Today’s review is about A FAE IN FINANCE by Juliet Brooks. This is the first book in the How to Do Business in Fairie series. While I picked this up for a good time, unfortunately it left me a bit wanting.
Author: Juliet Brooks
Series: How to Do Business in Fairie, #1
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: October 21, 2025
Print Length: 414
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A Fae In Finance Synopsis
Synopsis
She’s working for a fae in finance, business plan, 6′ 5″, big wings…
In this hilarious contemporary fantasy romance, an exasperated low-level investment banker is trapped in a magical realm by a faerie prince, where she must survive in a strange new world with only her wits–and a solid Wi-Fi connection.
When investment banker Miri is purposely trapped in Faerie by her client, the Princeling of the Faerie realm, she does what any normal 20-something would do: cries, makes jokes in denial, and worries loudly about her cat, Doctor Kitten. Instead of rescuing her, her boss simply confirms she has solid internet access, leaving Miri stranded in a strange land with only a warning that the quality of her work should not decrease because of a change of address.
But Miri grew up reading fantasy, and she knows there are always ways to work around magic–she just needs to find them. In order to make her daring escape, Miri must navigate Faerie political drama, lies by omission, faerie seduction tactics, deteriorating mental health, and a mother who never hangs up the phone.
A Fae In Finance Review
I received a free, digital, advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher. My review is my own and reflects my honest opinion about this book.
In A FAE IN FINANCE, Miri works for an investment bank who take on fae folk as clients. Despite her toxic boss, Miri continues forward because she believes in the value of integrating the fae and human worlds. When her client, the Princeling, invites Miri and her boss to the Faerie realm, she’s intrigued yet cautious, for the fae are tricksters. Against her better judgment, she makes one poor choice and becomes trapped in the Faerie realm. She soon learns from the Princeling that a neighboring fae ruler disapproves of the Princeling’s efforts to integrate with the human world and threatens to take over his court. Apparently the Princeling needs Miri’s help despite her unfamiliarity with their world.
A FAE IN FINANCE sounded like an entertaining, light fantasy read with some probable romance. I picked it up with that in mind. However, I decided to quit reading it at 51% into the book for several reasons. First, while there was nothing overtly “wrong” with the writing, it is incredibly simplistic. It felt like every little thing was described to the point that the pace felt somewhat glacial. As a result, there was more “telling” than “showing,” which I feel makes it harder to connect with the story or character.
Second, the reader spends too much time reading about Miri’s inner monologue. Again, this is not automatically an issue, but I didn’t enjoy being inside her head. She understandably has anxiety due to her toxic boss and entrapment in Faerie. However, she tries to be witty and sarcastic and it just was…not. It didn’t really do much to further the plot. I felt like this book needed another round of editing to cull some of the seemingly irrelevant text. Even when interacting with the various fae the plot barely moves along.
I certainly like the unique idea of partnering with the fae in business and all the world building that it could entail. But at 51%, there was hardly any world building, either. There’s a lot of Miri going back and forth from her bedroom to the cafeteria to eat. I don’t necessarily need a lot of world building, but throw me a little bone to whet my appetite.
So, for these reasons above (mainly because of the slow-paced plot), I decided to not finish this book. Certainly there is someone who will enjoy A FAE IN FINANCE, but unfortunately it was not my cup of tea.
Rating: not applicable
Content warnings: verbal abuse
Reading format: Kindle e-book
Oh dear. Sorry that this one was so disappointing Celeste.
I’m sorry, too…at 50% my feelings hadn’t changed, so it was time to DNF. I was looking forward to a light read, but it didn’t work for me.
Too bad, I really wanted this to be good! The idea and cover grabbed my attention, but I’d probably DNF it too with very little happening.
Samesies! I’m sad it didn’t work for me. Is this one you have an ARC of, too?
It’s a bummer that this ended up being a DNF but based on everything you mentioned, I probably would’ve done the same as you. 🫣
Good for you for recognizing when a book isn’t working for you! I don’t think it would appeal to me either, particularly with the pacing issues you describe.