A review by kp_hobbitreads
Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh

4.0

#0.5 Beat of Temptation: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#0.75 Whisper of Sin: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#1 Slave to Sensation: ★★★★✮ | 4.5 stars
#2 Visions of Heat: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#2.5 Echo of Silence: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Caressed by Ice: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
#3.5 Stroke of Enticement: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars

I loved this little short story between Annie (human teacher) and Zach (DarkRiver soldier). I especially liked the meet cute - Annie is Zach's nephew's teacher. And Zach comes to pick Bryan up after he got in trouble at school. The conversation between Zach and his nephew was so sweet.

Though Zach is a dominant changeling, he wasn't pushy in the same way that Lucas and Vaughn where to their mates, and I really liked that change of pace. It was also nice to see a hero who didn't take ages to figure out that the female main character is his mate. Is it a little like insta-love? Yeah. But, this is a fated mates story so it works.

I appreciated the disability rep in this book - Annie was in an accident as a child and her leg was hurt so she has some chronic pain and sometimes uses a mobility aid. But, the best part? Zach - an athletic, built changeling never bats an eye at this or assumes she's incapable.

Three Thoughts:
1. Annie's mom is the literal worst. I know we learn about why she is the way she is which is supposed to humanize her. But, she needs to go to therapy and stop putting all her crap on her daughter.
2. Bryan is adorable. I know you're not supposed to condone violence between kids, but I kinda wanted to give him a high five.
3. Mercy giving Zach a talking to was A+ girls looking after girls. And, I'm here for it.

This was a sweet and swoony love story, and I really liked reading it after the intense, and angsty Book 3.

content warnings: ableist slur (challenged), overbearing mother, fatphobia/internalized fatphobia, sex (on page)