Unlike his siblings, Hades, God of the Underworld, lives a solitary life. Or rather, he does so until a naked woman falls right into his lap.2.5 stars
Unlike his siblings, Hades, God of the Underworld, lives a solitary life. Or rather, he does so until a naked woman falls right into his lap. Hades doesn’t know Persephone from Hera, but he can tell she’s a powerful goddess. After years of protecting his realm from interlopers, that makes him suspicious of Persephone. Yet there’s no denying his attraction to the beautiful goddess and before long Hades believes her story that she didn’t mean to enter his realm. Since she can’t leave, Hades and Persephone are stuck in close quarters and it’s only a matter of time before they give into their desire for one another. But Persephone can’t stay in the Underworld forever. What will happen when she has to leave?
Alisha Rai gives the classic story of Persephone and Hades her own unique spin in Hot as Hades. This aptly-titled story is wickedly erotic, but Ms. Rai’s mix of mythology and modern day vocabulary constantly pulled me out of the story. I’ve read many books where Greek mythology is placed in a modern context, but in Hot as Hades, it just doesn’t work. I can’t put my finger on whether it was the characters, setting, or dialogue, but the rhythm of the entire story felt stilted. In addition, there was no real conflict. This wouldn’t necessarily be a problem, save for the fact that obstacles are presented and then immediately beat down with effortless grace by the protagonists. I give Ms. Rai high marks for heat and Hot as Hades did have its fun moments, but overall this retelling of a famous myth just didn’t hit the spot for me.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Merged review:
2.5 stars
Unlike his siblings, Hades, God of the Underworld, lives a solitary life. Or rather, he does so until a naked woman falls right into his lap. Hades doesn’t know Persephone from Hera, but he can tell she’s a powerful goddess. After years of protecting his realm from interlopers, that makes him suspicious of Persephone. Yet there’s no denying his attraction to the beautiful goddess and before long Hades believes her story that she didn’t mean to enter his realm. Since she can’t leave, Hades and Persephone are stuck in close quarters and it’s only a matter of time before they give into their desire for one another. But Persephone can’t stay in the Underworld forever. What will happen when she has to leave?
Alisha Rai gives the classic story of Persephone and Hades her own unique spin in Hot as Hades. This aptly-titled story is wickedly erotic, but Ms. Rai’s mix of mythology and modern day vocabulary constantly pulled me out of the story. I’ve read many books where Greek mythology is placed in a modern context, but in Hot as Hades, it just doesn’t work. I can’t put my finger on whether it was the characters, setting, or dialogue, but the rhythm of the entire story felt stilted. In addition, there was no real conflict. This wouldn’t necessarily be a problem, save for the fact that obstacles are presented and then immediately beat down with effortless grace by the protagonists. I give Ms. Rai high marks for heat and Hot as Hades did have its fun moments, but overall this retelling of a famous myth just didn’t hit the spot for me.
What if Romeo and Juliet had escaped the tragic fate Shakespeare wrote for them and instead lived on and were now the pareReviewed for Wit and Sin
What if Romeo and Juliet had escaped the tragic fate Shakespeare wrote for them and instead lived on and were now the parents of seven children? Christina Dodd takes that idea and spins it into a charming tale starring Rosie, the famed couple’s eldest daughter. A Daughter of Fair Verona is a historical mystery that’s modern, irreverent, and sprightly in tone.
With parents like Romeo and Juliet, Rosie has grown up with passion, drama, monologues, poetry…and it’s made her the sensible one. She’s avoided marriage by turning each of her suitors onto a more suitable bride and it’s worked out well for her so far. Then comes a betrothal she can’t escape – one to a horrible duke rumored to have murdered his last three wives. Except at her betrothal ball the odious duke is found dead. Only the swift intervention of the podestà of Venice keeps her from being a suspect but the danger is only just beginning. Mysterious deaths seem to be following the case and Rosie wants to discover who is behind it before danger befalls her family. A Daughter of Fair Verona was a bit slow to start but once the mystery took hold I was hooked. Dodd’s writing was fast-paced and yes, fun, despite the murder and poison abounding in Rosie’s fair Verona. I liked watching Rosie put the pieces of the puzzle together and the result was a satisfying mystery.
While Rosie pretends to disdain poetry and passion, she secretly yearns for it, which is where the romance comes in. Or rather, the start of it with a love triangle. There’s no resolution to who will win Rosie’s heart – the dashing choice or the more enigmatic (and to me, far more interesting) one – as Dodd ends things on a cliffhanger there. But I’ll be interested to see how things play out in the next Daughter of Montague book.
A Daughter of Fair Verona is a fun start to a new series. The Montagues are a bold, fun, loving family and their friends and allies are intriguing. I was satisfied with how this story ended but I am looking forward to exploring more of Rosie’s world.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night gets the reimagined in a high school setting treatment a la ‘90s and early 2000s rom coms in Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night gets the reimagined in a high school setting treatment a la ‘90s and early 2000s rom coms in Twelfth Knight. Alexene Farol Follmuth pays homage to The Bard while making this story fully her own and the result is a delight.
It’s grumpy meets sunshine with Vi and Jack. Vi is a gamer who – thanks to rampant sexism in the gaming world – plays as a male knight named Cesario in her favorite MMORPG. Jack “Duke” Orsino is a football star whose world turns upside down when his knee is busted. Jack’s at a crossroads in his life and it doesn’t help that his girlfriend, Olivia, is avoiding him. When his friend recommends he pass the time with Twelfth Knight, Jack ends up teaming up with Cesario and the friendship he develops with his online friend is a stark difference to the bickering he and Vi do in real life.
What will happen when Jack learns that his sword-wielding friend is the same sharp-tongued grump he’s falling for? I’ll leave readers to find out. But I will say that this was an absolutely charming story with well-drawn characters and an entertaining plot. I liked seeing Cesario and Duke Orsino open up to each other online while Jack gets over, under, and through Vi’s barriers in the real world. There are just enough references to Shakespeare’s play to keep an enthusiast entertained but not so many that this book can’t stand on its own.
Twelfth Knight is about letting down your walls, letting people see the real you, and trusting that they will be there and love you as you are. I loved the gaming aspects, both seeing it through the experienced Vi’s eyes and the new-to-gaming Jack’s viewpoint. Jack and Viola are joined by a wonderful cast of characters who are as endearing, flawed, and unique as they are. All in all, this was a fun read that also took its characters on engaging journeys of personal growth.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Melodie Edwards puts a fresh spin on a Jane Austen classic in Once Persuaded, Twice Shy. Edwards brings A4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Melodie Edwards puts a fresh spin on a Jane Austen classic in Once Persuaded, Twice Shy. Edwards brings Anne and Wentworth to the modern era but keeps the original spirit alive in this story, and I was absolutely delighted.
Anne is all business all the time, having stepped into her late mother’s shoes seamlessly and taken on the role of town counselor and theater director. Between narcissistic family members, a sweet but loose cannon assistant, dramatic actors, demanding townspeople, and a chaotic neutral (possibly chaotic evil) goose, Anne’s time is constantly in demand. Then the new owners of her former home – Kellynch Winery – come to the theater and bring the past back to haunt her. The Fairchilds’ nephew is none other than Ben Wentworth, the man Anne dumped eight years ago after being persuaded he was a bad match.
If you’re familiar with Persuasion, you’ll see all of the high points of that novel reimagined in a new way. If you’ve never read Austen’s novel, don’t worry – you won’t be lost. Edwards makes this story and its characters stand on their own. I adored the romantic angst as Anne’s reunion with Ben makes her face the past and deal with the breakup she pushed out of mind for years. Anne has become someone she doesn’t entirely recognize and it was great to see her come into her own over the course of the story. Her hurt and loss over Ben are feelings she has to contend with as well, as is the jealousy at seeing him now successful, powerful, and seemingly indifferent to her. Though the story is told from Anne’s point of view, you can easily read Ben’s emotions like you can in the original. Edwards truly captures the heart of Persuasion in Once Persuaded, Twice Shy and her skill ensures I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
I love a good Pride and Prejudice adaptation and Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding are truly wonderful at taking Austen’s Reviewed for Wit and Sin
I love a good Pride and Prejudice adaptation and Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding are truly wonderful at taking Austen’s classics and putting their own spin on them. Elizabeth of East Hampton is a fresh and fun take on Elizabeth and Darcy’s story.
Lizzy Bennet is at a crossroads in her life. She put her plan for a master’s at Columbia on hold after her father’s stroke and spends her days surfing then running the family bakery. She also tries to manage the many strong personalities in her household. Then Manhattanite Charlie Pierce shows up and dazzles Lizzy’s sister, Jane. Unfortunately, Charlie also brings his stuck-up friend, Will Darcy, with him. Will is snobby, rude, and someone she could never get along with…or is he?
If you’re familiar with Pride and Prejudice then you’ll know the rhythm coming as Lizzy and readers come to see the real Darcy who is so much different than what Lizzy first thinks of him. Will is an utterly endearing hero; he’s kind, protective, and a bit vulnerable. He’s a fantastic update of a timeless, dreamy hero. Lizzy I had a harder time connecting to than I do with her Austen counterpart and I can’t quite put my finger on why, only that I felt something was slightly missing from her. Because of this, the first half of Elizabeth of East Hampton was a bit slow for me and I didn’t truly start connecting with the story until Lizzy started letting her walls down. Once she did, I was all in.
One of the strengths of Bellezza and Harding’s storytelling is they follow the spirit and plot points of Austen’s classics but make them fully their own, changing details that make the story unique while never losing the essence of the characters. I loved what they did with the supporting cast in particular, how they changed and evolved characters like Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. It added a richness to the story I didn’t expect but absolutely loved. And if you enjoyed the first For the Love of Austen novel, you’ll surely delight in seeing George and Emma again. Their relationship with Will is not just a treat for fans but also works in the larger story, filling in the gaps of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana at times. But even if you haven’t read Emma of 83rd Street or the original Pride and Prejudice you can still enjoy this book on its own.
Elizabeth of East Hampton had its ups and downs for me in the beginning of the story but by the end I was completely enthralled. I love Bellezza and Harding’s writing and the way they retell Austen’s classics absolutely thrills me. I hope they have been persuaded to continue this series, especially since they’ve introduced a Freddie Wentworth who’s practically begging for an Anne Elliot.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Helen Kasios may be stunningly gorgeous and come from a powerful family, but that isn’t the shield many think3.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Helen Kasios may be stunningly gorgeous and come from a powerful family, but that isn’t the shield many think it is. Her father was abusive, her siblings – the new Zeus and Aphrodite – are too wrapped up in the politics of Olympus to put family first, and she has also survived an abusive relationship. Helen is not content to be someone’s pawn; she wants to claim her own destiny, to be seen as an equal to the power around her. To do that, she needs to claim the title of Ares. But she’s not the only one vying for the title – and no one, not even those who know her best, believe she can take it. A host of competitors and three trials stand between her and the position she wants more than anything. Two of those competitors are Achilles Kallis and Patroclus Fotos, partners who are determined to see Achilles win the competition. Achilles is as frustrating as Patroclus is kind, but both tempt her in different ways…and she them. How can she fall for two men when they’re bound to be pitted against each other on the battlefield? Then again, how can she not when they are the first two to see the real her?
Wicked Beauty is ferociously hot, fast-paced polyamorous romance. It features two hotheads determined to grasp their destiny and one more cautious member of the triad to balance them out. Helen is smart, determined, and possesses hidden vulnerabilities. She’s trying to drown out the voices in her head telling her she’s not good enough and grasp the title she desperately wants. For her, being Ares is freedom and equality. For Achilles, an orphan who grew up powerless, the title is everything. It’s the only thing he’s ever wanted besides Patroclus. There’s hurt and vulnerability in Achilles that’s masked by strength and confidence. He can be boorish, but Katee Robert hints at more beneath the surface, though unfortunately we only get glimpses of it. He and Patroclus have been together in an open relationship for a decade but even though they love each other their relationship is on shaky ground. From the start it’s clear neither expects the other to stay forever and they’re both trying to savor every moment. Helen rocks their already shaky foundation by bringing jealousy into the mix. It takes a while for the three to find their footing, to realize they make a good team in bed and out. Unlike the other two, Patroclus grew up in a loving household. He’s good at strategizing, which is fortunate since both Achilles and Helen are reactionary – they need someone who will stop and think. In turn, they keep Patroclus from getting too in his head. Like Achilles, Patroclus is an interesting character, but I would have loved to dive deeper into him (for example, seeing why he’s so brilliant rather than constantly being told).
Lust comes easy to our three heroes but they have a rocky beginning. Still, once they settle in they are a seriously hot triad. I can see why they work, but I had some trouble with the romance. Robert develops Helen well and I can see how she suits both men. And I really did like Patroclus and Achilles together and with her. They see the real Helen and fall for her just as she is, respecting her strength, intelligence, and ambition. However, the aforementioned rocky foundation to Patroclus and Achilles’s relationship is not satisfyingly addressed. We start to get there at the end but I wish there had much more to make me feel like the entire throuple was solid.
The competition to determine the next Ares is the second most fraught battleground (after the bedroom) in Wicked Beauty. I liked the trials and would have enjoyed seeing even more of it and the interactions between our characters and their competition. Robert gives extra nods to Greek mythology in the trials which is entertaining. As for who becomes the newest member of the Thirteen, I won’t spoil what happens but I am torn. I can see why Robert wrote it the way she did but there’s something not quite satisfying about it. Perhaps had more attention been paid to the aftermath instead of rushing and wrapping up the ending it would have been more satisfactory. Another chapter or two would have made the ending as a whole feel more complete. I wanted just a bit more – even an epilogue – to feel satisfied with the story and the romance.
I have a hard time rating Wicked Beauty because Robert’s writing is addictive and the book is sexy as hell. It’s enjoyable but also frustrating at times because with more depth it could have been great. Helen is a well-crafted heroine and I enjoyed her journey, but I wanted some more from her men. Taking Wicked Beauty as it is, I did enjoy the ride and read almost all of it in one sitting. I’m very much looking forward to what Katee Robert has in store for future Dark Olympus books. There are characters here (Callisto, Atalanta, and Athena in particular) who I am desperate to read more about and Robert throws out some information at the end that has me curious what the future of Olympus will look like.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
In the city of Olympus, you play the game well or you’re crushed. And if you cross one of the Thirteen, well, 4.5 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
In the city of Olympus, you play the game well or you’re crushed. And if you cross one of the Thirteen, well, may the gods have mercy on you. Psyche Dimitriou, daughter of the current Demeter, knows how to play a role and navigate the politics and society of Olympus. The beautiful influencer has never made a misstep…until one act of kindness makes her Aphrodite’s target. And Aphrodite’s weapon is the devastatingly handsome Eros.
Eros is, by his own admission, a monster. His mother raised him from childhood to be her blade in the night, the man who does her dirty work. He feels like his soul has been crushed; then he meets Psyche. Aphrodite wants Psyche killed, but rather than comply, Eros marries her, setting off a chain of events neither could have expected.
The Eros and Psyche myth is reimagined in the fast-paced, compelling Electric Idol. Katee Robert captivated me from the first with this sexy and imaginative take on the classic tale.
All of Olympus knows Psyche to be kind and sweet; the kind of woman who would never put a toe out of line. But Psyche is so much more than what people see. She’s smart, clever, skilled at image-craft, and wields social media with incredible skill. She’s also fiercely protective of those she loves and is a bit lonely, knowing that there is no one she can trust outside her family. Eros sees himself as the darkness to her light. He’s been raised to be a monster and has blood on his hands. He’s cold and ruthless because that’s what Aphrodite raised him to be. But she hasn’t killed his soul completely. Psyche brings out the man within, letting him be his true self around her. They have an unconventional beginning, to say the least, but I was rooting for these two every step of the way. Their chemistry is electric and the two of them burn up the sheets (and make great use of mirrors), but there’s no lack of heart to match the heat.
The threat of Aphrodite’s revenge adds danger to Electric Idol and allows a deeper look into the politics of Olympus. It’s an interesting world, one I look forward to learning more about as the series goes on. It’s also a deeply poisonous world, especially the closer you get to the Thirteen. I was captivated by Psyche and Eros’s romance and definitely kept turning the pages because I wanted to see them carve out their own slice of happiness.
For all the fun to be had with mirrors in this story, Eros and Psyche have a romance that you can believe in because they each see beyond the image the other presents. I loved how gone over Psyche Eros was and how she saw past the monster and fell for the man. Electric Idol is entertaining from start to finish and I cannot wait to see where Robert takes the Dark Olympus series next.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Cinderella meets The Bachelor in If the Shoe Fits. Julie Murphy’s first Meant to Be story is a heartwarming, fun, modeReviewed for Wit and Sin
Cinderella meets The Bachelor in If the Shoe Fits. Julie Murphy’s first Meant to Be story is a heartwarming, fun, modern-day fairytale.
Cindy has recently graduated from Parsons but all the emotions she bottled up after the death of her father are coming to the surface and she’s still struggling with moving forward in life. With no job prospects in sight, Cindy moves back to LA and the home of her stepmother, Erica Tremaine. Erica is the executive producer of Before Midnight, a Bachelor-style reality dating program. When a couple of contestants drop out, Cindy and her stepsisters are pulled in as replacements. What better way for the shoe-obsessed Cindy to jumpstart her career than to have her designs on national television? The one thing Cindy doesn’t count on is falling for Henry, the handsome suitor who is a perfectly imperfect Prince Charming.
I adored Cindy from the start. She’s fat, she owns it, and she loves her body as-is. She strikes a chord with the Before Midnight audience because she loves herself and has an eye for fashion, even though the fashion industry itself is sizeist as can be. Cindy is the kind of heroine you can root for and though she’s at a crossroads in her life in this book I liked seeing her find her way and claim her future. Along the way she makes friends with many of the her fellow contestants and they’re all interesting characters in their own right. I don’t love the concept of a dating show backdrop but Murphy made it work. There are also plenty of fun Cinderella nods from characters to the iconic fashion moments, although I was glad to see the wicked stepmother and ugly stepsisters trope was ditched for complicated but still loving relationships that are far more appealing.
Cindy’s relationship with herself is at the heart of If the Shoe Fits but that doesn’t mean Murphy skimps on the romance. Henry is charming and I enjoyed unwrapping his character over the course of the story. Henry is also struggling a bit at the start of this book – a reality show isn’t something he would normally have signed himself up for – and I enjoyed as the layers of his character are revealed. I had some questions about him and his future by the end of the book, but even with those I was still satisfied by the more modern ending to this fairytale Murphy crafted. If the Shoe Fits is a delight from beginning to end. Murphy’s take on Cinderella is inclusive, positive, and completely charming.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Men Are Frogs is such a fun book! It has a fairytale romance with a true Prince Charming, a wedding plann4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Men Are Frogs is such a fun book! It has a fairytale romance with a true Prince Charming, a wedding planner with a heart of gold, a love story that will make you smile, and friendships that will warm your heart.
Zuri Davis is a wedding planner whose personal life and career took a hit when she found out her boyfriend was actually the groom in a wedding she was planning. She isn’t sure she believes love is in the cards for her when she is offered the position of wedding planner in the small town of Ever After, Missouri. Zuri has a tight bond with her twin, Zeva, but otherwise she’s quite lonely. She’s charmed by the magic of Ever After, although how magical the place is she doesn’t know at first. I adored watching her make friends with the residents of her new home (the strong female friendships in this book are fantastic). I wanted to hug Zuri and let her know she is definitely fit for the happily ever after she gives to others. She’s kind, generous, and truly listens to people. And though she’s done kissing metaphorical frogs to find her prince, maybe she needs to give an actual frog a chance.
Phillip is a frog prince – literally. He’s been cursed for nearly three hundred years to be a frog by day, only getting to be his Prince Charming self at night. I liked that Phillip has already done some growth at the beginning of the story. He apologizes and means it to the fairy godmothers he wronged, not because of what happened to him but because of what he did. He’s a good man with a kind heart and a sense of humor. I liked seeing his friendship with the beastly Hunter and to see him open himself up to more bonds of friendship with beings that others may be wary of. He and Zuri are a perfect match and they click from the very beginning. Both of them become their best selves over the course of Men Are Frogs and I liked how Saranna DeWylde tested them and their burgeoning relationship in an organic way. Zuri and Phillip are a couple you can root for and though some might not enjoy the insta-love aspect to their romance, I didn’t mind because it’s a fairytale, so why not?
Men Are Frogs delighted me from beginning to end. It’s an adult fairytale with charm, humor, and quirkiness. I cannot wait to see who fairy godmothers Petunia, Bluebonnet, and Jonquil pair up next!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Saranna DeWylde puts her own fresh and fun spin on fairytales in Fairy Godmothers, Inc. I desperately wanted to love Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Saranna DeWylde puts her own fresh and fun spin on fairytales in Fairy Godmothers, Inc. I desperately wanted to love this fairytale-loving rom com, but the story ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for me. I almost didn’t finish the book because the first half wasn’t my cup of tea at all but I’m glad I stuck with it because the story finished strong and I enjoyed the world DeWylde created.
Lucky’s name feels like a terrible joke. Her luck isn’t your average level of bad – it’s preternaturally awful. But when her beloved godmothers ask for her help, Lucky ventures to Ever After, Missouri, to fake a wedding and put Ever After on the map as a wedding destination. The only problem is the groom is her ex. She and Ransom have a history of things going catastrophically wrong when they try to get together and “The Incident” was the final straw that broke their relationship. Though sparks fly upon their meeting again, other things begin to fly as well...like attacking mutant cherries. The hard part for me is that both Lucky and Ransom are decent people so watching terrible things happen to them isn’t enjoyable or funny. The first part of Fairy Godmothers, Inc. seems to be a series of disasters as Lucky and Ransom reconnect, fall back in love like there was no time apart, and everything felt shallow. If we were given any history besides their failed attempts at sex or the overblown “Incident” perhaps the insta-love when they re-meet would make more sense. This is the point where I almost stopped reading as everything felt unfunny, shallow, and over-the-top.
I’m glad I didn’t stop reading because in the second half of Fairy Godmothers, Inc. the book finds its feet. Lucky and Ransom’s relationship is tested as they have to make themselves vulnerable, face their fears, and take risks. It isn’t easy and the course of true love doesn’t run smooth, but I liked that they had to work for their happily ever after rather than have their fairy godmothers wave their problems away. There’s heart in this part of the book and the characters grow in an organic manner, learning about love, sacrifice, and acceptance; modern fairytale themes for an adult audience.
The town of Ever After is a fairytale world come to life. The titular fairy godmothers, Petunia, Bluebonnet, and Jonquil, are determined to bring love back to Ever After, as love powers the town’s magic and that magic is fading. Love in all its forms is at the heart of Fairy Godmothers, Inc. and that made me smile. DeWylde’s twists on fairytale characters also charmed the heck out of me. I loved exploring Ever After and seeing beloved characters in new forms and I definitely want to explore this adorable town and its endearing residents even further. So while I had mixed feelings about Lucky and Ransom’s story, I cannot wait to see what Petunia, Bluebonnet, and Jonquil have in store for their other charges!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
A heroine determined to fight for what’s right. A hero assigned to protect her. Danger, romance, and a clock 4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin
A heroine determined to fight for what’s right. A hero assigned to protect her. Danger, romance, and a clock ticking down to midnight all blend together wonderfully in Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts. I adored this action-packed steampunk romance and its stellar characters, clever inventions, and oh-so-addictive world.
I can’t imagine Emme not winning anyone over. She’s courageous, kind, and determined to fight for what is right, no matter the personal cost. As Spokeswoman for the International Shifter Rights Organization she has the opportunity to give the closing speech right before the end of a summit where legislation to protect shifters is up for a vote. Only someone is determined she not live to make that speech. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, Emme’s nemesis and the man who has arrested her more than once. Oliver agrees with Emme’s mission – he’s a good, logical person and his best friend is a predatory shifter, after all – it’s her disruptive ways he doesn’t agree with. No matter how often they’ve come into conflict, the simmering attraction between Emme and Oliver cannot be denied. So when he’s assigned to be her bodyguard and make sure she gets to Scotland in once piece, neither of them can hide their feelings any longer. Their romance seems to be fated (especially since their closest friends are all paired up) so I didn’t mind that they fell in love rather quickly; it goes with the Cinderella theme.
What I found most interesting about Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is how well Emme and Oliver worked together. They may have been adversaries in the past, but they both want the same thing. And to get to Scotland, they must overcome obstacles at every corner. Between Emme’s evil stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, death threats, kidnappings, and more, I wasn’t sure at times how our protagonists would make it. Thankfully they have allies old and new who add warmth and depth to the world. Fans of the series will delight in seeing past couples play supporting roles and there is a new character I found totally endearing who fills several Cinderella roles.
Though Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts has many nods to a beloved fairytale, it does fully stand on its own. I do recommend reading at least the first book in the series (Beauty and the Clockwork Beast) before starting Emme and Oliver’s book. You should be familiar with the wonderful world Nancy Campbell Allen has built before jumping headfirst into a story of steampunk, shifters, vampires, and more that does not offer a primer. I’ve adored every book in this series and this one does not disappoint. My only quibble is that there is a lot going on in this book and a few things felt rushed because so much was packed in (namely the storyline involving Oliver’s brother). Even with that issue, I enjoyed this story overall. I adore the way Nancy Campbell Allen blends fairytale and steampunk to create a world that is wholly unique. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
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