Trope
Heat Factor: A case of pining so good, I would have preferred it without the sex scene
Character Chemistry: OMG
Plot: Mika is hired to teach some kid witches witchcraft and finds a family
Overall: I can see why this book was such a hit, but it didn’t hit for me
Heat Factor: I’ll never look at linen closets the same way again.
Character Chemistry: Do you want to see a stern, bossy hero who is competence porn personified come undone? Because Maria sure does.
Plot: Eli is sent to Vienna on a wild goose chase and ends up in the middle of a conspiracy.
Overall: Loved it.
Popping back in here for an update, now that I’ve also read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, aka the first book in this duology.
And no, it does not answer the questions about plot that I had.
However, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb does lay out the philosophy that underpins these two books, which hinges on the inherent immorality of the duke’s wealth and power. Maybe that’s enough reason—along with him being a Bad Dad of Romance—for everyone to hate the Duke of Clare.
So while it doesn’t solve the plotholes, if you’re interested in Marian Hayes, I definitely recommend reading Kit Webb first.
My full review can be found below.
Continue reading “Review Revisited: Holly Returns to The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian (2022)”
Heat Factor: “We’ll just bang it out, and then I’ll have it out of my system.” Always a solid plan.
Character Chemistry: They do things to make the other one happy.
Plot: Helen asks her long-time friend to be her fake boyfriend so everyone will stop feeling sorry for her after her last break-up goes viral
Overall: So cute. And now I want an anatomically correct heart cake. And a charcuterie chalet.
Suddenly Shifters, Book #5
Heat Factor: Gary was more forward than I expected
Character Chemistry: Suddenly don’t hate each other, suddenly sex…It all happens pretty suddenly
Plot: Gary feels unwell one night and wakes up able to shift into a squirrel. When he goes to the library for answers, he gets some help from his neighbor, Marie, who is super grumpy.
Overall: The amount of musical theater tune references in this book is really something
The Smut Report 