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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
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