Review:  Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4 🌈

The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending. 

The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we don’t have much of a history or background on them.  Just the vague sketch of an idea for each. 

Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters don’t have a real believable connection. It’s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesn’t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together. 

I think it’s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth. 

I look forward to seeing what the second book brings. 

Carry A Faerie:

• Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
• The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025

Buy link

        Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Am I afraid of gnomes? 

Maaaaaaaybe.

Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.

Am I about to ask my crush for help? 

Well, I have to ask someone, right?

I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help. 

So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support. 

As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?

Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.

• Publication date: July 31, 2025
• Language: English
• Print length: 296 pages
• Book 1 of 2: Carry A Faerie