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noll's review against another edition
5.0
So this is quite possibly my new favorite book. Ever.
The characters are gold, the dialogue is hilarious, the romance is steamy and delightfully sweet.
I listened to the audiobook and spent the last 45 minutes pacing back and forth, jumping up and down, and genuinely, physically punching the air. I did have to pause to scream a little bit.
I would die for Sebastian de Leon, except that would make him incredibly upset and he would blame himself. I would commit murder for Wesley Fine but he would say he wasn't worth the jail sentence (and call me a fool for doing something so stupid). I could ramble on and on about all of the things I loved about this book but it would take way longer than anyone would want to read and I'm pretty sure I'd run out of positive adjectives.
The characters are gold, the dialogue is hilarious, the romance is steamy and delightfully sweet.
I listened to the audiobook and spent the last 45 minutes pacing back and forth, jumping up and down, and genuinely, physically punching the air. I did have to pause to scream a little bit.
I would die for Sebastian de Leon, except that would make him incredibly upset and he would blame himself. I would commit murder for Wesley Fine but he would say he wasn't worth the jail sentence (and call me a fool for doing something so stupid). I could ramble on and on about all of the things I loved about this book but it would take way longer than anyone would want to read and I'm pretty sure I'd run out of positive adjectives.
Spoiler
Lord fine using pet names for Sebastian is going to be the death of me. Put it on my tombstone. Cause of death: "There's lightweights, Duck, and then there's you."blewballoon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
This was my first Allie Therin book, and I'm sorry I hadn't picked them up sooner! I wouldn't recommend starting here like I did, because this series is clearly a spinoff of another series. The world-building and character introductions were still done well enough that I knew what was going on and I wasn't confused, but it made me really want to read the other series to get all the background I was missing. The grumpy-sunshine type romance is excellent, a lot of Sebastian and Wesley's initial dialogue had me chuckling out loud. I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator was great. They also narrated The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, and I'd recommend that as well if you liked this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: War, Confinement, and Torture
gemstonejasper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
- 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
I usually like to wait until a series is finished or the last book is coming out soon before I start it. So I'm just warning anyone who may read this before Spring 2025, the third book isn't coming out until then. So just be warned in case you're like me. Also, this book will make no sense at all if you haven't read the Magic in Manhattan trilogy, so pick that up first.
I enjoyed this. I'm a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine trope. I think Allie Therin's books shine in the romance and historical aspects. I find that the fantasy elements, while important and mostly well-written, are not what I go to these books for. That being said, I think the romance was written extremely well. I think the pacing of their relationship was good. I loved seeing Wesley's heart open up for Sebastian. Sebastian is a dangerous marshmallow who needs to have everything he wants in the world.
I gave the Magic in Manhattan books 5 stars. I gave this 4 stars. For me, 4 stars still means I loved the book. But I don't see it making a significant impact on my actual life after I put it down. I love Wesley and Sebastian, but I love Arthur and Rory more. I found some of the magic elements harder to understand than in Magic in Manhattan. But I still enjoyed so much of it.
I enjoyed this. I'm a sucker for the grumpy/sunshine trope. I think Allie Therin's books shine in the romance and historical aspects. I find that the fantasy elements, while important and mostly well-written, are not what I go to these books for. That being said, I think the romance was written extremely well. I think the pacing of their relationship was good. I loved seeing Wesley's heart open up for Sebastian. Sebastian is a dangerous marshmallow who needs to have everything he wants in the world.
I gave the Magic in Manhattan books 5 stars. I gave this 4 stars. For me, 4 stars still means I loved the book. But I don't see it making a significant impact on my actual life after I put it down. I love Wesley and Sebastian, but I love Arthur and Rory more. I found some of the magic elements harder to understand than in Magic in Manhattan. But I still enjoyed so much of it.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
“Maybe we’re a pair of proper scoundrels, you and I,” he said quietly. “But when I look at you, I don’t see fractures. I see battle scars. And they don’t scare me off.”
My heart is all a-flutter; I really loved this! I had a great time with my first series by this author, and this is a spin-off series concentrating on some of the side characters. It's a historical paranormal romance and our main characters are a sarcastic, misanthropic viscount and a traumatised, sweet-natured magic user. I don't know that I could really do justice to explaining the plot or the magic system; even in the first series, I had trouble wrapping my head around how magic works in this world, the rules and exceptions, the terminology employed. IMO it's not where the strength lies. The overarching plot is about mysterious murders that might be connected to Sebastian's family, and how Wesley gets caught up in it, and it's exciting and mostly good, but the characters are why I loved this.
There's nothing like a good grumpy/sunshine to me, and this was an excellent example of the trope. I'd sorta forgotten everything about these characters from the first series (Wesley was the jealous ex-boyfriend of one of the characters, and Sebastian was a minor villain, someone who'd been coerced into service), and I'm kinda glad I only had vague memories of them. They got to stand on their own to feet and develop as main characters in their own right. Wesley hates almost everyone and everything, being very jaded from the war and his past experiences, and while he deeply mistrusts Sebastian at first, he's soon being worn down by his good nature, and a genuine desire to help and protect him. Sebastian himself is pretty tortured by his past, but I adored that he's actively trying to do good, help people, and continue his family's work. It takes a while for the two main characters to meet, but the first time we see Sebastian, he's clandestinely helping to protect Wesley, before he even knows him, just because it's the right thing to do. And I loved him for it. They were so wonderful together, absolutely top-notch banter and chemistry. Wesley quickly turns into an 'I hate everyone but you' kind of hero, and it's genuinely delightful. I LOVE watching a cranky asshole fall in love. There are definitely ways that Wesley would have been written that would have made him absolutely intolerable for me, but the author struck just the right chord. The way they fall for each other and become determined to protect one another had my entire heart. The writing was light and funny in just the right way, and had me smiling non-stop.
A few of the finer points of the plot didn't work super well for me. Like I said, the magic system just makes me go [Tim from Home Improvement noise]. And this had one of the worst villain monologues/expositions/listen-to-me-ramble-and-explain-my-evil-plan bits I've ever read. And the wrap up was perhaps a little too simple? But I can't pretend I really care about any of that, in the face of how much I ADORED the romance.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Joel Leslie, who remains one of my fave narrators for a reason. Lovely voices, good accents, great timing on all of Wesley's snark and quips. I thought this was a standalone, but by the end I realised that it's going to be a series, and I'm really pleased about it? These characters aren't done with my heart yet, and I can't wait to see what's in store.
“I’m lucky, so lucky to have you, you’re bright and vivid as a new tattoo. I think you’re inking yourself over all my bad memories so now I only see you.”
tacoshark's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
This was a bit confusing at the start, you jump into the story in the middle in a lot of ways - I checked at least twice to see if I’d accidentally skipped a previous book. But it evened out pretty quickly and ultimately worked pretty well. I found the main relationship charming and the rest of the story, while nothing special, was solid enough. I’ll read the next one.
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sarahsupastar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.75
napthenknit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Very funny, very loveable characters.
Do NOT read this if you haven't read the Magic in Manhattan series. I don't believe the first meeting between the main characters would be as impactful without the context!
Do NOT read this if you haven't read the Magic in Manhattan series. I don't believe the first meeting between the main characters would be as impactful without the context!
waterwitch70's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
louloureadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was ok but I got a bit bored towards the end.