Book Review: Forgotten Vows —By Lily Mayne
📘 Forgotten Vows — Book 2 of the Folk Series
By Lily Mayne
Forgotten Vows picks up immediately after the events of Mortal Skin, plunging readers back into a dark, dangerous fae world where love is tested by memory loss, betrayal, and shifting loyalties.
🌿 Story Overview
Ash is no longer mortal. Transformed into one of the Folk, he awakens without his memories of Lonan — the man he loved and fought for. Stripped of that emotional anchor, Ash feels unmoored, driven by anger and instinct rather than affection. Meanwhile, Lonan is forced to endure the heartbreak of watching the person he loves look at him like a stranger.
The story revolves around whether love can survive when the memories that built it are gone — and whether Ash can reclaim not just his past, but himself.
🌀 Character & Development
This installment leans heavily into emotional conflict:
Ash struggles with identity, power, and the violent instincts that come with his new nature. His journey is darker and more internal than before.
Lonan shines in this book. His pain, loyalty, and determination add emotional weight, especially as he refuses to give up on Ash.
Secondary characters expand the world further, adding tension, warmth, and political complexity within the fae courts.
The dual point of view deepens the impact, allowing readers to experience both the confusion of forgetting and the devastation of being forgotten.
❤️ Romance & Emotional Impact
The romance here is intense but painful. The memory-loss trope creates distance between the characters, turning their connection into a slow rebuild rather than a continuation. The tension is thick with longing, frustration, and unresolved emotion.
While there are steamy moments, they serve the emotional arc rather than dominating it. This book focuses more on rebuilding trust and rediscovering love than on passion alone.
⚔️ World-Building & Stakes
The fae world grows darker and more intricate in this installment. Political maneuvering, rival powers, and dangerous creatures raise the stakes significantly. The tone is heavier than in book one, with more emphasis on survival, power struggles, and looming threats.
Themes explored include:
Identity and transformation
Memory and loss
Trauma and healing
Loyalty versus power
Love that endures beyond circumstance
⭐ Overall Impression
Forgotten Vows is a deeply emotional bridge between the first and final books of the trilogy. It trades some of the romantic sweetness of book one for angst, tension, and character growth. Readers who enjoy slow-burn M/M fantasy romance filled with emotional intensity and dark fae politics will likely find this installment gripping.
The ending offers resolution to some threads while clearly setting up the stakes for the final book — leaving readers both satisfied and eager for what comes next.
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Having read Forgotten Vows, I can say the portrayal of Ash’s transformation from mortal to one of the Folk truly stood out to me. His struggle to reconcile lost memories and instinctual behavior added a raw depth to his character that’s not often explored in fantasy romances. It felt very realistic how memory loss impacts his relationship with Lonan, making their journey to rebuild love both painful and heartfelt. What I also appreciated was the dual perspective narrative. Experiencing the story through both Ash’s confused and often dark mindset and Lonan’s persistent hope gave the romance a nuanced emotional tension rarely achieved by simple plot devices. This approach made the stakes of their love feel authentic and urgent. The politically charged fae courts and dangerous world-building provided a vivid backdrop, raising the tension beyond the central romance and weaving in themes of power and survival that kept me hooked. The inclusion of trauma and healing added layers to character motivations, making the story richer than a typical romance. Overall, Forgotten Vows isn’t just about slow-burn romance—it’s an emotional exploration of how identity and memory shape love, loyalty, and trust. For readers who enjoy dark, twisty fantasy with M/M romance and strong character development, definitely give this book a try. The ending sets up anticipation for the trilogy’s conclusion, making it a satisfying yet tantalizing read.