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A review by maymei
The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
4.0
Plot: Emile, a marquis hiding from his aunt who wants to put him in an asylum, pretends to be a servant for Count Montoni. While it's never really clear why the blackmail is so important, its hilarious how Emile is a complete failure at being secretive.
Characters: Emile is terrible at secrets and has a confusing amount of bravery. We're introduced to him picking up a severed human hand with a napkin, and at the end of the book, he's freaking out about a decrepid-looking body. He's also got a thing for releasing spiders outside and giving makeovers and making fashion statements.
Bram is the Montoni's family doctor. He and Emile fall in love the moment they touch a severed hand together. So romantic Bram is patient and selfless, the perfect man.
And then there's Henri, a red flag that fades into a pink softie who thinks picnics are the solution to all fights.
In the romance, Emile's got a heart of gold, but it's only plated (A little inside joke, if I might add). He "doesn't want to break any hearts" so he refuses to choose between Bram and Henri and string them along. I rooted for Bram the entire time, until I realized how much of a dick Emile could be. Bram deserved so much better than Emile. But at the end, Henri slightly redeemed himself. I guess.
I mean, he needed a redemption arc.
Side Characters: Blanche, Henri's sister, is the best thing about Henri and Emile. Sort of like Felicity from Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue.
Annette is Blanche's attendant. At first, she's rude but caring. Over the story, like most women written in Ferrarro's novel, are witty and amazing.
The writing peaked with horrific details. Ferrarro is not for arachnophobes and necrophobes. Sometimes I forgot I was reading a romance because the images were described so well. His expansion on the werewolf lore is a refreshing addition as well. That ending was nothing but a rollercoaster of emotions. It went from "You f-ing didn't" in one scene I hated to "You f-ing did it!" in an ending that was perfect.
Overall: Thank you to #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC of #TheAlchemyofMoonlight in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 Audiobook was approximately 9 hours.
Would totally recommend if you want a werewolf horror version of Gentleman's Guide and a bit of a love triangle. Smut readers be warned, there is nothing beyond kissing and cuddling.
Characters: Emile is terrible at secrets and has a confusing amount of bravery. We're introduced to him picking up a severed human hand with a napkin, and at the end of the book, he's freaking out about a decrepid-looking body. He's also got a thing for releasing spiders outside and giving makeovers and making fashion statements.
Bram is the Montoni's family doctor. He and Emile fall in love the moment they touch a severed hand together. So romantic Bram is patient and selfless, the perfect man.
And then there's Henri, a red flag that fades into a pink softie who thinks picnics are the solution to all fights.
In the romance, Emile's got a heart of gold, but it's only plated (A little inside joke, if I might add). He "doesn't want to break any hearts" so he refuses to choose between Bram and Henri and string them along. I rooted for Bram the entire time, until I realized how much of a dick Emile could be. Bram deserved so much better than Emile. But at the end, Henri slightly redeemed himself. I guess.
I mean, he needed a redemption arc.
Side Characters: Blanche, Henri's sister, is the best thing about Henri and Emile. Sort of like Felicity from Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue.
Annette is Blanche's attendant. At first, she's rude but caring. Over the story, like most women written in Ferrarro's novel, are witty and amazing.
The writing peaked with horrific details. Ferrarro is not for arachnophobes and necrophobes. Sometimes I forgot I was reading a romance because the images were described so well. His expansion on the werewolf lore is a refreshing addition as well. That ending was nothing but a rollercoaster of emotions. It went from "You f-ing didn't" in one scene I hated to "You f-ing did it!" in an ending that was perfect.
Overall: Thank you to #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC of #TheAlchemyofMoonlight in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 Audiobook was approximately 9 hours.
Would totally recommend if you want a werewolf horror version of Gentleman's Guide and a bit of a love triangle. Smut readers be warned, there is nothing beyond kissing and cuddling.