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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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:
Complicated
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
Equal parts heart warming and heart wrenching, Shade Spells with Strangers is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster full of magic, mayhem and meddling. This third instalment in the Fae & Human Relations series is cuter, spicier, angstier, and more deliciously slow-burn than ever before, but most of all, it’s simply everything you never knew you needed from a cozy, queer-normative, Regency-inspired fantasy romance.
Now, Shade Spells with Strangers honestly could not have gone off to a better start for me, as we kick off with the much-anticipated wedding of Torquil and Emrys, our adorable couple from Fire Spells Between Friends. Yet for our two lovely MCs Keelan and Silas, things unfortunately could not have started off worse as their passionate one-night stand ends in a painful dismissal that makes both regret all their impulsive actions. Fast forward one month, when the two unexpectedly reunite during the Council’s Fae-Human magic testing rubric project, Keelan as a fae assistant and Silas as a fae-human testing volunteer; cue all the complicated feelings, mutual pining, intense yearning, and delicious emotional turmoil!
Silas and Keelan just immediately captured my heart with their loveable personalities and compelling backstories, and I absolutely loved going on this tumultuous journey of romance and self-growth with them. The reserved yet kind-hearted craftsman Silas gave me instant Mr. Darcy vibes (if Mr. Darcy was a gay Black man) with his deep dislike of city/society life, while my lovely bisexual himbo of a gentleman Keelan had me grinning like crazy with all his adorably sweet innocence. They have the best grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and I was honestly eating up all their delicious inner turmoil as they found themselves less and less able to resist the magnetic and magical pull towards each other.
At some points I almost felt like the slow-burn was burning a little too slow in Shade Spells with Strangers (which is not something I ever thought I would say), and I wouldn’t have minded a few more scenes of actually seeing them bond instead of all the forced courtship shenanigans that Keelan was forced into by the weight of his familial duties and expectations. However, the character work was so strong that I also totally understood what kept them apart, and ultimately I can’t deny that I was totally on-board for the soul-stirring development of their forbidden and seemingly doomed romance.
Wallace & Callahan are just exceptionally skilled at writing the most believable and authentically diverse characters with the most realistic interpersonal relationships, and that extends way beyond just the main romance. Shade Spells with Strangers provides some of the best (found) family vibes, and I really enjoyed that we got to see so many beloved familiar faces make an appearance, while also giving new characters their time to shine. Especially the dynamic between Silas and his big, tight-knit family with all their entertaining sibling banter, as well as all the heartfelt conversations between Keelan and his wonderful dad (hello lovely French accent) gave this story so much heart, and I loved how how the narrator of the audiobook, Maxwell Forrest, was able to bring this entire diverse cast of characters to life. Also, can’t forget all the delightful excerpts of Torquil’s Tribune and the meddling grandmammas, they are the highlights of this series if you ask me.
Now, while the previous two instalments mostly felt like Regency-inspired romances with an enchanting dash of magic, I personally felt like Shade Spells with Strangers really struck the perfect balance between the romance and the fantasy aspects. I really enjoyed the satisfying continuation of the overarching story arc surrounding the Fae-Human magic testing rubric that was set-up all the way in book 1, especially because the magical compatibility aspect played such a big role in Silas and Keelan’s tenuously developing relationship.
What can I say, Wallace & Callahan just did it again, and I don’t think I will ever tire of these cozy, queer-normative Regency fantasy romance romps. Even though each book in this series can technically be read as a satisfying standalone, I personally think they will have the biggest impact if you read them in order. Also, why would you deprive yourself of the wonderful queer romances that have come before? This series is pure cozy fantasy gold, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you need to escape into a story that soothes your soul and rekindles some hope and faith in the goodness of humanity.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Shade Spells with Strangers is scheduled for release on May 22, 2025.
Equal parts heart warming and heart wrenching, Shade Spells with Strangers is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster full of magic, mayhem and meddling. This third instalment in the Fae & Human Relations series is cuter, spicier, angstier, and more deliciously slow-burn than ever before, but most of all, it’s simply everything you never knew you needed from a cozy, queer-normative, Regency-inspired fantasy romance.
Now, Shade Spells with Strangers honestly could not have gone off to a better start for me, as we kick off with the much-anticipated wedding of Torquil and Emrys, our adorable couple from Fire Spells Between Friends. Yet for our two lovely MCs Keelan and Silas, things unfortunately could not have started off worse as their passionate one-night stand ends in a painful dismissal that makes both regret all their impulsive actions. Fast forward one month, when the two unexpectedly reunite during the Council’s Fae-Human magic testing rubric project, Keelan as a fae assistant and Silas as a fae-human testing volunteer; cue all the complicated feelings, mutual pining, intense yearning, and delicious emotional turmoil!
Silas and Keelan just immediately captured my heart with their loveable personalities and compelling backstories, and I absolutely loved going on this tumultuous journey of romance and self-growth with them. The reserved yet kind-hearted craftsman Silas gave me instant Mr. Darcy vibes (if Mr. Darcy was a gay Black man) with his deep dislike of city/society life, while my lovely bisexual himbo of a gentleman Keelan had me grinning like crazy with all his adorably sweet innocence. They have the best grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and I was honestly eating up all their delicious inner turmoil as they found themselves less and less able to resist the magnetic and magical pull towards each other.
At some points I almost felt like the slow-burn was burning a little too slow in Shade Spells with Strangers (which is not something I ever thought I would say), and I wouldn’t have minded a few more scenes of actually seeing them bond instead of all the forced courtship shenanigans that Keelan was forced into by the weight of his familial duties and expectations. However, the character work was so strong that I also totally understood what kept them apart, and ultimately I can’t deny that I was totally on-board for the soul-stirring development of their forbidden and seemingly doomed romance.
Wallace & Callahan are just exceptionally skilled at writing the most believable and authentically diverse characters with the most realistic interpersonal relationships, and that extends way beyond just the main romance. Shade Spells with Strangers provides some of the best (found) family vibes, and I really enjoyed that we got to see so many beloved familiar faces make an appearance, while also giving new characters their time to shine. Especially the dynamic between Silas and his big, tight-knit family with all their entertaining sibling banter, as well as all the heartfelt conversations between Keelan and his wonderful dad (hello lovely French accent) gave this story so much heart, and I loved how how the narrator of the audiobook, Maxwell Forrest, was able to bring this entire diverse cast of characters to life. Also, can’t forget all the delightful excerpts of Torquil’s Tribune and the meddling grandmammas, they are the highlights of this series if you ask me.
Now, while the previous two instalments mostly felt like Regency-inspired romances with an enchanting dash of magic, I personally felt like Shade Spells with Strangers really struck the perfect balance between the romance and the fantasy aspects. I really enjoyed the satisfying continuation of the overarching story arc surrounding the Fae-Human magic testing rubric that was set-up all the way in book 1, especially because the magical compatibility aspect played such a big role in Silas and Keelan’s tenuously developing relationship.
What can I say, Wallace & Callahan just did it again, and I don’t think I will ever tire of these cozy, queer-normative Regency fantasy romance romps. Even though each book in this series can technically be read as a satisfying standalone, I personally think they will have the biggest impact if you read them in order. Also, why would you deprive yourself of the wonderful queer romances that have come before? This series is pure cozy fantasy gold, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you need to escape into a story that soothes your soul and rekindles some hope and faith in the goodness of humanity.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Shade Spells with Strangers is scheduled for release on May 22, 2025.
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Review of e-arc to come
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Thank you to the authors for giving me an ARC!
Shade Spells Between Friends is the third book in the Fae & Human Relations series. Silas and Keelan have a one-night stand that they try to forget about until ✨oh no✨ they’re working on the same project and have to see each other every day!
I breezed through most of this in a day. Wallace & Callahan write the most magical, un-put-down-able romances. This was very sweet and I loved the pining between Silas and Keelan. I also loved the exploration of different family and friend dynamics with the side characters.
CW: sexual content; classism; toxic relationship
Shade Spells Between Friends is the third book in the Fae & Human Relations series. Silas and Keelan have a one-night stand that they try to forget about until ✨oh no✨ they’re working on the same project and have to see each other every day!
I breezed through most of this in a day. Wallace & Callahan write the most magical, un-put-down-able romances. This was very sweet and I loved the pining between Silas and Keelan. I also loved the exploration of different family and friend dynamics with the side characters.
CW: sexual content; classism; toxic relationship
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
Thank you to the authors for my audiobook ARC/ALC and e-ARC! All views are my own.
Shade Spells with Strangers is third in the Fae and Human Relations series, which are fantasy romances in a queernormative Regency-inspired London. While this book could stand on its own, I do recommend reading the books in order for the best experience!
This book was so sweet!!! My heart is full for Keelan and Silas. I adored Keelan in Fire Spells and was extremely excited for him to get his own book. I love all of these characters and their friendships so much! I also love Silas and his family! I definitely cried after a certain chapter with Keelan and his mother. Keelan and his father also have lovely scenes together! There are adorable dogs, as well, and a mention of Miss Peony, Wyndham and Roger’s cat from the previous book.
Keelan is adorkable and Silas is steadfast and tender. Their love is blissful to read about! I laughed and cried and look forward to rereading this at some point. I enjoyed seeing more of familiar characters and getting to know the new ones!
If you’re looking for a gentle, sweet read with gentle and sweet characters falling in love, this is the book for you!
After listening to Matthew Simpson narrate the first two books in the series, it took time for me to adjust to Maxwell Forrest’s voices for the familiar characters. That was due to no fault of his own, though, as he is also an excellent narrator! He captured all the story’s humor and poignancy in turn. I did notice some Americanisms slip in (such as with the word “valet,” pronouncing it the American “vah-LAY” instead of the British “VAH-lett”), but that’s my only critique! It was a lovely audiobook to listen to.
If you haven’t yet read the Fae and Human Relations series, I highly recommend doing so! I look forward to reading the rest of the series—especially when it comes to Sage Ravenwing. I also hope to see more of Peony! I am sure, though, that I will enjoy whatever comes next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Child abuse is through emotional neglect, emotional abandonment, manipulation, and controlling behavior.
emotional
hopeful
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What do you do when the third book in a series surpasses the first two so much that it becomes your favorite? And what do you do if you didn’t think that was possible because of how much you loved the first two?😭💖
That’s exactly how I feel about Shade Spells with Strangers. The way that I had to have someone cover for me at work for half an hour so that I could finish it. The way that every one of my coworkers knew that they were engaged to the wrong people. The way I fell in love with this book!
We follow Keenan Cricket, fae and son of one of the council members for fae and human relations, and a brand new character Silas Rook-Worth, a stonemason who hates London. You wouldn’t necessarily think that they would get along or have any chemistry, being from such different walks of life, but magician compatibility doesn’t lie!
That’s exactly how I feel about Shade Spells with Strangers. The way that I had to have someone cover for me at work for half an hour so that I could finish it. The way that every one of my coworkers knew that they were engaged to the wrong people. The way I fell in love with this book!
We follow Keenan Cricket, fae and son of one of the council members for fae and human relations, and a brand new character Silas Rook-Worth, a stonemason who hates London. You wouldn’t necessarily think that they would get along or have any chemistry, being from such different walks of life, but magician compatibility doesn’t lie!