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rebakesl's review
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Extra spicy for the series so far, and darker than expected. Could have used some stronger content warnings at the beginning of the book, but a great HEA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Murder, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy
jrod4322's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Somehow more horny than the previous books, probably because of the initial rivalry of Livvy and Gareth. It is kind of an inworld set-up with the whole "Grim auras bring dark urges to the surface and Influencers can make people like them automatically" deal, so their own denial of actual attraction at first is a bit funny. But I liked the tried and true method of building closeness by spending time with each other and actually getting to know one another in order to get to a point where screwing each other's brains out isn't a mental exercise in compartmentalized. Both MCs get good characterization movement, and the plot moves at a good pace too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Stalking
kittykels's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I thought this book would be my book. Broody, dark, mysterious supernatural man that's extremely dominant and has shadow tentacles? I couldn't ask for anything more.
But this story lacked a lot of interest. Even a straightforward, low-stakes story needs something interesting to drive the plot forward anda random dude who wants to SA and murder the FMC just doesn't do it for me. We barely even see him and he's barely even a threat, except for at the end for like, 2 seconds. I'm glad it didn't get graphic or worse than it was, that's not what I wanted . But I just didn't like this as the plot or the conflict.
I also thought theshaving scene was weird. I know it's supposed to be an intimate moment between them, but it was just cringe to me.
Someone said these books get better but I think it's the opposite. In the first book, the silly YA language made sense because the FMC was depicted as young-at-heart and nerdy and the MMC loved her in all her weird and quirky glory. The other sisters aren't supposed to have this same personality yet the language has stayed the same, and it seems to be just the language the author writes in. These women are supposed to be in their late 30s at least, yet they're all speaking like teens. Even some of the male characters, who are even older, will sometimes use this immature language. I just don't like that this would be the generic language choice for a bunch of supernatural adults who are supposed to be cool and sexy and serious. It doesn't add up, except in Evie's case.
Lastly I have to mention the song choices. A lot of the songs mentioned I was familiar with, but one of them, the one Gareth mouths to Livvy while they're dancing, I hadn't heard of before and looked it up because it sounded like a song I would really enjoy. I wish I wouldn't have because despite liking the song, it was a terrible mental image picturing Gareth singing that to her. I feel like setting Gareth up to be dark, serious, and dominant and then having him do something like this (among other things) was a really poor and out-of-character choice. A simple change to Livvy being the one to sing the song to him would have made it less weird. Maybe I'm nitpicking at this point, but I really wanted to love this series so I'm just a bit disappointed.
But this story lacked a lot of interest. Even a straightforward, low-stakes story needs something interesting to drive the plot forward and
I also thought the
Someone said these books get better but I think it's the opposite. In the first book, the silly YA language made sense because the FMC was depicted as young-at-heart and nerdy and the MMC loved her in all her weird and quirky glory. The other sisters aren't supposed to have this same personality yet the language has stayed the same, and it seems to be just the language the author writes in. These women are supposed to be in their late 30s at least, yet they're all speaking like teens. Even some of the male characters, who are even older, will sometimes use this immature language. I just don't like that this would be the generic language choice for a bunch of supernatural adults who are supposed to be cool and sexy and serious. It doesn't add up, except in Evie's case.
Lastly I have to mention the song choices. A lot of the songs mentioned I was familiar with, but one of them, the one Gareth mouths to Livvy while they're dancing, I hadn't heard of before and looked it up because it sounded like a song I would really enjoy. I wish I wouldn't have because despite liking the song, it was a terrible mental image picturing Gareth singing that to her. I feel like setting Gareth up to be dark, serious, and dominant and then having him do something like this (among other things) was a really poor and out-of-character choice. A simple change to Livvy being the one to sing the song to him would have made it less weird. Maybe I'm nitpicking at this point, but I really wanted to love this series so I'm just a bit disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy
cassiesbookishcorner's review
emotional
funny
3.5
Another win for the Stay a Spell series!! At this point, we know and love the family and surrounding characters so it's like meeting up with friends every time you open the next book.
That being said, I think this story holds up, on its own. The relationship is dynamic, and sexy, and the trials that come up although dark (check trigger warnings), and laced with magic, feel very real.
Also, I love the way the family is growing, and seeing everyone's dynamic together, is such a plus.
That being said, I think this story holds up, on its own. The relationship is dynamic, and sexy, and the trials that come up although dark (check trigger warnings), and laced with magic, feel very real.
Also, I love the way the family is growing, and seeing everyone's dynamic together, is such a plus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, and Misogyny
beccisays's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
At this point, I think almost all of the stories in the Stay A Spell series get close to 5 stars automatically. This world is my guilty pleasure or happy place at the moment. I can’t believe there’s only 2 left to read.
The narrator for the male POV in the audiobooks (Aiden Snow) knocked it out the park yet again. Although it was quite strange to lust after a character named Gareth of all things, you manage it quickly with all the shadow play, binding, mind links & BDSM.
I did think it was a strange choice to leave Jules/Ruben & Clara/Henry’s books to last as they are the most intriguing potential couples but this little diversion into Livvy’s world did end up being a welcome distraction.
That shaving scene was a nope from me tho 😬👎🏻
The narrator for the male POV in the audiobooks (Aiden Snow) knocked it out the park yet again. Although it was quite strange to lust after a character named Gareth of all things, you manage it quickly with all the shadow play, binding, mind links & BDSM.
I did think it was a strange choice to leave Jules/Ruben & Clara/Henry’s books to last as they are the most intriguing potential couples but this little diversion into Livvy’s world did end up being a welcome distraction.
That shaving scene was a nope from me tho 😬👎🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexism, Violence, and Death
aelin_morgenstern's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Grief
tostita's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Murder and Incest
hazelgirl21's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Car accident
hazelsheartsworn's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
The more I reflect on this book, the more I dislike it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
ta2dlibrarian's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
So far this has been my fav Savoie sister romance, but I could be biased because I relate to Lavinia so much and I find Gareth to be dangerously attractive, and that mysterious grim aura?! 🥵
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape