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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
The third installment in the Fae and Human Relations series - cozy fantasy reading series of my heart - brings the return of favorite characters, opening with preparations for Emrys and Torquil’s wedding before skipping ahead to their return to the city and picking up the story arc of the continued creation of a new magic testing rubric that will work for the fae-human population
Silas, one of the family of craftspeople hired for the wedding, had what he expected would be a one off encounter with Keelan Cricket during the festivities
Things become more complicated however when the two meet again later for the rubric study, Silas joining as one of the fae-humans testing and Keelan one of the fae volunteers assisting
Of course this leads them to spend more time together, but maybe not so much as either would like, as Keelan’s mother is pushing him towards a different - and very determined - fae-human, Miss Wilton-Reed
As the book went on I was decidedly less and less fond of her, with the relationship being the sort of arranged situation that makes me want to scream because one party is truly not for it.
Luckily they aren’t the only relationship manipulators on hand, the scheming grandmothers continue to be a delight. Theirs is the sort of relationship arranging I can get behind - hoping they’re finding their own way to happiness and they guide others towards theirs!
Even with Silas and Keelan being the highlighted couple of the book, we still see plenty of our old friends. This makes me more than happy, because I’ll never be ready to let go of Roger and Wyn, Torquil and Emrys. As for newer characters, I have a truly unreasonable amount of feelings about Keelan’s father, considering he isn’t on the page a ton. Devoted to his dogs, hobbies, and love for his son - he even made me have feelings about curtains?
I also enjoyed the continuation of Tribune entries, now under the authorship of Sal, who I think is doing Torquil proud while giving us glimpses into who might be the next couple of interest.
Can’t wait to continue this story!
Thanks to the authors for the arc!
emotional
funny
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
I had the wonderful opportunity to get an e-ARC and I read it as fast as I could, took me 5 days because vacation time and family got in my way.
Sarah, one of the authors, mentioned that there would be angst and I was worried because one of the reasons I love this series is how cozy books 1&2 were. And there was angst, which means I cried but I have cried with the other two and still loved them.
The angst in this book does feel a little bit more intense than in the previous two books, but this story does call for it. All three couples in this series have had very different 'courtships', but it was seriously different for these two; I felt at times that they were separated for so long, even though they weren't really, and still the authors managed to make you feel like they're together and building something. It was a change of pace, but a very enjoyable one.
As always, I love the fact that our previous two couples are a part of this story as well because I'm so in love with those characters. It was woderful seeing another side of Emrys and him being there for his best friend and the way he loves him. It reminded me of Torquil saying to Wyndham in book 2 that there are different types of intelligence, so I thought about different love languages and I just adored the way Emrys spoke love to Keelan.
It's super interesting to me that the project regarding the different magic systems continues being a central part of this series and how it continues developing. Hopefully, it will still be a part of the rest of the books and we'll keep on learning along with the Council and our beloved characters.
The only sad part here for me is that I have to wait for a while for the next book and this one hasn't been officially published yet. I just want to live in this world Sarah and Shannon have created, which is why I just listened to Book 2 in the last few days and I've started listening to this book 3 since I also got the ALC–I feel incredibly lucky!
If you haven't read any of this series, you're missing out. Go and find them!!
Sarah, one of the authors, mentioned that there would be angst and I was worried because one of the reasons I love this series is how cozy books 1&2 were. And there was angst, which means I cried but I have cried with the other two and still loved them.
The angst in this book does feel a little bit more intense than in the previous two books, but this story does call for it. All three couples in this series have had very different 'courtships', but it was seriously different for these two; I felt at times that they were separated for so long, even though they weren't really, and still the authors managed to make you feel like they're together and building something. It was a change of pace, but a very enjoyable one.
As always, I love the fact that our previous two couples are a part of this story as well because I'm so in love with those characters. It was woderful seeing another side of Emrys and him being there for his best friend and the way he loves him. It reminded me of Torquil saying to Wyndham in book 2 that there are different types of intelligence, so I thought about different love languages and I just adored the way Emrys spoke love to Keelan.
It's super interesting to me that the project regarding the different magic systems continues being a central part of this series and how it continues developing. Hopefully, it will still be a part of the rest of the books and we'll keep on learning along with the Council and our beloved characters.
The only sad part here for me is that I have to wait for a while for the next book and this one hasn't been officially published yet. I just want to live in this world Sarah and Shannon have created, which is why I just listened to Book 2 in the last few days and I've started listening to this book 3 since I also got the ALC–I feel incredibly lucky!
If you haven't read any of this series, you're missing out. Go and find them!!
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book followed the first two books in the series by being lengthy and filled with how fae/human magic works. And I was expecting this. So on that front we were good.
The only thing I wasn't expecting was that the MCs spent most of the book avoiding each other. So much, that when they finally got to be romantic it felt a little bit weird and rushed to me. We didn't even take advantage of the close/ forced proximity. And, yes, we have an explanation for that but it dragged all the way to end of the book. Those two didn't even talk when they were in the same room together for what felt like 60-65% of the book.
If I put that aside them together was real cute. I do wish they'd have spent more time together like the other MCs from the other books did.
This book followed the first two books in the series by being lengthy and filled with how fae/human magic works. And I was expecting this. So on that front we were good.
The only thing I wasn't expecting was that the MCs spent most of the book avoiding each other. So much, that when they finally got to be romantic it felt a little bit weird and rushed to me. We didn't even take advantage of the close/ forced proximity. And, yes, we have an explanation for that but it dragged all the way to end of the book. Those two didn't even talk when they were in the same room together for what felt like 60-65% of the book.
If I put that aside them together was real cute. I do wish they'd have spent more time together like the other MCs from the other books did.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Apart from that, it is a very nice and wholesome story to enjoy when one just wants to feel good.
emotional
lighthearted
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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book is another worthy addition to this series. Wallace and Callahan continue to build on the world they have created in the first two books while introducing us to a new romantic couple to adore. Keelen has been a side character but takes center stage in this book as he struggles to find the happy ever after he has dreamed of. The introduction of Silas to the cast brings a new depth as we are intriduced to a more working class element of this universe. Both characters grown throughout the book in delightful ways. The authors continue to provide new characters and romances that are compelling and different from the previous books pairings while still giving us enough glimpses into the lives of those characters we fell in love with in the previous books. A must read for certain!!
emotional
hopeful
slow-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:
No
I have been sent an audiobook early copy by the authors in exchange for an honest review. Please know that all opinions are my own.
This is a delightful romance with a good balance between vulnerability and steaminess.
Perfect for fans of Freya Marske and Gabe Cole Novoa.
This is a delightful romance with a good balance between vulnerability and steaminess.
Perfect for fans of Freya Marske and Gabe Cole Novoa.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One thing about me… if you give me an arc, and I’m excited about it, I have no self control.
So many thanks to Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan for this arc. Here is my honest review, about 5 seconds after it appeared in my email.
As always with this series, this book was a delight. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again- this series is what Bridgerton wishes it was.
Keelan Cricket is the absolute cutest man ever, and I love him. So gentle, so soft, and a hopeless romantic. If the man has a fault, it’s the he’s too afraid to make someone upset- and by someone, I mostly mean his mother.
Silas Rook-Worth initially appears a bit cool, but it quickly becomes apparent that he’s a big softy inside. He reminds me a lot of so many country men I’ve known and loved- very skilled, deeply devoted to his family and career, and tender hearted underneath a slightly prickly skin.
Their romance is just as soft and tender as you’d expect from this series, which is surprising since so much of their romance happens in secret, neither Cricket nor Silas assuming that it would be a long term thing. But Silas comforting Cricket in secret is the sweetest thing you can imagine.
This book also has quite a bit of plot beyond the romance- it is set in the context of a process that our favorite Wrenwhistles have set up to test the magic of fae-humans, which gives us some delightful worldbuilding, some colorful side characters, and also the closet thing we get to an antagonist in this series, Miss Wilton-Reed, who is not a villain, exactly, but she is an antagonist straight out of a Jane Austen novel- a girl interested only in her social standing and wealth, who manages to get on Keelan Cricket’s mother’s good side and between the two women, they essentially force him into an arranged engagement. It all works out in the end, but it provides some satisfying angst and forces the romance between Silas and Cricket down, which I think benefits the story.
In short, this story is such a cozy, comforting account, and I loved every moment.
So many thanks to Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan for this arc. Here is my honest review, about 5 seconds after it appeared in my email.
As always with this series, this book was a delight. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again- this series is what Bridgerton wishes it was.
Keelan Cricket is the absolute cutest man ever, and I love him. So gentle, so soft, and a hopeless romantic. If the man has a fault, it’s the he’s too afraid to make someone upset- and by someone, I mostly mean his mother.
Silas Rook-Worth initially appears a bit cool, but it quickly becomes apparent that he’s a big softy inside. He reminds me a lot of so many country men I’ve known and loved- very skilled, deeply devoted to his family and career, and tender hearted underneath a slightly prickly skin.
Their romance is just as soft and tender as you’d expect from this series, which is surprising since so much of their romance happens in secret, neither Cricket nor Silas assuming that it would be a long term thing. But Silas comforting Cricket in secret is the sweetest thing you can imagine.
This book also has quite a bit of plot beyond the romance- it is set in the context of a process that our favorite Wrenwhistles have set up to test the magic of fae-humans, which gives us some delightful worldbuilding, some colorful side characters, and also the closet thing we get to an antagonist in this series, Miss Wilton-Reed, who is not a villain, exactly, but she is an antagonist straight out of a Jane Austen novel- a girl interested only in her social standing and wealth, who manages to get on Keelan Cricket’s mother’s good side and between the two women, they essentially force him into an arranged engagement. It all works out in the end, but it provides some satisfying angst and forces the romance between Silas and Cricket down, which I think benefits the story.
In short, this story is such a cozy, comforting account, and I loved every moment.
I haven't been this in pain and sad, teary, and angry reading a book as I was reading this.
The angst was angsting HARD! The yearning! The slow burning BURNED MY HEART AND SOUL! I'm still tender, I want to cry. This was so perfect. I never wanted to punch a person as much as I wanted to punch one character in this. I kept screaming in my head! I an in pain, my heart hurts!
The angst was angsting HARD! The yearning! The slow burning BURNED MY HEART AND SOUL! I'm still tender, I want to cry. This was so perfect. I never wanted to punch a person as much as I wanted to punch one character in this. I kept screaming in my head! I an in pain, my heart hurts!