Category: Rom Com

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. *

Christmas with a Chimera by Isabelle Taylor

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

Christmas with a Chimera: A cosy, spicy, Alaska-set second chance romance – perfect for Christmas 2025 (Claw Haven Book 2)Christmas with a Chimera: A cosy, spicy, Alaska-set second chance romance – perfect for Christmas 2025 by Isabelle Taylor

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Claw Haven #2

Release Date: October 9, 2025

Chimera Arthur Pineclaw left his hometown of Claw Haven, Alaska twelve years ago to pursue his dream of acting in Los Angeles. Now a successful actor, Arthur has returned to film a holiday rom-com and is a bit surprised at the changes in the small town. But one thing hasn’t changed and that is Emma Cult, the girl he loved and left behind all those years ago. Arthur is still drawn to Emma, and she is still as shrewish as ever – why does that still turn him on? As Arthur reconnects with his past and Emma, he wonders if he can convince her to give them another chance and move with him back to LA. He is sure he will win her over, after all, he can charm anyone!

Emma Cult is now the owner of Cozy Grotto Café and let newcomer Luna Musgrove talk her into allowing the film crew to use her café for the movie, but no one told her that her ex-boyfriend, Arthur was the star! Emma was devasted when Arthur left her on Christmas Eve all those years ago and hasn’t spoken to him since. She is determined to keep him at an arm’s length, but Arthur is just as determined to make her forgive him and give him a second-chance. Let the battle of wills begin!

This was a reverse grumpy/sunshine romance that definitely had a Hallmark rom-com vibe, just with monsters. The book is a cute and spicy second chance romance with long separated high school sweet hearts, Arthur is very charming and likeable and cannot handle anyone not liking him, but he hasn’t let anyone really know him since Emma, Emma is his complete opposite, she is angry and apparently has been that way all her life, and despite her denial, she is still hurt by Arthur’s abandonment. Together, they will have to come to terms with the past and move forward, but before they can do that, they will each have to look inside and be honest with themselves. This was a cute story with a happy ending, making it a quick, holiday read that leaves with that Hallmark-like feel good feeling.

*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. *