According to the source, a recent romantic fantasy book festival in Baltimore disappointed attendees and authors, who likened it to the infamous Fyre Festival due to its poor execution. Despite promises of a magical event with various amenities like panels and a ball, participants reported a lack of communication, basic supplies, and access to billed features, feeling they were cheated by the organizers. The source highlights that the Lavender Romance Ball was particularly criticized for its sparse setup and lack of entertainment, leading to an apology and promises of refunds from the event organizer. Social media testimonials from attendees and authors have widely publicized the negative experiences at the "A Million Lives Book Festival."

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/05/06/a-million-lives-book-festival-baltimore/83474251007/