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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
thereadinghammock's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
And the Grims have it folks! These dark, mysterious harbingers of all those dark thoughts and impulses aren't all brooding and brimstone. Ok, so there's still a fair amount of brooding (looking at you Henry!) but they're also total softies underneath with hearts of gold!
We return to NOLA and the Savoie sisters, following Lavinia (Livvy) this time as she goes toe-to-toe with Grim Gareth Blackwater in a PR competition to benefit the supernatural community. Each of the 3 finalist contestants brings an idea forward before deciding which to go forward with as a team, but Gareth is determined to see his win, as it's a personal mission too. Don't want to spoil too much, so you'll just have to read too very <i>those</i> details.
Meanwhile, the competition liason is an older warlock trying to make moves on Livvy. While she can put the best misogynist in their place, Gareth's Grim senses are saying there's more than just a sleezy old lech there and will make sure nothing happens to Lavinia on his watch. A few social run-ins turned dates, and these one-time rivals can't keep their hands off each other.
Once their rivalries got out of their way, I loved seeing dark, broody Gareth turn into heart-eyes Gareth. Seeing his "tough scary Grim" exterior get chipped away with every chapter was so rewarding, especially after a 3 book lead up to the question, "So what exactly do Grims <i>do?</i>" First learning he was a foster kid who was bounced around until his magic came in. Then his 3-legged mop dog Queenie. On top of owning Livvy's favorite club, being an active and vocal feminist, wicked smart, and being devastatingly handsome?? I think my ovaries exploded several times while reading this book.
And the kink. 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥 there were definitely things that weren't for me (the shaving scene, while hot, didn't quite do it for me), I also didn't know I would enjoy a bit of the primal and restraint scenes. Oh lawdy, Grims do not mess around!
I was so excited to finally learning their background/origin! And there's still so much we don't know, like if Gareth is in an elite class as a Grimlock, what is the extent of Henry's power that he can communicate with the dead, but that he felt he needed to cut himself off from his magic for 10 years?!?!? And is Sean going to be a Grimlock too, or is he just a dumb teenage boy growing into his magic? And I want more Aunt Lucille!!
CW/TW: sexual harassment/sexual assault on page. The assault was minor for me, but you know yourself best and please be safe with yourself
We return to NOLA and the Savoie sisters, following Lavinia (Livvy) this time as she goes toe-to-toe with Grim Gareth Blackwater in a PR competition to benefit the supernatural community. Each of the 3 finalist contestants brings an idea forward before deciding which to go forward with as a team, but Gareth is determined to see his win, as it's a personal mission too. Don't want to spoil too much, so you'll just have to read too very <i>those</i> details.
Meanwhile, the competition liason is an older warlock trying to make moves on Livvy. While she can put the best misogynist in their place, Gareth's Grim senses are saying there's more than just a sleezy old lech there and will make sure nothing happens to Lavinia on his watch. A few social run-ins turned dates, and these one-time rivals can't keep their hands off each other.
And the kink. 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥 there were definitely things that weren't for me (the shaving scene, while hot, didn't quite do it for me), I also didn't know I would enjoy a bit of the primal and restraint scenes. Oh lawdy, Grims do not mess around!
I was so excited to finally learning their background/origin! And there's still so much we don't know, like if Gareth is in an elite class as a Grimlock, what is the extent of Henry's power that he can communicate with the dead, but that he felt he needed to cut himself off from his magic for 10 years?!?!? And is Sean going to be a Grimlock too, or is he just a dumb teenage boy growing into his magic? And I want more Aunt Lucille!!
CW/TW: sexual harassment/sexual assault on page. The assault was minor for me, but you know yourself best and please be safe with yourself
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Car accident
theaccidentalromanceblogger's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- 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
Livvie Savoie has the gift of persuasion. She can literally charm everyone she meets... until Gareth Blackwater. He's a grim reaper and a competitor in the PR contest she really wants to win. He rubs her the wrong way so much that she loathes him. And she'll deny until she's blue in the face that he stirs something else really powerful in her that no woman or man has ever had before.
Gareth is about to lose his ever-loving mind. The forced proximity to the enticing witch is going to be the death of him (fun fact: he's really hard to kill...)
But, when they are forced together, they finally TALK. Live realizes that Gareth's reason for entering the contest is very noble: he wants to fix the foster care system for orphaned supernatural children. The same system that failed little Gareth when he lost his parents.
When evil puts Livvie in danger, Gareth will "fuck the Grim code of secrecy" and unleash all the magic he possesses. NO ONE will hurt his Lavinia.
OMG! I was already a fan of the Stay A Spell series but I read this book savoring every single word! My Kindle was already on fire at 15% in and they were only TALKING. And when you find a hero who can use telekinesis for seggsy purposes... oh my... ooooof.
It was so much fun to see Livvie finally succumb to the charms of the stoic grim. Yes, the chemistry between them is scorchingly hot but it's the man (and the monster within him) that win her over. Yup, my darlings, this is a grade A spicy romance, watch out for spontaneous combustion of whatever device you are reading it on. If you love a protective hero, you are in for a major treat.
Gareth, a mystery in the previous books, finally shows himself and you fall in love with him right alongside Livvie. Your heart will break when you see him long for connection, family...love. Livvie gives him all that. "We loved with a love that was more than a love."
It's a joy to reconnect with all the Savoie. Mateo is a hoot in this one for reasons and I'm dying to see Henry finally give in and pursue Clara. And the way the family welcomes Gareth? Awwwww
LOVE LOVE LOVE. 6 stars.
Rep and possible triggers: Livvie is bisexual. There are instances of sexual assault on page, violent acts committed against a child, loss of parents, living in foster care, an execution after a trial
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
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