nymphie's reviews
331 reviews

A very sweet, short story that serves as a perfect introduction to a new fantasy world! The characters are loveable and make such an adorable couple. They are wonderfully compassionate and understanding towards each other in the most heartwarming way. Dahlia’s magic is wicked cool! I wish I could summon skeleton horses to take me where I need to go!

I absolutely loved the first half of the book. The adorable interactions had me giggling and kicking my feet. I loved the reality TV setting. I was on the edge of my seat to see where this couple went next. I couldn’t wait to see how they grew closer. This was shaping up to easily be a 5-star read. 

But just over halfway through, it’s like a switch flipped. Once the cameras were mostly gone, the facade fell away. The MMC completely changed into this horrible, manipulative beast. He suddenly developed a temper problem, screaming at people and threatening to break things. He was closed-off before, but he became downright cruel.

He purposefully leads the FMC on, acting as if he’s the perfect husband and would do anything for her happiness, to get what he wants from her. He showers her with gifts and compliments, but once they’re finished in bed, he immediately shuts her out again. It’s heartbreaking to watch her get her hopes up over and over, only for him to slam the door closed in her face every single time until the very end. He forces into the box that HE wants their relationship to be without any concern for her own wants and needs. I did not enjoy these developments at ALL, and nearly DNF’d this book because of these scenes.

He’s also completely self-aware of his abusive behavior. He frequently expresses guilt and shame, but then continues to manipulate and gaslight her anyway. It’s truly sickening. I read romance books to ESCAPE self-centered, narcissistic men like this MMC. I’m devastated that he changed so drastically in the second half. I was so looking forward to the ending, but I’m left frustrated and disappointed.

When he eventually does come around, it’s for all of the wrong reasons. His change of heart is near instantaneous and he doesn’t do anywhere near enough groveling for my tastes. His explanation of his behavior and apology isn’t even done to her face. Pathetic. He doesn’t deserve the FMC or the happy ending.

The spicy scenes are also insanely unrealistic. Eight times in quick succession? Don’t make me laugh. Or vomit.

This book is also marketed as an office romance, but…where’s the office? They leave the workplace only a few chapters in and it quickly becomes a fake marriage/forced proximity on a tropical island story. And they never return to the same office. A small complaint in comparison, but I adore office romances and this was very clearly NOT an office romance.

I would have liked more from the magic and demonic possession aspects (which is what this book was supposed to be about) but it felt more like the book was focused on the relationship developments of the characters and the magic was happening in the background.

I personally did not feel that the poly relationship was handled very well. There’s no attraction between David and Moira? He just likes to hold her hand and hug her. It very much gives “Rhys is now cheating with David and Moira just watches” vibes. It doesn’t feel fair to anyone involved. I think it would have flowed much better and felt like more of an organic throuple if all three of them held attraction to each other. But instead, they enjoy separate bedroom times and pretend they don’t feel jealous.

Moira as a whole felt very underdeveloped. She could have easily been Rhys’ sister that assisted with magic rituals instead of a leading romantic interest and accomplished the same things. It’s very disappointing as I was super intrigued by her and her magic, but she just fell flat. David and Rhys also don’t treat her like a real person. It’s almost as if she represents safety or salvation and that is what they love her for, not for who she is.