How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O'Riley Summary
Overview of How Does It Feel?
When biologist Callie falls through a fairy portal, she's mistaken for an assassin by a dangerous Unseelie prince. BookTok's dark fantasy obsession that turned non-readers into Kindle owners - where forbidden attraction meets deadly trials in a mushroom-lover's lush, otherworldly adventure.
Similar books to How Does It Feel?
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
The Veil Between Worlds Grows Thin
What if the monsters from our childhood nightmares weren't just figments of our imagination, but beings from another realm watching us from the shadows? In the small town of Willow Springs, Callie Peterson has built a quiet life as an environmental scientist, devoting herself to conservation work at the local wildlife rehabilitation center. At 29, her passion for luna moths and innovative mushroom-based treatments has become her sanctuary after childhood trauma-the loss of her mother and sister in a car accident that left her with only a mysterious V-shaped scar and memories of encountering what she believed was a fairy with butterfly wings. The locals view her with suspicion for enforcing hunting regulations, leaving her isolated except for Cliff, the game warden harboring unrequited feelings, and her colleague Cecelia. When the Lepidoptera Migratory Society rejects her application to track monarch butterflies in Mexico-suggesting she might abandon science to start a family-Callie doubles down on her local conservation work. Her routine shatters when she encounters a beautiful red fox with extraordinary golden eyes and sparkling fur that seems eerily familiar, leading her to befriend Earl, an elderly gas station attendant with surprising botanical knowledge. During their mushroom foraging expeditions, Earl's warnings about certain specimens grow increasingly ominous. When they discover a perfect ring of destroying angel mushrooms, Earl becomes visibly distressed, mentioning they form "fairy rings" that some believe are portals to other worlds. Despite his warnings, Callie's scientific curiosity remains undeterred-setting her on a path that will challenge everything she believes about reality.
When Science Meets Magic
The Prince of Darkness and Smoke
Trials of Fire and Scientific Method
Forbidden Desires in a World of Shadows
Betrayal and Revelation
Between Worlds, Between Identities
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to How Does It Feel? Summary in 8 Minutes
Break down key ideas from How Does It Feel? into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from How Does It Feel? in a Nutshell
Distill How Does It Feel? into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - How Does It Feel? Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories
Experience How Does It Feel? through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to How Does It Feel? Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the How Does It Feel? summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.