⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Lost Deer Queen
H.J. Nichols
The Lost Deer Queen by HJ Nichols has a premise that drew me in instantly — think The Princess Bride meets The Bachelorette, but add in magic & murder! ✨
Mae is your ordinary Fae Hybrid — or so she thinks. When she receives a mysterious letter at her homey bookstore the same day the Royal family is brutally murdered, everything she knows is about to change.
This book is all about the vibes, and they’re immaculate. The fairytale setting featuring lush forest, enchanting castle and small town draws you right in and maintains a feeling of calm despite the horrors that show up throughout the book.
Mae’s internal conflict at adopting a whole new lifestyle and trying to choose between multiple suitors is real and frustrating.
The suitors — wow. HJ Nichols serves up the most beautiful characters with the most intense dating drama. The meltdowns, the petty male competition, and the tension (sexual and otherwise) are written so well I felt like I was there.
I honestly would have loved the opportunity to explore the suitors’ motivations more.. Koa, Barret and August remained surface level relationships; and Asmo and Marik kept so much back (on purpose, of course.)
I’d also love to delve further into the lore, and the now-dead Royal family. While I fully understand that Mae’s choice of suitor seems to be the most pressing issue, I think in her shoes I would be lore diving nonstop in the library.
But the book is already 400 pages so I think that’s best saved for the next one.
Altogether this was a really fun, semi steamy novel that delivered a great twist, a prophecy, dark magic, and more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the author for the gifted ebook copy ✨
The Lost Deer Queen is available to purchase at Walmart, Barnes & Noble or on Amazon. Signed copies are available here and here.
The Midnight Review 