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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.
sciencesquall's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jro14x's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The cognitive dissonance with this one is weird for me. On the one hand, the themes of grief and loneliness and hope are written so beautifully, and I teared up a couples times because the *feelings* are just so potent. On the other hand, this is clearly Charlie Swan Twilight fanfiction with a few names changed. The MMC is Hank Dove, for heavens sake. Now don’t get me wrong, I am 1000% a fan of fanfiction. However, I did not know that that was what this was going into the story and there was a notable record scratch in my head about 5% in when I realize that this character’s backstory is exactly that of Charlie Swan. So your mileage may vary 🙃 I was leaning towards a higher rating, but in the last third, the FMC does some too stupid to live things and the crux of the plot falls apart a bit.
daylightoasis's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
meganmreads's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t know what on earth I was expecting when I picked this up, but it wasn’t a paranormal romance.
If you’ve ever wanted a book about Charlie from Twilight, this is basically it. It was so good!
Hank was a flannel wearing ex cop who experienced low self esteem stemming from his wife leaving him and later, his daughter. He quit the force after realizing it wasn’t upholding the values that were important to him.
Esther was running from something and felt like this town she stopped in was a safe place to land. She locked eyes with Hank at a diner and couldn’t look away.
The book felt like a contemporary romance, but suddenly there were vampires and witches and other creatures all in a small Pacific Northwest town. It definitely didn’t mirror Forks in the type of paranormal creatures and myths, but it did have a similar vibe. I definitely recommend it to Team Charlie people, but also to anyone looking for fun paranormal romance with some trauma and healing on the side!
m00dyminx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
5.0
lilyelisabeth511's review against another edition
5.0
"Hank’s grown love was liquid, thick and viscous. His feelings, deep and raw and frighteningly big, moved around within his brain and couldn’t have been separated from his body for as long as he drew breath into his lungs. And like a liquid, his love was shaped entirely by its container which, at the moment, was the rapidly beating confines of his heart."
•
•
This is for the Twilight girlies who grew up to realize that Charlie is the real prize. This is for the girlies who watch Stranger Things and lust after Hopper instead of Steve or Jonathan. It's me. I'm the girlie.
What a masterpiece of a debut this was. I loved everything about this book and it is now a comfort, cozy read for me and I honestly just want to reread it immediately. It was so so good. It takes place in WA, and honestly just gave me so many of the vibes I love. The cozy PNW vibes, the flannel vibes, the densely packed forests vibes, the hot coffee, fuzzy socks and rainy night vibes. & then add in the paranormal vibes with witches, vampires, wolves, shifters, selkies and I am a happy happy lady.
The story follows Hank, a 45 year old ex-cop, divorcee who is trying therapy for the first time and just trying to get through every day. He's a man who has been broken by life over and over again and he's become a ghost in his own house. He's haunted by the memories of his first love who packed up her and their daughter and left, without ever looking back. He's haunted by the memories of his parents dying unexpectedly and he's haunted by his career as a cop. A career he wanted because Hank loves to take care of people and a career he ultimately left because he could not accept the things that went on around him. He's just going through the motions and barely living when he meets Esther.
Esther is a 35 year old witch (who also has an art degree) and has been on the run for almost a year, trying to escape a group of vengeful vampires. She arrives in Hank's quiet town of Worlds End, just trying to find a safe place to start over. Esther has felt alone for as long as she can remember and being on the run has only made those feelings worse. She just wants to settle and simply, be.
When Hank and Esther meet at the town diner and are immediately drawn to each other, they both know their lives will never be the same. Unable to deny their connection and mutual attraction, the two share an unforgettable night. Promises are made. Hopes are born. But Esther has secrets and Hank is slow to trust. The world around them doesn't make it easy for them to love, but they're determined to try, even if at times it seems impossible.
The side characters are all so amazing and I want to know all about their stories. I NEED a Nat and Niamh story. Like WHAT is their history?? Who are they to each other?? What does their future hold?? And let me tell how I screamed when I learned the next book in the series is Jory and Callum. Oof. THOSE TWO.
•
•
This is for the Twilight girlies who grew up to realize that Charlie is the real prize. This is for the girlies who watch Stranger Things and lust after Hopper instead of Steve or Jonathan. It's me. I'm the girlie.
What a masterpiece of a debut this was. I loved everything about this book and it is now a comfort, cozy read for me and I honestly just want to reread it immediately. It was so so good. It takes place in WA, and honestly just gave me so many of the vibes I love. The cozy PNW vibes, the flannel vibes, the densely packed forests vibes, the hot coffee, fuzzy socks and rainy night vibes. & then add in the paranormal vibes with witches, vampires, wolves, shifters, selkies and I am a happy happy lady.
The story follows Hank, a 45 year old ex-cop, divorcee who is trying therapy for the first time and just trying to get through every day. He's a man who has been broken by life over and over again and he's become a ghost in his own house. He's haunted by the memories of his first love who packed up her and their daughter and left, without ever looking back. He's haunted by the memories of his parents dying unexpectedly and he's haunted by his career as a cop. A career he wanted because Hank loves to take care of people and a career he ultimately left because he could not accept the things that went on around him. He's just going through the motions and barely living when he meets Esther.
Esther is a 35 year old witch (who also has an art degree) and has been on the run for almost a year, trying to escape a group of vengeful vampires. She arrives in Hank's quiet town of Worlds End, just trying to find a safe place to start over. Esther has felt alone for as long as she can remember and being on the run has only made those feelings worse. She just wants to settle and simply, be.
When Hank and Esther meet at the town diner and are immediately drawn to each other, they both know their lives will never be the same. Unable to deny their connection and mutual attraction, the two share an unforgettable night. Promises are made. Hopes are born. But Esther has secrets and Hank is slow to trust. The world around them doesn't make it easy for them to love, but they're determined to try, even if at times it seems impossible.
The side characters are all so amazing and I want to know all about their stories. I NEED a Nat and Niamh story. Like WHAT is their history?? Who are they to each other?? What does their future hold?? And let me tell how I screamed when I learned the next book in the series is Jory and Callum. Oof. THOSE TWO.
billireads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the first part of the book. It read like a romance set in an urban fantasy. It felt dark and emotional. Then about 80% it became a light cozy paranormal romance. Maybe I'm jaded but I didn't like how fluffy and convenient the ending was. I felt like we were building up to an action packed battle for a hea for Hank and Ester. I enjoyed the book but the ending killed any chance of me picking up any other books in the series.
virgo_reader's review against another edition
5.0
There’s always this awkward moment when you read the book of someone you ~know~. What if you don’t like it? What if you have a critique? Do you not rate/review, do you stay quiet, do you pretend not to have read it?
LUCKY FOR MEEEEE, I LOVED THIS BOOK.
LUCKY FOR MEEEEE, I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I went into it totally blind. All I knew was the hero was a burly bearded guy. And honestly? It was fun to not know what was happening and to have continual reveals.
SO JUST ENJOY.
But my un-spoiler-y thoughts? Hank is too cute. He’s a soft little marshmallow I want to protect forever. I wish we got a little cameo of his relationship with Anna, post book. Maybe a future book will share? I love him. I LOVE HIM. I LOVE THIS MAN.
selenityelizabeth's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay. I liked the supernatural elements added and a lot of the supporting characters. I’m looking forward to the next book though because Callum and Jory have me super intrigued.