We’re hosting Rachael Hunter’s book launch on the 1st October at the Bookshop so we were extra excited to be given early copies of her debut novel. Keighley has read and reviewed her copy already so here are her thoughts…
First off, the cover is absolutely stunning! I interpreted it as the deep blues of the waves contrasted with the scattered stars, and it would 100% make me pick it up straight away. More importantly though… I really enjoyed this book. It’s rare to find a romantasy book that feels fresh and different, but this one delivered something new and exciting to the genre.
Briar was such a likeable character, easy to root for from the start, and I loved watching her relationships shift and develop throughout the story. The twists? So good. There were several moments, especially towards the end, that completely caught me off guard and had me going “ohhhhhhh!”
Rachael Hunter’s writing is beautifully descriptive and I could picture every setting and character so vividly, it felt like I was right there in the world.
And that ending… surely it can’t leave us hanging like that?! I cannot wait for Book 2!
About the Book
The first instalment of the series, Where the Waves Meet the Stars, is a spellbinding blend of mystery, emotional yearning, and spicy romance, set in an atmospheric fantasy world that perfectly balances cosy, whimsical charm with darker realms and lurking demons.
Every monster has a story…
Witches run free in the forest, bound not by laws, but by the rhythm of nature’s cycles. They are untamed, not broken by the order of men, but thriving beyond it — peaceful, feral things of the wild. And that is what makes them dangerous to those who seek to control.
In a world steeped in prejudice against witches, Briar has learned that the only way to thrive beyond the forest is to hide who she truly is, to bury her magic and her past even deeper.
Now, after clawing her way through glittering courts and gilded lies, she stands on the edge of her happily ever after with a mundane human lord.
Until a mysterious letter arrives.
A name inked in stars. A whisper from a world she swore she’d left behind—a dark fae who vanished without a trace ten years ago. A ghost Briar never expected to haunt her again.
Should she open it, this letter that could unravel everything? She shouldn’t.
But some secrets refuse to stay buried. And the deeper Briar is pulled into a world of magic, demons, and dragons, the more she realises her past isn’t done with her, not yet.
Because ‘happily ever after’ was always a fragile illusion. And freedom?
It may only come when she dares to embrace who she truly is — even the parts of herself still hidden in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
But be careful what you ignite in the darkness.
About The Author
Rachael Hunter is an independent author and self-described book dragon.
She writes fantasy romance infused with mystery, witchy traditions, dark folklore, and monsters, as well as cosy tales that transport readers to whimsical worlds. Her work often blends poetic prose with an emotional depth that blurs the line between feeling and enchantment.
Married with children, Rachael is a devoted tea enthusiast and unabashed cat lover. She finds joy in exploring the outdoors, especially swimming in the ocean or wandering through forests.
A lifelong lover of creative writing, Rachael discovered that storytelling became a therapeutic outlet, one that has grown into both a passion and a calling. Through her books, she invites readers to join her on an ever-unfolding magical journey.
Purchase the Book
This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box.
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