How Does It Feel? (Infatuated Fae #1) by Jeneane O'Riley
Genre: Dark Romantasy • Fae Fantasy • Dark Romance • Enemies-to-Lovers Series: Infatuated Fae, Book 1 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (explicit/open-door)
Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)
Callie Peterson, a human biologist searching for a rare mushroom, never expects her research trip to lead her through a mysterious fairy portal and into the dangerous world of the Unseelie Fae.
Instead of finding answers, she lands directly in the path of Prince Mendax, a ruthless and feared Unseelie Fae prince. Believing Callie is a human assassin sent to kill him, Mendax takes her prisoner and decides to put her through three deadly trials. If she survives, she earns her freedom. If she fails, she dies.
But the more time they spend together, the more hatred begins to turn into obsession—and the human he intended to destroy may become the one person capable of bringing him to his knees.
Tropes
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🧚 Unseelie Fae prince
🔥 Dark romantasy
⚔️ Human × Fae
⛓️ Captive/prisoner romance
👑 Fae royalty
🗡️ Deadly trials
😈 Morally black hero
💔 Forbidden obsession
✨ Magic and hidden secrets
🖤 Villain romance
Spice Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 — High spice with explicit scenes. The romance has a dark, intense, obsessive dynamic rather than a soft fantasy romance style.
Content Warnings
Captivity/imprisonment
Threats of violence
Murder attempts
Dangerous trials
Dark fantasy violence
Obsessive behavior
Power imbalance
Cruelty and manipulation
Explicit sexual content
Overall
How Does It Feel? is made for readers who enjoy dark fae romance with a truly villainous hero. It has a very intense enemies-to-lovers setup, a dangerous fantasy world, and a possessive Unseelie prince who struggles between destroying and wanting the heroine.
Fans who enjoy A Court of Thorns and Roses (darker elements), The Cruel Prince, The Never King, or villain romances may enjoy this. Reader reactions are very divided—some love the chaotic darkness, spice, and twists, while others feel the pacing and character choices are not for them.
⭐ Best for: Readers looking for unhinged fae princes, dark obsession, deadly games, and high-spice romantasy.
