So far I have loves everything by this author and this book was no exception. The storyline and characters are great. I love the portrayal of witches as more human and realistic, even though they are Still portrayed as monsters. I feel the book definitely could have been made into a series with a lots more In depth detail but at the same time there wasn't such a big lack of information that it made the story seem unfinished. I would just love more of these characters and this world.

Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The story was told well and was interesting. The writing flowed and was paced well, I could've probably finished this in 1 to 2 days if I really wanted to. It was pretty predictable with like one exception, but still managed to be enjoyable. There were a lot of cute and beautiful moments. Sometimes it did feel like the author was trying too hard to make Garit (the Male MC) seem extremely poetic and I just wasn't getting that vibe. Garit was still an amazing character. I kind of wish Illyse had a bit more character growth by the end. She learned to love but she still seemed a bit too selfish and unforgiving. I understand it's meant to be a work in progress thing for her, but it just didn't feel like she learned much. I like that the main focus of the book was on love and romance not so much the conflict that was happening. I really liked that the magic felt natural and fit into the story well. I especially liked the little details of ingredients that were used for spells and the how/why of it. I'd love to read more from the author and think there's even room for a sequel to this book which would be awesome! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I just could not get hooked on this book. I normally love fantasy novels but the writing just wasn't there for me and the run-on prose couldn't keep my attention. Others who are interested in fantasy romance might find a better connection to it than I did, so don't write it off just because of a few reviews like this!

Thank you to Sword and Silk Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to access this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of a sorceress who is called to help the kingdom from which she was outcasted. She was called to aid in the investigation of the dead men washing up on the shore. As she begins to work with the castle’s physician to solve the mysterious murders, she starts to feel more and more at home in a place that labelled her a monster.

If I am being honest, I struggled with this book. But I do want to say from the beginning, I think Nicole Bea is a fantastic writer. Her prose flowed so smoothly and pulled me in at the beginning, but I had a difficult time connect to the story. From the description, it should have been right up my alley. It was compared to The Witcher, and I can see the similarities of the story in how the people view anyone different as “monsters.” The concept was interesting, but I think where it lost me was how little I connected with the characters. There really were not any characters that I genuinely cared about, and that made it difficult to get through the book. The story was just not for me, but if the concept appeals to you should give it a go! I really enjoyed Nicole’s writing style. She is one of the most talented authors I have read in a while, and I can’t wait to read more from her.

I really like the concept of this book, however, I don’t think it really delivered for me. Unfortunately had to dnf at 25%. I felt the writing was just telling me what happened instead of showing or describing the scene. Also, I never felt any real chemistry with the two main characters and their relationship really confused me. In one chapter they were strangers then the next it’s like all of a sudden they love each other? Insta-love is a big no-no for me! But give me cute little foxes any day! They totally made the book but I’m just biased with the fact I love foxes 💛💛

I gave this book two stars. While I at first appreciated the fast pace, it resulted in a lack of personal and character development. I would have liked more world building and detailed scenes.

This one unfortunately could have gone through some more edits if you ask me. I think that the story itself was interesting but the writing just ruined it. I don't generally even notice errors these days but this with the writing was so bad.

Deffo a good base of a great story Got my imagination working overtime
Afraid it was my first of this genre so I probably not the best person to review
But I’d deffo agree it’s like the Witcher which is still sat there and watched that tottie lol

I didn't know whether I was enjoying this book or not, the first half of the book was interesting but I didn't really like how it ended before the second half of the book and this made it harder for me to like the second half. I hated that he had some idea what it could have been that was causing all the deaths but yet was written as being totally clueless as to what it could be meaning they died for no reason (if he had a suspicion then should've researched that first instead of everything else). The forbidden romance just didn't seem realistic and I was so confused by the world as it just seemed to go back and forth on itself.
I feel the book needs another read through as the overall idea was enjoyable

Unfortunately, I will not be finishing this book. I like the idea of the plot, and the cover art is amazing; however, the writing style is very choppy and hard to follow. I believe with more editing, this book could have been better.

this one didn’t disappoint. Definitely had all the elements I was looking for in a book. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone

2.5 stars

DNF @ 80%

I've rewritten this like 4 times because I want to be nicer, but I can't. The past 2 nights I have had very limited after-work time to unwind, and both times I've been reading this book, and now I'm bitter and want my time back.

This book isn't bringing enough to my table. The romance has no chemistry. The characters are irritating and/or insufferable. I'm rooting for no one. They're all a bunch of idiot dicks. Illyse is like a 70-year-old histrionic tween.

I feel like in a lot of ways a mediocre book is worse than a bad book because an outright bad book I would have stopped a lot sooner. This book had many chances, more so since I'm reading it for review, but it could not get its shit together.

**This review contains spoilers**
I have picked the wrong book to review.

As someone with an incurable eye disorder, I don't take kindly to a blind character miraculously being able to see again due to magic. This book would have been a 3.5 or even 4 star, if not for that. In fact, the "spring" section of the book should have never existed. We did not need a second nixie battle, just like we did not need Garit to have a second love interest. 🙄 And we definitely didn't need the king's eyesight to be healed, when there wasn't enough character development for me to even care about the king. Should have cut that whole part of the book out and worked more on developing the characters and details.

Right from the beginning, this book was a struggle. If I have to read one more time about how red hair is what marks an Aske witch, or how it's forbidden to be with a human,or how her power is seeping out of her.. It'll be all too soon. This book was SO repetitive.

As for my recommendation:
If you love the thrill of insta-pining over someone, and not so much the chase of it, this book is for you!

If you like a plot to have lil to no details, but still be fast-paced, this book is for you!

If you like idiotic characters who keep sneaking around even though they risk death, and an "evil" king who gives a million warnings, this book is for you!

If you like plot holes such as a magic sucking ore band, that still somehow let's you have magic, this book is for you!

2⭐ because I finished it and it wasn't a dnf.

A sorceress finds herself captured and coerced to work under the King with her powers surpressed. She finds herself teamed up with a handsome young doctor to solve butal murders of men by monsters in the sea. Their proximity and working relationship soon turns into a forbidden romance as time goes on. Monsters and men are not allowed to have relations. However, once the murders are solved, the stakes are raised even higher as the doctor's shunned betrothed from across the sea turns out to be more than she initially seemed. Can all be overcome? Will there be a happily ever after? You'll have to read it and find out!

Beautiful prose, engaging storytelling.

Nicole Bea really paints a picture of her world without too much repetition and no rambling. Story takes off at an excellent clip and gives you characters you can root for. I really took my time savoring this book and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Illyse and Garit won me over immediately.
Illyse the sorceress who choses isolation from her own kind and humans (relatable).
And Garit the quiet doctor who gives off all of the bristly nerd vibes.

The pair are forced together when crisis arrives on the kingdom's doorstep and the King expects them to get to the bottom of the mystery.

The only reason I'm going with 4/5 instead of 5/5 is because the romance was not my usual 'slow burn' cup of tea. All-in-all, however, this one is definitely going on my recommendation list.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Sword and Silk Books for a copy of this read in exchange for an honest review.]

Beneath the Starlit Sea is a lovely fantasy-romance book which is perfect for getting out of those pesky book slumps.

Illyse wears her heart on her sleeve, is extremely impulsive emotionally and tends to make the odd mistake… but that’s what makes her real and relatable.

Garit on the other hand was quite hard to like, I found him standoffish and the typical brute and then all of a sudden he’s all poetic and has bard worthy love? But I think that was down to the book be so short and it having a quick pace.

The story overall is amazing and the plot is super interesting but personally I prefer fantasies to be a bit longer. At best a series! I just love world building and intense plot lines which unfortunately this one didn’t have as much.

All in all it’s a sweet romantasy book perfect for someone who wants a quick and easy read with a loveable main character.

A very fast paced well written fantasy novel, The romance is very sweet and very engaging. If you're looking for explicit spiciness, this is probably not the best fit for you but the spicy scenes are very romantic.

Illyse is a sorceress or in the eyes of her country a monster. Trapped by iron she is ripped from her quiet life to help solve the magical murders that are happening in the kingdom. Along with Garit she must help solve this mystery without breaking the core rule of the kingdom, that no man and monster may be together.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

I don't know how I felt about the main couple in this story. They were so hot and cold with secrets and betrayals and danger that its hard to truly love them together.

Illyse is truly a being of fire. Her emotions have a tendency to run away with her and cause some of her problems. She also has an adorable fox Thievery.

Garit is also a bit too, goody-goody for my personal tastes. He can be extremely self sacrificing but at the same time he doesn't tend to think his actions all the way through.

It was a very fast paced book that kept me pretty hooked. I loved the descriptions of Illyse's magic and the world.

Over all I give this book a 3/5. It's a really quick read but I wanted more from the characters but I did enjoy the magic and the magical creatures. This book also reads like its setting up for a series where each book focuses on a different sorceress and I think that the idea has potential.

I really enjoyed this book, especially Illyse and Garit. The writing in this book is compelling and mystical, I couldn’t put it down. I will be reading more from this author!

received an Advance Reader Copy of Beneath the Starlit Sea by Nicole Bea in exchange for an honest review.

"I ONCE WAS a little girl with an affinity for fire. Now, many moons later, I am a king’s sorceress from Strandkant with a weakness for staying alive."

As a sorceress living among humans, Illyse's lives a lonely life with three foxes as her companions. Humans don’t seem interested in being near “monsters”or witches, and it wouldn’t entirely matter if they did as the law forbids magical and non-magical people to be in love.

The story begins with Illyse being kidnapped by the Kings guards. She is very aware that this can only end badly as it would likely end in death or imprisonment. This quickly comes to fruition as the King stifles her magical connection to the earth with an iron bracelet. Two of her foxes meet an untimely end shortly after she reaches the castle and is forced to begin working alongside the King’s trusted advisor, Garit, to solve the murders taking place along the coast. Despite the fact that Illyse has an affinity for fire, not water, she is expected to find the source of the murders with Garit. With that, Illyse is not left entirely alone. She has one remaining companion, her black fox, Thierry. And along the way she finds a friend and lover in Garit, who is willing to defy the laws of the land for a chance at love.

This is my first ARC since learning of NetGalley and Nicole did not disappoint. She has a way with words and is able to, capture the feelings of the characters so clearly that the reader is able to feel them too. Her attention to detail comes with ease. Fantasy Romance is by far one of my favorite genre combinations and Beneath the Starlit Sea is definitely a book I will gladly recommend.