A combination of adorable cover, new author, and fun title lead me to How To Summon a Boyfriend by Aja Foxx . It was everything I had hoped for.
Foxx actually had me at the idea of someone summoning a potential fake boyfriend but throw in the moniker Herby for the cute guy in need ? Iām all in.
A two person POV, we get a wide-eyed Herby who definitely sees things through a uniquely wonderful āHerbyā perspective as well as a bored Hades, whoās role as the Ruler of the Underworld had gotten a tad tedious. Itās Herby whoās arrival shakes things up fundamentally.
The characters are well done, the dialogue snappy and the plot extremely well paced.
Thereās so many terrific secondary characters from Lionid, to Abigor, Cerberus, and other figures of mythology.
I wish there was a bit more about Herbyās family, and those books. But itās shorter length works against that.
Iām still so happy to have read this book. It was entertaining, a fun romance, with an exciting storyline.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Iām recommending How To Summon a Boyfriend by Aja Foxx !
Herby I needed a boyfriend to keep my father from marrying me off to a man handpicked by him. What better way to get one than to summon a demon? When I found a book of shadows in my grandfather’s attic, I knew I’d found the answer, but something went wrong. Instead of summoning a demon, I ended up in hell. What was I supposed to do now?
Hades Judging souls was boring. Ruling the underworld was boring. Everything was boring. I needed something to happen to keep me from going insane. I never imagined the fates would answer my unspoken prayer by dropping a human into the underworld, and I’d certainly never met a human quite like Herby. He confused me, amused me, and drove me crazy. Why else would I agree to be his boyfriend?
Note: This story was originally part of the Fate’s Call Anthology – Manlove Edition. It has been revised and extended by 21,000 words.
Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.
I really debated about that rating because this is an fantastic series and , from a overall perspective, it deserves a 5 rating.
However, this collection has a few elements that, as a group I feel tended to take away from the anticipation and potential of a powerful finale.
Give Him Hell, Hellhound Champions #3, is actually my favorite of the three. Nickās story has it all. A traumatic adolescence, a damaged man whoās history has given him a mission in life thatās as much mystery as he is. Itās full of found family, magical beings, a great relationship, and , really, a huge amount of character growth.
Nick and Hellhound Jedrek are perfection. And now I understand all Nickās Alpha appearances in the other series. This book is that foundation.
Now to the rest.
Nothing Gained and Stop at Nothing are the two books that essentially tie up Sawyerās Chosen One storyline. Sawyer needs to complete his circle of Guardians, get his guide, figure out how to defeat his brother , and win the war.
So huge! Right? There are some fantastic elements here. Ones that mix mythology, spirit animals and communication, even past lives to a very fascinating degree. How does someone correct past mistakes if past knowledge has been purposefully erasedā¦ by them? Interesting , deeply complex questions. With equally labyrinthine answers. That takes two books to unravel.
Great stuff.
Other beautifully crafted sections? That regarding the wounded, wary Guardian Dakota. He was so well written, so intriguing that you wanted more. Of his history and that of the family we got introduced to. They were all so interesting and unique.
And that was a issue with the last Guardian. All the other great Guardians had powers, some had wounded backgrounds, fascinating personalities, and, honestly, a visible reason to be a part of the Guardian circle. And not just because each represents a Element. The last missing Guardian? Cute as a button but made no sense other than as a āplug-in ā storylight character, whoās aspect could go comedic āhigh maintenance twinkā or āadorable boy toyā. No history. No layers.
Even his āanimal ā had me scratching my head in the manner he called it/them.
But even that part , as one dimensional as it is compared to all the other Guardians, doesnāt seem as overdone as all the ongoing multi-partners sex scenes.
When they started, it was sexy and a way to cement the polyamory relationship between Chosen One and his Guardian mates. It made sense.
But here, as the danger grew overwhelming, the partners were wounded, tired, even hospitalized, the orgies never abated. Research continues around them, or on top of them. People get called away from them and return to them.
It makes them less sexy. More like slot A into Slot B type of activity when the amount of sexual activity exceeds story plot. It was almost at that level. A āreally.. again?ā type of sex scene.
A lightweight major character , too many sex scenes seemed to slow the narrativeās forward motion as it moved towards its tumultuous and scary series finale.
Blake does a outstanding job with formatting that momentous battle into something truly heart stopping and highly suspenseful. From that battle onward itās a careening, wild ride to the finish. A very satisfying one too.
The epilogue is the only aspect, that has , again, just a few things that bothers me. The Guardians and Sawyer have their happy ending. But a character, whoās played a huge part in this series, and was involved in a traumatic incident, gets written off with a sentence. That struck me as all sorts of wrong and , frankly, undeserved, given his status within the group. More about his situation was definitely called for. The reader was invested in him. As was Sawyer and the group. I donāt get it.
Other characters also just disappeared. I donāt know if itās Into future storylines and novels but precious time was spent here getting us involved in them so donāt we deserve to know more?
I think what was missing overall in the last Chosen One stories is a sense of narrative flow and emotional balance. Sex scenes over plot and character resolution. A rush story wise because so much went forward quickly , narratively speaking.
And this is why I had issues with the rating. I read them together, and whether that made the issues I had more glaring or not, I wonāt know. The whole series is incredible. The maxed out battle and finale absurdly fantastic! A true āIām crying, hold your breath ā battle!
Then thereās Sweet Spot.
The fourth is a standalone novella , about Guardian Eduardās widower father, Augustus, and the young man he meets on a island getaway. Itās a second chance at love, age gap sweet story with a slice of kink. I love it.
Iām highly recommending this series. You would be reading the last Chosen books in the order anyway so you might as well read them in this collection and get the wonderful other books as well.
The other series in the Chosen One Universe are ongoing which Iām thrilled about. Thatās Magical Mates and Chosen Champions. Stay tuned for more Chosen goodness.
For the first time, Macy Blakeās two bestselling paranormal fantasy series are being published in a three-volume mega-verse box set!
Each volume will feature three full-length MM novels with dragons, hellhounds, vampires and more, with never before published bonus material. All in reader-requested chronological order.
Volume Three:
Give Him Hell: Hellhound Champions Book Three
Nick Smith is a man with a mission: find the place where heād been held captive as a child and discover what happened to the kids he left behind. He needs answers, especially since he discovered he can shift into a lion. Instead he finds a huge Viking of a man with flaming eyes who threatens Nickās shaky hold on his control. When Nickās past collides with a powerful, evil force causing havoc in the supernatural world, Nick races to find who is responsible for the current rash of dark magic. With a hellhound at his side, what could go wrong?
Nothing Gained: The Chosen One Book Four
With the truth finally revealed that Sawyer is the son of a powerful goddess, Sawyer must find the strength to fix the broken magic in his world. Thereās only one problem: he has no clue how to do it. Even with six of his eight mates at his side, Sawyer doubts he has what it takes, especially as he is growing weaker by the day. With his newest guardian hiding in the shadows, Sawyer has to find the answers before itās too late, for both him and his mates.
Stop at Nothing: The Chosen One Book Five
Rising forces of darkness are attacking faster than Sawyer and his mates can mount a defense. Itās time to fight, but Sawyer has too much to lose to risk disaster. The final pieces of the puzzle are falling into place, but they leave him with more questions than answers. He heads into the final battle without the knowledge…or the powerā¦to win. Sawyer only knows one thing: he will stop at nothing to keep his mates safe.
Includes bonus short story:
Sweet Spot
When the goddess tells Augustus Eastaughffe to go to the mountains to find what he needs, he’s more than happy to comply. The billionaire griffin is in the midst of a deepening mystery and expects to find some of the answers he seeks. Instead, he finds a captivating human who proves to be sweeter than any he’s ever met.
The second volume of Chosen One books is where I realized they werenāt being grouped according to series but in a reading order.
Series broken up and interspersed with each other, along with single stories, to give the overall Chosen One plot arc a flow with the characters, relationships, and events as they occur inside each novel.
So with Volume Two we get:
š¹Hell On Earth: Hellhound Champions #1(already reviewed)
š¹Next to Nothing: The Chosen One #3
š¹Hell to Pay: Hellhound Champions 2
š¹Double or Nothing- extra bonus about Sawyerās brother, Mikey.
All four books, in that order, keep setting up the reader and the characters for the ever developing arc and multiple relationships of the Chosen One and the battle heās facing.
We get new Guardians, new mates for characters who will , if they arenāt already, hugely important to the safety of the Chosen, and his mission to find that being responsible for all the black magic and devastating events his evil has caused.
Blakeās writing brings us into multiple lives here. Those of the severely damaged children, of the traumatized adults that still carry all the pain and damage within and on them from those years of captivity. Damage thatās carved into them and is able to make us empathize with them completely.
When bear shifter Ben cries out, itās not just his siblings that feels his anguish, but us too.
Thereās fierce battles, high suspense, and lots of very hot sex , with mates who canāt get enough of their men.
Thereās also some very funny elements as well. Need those to mitigate the dark moments that are becoming faster and more severe.
All the characters are amazing as is the multi storyline development. Itās getting increasingly complicated. Blake is upping the game, adding in mythology as well as new beings, layers of history as well as new people and their mates . Itās a lot to track as each is so important to the overall picture but it all meshes.
I hadnāt anticipated this type of collection but itās great. It makes sense and stops a person from having to jump around from series to series. Love it!
So onto Volume Three! Iām picking up speed here! This is a binge readerās paradise!
For the first time, Macy Blakeās two bestselling paranormal fantasy series are being published in a three-volume mega-verse box set!
Each volume will feature three full-length MM novels with dragons, hellhounds, vampires and more, with never before published bonus material. All in reader-requested chronological order.
Volume Two:
Hell on Earth: Hellhound Champions Book One
As alpha of the hellhounds, Meshaq is tasked by his goddess to be the police of other creatures. When he meets the mysterious Drew, a human on the run, Meshaq is drawn to him in a way he doesnāt understand. His duty is clear, but his feelings for Drew have him longing for things he canāt have. Magical forces collide, beginning a battle that will require all of Meshaqās skill as the goddessās champion. He may be the enforcer of the supernatural world, but Meshaq is in danger of losing his heart.
Next to Nothing: The Chosen One Book Three
Sawyer is closer than ever to fulfilling the ancient prophecy of the Chosen One, but the bonds between him and his newest guardians are giving him doubts. With his reluctant hippocamp and an egotistical fae prince, Sawyer has his hands full in more ways than one. The rules are changing, and Sawyer has to adapt quickly if heās going to keep up, especially after heās whisked away to the land of the fae, a place with cryptic customs. One misstep could very well lead to his death.
Hell to Pay: Hellhound Champions Book Two
Hellhound beta Solomon has no complaints. Life is fine. His pack and his goddess-given duties as a protector of the human realm are enough. So what if heās a little bored and a smidge lonely? His scheme to get to know his human pack mate comes at the worst possible time, especially as Cody is convinced he works for a group of elite mob enforcers instead of the protectors of the supernatural world. When a magical attack draws Cody into the supernatural world, can Solomon convince Cody to join them in a dangerous mission to defeat a terrifying creature bent on raining destruction on them all?
Includes bonus short story:
Double or Nothing
Mikey Smith lives with what he calls his “flickers”. When he’s out in the world, sometimes other people flicker and change into something terrifying that no one but him can see. He’s been diagnosed with epilepsy, but part of him knows what he sees is real. When two men walk into his coffee shop, his world is turned upside down when they transform into something else… and they know he can see them. Asher and Quillon aren’t expecting to add a third into their mix… but neither of them are opposed to the idea either. When they meet Mikey, they’re drawn to him from the first moment. He’s a human exposed to their world, though, and the consequences are severe. Can Asher and Quillon protect their new human mate from the forces that threaten him?
I canāt begin to tell you how much Iām enjoying these adorable supernatural romances by Arden Steele. They go by so quickly and smoothly. Although each is a fated mates trope, Steele manages to put such a interesting spill on every new coupleās story and matchup, that I eagerly anticipate what Iāll find with the new tale!
Emerys Whitehill, part pixie and part Fae, has been a staple of all the stories so far. Heās a gorgeous, genuinely happy , blue-haired, bartender with a mysterious predilection for anticipating the future. I love Emerys!
So great heās getting his mate, especially when he was part of a mystery in the last storyline. Itās resolved here , btw.
Thatās when his mate shows up in a totally unexpected role. Cyrus Rathbone, Hellhound and employee of the MOA. Thatās the de facto Otherlings Judge/Jury/Jail/Execution Organization who handles all the affairs between species and races.
Seems sweet, adorable Emrys has been accused of multiple murders and his newly revealed mate is there to take him in.
Delicious.
Itās a fabulous story. Exciting, romance on the run, a relationship thatās growing through communication and discovery of remarkable talents. Steele incorporates characters from Grin and Bear It, as well as our usual beings.
Pixie Little Liar is one romantic entertaining, engaging romp. I adored every bit of it.
This series and characters are a real joy.
Meet Emrys and Cyrus. Enjoy their romance and relationship! Iām highly recommending them!
Thereās a heaviness to the air, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of Emrys Whitehillās neck stand on end. Something is going to happen. Something big. Something that will change him forever. Despite his powers of precognition, however, a hellhound walking into the hotel to arrest him for a crime he didnāt commit is the one scenario he never saw coming.
As a seasoned bounty hunter, Cyrus Rathborne thought he had experienced it all, but realizing his most recent target is his mate throws him completely off his game. While he canāt deny the connection, Emrys is wanted for the murder of a royal, and he wonāt let those big innocent eyes deter him from doing what is right. Yet, the more he gets to know the sweet pixie, the harder it is to shake the feeling that the guy might actually be telling the truth.
He should have trusted his instincts.
It soon becomes clear that someone is determined to make Emrys disappearāpermanentlyāand the only thing standing in their way is him. Transforming from hunter to protector, Cyrus will risk everything to keep his mate safe, because what started as just another job is now the one mission he canāt afford to fail.
I am all in on these series collections. It allows me to read straight through a series of books without stopping, something every binge reader dreams of.
As I said in my review of Hell On Earth (Hellhound Champions #1) , Iām in the process of reading all the Chosen One novels. What better way than Chosen One bundles?
This bundle takes me back to the origin of all the series and relationships.
It begins with Sweet Nothings, the prequel novel, thatās the foundation . Here we meet human Sam Baker, alpha Vaughn Jerrick, and some of the most engaging supernatural children ever. The plot, which is heartwarming, romantic, funny, and and totally captivating. Itās also extremely moving. And not without its moments of heartbreak.
Many of the young beings are people that play important roles throughout the overall Chosen Ones series. So this is indeed where it all starts.
The next two stories are completely different. The first couple of Sam and Vaughn are completely monogamous, as you would expect a werepack Alpha mated couple to be.
But All or Nothing and Nothing Ventured are focused on the group of Guardians as they slowly find each other, adjusting to what they are to their roles and new relationships. And what that might mean to the Chosen One when itās located,the one they are committed to, via a prophecy.
Hint, the Chosen is found but not all the Guardians are counted for as yet.
These are incredibly sexy stories. Also high action and adventure. We are talking Vampire, Dragon, Griffon, ā¦ummm nope. The rest will need to be read.
But the relationship between all of them? Itās only of polyamory. And itās not only extremely sexy but it works beautifully in as far as the need for their tightly crafted relationships with each other.
Blake has a huge overall series plot thread being crafted that started with Sweet Nothing and continues to build with deadly suspense with each book.
The black magic and villain is hidden to great effect, truly chilling.
I loved both books. It was outstanding seeing Henry, a grownup 21, and well into his powers. Although wasnāt quite ready for his Daddy kink.
That was a issue reading those stories together. For me, he was just the haunted, traumatized orphan I left behind in Sweet Nothings. Oops!
Now heās 21. I felt like his parent.
Hmmm , yeah, that took a while. Sawyer yes, Henry, too soon. Not anything more than reading the books right after each other.
By Nothing Ventured, I was fine. And loving the polyamory relationship of the Guardians.
Anyway Iām onto the second volume of Chosen novels.
And if youāre a fan of supernatural beings, mythological creatures, magic, Macy Blake, and the Chosen One Universe, hereās a collection for you.
Night and Fae, the second in Arden Steeleās Blackhaven series about fated mates is another sexy, short supernatural romance. This time itās a fabulously wealthy corporate vampire and an adorable hairdresser Fae getting their fated mate matchup at Blackhaven Manor!
Courtesy of the meddling owner Dragon siblings ,of course .
I enjoyed Night and Fae (terrific name), and the pair. But what I was missing what a sense of history, layerings for either of them.
With the previous story, each character was grounded in a way. Kol in the small town and Manor. Remington had his brother and a backstory.
But in Night and Fae, with the exception of bodyguards (neat ones, I admit), both Fae Leeland Rivers and Master Vampire Sebastian Delgado exist alone without substantial knowledge of their background. I miss that.
Luckily, Leelandās personality is vibrant, funny, and endearing. He is a wonderful character. Sebastian is everything you would hope a handsome, commanding, wealthy vampire would be. Their mate connection or mis-connection is interesting and makes sense given their species.
Thereās a dramatic element, which is swiftly resolved. And then a epilogue.
These are quick, smoothly plotted stories and theyāre over before you can blink . I found the characters, the storyline and the ending satisfying.
Iām moving onto the next. Iām also recommending this for anyone who enjoys a HEA supernatural love story.
Colorful and eccentric, Leelan Rivers knows heās a little too āextraā for some people. Since those people are exceedingly boring, he couldnāt care less about their opinion. Yet, when a night out leads him right into the arms of fate, he never expected the broody vampire to deny the connection between them.
Wealthy and powerful, Sebastian Delgado is used to people wanting things from him. Heās not even surprised at the lies theyāll tell to get them. So, when Leelan claims to be his mate, heās skeptical to say the least. Leelan might be beautiful and enchanting, but Sebastian has been disappointed too many times in the past not to be suspicious.
All it takes is one bite to reveal the truth but claiming Leelan as his own comes with its own set of problems. Especially when he realizes heās not the only vampire at Blackhaven Manor interested in the faerie.
Trash and Treasure is a sweet shifter romance by a author I really like. Iām most familiar with Morgan Briceās interconnected paranormal series which I throughly enjoy and, tbh, am a bit behind on.
But when I saw a shifter story written by Brice, it was an immediate draw. Plus itās main couple was a raccoon and opossum. That āfated mateā pairing just appealed to me.
They are, as each states, not from the sought after or glamour categories of shifter species. True.
Plus they arenāt the predator/prey hookups that, as a biologist, often has me cringing more than a bit. Nopes, opossums and raccoons occupy the same habitats, same niche ā¦nocturnal. It makes more sense then some other shifter couples so mentally Iām already there.
Brice gives each a poignant backstory without going into too much tragedy. Iām not familiar with this universe but the nature of Fox Hollow as a shiftertown for shifters needing a safe haven is easily and quickly established .
Mico Foley, raccoon-shifter, trash truck driver, and found object artist, is a terrific character. From his treehouse which āactsā as his tree cavity, to his engaging personality, Mico feels larger than this novella allows his story to be.
The same goes for the gentle , baker Jack Hargrave. A possum shifter, whoās a genius in the kitchen, with an enthusiastic outlook, and shy demeanor, Jack is the perfect counterpart to Miloās outgoing charm, and natural intelligence. Each radiates some of their shifter animals in their āhuman ā stages, a wonderful element.
Thereās a beginning courtship, that swings way too quickly to fated mates and true love. Mostly due to the shortness of the novella.
It ends with after a traumatic event, with them happily together.
This is a sweet tale.
For me, the promise these characters hold within themselves and their relationship, it cries out for a longer book and a more densely plotted journey towards a HEA. But thatās me.
Want a Morgan Brice tale? A sweet shifter romance? Trash and Treasure (A Fox Hollow novella) by Morgan Brice is the thing for you.
A lonely raccoon shifter. A hopeful possum shifter. Awesome donuts–and true love.
Raccoon-shifter Mico Foley drives a garbage truck in Fox Hollow, a job that keeps a roof over his head while he pursues his true passionācreating art with found objects. He fears he might never find a mateāuntil he falls hard for the sexy new baker in town. But will a hottie like that fall for a guy like him?
Possum-shifter Jack Hargrave is the new night baker at Bare Necessities Cafe, his big opportunity to do what he loves mostācreating irresistible confections. He didn’t move to Fox Hollow to find a mate, but the handsome truck driver who empties the cafe’s dumpster has stolen his heart. Could a hunk like him still care when he finds out Jack’s secret?
Trash and Treasure is an MM shifter romance with a flirty baker, a brooding artist, hurt/comfort, unusual art, a fancy tree house, found family, fated mates and seductive donuts.
Somehow I missed both this author and her supernatural romance series , Blackhaven Manor. Iām rectifying that now.
Each story is a quick satisfying read if the first is any indication.
Blackhaven Manor is an enormous castle-like structure settled on an equally humongous wooded estate . Think ginormous 5 star hotel thatās comprised of Otherly niches , each suitable for a certain supernatural species, be it Vampire, Fae, type of were shifter, or anything else in the Other spectrum. And run by a meddling Dragon family.
Itās human concierge is Kol Livingston. Kol is one of the few humans on staff and the first to get his romance. Heās fresh from a bad breakup and currently swearing off any new relationships.
Thatās when famous singer and infamous bad boy cheetah shifter, Remington Raines, arrives at Blackhaven Manor . Heās set to perform at the fabulous annual Festival held at the manor, a event so exclusive that itās sold out far in advance.
Steeleās story is a fated mates romance with a hint of suspense to it. The author crafts her characters with an eye towards detail. Then, with a narrative smack, quickly nails the powerful impact a mate call has on a shifter and the couple.
It makes the fated mate a very believable element. Which I think was made more impressive given the shorter length of the book.
Thereās a mystery and suspense aspect to the story that is something I both like and yet wish was given more time to develop. What we have is terrific but could have been so outstanding with a bit more āseasoning buildupā.
There are more characters I hope will will get to know better in the future novels. This universe has the potential for some very dramatic storylines and romances. I look forward to books.
Iām definitely recommending you start your journey here.
When cheetah shifter and infamous bad boy, Remington Raines, is asked to perform for the Heritage Festival at Blackhaven Manor, he canāt say no. Literally. Still, an all-expenses-paid vacation from tour buses and screaming fans might be just what he needs. Falling for the quirky concierge with big, brown eyes and a smile that melts him, however, wasnāt part of the plan. Heās used to peopleāmen, women, supernatural and humanāthrowing themselves at him, but Kol doesnāt care about his fame or his money. Heās been hurt, and heās not about to give his heart to just anyone.Image is everything, but if Remington wants to win over this jaded human, heāll have to dig deep and show Kol the man behind the reputation.
Spirited Situation is the first book in the new Ghostly Guardians series by Louisa Masters and itās a wonderfully entertaining paranormal read!
We meet our two main characters in a bar, both looking for a hookup after long sexual dry spells. Itās instant chemistry, a night of insanely hot sex, then they leave the motel the morning after, not even exchanging names or particulars.
Of course , it doesnāt stay that way.
One of the men, Josh, is a man whoās been able to see, and talk to ghosts his entire life. Itās cost him jobs, apartments, and friends. Now heās interviewing for a job that heās hopeful will be the answer to all his immediate needs. Itās in a renovated estate that offers tours, including ghosts. Has living quarters attached and a small enough town that its own ghostly population should be fairly small.
What he doesnāt count on is the guy he hooked up with being the blacksmith/historian also employed by the estate and living there too.
Thatās Ewan. Huge, happy to see his hookup , until a misconception gets in the way.
Louisa Masters sets the foundation for her new series by building her found family of living employees and very lively ghosts , all residing together at the estate.
While weāre getting to know everyone from Josh, who can see and talk to all our ghostly characters, Ewan our lover and blacksmith, the Manager Kieran, Skye at the front desk , Daniel who runs the historical farm to some of the wonderful ghosts like Hattie, Maisie, Joe , and Johnny.
Itās quite the cast but itās never overwhelming because each is such a great personality. And each ghost is invested in Josh and Ewanās romance as much as we are!
Thatās so much fun. Especially ghosts like Carter who are late to gay sex and want all the inside scoop!
Overlaying all of this is the series storylines. One that gets neatly resolved but a larger one is left to be part of further storylines in the future books. I canāt wait for those!
Masters has a way of making her books feel like I just picked them up and then itās over. They are so smoothly written, so well plotted, and the characters so engaging that the time just flies by.
Now to wait until the next which is Kieranās story. I wonder who he will be paired up with? Hmmmmm
Iām highly recommending this new novel! Itās a great story and a entertaining start to a new series!
Reviewer note: Not a 5 because lack of last names bugs me. Always has. Pls pls give your characters last names. Ty. This note for any and all authors out there.
When you can talk to ghosts, things are bound to get spirited.
The ghosts have been there since before I can remember. When I was a kid, they doted on me, but as I got older, they got more demanding. Iāve spent my whole life seeing and talking to dead people and trying to pretend Iām not, because the living just donāt understand. Nobody wants to be around the freak who claims to see ghosts. Until I go to Mannix Estate.
Once a private country home, then a posh hotel, it was closed after a suspicious incident but is now an immersive historic experience. Itās also haunted AF, and everyone knows it. Finally, Iāve found a place to work and live where I can be useful. Where Iām actually wanted.
There are only two problems: I spent a hot, sweaty, satisfying night with Ewan the blacksmith before I knew weād have to work together. Everyone knows sex with colleagues is a bad idea, right? Even if heās the worldās most ripped cinnamon roll.
Plus, the ghosts are keeping secrets. Thereās something going on thatās not normal, even for a haunted estate. And I suspect that when the truth comes out, Iām the one whoāll have to deal with itā¦ and it wonāt be good.
How To Save a Human is the last story in the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series by Alice Winters.
Books one and two had the same couple as itās focus, Finn and Marcus. Their romance and Finnās arc took both novels to finish. Both were major characters in the VRC unit.
So was Alexei Karsynov aka Karsen, a Detective at the unit and Finnās best friend. Claude Church was Marcusā brother as well as a major character in the plot. So not surprisingly How to Lure a Hunter was their story and romance.
They could have actually had a two parter as well. But since they didnāt, Winters wrote a fourth story. Itās couple had a secondary character that only made brief appearances throughout the other stories and a completely new character.
It was based on a sentence, a mere mention of a boyfriend, a book or two ago ā¦that ā¦ well honestly Iām not sure if that is what is the foundation for this. Anyway. Unlike, the other three, I felt no real need to read this other then to complete the series.
However, it turns out I did enjoy How to Save a Human. It was a slow start because neither character was especially appealing after the dynamic characters they followed. But I found both grew on me.
River did the more of his current situation and past was revealed. Bentley DeGray, who Iād never given much thought to at all, became something more than just so much background noise next to everyone else.
But all that took time. The other couples were there, working on the investigation at hand, which helped keep me engaged while I was waiting to feel connected to the main couple.
That did happen and then I was involved in their struggle but , something was missing here.
There were a few plot holes. Investigative problems within the tight knit group that felt āoffā . Questions not asked or answers accepted without hesitation.
Either way. I felt at the end this was a good story but not as satisfying as the three that preceded it.
Iāll still recommend it and the series. Make sure to read them in the order they are written.
River When I meet Bentley DeGray, Iām at the lowest point in my life because no matter how much I fight, my past wonāt let me escape. Bentley makes me laugh and care and love, but what does any of that mean when Iām living a lie?
Things get complicated when I find out heās with the Vampire Related Crimes Unit, the organization looking for answers about the abductions of prominent vampires.
The same organization that stands in my way.
My time is ticking down while Iām wound up in this role Iāve been forced to play, but I know that I would be drowning without Bentley by my side.
Bentley Weāre facing something that runs so deep that we donāt know who we can trust besides each other, even within the VRC. River makes me feel like every day is worth living and enjoyingālike Iām not so alone. I canāt imagine life without him. But I know that if I want to keep him by my side, I will need to do everything I can to help him so our love doesnāt get cut short before it can truly grow.
How to Save a Human contains a cat who shows her affection by not drawing (much) blood, art projects that are a littleā¦ sketchy, the most underwhelming ābullā ride ever, and vampires that may or may not be in the mob.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 