So. Tully is Leafshire Cove's morally gray witch and I didn't love her in Laini's book thanks to the love spell she slipped Laini and Rom. Consent is So. Tully is Leafshire Cove's morally gray witch and I didn't love her in Laini's book thanks to the love spell she slipped Laini and Rom. Consent is key, my friends. HOWEVER, the consent issue has been addressed (thank you, lord mayor) and Tully isn't nearly as gray as she seemed initially. In fact, she's kind of turned into a good friend for Laini and Kaya. Not that she'll admit it, but her actions speak for themself.
That said, Tully still has some sharp edges. She's furious that a MINOTAUR would dare try to horn in on her magic business when everyone knows minotaurs don't have any magic. Let's just say she's not nice to Argos in the slightest and it's only Argos's laid back personality that keeps things from getting out of hand. Tully is also quick to fling about accusations. Again, it's only Argos's sunny disposition and scientific mind (because Tully is fascinating to him) that keeps things level.
On Argos's end, he really is smitten with Tully's fierce glares and crackling hair from the first. He has his reasons for needing to make money fast and he doesn't really understand the power he's harnessing to make his illusions. Fortunately for everyone, Tully knows what's what and when she unbends enough to work with Argos, THINGS HAPPEN.
A little chaos magic, a pair of sexy glasses, kindly townsfolk, a male who has to shed his inhibitions a little to keep up with his witch, and a witch who likes to be in charge when things go down. *thumbs up*
I haven't read any of the other books in this series and I feel like maybe (maybe?) I would have understood the underlying political (for lack of a beI haven't read any of the other books in this series and I feel like maybe (maybe?) I would have understood the underlying political (for lack of a better word) stuff going on if I had. To be fair, since I didn't read any of the other books, maybe I'm wrong about this, but there was more than a little going on behind the scenes that took me a bit to pick up on.
If I look at JUST the romance, here's what I saw: Min is engaged in something that could possibly derail some pretty big contracts if it were to get out. And she goes and tells her assistant about it because she doesn't like keeping secrets? I honestly thought the jig was going to be up at that point. But it wasn't. In fact, the whole fake dating thing didn't make any of the contract negotiations fall apart (mostly because Min and Ethan ended up actually falling for one another, I guess?) so the whole loose lips sink ships didn't play into it.
On Ethan's end, he's BIG on denying what all the physical things that are happening to him when he's around (or thinks of) Min mean. It took Min stating clearly that she wanted to be with him and basically forcing the issue before he sealed the deal. I'm big on consent, so the clear communication is good, but Ethan also tried to tell her (or strongly imply, I can't remember at this point) that she didn't know what she wanted and I'm NOT a fan of dudes telling women they don't know their own minds. So, plus points for the enthusiastic consent, but minus points for not initially listening when she told him she DID want it.
Like I said, there was a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes outside of the romance. I was also finishing this book when I was a little tired, so maybe I glossed over some of the League of Humans and Monsters stuff (I don't even remember if I got their name right if that tells you how tired I was). Fun, but maybe read the earlier books in the series first so the foundation has already been laid for this one.
This one was fun with a quick romance and a little well-placed magic and a town full of interesting characters. And a sweet pet. That said, Laini's frThis one was fun with a quick romance and a little well-placed magic and a town full of interesting characters. And a sweet pet. That said, Laini's frenemy doing what she did to get Rom and Laini to act on their feelings is a big NO in my book. Consent is everything. Even in the magical world. (To be fair, Tully's book is next in the series, so she will maybe possibly hopefully learn the error of her ways and not just apologize because Laini is glaring at her.)
Anywho. Laini and Rom. She's a talented weaver who is dealing with the gossip-y fallout of her last relationship imploding. Her ex is a Jerky McJerkPants and I honestly don't see why she would date him in the first place, but now that they've ended things, she's the one dealing with the town gossip and she just wants to weave in peace. Rom is...kinda in the same boat. Minus the jerky ex. He's a fiercely private gargoyle who blames himself for something that happened at his previous place of employment. Which means he doesn't think he should get involved with Laini so she won't get hurt/her reputation won't take another hit/etc. He also doesn't think he deserves someone as sweet and talented as Laini.
Fortunately for both of them, Tully intervenes (I may not agree with her method of getting things done, but I have to admit she gets results) and soon the two are spending time together AND MORE.
A little magic, a jerky ex, a mischievous critter, a gargoyle with oodles of magic, and a lady who knows a good monster when she meets him. *thumbs up*
Hedge witch Ellie has someone threatening her livelihood (and her beautiful plants) and the only investigator available at Monsters, PI is the ogre shHedge witch Ellie has someone threatening her livelihood (and her beautiful plants) and the only investigator available at Monsters, PI is the ogre she was once engaged to. The one she hasn't spoken to since things turned sour in their relationship.
As it turns out, both she and Thain are laboring under some not-so-great misconceptions about the thing that happened that broke them up. Also as it turns out, the time apart has not dulled their attraction to one another. On top of that, Thain doesn't like that someone is vandalizing Ellie's business and threatening her. Let's just say their interactions are charged on a lot of levels and it doesn't take long before the truth comes out and the potential for continuing their previous relationship is very much in the cards.
Frenemies, angry former employees, a disapproving grandmother, a sign-waving almost-mob, a pup with good intuition, an ogre who has never stopped loving his sexy hedge witch, and a lady who has to sort through what she believed happened all those years ago to get to the truth of the matter. *thumbs up*
Writer on a deadline Reese has moved back to Mystic Harbor and things are...not quite going the way she thought they would. Someone seems determined tWriter on a deadline Reese has moved back to Mystic Harbor and things are...not quite going the way she thought they would. Someone seems determined to run her out of town and she needs answers if she's going to hit her deadline AND settle in the way she'd like to. So she heads out to Monsters, PI to find someone to help her.
That someone? A slightly stuffy vampire who knows Reese is his mate the moment they touch. Wolfram is a little taken aback by finding his destined mate, but he absolutely knows he will protect her from whoever is trying to hurt her.
Unfortunately, the list of suspects is a little longer than either of them would like. From the assistant who recently quit (and moved on VERY quickly to another position) to the former professor who hypes himself up by saying he's the reason Reese's writing is as good as it is (and who happens to be the person her assistant moved on to) to Reese's aunt who has always been a little sore over the relationship between Reese and her mom...let's just say there are more people than Reese is comfortable with on this list and leave it at that.
A few odd pranks, a little B&E, a creepy doll, a frame job, a vampire who would do anything to keep his special someone safe, and a lady who knows a good vampire when she meets him. *thumbs up*
The newest client Monsters, PI is taking on is Hannah who might (or might not) have a little problem with a ghost at the B&B she's renovating. It's alThe newest client Monsters, PI is taking on is Hannah who might (or might not) have a little problem with a ghost at the B&B she's renovating. It's also slightly possible it's not a ghost at all and someone is trying to drive her out of business before her business even gets off the ground. And that's why she now has a sexy dragon shifter shadowing her every move.
Now, Reylor doesn't believe in ghosts. So if ghosts aren't causing the mischief at the B&B, it has to be a person. A person who might escalate to more than just vandalism as time goes on. And that is NOT okay with Reylor. The vandalism isn't okay, either, but the thought Hannah might end up hurt (or worse) gets his dragony side all riled up. Not in a good way.
So now Hannah and Reylor are spending all sorts of time together. She's working on the B&B renovations and he's right by her side. On the downside, every time they think they have the culprit figured out, something new happens. There was A LOT Hannah was dealing with, tbh.
A little bodyguarding, more than a little vandalism, a ghost, a break in, a male who knows the lady he wants to show his hoard to when he meets her, and a lady who doesn't mind a hunky male helping around the house. In fact, she's more than willing to keep him around after the investigation ends. *thumbs up*
Melly's dealing with a lot and the smokin' hot ice lord helping her clear her grandmother's name is a bit of a distraction. A good sort of distractionMelly's dealing with a lot and the smokin' hot ice lord helping her clear her grandmother's name is a bit of a distraction. A good sort of distraction, but still a distraction. While the sparks between them are apparent, Elrik is also nursing a bit of a broken heart and isn't looking to dive into a new relationship. THAT SAID, he's VERY interested in the sweet human who is determined to figure out who really poisoned her grandmother's social club.
They do a little sleuthing and a little smoldering. Which is a little surprising for Elrik since he's, you know, an ice lord. But he likes Melly and if he's going to heat up for anyone, he's more than happy it's her.
On Melly's end, while her focus is on clearing her grandmother's name, she's not unhappy IN THE SLIGHEST to be spending time with the guy she can't stop thinking about. And if they happen to share a few kisses while investigating, she's FINE with that.
More than a few suspicious characters, a steamy encounter in the church's social room kitchen, a little icy magic, a male who is smitten the moment he lays eyes on his lady (although he ended up a little tongue tied at the time), and a lady who hasn't been able to stop thinking about her ice lord since their first meeting. *thumbs up*
Guys. GUYS. I knew exactly what sort of helpers cranberry bogs use before I started reading and I must say I'm impressed with Rachel's fortitude when Guys. GUYS. I knew exactly what sort of helpers cranberry bogs use before I started reading and I must say I'm impressed with Rachel's fortitude when it came to her coworkers. I also have some passing knowledge with the LoTR series, so I just have to say that Rachel could have been saved a lot of grief if she'd ever read the books OR watched the movies. But she hadn't on either count and here we are.
So. Rachel has upended her life to avoid the self-proclaimed cryptid hunter in her home town. Rhinelander has always been a place her family says to avoid, so OF COURSE she heads straight there. This wasn't a bad plan, mind you, because she found her special someone, but, you know, she also got sort of kidnapped, so there were a few bumps in the road to her HEA.
On top of that, she also picked up a job at a cranberry bog. Which is a BIG no from me. And that was before her boss turned a little weird at her newfound relationship.
The instalove hits hard, the critters are creepy, and the puppies are ALL SORTS OF CUTE. There's a little danger, a male who's all about his special someone, and a lady who found her place in this out of the way town. (She also helped her sister find her place, so that's cool, even if HER special someone was maybe a little questionable.) Good stuff all around!
Oh my goodness! Erik is a big, sweet, cinnamon roll of an orc and he wants nothing more than to find his special someone and just BELONG to them. It'sOh my goodness! Erik is a big, sweet, cinnamon roll of an orc and he wants nothing more than to find his special someone and just BELONG to them. It's adorable, really. Finding Inessa on the MD app and seeing she was specifically looking to be a mail-order bride doesn't faze him. He knows he likes her and he has very high hopes that they'll make an emotional connection and things will end up like he dreamed.
That said, Inessa is in a tough situation when she first meets Erik. She's on the run, assumed a new identity, and she wonders if she's safe. Being a mail-order bride is a means to an end and she doesn't really think about how Erik contracted with her in good faith and is desperately hoping they'll work. Let's just say that things were a little tense in the household at first. Inessa is on edge, Erik has boundless energy and good intentions, and they're not quite on the same page.
Then Inessa steps out of her comfort zone and soon the two are cozying up. Even more important, Inessa starts to open up. She doesn't tell Erik everything, but he begins to understand that her life wasn't all puppies and roses and takes that into consideration as their relationship progresses.
A little danger, an orc-ish family get-together, some mutual control play, a golden retriever of an orc with plenty of enthusiasm, and a lady who has a chance to remake herself into someone different. You know, once she deals with her past. *thumbs up*
It's always fun spending time in Charley's world where her tricksy daughter maneuvers people she believes will be needed in the upcoming battle on a gIt's always fun spending time in Charley's world where her tricksy daughter maneuvers people she believes will be needed in the upcoming battle on a game board only she can see. Admittedly, I don't KNOW only Elwyn can see it. Maybe others can too. But the powerful kiddo sees things and she puts things in motion to make those things come to fruition.
This time around, she KNOWS Michael and Izzy would be perfect for one another so she orchestrates a meeting between them. One in which Izzy brains Michael with a frying pan, ties him to her dishwasher, and makes plans to escape before anyone realizes anything is wrong. HA. Yeah, Michael's not thrilled with the braining part.
He is, however, enchanted by both Izzy and her too-wise-for-her-years daughter. Between Izzy's abilities and the walk-in setting up camp in her kiddo, he starts to get an inkling that maybe Elwyn had a hand in bringing them together. This is ultimately irrelevant since Izzy needs his help and he's not one to abandon people who need him.
A feisty spirit who might be older than they think, a kiddo who's good at trusting her gut, a bad guy with a birdhouse fetish, a man who is a protector to the core, and a lady who has a hard time trusting when good things happen to her. *thumbs up* all around.
I thought this was a stand-alone novella and I am DELIGHTED to see it's only the introduction to the town of Gothic. Because this story? Was goooood.
GI thought this was a stand-alone novella and I am DELIGHTED to see it's only the introduction to the town of Gothic. Because this story? Was goooood.
Gothic is a quirky, nearly forgotten town populated by quirky individuals. One of those quirks (or maybe two of them) sends Wendy back to the 40s where she meets a man who is everything she never knew she wanted and then some. The problem? He's an actor with a tragic past and a future that takes place before Wendy was born. Which makes their connection a little problematic.
But Wendy can't deny the attraction and neither can Hugh. And when a fresh tragedy happens while Wendy is in the past, Wendy and Hugh jump in to set things right. Not going to lie, this leads to yet another tragedy. One that might break Wendy right in two.
A little mystical energy, a glittering world that's faded with time, a precocious kiddo, a man with a past, and a lady who will risk everything to keep others safe. *thumbs up* all around on this one.
Not going to lie, Becky seems to have a hard time saying No to people sometimes. In some instances this inability puts her in danger. This time? She gNot going to lie, Becky seems to have a hard time saying No to people sometimes. In some instances this inability puts her in danger. This time? She gets roped into joining a Christmas choir just as her parents are coming home from their world tour.
While the timing isn't great, you'd otherwise think it's a pretty inconsequential thing to get pulled into. HA. Yeah, someone in the choir ends up dead and Becky's suddenly in the middle of another investigation. Seeing as how the woman who died was not universally loved by, well, anyone (except maybe her son), Becky has A LOT of people who could have done the deed. Not that the police believe foul play was necessarily involved, but once Becky gets an earful of the deceased's nightly singing, she knows she needs to figure things out.
On the upside, Bad Cop Brad might be possibly maybe coming around to believing that Becky can see (and talk to) ghosts. Or it might just have been his desire to close this particular case before his impending paternity leave. Only time will tell on that end.
While this book technically ends this series, Becky's ability has settled and is raring to go so there COULD be more ghostly shenanigans for her in the future. Plus, there's the thing with her parents. And H. I mean, I wouldn't mind reading more Becky and Connie cat as they put themselves in mortal danger and solve crime. Just saying.
Our boy Maurice, the werewolf bartender who's always quick to jump in and help others when they need it, is up and HOO-BOY his lady is in a bit of a pOur boy Maurice, the werewolf bartender who's always quick to jump in and help others when they need it, is up and HOO-BOY his lady is in a bit of a pickle. For all Reece is a wolf who needs a firm hand, he's also willing to fight for the woman who matches him. And he does need to fight for her.
I'm talking both to get her to see him again AND fight to keep her safe. I mean, technically, she fought for herself, but Reece was 100% in her corner when needed.
Anywho. As a lone wolf, Reece has it tough. He has no pack to help him understand his wolf and his heats are almost more than he can handle. Caitlyn managed to calm him with a few commands and the big guy is SMITTEN. Unfortunately, Caitlyn is a witch on the run and she can't afford to stick anywhere long. So she loved him and left him and Reece has been looking for her ever since. Imagine his delight when she popped up on the MD app and he had a second chance with her.
On Caitlyn's end, she can't get attached or she puts the people around her in danger. She might have swung back into town on the off-chance she might run into a certain good boy who rocked her world, but she can't stay. Somehow, he convinces her to see him through a full moon and BOY does she like all the things they do together. If only the danger stalking her could be dealt with, amirite?!?!
A little danger, some bonding in an isolated cabin, some not-so-fun trauma, a wolf who knows his mate when he meets her, and a witch who finds a reason to stand her ground. *thumbs up*
A shy monster who happens to be a dynamo on the ice and a monster who's given his all to his team unexpectedly cross paths and THINGS HAPPEN. I mean, A shy monster who happens to be a dynamo on the ice and a monster who's given his all to his team unexpectedly cross paths and THINGS HAPPEN. I mean, they don't happen right away, but Iseol and Pem get there eventually.
But first, they meet and spark and share a frozen lake while on some downtime from the Norsphere Cup. The kicker? Neither knows that the other is associated with the team they're playing against (Iseol is filling in for her cousin while he's on paternity leave and the teams are kept apart so they can't learn the other's moves as a way to keep the playing fair) and this might cause BIG problems once they figure out the truth. Which is inevitable because the two teams will literally be facing one another across the ice at some point.
Anywho. Iseol has some cultural issues she has to work around. Namely that her people are very private about, uhh, their private lives and, as a hybrid, she knows next to nothing about what SHE might want. You know, seeing as she's never had a heat or anything. On Pem's end, he gets a little grunty when Iseol is near and wants to do more kissing than talking. Which isn't a terrible idea, but (again) cultural reticence means Iseol has a hard time initiating conversations about sexy things.
So. Some skating ice time. Some sexy ice time. Some quality sisterly advice. A couple of teammates who like to give Pem a tough time. A puca who knows a captivating vixen when he sees her. And a lady who never knew the joys of having her tails stroked until one sexy puca showed her. GOOD TIMES!
We briefly met Jade in Kalli's book and she's now working in Kalli's shop. She's in a bit of a pickle, though, and is actively avoiding thinking aboutWe briefly met Jade in Kalli's book and she's now working in Kalli's shop. She's in a bit of a pickle, though, and is actively avoiding thinking about the future since the future is big and scary. So what's a pregnant lady who doesn't want to deal with the future do? She agrees to help MD with a little unicorn party. Which sounds innocent, AMIRITE? It's not. It's gloriously naughty and Jade is ALL IN.
Or maybe I should say Stirling is all in. As in, he's smitten with Jade from the first time he sees her. They have a little fun at the party and then she skedaddles because she doesn't do long term and Stirling feels like he could ABSOLUTELY be long term.
No worries, though. Stirling isn't a unicorn to just give up. He finds Jade and is there for her when she needs someone to lean on. Which freaks her out. After her freak out, she kinda likes it. Which also freaks her out. But it isn't just Stirling. She also likes his herdmates. And their open sexuality. In fact, she might just have found a place where she fits in and THAT also freaks her out.
Let's just say that the lady needs to let go of a little baggage and trust that the individuals surrounding her will support her if things go south. (Spoiler: They do!) *thumbs up* all around.
We're back with one of the MD ladies and being an escort works for her. Most of the time. She's not so fond of the clients who like to call out her weWe're back with one of the MD ladies and being an escort works for her. Most of the time. She's not so fond of the clients who like to call out her weight, but she deals with it. Because she's happy with herself and it doesn't matter what others think.
Erserro disagrees. When he catches a client treating Tamsin poorly in his casino, he steps in. No lie, he's intrigued by her from the start. Then he wrangles his way into MD and ends up as a client and he's EXACTLY where he wants to be. That said, he's also careful. Since one look in his eyes can turn her to stone, he has to set some hard boundaries and never really let himself get lost in the moment.
Tamsin absolutely respects his boundaries, but she also smitten enough with the basilisk to want to enjoy all of him. So the fact she can't look into his eyes starts to wear on her. Not enough to cause any issues, but it is there in the back of her mind.
A jerky client, a glittering world, a boatload of guilt, a monster who always have to hold part of himself back, and a lady who isn't about to give up on the only monster who makes her feel alive. *thumbs up*
We met Mel briefly in Kalli's book and she's...struggling. With two kiddos to raise on her own, an ex who she wants nothing to do with, and a painfullWe met Mel briefly in Kalli's book and she's...struggling. With two kiddos to raise on her own, an ex who she wants nothing to do with, and a painfully low bank balance, Mel needs to do something drastic to make ends meet. Taking a page from her sister's book (although she doesn't expect to find her special someone like her sister did), she signs up for MD.
And BOY does her life take a turn. She goes from being run ragged in her normal life to playing dom to a burly minotaur after hours. This minotaur is very much in the public eye, so they need to be careful, but it turns out Jarra loves following Mel's orders and Mel finds herself enjoying giving them.
Then Mel's ex shows back up and suddenly Mel is dealing with even more. And with Jarra running for mayor, he needs to be careful to keep his private life private so Mel and her kids don't get dragged into the spotlight.
I'm really enjoying these monsters finding their special someone in the sexy women who work for MD. They might have a few roadblocks on their journey to a HEA, but they get there. Eventually. *thumbs up*
This was a short and sweet (it was actually kind of spicy) entry in the MD world. Shelly is a hot mess who loses her job due to epic clumsiness and soThis was a short and sweet (it was actually kind of spicy) entry in the MD world. Shelly is a hot mess who loses her job due to epic clumsiness and somehow ends up in the MD bar, not realizing she's surrounding by monsters. Which is a little funny, but she was also a little down and a lot tipsy, so it's understandable.
Enter Rosh. He's a kraken who needs a fake date for his sister's wedding and Shelly fits the bill nicely. Sure, they hardly know one another and Shelly's innate clumsiness leads to her spilling a drink all over Rosh's lap on the plane which causes him to shift into his monstrous form wherein she gets an eyeful of his junk, but they work. Admittedly, Rosh has to get over the whole "surprise! she's your special someone!", but that's doable. Well, it's doable once his sister give him a stern sisterly talking to.
A human lady who just wants things to go smoothly and a kraken who doesn't expect to find his special lady friend on the fly. Like I said, short and sweet and very fun!
The next monster is about to take the fall and I AM HERE FOR IT. Seriously, Dine tries his hardest to stay away from Omeika, but the heart (and biologThe next monster is about to take the fall and I AM HERE FOR IT. Seriously, Dine tries his hardest to stay away from Omeika, but the heart (and biology) want what the heart (and biology) want. In other words, as hard as he tries, he just can't stop seeking her out.
On Omeika's end, she's a librarian who is making ends meet by doing a little work for MD. She meets Dine by accident and the two of them spark off one another. Kind of literally, in Dine's case. All Omeika knows is that she likes the big grumpy troll and feels safe when he's around. Sure, they can't go quite as far as she wants to go (because Dine is BLAZING hot in a literal sense), but she just straight up likes the big guy and she kind of worries that maybe she's setting herself up for heartache by falling for a client.
Sure, these two have a few bumps in their road, but...you know, actually, things get even more bumpy once they work through their issues and finally do the deed. The difficulty mostly stems from Dine not telling Omeika she's his mate. And her taking one last booking for MD even though she isn't really feeling it.
A little professional grudgery, some sexy times over the computer, a swank trip to Dine's homeland, a grouchy troll who's learning to temper some of his growls, and a lady who likes the big grump whether he's grouchy or not. *thumbs up*