3.25 stars.
I genuinely have mixed feelings about this one;

I love a trials trope, and the premise of the story was extremely intriguing. I really liked the multi POV angles thrown into this one as well, the “wind” perspective just felt very fresh compared to my preferred first person POV. I loved these chapters the most to be honest and felt like I genuinely absorbed myself into them.

900 pages is a lot though, I do feel it could have been shorter.
I did end up finishing this one - even though I felt I was fighting through it at certain points. There was too much information thrown at me at times. I didn’t particularly care for the romance.
I likely will not be continuing the series as it personally just wasn’t for me.

My Dear Illusion by Sarah Ready is a 906-page (on the kindle) book that is as brilliant as it is maddening. If you are familiar with Ms. Ready’s other works, it is my understanding from a quick trip around the internet, that this book is not what you are used to and the odds of you enjoying it based on that prior work are very low. This is Ms. Ready’s first attempt at Romantacy, which is all the rage these days, and I’m here for it, but I want quality, and I want to have a good time, and I would like to occasionally have questions beyond the scope of the story to discuss with others. If a fantasy or romance book can make you think about your perceptions, your values, the way the world is vs how it could be (good or bad), I think it is a unique side effect, and I cherish those books. This book did not deliver on all of that, but it was a surprise, and the ending is going to have you screaming “what!?” while you sob uncontrollably.

In this story we are following Mari a girl who has been left by her parents in Hell’s Gate (or at the Hell Gate, I’m not entirely certain on that one but it did remind me of the hellmouth from Buffy the Vampire Slayer). She is taken in by an illusionist (I think that’s what he is, but he is very, very bad that’s for certain) named Jagger and he is kind of the strings that tie everything together, almost as much as wind is, even though he’s not around too much and there are other forces at play as well.

The story starts out well. Mari is explaining games of chance and cons. The 3 shell game we’re all vaguely familiar with. Then she starts talking about being a lockpick, which is simply explained as her ability to undo illusions – by unlocking them with a twist of her hands it seems. In this world the illusionists run everything; there are 4 or 5 families of conjurers and they are the “royalty” of this world (think warring kingdoms, opposing mafia families and you’ll get the idea). So they will set up an illusion to hide something, someplace maybe even somewhere, but Mari can undo those illusions and let people see what these families (or any other illusionist) does not want them to see. It’s a unique magic system and I find that VERY interesting. As I said, Mari is explaining games and cons, but she is also telling someone a story, because she tells us that too, but we have no idea who she is talking to and at other points in the story, the Wind is the narrator, and everything is through its eyes, and honestly I don’t know who it is talking to either. Mari? The mystery person? Is it talking to the reader? It’s very confusing.

I understand the desire to write Romantacy or Fantasy Romance. It’s all the rage right now and it’s something different. It is not for everyone though. Imagine if Freida McFadden, for example, suddenly wanted to write in this genre? I will assume it’s not going to go well. This book didn’t not go well, but for the love of God, please – an editor! A really good one because this book can easily loose 300-400+ pages and the story is still amazing. Let me explain.

The book is overly poetic and the language is too flowery. It is trying too hard to portray this world of illusion. There are so many paragraphs and pages explaining one thing or one small event or one feeling. It’s just too much. It’s not necessary. I had to work for it, like really work for it, but there is a great story hiding inside this book. Like a really great mind-blowing story. But you can’t find it if you don’t try and that’s not how books should be written. No one wants to do that, and as proof I will point you towards all the DNF reviews already on Goodreads just from ARC readers. These are people who read and review books all the time. The number of DNF’s was shocking but at the same time I understand it. There was a point where I wanted to give up. Picking through all the verbiage and odd characters and the Wind as a side character/narrator was just so hard to wade through.

I’m going to repeat myself again though, so that there is no misunderstanding, there is a phenomenal story hiding in this book!

I just think it could use another edit. And a lot of deleting. There’s one point where “the boy” is surrounded and going to be stabbed and quite possibly die. The wind gives us several examples of similar situations from nature and that are not needed. We were already told the boy is surrounded, what possible purpose does telling us about wolves and deer have? It doesn’t. That’s the problem. You must wade through all of this extra verbiage to find the story. I promise it’s there, it’s just not going to be easy. I don’t generally annotate but I literally had a notepad and was writing down plot points and character notes as needed because, as I said, they are well hidden. It was as if I were in college again working on a paper.

If my review seems a little scattered and perhaps a bit too long. I do apologize but given the size of the book and the way in which it was written, I think it gives me some wiggle room here.

This might be better as an audiobook, I read the eBook version, but I can’t say for sure.

I feel like I am repeating myself. I’m rating this book 3 stars, because it is a really good story, but the amount of work necessary to find the story was uncalled for.

I will happily read the next book, if the writing is more concise. I will probably read it even if I have to work for it because I need to know what happens!

Thank you to W.W. Crown and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. I truly appreciate it. As always, all opinions are my own. If I don’t like a book, you will definitely know it.

my Ig review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

There are books that entertain you… and then there are books that transform you. “My Dear Illusion” does just that.
This isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. A storm that builds slowly, beautifully, until it sweeps you off your feet and leaves you breathless.

At its heart is Mari Locke, a lockpick able to unlock illusions, bound by a terrifying creature and sent into the deadly Hundred Year Games with an impossible mission: steal the Crown of Illusions with the help of Fin Alterra and then… kill Finn Alterra.
But when Mari meets Finn—addicted to a drug that destroys illusions, burdened by secrets, and fiercely human even if half-conjurer—everything begins to unravel. He undoes her. And suddenly, the mission falters. Because when you have a taste of Love, how can you live without?
But nothing, not the magic, not the feelings, or even Mari’s own memories, is what it seems.

What left a mark on me?

🖋 The writing is like a spell: dense, lyrical, dizzying. I had to slow down just to feel every line.
🔮 The magic system: alive, ancient, unpredictable.
💨 The POV from the wind? Deep and Poetic.
❤️‍🔥 The romance is slow like a wound healing. It hurts. It hopes. It aches.
🔝 And the side characters—Jacob, with his quiet sorrow, and Luvic, chaos incarnate with a grin—I’d follow them into any sequel.

😮 The ending? Not a twist—a Earthquake! Everything flips. Everything hurts.

Everything is painful, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable. I was stunned, moved, and immediately ready to reread from page one.

📌 Just a heads-up: this isn’t a standalone. And yes—you will scream at the ending but you know this isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something bigger.

If you crave:
❤️‍🔥 Epic, aching love
✨ Second Chances 

🌪 Complex magic systems

🖤 Emotional slow burns
🔮 Epic worldbuilding

👁 Unreliable realities
🪢 Knots to untie

🏹 High-stakes games
🤯 Plot twists that make your brain hurt (in a good way)

…then this book is calling to you.

I’m not just excited for Book #2. I need it!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and W.W. Crown for the ARC!

sadly this book was not for me, i love a fantasy fiction but i found this too drawn out and i lost my way numerous times..
please don’t let this put you off trying it as you may love it!

A very long book that somehow makes every single page worth it. Intriguing characters, a plot full of twists and turns, and lovely writing. What more could you want?

˗ˏˋ 3 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

maybe im just dumb but the world building felt so complicated to me and it was kinda difficult to wrap my head around it. there was so much information that gets dumped on you in the first 20% ish, it was kinda insane. it literally took me 3 days to get past the halfway mark. regardless, i was still pretty shocked with the ending cuz i didnt expect for that to happen. so maybe i might give book 2 another chance and read it when it's out?? *still undecided tho*

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Ready takes a bold and exciting leap into fantasy romance with "My Dear Illusion," and it's a thrilling ride from start to finish. This book is a captivating blend of intricate magic, deadly games, and a romance that will keep you guessing.

The world building is truly a highlight. The concept of Conjurers who wield illusions to twist reality, and Mari's rare ability to untie them, is fascinating and immediately draws you in. The Hundred Year Games are brutal and high stakes, creating a constant sense of peril that keeps the pages turning. Mari herself is a compelling protagonist resilient, resourceful, and burdened by a secret that makes her mission incredibly complex.

The dynamic between Mari and Finn is where this book truly shines. Their enemies to lovers arc is steeped in delicious tension, given Mari's deadly assignment to betray him. The lines between truth and illusion, trust and deception, are constantly blurred, making their evolving relationship a compelling puzzle. Ready expertly weaves in the fantasy elements with the burgeoning romance, ensuring neither overshadows the other.

My only slight reservation, and why it's a strong four stars rather than five, is that some of the illusions and their untangling could occasionally feel a touch convoluted, requiring a careful re read to fully grasp. However, this is a minor point in what is an otherwise incredibly ambitious and gripping fantasy debut.

"My Dear Illusion" is a fantastic entry into a new series for Sarah Ready. If you're looking for a fantasy romance with high stakes, a unique magic system, and a deeply complicated love story, you won't want to miss this. I'm already eager to see where Mari and Finn's journey takes them next!

Unfortunately, My Dear Illusion ended up being a DNF for me at around the 15% mark. I really wanted to love this story, but I found myself struggling to stay engaged. There were quite a few characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who and how they connected.

After taking about a week-long break to see if some distance would help, I realized I couldn’t remember the details well enough to feel motivated to pick it back up which was a clear sign this book just wasn’t clicking for me personally. I imagine readers who enjoy layered casts and are quicker to connect with complex setups may find more enjoyment here than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Now I have to say, while the writing style took a while to get used to—and I’m still not sure it fully clicked for me—the story itself kept pulling me in. It’s one of those books where you feel a little disoriented at first, but instead of turning you off, that confusion adds to the intrigue. The whole premise of illusions stacked on illusions, where you can’t trust what’s real or who anyone truly is, created a constant tension that I found really compelling.
The magic system is fascinating, especially Mari’s ability to untie illusion—such a cool concept, and it made her stand out as a main character. The plot is twisty and layered, and even though I suspected a few things, I was never completely sure I was right. That constant second-guessing kept me on my toes the entire time. Also, the Hundred Year Games are brutal, mysterious, and full of danger, which added a Hunger Games–style tension but with more magic and secrets.
Even with the writing style not being totally my thing, the worldbuilding and complex character dynamics made this a 4-star read for me. I’ll definitely be checking out the next book—I need to know what happens next!

This was quite lengthy—it took me over 2 weeks to finish. And I found it difficult to get into the story in the beginning. This was mostly because of the writing style. The writing is supposed to be poetic and paint the picture of—at least the way I see it—illusion. But once I settled in, it was a thrilling experience. Until it wasn't.

What on Earth were those last chapters??? Those plot twists were jaw-dropping, tear-jerking, and panic-inducing. I have soooo many questions and I don't know how much longer I can wait for them to be answered in the sequel [and this book hasn't even been published yet!]

I will be looking out for the sequel announcement and I will definitely want to get my hands on this book when it's out.

My dear illusion
Strong FMC
Magic is a part of everyday life
Not a romance book
Exciting Suspenseful
Keeps you guessing
fresh take on magic
Trust No One
The whole book is a lie.

First I’d like to clarify this is not really a romance book. It’s categorized as romance so I went into it expecting a healthy dose of smut but no, it’s not like that. This is more action/adventure/trickery.

My notes while reading:
The FMC is a “creature” and can die and come back to life but the creatures do have a final death. Each time they die they come back with a new physical appearance.
The authors uses the wind as a character in the book to give the reader a third person perspective. So when the FMC (1st person POV) isn’t in the scene but the scene is relevant to the plot, the wind will be in the scene narrating. The wind is a silent character in the book with its own personality and will.

Survive the trials win the crown and possibly die anyway.

She (Mari-FMC) breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the reader at times, referring to the reader as if they’re a person she knows and has spoken to before.
In the end you learn she isn’t talking to the reader but a certain person.

Brings up a lot of questions that make u wanna keep reading to figure out the answers. Did Finn remove Mari’s memories? If so which ones? Are Finn and Luvic plotting something together? Is Finn going to die from solange? How is this going to be a HEA? I hope it will be. Why did Luvic kill Mari? So many questions.

I was NOT expecting the ending. After the duel, everything is unveiled and it’s chaos and unexpected.

In My Dear Illusion, Sarah Ready delivers an ambitious, genre-bending fantasy that defies expectations and lingers long after the final page. The story follows Mari, a Nine—a human gifted (or cursed) with nine lives—who is bound in servitude to Jagger, a powerful and calculating Leggerock. Though Jagger is absent for much of the novel, his presence looms large. His sinister plans for world domination drive the plot, and his influence extends through nearly every thread of the story, casting a long shadow over Mari’s journey and the Hundred Year Games themselves.

As part of Jagger’s bid for power, he sends Mari to form an alliance with Finn, a participant in the Hundred Year Games—a brutal, once-a-century competition between conjurer families. The winning family earns the crown of illusion, a symbol of magical dominance for the next hundred years. This premise alone is enough to hook any fantasy reader, but what elevates My Dear Illusion is the complexity and richness Ready brings to every aspect of this world.

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley, and as a long-time fan of Sarah Ready’s Ghosted series, I was intrigued—but also slightly wary—of such a sharp pivot in genre and tone. Let me say this upfront: if you’re familiar with Ready’s earlier works, be prepared for something entirely different. This is not a lighthearted romance or contemporary drama. It’s dark, dense, strange—and ultimately brilliant.

The opening is a slow burn, and it took me a while to find my footing. The narrative initially felt jarring, switching between Mari’s perspective and that of a sentient Wind. But as the story unfolded, I came to appreciate just how vital—and powerful—that Wind’s perspective is. Not only does it lend a poetic, almost mythic quality to the story, but it also reveals secrets and motivations that would remain hidden without it. The Wind knows things no character can see. It offers a higher, more ancient view of events that adds both gravity and mystery. Without this POV, the novel would be far less layered and emotionally resonant.

The conjurer families themselves are another highlight. Ready introduces them with clarity and intrigue, offering just enough detail to make their politics, rivalries, and magical dynamics fascinating, while still preserving a strong sense of mystery. These families feel like institutions with deep, complex histories—and part of the novel’s allure is in slowly uncovering the power structures and ancient grudges they operate within.

Mari is a compelling lead—resilient, conflicted, and brimming with questions of loyalty, freedom, and identity. Her connection with Finn is tense, heartfelt, and full of emotional complexity. Their alliance feels earned, rather than forced, and shifts in unpredictable ways. Even when things between them feel uncertain, their dynamic keeps the tension alive. Meanwhile, Jagger, though physically absent for much of the story, is a constant presence. His manipulation, cruelty, and ambition ripple across every chapter, reminding us that the true enemy is never far from reach.

As the plot unfolds, twists and turns abound. Some moments I anticipated in vague outline—but even those came in surprising, inventive ways. Others caught me completely off guard, leaving me breathless, teary-eyed, or laughing out loud. The emotional rollercoaster is intense in the best way.

Yes, the book is long. Yes, it requires patience. But My Dear Illusion is a masterclass in slow-burn storytelling, full of tension, heart, and originality. The writing is lyrical and immersive, the worldbuilding intricate without being overwhelming, and the characters unforgettable. It’s a book that rewards your attention—and one that begs to be discussed, reread, and obsessed over.

This is, without question, one of the best fantasy novels of 2025. It’s daring, imaginative, and wholly unlike anything I’ve read before. I don’t know how I’ll stop thinking about it until the next installment is in my hands.

Until then, I’ll be here—telling everyone I know to read it, and probably still screaming into the void.

I really didnt vibe with this book. I loved the premise and the blurb drew me in but I just couldn't get into the story and the writing style just wasn't for me.

Was this kind of a mind f***? Yes! Did I love it? Also, yes!
It took me a little bit to connect to the characters and wrap my head around the truly unique storyline, but once I did, I was hooked! In my opinion, the immersive world-building and one-of-a-kind magic system are what made this story so enthralling. The games/trials trope is not one of my favorites, but I was thoroughly impressed with the way the author incorporated them into the story without being boring or slowing the story down.
I am still not over the betrayals we had to endure to get to the end of the story but am eagerly awaiting book #2 to see how Mari gets the life she deserves!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this arc opportunity!

Thanks to WW Crown and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

WOW, what an explosive first installment in a brand new romantasy series. Sarah Ready is one of my all time favorite writers, I can never get enough to satisfy my cravings for her stories and her characters. Although this is very different from everything else she's written and is much more dense and immersive of an experience, it's a riveting series opener and I'm thoroughly enthralled by this world she's created. In Sarah Ready's contemporary romances I usually drive right in for a gluttonous binge, very often in one sitting and most often I can't put it down, even if it means I stay up all night to devour the latest offering. Reading My Dear Illusion was nothing like that, this story is one I took small bites of over weeks and let the atmosphere trickle into my bloodstream. I'm intrigued and smitten by these characters and can't wait for book 2! Thanks, as always, Sarah for sharing your talent with us.

Unfortunately this book just was not for me and I got 27% of the way through before I chose to DNF. The premise and plot of this book I thought would be right up my street but unfortunately I felt the world building the Author did was too much and did not add anything to the story making this book excessively long. Everything felt massively over explained and it really put me off.

This book really makes you think, there is so much happening and so many moving parts throughout.

Imagine a world where there is a secret race of conjurers who rule the world and influence everything. That is the world that you find yourself in, and a once in a century trial to find who will rule the world next is about to begin. Four conjurer families, one heir will take the crown for the next hundred years.

There is mystery, magic, high stakes battles, love, loss, tragedy, and triumph. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. With so many moving parts, I gave up on trying to figure things out about 2/3rds of the way through and just held on and enjoyed the wild ride. The dual point of view I found to be particularly interesting, one being Mari and the other being the wind. It was unique and provided a truly interesting perspective.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read. 4.5 /5 stars.
I LOVE Sarah: she's an autobuy author for me. She's SO great at capturing the emotion of love in interiority

But THIS is next level for her.

It's a complete departure from her usual contemporary romance style (even her more magical realism based series).
We find ourselves following Mari, a nine creature, as she attempts to steal a crown for her boss from the four families that essentially 'play god' over all people through illusios. She has a special gift of unweaving those illusions and, coupled with the bastard child of one of the families, her boss has promised her freedom if they conquer a quest.
This has EVERYTHING. Beautiful world building. A plethora of strange, unique, and voice-y characters. Lush, descriptive prose and playful banter. Magic and deadly games. And of course, in true Ready fashion, a bubbling just under the surface romance. There's also an alternative point of view: the wind, who 'sees' everything and is able to really describe things Mari can't...man THESE chapters are just stunning.
This does leave off on one heckuva plot twist at the end, and the last 6 chapters or so are going to flip the entire story on its head, but its exciting and leaves me ready for the sequel. It is really dense, her longest book easily, and the families and the world building are a LOT. It could use a family tree. But man...I could not put this down for even a second, and it really was just SO enjoyable.

Unfortunately, My Dear Illusion was a DNF at 34%. The story was extremely slow with zero developments. It was my style of writing and over 900 pages, I couldn't do. Sorry

✨Thanks to NetGalley and W.W.Crown for the ARC ✨

🇬🇧 ARC Review: “My Dear Illusion” by Sarah Ready – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There are books that entertain you… and then there are books that transform you. “My Dear Illusion” does just that.
It isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. A storm that builds slowly, beautifully, until it sweeps you off your feet and leaves you breathless.

From the very first page, I was hooked by the vivid and haunting voice of Mari Locke (she’s telling a story to someone—but you’ll only find out who at the end). Mari is a thief bound to the will of the terrifying conjurer Jagger and thrown into a deadly game for stealing the Crown of Illusions. Her journey—from the desolate Hell Gate to the center of the Hundred Year Games—is riddled with illusions, betrayals, deadly traps, impossible choices, and aching humanity.

And at her side (sometimes stumbling) is Finn Alterra, the illegitimate son of one of the most powerful conjurers of the time. He volunteers to enter the Games in exchange for a rare drug, Solange, which allows him to destroy illusions—and to which he’s hopelessly addicted. Mari has to kill him at the end of the Games, but she feels an inexplicable pull toward the Solange-addict man and already knows she won’t be able to kill him at the end. She wants him to live—to return to the woman he claims to love, the same woman Mari envies so deeply.

Their chemistry is subtle but potent, developing with a slow, aching intensity that makes every word, every moment, matter.

The world Sarah Ready builds is one of the most imaginative I’ve encountered in a long time. Four ruling clans of conjurers, ancient magic, characters who feel utterly real in all their flaws and brilliance—this universe is expansive, unique, and completely immersive. The essence of this book lies in its depth: you feel like you're working for the story, like you’re earning every revelation. And that’s exactly what makes it great.

I adored the narrative choices, especially the use of the wind as an almost-omniscient observer—a little nosy, yes, but also tender and driven by a strong sense of justice. It adds a lyrical quality to the story that elevates every scene it touches.

The writing itself? Lush. Poetic. Sometimes almost too beautiful—there were moments when I had to pause just to absorb it. But it’s always worth it.

Yes, the book is long. Yes, I occasionally lost track of who was who (those clan names really blur together at first), and yes, some plot threads were left open (Last?? Cora??). But even when I was a little confused or overwhelmed, I NEVER wanted to stop reading. The pacing is impressively tight for such a sprawling epic, and every chapter adds meaning and weight.

I also completely fell for the side characters. Jacob—the soft boy hiding secrets and heartbreak—and Luvic, the wild, charming trickster, totally stole my heart.

And the ending? Not a twist—a Earthquake! Everything flips. Everything hurts.

The final chapters flip everything you thought you knew upside down. The truths established at the beginning collapse—and in their place, new revelations take root. Everything is painful, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable. I was stunned, moved, and immediately ready to reread from page one.

What I especially loved was how Sarah Ready explores the beauty of true friendship, the power of trust, and the raw vulnerability of giving your life into someone else's hands. She writes about LOVE—real, deep, soul-consuming love—in a way so moving that is uniquely hers.

And once again, she makes you believe that true love—unforgettable, indelible, immortal—is NOT an illusion.

No, this isn’t a standalone, and yes, as I mentioned, it ends on a note that will make you want to scream… but you know this isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of something huge.


For fans of:
❤️‍🔥 Epic, aching love
✨ Second Chances 
🌪 Complex magic systems
🖤 Emotional slow burns
🔮 Epic worldbuilding
 👁 Unreliable realities
🪢 Knots to untie
 🏹 High-stakes games
🤯 Plot twists that rewire your brain

I’ll be the first in line for Book #2.