I was able to read this as an ARC and I’m so thankful!

🔔 *Beauty and the Beast* meets *Fae Court Politics* in this light, monster-ish/fae fantasy with just the right amount of bite, and a touch of heat.

This was my first foray into the monster-ish realm, and I was pleasantly surprised. A unique retelling of *Beauty and the Beast*, but with a fae twist: Seelie and Unseelie courts, a brooding shadow king named Varius, and one strong, emotionally intelligent heroine, Sybelle.

Sybelle was raised to be a pawn in a contract between courts that went back centuries, she walks into her fate with maturity, kindness, and a refreshing ability to self-reflect (yes to fantasy heroines who *grow*). The romance is *enemies-to-lovers* with a slow burn (that starts with a whole lot of prejudice), mutual respect, and characters who actually talk through their issues like adults. A rare gem.

The spice level was a moderate 2.5/5, just enough to raise your eyebrows, not your blood pressure. A few unexpected twists kept things moving, making this a fun and easy read between heavier, high-stakes sagas (looking at you, *Throne of Glass*).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 – A delightful fae snack with heart, heat, and just enough darkness to keep you turning the pages.

***Thank you to NetGalley and author R.L Perez for the ARC of this book for my unbiased opinion***


When Princess Sybelle is called to fulfill her destiny of being wed to the Wraith King, she has a plan that she must follow through with. A generations-old contract between the Earthen Court and the Shadow Court. Slowly but surely, Sybelle comes to realize that not all things are as they seem. Even the castle itself has secrets of its own. This book is DELICIOUSLY enchanted, sexy, and full of magic. If you aren't sure of this book because it's another retelling of Beauty and the Beast, don't let that stop you. From the first page this book clawed me with its sharp and shiny claws, dragging me right into the book itself. R.L. Perez has written an incredible book that will not disappoint, and I look forward to more by this author!

Available on Amazon on August 4th, 2025

Crown of Briars is a medium spicy adult retelling of Beauty and the Beast that offers a fresh take while still having the familiarity of the story. The various side characters stood out as some of my favorite parts of the story, adding real depth to Sybelle and making her journey feel more personal and grounded. This is definitely a book I will be reading again and recommending to friends!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Crown of Briars is a standalone Fantasy Romance book and retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I loved all the twists the author did on that tale, I loved this book and Sybelle and Varius so much!

Sybelle has known all her life she is promised to be the terrifying Wraith King’s bride, but she’s going to take matters in her own hands and kill her husband after the wedding. Varius needs a human bride to end the curse plaguing him and all his people, but, when he and Sybelle meet, they soon realize they have been wrong about each other and with Varius’s magic out of control and the marriage neither of them wanted slowly turning into something real, they need to find a way to break the curse before it destroys even more of their lands and people.

This book is a perfect example why I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, the author masterfully integrated the original tale’s elements into a new and unique and fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat with so much action, secrets and plot twists. I really liked this take on the fae and found the magic system truly fascinating, especially Sybelle’s magic was so interesting and I enjoyed learning about it. Sybelle and Varius were amazing MCs, she was really strong and proved it so many times despite being considered weaker species and Varius was the kind of MMC I love most in romantasy books, they both weren’t exactly thrilled about the marriage and started off as enemies, but both were willing to do what must have been done and I loved seeing their relationship slowly bloom, it was a real slow burn but I could feel the attraction between them from the beginning and loved seeing them slowly fall for each other, they were incredible together and the spicy scenes were *chief’s kiss*. I also liked the side characters, especially Azure, she was a real gem of this book.

Crown of Briars is an amazing Fantasy Romance book, I absolutely loved it and recommend it to everyone. I can’t wait for this author’s next retelling and need to read the previous one ASAP!

Wow, I really loved this book. It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some interesting twists. Sybelle, is a strong willed, intelligent and brave FMC who won't drive you nuts with her stubborn behavior. Varius is the grumpy shadow daddy who is deeply self conscious and fiercely loyal to his people. Together they must break the centuries old curse that plagues the land. This book is full of rich descriptions, and a unique magic system. Wonderfully written side characters include a chatty dragon and, my favorite, a sassy castle (you heard me). Several deliciously spicy scenes would put it at 3-4 🌶️ depending on your personal scale and the perfect ending brought a little tear to my eye. Overall, this is an excellent read and I definitely recommend.

🥀‘I would sacrifice everything to keep her safe. My own people. My own life. All of it.’ 🥀

WOW did I LOVE this book! I cannot recommend it enough- it was everything and more I could have hoped for with a Beauty and the Beast retelling! I absolutely loved Sybelle and Varius the main characters, I ADORED Azure Sybelle’s dragon and the world was so magical and everything you could want and hope for in a romantasy! 🖤🗡️

Crown of Briars is a Beauty in the Beast retelling with a twist- with dark fae magic and curses, dragons, magical castles, deadly court schemes, fiery romance and all of the tropes we all love. Every generation, the Earthen Court raises a human princess from birth with the sole goal of being given to the fae Shadow Court to become the Wraith King’s bride. The bride is a peace offering between the kingdoms, to stop war and to keep the deadly necro shadows that spread throughout the kingdom at bay. What happens to the brides when they are sent away remains a complete mystery. Princess Sybelle doesn’t intend to be like other brides- she has a plan to kill the Wraith King once and for all and end the suffering of her people, using the power of her secret dragon, her magical abilities from her gemstones and unrelenting inner strength. However, despite his demonic appearance she finds the Wraith King is not who he appears to be- Sybelle is allured by him, despite how deadly he is, and this is only amplified when she uncovers the powerful curse he is trapped by, that the Earthen Court kept hidden from her.

🥀 ‘You are an enigma, Sybelle.’ 🥀

This story was beautifully written and such an amazing concept for a twist on a fairytale so many of us know and love. Sybelle is both relatable and someone that I aspire to be more like- she is sassy, witty, fiery and determined, yet also compassionate, caring and loyal to a fault to those who are important to her. This makes her the perfect contrast to Varius, who presents himself as cold, violent and terrifying, yet on the inside is compassionate, extremely protective and caring for those he loves. This allows them to complement eachother and grow personally and together as the story goes on- Sybelle begins to feel confident thinking independently and becoming a leader and Varius starts to embrace his caring side and accept help from others. I LOVED their relationship! I also loved the friendships in this book so much, my favourites being Sybelle’s connection to Azure and her friendship with Enzira.🖤

🥀 ‘“You can do this,” Azure said. “You may be nothing more than a pitiful human, but I know you are capable of facing this wretched monster. If you can tolerate me, then you can certainly tolerate him.”’ 🥀

The setting of this book was also so magical- I loved how the Shadow Count and the fae within it were described, and the stark contrast it has to the Earthern Court. You feel incredibly immersed within the world and like you are uncovering the mysteries of exploring the Shadow Court alongside Sybelle. I was also a huge fan of the concept of the castle- I loved that the castle often decided where it wanted people to go, even the King, and that it acted as a way of guiding the characters to where they were needed to warn them of danger. I also loved that the castle responded to Sybelle alone in unique ways, like pulling books off of the bookshelves about topics she asked for. I adored that she has a huge love for books. 🌙

🥀 ‘All fables came from somewhere. And all magic has a source.’ 🥀

Overall I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be checking out the other books written by R.L Perez, and also rereading this one. 🤭 If you loved The Serpent and Wings of the Night by Carissa Broadbent, I know you will LOVE this book- Sybelle’s sassiness and humor remind me of Oraya, yet she is also very unique as a character. Also, if you loved Xaden’s shadow magic in Fourth Wing and if you loved Andarna, you will definitely be in for a treat reading Crown of Briars!! 🖤

Thank you so much to Willow Haven Press and Netgalley for approving me for this ARC! I absolutely loved reading it 💗

I really enjoyed reading this book! It hits all the romantasy tropes we know and love. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with everyone’s favorite- shadow magic! I liked our FMC, Sybelle (I see what you did there) because she was strong, but not annoying. She was willing to admit her mistakes and apologize. In a genre that sometimes has sassy FMCs who do no wrong, this was a breath of fresh air. And while our MMC, Varius, started out as a broody king, he quickly developed beyond that into a well-rounded character. Both of the MCs were fiercely caring and stubborn at times, yet displayed graceful humility when needed. There was spice, but not too much; this was a romantasy teeming with plot.

Arc Review !!

Tropes: fairytale retelling, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, curses, fae/witches/dragons

OH MY GOD! I absolutely loved this book, one of my favorite fairytales is beauty and the beast which this is a retelling of! The author did a really great job incorporating this into the story without it being a play-by-play of the original tale which I thought worked very well. Also, many of the twists I didn't see coming and I normally am pretty good at doing so! I cannot wait to read this author's other books now that I've read this!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Author for this e-ARC!

(Bookstagram post coming soon 07/9 or 07/10 at the link provided!)

My first time getting to review a book that’s yet to be published! There’s so much to go over with this book but I want to keep it to some points that’ll be of interest to you if you decide to pick this up once it’s out.

Things I enjoyed:

-A Beauty and the Beast retelling: something about fairytale retellings when done well are really enjoyable!

-Use of magic: the magic system of this book was pretty unique and I would’ve loved to see more detail and use of her powers. Executed well when they were required.

-Fae: the fact that most books out now involving fae don’t include unseelie is a crime because of the lost potential. That fact that the creatures/characters of this book were visually unique is another way this is set apart.

-Dragons: who doesn’t love dragons? We all need an Azure


Things I felt could have been better:

-Dynamic between the FMC & MMC: individually these characters were fairly interesting however it felt as though they were often apart. When they were together the dynamic and conversation often felt as though we took one step forward and two steps back.

-Pacing: though pacing was relatively consistent throughout the story certain spots in my opinion seemed to drag. Perhaps the slow burn in this case was a bit too slow and in between often felt like filler and repeated exposition or world building. While it was nice to see things build over a period of time I think certain chapters could have been condensed or even blended.

-Character involvement: though not necessarily plot relevant I wish certain side characters had appeared more and not just when something was needed from them. I think this would have helped relationships with the main characters feel more authentic given how important or cherished they claimed to be.


All in all the overall story was something I enjoyed and the last few chapters are where things really pick up. If you are looking for a fairytale retelling with an FMC saving the day with her magic and a very broody MMC you’ll enjoy this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

A spicy, Beauty and the Beast-inspired romantasy with Fae politics, an arranged marriage, and a cursed Wraith King at its heart. The fae can’t lie, aren’t all beautiful, and the Seelie vs. Unseelie dynamics (complete with animal forms) are a standout.

The pacing is sharp and consistent, with spice woven in tastefully to serve the story. Varios and Sybelle give major Rhysand and Inner Circle vibes, and the revel scenes will definitely appeal to SJM fans.

While I wanted more worldbuilding upfront, it begins to unfold around page 47—possibly a deliberate choice reflecting the FMC’s dull past. Once it hits its stride, the plot is immersive, exciting, and lands on a satisfying resolution.

Recommended for: fans of dark fae romance, SJM-style dynamics, and fast-paced standalone fantasy.

Thank you R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press, and NetGalley for the incredible ARC!!!

I devoured this book. Like, I didn’t want to put it down; read it at every chance I could!

Easily 5 stars for me. Crown of Briars is a Beauty & the Beast retelling done beautifully with unique twists and turns. R.L. Perez has a dynamic, descriptive and captivating writing style. I loved the idea of stones having magic and power for our FMC, Sybelle. Varius was a great MMC who cares about his kingdom. I liked the idea of Varius having shadows but not in the traditional sense that other books have MMCs wield shadows. The side characters were just as lovable and developed as the main characters. I really really enjoyed this and would absolutely read other books by the author! Definitely pick this up!!!

An adult beauty and the beast retelling ✅

This book was amazing! I could not put it down. It included:

✅ forced marriage troupe
✅ curses
✅ fae, humans and witches
✅ a pretty accurate beauty and the beast retelling
✅ strong fmc
✅ A DRAGON AS A FRIEND?

This was a quick, smutty and easy read. I loved every second. The only reason it isn’t 5⭐️ is due to the fast dive into the world building at the start (Personally that is a me issue). I would definitely recommend this book to friends when it releases. It was so fun and engaging. I loved the story and connected with Sybelle!

rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to netgalley for the arc! and thank you to R.L.Perez for this incredible story!

Crown of Briars had a lot of intriguing elements that initially pulled me in, like dark fae magic, deadly curses, a dragon familiar, and a brooding, cursed king. The Beauty and the Beast twist was a nice touch, and the premise of a princess sent to marry a terrifying creature to save her people definitely had potential.

I really enjoyed the setup and the darker fantasy vibes. The idea of Sybelle having a plan to destroy the Wraith King, only to slowly uncover his humanity, was compelling and added emotional depth. There were some genuinely beautiful moments between the characters, and I liked the internal conflict Sybelle faced between duty and emotion.

That said, the execution didn’t fully live up to the premise for me. The pacing felt uneven, some parts dragged while others rushed through important developments. I also found myself wanting more world-building, especially around the magic system and the political dynamics.

The romance had its steamy moments, but I didn’t feel quite enough buildup or chemistry to fully invest in it. It leaned a bit too heavily on tropes without adding anything particularly new or memorable.

Overall, it was a decent read with some enjoyable elements, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impact. I’d recommend it to fans of dark romantic fantasy who don’t mind a slower pace and a familiar storyline.

Fairytale retellings are already my favorite genre, so I was predisposed to love this, and love it I did, on so many levels. Sybelle and Varius forever live in my heart.

Thank you Willow Haven Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars

I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling more than anyone and wow this one really captivated me! The different worlds, the characters, the curse really brought this all together. I think the concept was amazing and I enjoyed this so much I breezed through it!

The development between Sybelle and Varius was amazing to read, they were such headstrong and confident characters, it was wonderful seeing them come together! I also loved the strength of the heroine (there were times where she annoyed me), but she was a really complex character with powers and strength that meant she didn't back down.

The whole concept of the arranged marriage (yes love that trope) and the figuring out of the curse was so entertaining! Also there's a dragon!

I see there's another standalone book in this world which is a sleeping beauty retelling (another favourite of mine) so now I need to read that for sure!

Definitely check this book out if you're look for a Beauty in the Beast romantasy that you won't be able to put down! Out on August 4th!

Ok, this book has SO MUCH potential. But I don't think it is there yet. The first 1/3 of the story would greatly benefit from some more editing. Passive voice is prevalent throughout the book, but it is more than distracting at the beginning. Here are some examples:

"It was taking all my effort..."--> "It took all my effort."
"I let my head sink to the ground." --> My head sank.
"When I reached the throne room doors, I found my sister, Orla, lingering in the hall." --> "In the hall outside the throne room, my sister Orla lingered."
"Neither of these powers would be helpful to me today."--> "Neither of these powers would help me today."
"Shadows continued spiling down the aisle, coating the ground until I could no longer see my feet."--> "Shadows spilled across the ground and down the aisle, concealing my feet."
"But now that I was finally faced with looking upon the Wraith King for the first time, I discovered something that threw an unexpected wrench in my plans."--> But as I looked upon the Wraith King for the first time, I discovered an unexpected wrench in my plans. I was a coward."
"I had had enough of this human." --> "I have had" or just "I had."
"My stomach fluttered with anxiety." --> No writing problems with this one, but the word "anxiety" is overused. This is a show don't tell me problem.
"Already, I felt my body relaxing as I strode deeper into the room."--> With every stride deeper into the room, my body relaxed. Under the dimmed lights from my Lumen, all around me figures lurked in dark corners..."
"The wind was so intense that Azure was having trouble flying straight."--> Combine with the following sentence as each start with "the wind." It also doesn't need to be passive, it was distracting and is easily avoidable.

Also, the same descriptions are overused. When describing physical reactions, it was always the throat, the stomach, the pulse, or the heart. I realize there is only so much you can do...but the exact same words are used repeatedly. Another example, "chestnut hair" and "barbed tail" are the same descriptions overused. There is also a general overuse of unnecessary adverbs.

Minor Plot Concerns:
After the small, intimate wedding, she mentions relief from the "crowd", which confused me.
"Provided we could keep it hidden from the castle staff." --> I think "keep her hidden" would make more sense, since talking about concealing Azure.
"My relief was short-lived as I once again thought about my argument with Varius..."--> The "once again" didn't make sense her as the argument just happened.
"I had a similar dream...after the revel." --> I thought that he hadn't yet slept after the revel. He is talking to her after she sleeps all day after they were up all night. So when would he had been able to have a dream about the revel? Unless I missed something here...

With some editing, this could all be fixed so it is not distracting. I am not trying to be overly critical; I just think this story has SO MUCH potential. I hope my thoughts help you. Feel free to send my other ARCs (or a signed copy :) ). And don't worry, I left a good review on GoodReads and will leave a better one on my social media. I really hope you have time to make some changes because this book could really be a bestseller with some tweaks.

Goodreads review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7714468523):
Social Media: (https://www.instagram.com/house_of_books_and_legos)

Goodreads review full text:

Oh. My. Goodness. This book was--unexpected. As a Beauty and the Beast retelling with fae characters, I worried it would be too similar to ACOTAR. But it wasn't! R.L. Perez storytelling is so gripping; I couldn't put it down.

This book has enemies to lovers, forced marriage, a shadow daddy, immortals and mortals, a dragon, magic, girl power, kill her and face his wrath...It is seductive. It is steamy. It is delightfully spicy. Although I would caution a reader to not try this at home, remember...he is a fae. I also love that it alternates the POV between the FMC and the MMC.

I enjoyed that I got a satisfying ending, along with the potential for a sequel (which better happen! I need it!)

So, with this glowing review, why am I giving this only four stars? This is more of a comment on the editing, than the story itself. Hopefully some changes can be made before publication (I read an ARC). For about the first 100 pages, I fretted I would have to give this book two stars despite enjoying the story. There is little variation in sentence structure (too many sentences start with the subject) and there is too much dialogue and that dialogue doesn't seem genuine. The voices of the POVs didn't really distinguish themselves until later in the book when all these problems disappeared. Unnecessary passive voice also reappears throughout the book. With editing, I think several thousand words could be cut from the text.

I will be passing my more specific notes to the editor via NetGalley. Despite my comments, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I think it is brilliant and with a few tweaks could be a bestseller. R.L. Perez, please write a sequel! I am begging you!!!