Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee
Geneva Lee’s dive into romantasy with her first in series, Filthy Rich Fae, was more like a joyous hop. After writing book boyfriend Julian Rousseaux in the Filthy Rich Vampire series, readers won’t have to venture far or steel themselves for what some in the subgenre call “fairy smut”. In fact, it’s a fun ride from the vampire world to the fairy land that Lee’s created.
Is it just me? When I think of fairies, the first image that comes to mind is an infinitesimally small humanoid with wings, à la Tinker Bell. Lachlan Gage is definitely no little lady with wings. In fact, he can be a very scary dude at times. But mostly he’s just a devious, supernaturally handsome, big dark-haired guy. But then again, as a fae prince, he can throw a glamour and mesmerize the heck out of someone. Even if he is a mob boss of sorts. He’s what author Geneva Lee has termed a “cinnamon roll alpha” (something she explains on the latest episode of Nerdy Romantics Podcast).
But as luscious as Lachlan Gage is, this is the heroine Cate Holloway’s book. She’s a nurse in a major New Orleans hospital — one with the Gage name on a wing. When she sees her brother come in one night with a “friendly fire” gunshot wound, she knows he’s fallen in with a gang. A gang headed by Lachlan Gage. She angrily stomps out of the hospital and heads to a hotel that’s Gage’s supposed headquarters to somehow beg her brother out of this gang.
Instead, she’s tricked by Lachlan Gage himself into making a bargain — her life for her brother’s. Now she’s bound to this tall handsome, leader of New Orleans’ underworld. Well, she did eat fae food. (Never eat fae food!) But to be fair — scratch that — a bargain with a fae, especially a fae prince, is never fair.
Hot and Heavy … and Dangerous
If you’ve read a Geneva Lee book, you know it will be hot and heavy. The fae (like Lee’s vamps) love their parties, their fashions, their jewels, and their orgies. While Lachlan is slow-burning over Cate, everyone else is doing everything else with each other. For readers who love steam, you’ll get an ample dose of it here. And if you love a really HOT-burning slow-burn romance, Cate and Lachlan will not disappoint.
Along with the heat are the trigger and content warnings. This is not a happy light fairyland. These fae are violent, separating body parts from bodies and marking people for death. Also, Cate is an orphan (her brother is a foster brother) who has suffered not only family trauma but sexual abuse trauma. If you are sensitive to any of these issues, make sure you review the trigger warnings the author has included.
Drama in Enchanting Fantasy Setting
If you thought that Julian and his vampire family were a handful, wait until you meet Lachlan’s sisters, and the other ruling fae families. I came for the romance between Cate and Lachlan, but what will keep me through this series are the family dynamics, the betrayals between the courts, and like I said earlier, the parties. Not just for the decadence, but to see how fae interact with each other. While there are alliances, there are also animosities between families. The hatred is not just between existing members today, but Ms. Lee hints that it’s something that’s been there for a long while. Like generations long.
An added character to Filthy Rich Fae is the elaborate Otherworld where Lachlan and his crew reside. It’s full of mazes, elaborate floral and fauna, and priceless embellishment. Even the hotel that hides the entrance to the Otherworld realm feels like it’s dipped in gold and holds an endless labyrinth of rooms and corridors. It’s no surprise that this fae palace and the entrance to the Otherworld that the palace hides are in New Orleans. Magic and intrigue are synonymous with the southern city. Ms. Lee gives New Orleans character status just as Candace Bushnell did for New York in Sex and the City.
This first entry into romantasy/urban fantasy for Geneva Lee is a thrilling, fiery one. Who knew fairy smut could be so entertaining?
Find out more about author Geneva Lee and the inspiration for her now 3 very popular series, including some more on Filthy Rich Fae on Nerdy Romantics Podcast, episode 42
About Geneva Lee:
Geneva Lee is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of over thirty novels. Her bestselling Royals Saga has sold nearly four million copies worldwide. She’s shamelessly addicted to recovering alpha males, headstrong heroines, and drop-your-jaw plot twists. People Magazine calls Geneva’s books “convincing with fluid writing that’s full of drama.” When she isn’t writing or reading, you might find her on another adventure with her real-life hero and their three kids.
