The Witchy Storyteller

Monday, September 2, 2024

Hate Hex by Gina LaManna - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st September 2024

Genre: Paranormal Romance

3.5 Stars (rounded up)

One Liner: A light timepass read

Trixie Gardens is a taxi driver in the paranormal section of NY. She is twenty-nine and struggling with her finances. She is also determined not to use her magic, which could cause trouble soon.

Dominic Kent is a multi-billionaire vampire who owns many businesses, including the building Trixie lives in. Their interactions are heated, and Trixie decides to hate-hex him for making her life hard. Soon, there’s more than hate between them as the two cannot seem to avoid each other.

However, they have a lot more to deal with as Dominic’s brother, Sebastian, returns, determined to create a mess. Can Tix and Dom fight Sebastian and have their happy ever after?

The story comes in the first-person POVs for Trixie and Dominic.

My Thoughts:

I wanted a light and easy read and got it. This is a quick paranormal romance with some fun banter. It’s pretty much insta-love but works since the book is short and has a steady pace. There are enemies-to-lovers and fated-mates tropes as well.

The dual POVs give us both backstories and make it easy to understand the characters. Dom’s first-person POV is quite good. There were times I liked it more in the first half.

The FMC has a strong reason to suppress her magic. However, we don’t get the reason until the halfway point. By then I was starting to grow weary of her. Maybe the reveal could have come 5-10% earlier and used for further character development afterward.

Though there is no world-building, it is easy to get into the plot without wondering about what’s and why’s. However, if you are new to this genre, you may need more than what’s provided. Turns out, the book is set in the same world as an established series (Magic & Mixology Mystery) with eight existing books. I got to know only when I read the author’s note.

I quite like the descriptions of the apartments, though. Emmy’s lab sounds like a fun and explosive place to be. The friendship between the FMC and Emmy is also sweet and cute.

Grandma Betty, though in a minor role, is charming and delightful. I wish she had more space, though given the book’s length I can’t ask for much. While Vix is almost uni-dimensional, Belinda (a pixie) is a fun character to meet.

Apart from the Sebastian track, there’s another subplot about the Circle and nominations for the wildcard seat. Though this acts as a catalyst for the plot to move, it could have been better woven into the plot. I wouldn’t mind reading a few pages extra to know more about this.

There is a third-act breakup of sorts which made me groan. However, the way it was used in the climax surprised me. Such a cool idea!

To summarize, Hate Hex is a lighthearted and quick romance (pretty clean too!) with interesting themes like forgiveness, healing, acceptance, etc. Since I wanted a fluffy romance and got one, I cannot complain (hence rounding the rating up to 4 stars).

Thank you, NetGalley, LaManna Books, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for eARC.

#NetGalley #HateHex

Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: The Ever After Street #4 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 02nd Sep 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/christmasaftersocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212346662-christmas-ever-after

Genre: Small Town Christmas Romance

4 Stars

One Liner: A sweet Christmassy read

Book Blurb:

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But there’s one man standing in her way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

Franca is determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring, and funny. But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Franc’s first-person POV.

The fourth book in the series can be read as a standalone. It has an enemies-to-lovers trope where two business owners and artisans fight to retain their spot on Ever After Street.

As always, the characters are layered and flawed, making it easy to empathize with them or want to cheer for them. They are in their late 30s, with enough issues in the past.

I love how the author creates such perfect book boyfriends. Raff is warm, kind-hearted, compassionate, talented, and cheerful. His relationship with his family is beautiful but not perfect. He has an unwanted burden on his shoulders and doesn’t know how to deal with it.

Franc is a disillusioned and cynical character who slowly reconnects with her soft side. Her argument does feel immature but not unrealistic (it makes sense given her childhood). She is a good person and willing to admit her mistakes. Her arc is encouraging and reassuring.

The ‘enmity’ doesn’t last long. Things start to thaw rather early in the book but I like it since we see the natural progress of their relationship (something the author excels in writing). I absolutely love how their interactions change both of them for the better but gradually.

Do I have to repeat how the author writes the best hugs? Makes me go awww every single time!

There is a sort of third-act breakup but more of a resigned move than due to miscommunication or a fight). Think of it as a short lull where they take a deep breath and resume the story. The ending is, of course, hopeful and heartwarming.

We also get the background details about the processing of making a wooden nutcracker. The details are woven into the plot and presented in different scenes to enhance the narrative. The ideas for future projects (nutcrackers and snowglobes) are so cool!

Ever After Street is a magical place, but with some ‘strict’ owners who tend to cause some or other issues for the shop owners. Well, we need conflict and some of their concerns are legit, so no complaints.

The side characters this time are mainly Raff’s family and a couple of shop owners. Sofia (7yo) is such a doll! Adorable.

To summarize, Christmas Ever After is a heartwarming and festive addition to the series. The pacing is slow (there’s some repetition in the first half). Settle down with the book and a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy the story of finding love and rediscovering the magic of Christmas.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Jaimie Admans

Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. Her new series for Boldwood, The Ever After Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.

Follow the Author –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimieadmansbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/be_the_spark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimieadmans1/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaimieAdmansNews

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jaimie-admans

***

This has been a stop on the #ChristmasEverAfter blog tour conducted by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Good Duke Gone Wild by Bethany Bennett - Book Review

Series: Bluestocking Booksellers #1

Publication Date: 20th August 2024

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

3.7 Stars

One Liner: An easy read

Caroline Danvers writes erotic novels under a pen name. She knows she can’t afford to let this secret come out. Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland, needs to remarry for an heir after the death of his wife five years ago.

Their paths cross more than once but neither can want to get close to the other for obvious reasons. Caroline can’t risk the future of the bookshop or her career. Dorian cannot marry a commoner. But when did love bother with such trivialities?

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Caroline and Dorian.

My Thoughts:

Firstly, this is a contemporary Regency Romance; meaning it has only a few aspects of the period and the content has a modern flair. If you want something that strictly fits the early 19th century, this book is not for you. If you want a spicy romance with some old-style class conflict and balls, grab this one.

Caro and Dorian are well-etched. The FMC has a spine and can take a stand. I love how she handled an important scene towards the end. Assured and confident but also heartbroken.

Dorian starts as a regular Duke (handsome, bored expression, hidden side, blah blah). However, he grows as the story progresses. I loved reading about his vulnerable side and his determination to learn from his mistakes and become a better person.

Given the FMC’s secret identity, the book is easily 3+ on the spice scale. It’s fun though. There are bits of humor sprinkled here, there, and everywhere.

Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to two other booksellers early on. Connie and Hattie are the FMC’s cousins, different in temperaments but equally loving and loyal. The trio of cousins makes a formidable team.

There’s a bit of mystery and a couple of nasty characters. While I like the take on physical appearances, I which subplot was a bit stronger. It doesn’t really satisfy the reader (though you should read this as a romance).

Though there is a third-act breakup, it is handled in style. I loved one of the FMC’s dialogues. No miscommunication, though. In fact, they ask each to speak about what’s on their mind (let me in the pause) which I appreciate. A mature act.

I like the epilogue but would have enjoyed an extended version of it. A couple of things are told and I want to know about the how and when.

There are enough clues to guess who would pair up in the next book, and I know I will read it. That girl made me laugh and worry a few times, so I’m in!

To summarize, Good Duke Gone Wild is an enjoyable read as long as you are not too particular about the historical aspects. I’m used to modern elements in these books so I had a good time with the book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC.

#NetGalley #GoodDukeGoneWild

Day 10: Sedoka – Katauta

Hello!

A sedoka is another ancient Japanese poem of three lines with nineteen syllables in total (5-7-7). It is mostly written in pairs to form a Katauta with a total of six lines divided into two sets. It has a total of thirty-eight syllables (19+19). Katauta are also called love poems and deal mostly with emotions. The presentation is such that the two sedokas act like a dialogue between each lover and form a conversation. They can contradict each other or form a question and answer together.

PC: Pixabay

Format: 5-7-7 syllables

Rhyme: Not mandatory

My Poem

Scarlet like my blood

Each petal chanting your name

A small token of my love

White and cold like snow

Pure but may not be for you

Freezing blood, killing the rose

This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon. That's the end of the challenge.

Day 9: Tanka

Hi,

A tanka is a Japanese poetry format that seems like an extension of a Haiku. It consists of five lines and has thirty-one syllables in total. The first three lines are called kami-no-ku, while the last two lines are shimo-no-ku. In a traditional tanka, the first part presents the initial image and the second part responds to the image.

PC: Pixabay

Format: 5-7-5-7-7 syllables

Rhyme: Not mandatory

My Poem

Pollen all over

A fuzzy bee sips nectar

Flower to flower

Black and yellow against white

Pollinator saves the earth

This post is a part of the Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Day 8: Couplet

A couplet is a two-line (stanza of a) poem with an AA rhyme scheme. Both lines end with the same rhyme and have the same meter. However, the meter is not mandatory for modern couplets while the rhythm is important. Couplets are used at the end of poems (like Sonnets) or presented in a series to form a standalone poem.