Gossamer in the Darkness

A Fantasyland Novella (1001 Dark Nights)

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Stella Bloom, John Hartley

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Ashley brings another story in her Fantasyland series...

Their engagement was set when they were children. Loren Copeland, the rich and handsome Marquess of Remington, would marry Maxine Dawes, the stunning daughter of the Count of Derryman. It’s a power match. The perfect alliance for each house.

However, the Count has been keeping secret a childhood injury that means Maxine can never marry. He’s done this as he searches for a miracle so this marriage can take place. He needs the influence such an alliance would give him, and he’ll stop at nothing to have it.

The time has come. There could be no more excuses. No more delays. The marriage has to happen, or the contract will be broken.

When all seems lost, the Count finds his miracle: There’s a parallel universe where his daughter has a twin. He must find her, bring her to his world and force her to make the Marquess fall in love with her.

And this, he does.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

©2022 Kristen Ashley (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Foreword © 2014 by M. J. Rose.

The Fantasyland Formula

😌 3 stars😌
One KA series I haven't gotten jaded about or tired of, yet, is ...The Fantasyland series. I mean, sure, I didn't get through this series' by-product series quartet: The Rising-mainly because, with that, I did lose interest, but that didn't stop me from reading the HEA for Loren Copeland and Maxine "Satrine" Daws!

The Fantasyland Formula commenced: heroine from one world gets spirited to an Adult Disney 2.0 universe; she is forced or, with good reason, convinced to hide her identity, all-the-while being "arranged" to be with a Fantasyland hot-guy noble or prince! Yummy

Of course, with KA, this mixture of AU and arranged marriage trope is imbibed with-
◙ nefarious dealings,
◙ MAGIC,
◙ jargon, like "OK," "Right-y ho," and "AF," clashes with hot-guy nobleman's speech,
◙ KA-style heavy-petting that includes at least one exclamation of "honey," "beautiful," or "glorious," and
◙ a concoction of endearing family-hood, brotherhood, and/or sisterhood relations.

😩 Sadly, I had some hang-ups that kept this one from being a 4 stars. Mainly, I couldn't get over some character development and plot sequencing/pacing issues.

First, it took my man Loren too long to catch on or even challenge the obvious suspicious behavior, so I was miffed that he was not as savvy or quick-on-the-uptake-

Second, Loren's catching on, well, IS the plot (or becomes the plot). So, not only is the hero easily duped, but after the beginning conflict set up for both the heroine and hero, it fades or is conveniently neglected, until being neatly wrapped up in the end. No twists and turns, which could have made the story more interesting.

Yet, don't mind me! I still got my KA Fantasyland Fix, resulting in a mellow daze.

Absolutely Fabulous

as always, a wonderful detailed adventure. I truly enjoyed the horse statue description, reminded me of DIA.

Fairytale

Was so glad to delve back into this world! I loved this story! KA does it again! She makes the characters come alive every single time! Can’t wait for more.

A great addition to the Series

I enjoyed this addition to the series. It was creative and the usual great work of Kristen Ashley. I’m looking forward to when she starts the series of the mystics.

A lovely trip to a fantastical world

If you enjoyed the fantasy series, you will love this short but filling return to a much loved world. My only wish is that it were longer! I read the book as soon as it was out, and didn't think the audible could add anything new, but I was wrong. It brings the story further to life in my mind, where it will tide me over till I can go back to the beginning and read them all again.

Ahhh…I love this universe!

I like looking forward to new books from this world. I am waiting for Valentine’s story. I listen to the other books once a month. I love them. Patiently waiting❤️❤️❤️

OMG!

I didn’t think it could be better then the other in the fantasy series but it might be better. I loved everything about it the H&h were awesome not a ton of angsts. The sister is so sweet the relationships between the mom and h was so loving! I loved it! Totally worth the credit.

Five Fantasy Stars!!

If there is one thing, I have learned about Kristen Ashley books it is to never expect it to go the way you think it is going to go. Even if you are sure, you probably aren't.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Fantasyland series as a whole, I didn't love it like I did her Colorado Mountain series or her Three Trilogy. With Gossamer in the Darkness though, it made me realize that I loved this series much more than I thought I did. Being reunited with some of our favorite characters and seeing how far they have come really touched my heart in a way I didn't expect.

Maxine and Loren were destined to be together from that first moment in the rain and not once through this story did my belief in their HEA ever faulter. It was touch and go at times on how I thought the ending would work out, but I seriously loved it more than I could say.

Stella Bloom kind of blew me away with her narration for both the females and the males. Dare I say her male voices were almost sexy because they truly were. Then John Hartley people, sweet molasses! His voice was everything deep and delicious as Loren. The growl of possessiveness he was able to add when it came to Maxine had me swooning all over the place.

Now that I have completed this series, I am kind of sad to say goodbye to this other world Kristen Ashley has created. If i could complain about one thing it is that through all this all I wanted was for Valentine to get her happily ever after however that decided to come.

Classic Ashley!

Yeah, the storyline was typical but who cares. I love KA books and I was taken to another world. I love the Fantastical series and all the characters were back. The narrators were absolutely amazing. Thank you for taking us back and giving us our favorite hero’s and heroines!

Great!

OMG! Lahn!! YAY! Other than Lahn and the other couples from the series, it was a great romance and addition to the Fantasyland series.

Absolutely fantastic

What a great novella! It was so lovely to visit this fantasyland again. Lovely to catch up on beloved characters from other books in the series I finished in 2 days . Perfect narration. Is only hope that we can visit these lands again 🫶

Amazing book

I adored the previous books in which this book was set. To see old and favourite characters appear was truly a joy. Revisiting Hawkvale and Bellbryn was surreal. This story was captivating and compelling to read. I’m glad I did a complete reread be fore this one as it enhanced my pleasure with this wonderful book. As always fab narration too.

All that I needed

Loved this book so much. But, before talking about the story I have to mention the outstanding performances of Stella Bloom (she never ever fails to wow me) and John Hartley (his voice is sexy af and his performance amazing).
The story was short, steamy and sweet. My only issue here is that that world hasn’t changed nor developed in almost 3 decades. That doesn’t sound right.

love it

I loved it. As always k.ashley books are amazing. I loved performance of Stella bloom. any book she reads its catching.