I know we're getting an Erasmus spin-off, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to some of these characters just yet.
Okay, IT'S OVER!?!? SAY IT AIN'T SO.
I know we're getting an Erasmus spin-off, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to some of these characters just yet.
Okay, so as far as the review goes...I feel like my feelings towards our main couple versus my feelings towards the overall story/past couples need to be separated to effectively discuss the book.
While I think Phlox and Leon are very sweet and I enjoyed reading their scenes together, I wasn't completely invested the way I've been with past couples. Even though it's written strictly through their two POVs, I found I was more interested in everything going on outside of their relationship. Especially because theirs is a fated-mates type relationship, it kind of felt quick and like we didn't get enough time to really get invested in their romance before the overarching plot takes over the story. If I'm JUST rating their romance? 3 stars.
HOWEVER, all that shit goin' on in the background? Easily 5 stars. I loved the interactions between all the couples and how their individual personalities/talents stood out.
The only thing that I wish was different about this book was that - since there was a point in the book where it transitioned from Phlox & Leon's romance to being about everyone, I kind of desperately wish we got POVs from past characters in the second half of the book. ESPECIALLY SEDRICK AND PHIL OH MY GAWDDDDDD I would sell my soul to the devil to get more of those two and see those last few scenes through their POV. Actually, if I let myself be really real and really selfish, I want a version of this book written completely in their POV plus a little more at the end. I'm a perpetual victim of the first-couple-in-a-series bias but I don't even care. Phil & Sedrick > everything; fight me on it.
But, since those are all just musings of a desperate woman (it's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me), I'm not gonna count any of it against the book and just average out the two separate ratings I mentioned before. ...more
Pairing the absolute sweetest with the absolute scariest just HITS DIFFERENT *chef's kiss*
I HAVE BEEN DYINGGG for Hellfire Rayburn's chance at love anPairing the absolute sweetest with the absolute scariest just HITS DIFFERENT *chef's kiss*
I HAVE BEEN DYINGGG for Hellfire Rayburn's chance at love and MJ did not disappoint.
Even though he's the literal embodiment of all things hot fire flames, Ray is ICE. COLD. And who better to melt his chilly fairy heart than the cutest, sweetest, most selfless zombie boi to ever exist.
Guys, I wanna live in this world sooo bad. The fact that I don't have a scuttlebutt perched on my shoulder at all times of the day is truly a travesty. I loved that Trinket was basically a living personification of their relationship: absolutely adorable meets terrifying as hell. Didn't think I'd ever yell "GOOD GIRL" as a fictional fuzzball rips out a grown man's throat but here we are.
MY ONLY QUALM...I feel like the spice kind of flip-flops in these books? It kind of seemed like they were increasing in spice level as the series went on (like the author was getting more adventurous in adding in spicy elements) but, for how much Wendall talks about wanting to be intimate with Ray, the spice is virtually nonexistent and we're kind of just left imagining what it WOULD be like. Idk, I just feel like if you're gonna have the characters talk/think about intimacy a lot and frequently use the word "cock" in the writing, it teases the idea that we'll have closure in the form of a spicy scene. But instead, we're blue-balled to the point of pain.
BUT, with that said, I feel like docking an entire star just because I'm a horny, horny goblin monster is mildly extreme (PLUS I reeeeally loved everything else) so...
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite comfort series.
I looove this world!! Every time I pick up a Perfect Pixie book, I know I'm in for some serThis is quickly becoming one of my favorite comfort series.
I looove this world!! Every time I pick up a Perfect Pixie book, I know I'm in for some serious cuteness and coziness paired with just the right amount of angst.
Parsnip and Vander are just as adorable as I expected and I'm SO HAPPY that our previous couples still play significant parts in the plot. Seeing all our pixies together made my heart so happy! Omg and Vander joining Sedrick and Lucroy's Partners of Pixies Support Group!? EEEEP, I LOVE THEM and I love how much they love their pixies.
The main plot was just as fun and engaging as the previous volumes but this time we also get quite a lot of subplot and background stuff - not to mention the hints at what's going to happen in the next book. I know it's probably not going to happen but I just want to put this out there: IF PHIL AND SEDRICK GOT ANOTHER BOOK/NOVELLA, I WOULD BE OVER THE FUCKING MOON There's stuff that happens in this volume that kiiiind of makes me feel like it's a possibility but I'm trying really hard not to get my hopes up. Waaah, I just want more Phil so bad!!
While I (clearly) really loved this one, I do have some small critiques too. First off, there was a bit more...cheesiness to some of the dialogue than I'd like. Not a huge issue cause this is just a very fluffy series in general but it definitely toed the line of cringey this time around. Second, while I SOOO appreciate and love that as the series progresses, the characters are a little more open with their horniness for each other, I do wish that Parsnip and Vander had a little bit more of an emotional connection too. I get the whole "one and only" fated mate thing kind of makes up for it, but I do wish there were more "this is WHY you're my mate" moments.
Regardless, I'm super eager for the next book cause we're shifting over to FAIRIES. I've loved Ray's character since the first book, so I can't wait to see what happens with him and Wendall!
Avery + plushy werewolf pecs = Gay Panic and I am here for it.
These two could not be more adorable if they tried. They're just so horny for each otheAvery + plushy werewolf pecs = Gay Panic and I am here for it.
These two could not be more adorable if they tried. They're just so horny for each other and finallyyy we get a bit of spicy action on this one! It is taking everything in me to wait for physical copies instead of reading ahead on the webcomic but it just feels so good to read it in person. Delayed gratification and whatnot; it's all about the anticipation, no?
10/10 recommend getting a physical copy just for the little extras at the end. *wink wink*...more
“Trying to kill one another doesn’t equate to dating.” I beg to fucking differ.
Jesus fuck, I love me some hate-fueled sex. Throw in a dark academia a“Trying to kill one another doesn’t equate to dating.” I beg to fucking differ.
Jesus fuck, I love me some hate-fueled sex. Throw in a dark academia aesthetic, queer witches, and necromancy? Fuck me sideways - that's good shit.
I love when an enemies-to-lovers is a true enemies-to-lovers. The pages were practically dripping with murderous intent and I reveled in it. I FUCKING LOVE CASH with my whole heart. He's the epitome of dark academia and a brilliantly talented necromancer to boot. He's the black cat to Graeme's golden retriever. Graeme could cry and scream and try to legitimately kill Cassius all he wanted; he'd still be following him around like a lost puppy dog and it was adorable. I fucking love books where Character A sees Character B and is like "I don't know if I want to stick a knife in you or my dick in you but either way I need to be as close to you as humanly possible until I figure it out."
Now as much as I do love this book, I do still have a couple of small critiques that are holding me back from a 5-star rating.
First off, I got so fucking annoyed every time Graeme was like "Maybe Cassius isn't that bad" and then the tiniest thing would happen and suddenly it's like "PSYCH, Cassius is evil incarnate I must kill him." I feel like Cash had to prove himself one too many times like DAMN SON, he's just beautiful spirit-summoning angel boi who has a cold exterior but deep down just wants to be loved - GET WITH THE PROGRAM, GRAEME. I get that some of that was totally necessary for the plot and the centuries-long-Romeo-and-Juliet-family-fued thing but it was just a bit too much and just made Graeme look ignorant af. Still love him to death tho.
Second, and this isn't a huge issue, but there was something about the pacing of the story that threw me off. Instead of a steady incline towards a climactic scene, it was just moderate events in short bursts that made the story feel chaotic. Does that make sense? Things kept happening and while I enjoyed the hell out of them, I feel like there was an undertone to the story that had me waiting for this big reveal/climax at the end that didn't really happen. There was a bit of a reveal at the very end, but it was fairly predictable and something that I had already guessed early on in the book. But I digress.
At the end of the day, still very much enjoyed this and I look forward to the next in the series!...more
Sheriff Noah Nottingham is a man of the law who always gets his man, and while Robin Hood is most definitely not a man, she's also not entirely opposeSheriff Noah Nottingham is a man of the law who always gets his man, and while Robin Hood is most definitely not a man, she's also not entirely opposed to being captured when it's Noah's tantalizing grip around her wrists.
What a delightful surprise this book was. The beginning was a smidge rickety since we really hit the ground running with both the plot and character interactions (like wow, they get acquainted real quick), but once the story solidifies, it's relatively smooth sailing from there. And my goodness, what a story!
It has everything you'd hope to find in a spicy fairy tale retelling - playful banter and magic galore, with the added bonus of sweet and tender moments accompanied with those more wicked and naughty. Plus, a surprising amount of darkness that I think was the perfect addition in giving the narrative a level of depth that I didn't expect but thoroughly enjoyed.
It's written from Noah's perspective in its entirety, which I love because it maintains Robin's air of mischief and mystery. Despite their ostensibly immediate familiarity, it's still the slowest of burns, especially leading to more of the *ahem* physical heat. The pull of their attraction and magic is written beautifully - it's butterflies in your stomach, heat between your legs, and tingles down your spine; intoxicating and swirly and lovely.
To be sure, Of Heists and Hexes is all about the thrill of the chase, but it's after our elusive Robin is caught when the real fun begins.