I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee Series: Filthy Rich Fae #1
Published by Entangled Amara on June 25 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 364
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A darkly sexy fantasy romance, Filthy Rich Fae is the perfect opening to Geneva Lee’s new series.
This is my first time reading a book by Geneva Lee, and I had a ton of fun with it! Filthy Rich Fae is urban fantasy with a good dose of romance, but there’s also a decent plot going on, so even if you’re not a big romance fan, there’s a lot to love. I would rate this “spice level PG-13,” which is perfect for me, and if you’re one of those readers who loves romance and sexy banter but doesn’t want to know everything that goes on in the bedroom, this book is for you.
Cate Holloway is a nurse at Gage Memorial in New Orleans, where she deals daily with overdoses from a dangerous street drug called Trinity. One day a gunshot victim is admitted to the ER, and Cate is shocked to find out it’s her brother Channing. She does some digging and discovers that Channing was caught in friendly fire during a drug deal, and the location of the incident proves that the notorious Gage family was involved—which means that her little brother has somehow become involved with the Gages. Lachlan Gage, the head of the family, isn’t someone Cate wants to get involved with, but she’ll do anything for her brother, and so she decides to pay Lachlan a visit to see if she can make a deal to protect him.
When Cate meets Lachlan, he’s exactly like she pictured him—ruthless, gorgeous and sexy. As she pleads her case, something goes wrong, and Cate realizes too late she’s made an unbreakable bargain with Lachlan for her soul. Lachlan, it turns out, is the fae prince of the Nether Court, and bargains are serious business where he comes from. Cate finds herself whisked away to the Otherworld, the land of the fae, where Lachlan explains that she is free to go back to her world during the day, but every night at midnight, she must return to the Otherworld and spend her nights with him.
Lee’s world is both familiar and new. Things like the different fae courts, arranged marriages and the Wild Hunt are things I’ve seen in other stories. But there are also elements that felt fresh. For example, Lachlan is 244 human years old and actually fought in World War II. I also loved the Avalon, a swanky hotel that acts as a way station of sorts, where fae can go to use human conveniences like internet and still be close to the Otherworld when they need to return. In this world, humans aren’t aware of otherworldly creatures like the fae, vampires, and werewolves (all part of Lee’s world although we don’t see them in this story), but the fae are basically hidden in plain sight, part of the fabric of New Orleans, although they wear glamours to hide their true appearance. I also liked that Lachlan carries a gun wherever he goes, so he felt more like a mobster than fae royalty.
The story is narrated by Cate, so we see everything from her point of view, which was a good choice. I loved that the author gave her an interesting backstory as well. Cate’s parents died when she was a toddler, so she was in foster care for many years. She has a bit of a criminal background as well, especially when she ended up with some awful foster parents and had to steal food in order to survive. I also really liked the relationship between Cate and Lach, which is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance with lots of tension. Lee includes plenty of political intrigue among the four fae courts, like the arranged marriage between Lach’s sister Ciara and Bain, the prince of a rival court. I really liked a lot of the side characters, especially Ciara and Shaw, Lach’s younger brother.
One of the main plot lines involves the Trinity drug and the havoc it’s causing the city of New Orleans. Cate and Lach are at odds over it, and Cate decides to prove to Lach just how dangerous the drug is. Her research uncovers the shocking reason the drug is so dangerous, which leads to an interesting twist. There’s also something going on with an emerald ring that Cate wears, passed down from her mother before she died. Lach is extremely interested in the ring and obviously knows something we don’t, so hopefully in the next book we’ll find out more about it.
As for the ending, well, I loved it! Yes, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end, and it sort of came out of nowhere. But it makes me want to read the next book in the series even more.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
While romance might not be my favorite ingredient in a story, here it sounds like an intriguing and integral element in it – and the rest of the details you described certainly piqued my curiosity… Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…A MARRIAGE OF UNDEAD INCONVENIENCE, by Stephanie Burgis
I would say the romance was secondary almost, which I appreciate because the plot is so important to me.
Your review really got me convinced that I would probably really enjoy this book. I just can’t resist urban fantasy. It’s my favorite fantasy subgenre. Another one for my TBR!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: Healer to the Broken King by Avie Adams
I don’t read enough urban fantasy. Every time I read a book like this I’m reminded how fun it is:-)
I am officially sold on this one! It sounds like a ton of fun – I mean, fae mobster??? Yes!
Rebecca @ Powder & Page recently posted…Currently Reading: 7/15/24
Ha ha yes I loved Lach’s shoulder holster and gun:-)
I hadn’t considered this one really but your review, along with the New Orleans setting, may have sold me. Definitely interested in it now! Great review.
I loved the dual setting, New Orleans and the Otherworld. It keep things interesting:-)
Oh excellent review! I want to read it now.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Read-along Q & A with Diana Rowland @dianarowland #AllisonMcLemore @dawbooks #BrillianceAudio @AudibleStudios #Read-along #LoveAudiobooks
Thanks Anne, I’m excited for the next book:-)
I loved her Filthy Rich Vampire so I am not surprised that you loved this one Tammy!
I’m so glad I already have a copy of Filthy Rich Vampire!
Likely one I’ll pass on, but always glad to see you enjoy a story, and it sounds like one that may appeal to a lot of folks.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed it:-)
I like the sound of this, it seems like a novel look at the fae 😀
Pages and Teaq recently posted…Book Review: Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1) by Travis Baldree
It was unique in a lot of ways!
This sounds like my kind of book and many thanks for nailing exactly the amount of heat in the romance side of the story in your excellent review. I will be looking out for this one in due course and I also love the sound of the story:)).
The story was a lot of fun, and she really sets up the world so that you want to learn more about it:-)
Hm, interesting!! I wasn’t expecting you to say it was a mobster fae enemies-to-lovers romance haha. I can’t say I’ve ever felt the urge to read a mobster story, but the fact that it includes the fae juuuussst might be the tipping point for me to try. 😛 Great review!
Celeste | A Literary Escape recently posted…How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
It’s lovely to hear that this has a plot alongside the romance. I do adore a good romance within a story but when it comes to fantasy I want a good world to explore and other dynamics at play too. Especially when supernatural beings like the fae have so much potential
I think I would love this. Sounds excellent.
Lynn 😀