How Does It Feel?: Infatuated Fae, Book 1

This book sets the tone for the entire series perfectly. Dark, intoxicating, and emotionally charged from the very beginning. The worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming, and the tension simmers under every interaction. I loved how the story slowly unravels, making you feel just as unsure, curious, and drawn in as the characters themselves. Nothing feels rushed, but nothing feels safe either. This book lays the groundwork in such a deliberate way. The relationships, the power dynamics, the secrets… it all builds into something you know is going to explode later. And it makes you want that chaos. A strong, addictive start to the series. I was hooked from page one and immediately needed book two.

From the books dedication: ‘To you. My hope is not that you finish this book but that this book finishes you.’ To the plot twist ending, I ate it up!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love how the story slowly builds up. It’s definitely a slower start but it was worth it to me! I really enjoyed the world building. I loved the plot twists and moments of what did that just happen..?! Malum Mendax is a super intense shadow daddy and I absolutely loved him, even when I hated to love him! Which is for about 1/2 the book, but then he switches it up and he’s instantly obsessed, and absolutely confused on why. Love the touch her and die vibes. This is a dark romance, enemies to lovers slow burn with so much tension & betrayal! The ending was intense and had a huge plot twist I did not see coming! I’m definitely looking forward to reading book 2! There are sooooo many great swoon worthy quotes ( from Malum) I highlighted soooo many!! “If you die tonight and I never get to tell you, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” “I can lose everything, but not you. I can’t lose you,” he whispered so quietly I knew I wasn’t meant to hear. “I would destroy anyone for you…anyone including myself,”

This series is sooo goood definitely worth the read all of the books are sooo good couldn't put them down. The only thing is the 4th book was the weakest in the series's 13 chapters of Cal's best friend like I wanted to read more on Mendex and Cal not on her best friend Eli. It was funny in parts but honestly it was just very stretch out story that added nothing to the main plot when I finished felt not concluded still good definitely 10/10 recommend worth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ the spice was well balanced but in some parts it was unnecessary especially when Cali and dude she was chasing it kinda of give me the ick not spoiled anything but yeah definitely the ick.

How does it feel is kind of a hot mess. It doesn't really have any atmosphere, the romance feels forced, and the twist ending feels like it doesn't quite fit. In 'How Does It Feel?' Callie Peterson is looking for mushrooms when she ends up falling into the realm of the fae. There, she meets the ruthless and dangerous Mendax, prince of the unseelie fae. He's sure she's an assassin and proceeds to try to kill her. Of course, romance ensues. The romance feels very instalove. I felt like there was no chemistry at all. It was just an instantenous I have to have her vibes from Mendax which was more unrealistic than her falling into the realm of the fae. Is this a bad book? No. Is it a good book? I'm not sure. Am I curious about what happens next? Kind of, so I guess that's a good sign right?

How Does It Feel is a deliciously dark start to a series that’s perfect if you loved ACOTAR but always wished it were bloodier and more ruthless. This book leans hard into forced proximity and fated mates, with a morally black MMC who is as hot as he is cruel. Mendax is dangerous, commanding, and impossible to resist—10/10 would bang, even knowing he’s a terrible idea. From the start, the tension crackles between Callie and her captor. The author does a fantastic job immersing you in Callie’s perspective, giving her believable fear, cunning, and fierce survival instincts. The prose shines most in character development, making you feel every choice and betrayal. The worldbuilding is a little less robust, but the pacing is just right, keeping you hooked without dragging. The spice hits that steamy, tense vibe you want in dark romantasy—open door but not overdone. Honestly, I wished there was even more, because the chemistry is intense and the power dynamics are exactly the kind of twisted I enjoy. The big twist at the end was well executed, with enough hints to feel earned but still surprising. I’m already eager to dive into Book 2 to see where this story goes. If you want morally gray to pitch black, don’t mind a little blood with your fae politics, and need your villains attractive enough to ruin you, this is your next read.

I think I failed to review this initially. Every time I read this, it gets better and better. I pick up on more Easter eggs and just enjoy the heck out of it. This is my kind of romantasy! It's not a hot and heavy smut forward kind of book. No. It's so calculated, villainous, full of plot lines, feelings, character, character development, surprises, unhinged ridiculousity, twists, turns, gouges, stabs, hurts and so very very much love, adventure... and MAGIC! This book is sexy and warped in all of the best ways. If I was left with one book in this world, I wouldn't mind rereading this for eternity. Alas, it's time to move on to the next re-read in preparation for the release of book 3. Jeneane O'riley is surely an author to keep your eyes on!

4.5 ⭐️ Wow, this book was so dark & addictive. I realllly loved how this had all the magical elements, but was also backed with a ton of science. It made the story that much more realistic. Once our FMC finds herself in the fae realm, it’s non stop suspense & action from there on out. The creatures were completely terrifying & depraved, and the trials had me sweating. The MMC, Mendax, lingers on the absolute darkest side of morally gray. Total villian, & I was 100% here for it. It did give me a little whiplash that the switch from enemies to obsessed was SO quick, but I also feel like maybe that’s just part of Mendax’s unhinged nature?🫣 We’ll see. The ending was absolutely brilliant, & I can’t wait to continue this series with book two!

So this definitely felt like a Webnovel book with the poor editing, sentence structure, and scene and character inconsistencies. There were definitely scenes jumps, lack of details where there should have been. E.g She was supposedly such a prude and didn’t curse, but then she became a f* bomb expert. There was a scene in which she found a stick and “forcefully jabbed until two holes formed in the back of my dress.” Well forcefully jabbed what? I’m assuming her dress, but how was she able to jab two holes in the back if she was wearing the dress the entire time? One minute Eli is a he, later referred to as “she,” one minute she’s clueless on some things, the next she isn’t. Despite this, I loved the storyline. It felt like a wicked Alice in wonderland. Now I’m off to book two and the intro says this is a 4 book series. I likely will stop here, as it wasn’t listed this way on KU. Since I don’t like starting series until they are finished, because they sometimes aren’t completed for years and by then I’ve forgotten the stories between books. The author does have it listed on the first few pages of the first book that there are 4 total books (I went back to look for this info), but seeing that it’s in the very first few pages and kindle unlimited usually opens on the first page of the story, this info is easily missed and you can only get this info once the book is downloaded. I like to know if a series is complete before I download the book. I’m not sure how authors contract with KU, but I prefer when it’s noted upfront book 1:4 if it’s going to be a 4 part series, not 1:1,1:2, etc., until the final book is released. I’ll read book 2 and the remaining of the series when it’s complete; because I read too much and it takes away from a book when I go months/yrs between, them as I’ve forgotten too many details for me to continue enjoying the story as I would have if I read them back to back.

Very well written story that I enjoyed every second of. This book got me back in to reading and I haven't stopped! The leading MC is awesome and her leading guy is *very* enjoyable as well. It's a great introduction into dark fantasy romance and I highly recommend reading if you're into the fae and bad boys. ;)

Twisty, morally grey, romance, weird... all the good things!

This is the dedication for this book: -To you. My hope is not that you finish this book but that this book finishes you.- That’s a promise, this book will finish you. And it’s worth every second.

I did not expect it to like it sooo much.. Especially the twist in the twist in the end.. .

I will definitely looking forward to read the second book. I found reviews from this book on TikTok and decided to buy it, it's really worth it. Forgot really quick that English is not my mother language and dived deep into this storyline. Also the unexpected twists in this story and the different perspectives, from callis and also from Mendax view, are very great written. Well done, I hope I can read more books from you in the future Jeneane.