A is for Aurelie: A Faerie Tale

Aurelie: A Faerie Tale by Heather Tomlinson

Once a upon a time, three children and a little river dragon were the best of friends--until a promise was broken. Now they are almost grown up and barely speaking to one another. With her country in turmoil, Aurelie is sent on a peacekeeping mission. But how can she prevent a war when she can't even make her friends get along?

Heartsick at losing her dearest companions, especially the handsome Garin, Aurelie finds comfort in her secret, late-night trips to fairyland. But a princess can't hide from her duties forever. Her country needs her, and so do her friends--whether they know it or not.

Now I didn't interpret what happened to split them apart as a broken promise so much as an unfortunate incident when Netta slipped up and recognized Loic's father as a fae. He took her sight, because he couldn't abide a mortal being able to see him, but she'd managed to not give away Garin or Aurelie who could also see fae thanks to Loic who'd given the three of them the magic ointment.

However, since they hadn't wanted to make Loic feel bad, they never told him what happened to Netta and stopped visiting, making him feel as though they'd abandoned him. Then Netta went back to her home, refusing to come back to Lumielle, the capital. And Garin went back to Skoe, completely cutting off all contact. Aurelie was left without any of her friends when her mother died.

The threat of war picked up, so in order to try to negotiate with Skoe and the neighboring country of Alhinsa, Aurelie and Count Sicard travel to Skoe. However, it looks like one particular house in Skoe is working to manipulate their way into total power and seeks to bind Jocondagne, Aurelie's country, in marriage to Captain Inglis's son Hue.

Most chapters are following Aurelie's thoughts, but here and there are chapters following the other three. Eventually, they will have to come together to save Jocondagne and Skoe both. It's not a particularly complicated story, but it is sweet. Not everyone goes for sweet, so I'll say it now. It's a charming YA romantic fantasy. If you don't go for that, that's fine. But I enjoyed the story, and that is part of why. This is the sort of book I can curl up with before bedtime and wind down with its cozy feel-good ending.

Quick edit: I almost forgot my ROW 80 goals.
1: Keep up with daily posts for the A-to-Z challenge. (Today's = met. Yay!)
2: Write 2 paragraphs each day on Meridia.
3: Visit and comment on at least 5 blogs. Starting off on the low end considering there's 2 challenges and I have a bunch I follow normally, but looking for something I can succeed at. Will increase as I get into the groove. (I've already done 3 or 4.)