Category: Contemporary

Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Fairytale Retelling, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Rom Com, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Dealing with a Desperate Demon (The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, #2)Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein

Tracy’s Rating: 2.5/3 of 5 stars

Series: The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, #2

Release Date: October 7, 2025

Nancy is a bookseller with a troubled past and a heart of gold who has practically given up on ever finding her happily ever after. But when the town misfit, Jack Jackson, enters her store to get a book, but runs off without it after a minor mishap, Nancy decides to take it to him. After a very awkward and confusing meeting, Nancy realizes that Jack needs help navigating dating and life in general. She offers to help him win his dream girl and tries to keep herself from falling for him herself.

Jack, the demonic son of Satan, is portrayed as a grump with a surprisingly gentle heart, struggling to live up to his father’s evil expectations. His awkwardness in the romance department is both endearing and comical, making him something of a cinnamon roll hero.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, the blurb gave me hope of a grumpy/sunshine trope with steam, magic and Beauty and the Beast feel. Well, this story definitely has a Disney-like “Beauty and the Beast” vibe, with humor and warmish love scenes that results in a fun, if somewhat chaotic story. And while I found the premise intriguing, the execution left a lot to be desired, the pacing is uneven, slow in the beginning, rushed in the latter half and disorganized in between. I thought the book was a bit wordy, and yet oddly, both the characters and the world building felt undeveloped. Overall, it was a light, fun paranormal romance with likeable characters and a happy ending, but it is not a book I would read again. This is the second book in the series, and I don’t know if I would have felt different about this book if I have read the prior installment, but I don’t feel like I missed anything by not reading it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Murder In All Patience by Anne Cleeland

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Murder in All Patience

Barbara’s rating: 3.8 out of 5 Stars
Series: Doyle & Acton #22
Publication Date: 10/2/25
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 210

OMGoodness!!! Acton is master-minding and plotting again in this wonderfully written, excellently paced contemporary mystery set in London. Of course, Acton can plot all he likes, but the quirky, human lie detector, Doyle, is going to throw a spanner in the works. I have read and loved every book in the series, and this one is no exception. Although this is part of an excellent series, it can be read as a standalone. However, to get a true feel for the character dynamic between Doyle & Acton, you should probably read at least the first couple of books. Besides, it is a great series, so why not read them all?

One of Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle’s first clues that her aristocratic husband, Chief Inspector Michael Acton, was plotting something was his decision to hold a charitable gala at his ancestral home, Trestles. Acton doesn’t like visitors to Trestles, and he certainly never hosts events there. So, what is he up to? Is it something that goes back to the black market art theft ring? Perhaps it has to do with Lestrade trying to blackmail him – or something even more sinister.

I loved that part of the plot involved putting on a skit based on The Hound of the Baskervilles, featuring Sherlock Holmes, because Acton is very similar to Sherlock in many ways. Very eccentric and very, very smart. The author has cleverly woven in many similarities to the Sherlock story while keeping this story uniquely Doyle and Acton.

If you are looking for a quick, entertaining, yet interesting mystery, I suggest you might enjoy this one. It is filled with quirky, unique characters you’ll love, and the mystery is well written, interesting, and keeps you guessing about Acton’s plot until the very end! Happy Reading!

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