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1.5 stars
ITS OVER THANK FUCK.
Where to begin, where to begin... I think I'll start with Ben. Listen, I love a pathetic man in a romance. I think a man so whipped he worships the ground his love interest walks on is delicious, thank you, more. But Ben? JESUS. This man has crippling social anxiety, to the point he SHOULD see someone about it and probably be medicated for it. I knew someone like that in college, and it got so bad untreated that they became agoraphobic. That is where Ben is heading, and it SUCKS to watch that happen to someone, esp someone like Ben who talks about how good therapy is! But literally won't go to save his own life. FFS. "Too busy" and continues to pile on responsibilities. As someone who is still a people pleaser, and used to be a doormat, get a fucking spine. Ben's pushing 40, it's time to grow up and go to therapy and start drawing hard boundaries.
Ben is also so, so, so very Nice Guy, Consent King, but not in a good way? It's very much giving me Reddit Incel, where instead of talking to Hylo about his lack of dates in the past decade he slides into online misogynist chatrooms. It could've happened, and for that I got the BIGGEST ick within the first 10 minutes of listening to the audiobook. Maybe that's also a me thing, where I know people who had his same Pick Me ass attitude and, turns out, they couldn't get dates because they were doing Very Bad Things, NOT because they just couldn't find the right person or were "too busy". Blegh.
Along those lines, the power dynamic between Ben and Eleanore also pissed me off so bad. It didn't need to be like that, or it could've been something the author chose to solve earlier, and didn't. If you keep reiterating that he could literally tell her to off herself and she would have no choice, I do not believe that they are in love. If he does not act with any urgency, or put aside all his other priorities to help her, I do not believe he is a Nice Guy. If she is CONSISTENTLY having to set aside her PTSD reactions because his anxiety is too much, I do not believe in their relationship. And this is a man that consistently accidentally orders her around, and while he's quick to take it back or amend it, that is not a healthy basis for a sexual relationship, and I. Hated. It. Every minute past him learning about her curse and instead running to help his sister? And her mayoral campaign?? What the FUCK my guy. SOME sort of communication, SOME sense of urgency, and how about we notrun into the witch's house gun's blazing and then be SHOCKED when she tries to pull some shit ? Damn. Not a single braincell amongst them.
Speaking of Gigi's mayoral campaign, this story didn't really feel like Ben and Eleanore's. With the first one, Marial and Oz have their romance while Marial deals with family stuff, Oz deals with demon stuff, and they help save the forest. It all felt very tied together, but the romance was the main part. With the second book, Asteroth's demon shenanigans are also a backdrop to his romance with Calladia, and same with her issues with her mother. Here? Every other chapter is about Gigi's mayoral bid, and it pisses me off. I didn't come here for the MMC's sister's storyline, I'm here for Ben and Eleanore, c'mon. I got more romance from Lilith and her werewolf than between these two! And I for sure didn't want that!
The unironic use of "m'lady" made this an instant one star. And it was fighting back from that at the 80% mark. And I disagree with the title, Ben didn't "seduce" her, he "oopsie!"d his way into her bed and she took pity on him.
I hope Eleanore's success takes her far away from Glimmer Falls and she finds out she doesn't have to settle for Ben. And she dumps him. That's my happily ever after.
1.5 stars, I hated Ben, Eleanore was alright, and if there is a fourth book, like it feels like there may be, I will not be reading it, thanks.
ITS OVER THANK FUCK.
Where to begin, where to begin... I think I'll start with Ben. Listen, I love a pathetic man in a romance. I think a man so whipped he worships the ground his love interest walks on is delicious, thank you, more. But Ben? JESUS. This man has crippling social anxiety, to the point he SHOULD see someone about it and probably be medicated for it. I knew someone like that in college, and it got so bad untreated that they became agoraphobic. That is where Ben is heading, and it SUCKS to watch that happen to someone, esp someone like Ben who talks about how good therapy is! But literally won't go to save his own life. FFS. "Too busy" and continues to pile on responsibilities. As someone who is still a people pleaser, and used to be a doormat, get a fucking spine. Ben's pushing 40, it's time to grow up and go to therapy and start drawing hard boundaries.
Ben is also so, so, so very Nice Guy, Consent King, but not in a good way? It's very much giving me Reddit Incel, where instead of talking to Hylo about his lack of dates in the past decade he slides into online misogynist chatrooms. It could've happened, and for that I got the BIGGEST ick within the first 10 minutes of listening to the audiobook. Maybe that's also a me thing, where I know people who had his same Pick Me ass attitude and, turns out, they couldn't get dates because they were doing Very Bad Things, NOT because they just couldn't find the right person or were "too busy". Blegh.
Along those lines, the power dynamic between Ben and Eleanore also pissed me off so bad. It didn't need to be like that, or it could've been something the author chose to solve earlier, and didn't. If you keep reiterating that he could literally tell her to off herself and she would have no choice, I do not believe that they are in love. If he does not act with any urgency, or put aside all his other priorities to help her, I do not believe he is a Nice Guy. If she is CONSISTENTLY having to set aside her PTSD reactions because his anxiety is too much, I do not believe in their relationship. And this is a man that consistently accidentally orders her around, and while he's quick to take it back or amend it, that is not a healthy basis for a sexual relationship, and I. Hated. It. Every minute past him learning about her curse and instead running to help his sister? And her mayoral campaign?? What the FUCK my guy. SOME sort of communication, SOME sense of urgency, and how about we not
Speaking of Gigi's mayoral campaign, this story didn't really feel like Ben and Eleanore's. With the first one, Marial and Oz have their romance while Marial deals with family stuff, Oz deals with demon stuff, and they help save the forest. It all felt very tied together, but the romance was the main part. With the second book, Asteroth's demon shenanigans are also a backdrop to his romance with Calladia, and same with her issues with her mother. Here? Every other chapter is about Gigi's mayoral bid, and it pisses me off. I didn't come here for the MMC's sister's storyline, I'm here for Ben and Eleanore, c'mon. I got more romance from Lilith and her werewolf than between these two! And I for sure didn't want that!
The unironic use of "m'lady" made this an instant one star. And it was fighting back from that at the 80% mark. And I disagree with the title, Ben didn't "seduce" her, he "oopsie!"d his way into her bed and she took pity on him.
I hope Eleanore's success takes her far away from Glimmer Falls and she finds out she doesn't have to settle for Ben. And she dumps him. That's my happily ever after.
1.5 stars, I hated Ben, Eleanore was alright, and if there is a fourth book, like it feels like there may be, I will not be reading it, thanks.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Gaslighting
Minor: Body horror, Torture, Trafficking
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantasy magical creatures with human characteristics and storytelling. I appreciate that the smut is not magical, it’s just people with magic powers. Five peppers.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
There was more that I found annoying than likable able this book. There was a hint of a plot line that was intriguing to me, but it was lost in the smut and annoying characters.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Toxic relationship
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
My favorite of the group, by far.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted a fluffy romance palette cleanser, and this one was perfect for that! This definitely felt in line with the other books in this series - unique and quirky characters, fantastical beings in a cozy small town, and an emphasis on social activism. This potentially problematic premise (a werewolf owning a crystal that traps a vampire succubus) actually ended up being pretty sweet - as both characters were aware of this power imbalance, worked to make sure the other felt safe, and had a fun dynamic that balanced each other. However, though there was a lot I appreciated about it on paper, I was also not that invested in the characters or the plot, plus there was more of an emphasis on spice than I prefer. 🫂👥🌧️
Loveable characters:
Yes
Loved this one even more than the previous book!! They were such a cute couple. I Like how certain issues were addressed in the story. All the different personalities of all the characters are just as fun as they have always been. Spice level was on par with the previous books. I liked that they went with a sensitive guy as the male lead it was a refreshing breather from all the angsty bad boys.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found chunks of dialogue or exposition a bit stilted or heavy handed at times, but loved the characters and humor enough that it didn’t matter.