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magnafeana's reviews
260 reviews
Mated by Robin Moray
4.0
Well then! Let the stanning of grumpy/sunshine shifter edition commence!
Jesse and Duncan’s story was your classic grumpy and sunshine pair, but the grumpy wasn’t so grumpy and the sunshine wasn’t just sunshine.
What struck me about this book was how at least the bear shifter stuck to actual bear animal traits. I really liked Duncan not being too grumpy. Sure, he was lonely, but he wasn’t a snarling, swearing a-hole. He just was a recluse who kept to himself and was asocial.
Jesse is our sunshine, vegetarian “omega” wolf who has to put up with everyone putting him down. I liked how, even thought it was emphasized many times how sweet he was, he did show his own teeth.
Now. Onto what I didn’t like.
I heard that book 4 of this series was the best book, and now that I’ve seen Nero and Hamish, I want nothing to do with their books—at all. Absolute d*cks. I understand why people didn’t care for the other books now.
Now did I like Callum and we only got glimpses of him. Sometimes, I can catch glimpses of characters and be interested in a book starring them. I instantly disliked Callum. Don’t wanna hear about his story either.
The reason why this book is 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up is for all the aforementioned. I did enjoy this story. I wish I saw a little more antagonism from Chris and Jeffe. I don’t like OM drama, but I wish Jesse communicated to Duncan another wolf wanted him and he said “no”. It doesn’t make sense for all of Duncan and Jesse’s progress that Jesse doesn’t say a word about Chris.
I’m waffling a bit. This was an excellent read! I have no interest in any of the other protagonists, so this was a great hello and goodbye to the series!
Jesse and Duncan’s story was your classic grumpy and sunshine pair, but the grumpy wasn’t so grumpy and the sunshine wasn’t just sunshine.
What struck me about this book was how at least the bear shifter stuck to actual bear animal traits. I really liked Duncan not being too grumpy. Sure, he was lonely, but he wasn’t a snarling, swearing a-hole. He just was a recluse who kept to himself and was asocial.
Jesse is our sunshine, vegetarian “omega” wolf who has to put up with everyone putting him down. I liked how, even thought it was emphasized many times how sweet he was, he did show his own teeth.
Now. Onto what I didn’t like.
I heard that book 4 of this series was the best book, and now that I’ve seen Nero and Hamish, I want nothing to do with their books—at all. Absolute d*cks. I understand why people didn’t care for the other books now.
Now did I like Callum and we only got glimpses of him. Sometimes, I can catch glimpses of characters and be interested in a book starring them. I instantly disliked Callum. Don’t wanna hear about his story either.
The reason why this book is 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up is for all the aforementioned. I did enjoy this story. I wish I saw a little more antagonism from Chris and Jeffe. I don’t like OM drama, but I wish Jesse communicated to Duncan another wolf wanted him and he said “no”. It doesn’t make sense for all of Duncan and Jesse’s progress that Jesse doesn’t say a word about Chris.
I’m waffling a bit. This was an excellent read! I have no interest in any of the other protagonists, so this was a great hello and goodbye to the series!
Point of Contact by Melanie Hansen
5.0
Immabout to cry—it was just that good
So—this was my first introduction to Melanie Hansen and by god, she blew me out of the water with this one!
What I loved about this story is that it was story-showing and not story-telling, meaning we understood the weight of emotions through her showing us the importance behind the rationale.
“Grief is messy, chaotic,” Jesse says, and this story encapsulates it. It shows the grief of a father, a best friend, brother-in-arms, and secondhand grief of lovers and friends.
This cast is so emotionally divergent and so authentic and organic and real. The little things about Jesse’s parents both being deaf and him signing if he speaks about them; Watkins’ depressive spiral; how “thank you for your service” and “do you have any children?” are some of the most innocuous yet cruel words to say—I am so taken aback how so many subjects are taken into account in the most natural way.
Some people might be harsh on Carl, but he was a very real character. He’s not being the stereotyped selfish partner who wants their lover to get over their grief. Instead, he’s the helpless partner who’s good intentions come across badly. And that is a very real thing.
When someone we know grieves so heavily or is going through a traumatic time, many people are left helpless NOT because of apathy BUT because of sympathy. They don’t know what to do. They can’t feel empathy, putting themselves in the shoes of their grieving friend. But they feel sympathy and don’t know how to go about it.
Jesse’s character spoke to me a lot about him helping everyone except himself and rarely allowing people to see his grief. Some people may be a bit slighted we didn’t see Jesse’s breakdown, but think about people who have gone through that sort of experience.
Jesse and his mates all display very well how VAs grieve differently. Some get appropriate help and then keep busy. Others refuse help and go into a negative, harmful headspace. Others float between.
The range of emotional responses Hansen captured—phenomenal.
This story was a love story—familial love, platonic love, and romantic love. The arguments and miscommunication were real and will strike a nerve, especially for anyone who has or who had people they knew dearly in the military.
I’m so glad to have bought this book, I really am. I plan to reread this book when I’m not so emotionally charged.
Riley James Estes, although you are fictional, you represented so much through your presence in this novel. Thank you, Hansen, for this truly weaving love story. I am excited to explore your work.
5 ⭐️s all around. And I will make sure to recommend this book.
So—this was my first introduction to Melanie Hansen and by god, she blew me out of the water with this one!
What I loved about this story is that it was story-showing and not story-telling, meaning we understood the weight of emotions through her showing us the importance behind the rationale.
“Grief is messy, chaotic,” Jesse says, and this story encapsulates it. It shows the grief of a father, a best friend, brother-in-arms, and secondhand grief of lovers and friends.
This cast is so emotionally divergent and so authentic and organic and real. The little things about Jesse’s parents both being deaf and him signing if he speaks about them; Watkins’ depressive spiral; how “thank you for your service” and “do you have any children?” are some of the most innocuous yet cruel words to say—I am so taken aback how so many subjects are taken into account in the most natural way.
Some people might be harsh on Carl, but he was a very real character. He’s not being the stereotyped selfish partner who wants their lover to get over their grief. Instead, he’s the helpless partner who’s good intentions come across badly. And that is a very real thing.
When someone we know grieves so heavily or is going through a traumatic time, many people are left helpless NOT because of apathy BUT because of sympathy. They don’t know what to do. They can’t feel empathy, putting themselves in the shoes of their grieving friend. But they feel sympathy and don’t know how to go about it.
Jesse’s character spoke to me a lot about him helping everyone except himself and rarely allowing people to see his grief. Some people may be a bit slighted we didn’t see Jesse’s breakdown, but think about people who have gone through that sort of experience.
Jesse and his mates all display very well how VAs grieve differently. Some get appropriate help and then keep busy. Others refuse help and go into a negative, harmful headspace. Others float between.
The range of emotional responses Hansen captured—phenomenal.
This story was a love story—familial love, platonic love, and romantic love. The arguments and miscommunication were real and will strike a nerve, especially for anyone who has or who had people they knew dearly in the military.
I’m so glad to have bought this book, I really am. I plan to reread this book when I’m not so emotionally charged.
Riley James Estes, although you are fictional, you represented so much through your presence in this novel. Thank you, Hansen, for this truly weaving love story. I am excited to explore your work.
5 ⭐️s all around. And I will make sure to recommend this book.
Southern Chance by Natasha Madison
3.0
I think…I fell in love with small town romance?
I think I fell in love with small town romance.
In a way.
I don’t like Savannah, I’ll tell you that much.
In this story, it goes from lovers to enemies to lover’s again, full circle. And honestly, with the way the MCs broke up ad teenagers, I believe it.
Again, I don’t like Savannah. Nor does Cristine get a pass either.
I’m still not sure about Olivia, though I strongly dislike the quirky best friend trope so my view on her is skewed. If she knew Kallie’s down was ever so traumatizing, why come back here? Same to Kallie. I’m just…lost on that. To be fair, I grew up in a small town and I was the only ahem lady of color outside my biological mother and a few who moved in and out.
But when I moved, even when I was at death’s door, even when I was in horrible situations—never did it occur to me to go back to that small town.
I’m so glad Kallie found happiness and Jacob finally fought for her. While I dislike pushy leads, in some instances I understood his need to push. Kallie did not deserve to grieve alone, but what she went through is very real and very personal to me.
While Jacob isn’t on my list of dream boyfriends (especially when he blames Kallie for him purposefully miscommunicating nor does he stop Savannah or Cristine from their talk), I think he and Kallie had a nice romance story.
I’m rereviewing my review and lowering my rate.
I had this at 4⭐️, but I’m changing my mind and going to 3 based on how angry I am at this entire small town and at the MMC. The amount of drama is just so…absurd to me. I’m now becoming perplexed how the FMC could still like someone let alone look at this man who was all hunky dory with his son and the “OW” when she was forced to birth a stillborn and mourn him alone.
Poor Kallie.
I do not care that Savannah has a book. Why on earth would I sympathize with her? And after reading the blurbs and reviews on the other books, I think it is safe to say Book 1 is my introduction and finale to this series.
I think I fell in love with small town romance.
In a way.
I don’t like Savannah, I’ll tell you that much.
In this story, it goes from lovers to enemies to lover’s again, full circle. And honestly, with the way the MCs broke up ad teenagers, I believe it.
Again, I don’t like Savannah. Nor does Cristine get a pass either.
I’m still not sure about Olivia, though I strongly dislike the quirky best friend trope so my view on her is skewed. If she knew Kallie’s down was ever so traumatizing, why come back here? Same to Kallie. I’m just…lost on that. To be fair, I grew up in a small town and I was the only ahem lady of color outside my biological mother and a few who moved in and out.
But when I moved, even when I was at death’s door, even when I was in horrible situations—never did it occur to me to go back to that small town.
I’m so glad Kallie found happiness and Jacob finally fought for her. While I dislike pushy leads, in some instances I understood his need to push. Kallie did not deserve to grieve alone, but what she went through is very real and very personal to me.
While Jacob isn’t on my list of dream boyfriends (especially when he blames Kallie for him purposefully miscommunicating nor does he stop Savannah or Cristine from their talk), I think he and Kallie had a nice romance story.
I’m rereviewing my review and lowering my rate.
I had this at 4⭐️, but I’m changing my mind and going to 3 based on how angry I am at this entire small town and at the MMC. The amount of drama is just so…absurd to me. I’m now becoming perplexed how the FMC could still like someone let alone look at this man who was all hunky dory with his son and the “OW” when she was forced to birth a stillborn and mourn him alone.
Poor Kallie.
I do not care that Savannah has a book. Why on earth would I sympathize with her? And after reading the blurbs and reviews on the other books, I think it is safe to say Book 1 is my introduction and finale to this series.
The Feral's Captive by Sarah Spade
2.0
I… I’m speechless and that’s a bad thing
So—let me get this straight.
He steals her.
He assaults her.
And…all is forgiven after a bad dream?
Sure, Jan.
Had this been a dark romance and it would have gone to the nitty-gritty, I would have loved it. But this reads like an NA book. I think it is an NA book.
I dislike NA books.
I have no interest in reading about West or Helene. This is like the the Wildflower series all over again. I hate West. He knew what he was doing and hurt Quinn even more. Same to Helene.
This is my first and last read into the author’s writing. I don’t have time to read NA shifter books where I dislike the entire cast.
2.5 ⭐️s rounded down.
So—let me get this straight.
He steals her.
He assaults her.
And…all is forgiven after a bad dream?
Sure, Jan.
Had this been a dark romance and it would have gone to the nitty-gritty, I would have loved it. But this reads like an NA book. I think it is an NA book.
I dislike NA books.
I have no interest in reading about West or Helene. This is like the the Wildflower series all over again. I hate West. He knew what he was doing and hurt Quinn even more. Same to Helene.
This is my first and last read into the author’s writing. I don’t have time to read NA shifter books where I dislike the entire cast.
2.5 ⭐️s rounded down.
Rock Bottom by R.K. Lilley
2.0
Ah. So this series is a Wattpad novel, I see.
I came to that wonderful conclusion when I was forced to seeing an entire mess of a story.
So let me list out this plot as best as I can.
H and h are together, but they are toxic for each other. She laughingly calls herself a strong, independent woman and he laughingly calls himself her everything. They codependently rely on each other with emotions of lust and jealousy and anger and manipulation, but there is never love there.
Of course, trauma porn is a theme. We are told about how much death and grief shakes up such an “unshakeable” Wattpad couple, from overdoses to suicide to miscarriages with hospitals and phone calls a revolving door. But finally, the h has enough. I mean, she doesn’t, but she claims she does after “fighting for him”. And H allegedly will respect her choice.
Let’s not forget that manipulation of not using a condom was in here, a lesbian was sexually harassed at a pisspoor excuse for BDSM as it is very obvious the author is a kinker and not in the lifestyle, and bisexuality was defined as being confused.
I’m bisexual and I’m certainly not confused. I am offended my sexuality was put in as a plot device to get a lesbian couple together.
I am forcing myself to read this series solely because of the third book, but this was utter… I won’t even say it. I can’t even give this 3 objective ⭐️s because it was that bad.
How is a manipulation, junkie, alcoholic, temperamental MMC swoon worthy?
How is an incompetent, stupid, I’m-weak-for-him-and-my-own-autonomy FMC relatable?
I just.
2 ⭐️s. This book deserves at least that.
I came to that wonderful conclusion when I was forced to seeing an entire mess of a story.
So let me list out this plot as best as I can.
H and h are together, but they are toxic for each other. She laughingly calls herself a strong, independent woman and he laughingly calls himself her everything. They codependently rely on each other with emotions of lust and jealousy and anger and manipulation, but there is never love there.
Of course, trauma porn is a theme. We are told about how much death and grief shakes up such an “unshakeable” Wattpad couple, from overdoses to suicide to miscarriages with hospitals and phone calls a revolving door. But finally, the h has enough. I mean, she doesn’t, but she claims she does after “fighting for him”. And H allegedly will respect her choice.
Let’s not forget that manipulation of not using a condom was in here, a lesbian was sexually harassed at a pisspoor excuse for BDSM as it is very obvious the author is a kinker and not in the lifestyle, and bisexuality was defined as being confused.
I’m bisexual and I’m certainly not confused. I am offended my sexuality was put in as a plot device to get a lesbian couple together.
I am forcing myself to read this series solely because of the third book, but this was utter… I won’t even say it. I can’t even give this 3 objective ⭐️s because it was that bad.
How is a manipulation, junkie, alcoholic, temperamental MMC swoon worthy?
How is an incompetent, stupid, I’m-weak-for-him-and-my-own-autonomy FMC relatable?
I just.
2 ⭐️s. This book deserves at least that.
LOVELY TRIGGER by R.K. Lilley, R.K. Lilley
2.0
What the Hello did I just read?
I…
I buddy-read this with a friend, and we are both in disbelief.
This 2⭐️ is the most generous rating, and we had to skim a lot of this to make sure we didn’t DNF.
So let me do a recap:
Tristan (H) and Danika (h) are new adults with their own set of problems. h is a not-that-strong codependent mess with family issues and H is a hotheaded lead singer who can hardly keep it in his pants. They meet, attraction ignites, and they become addicted to each other in every sense of the word but love.
Instead of love, they feel affection, adoration, and anger. They feed off of jealousy, as H punches any guy who breathes in h’s direction and h puts herself in precarious situations to intentionally hurt herself.
Through the ups and downs, their obsession and addiction never ends. Not when H’s brother dies, not when h is assaulted and injured, not even during H turning into an abusive druggie. After years of sobriety, they still have a codependent addiction for each other so much so that h self-sabotages a healthy relationship after being brainwashed that H’s behavior is romantic and caring.
Now, here comes the question: do they get children and a white picket fence?
They do.
Even in this toxic, filthy codependent relationship, they do. h sobbingly tells she has a medically necessary hysterectomy and she could never have kids. But apparently, no one ever told her when she woke up from her surgeries that she could still have eggs but wouldn’t be able to carry. So they get children via surrogacy.
And that concludes the Wattpad romance of Tristan and Danika.
My personal, subjective opinions:
I…
What did I just read?
This entire series felt like I was in the trenches and my friend and I were pulling each other through corpse of good plot and characterization. This series isn’t NA; it is YA dressed as NA.
For some reason, jealousy is necessary in every single relationship in this book. “Claim your man” made my friend and I want to return the book.
People, I want to make this clear: jealousy is not a functional, healthy, and/or loving foundation for a relationship, platonic or otherwise. People turning into cavemen and killing someone who looks at their partner is a
I…
I buddy-read this with a friend, and we are both in disbelief.
This 2⭐️ is the most generous rating, and we had to skim a lot of this to make sure we didn’t DNF.
So let me do a recap:
Tristan (H) and Danika (h) are new adults with their own set of problems. h is a not-that-strong codependent mess with family issues and H is a hotheaded lead singer who can hardly keep it in his pants. They meet, attraction ignites, and they become addicted to each other in every sense of the word but love.
Instead of love, they feel affection, adoration, and anger. They feed off of jealousy, as H punches any guy who breathes in h’s direction and h puts herself in precarious situations to intentionally hurt herself.
Through the ups and downs, their obsession and addiction never ends. Not when H’s brother dies, not when h is assaulted and injured, not even during H turning into an abusive druggie. After years of sobriety, they still have a codependent addiction for each other so much so that h self-sabotages a healthy relationship after being brainwashed that H’s behavior is romantic and caring.
Now, here comes the question: do they get children and a white picket fence?
They do.
Even in this toxic, filthy codependent relationship, they do. h sobbingly tells she has a medically necessary hysterectomy and she could never have kids. But apparently, no one ever told her when she woke up from her surgeries that she could still have eggs but wouldn’t be able to carry. So they get children via surrogacy.
And that concludes the Wattpad romance of Tristan and Danika.
My personal, subjective opinions:
I…
What did I just read?
This entire series felt like I was in the trenches and my friend and I were pulling each other through corpse of good plot and characterization. This series isn’t NA; it is YA dressed as NA.
For some reason, jealousy is necessary in every single relationship in this book. “Claim your man” made my friend and I want to return the book.
People, I want to make this clear: jealousy is not a functional, healthy, and/or loving foundation for a relationship, platonic or otherwise. People turning into cavemen and killing someone who looks at their partner is a
Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
4.0
Interesting premise and the payoff was great!
This book won me over with the Immortals After Dark series which I am totally not reading in order.
We have Sabine (h) and Rydstrom (H) as our centuries old protagonists on the Lore. H is our Demon King who is just and right while h is a wicked sorceress who would rather be nefarious and wrong. But h is put in a desperate position and needs H to comply:
Breed me or die.
Well, not those words specifically, but the basis is, she wants his protection, her queendom, and a round belly and he wants her trust and, well, her. But when she kidnaps him and becomes a seductress and he lies to her and dishes back his suffering on her, their romance and sensuality gets murky what with all the prophecies and poisons.
I appreciated both these protagonists so much because of how distinct they were in their voice and their motives. Sabine being a liar and the queen of illusions made me admire her strength. I understood her need for lies. But I also understood Rydstrom’s frustration and need to temper his kingdom.
I’m happy with how the miscommunication didn’t last forever and a day. Honestly, it was refreshing. No, they didn’t unload their secrets so quickly, but when the third act struck and I feared we would have a separation arc…it didn’t happen because Sabine understood Rydstrom’s choice!
We stan a conscientious queen.
I has nitpicky qualms with this. I think, considering Sabine, it didn’t make sense how quickly she spoke to Rydstrom after he threw away her gold. It would have been nice to see Sabine go completely silent and closed off and Rydstrom to understand more about sorceri and gold.
I also wish we saw more of the hidden emotional state of Sabine, but that is just me.
And I will just…never like Nix, no matter how hard I try. She is the snarky OP caricature character and I have loathed those sorts of characters since they keep appearing.
4.5 ⭐️s for this. I wonder when I’ll actually read the series in order.
This book won me over with the Immortals After Dark series which I am totally not reading in order.
We have Sabine (h) and Rydstrom (H) as our centuries old protagonists on the Lore. H is our Demon King who is just and right while h is a wicked sorceress who would rather be nefarious and wrong. But h is put in a desperate position and needs H to comply:
Breed me or die.
Well, not those words specifically, but the basis is, she wants his protection, her queendom, and a round belly and he wants her trust and, well, her. But when she kidnaps him and becomes a seductress and he lies to her and dishes back his suffering on her, their romance and sensuality gets murky what with all the prophecies and poisons.
I appreciated both these protagonists so much because of how distinct they were in their voice and their motives. Sabine being a liar and the queen of illusions made me admire her strength. I understood her need for lies. But I also understood Rydstrom’s frustration and need to temper his kingdom.
I’m happy with how the miscommunication didn’t last forever and a day. Honestly, it was refreshing. No, they didn’t unload their secrets so quickly, but when the third act struck and I feared we would have a separation arc…it didn’t happen because Sabine understood Rydstrom’s choice!
We stan a conscientious queen.
I has nitpicky qualms with this. I think, considering Sabine, it didn’t make sense how quickly she spoke to Rydstrom after he threw away her gold. It would have been nice to see Sabine go completely silent and closed off and Rydstrom to understand more about sorceri and gold.
I also wish we saw more of the hidden emotional state of Sabine, but that is just me.
And I will just…never like Nix, no matter how hard I try. She is the snarky OP caricature character and I have loathed those sorts of characters since they keep appearing.
4.5 ⭐️s for this. I wonder when I’ll actually read the series in order.
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
3.0
3.75 “Have I mentioned I love this series?” stars!
She was a Valkyire;
He was a vamp;
Can it be anymore obvious?
He was a nerd,
While she killed and slayed;
What more can I say?
This next installment of Immortals After Dark dives into more great world building and a unique couple once more!
Forced to turn into a Vampire centuries ago, Sebastian (H) finds himself on the receiving end of a blade when humans of his new village want him gone. But his executioner turns out to be his Bride, the fated being to give him back his humanity through the blooding—unfeeling Valkyrie Kaderie (h) or, as he lovingly calls her “Katja”.
H and h come to rocky start: Katja’s feelings return with a confusing vengeance that muck up her purpose in life while Sebastian must navigate The Lore and understand the world is much more than mere mortals understand.
Through the Hie—an intensive game of scavenger all to sate a goddess’ passive desires—H and h must navigate their budding attraction among their racial divide and among quite the killer of a competition.
What I enjoy about the Immortals After Dark series is how diverse the plots are. The stakes are always high and the world building deepens. I love that tremendously.
However, while the MCs do have their differences, a lot of them slip into the same tropes. I think the differences are enough that each character would have a distinct enough voice from another, I do. Same to the back stories. In the context of immortals, it truly makes sense for all the cast to go through horrible, horrible things.
I don’t know. It’s just something about the way the MCs and side characters are written that seem familiar. Maybe it’s the humor. I don’t know why, but the humor here doesn’t do it for me.
I found it out that Sebastian, a man who is still hurting from women not genuinely desiring him, dabbles in non-consensual blood play with his Bride because he “lost control”. Same with the bargaining kisses and touches for lifesaving when he was clearly bothered his Bride would feel pain regardless if she heals.
It felt like there were two Sebastians: Sebastian the dubcon manipulative king and Bastian the scarred-hearted scholar who would love like no other.
And the time travel thing… I’m sorry, but the explanation was one of those “God-kun” explanations. I understand why it was there, but it felt like it could’ve been explained earlier and the risk factor could have come from ”If you open a door to the past to connect it to the present day, you have a time limit before the door to the present closes and you’re stuck in a new reality”.
I get the time travel explanation was staved off to build drama, but it didn’t contribute as much Ah-ha! wittiness as it should have.
There was some lite OM drama and mentions of possibleOW, but it just felt like blatant plot device and not something naturally occurring between the characters.
I did enjoy this book. The steam level was
She was a Valkyire;
He was a vamp;
Can it be anymore obvious?
He was a nerd,
While she killed and slayed;
What more can I say?
This next installment of Immortals After Dark dives into more great world building and a unique couple once more!
Forced to turn into a Vampire centuries ago, Sebastian (H) finds himself on the receiving end of a blade when humans of his new village want him gone. But his executioner turns out to be his Bride, the fated being to give him back his humanity through the blooding—unfeeling Valkyrie Kaderie (h) or, as he lovingly calls her “Katja”.
H and h come to rocky start: Katja’s feelings return with a confusing vengeance that muck up her purpose in life while Sebastian must navigate The Lore and understand the world is much more than mere mortals understand.
Through the Hie—an intensive game of scavenger all to sate a goddess’ passive desires—H and h must navigate their budding attraction among their racial divide and among quite the killer of a competition.
What I enjoy about the Immortals After Dark series is how diverse the plots are. The stakes are always high and the world building deepens. I love that tremendously.
However, while the MCs do have their differences, a lot of them slip into the same tropes. I think the differences are enough that each character would have a distinct enough voice from another, I do. Same to the back stories. In the context of immortals, it truly makes sense for all the cast to go through horrible, horrible things.
I don’t know. It’s just something about the way the MCs and side characters are written that seem familiar. Maybe it’s the humor. I don’t know why, but the humor here doesn’t do it for me.
I found it out that Sebastian, a man who is still hurting from women not genuinely desiring him, dabbles in non-consensual blood play with his Bride because he “lost control”. Same with the bargaining kisses and touches for lifesaving when he was clearly bothered his Bride would feel pain regardless if she heals.
It felt like there were two Sebastians: Sebastian the dubcon manipulative king and Bastian the scarred-hearted scholar who would love like no other.
And the time travel thing… I’m sorry, but the explanation was one of those “God-kun” explanations. I understand why it was there, but it felt like it could’ve been explained earlier and the risk factor could have come from ”If you open a door to the past to connect it to the present day, you have a time limit before the door to the present closes and you’re stuck in a new reality”.
I get the time travel explanation was staved off to build drama, but it didn’t contribute as much Ah-ha! wittiness as it should have.
There was some lite OM drama and mentions of possibleOW, but it just felt like blatant plot device and not something naturally occurring between the characters.
I did enjoy this book. The steam level was