Geneva Lee’s Filthy Rich Fae, the intoxicating first installment in the Filthy Rich Fae series, is a decadent foray into a world where magic isn’t just myth—it’s a weapon, a drug, and a currency. Released in 2024, this urban fantasy romance defies the predictable beats of its genre by weaving high-stakes fae politics into a modern mafia structure, setting the stage for Fallen Court (2025), the eagerly awaited sequel.
Set against the sultry, haunted backdrop of New Orleans, Filthy Rich Fae blends mythology with modern corruption, romance with revenge, and the shimmer of the supernatural with the raw grit of survival. Geneva Lee crafts an irresistibly dangerous tale, where hearts are weapons and every deal costs more than it promises.
Story Overview: A Bargain Forged in Desperation
Cate Holloway’s world has never been fair. Raised by the foster system and forged in the fires of emergency medicine, Cate is used to making hard decisions. But when her brother gets entangled in a life-threatening mess with the powerful and elusive Gage crime family, Cate does the unthinkable—she makes a deal with the devil.
Except Lachlan Gage isn’t just a crime lord—he’s fae royalty. And the cost of her brother’s life is Cate’s soul.
Now magically bound to the prince of the Nether Court, Cate is thrust into a realm of glamour and deception, where every whispered word is a trap, and every kindness hides a blade. With thirty days to break the bargain or risk being claimed forever, Cate must navigate a court of shadows, secrets, and desire—all while resisting the pull of a fae prince who sees too much and says too little.
What Makes This Fae Romance Stand Out
Unlike many romantic fantasy titles that overpromise danger but underdeliver on substance, Filthy Rich Fae thrives on tension. The danger is real. The stakes are high. And the characters? Deliciously complex.
Why It Works:
- Fresh Integration of Mafia and Faerie Lore: The fusion of organized crime dynamics with fae court politics is seamless and unique. Lee’s version of New Orleans is a melting pot of mortal vices and magical menace.
- Tangible Countdown Tension: The thirty-day timeline gives the plot a persistent urgency that makes it hard to put the book down.
- Enemies-to-Lovers That Resists Tropes: Lachlan doesn’t melt at Cate’s feet. Cate doesn’t swoon after one heated glance. Their relationship is built on suspicion, shared trauma, and hard-won respect.
Protagonist Spotlight: Cate Holloway
Cate is the kind of heroine who doesn’t wait to be rescued—she breaks into enemy territory herself. From the opening pages, she’s portrayed as capable, sharp-witted, and fiercely loyal. What makes her especially compelling is that she never becomes a pawn in her own story.
Even when bound by magic, Cate fights for autonomy. Her trauma isn’t romanticized—it’s raw, real, and handled with care. Her voice is clear and emotionally resonant, filled with sardonic humor and simmering rage. She’s the heartbeat of the novel, and her evolution from nurse to reluctant political player is both believable and thrilling.
The Fae Prince: Lachlan Gage
Brooding, brutal, and beautifully unreadable, Lachlan is more than the typical dark fantasy love interest. His aura of menace is earned—he rules a fae court with drug empires and bullets, and yet there’s something brittle beneath the arrogance. He hides more than he reveals, and Geneva Lee uses this to excellent effect, dragging readers through layers of intrigue as Lachlan’s motives unfold slowly and strategically.
His connection to Cate is forged not through romantic cliché but through shared pain, loss, and obligation. Their dynamic is hostile, complicated, and magnetic. Lachlan isn’t redeemed in traditional ways, but by the end of the book, his vulnerability peeks through the mask of power—and it’s enough to make readers crave more.
Worldbuilding: Opulence Meets Oblivion
Lee’s vision of New Orleans is pulsing with life, both mortal and magical. The glamour of the Avalon Hotel conceals a dark underbelly, and the Otherworld is crafted with deliberate beauty and danger. The fae realms—Nether, Infernal, Astral, and Hallow—each hint at deeper mythologies, leaving just enough mystery to fuel the next installment.
Standout elements include:
- Bargains and soul-binding: The rules of magic are clear, consistent, and terrifying.
- Fae drug culture: The inclusion of abismine and its addictiveness adds real-world parallels and stakes.
- Faerie court customs: With Equinoxes, court marriages, and political alliances, Lee sets the stage for long-term world expansion.
Themes That Resonate
At its core, Filthy Rich Fae isn’t just about magic or romance—it’s about power: who has it, who steals it, and how it changes those who seek it.
Key Themes:
- Sacrifice for family: Cate’s entire arc begins with a choice made out of love, not self-interest.
- The illusion of control: Whether it’s Lachlan’s political games or Cate’s medical training, control is an illusion they’re constantly trying to reclaim.
- Boundaries and autonomy: The bargain trope is used to challenge themes of bodily and magical autonomy, and Lee doesn’t shy away from the discomfort it causes.
Writing Style: Stylish, Sharp, and Unapologetic
Geneva Lee’s prose is cinematic—evocative without being overwrought. She has a flair for mood and atmosphere, often juxtaposing gritty realism with dreamlike fantasy. Cate’s internal dialogue is a highlight: it’s layered, sardonic, and filled with just enough emotional vulnerability to keep readers deeply connected.
Lee’s dialogue is crisp, especially in scenes between Cate and Lachlan, where every word feels like a double-edged sword. The pacing is brisk, building tension expertly while allowing space for introspection.
Narrative Structure and Pacing
The story is told in tight, first-person perspective, which keeps the reader locked inside Cate’s head as the world around her spirals out of control. The thirty-day timeline provides a perfect structural anchor, and each new day introduces fresh stakes—be it a courtly dance, a magical trap, or a deeper look into Lachlan’s guarded world.
The middle of the book sags slightly, as the focus shifts from survival to subterfuge, but the final act is a pulse-pounding unraveling of secrets, prophecies, and courtly betrayal.
Critique: Areas for Growth
Even compelling fantasy has room for refinement. Here’s where Filthy Rich Fae leaves space for evolution in Fallen Court:
- More clarity on fae court politics: The various courts are fascinating, but not fully fleshed out. Readers may struggle to understand their relationships and influence.
- Secondary characters underused: Fiona, Roark, and even Ciara have rich potential that’s only teased. Hopefully, future books give them more development.
- Abrupt shift from mortal world to fae realm: The first act promises a grounded urban fantasy, but that promise fades once Cate is ensnared by fae politics. A bit more balance between the two worlds would add richness.
- Romantic development feels slightly rushed at the end: While the slow-burn is appreciated, the emotional resolution between Cate and Lachlan arrives quickly after major revelations.
Connections to Other Works by Geneva Lee
Geneva Lee is known for her bestselling Royals series and her emotionally charged romances like Command Me and Beautifully Cruel. Filthy Rich Fae builds on that legacy by bringing her signature intensity to the fantasy genre. Fans of her past works will recognize the author’s flair for brooding heroes, forbidden attraction, and high-stakes emotional entanglements.
Comparable Titles and Why Readers Will Love This
If you enjoy morally complex romances, political fae fantasy, or heroines who bite before they kiss, then Filthy Rich Fae will feel like coming home—with fangs.
You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (but darker and with guns)
- Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy (similar fae intrigue)
- Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham (more chaotic, but equally addictive)
- The Bargainer by Laura Thalassa (for the soul-bargain romance trope)
Anticipation for Book Two: Fallen Court
With Fallen Court set to release in 2025, readers can expect explosive consequences. The foundations laid in book one hint at:
- Court alliances on the brink of collapse
- Cate uncovering the true nature of her magic
- Potential betrayal from inside the Nether Court
- A return to New Orleans with new enemies and older debts
The groundwork is expertly laid for a sequel that could take the series from addictive to unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: Seductive, Smart, and Viciously Beautiful
Filthy Rich Fae is a powerful first entry in a series that promises to enchant readers who crave dark magic, knife-edge romance, and a heroine who refuses to kneel. Geneva Lee delivers a story that is both emotionally resonant and utterly entertaining—a book that doesn’t just flirt with danger, but dances with it.
With its blend of sultry setting, unrelenting tension, and unforgettable characters, Filthy Rich Fae marks a bold step into fantasy for an author already known for writing unapologetic, powerful love stories.
This isn’t just a fae fantasy romance—it’s a reckoning. And it lingers like smoke long after the final page.