3.5 stars rounded up.
This was an enjoyable read with an immersive atmosphere and beautiful setting, I have a soft spot for misty, cursed woods and fae lands. The kith in this book are basically fae: they bargain, use glamour, have pointy ears, and are inhumanly beautiful.

I adored Josephine and her white mane of hair, finally not an annoying FMC! She's smart and strong, she knows when to hold her tongue or speak her mind. Alder, on the other hand, was boring. Just another huge, muscular, broody type, nothing new, nothing interesting. He's kinda like Raihn from The Serpent and the Wings of Night (less playful, though), and I'm sure a lot of people will like him.

I enjoyed the descriptive writing, it was easy to envision characters and locations. The pacing, for the most part, was consistent, but there were times the story felt repetitive, and I found myself a bit bored during the second half. I wish Alder’s curse had been utilized and explored more, it felt underdeveloped and ultimately had no real impact on the story. And, unfortunately, the ending was too Disney-like for my liking.

But overall, this book kept me entertained, and I had a good time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The blurb for this book is very interesting. It’s right up my alley— Closed door, enemies to lovers romance? Fae(kith) x human? Yes please.

However, the writing was just a bit disappointing to me. The beginning of this book feels like an incredibly long run on sentence. The author uses a lot of overly descriptive language that is difficult to follow, and quite often pointless. I feel like the same descriptors for the same people are used over and over again, when one time was plenty.

I really did like the overarching story for this. In some ways it is just a bit reminiscent of ACOTAR (girl in the woods hunting for her family, mean sister, fae with a curse) but the differences were stark enough that I did put that out of my head fairly quickly.

As far as FMC go, Josephine is just kind of alright. I understand what the author was going for but I think she falls a bit flat. I looked forward to the Alder chapters though. His characterization was much better and more entertaining. I cared more about the kith storyline than the poor humans.

Ultimately I would give this book a 3 stars out of 5. There’s nothing particularly bad about it, but as a whole it is underwhelming. Where it earns 3 stars, is the Alder as a character and that the background story actually is quite interesting.

I will post my review to
Amazon on publication date (May 6 2025)
Goodreads (April 16 2025) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7493706559

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbara Kloss, and Whimsical Publishing for the chance to read this book early and provide my feedback.

Rebellion, curses, and slow-burn tension—The Arrow & The Alder is a spellbinding romantic fantasy that stole my heart.

Barbara Kloss has crafted a lush, emotionally resonant tale filled with ancient magic, political tension, and a romance that builds beautifully from distrust to devotion. The atmospheric world of the kith is one I didn’t want to leave—shrouded in mist and mystery, threaded with folklore and danger.

Josephine is a standout protagonist: stubborn, clever, and fiercely loyal. I loved that she wasn’t willing to bow to power or tradition. Her refusal to simply hand over the enchanted coat without answers sets the tone for a story rooted in resistance and identity. And then there's Alder—guarded, wounded, and noble in the most reluctant of ways. The dynamic between them is captivating, full of sharp edges and soft moments.

Their journey together is as much about truth and healing as it is about survival, and the curse spreading across both kith and mortal lands adds a constant, simmering urgency. The story unfolds at a perfect pace, balancing heart-racing chases with intimate emotional beats. Kloss’s writing is lyrical without ever slowing the plot, and she handles the worldbuilding with finesse, letting it bloom through action and character rather than exposition.

This feels perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince or The Bridge Kingdom—romantic fantasy readers who crave deep character work, richly layered lore, and slow-burn intensity. While marketed as adult fantasy, it has strong YA crossover appeal and will resonate with readers who love character-driven romantasy with heart and teeth.

The Arrow & The Alder is the kind of book that lingers after the final page—a gorgeous, mythic fantasy about who we are, who we fight for, and what we’re willing to risk for love and truth. I’d love to see this book get the attention it deserves—it’s an ideal fit for fantasy readers looking for thoughtful themes alongside romantic tension.