Scan barcode
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
melbsreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content warnings: mental health, depression, grief, stalking, assault, death of a parent (in the past), abandonment
So here's the thing: I make no secret of the fact that I loathe the Twilight series with the fire of a thousand suns. And this is very clearly inspired by Charlie Swan. I will admit that Charlie is the most likeable/redeemable character in the Twilight series, so there's that.
Anyway, the point is that I read Eliza's second book, Hold Fast, at the start of the year and LOVED it. So despite my hesitations, I gave this one a shot. And I freaking LOVED it. Hank was such a precious teddy bear of a character. And Esther was delightful. I do wish we got to see more of her actually doing witchcraft than we do, but this was so charming that I genuinely didn't mind.
The take on Twilight works really well, and I loved the ways in which MacArthur takes the story we know and changes it for the better. Also I am going to need to pick up the second book as soon as possible because I am SOLD on that couple holy hell.
So here's the thing: I make no secret of the fact that I loathe the Twilight series with the fire of a thousand suns. And this is very clearly inspired by Charlie Swan. I will admit that Charlie is the most likeable/redeemable character in the Twilight series, so there's that.
Anyway, the point is that I read Eliza's second book, Hold Fast, at the start of the year and LOVED it. So despite my hesitations, I gave this one a shot. And I freaking LOVED it. Hank was such a precious teddy bear of a character. And Esther was delightful. I do wish we got to see more of her actually doing witchcraft than we do, but this was so charming that I genuinely didn't mind.
The take on Twilight works really well, and I loved the ways in which MacArthur takes the story we know and changes it for the better. Also I am going to need to pick up the second book as soon as possible because I am SOLD on that couple holy hell.
melissat's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Eliza MacArthur is quickly becoming my favourite author. I've been holding off reading this book for a long time because I knew i would love it, but I didn't realize how tender and gentle the love story would be.
This was such an easily accessible paranormal contemporary romance. The world was very easy to understand and I liked that paranormal creatures are well-known to those in the community. It was such a good balance of creatures and humans ("vampires, they're just like us! except they sleep all day and can only drink blood").
Esther and Hank are both in need of extra TLC and I loved Hank's on-page therapy sessions. They were both busy bees, dealing with heavy feelings but also getting caught up in their attraction to each other - I have never been more excited that a book did not make me wait til 60% for us to get some spicy time.
I love the secondary characters and I can't wait to finish Jory's book. This book was chef's kiss, Hank was the biggest simp and so swoony. I also adored that both main characters were plus sized. I'm about to go devour the other books from the same author.
This was such an easily accessible paranormal contemporary romance. The world was very easy to understand and I liked that paranormal creatures are well-known to those in the community. It was such a good balance of creatures and humans ("vampires, they're just like us! except they sleep all day and can only drink blood").
Esther and Hank are both in need of extra TLC and I loved Hank's on-page therapy sessions. They were both busy bees, dealing with heavy feelings but also getting caught up in their attraction to each other - I have never been more excited that a book did not make me wait til 60% for us to get some spicy time.
I love the secondary characters and I can't wait to finish Jory's book. This book was chef's kiss, Hank was the biggest simp and so swoony. I also adored that both main characters were plus sized. I'm about to go devour the other books from the same author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Police brutality
reads_esther's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A truly brilliant, heart wrenching, beautiful, atmospheric, paranormal romance. One that I could not recommend more. Hank & Esther are so unbelievably special.
aliciaacker's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
cate929's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
I'd give this a million stars if I could. Definitely one of my top ten of all time
s_marsh21's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I really liked this one but didn’t love it. I’m not sure why, maybe it was a bit too sad and heavy for me. Hank was So sad and So lonely for So long; it just broke my heart. I hate the thought of anyone, who has heart of gold, living like that for so long. Esther was so good for him but I hated the way she (inadvertently) kept hurting him in his most vulnerable area..!
Loved the super natural part of the story; I wish there had been even more of that.
Wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Loved the super natural part of the story; I wish there had been even more of that.
Wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read the next one!
cc_reads15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
thenextbookdilemma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
This book was a mess. Started out great but then I do not possess enough whimsy to believe.