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Midsummer's Magic
“Bloody hell! Someone save me from piskies and meddling best friends."
Beth is always running from love, life, and relationships. She doesn't want to be tied down and she always follows the motto “Find ‘em, fuck ‘em, and forget ‘em.” So when Beth finds herself running away again from another man, she chooses the darkest part of Cornwall to start a new life.
But then she meets her neighbor.
Liam is young, handsome, and a bona fide bachelor. He used to take great pleasure in the sun, beautiful waves, and sex life he seemed to easily find living in Cornwall... until tragedy struck and he lost everyone he cared about. Now he devotes his days in keeping his family's farm, and shuts himself away from society and his old life.
If not for some confusing property lines, a car blocking the way, and a tractor in need of a clear path, Beth and Liam would not have met.
But will serendipity, a couple of pixies, and an age-old prophecy be enough to get these two lost souls together? Or will they need more than just a pinch of Cornish magic?
Beth is always running from love, life, and relationships. She doesn't want to be tied down and she always follows the motto “Find ‘em, fuck ‘em, and forget ‘em.” So when Beth finds herself running away again from another man, she chooses the darkest part of Cornwall to start a new life.
But then she meets her neighbor.
Liam is young, handsome, and a bona fide bachelor. He used to take great pleasure in the sun, beautiful waves, and sex life he seemed to easily find living in Cornwall... until tragedy struck and he lost everyone he cared about. Now he devotes his days in keeping his family's farm, and shuts himself away from society and his old life.
If not for some confusing property lines, a car blocking the way, and a tractor in need of a clear path, Beth and Liam would not have met.
But will serendipity, a couple of pixies, and an age-old prophecy be enough to get these two lost souls together? Or will they need more than just a pinch of Cornish magic?
- GenresRomance
167 pages, ebook
First published March 9, 2013
3 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Emmie Lou Kates
4 books28 followersSelf confessed hopeless romantic, still looking for my happy ever after. Until then I write about them instead.
To bloggers and reviewers.
A review would be greatly appreciated, so get in touch and I will let you have a free copy of the full length book.
To bloggers and reviewers.
A review would be greatly appreciated, so get in touch and I will let you have a free copy of the full length book.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 7, 2014
Life for Rent
By: Emmie Lou Kates
Five out of Five stars!
Beth is a runner…and no not a runner in the sense that, lets all go run five miles and enjoy all of those happy endorphins runner; that would be too easy. Beth is running from any type of true emotional attachment from a man. No man can get behind her walls because she will always run before they run from her. Liam once was a carefree soul who was always looking for his next adventure. One tragic night ended his wanderlust for good and brought him back to Cornwall to run his family farm and for years he never even attempted to have anything else in his life. When Beth and Liam meet it isn’t love at first sight more like let me run you over with my tractor at first sight! This book was so funny and serious at the same time. There is an old world fairy magic aspect to it, which just adds something cute and funny to the novel. Once Beth and Liam get together however it is a whirlwind of true love that fights for itself. Beth needs to come to terms with why she runs and realize that Liam isn’t her own father. Liam on the other hand learned pretty quickly that Beth was the one who brought light back into his life and decided to make her see the truth of their love. A little fairy magic that always comes in three leaves a little surprise at the end but it is quite a pleasant surprise. The book had a few typos but nothing that distracted from the story in any way and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books that this author has for us that splinter off from this book! It was a wonderful story of true love that can last a lifetime.
By: Emmie Lou Kates
Five out of Five stars!
Beth is a runner…and no not a runner in the sense that, lets all go run five miles and enjoy all of those happy endorphins runner; that would be too easy. Beth is running from any type of true emotional attachment from a man. No man can get behind her walls because she will always run before they run from her. Liam once was a carefree soul who was always looking for his next adventure. One tragic night ended his wanderlust for good and brought him back to Cornwall to run his family farm and for years he never even attempted to have anything else in his life. When Beth and Liam meet it isn’t love at first sight more like let me run you over with my tractor at first sight! This book was so funny and serious at the same time. There is an old world fairy magic aspect to it, which just adds something cute and funny to the novel. Once Beth and Liam get together however it is a whirlwind of true love that fights for itself. Beth needs to come to terms with why she runs and realize that Liam isn’t her own father. Liam on the other hand learned pretty quickly that Beth was the one who brought light back into his life and decided to make her see the truth of their love. A little fairy magic that always comes in three leaves a little surprise at the end but it is quite a pleasant surprise. The book had a few typos but nothing that distracted from the story in any way and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books that this author has for us that splinter off from this book! It was a wonderful story of true love that can last a lifetime.
June 2, 2022
Interesting enough listen.
Pretty much about fated mates bought together by pixies.
It’s short and a little steamy, odd storyline.
3 star listen
Looks to be a prequel to a series - sisters of the stones or something.
Pretty much about fated mates bought together by pixies.
It’s short and a little steamy, odd storyline.
3 star listen
Looks to be a prequel to a series - sisters of the stones or something.
January 29, 2014
I'm giving this book 3.5 stars.
First I would like to say this was the first book I have read by this author.
The book starts with Beth Hathaway unpacking her belongings after running away, again. We find she has moved to a small village on the coast of Cornwall.
Within the first few pages she meets the adorable Liam Trevose. Where both characters clash and there life begins from there.
This book is based on the magic of Cornwall. Legend has it that the prophecy of the stones picks couples as a love match. And what better couple to pick than two broken souls.
Beth Hathaway and Liam Trevose are both broken souls. Both struggling with their own pain. And both accepting to never love again. Until one day when two mischievous Piskies remedy their potion and the magic begins.
Kerensa and Jory, 'the Piskies' have to make sure they are at the stones on midsummer's eve for the magic potion to take full effect. Or both their hearts will be lost forever. These two Piskies were what drawn me to this book. There banter was exhilarating. Jory's meddling and his ability to mix his potions wrong, where refreshing to read.
Not only do Beth and Liam have the help from the Piskies, but many of the villages believe in the prophecy, and have also witnessed the magic. So as much to Beth's dismay, you can see there is much meddling in this book to make the magic happen.
The reason I have given this 3.5 stars is because I found it hard to get into this book. Please don't get me wrong by 3/4 of the book I was entranced in the magic. I have to admit I found it hard to get into Beth's character. However I adored Liam straight away. Oh and the two little Piskies, loved them, they are so great, and funny. And I would love to read a book from their point of view.
This book is a HEA, even though there is more coming from this author. Which I intend to read as I would love to see what happens in The Daughters of the Stones trilogy.
~Reviewed by Sarah Hynes, Guest Reviewer for For the Love of Books
First I would like to say this was the first book I have read by this author.
The book starts with Beth Hathaway unpacking her belongings after running away, again. We find she has moved to a small village on the coast of Cornwall.
Within the first few pages she meets the adorable Liam Trevose. Where both characters clash and there life begins from there.
This book is based on the magic of Cornwall. Legend has it that the prophecy of the stones picks couples as a love match. And what better couple to pick than two broken souls.
Beth Hathaway and Liam Trevose are both broken souls. Both struggling with their own pain. And both accepting to never love again. Until one day when two mischievous Piskies remedy their potion and the magic begins.
Kerensa and Jory, 'the Piskies' have to make sure they are at the stones on midsummer's eve for the magic potion to take full effect. Or both their hearts will be lost forever. These two Piskies were what drawn me to this book. There banter was exhilarating. Jory's meddling and his ability to mix his potions wrong, where refreshing to read.
Not only do Beth and Liam have the help from the Piskies, but many of the villages believe in the prophecy, and have also witnessed the magic. So as much to Beth's dismay, you can see there is much meddling in this book to make the magic happen.
The reason I have given this 3.5 stars is because I found it hard to get into this book. Please don't get me wrong by 3/4 of the book I was entranced in the magic. I have to admit I found it hard to get into Beth's character. However I adored Liam straight away. Oh and the two little Piskies, loved them, they are so great, and funny. And I would love to read a book from their point of view.
This book is a HEA, even though there is more coming from this author. Which I intend to read as I would love to see what happens in The Daughters of the Stones trilogy.
~Reviewed by Sarah Hynes, Guest Reviewer for For the Love of Books
October 4, 2013
Have you ever felt that your life isn't going anywhere and that time after time , you keep on making the same silly mistakes and history starts to repeat itself or think what if ? and believe that deep down if you had made a different decision - then life could be different. In Life for Rent, our story takes place in the sleepy country town of Cornish in the UK and I guess with most English books you can imagine that the story is a bit more slow paced, unlike the New Adult novels that we read set in America. The novel starts with Beth finding her new cottage and enjoying the atmosphere surrounding her when she is confronted by her annoying new neighbour as we discover Liam. The two definitely do not hit it off and we start to discover slowly that the pair are damaged in their own ways as Liam lost his family in an accident and now blames himself and ponders on that awful What If Question and Beth is escaping from another horrible relationship and dreams of the day where she can finally if it ever exists find true love. With a hint of the UK Magic can these two find that despite their differences and their attitudes towards each other that they actually have a bit more in common than they expected and that sometimes it just takes a similar interest to spark a romantic fling and deep within that romantic fling may be the ingredients for a true romantic relationship.
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April 21, 2020Fantastic Story & Narration🎧 Fascinating & Delightful!
Midsummer’s Magic
By: Emmie Lou Kates
Narrated by: Katrina Medina
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. T This is my first Emmie Lou Kates and it will not be my last, she is a gifted author with a creative and imaginative mind. I loved how she incorporated Cornish folklore, the pixies, Jory & Kerensa and their magic it is a wonderful and fascinating back story that stands out. The characters are complex and well developed, I adored both leads they are realistic and easy to relate to. Each were dealing with their own issues and inner demons. Both sworn off long term relationships. Beth is new comer to Cornwall, she is just moving in when she hears an angry man on a tractor beeping his horn behind her car, he is yelling that her car is blocking his path and that he has right of way. She tells him off and goes back into her cottage, thinking she got the last word She tells him off and goes back into her cottage, thinking she got the last word in. But when she goes out she notices her car is not where she parked it. Not a great first meeting for those two. LOL! I loved how everything plays out in this book, the role the two pixies played in Beth and Liam’s romance and their mishaps, because those two pixies were a riot. There is some great small town camaraderie in this book and the talk of the folklore and prophecies. There is never a dull moment in this book, it is wonderfully plotted with plenty of drama, angst, humor, some heartfelt moments and a slow burn romance. Emma Lou Kates, thank you for this wonderful story, I am looking forward what comes next in this fantastic world you created.
I listened to the Audible edition, Katrina Medina is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life, give each their own voice and personality. She did a great job portraying the characters, humanizing them, capturing their emotions and projecting them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
Midsummer’s Magic
By: Emmie Lou Kates
Narrated by: Katrina Medina
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is well written with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. T This is my first Emmie Lou Kates and it will not be my last, she is a gifted author with a creative and imaginative mind. I loved how she incorporated Cornish folklore, the pixies, Jory & Kerensa and their magic it is a wonderful and fascinating back story that stands out. The characters are complex and well developed, I adored both leads they are realistic and easy to relate to. Each were dealing with their own issues and inner demons. Both sworn off long term relationships. Beth is new comer to Cornwall, she is just moving in when she hears an angry man on a tractor beeping his horn behind her car, he is yelling that her car is blocking his path and that he has right of way. She tells him off and goes back into her cottage, thinking she got the last word She tells him off and goes back into her cottage, thinking she got the last word in. But when she goes out she notices her car is not where she parked it. Not a great first meeting for those two. LOL! I loved how everything plays out in this book, the role the two pixies played in Beth and Liam’s romance and their mishaps, because those two pixies were a riot. There is some great small town camaraderie in this book and the talk of the folklore and prophecies. There is never a dull moment in this book, it is wonderfully plotted with plenty of drama, angst, humor, some heartfelt moments and a slow burn romance. Emma Lou Kates, thank you for this wonderful story, I am looking forward what comes next in this fantastic world you created.
I listened to the Audible edition, Katrina Medina is a terrific narrator and voice artist. She brings the characters to life, give each their own voice and personality. She did a great job portraying the characters, humanizing them, capturing their emotions and projecting them into her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for the great listen🎧
November 16, 2020
I received this book via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.
I first read Emmie Lou Kates when this was on wattpad and was surprised to see it offered up as an audible book, so thought I would check it out. Beth Hathaway and Liam Trevose are both broken souls. Beth has just moved to a sleepy village in Cornwall and has a run-in with her sexy neighbour, Liam, who is snarling at her for blocking his drive-way, as meet cute goes, they weren't off to a great start. Soon there's all kinds of supernatural meddling as the Piskies and Cornish Mythic stones declare the pair soul mates... with everyone from besties, to the folk down the pub, to the their very dreams, the universe conspiring is drawing the pair together. Katrina Medina is a terrific narrator and voice artist, if she weren't I doubt I could have gotten through much of the story until it finally hit it's stride as the slow pace was difficult to get into at first.
A quiet pleasant read.
I first read Emmie Lou Kates when this was on wattpad and was surprised to see it offered up as an audible book, so thought I would check it out. Beth Hathaway and Liam Trevose are both broken souls. Beth has just moved to a sleepy village in Cornwall and has a run-in with her sexy neighbour, Liam, who is snarling at her for blocking his drive-way, as meet cute goes, they weren't off to a great start. Soon there's all kinds of supernatural meddling as the Piskies and Cornish Mythic stones declare the pair soul mates... with everyone from besties, to the folk down the pub, to the their very dreams, the universe conspiring is drawing the pair together. Katrina Medina is a terrific narrator and voice artist, if she weren't I doubt I could have gotten through much of the story until it finally hit it's stride as the slow pace was difficult to get into at first.
A quiet pleasant read.
August 13, 2020
This is a great book. It has everything you will need to escape the madness of the world. It has love and sadness and pixies!!! I can’t wait for the next book to see where this is going. Excellent narration, I was sobbing. Katrina gave her all in this performance.
June 6, 2022
I enjoyed this fantasy novel. The storyline was cute. I like the flow of the books, the characters and the message of love conquers all. My criticism is the inconsistency of the narrator's English accents. The accents were distinctly authentic at the beginning of the book, but does not last.
June 24, 2022
The magic destroyed it for me, and I know it's inspired by Shakespeare! But this book didn't do him justice.
October 4, 2013
I receive an ARC copy of this book for an exchange of an honest review.
first i just wanted to say that this is the first book that i read from this author, and i felt in love with it, i couldn’t put the book down and i couldn’t stop giggling , i really had fun reading this book and i really enjoy it this book just made me want to read more couldn’t get enough.
I love the characters of this story and love it how each character have their own unique way.
I love the main characters Beth and Liam i love how they had the chemistry from the starts, and love it how they get alone with each other, and how they both trust one another.
i love how Beth and Liam met each other for the first time, i have to say i really was laughing while reading this part, Beth had just finish moving in to the cottage that she is renting, and she is unpacking her boxes when she hear a tractor pulling up behind her car, that’s when she get to see Liam, now Liam is not really happy and he ends up telling Beth to move her car and not to block the rode, he said it with such an attitude and that just got Beth angry, Beth turned around and gave Liam a peace of her mind and let him with his mouth hanging open, i just love it when they both go at it and argue back and forth, but that’s how it is i love how they end up falling in love with each other.
I love the character of Beth, she is always running away from love, and form life and relationship. She had a bad experience when she was just fourteen years old, and that made her be the way she is now, even though she's being through so much she always with a smile on her face and love hear attitude.
Love the character of Liam now what cant i say about him. Liam was always young and free and always being single. Liam also being through so much after a horrible tragic he change a lot that the only thing that he is caring for is trying to keep the family farm going. Love his attitude the one that he always walking straight up and not give a crap of what other thinks of Liam is such a sweetheart.
I want to thank author Emmie Lou Kates for introducing me to this amazing characters and this awesome book, can’t wait to read more of your books and i hope that you get to enjoy and love this story as much as i did.
first i just wanted to say that this is the first book that i read from this author, and i felt in love with it, i couldn’t put the book down and i couldn’t stop giggling , i really had fun reading this book and i really enjoy it this book just made me want to read more couldn’t get enough.
I love the characters of this story and love it how each character have their own unique way.
I love the main characters Beth and Liam i love how they had the chemistry from the starts, and love it how they get alone with each other, and how they both trust one another.
i love how Beth and Liam met each other for the first time, i have to say i really was laughing while reading this part, Beth had just finish moving in to the cottage that she is renting, and she is unpacking her boxes when she hear a tractor pulling up behind her car, that’s when she get to see Liam, now Liam is not really happy and he ends up telling Beth to move her car and not to block the rode, he said it with such an attitude and that just got Beth angry, Beth turned around and gave Liam a peace of her mind and let him with his mouth hanging open, i just love it when they both go at it and argue back and forth, but that’s how it is i love how they end up falling in love with each other.
I love the character of Beth, she is always running away from love, and form life and relationship. She had a bad experience when she was just fourteen years old, and that made her be the way she is now, even though she's being through so much she always with a smile on her face and love hear attitude.
Love the character of Liam now what cant i say about him. Liam was always young and free and always being single. Liam also being through so much after a horrible tragic he change a lot that the only thing that he is caring for is trying to keep the family farm going. Love his attitude the one that he always walking straight up and not give a crap of what other thinks of Liam is such a sweetheart.
I want to thank author Emmie Lou Kates for introducing me to this amazing characters and this awesome book, can’t wait to read more of your books and i hope that you get to enjoy and love this story as much as i did.
October 2, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for my stop on the blog tour at Donnie Darko Girl.
Life for Rent is a quick read with a lot of romance packed into its pages. Beth and Liam are two characters who have a lot of hurt and pain in their respective pasts. You find out about Liam's right away while Beth's past isn't revealed until much later. Liam runs his family farm and is a hard worker, rarely taking time to have fun with friends. Beth is a freelance artist who can't seem to stay put in one place for long. She's a free spirit who's afraid of settling down.
While I enjoyed the basic story overall, there were a few things I didn't like. Beth and Liam acted and spoke more like teenagers than adults. I found myself liking Beth except when she was around or thinking about Liam. Beth seemed to prefer casual sex rather than an actual relationship, which I thought was something new and interesting in regards to a female character.
There are so many male characters who are all about casual sex while the female characters pine for them, making me feel a bit ill. It's about time there's a female character like Beth. I'm all about equality between women and men. ;)
I felt Life for Rent was rather lacking in plot. I know the story is about Beth and Liam needing love and possibly finding it in each other, but I don't need to know every minute of their mundane routines. There were many sections which had them doing tasks that were a little boring to read about for me.
What makes this story different from other romances I've read is magic. Literal magic. Those parts of the story were fun and a bit silly to read. If you're a hopeless romantic looking for a quick read, give this one a try.
Life for Rent is a quick read with a lot of romance packed into its pages. Beth and Liam are two characters who have a lot of hurt and pain in their respective pasts. You find out about Liam's right away while Beth's past isn't revealed until much later. Liam runs his family farm and is a hard worker, rarely taking time to have fun with friends. Beth is a freelance artist who can't seem to stay put in one place for long. She's a free spirit who's afraid of settling down.
While I enjoyed the basic story overall, there were a few things I didn't like. Beth and Liam acted and spoke more like teenagers than adults. I found myself liking Beth except when she was around or thinking about Liam. Beth seemed to prefer casual sex rather than an actual relationship, which I thought was something new and interesting in regards to a female character.
There are so many male characters who are all about casual sex while the female characters pine for them, making me feel a bit ill. It's about time there's a female character like Beth. I'm all about equality between women and men. ;)
I felt Life for Rent was rather lacking in plot. I know the story is about Beth and Liam needing love and possibly finding it in each other, but I don't need to know every minute of their mundane routines. There were many sections which had them doing tasks that were a little boring to read about for me.
What makes this story different from other romances I've read is magic. Literal magic. Those parts of the story were fun and a bit silly to read. If you're a hopeless romantic looking for a quick read, give this one a try.
October 8, 2013
Life for Rent is a story about two damaged people coming to terms with their past and learning to change themselves so that love and a little magic can find its way into their lives.
The story begins with Beth unpacking her things at her new cottage rental in the sleepy town of Cornwall. Beth is an interesting character. She has trouble staying in one place and has a love `em and leave `em mentally about men and life. I had some trouble connecting with her character but towards the end of the story I began to understand and like her a lot more.
Liam, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He has let a horrible experience change him into an "all work and no play" type person and allows guilt to rule his life. I really liked him and could understand his motivations and character a little better than Beth's. I really liked that the two of them were in opposite places because of past tragedies and that the piskies in Cornwall were determined to help them.
Overall, I liked the story although I did feel like it was missing something. Maybe a little more mystery or intrigue to give it a little oomph. It is a quick easy read with some magic thrown in to keep things interesting and at the end it leaves you feeling good and wondering about the magic residing in Cornwall.
The story begins with Beth unpacking her things at her new cottage rental in the sleepy town of Cornwall. Beth is an interesting character. She has trouble staying in one place and has a love `em and leave `em mentally about men and life. I had some trouble connecting with her character but towards the end of the story I began to understand and like her a lot more.
Liam, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He has let a horrible experience change him into an "all work and no play" type person and allows guilt to rule his life. I really liked him and could understand his motivations and character a little better than Beth's. I really liked that the two of them were in opposite places because of past tragedies and that the piskies in Cornwall were determined to help them.
Overall, I liked the story although I did feel like it was missing something. Maybe a little more mystery or intrigue to give it a little oomph. It is a quick easy read with some magic thrown in to keep things interesting and at the end it leaves you feeling good and wondering about the magic residing in Cornwall.
October 3, 2013
Review coming soon!
March 27, 2014
This was a fun little read! I liked the main characters and I enjoyed the story. A touch of magic and romance.
November 5, 2013
Just a quick flip over the pages
July 31, 2015
Read it when it was still up as life for rent on wattpad it was a great book and i cannot wait to read the edited and published version
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews