If Bonded by Thorns was the fairytale retelling that swept us into Elizabeth Helen’s magical, multi-prince world, Woven by Gold is where that world begins to truly bloom.

Book two of The Beast of the Briar series moves us beyond the familiar halls of Castle Tree and into the golden-hued Autumn realm, where Farron—the High Prince of Autumn—steps quietly but powerfully into the spotlight.

Elizabeth Helen’s sequel doesn’t just continue the story; it transforms it. The Beauty and the Beast roots that framed Bonded by Thorns give way to original lore, richer magic, and deeper emotional exploration. Woven by Gold is still a reverse-harem romance, yes, but it’s also about growth, trust, and finding warmth even in self-doubt.

From Castle Tree to the Autumn Court

In Bonded by Thorns, we were confined to Castle Tree, a place as beautiful as it was cursed—a home to Rosalina O’Connell and her five beastly princes: Keldarion of Winter, Ezryn of Spring, Dayton of Summer, Caspian of Thorns, and Farron of Autumn.

Now, Woven by Gold invites us into Farron’s home: the Autumn realm. It’s a world of rich copper and deep amber tones, where leaves crunch underfoot all year and the crisp air tastes like apple cider. The setting balances on the edge of haunted, warm, and vast—a reflection of Farron himself.

But more than a shift in scenery, this move into the Autumn Court expands the emotional and plot landscapes of the story. Autumn, after all, is the season of change, maturity, reflection, and letting go—and those threads connect every page.

Farron: The Gentle Scholar Beneath the Gold

Farron, the High Prince of Autumn, is not the loudest voice in the room—he’s the steady one. The quiet one. The prince who speaks in kindness and carries wisdom like a second heartbeat. He’s the one who “gifted” Rosalina the library in Bonded by Thorns, a gesture that revealed the soul of a man who listens before he speaks and loves before he dares to admit it.

In Woven by Gold, Farron’s gentleness is his strength and his struggle. He’s the intellectual of the group—the historian, the researcher, the scholar—and yet his cursed wolf form is pure chaos, untethered and dangerous, and Farron fears what that says about him as a leader.

Where Keldarion’s brooding hides guilt and distrust, and Dayton’s brash charm protects him from the weight of responsibility, Farron’s conflict is quieter but no less compelling. He’s an insecure gentleman who holds himself back out of fear—of hurting those he loves, of being a failure, and of becoming something unrecognizable.

Elizabeth Helen writes him with such compassion that readers can’t help but root for him to be more than Rosalina’s friend. His relationship with her is tender, slow, and filled with the ache of unspoken emotion. This isn’t a fiery or demanding love; it’s patient, selfless, and impossibly human. Beyond the love story, though, readers hope for Farron to gain the confidence in himself that can be glimpsed just under the surface. He’s the prince of knowledge, of autumn light, of soft-spoken devotion—and in this book, he quietly steals the show.

A Tapestry of Relationships

One of Woven by Gold’s greatest strengths is how it deepens the web of relationships within the story—not just between Rosalina and her princes, but among the princes themselves.

In Bonded by Thorns, the focus to find their mates and end the curse dominated. Here, we get more nuance. In this book, we begin to see the tangled vines of loyalty, jealousy, affection, and old wounds shape the brotherhood of the princes. The banter is still delightful, especially when Caspian is in the room, but the tensions are evolved; there’s more vulnerability, more honesty, and more at stake for the reader to care about.

Elizabeth Helen’s decision to let these dynamics breathe makes the world feel more grounded. The princes aren’t just love interests focused on one woman—they are connected, complex men navigating centuries of pain, guilt, and newfound hope.

And best of all? She’s growing, too. Rosalina isn’t the uncertain girl we met in book one. She’s learning to navigate the power, politics, and emotional complexities of this new world—and to trust her own instincts, even when surrounded by goblins.

Let’s Talk Spice

Woven by Gold definitely steps up the romance from Bonded by Thorns—the emotional intimacy, the chemistry, the tension—but in terms of explicit spice, it’s still on the gentler side of the series.

The scenes that are there are meaningful, driven by trust and emotion rather than sheer heat. Elizabeth Helen understands that the most powerful moments aren’t always the most explicit ones. Sometimes it’s the brush of fingers over parchment, the long-held gaze across candlelight, or the simple act of someone staying beside you when you believe you’re unlovable.

Intimacy rules this story more than carnal attraction. Besides the almost confession in the library, I think my favorite scene from this book was the bed of pillows shared between Rosalina and the spring, summer, and winter princes outside Farron’s door in the Autumn castle. 

Beyond the Fairytale: Building a World of Its Own

While Bonded by Thorns was heavy-handed with its Beauty and the Beast inspiration, Woven by Gold adds new chapters and dimensions to the beloved fairytale for the reader who wants more than the “they lived happily ever after” of it all. Elizabeth Helen expands the lore surrounding the curse, the fae courts, and the ancient magic that binds them all.

While in book one, we had brief excursions into the winter and summer realms; Woven by Gold lets us linger in the leaves of autumn to experience a world bigger than Castle Tree. Here, Elizabeth Helen handles the multiple POVs, one of her greatest strengths, with increasing confidence. The pacing feels tighter, and the transitions are smoother.

Each voice feels purposeful, each revelation intentional. The book feels like part of a larger tapestry rather than a retelling contained within its walls.

The Writing: Warm, Thoughtful, and Strong 

Elizabeth Helen’s writing is mirrored in the Autumn Prince they have crafted. Excelling at dialogue—the kind that feels natural but never flat. The humor lands (often thanks to Dayton or Caspian), and the emotional exchanges feel genuine. Elizabeth Helen also shows remarkable restraint, trusting readers to pick up on subtext, letting silence and small gestures speak louder than exposition.

Woven by Gold is a beautiful example of how a writer can start with inspiration and use a sequel to gently expand beyond those limits to begin a journey to something all their own.

A Series Coming Into Its Own

Woven by Gold feels like the moment The Beast of the Briar series finds its rhythm. The worldbuilding expands, the relationships deepen, and the emotional stakes rise.

This book doesn’t rely on retelling—it relies on resonance. It’s a story about fear and gentleness, love and restraint, and the slow, steady courage it takes to let yourself be seen.

With four books and a prequel already released—and book five set to arrive in early 2026—it’s clear that Elizabeth Helen has built something enduring. Woven by Gold may be the mildest in spice, but it’s the richest in emotional warmth.

If Bonded by Thorns was about being drawn into the magic, Woven by Gold is about staying because your heart has found a home there.

Final Thoughts: The Soft Glow After the Storm

Woven by Gold is a quiet triumph—a story that replaces beastly rage with human tenderness and proves that strength doesn’t have to roar. Farron’s journey is one of intellect, vulnerability, and quiet courage, and Rosalina’s empathy makes every page glow a little brighter.

Elizabeth Helen’s writing, much like their characters, continues to evolve with heart and intention. If you fell for the fae princes in book one, this is the book that will make you love them.

It’s warm. It’s emotional. It’s golden.