I felt like I was at a vets office…there wasn’t really any plot, or at least wasn’t clear to me. The writing also felt choppy.

Unfortunately this book and I did not get along, and I felt that it was not written to my standards for a fantasy novel.
A Sanctuary for Fire & Fate as the title, as well as the cover, had me going in believing this to be a plot heavy book, but this was much more of a cozy fantasy and not something I particularly enjoy. I did skim through about 60% of this book, through a lot of the slow dialogue, and only REALLY read during the interesting parts.
There was nothing keeping me going and I had no desire to read further during this book. This was definitely a tough read for me as cozy fantasy is not quite fast paced enough.

3.5 I did enjoy this book it gave me the same feeling like when you playing hogwarts legacy and have your animal sanctuary of all your rescued mystical creatures. The love story was sweet but by the end I was just hoping for a bit more. I still highly recommend for any fan of hogwarts legacy and fantastic beasts.

This fantasy book has a very interesting premise but unfortunately fell flat for me. I could never fully connect with the characters and story as it felt a little off and not quite what I went into the story expecting as far as an adult fantasy goes. It felt more young adult, so I'm thinking it just wasn't the right fit for me but I may have enjoyed it more when I was younger.

Unfortunately I have lost interest for this book, about 23% before I DNF. It wasn't bad but just too YA for me. I can see potential for this story. It has interesting ideas but the story line is all over the place. Because it's a story that I would have finished if I was younger, I will give this book a 3 star. This plot is too rushed, story line is everywhere, and it reads young for me.

Her first meeting with Asher was a little wattpad-like. She was afraid that he would kill her when he brought her ALIVE to his place or whatever and fed her and didn’t do anything to harm her and she was still thinking that he wanted to kill her. That could have been written better, he could have actually done something to her to make it seem like he wants to kill her, or her inner-monologue could have been a little different.

There are a lot of characters, I am 18% in the book on my kindle and I can’t keep up with different creatures and their different names, I just read hoping I will understand at some point.

The story overall is interesting, maybe a little dragged. Some things were explained two times or just repeated all over again in the dialogue, when we have already read them. And these were not the important things that were hard to understand.

I am 70% into the book and the whole love story was very badly written, it is like I was reading the first draft of this novel.

It had so much potential, the plot, the story, the magical aspects of this world, the romance, but it all lacked severe editing.

"A Sanctuary for Fire & Fate" is a mixed bag that struggles to find its footing. While the overall premise is intriguing, with its mythical sanctuary, rare creatures, && the inclusion of a phoenix, the execution falls short in several key areas.

Stylistically, the writing feels stilted && overly expository, often "telling" rather than "showing." This approach makes the narrative feel more like a summary than an immersive story, && at times, it reads like a piece of fanfiction rather than a polished, published work. The characterization is a particular weakness, with many characters feeling like placeholders rather than fully realized individuals. Even the protagonists lack memorable traits, emotional depth, && compelling arcs, making it difficult for the reader to connect with them.

The plot is flat && formulaic, with important elements introduced && then inexplicably dropped, giving the impression that the author was trying to cram too many ideas into a single book without taking the time to develop them properly. This results in a disjointed && directionless story that meanders without building towards a meaningful climax.

The pacing also suffers from these issues, as pivotal or emotionally significant moments often fall flat due to the lack of groundwork. The inclusion of a "spice" scene is particularly jarring, as it feels awkward, poorly written, and completely out of sync with the rest of the book. the “spice” felt like it was written by someone who’s never actually had sex, or who’s husband only lets them do missionary writing what they think super hot sex would be.
It would have been better to either omit the explicit scene altogether or rewrite it with more believable emotional and physical tension.

While there is potential in the world the author is trying to build, the book in its current state will struggle to stand out in a genre where readers have plenty of polished alternatives. To reach its full potential, the book would require a thorough revision, with a focus on fleshing out the characters, tightening the plot, and developing a more mature and cohesive approach to storytelling.

I was gifted an ARC from the Author of this book in exchange for an HONEST REVIEW via #NetGalley!

I was really intrigued by the overall premise of the story but reading it was a struggle at points; I felt as if there as little no world building and things were just thrown at the reader with the hope that it stuck. The book was marketed as an adult romantasy, but majority of the time I thought it felt more YA/upper YA but I think with some editing and revision, that could be fixed. Now listen (or read?) I love a good spicy, smutty romance and romantsy book however, the sex scene in this book felt as if it was just added for the sake of being an adult fantasy romance; it felt generic and just... there.

I wanted to enjoy this, but I don't know if I'll be continuing with the series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was ok. It didn't pull me in like I hoped it would. I liked the mythical creature mentioned in the book.

**A Sanctuary of Fire and Fate** is a spellbinding blend of fantasy, romance, and high-stakes adventure that captivates from the very first page. Set in a richly imagined sanctuary for mythical creatures, the story introduces us to Mia—a fiercely compassionate caretaker whose bond with her charges is as heartfelt as it is heroic. From injured fauns to mischievous pixies and baby dragons, the world she inhabits is a magical haven that readers will long to visit.

But when unicorns begin turning up brutally wounded, the tension escalates, plunging Mia into a darker, more dangerous reality. The twist comes with the awe-inspiring and terrifying appearance of Asher—a phoenix reborn in flames, bound by an ancient rule that could cost Mia her life. Their unlikely connection defies every instinct and law of his kind, creating a slow-burn romance that is as tender as it is tumultuous.

The chemistry between Mia and Asher sizzles, but it’s their shared determination to protect the sanctuary and its magical creatures that forms the emotional core of the book. The looming threat of the Shadow Guild adds urgency and suspense, making every page turn feel vital.

With lyrical writing, vivid world-building, and a story that pulses with heart and heat, *A Sanctuary of Fire and Fate* is a must-read for fans of mythical creatures, destined love, and stories where bravery comes in many forms. It’s a tale of sacrifice, magic, and the unbreakable ties that bind us—whether forged in flame or found in the quiet moments of hope.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sinclair for an earc in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out June 24.

I didn't like this book. There was 1 or 2 scenes I like but that's it. The world was confusing. The main character I couldn't really understand her feelings and the romance I was eh. the ending, I was shocked but that's it. I won't continue on this series.

This story felt very clunky and awkward, but it may have worked as a manga/comic instead of an actual novel.

For it to work in its current form, I would say the dialogue and characters and plot need to be worked on. I thought this was going to be a dark romantasy, but it ended up feeling way more simplified/childish instead of intriguing and enthralling.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Lost Lust for a copy.

So this one isn’t for me. I ended up about 45% through the book before I had to DNF it. What the synopsis is of the book is definitely not what I feel like you get. It’s an interesting concept - a human works and cares for a mythical creature conservatory and meets a phoenix that decides not to kill her. But it felt like there were so many plot points missing or rushed to the point that there was no build up or character development. The romance felt forced and I didn’t care at all about them. In fact I actually feel like I didn’t really care at all about any of the characters or the story. It felt a bit fever-dreamish but not in a way that made me want to keep reading. Maybe it could be your jam if you like super fast-paced fantasy with almost instant love, but just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sinclair for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is clumsy, both in its writing as well as its story. There is no world, here, just magical creatures randomly thrown together with no thought for how to make it work. It’s messy, but there can be a charm to messy … only, there isn’t, here. It’s flat, lifeless, and generic. The writing is simplistic, easy to read with every emotion and thought laid out in a straightforward manner. For much of the book I thought this was a YA book on the lower end, maybe upper middle grade if it weren’t for the poorly written sex scene.

I’m sorry, but it just wasn’t good. It almost felt like a collection of lines from other sex scenes thrown together with no real direction, like a sex scene for a sex scene’s sake rather than something natural and organic to the story or the characters. Not that there are really characters here, just girl and boy reciting their requisite lines with the same lifelessness with which they did everything else.

This book might have worked for me as a YA fantasy with a romance thrown in, but as a romantasy it’s a dud. I honestly can’t recommend this.

Thak you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

i had high expectations for this book as it had a really interesting concept however it ended up being one of my only DNF's. the main issue i found was that there was a lack of worldbuilding and it wasnt clear the rules and laws of this world, for example some animals could talk, but then were they animals or people? and some animals could shift to people and the same issue occurred. this book is also described as a slow burn romance and it wasnt, it felt like a regular paced romance, if not fast paced at points.

"A magical world where fate and fire collide, and love burns brighter than any danger.”

Lolu Sinclair’s A Sanctuary for Fire & Fate is a gorgeous slow-burn romantasy that pulls you deep into a world where mythical creatures aren’t just legends but fragile lives depending on Mia’s care. Mia’s dedication to the sanctuary is real — she’s the heartbeat behind healing injured fauns, pixies, and baby dragons, and when brutal attacks on unicorns hint at dark forces approaching, the tension ramps up big time.

What really sets this story on fire is the stunning phoenix resurrection scene that only a rare few humans witness, including Mia. The phoenix, Asher, bound by a deadly rule that no one can see his rebirth and survive, surprises us all when he spares Mia. Their connection is electric, mysterious, and impossible to ignore, growing with every moment they spend together. The chemistry is subtle but powerful, mixing ancient magic with raw emotion in a way that feels both timeless and fresh.

Then you’ve got the looming threat of the Shadow Guild, a ruthless enemy closing in fast, putting the sanctuary and all its magical residents on the brink of destruction. The stakes are high, the action is thrilling, and the world-building is lush and immersive. Sinclair creates a sanctuary that feels alive and sacred, where every creature’s survival matters, and the magic feels tangible.

The heart of the book is the evolving relationship between Mia and Asher, a love story that’s as much about trust and healing as it is about passion and destiny. Their bond is a testament to the idea that some connections can defy even the darkest curses and the cruelest enemies.

If you love slow-burn romance mixed with high-stakes adventure and a magical setting that sweeps you away, A Sanctuary for Fire & Fate is your new must-read. It’s a perfect start to a series that promises to keep the heat high and the magic flowing.

The premise of this book got me hooked almost immediately, but sadly, the story did not deliver.

Let me start by saying the the prose was really pretty and flowery. The characters were also really fleshed out and all had their own quirks and flaws.
Buuuut this book needs a lot more work.

The worldbuildung was inconsistent and confusing. I couldn‘t quite figure out, if we were in our modern world or a more medieval setting. In some scenes, we were talking about cars and all of a sudden we were looking for a horse as a means of transportation? PICK A SIDE, LOVE.
The plot was all over the place and the pacing was off. While reading some of the chapters I thought to myself "Well, this could have been an e-mail“.
I could not get into the romance. No chemistry whatsoever between Mia and Asher, but all of a sudden they kiss and are obsessed with each other? It felt so insta-lovey to me and I do not vibe with this kind of lovestory at all.

Lolu Sinclair tried to create something magical and full of romance and while she clearly has a talent for beautiful prose, the rest of this story needed a lot more polishing.

I really REALLY wanted to love this book. It had such a beautiful concept…. magic, romance, an enchanting world, but it just didn’t fully land for me.

The writing had a soft, almost lyrical style, and there were some lovely moments in the world-building, but I found parts of the story a bit confusing and hard to follow. It took me a while to get into, and I just didn’t quite click with the characters the way I hoped I would.

The love story felt kind of light, and I wanted more emotional pull there—but to be fair, the ending totally surprised me (in a good way!). I love when a twist catches me off guard.

Even though it didn’t completely work for me, I think readers who enjoy poetic writing and slower-paced fantasy might still find something to love here.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Lost Lust for the eARC!

The world had potential but unfortunately I could not get into the book. I got about 12% and could not continue. The writing feels too immature, like an early version before being rewritten. World building feels bumpy, and I cannot connect to the main character who feels too two-dimensional.

The premise of this book was so promising, with the story mainly set at a magical creature sanctuary. I’ve enjoyed books of this type before so I was looking forward to it!

However, the writing read more like a YA novel throughout most of the book and the characters actions felt very YA (which I usually don’t mind) up until the spicy scenes. The two feel very disjointed when read together.

Overall I think this book could have been helped with some idea editing and maybe a bit of pace editing as well.