Rating: 4🌈
Well, this was just adorable. Like holding a lively lovable golden retriever but in narrative form . Grae Bryan’s short fantasy story is a quick delight of a romance.
That’s totally due to the author’s engaging couple and a common theme given a fun twist.
Benny, the human golden retriever main character, is one who has appeared in this author’s other terrific series, Demon Bound. I’m so delighted that Benny gets his HEA here. Benny is a joy. Bryan has created in Benny someone who’s enthusiastic about everything new that comes his way. His brilliant positive energy jumps off the page.
So of course, he doesn’t really know what he’s getting into when he meets this gorgeous man in a bar who’s paying attention to him. Helio, someone who listens and asks questions, and lets him do his thing.
Helio is that other hilariously funny character, a frustrated Fae where nothing he’s doing is working on the happiest human he’s ever seen.
There’s not a lot of world building or layers to the backstory but it’s short and honestly, these two (plus a misbehaving villa) are fabulous together.
I loved it and would hope they pop up together in the Demon Bound series in some future roles.
Or maybe a tiny sequel. Highly recommended! Just adorable.
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Blurb
Never give your name. Never accept a gift or favor. Never eat the food of the realm.
Benny is having the best summer ever. He’s made a new friend, and now he’s getting an extended vacation at a private island. And sure, his buddy didn’t ask Benny’s permission before taking him there, but what could be so bad about exclusive sandy beaches and a free stay in a fancy villa?
Helio is having the worst time of his life. Here he’s gone to all the trouble of kidnapping a human to the fae realm, and the man doesn’t even have the decency to be afraid. Benny’s broken all the rules, and Helio has a right to keep him, but his prey doesn’t even realize he’s been captured. Is this human messing with Helio, or is it truly possible for one man to be so damned oblivious?
AN UNWITTING BARGAIN IS A 15K NOVELLA FEATURING AN OBLIVIOUS HIMBO HUMAN AND THE MORALLY GRAY FAE HE’S ACCIDENTALLY DRIVING A WEE BIT MAD. THERE’S A KIDNAPPING THAT GOES UNNOTICED, A MAGICAL VILLA WITH A CRUSH, AND AN EXTREMELY WHOLESOME HUMAN WHO JUST WANTS TO MAKE HIS NEW FRIEND HAPPY.
- Publication date: January 3, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 68 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 