How Does It Feel Book Summary: Jeneane O'Riley (Spoiler-Free)

August 29th, 2025

Main Category: Dark Fantasy Romance

Subcategory/Tags: Fae Romance, Dark & Spicy Reads, Slow Burn Obsession, Portal Fantasy

How Does It Feel Summary

How Does It Feel by Jeneane O’Riley is a dark, twisty fae romance that blends portal fantasy with obsession, tension, and danger.

The story follows Callie, a scientist researching Luna Moths, who unexpectedly stumbles into another world after losing her equipment in the woods. Through a hidden portal, she lands in the realm of the Unseelie Fae—quite literally crashing into Prince Mendax.

Mistaken for a human assassin, Callie quickly finds herself in grave danger. Mendax’s suspicion and cruelty put her life at risk, but her survival against impossible odds only makes him more determined to uncover her true identity.

What begins as hostility slowly morphs into something darker and more obsessive as Mendax forces Callie into a series of dangerous trials. Along the way, secrets unravel, tensions simmer, and their connection becomes harder to deny.

How Does It Feel Ending

The last quarter of the novel raises the stakes with intense trials, shocking twists, and a slow-burn shift in Mendax’s fixation on Callie. The book ends on a cliffhanger, setting the stage for what promises to be an even darker continuation.

How Does It Feel Characters

Callie – A scientist and the FMC, whose rational, curious nature clashes with the violent and unpredictable fae world.
Prince Mendax – The cruel, suspicious Unseelie prince whose obsession with Callie grows as she continues to defy survival.
Earl – The eccentric town outcast, fascinated by mushrooms, whose presence indirectly leads Callie into the portal.
The Foxes – Mysterious, magical beings who heal Callie and add to Mendax’s suspicions.
Unseelie Creatures – A bizarre and unsettling array of otherworldly beings who test Callie’s will to survive.

Books Like How Does It Feel

When I tried to think of “similar reads,” I realized there really aren’t many that feel the same. The way Jeneane O’Riley wove in the scientific side of Callie’s character gave this story a unique twist, and the unsettling moments made it stand out even more in the dark fantasy romance genre.

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