Starshine

Sex Wizards #2.5

by Alethea Faust

A half-orc exiled.

A girl sold to pay her father’s debt.

After the results of an honor duel, Garret leaves his clan to escape his guilt only to face the cruelty of humans in the mountain city of Frostcliff. He finds unexpected employment as security for the city’s high-end brothel, and the even more unexpected company of Bridgette, the brothel’s resident star.

Magic is a rare gift that only exists in the bloodlines of the rich and royal, and yet the unlikely pair find the spark between them even as the humans of Frostcliff attempt to snuff it out.

Starshine is a novella set in the Sex Wizards universe. It follows the story of Bridgette and Garret before they discovered their magic and came to the Crux. It can be read standalone but is best enjoyed after book two of the Sex Wizards series.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Novella, Magic, Fiction, Queer, Wizards

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2023

About the author

Alethea Faust is an international bestselling author of kinky, queer, erotic epic fantasy. Things you can expect to find in their works are risk-aware consensual kink, hard BDSM, non-toxic masculinity, kind and emotionally mature adults, and a lot of butt stuff.

They also have a Patreon, where you can find exclusive stories in the Sex Wizards world as well as early access to future books in the series. Read more at https://www.patreon.com/aletheafaust

They can be found all across social media here: https://linktr.ee/aletheafaust

Reviews

[kim_is_bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This is a short story part of the Sex Wizard world! Alethea brings us Garret’s and Bridgette’s backstories, how they met and how they learned they had magic! I really enjoyed getting to know them better through their past, though now I’m curious to know how Bridgette became the caster she is now and how Garret and Bridgette met Arlon and became friends! As usual, I need more haha! Thank you Alethea for giving us these short stories in between the main books’ releases!!!

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Alethea for this ARC!
This is Garrett and Bridgette’s origin story, and it was really beautiful and emotional. Both of them have had rough pasts, with Garrett forced to leave his home after a tragedy and Brigette being sold to pay off a debt. Garrett is left alone far from home, with no home or coin. When a beautiful, silver haired woman is in trouble, Garrett is quick to jump to her defense. Bridgette knows that Garrett thinks himself a beast, but she sees a kind but lonely man. With so much prejudice against him for being half-orc, Garrett thinks his life is hopeless. Bridgette isn’t scared of him though, and sees him for who he is.
-Sex worker FMC
-Virgin MMC
-Magical discoveries
-Friends to lovers

[Vân-Lam purplecloudreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shunned and traumatized half-orc and a woman sold to a brothel who come together to discover more of themselves? Sign me up! I was already a fan of the Sex Wizards series so I loved getting an in-depth origin story for Garrett and Bridgette. Slow burn is not usually my jam but Alethea made it seem like nothing at all. Starshine was a delightful and heartfelt companion read. 5/5 would recommend and read again.

[Scarlett Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heat level: 2.5/5. I know, this is going to sound crazy, but I actually read this one before starting the Sex Wizards series. I was lucky enough to be able to beta read this story and I loved it! There was no confusion about anything, I was sucked into a new world filled with orcs and magic so fast. After reading this story, I HAD to start the series and when Garret was introduced I sat there like Leo DiCaprio pointing because I knew Garret! Honestly, I'm glad I got to read his story before starting the series. The way his relationship with Bridgette and the way that unfolds is so cute.

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Starshine and expect to see…

🌟Garrett and Bridgette’s Romantic Origin Story
🌟A Quick, But Intense Read
🌟Hardships and Difficult Pasts
🌟Slow-Burn
🌟Plot > Spice

~ I was given an ARC of Starshine in exchange for my honest review and opinions! ~

“She looked up at him, and her smile seemed to shine brighter than the sun itself. ”

💘Romance: 4/5
🌶Spice: 3/5
🏃‍♀️Pacing: 4/5
🎭Plot: 4/5
🗺Worldbuilding: 4/5
👀Perspective: (3rd) / Singular POV

This was a relatively quick read, but I feel like so much was conveyed about Bridgette and Garrett’s backstories.
Tbh, I didn’t really care too much for Garrett and Bridgette in the Sex Wizards books, but after reading this I’ve got to say that I love them so much. 🥰

Alethea does a wonderful job bringing life to characters and fleshing out their backgrounds, relationships, and personalities. And I have to give them props for their amazing writing that never fails to draw me in! 💕

There wasn’t a lot of spice in this book, and the spice that was there was nothing like it is in Sex Wizards, so don’t go in expecting kink or lots of spice 👀🌶

To me, this book felt more realistic despite the obvious fantasy elements. There are several hard topics and situations in this book (check triggers before reading always!) but I feel like it showed how these two people who endured so much hardship ended up together and became wizards of the Crux. I feel like this story had several gripping and suspenseful moments that made it very interesting as well!

Reading about Garrett’s past and his trauma made the things that happened to him in the Sex Wizards series hurt so much more!!!! 😭

With that said, this book gave more depth to Garrette and Bridgette. I don’t know if there will be more to their romantic origin story, but I sure hope so!! If you love the Sex Wizards series and the world and characters Alethea has created within it, this book is a definite read!! As always, happy reading! 💫

[m · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes you have to wander until you can find your bearings.”

It’s been mentioned that people sometimes accidentally discover they have magic in this universe, and this is one such story.

Finally we get the origin story of Garrett & Bridgette!! It’s not strictly necessary to have read the Sex Wizards series before starting this, but I feel like I got more out of it that I would have otherwise.

Bridgette has always intimated me. She’s so in control and so dominant that frankly she scared me. This story gives her the depth needed to make her character more understandable. And Garrett was always just a bit of a mystery so I’m glad to have gotten his story too. Them together was pure magic - pardon the pun 😅 The way they each had each other’s back showed how they became the formidable team they end up as in the main series. It’s so beautifully touching with just a hint of spice - quite different from the main series but just as powerful ❤️

“Something unspoken passed between them, a silent covenant. Since they’d met, Bridgette had looked out for him, and now she knew that he would do the same for her.”

ARC/Beta review - all opinions are my own.

[Nicole D · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC review*

I absolutely love Alethea's writing and the entire sex wizards series, so I was excited to get some backstory and history on some of the characters. This story is so wonderful - it gave me such a different perspective on Garrett and Bridgette, and how their relationship began. (Truthfully, Bridgette has never been my fave character, but I definitely understand her more now!) Alethea manages to cover so much ground in just over 100 pages, and the story flows beautifully. It's a quick read, easy for a lunch break even, but it provides SO much context for characters in her series.

But honestly, even if you haven't read the sex wizards series, this story holds up incredibly well on its own and would be an amazing introduction to the authors writing. I can't recommend this enough!

[Ashley Haulk · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨SPOILERS✨
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

I loved this story!!
I was so lucky to be able to arc read this. I’ve never read anything by this author but after reading about Garrett and Bridgette I’m hooked.🫣

Garrett fleas from his home in the highlands and find a small village and through a woman he’s able to find a job as a miner. He’s unable to find lodging because of him being half orc and some mean people. That’s where Bridgette comes in.

Bridgette has worked in the brothel since she was young because her father essentially left her there and what was she to do? Everything is as usual until she meets Garrett.
This love story was so sweet. Very much friends to lovers. The connection between the main characters was beautiful. Which made the 2 spicy scenes so much more intimate. LOVED THIS BOOK! 🖤

[Annie Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

It literally just story about two people meeting with no strong back story or anything assembling an actual conflict and resolution. Things didn’t make any sense at the end. I don’t think you can call this a standalone. There’s no world building or anything that explains what the hell is going on in that world. I’d say to understand it, you must read the other series. But nah… skip. The part where they activate their magic by sticking his d*ck to her p*ss* cringed me to hell.

[Regitze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was a long book, it had impressive amounts of well-thought-out backstory and great characters. I liked how diverse these characters were and how you got to see some of them from multiple angles.

[Phyllica · Rating 5 out of 5]

REREAD REVIEW: Still a 5-star read. Will always be a 5 star series and auto-read/buy author.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
The backstory of Garrett and Bridgette made it a five-star read for me. I love the Sex Wizards series, so to read a prequel of some of the characters gave me a sad, yet sweet taste of series nostalgia.
This novella can be read before the series or after you have read the series. If you have read the series, this focuses very heavily on the developing relationship between Garrett and Bridgette and is very tame in the spice department versus what you will find reading the full series. Overall, it was a beautiful story and makes me want to dive back into the series.
Happy reading :)

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that a lot of readers have come to the main books of the series because of the intrigue of “sex wizards” and/or “kink-based magic system.” That’s not a bad thing, and I’ll admit those added to my curiosity when I gave them a shot, but the downside to the first descriptor especially is how it simplifies the incredible fantasy world-building Faust has also done with this world. My love affair with fantasy started with traditional fantasy epics, but that interest shifted as I grew older and recognized many of the problematic elements of the genre. Faust subverts the casual racism of a standard fantasy world by centering the story on the characters and effects rather than using it as a lazy storytelling shortcut. The result here is an intriguing stand-alone novella that both tells the origin story of two of the more fascinating secondary characters of the main series and explores more of the world outside of the insular Crux.

For full disclosure, I read an earlier draft of Starshine via the author’s Patreon. This meant that I both already had a good grasp of the overall story going in but that I also had more context for exactly why Garrett originally left home. For the first bit of the final version, I wasn’t sure about Faust’s decision to drop us later in the action, but by the time we got the full unfolding of Garrett’s past, I will admit that it worked quite well as a revelation that added to character development. As a writing process nerd, I understood why Faust probably worked out the initial story the way they did for the initial draft and appreciate that they took the chance on rearranging text to improve the full arc.

In contrast, we get fewer glimpses of Bridgette’s life before meeting Garrett and none of the story from her direct perspective. However, this never detracts from the connection that builds between the characters, especially since it means we get to share Garrett’s intrigue in her. A significant (and appropriate) difference to this novella compared to the rest main series is that a sweet friendship develops between Garrett and Bridgette before anything steamier. Though this story ends long before they get to the Crux and receive any formal training, seeing the seeds of how these characters might turn into the older ones we meet in the main series is effortless.

For those looking for the “kink-based magic system” promised in this world, I promise that hints of it are still here. However, Garrett and Bridgette have zero formal training and only instinct to rely on, which makes the magic they do produce even more clever and a relevant part of the climax of the book (pun not intended).

Whether you’re already a fan of the main series or only curious about it, this novella is a worthwhile read. I’m glad I got to see Faust further develop as a writer and storyteller by reading both versions, and I hope new readers enjoy it as much as I did.

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the side story I didn't know I needed.

In the sex wizards series Garrett has been an interesting series from the start and I was excited to learn more about him. Brigette however I felt has been written as very closed to Dom in the main series, I felt ilke I knew absolutely nothing about her personal life. Her relationship with Garrett but also Arlon always had been interesting to me though and I was very excited how all of that started.
Reading this side story though, it totally turned them from characters I was simply interested in to characters that have a special place in my heart.

Garrett is a fun character to follow as the POV character. I enjoyed following his thoughts and wants and it was very easy to feel along with him. His struggles at the start of this story immediatily made me care for him and hope better times would be in the future.
He then meets Brigette and she is such a force of a woman I love it (just like in the main series to be honest but it was nice to see it in this different enviroment). She cares for Garrett from the start and fixes him an opportunity to a better life.
I loved all the glances they had at eachother while they weren't allowed to speak. The small conversations and the way they kept seeking each other out was just great. Garrett being very protective from the start was just extremely endearing and gosh was I swooning for them to get together.

Without spoiling too much they do get together towards the end of the book and as expected the smutty bits were soooo good. Just like with the main series I absolutely love the way Faust writes sex and in this book it totally delivered again. My heart warmed so much as well on how Brigette handled Garretts virginity and made me feel absolutely wholesome.

All together I adored this book and am so glad we got to learn more about Garrett and Brigette.


4.75 stars rounded up.
I received an eARC and this was my honest review.

[Lindsey Middlemiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best novella I have read

5 ⭐ for Starshine by Alethea Faust. This is the origin story for Garrett and Bridgette, 2 of the important characters in the Sex Wizards series (Initiation/ Mastery/ Championship).

A half-orc exiled. A girl sold to pay off her father's debts. A friendship. And the magic they make.

I just loved this and only wished it were longer - at 107 pages, it's around a third of the length of the full length novels. Unlikely many novellas though, it feels like a polished story. The characters are well rounded, the story is well paced and it drew me in, even though I knew the bones of the story, having beta read a draft.

It's different to the Sex Wizards story in that it's MF only and far far less spicy. But if you love the world of the Crux already, this is a must read to see where the Dominatrix for whom the Grandmaster submits comes from. And lovely Garrett as well, of course. If you haven't read Sex Wizards yet, then you can definitely start with this prequel before jumping on the rollercoaster that is Dominai's story.

In this you'll find:
✨ MF paranormal romance
✨ Slow burn
✨ A cinnamon roll half-orc
✨ Bigotry & discrimination
✨ A sex worker
✨ Child (teen) labour to pay a debt
✨ A brothel
✨ Mining including forced labour
✨ Homelessness
✨ Assault
✨ A HFN ending

[JammyYolk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darker but amazing read!! I am an avid fan of Alethea Faust's series Sex Wizards, and I love Bridgette and Garret in the main series, so I had high hopes for this book. Of course, I was not disappointed. This is an amazing detailing of their origin stories that brings so much empathy and light to how they act in the main series.
Furthermore, if you are a reader coming into this story with no prior knowledge of Faust's other series, it's totally readable and still a great story.
Personally, I enjoyed the darker atmosphere and melancholy throughout the story, and it helps build a worldview for the reader and our two characters that this world is harsh, cruel and opportunistic.
The reader can tell that when these two characters interact, they are the small light for each other, leading them both towards a better, safer life. Their love is electric and also touching and tender. It humanizes these two in a way that the main storyline cannot, because their bond was difficult to outline without understanding all they'd been through together.
I also enjoyed how Faust went into greater detail of the race tensions between orcs and humans and how much people in these communities are not open minded. This reality juxtaposed to the safety in the main story shows that the Crux is a haven for people with magic, and our characters who live in the liminal edges of society, it is their survival.
Regardless of whether you have read the Sex Wizards series or not, I recommend this book. It's dark, tender, thrilling and steamy, and I ripped through the book like a current.

[ForTheLoveofBrishen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember one of the visiting priests at my Catholic boarding school gave us a chastising speech about prostitution (all girl school, he felt the need to put the fear of damnation in us every term). Father McBoring O'Stuffypants said something like "Dens of Iniquity - you can find pleasure, coin and a false smile fot the night but you can't find love." Well let me just throw this book right in your face Father Pearl-Clutcher because I found a sweet tender love story in the middle of Madam Monikas Brothel which turned out to be a safe haven for an emotionally tormented soul.

Spice level: 🍭sweet like candy despite being set in a brothel.
Plot/Storyline: I'm so drawn into this world and it's social structures. My first foray into Sex Wizards Universe. More please.
Characters: I love Garret to a million pieces. I'd read 300 pages of him finding his place in the world.
Favorite scene/quote: Stand tall. Stand Proud. And Always watch your back. (Garret's Mother on surviving as an Orc-Human bi-species)

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to see younger versions of Garrett and Bridgette and learn about their backstories.

Things I liked:
-As with all stories in the SW universe, I really like the focus on characters who are kind and respectful of each other.
-The question game scene!
-This story nicely avoided certain tropes by ensuring that neither Bridgette nor Garrett was always the one helping the other. It put them on more equal footing so that their relationship felt authentic and earned.
-The worldbuilding, as always, is amazing. For such a short book it manages to paint a vivid picture of life in Frostcliff, give us insight into Orcs and life in the High Plains, and show the different ways both Garrett and Bridgette's options are limited by their situations and people's perception of them.

Things I didn't like:
-Honestly, I just would have loved it to be a little longer. The end felt almost abrupt, in that it seemed like the beginning of something instead of an end. Though that was probably the point.

[Roselia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alethea's Sex Wizards series got me back into reading. Really, it did. I came across an image of the cover for Initiation, and at the time I thought it had to be a joke. I am so glad I was wrong. Her work is some of my favorite to read, though I have to be careful when I read it because I am not kidding, this stuff is 5-alarm spicy. Like have a glass of milk nearby because it is HOT. I had already read the main series, so when I downloaded this to my Kindle I was already well aware of the characters of Bridgette and Garrett. I have a thing for orcs, so I thought it'd be a fun romp with the two of them and I'd enjoy so much spice. But here's the thing. There were two instances of sexytimes in this story. Just two. And I am not even mad, because like all the other sexytimes in her work, they fit perfectly. This story was all about building the backstory for Garrett and Bridgette, and I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. I hope someday I get to read backstories like this for all the characters in the Sex Wizards series. This was amazing. If I could give it ten stars, I would.

[Ashley Kimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ʙʀɪᴅɢᴇᴛᴛᴇ ʜᴜᴍᴍᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜰᴜʟʟʏ. “ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴇᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀᴛ ᴇᴀꜱᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ʀᴏᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴏ’ꜱ ɢᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪɢɢᴇʀ ᴅɪᴄᴋ.” ᴀɴ ᴇᴀꜱʏ ꜱᴍɪʀᴋ ꜱᴘʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀᴄʀᴏꜱꜱ ʜᴇʀ ꜰᴀᴄᴇ. “ʙᴜᴛ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ʀᴜʟᴇꜱ, ʏᴏᴜ’ᴠᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴘʀᴏᴠᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇɴᴅᴏᴡᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ.”

ɢᴀʀʀᴇᴛᴛ ᴄʜᴜᴄᴋʟᴇᴅ ᴀꜱ ʜᴇᴀᴛ ᴄʀᴇᴘᴛ ᴜᴘ ʜɪꜱ ɴᴇᴄᴋ. “ɪ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴍᴏɴɪᴋᴀ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ’ᴛ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇ ɪ’ᴍ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɪ’ᴍ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ.”

Happy release day @aletheafaust!!! Bridgette and Garrett are honestly some of my favorite characters from the Sex Wizards series and I’m so glad I finally got to see their beginning 🥹 Garrett’s kind and gentle spirit is cinnamon roll personified and I wish I had Bridgette’s confidence! They’re a beautifully matched couple 💜 I can’t wait to read more about them in the future!

[Autumn L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy Romance

Spoilers in the review

Star Shine about Garret a half-orc that leaves his village after a duel then travels to FrostCliff to work in the mines but after awhile he found work in town at the brothel. Where he meets Bridgette and gets him a job that the brothel there are rules Garret can’t touch or talk to the women especially Bridgette. Then you can see through the whole novel that there is something between them. When Garret get hurt and Bridgette help heal him. But the wounds heal right a way then Bridgette thinks it’s magic so them plan on running away. What I like about this book was the characters you can see that Garret is shy kind soul half-orc, then there is Bridgette this a mischief and sassy woman.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was engrossing as all of Alethea's are, though it was of a distinctly different tone than the main Sex Wizards books. In Starshine, you learn the background story of Garrett and Bridgette and how they learn about the power they hold and how much stronger they are together. It's a story of them outgrowing their homes and finding a sense of belonging with each other, which is even more sweet and promising as readers of the main series know just how much these two become intertwined with The Crux.

Overall, it's a tale of overcoming hardship and this prequel novella ends with their promising beginning. I'd love to read a follow up that shows their arrival at The Crux and how they develop into the wizards they are meant to be!

[Plantspluspages (Em) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) EVERYTHING I like in a book.

An absolutely phenomenal read from Alethea Faust. This book kept me intrigued from the first chapter, which from someone with a squirrel brain, deserves high praise! The characters are lovable and their personalities instantly were able to shine through. The struggles they have been through were written in an absolutely heart wrenching way that kept me flipping the pages for more. (Call me a masochist, or sign me up for some evocation! 😉)

This book would read very well as a stand-alone, but was absolutely amazing having already read Sex Wizards #1 and knowing about the magic system in the world already.

Thank you again to Alethea Faust for the ARC!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to know the story of how Garrett and Bridgette meet! Not only do we get to see how they meet and their relationship begins, but we get to know more about their pasts and the circumstances from where they’ve come. I feel like this novella showcases Alethea’s ability to tell a story really well. It’s not as heavy on the spice and kink as the Sex Wizards books—and that’s okay! Even though this is a prequel, I would suggest reading it after Mastery (Book 2). I feel like I was able to connect with this story more because I already knew Garrett and Bridgette. It’s a quick read I look forward to more to come in the Sex Wizards world!

Spice: 🌶️

[Annalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this series of books since I first stumbled on to them. Starshine is a wonderful piece of world building that brings more depth to the setting of the main series as well as bringing more depth to some of the supporting characters.

Both Garrett and Brigitte come from troubled beginnings, but are able to find comfort, companionship, and even magic with each other. The story of their beginning is a sweet addition to the series as a whole. It's surprisingly more tame than the full length books, being more about how the characters meet than the magic system itself. It is a fun and heartwarming story, and one I definitely recommend reading.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn about this book. On the one hand, the main series is fantastic and definitely worth reading. I mean, who wouldn't be intrigued by 'Sex Wizards'? However, Starshine, which tells the origin story of two characters from the main series, fell a bit short of my expectations.

Although I enjoyed reading it, I was hoping for a spicier read. Compared to the other books in the series, Starshine was quite tame. However, if you're new to the series, it's still worth checking out. It's a cozy, romantic fantasy that's perfect for a quick and easy read. Besides, if you're not a fan of spice, this book is right up your alley!

[Fox Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella pulled me in from the first chapter, and as the world blossomed around the characters, I found myself fascinated with Bridgette and enamored with Garrett. This is a lovely story about two people finding something beautiful in one another, and I enjoyed every moment. Though it’s an offshoot of Alethea’s Sex Wizards series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone, and I think it would serve as a fantastic introduction for someone to get a taste of her writing, while her characters get a taste of…well ;) -ARC Review

[Tosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“His breath caught as he shyly, uncertainly, returned it. He’d been kissed before, but it had never felt like this. Before, it has always been awkward and ungraceful , but this was like finding a piece of something he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.”

What a wonderful Sex Wizards prequel novella. The author certainly packed a ton of feels in this book. It’s the story of Garrett & Bridgette before they were wizards. And I think we all knew that their beginnings were going to hold some pain, but my poor heart wasn’t ready. Garrett’s back story in particular had me between tears and red hot rage.

If you haven’t read Sex Wizards series then this is a nice intro if you are curious. If you have read them, know that you won’t find the same level of steam but in no way is it lacking!

I would gladly read the origin story for all the the wizards of the crux!

[Kristian Too · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've always loved Garrett, but I wasn't a huge fan of Bridgette... until now. Getting her backstory and seeing where she came from made a lot of interactions with her in the series make so much more sense. I absolutely LOVE them together and this book made me cry on more than one occasion. Sweet Garrett has been through hell and deserves all the happiness! Please pick this up, I promise you will not regret it.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing one from Alethea! Oh my goodness I loved this so much!! Garrett is one of my favorite characters from the Sex Wizards series and I loved getting more of him! I loved getting to know more about Bri too. Ugh I just wanted to hug them both throughout this whole story! I giggled so much when he first encountered Bri and I kept giggling through all their interactions. Their relationship is as adorable as it is ✨magical✨

[Crazy4bookscruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I found out Alethea was going to be writing Garrett and Brigettes story!
There stories are raw and painful but together it filled with so much hope that gives you all the joy knowing they got the life they wanted.
Their journey to meeting and discoveries were very magical and adorable. I loved this novella and would recommend so many to read it!