspect which touched almost all of the characters in this book, and made each newly forged friendship all the sweeter.

Emotionally complex, delightfully magical, and a touch emotionally devastating, this is one for readers who love the worlds of Holly Black, and the romances of Emily Henry. The perfect beach read for fantasy readers and romance readers alike.

Fun cozy fantasy romance! In this Rumpelstiltskin retelling, a woman trades a sorcerer her firstborn child for straw turned to gold, but the sorcerer never comes for the child. The child comes looking for the sorcerer in her 40s to break her curse and adventure ensues!

This book is told from a limited omniscient third-person POV of the FMC. The FMC is very endearing and independent and makes for a good viewpoint. I appreciated her being older (40s), which is very uncommon in this genre, in my experience. The MMC is very sweet without being over the top. Their one-side-mistaken-enemy to friends to lovers relationship was well-paced and believable. The side characters were enjoyable, especially my favorite kinds of fantasy supporting characters, sentient magical house and talking cat.

I read this very quickly and loved there wasn't the dreaded third act breakup. How To Find a Nameless Fae had everything I like in this genre, and I'm sure other cozy fantasy readers will enjoy this. I've never read anything by this author before, but I'd be interested in reading more.

Thank you to the author for the arc!