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Ashwood Curse #2
The Curse of Ashwood Manor
Cale and Gil were surprised when they managed to break the curse over Ashwood Manor. Eager to share their newfound love, they finally visit Cale's mother, only to find she is less than thrilled that her son was caught up in a curse involving the lord of Ashwood Manor.
Gil must prove his worth to Cale's mother before he can think about going home to his own father, and doing so leads to learning more about Cale's past.
But when attacks begin happening in Cale's village, it doesn't take them long to realize the curse of the beast is still over Gil. To keep the village and Gil safe, they must figure out how to break the curse or risk throwing away everything they worked for.
Gil must prove his worth to Cale's mother before he can think about going home to his own father, and doing so leads to learning more about Cale's past.
But when attacks begin happening in Cale's village, it doesn't take them long to realize the curse of the beast is still over Gil. To keep the village and Gil safe, they must figure out how to break the curse or risk throwing away everything they worked for.
- GenresMagic
Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Lee
7 books64 followersJordan's first love is high/epic fantasy. Throw in a love story and it's the perfect mix. Writing primarily MM Romantasy, Jordan loves tackling the emotions and hardships within characters, and delving into those deep parts of the mind that make us all who we are.
Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Jordan spends time with family, playing penny rummy, writing, reading, playing videogames, and walking on trails through nature.
Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Jordan spends time with family, playing penny rummy, writing, reading, playing videogames, and walking on trails through nature.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 26, 2023
Unfortunately, this didn't resonate with me quite the same as the first book. The first book's story is pretty much self contained and I feel that this sequel is just dragging out the plot unnecessarily. If you really liked Cal and Gil as individuals and a couple while reading the first book then you'll love this but, otherwise, I felt that there's not really a point besides really driving that final nail in to close the story (and curse) out.
This story takes place immediately after the first and Cal and Gil arrive in Cal's village and we meet his mother. She's pretty awful to Cal and in general but you do find throughout the book that she does care for Cal, even if she's not the best mother or role model. We also find more about Cal's past and what drove him out of the village to the next biggest city where the first book started.
We also find out that the curse wasn't actually broken with their love declaration like they all thought it should have been. Everyone were allowed to leave the veil and Gil's manor after 15 years but Gil still has the beast inside and the best is getting restless.
We get little action scenes or spicy scenes in between a lot of them just going about daily village life and I got bored. I ended up skipping large sections in the last quarter of the book and, by the time we meet Gil's aunt and the curse perpetrator, I was pretty ambivalent and the climax didn't quite have the impact the author most certainly intended. I don't think we ever meet the lord/Gil's dad and now that the curse is broken, it's still kind of open-ended what happens next. I think Lee said this was a duology so that's just it but maybe less time should have been spent faffing around in the village and they should have gone to Gil's city instead to close out that plot hole.
Overall, I would recommend the first book if you're interested in retellings but only move on to the second book if you're really invested in the two MC's lives.
This story takes place immediately after the first and Cal and Gil arrive in Cal's village and we meet his mother. She's pretty awful to Cal and in general but you do find throughout the book that she does care for Cal, even if she's not the best mother or role model. We also find more about Cal's past and what drove him out of the village to the next biggest city where the first book started.
We also find out that the curse wasn't actually broken with their love declaration like they all thought it should have been. Everyone were allowed to leave the veil and Gil's manor after 15 years but Gil still has the beast inside and the best is getting restless.
We get little action scenes or spicy scenes in between a lot of them just going about daily village life and I got bored. I ended up skipping large sections in the last quarter of the book and, by the time we meet Gil's aunt and the curse perpetrator, I was pretty ambivalent and the climax didn't quite have the impact the author most certainly intended. I don't think we ever meet the lord/Gil's dad and now that the curse is broken, it's still kind of open-ended what happens next. I think Lee said this was a duology so that's just it but maybe less time should have been spent faffing around in the village and they should have gone to Gil's city instead to close out that plot hole.
Overall, I would recommend the first book if you're interested in retellings but only move on to the second book if you're really invested in the two MC's lives.
April 21, 2024
❤️ 🐺🐾 ❤️
September 12, 2023
This is the second book in The Ashwood Curse series the first book ending in a HFN and this story starts where the first ended.
Gil and Cale go to see Cale's mother, Amelie, after breaking the curse. She was worried of what may have happened to him. Amelie is a mother who treats Cale like a child which is one of the main reasons he decided to go away. As the story continues Gil feels the beast grow restless and is afraid the curse hasn't been completely broken.
As the blood lust of the beast surfaces and grows stronger, it comes out at night causing problems in the village. In a turn of events, at some point Gil comes to Amelie for help to rescue Cale and possibly break the curse once and for all.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast has come to an end with a HEA, touch him and die vibes, and steamy scenes.
I would have liked to read more about Gil's father possibly earlier in the book. And the breaking of the curse was unexpected (I didn't think it would of been that simple) but overall, it was a good read and I'm happy to see Gil and Cale get their HEA finally living the way they feel is best for them.💖
Quotes:
💬 He had been willing to kill himself in Ashwood just to make sure I didn’t see him that way over allowing me to see it and see if I still loved him. But did he forget that he’d claimed me, as man and beast? And I had told him I loved him as both.
I received this book as an ARC, all of this is my honest opinion.
Gil and Cale go to see Cale's mother, Amelie, after breaking the curse. She was worried of what may have happened to him. Amelie is a mother who treats Cale like a child which is one of the main reasons he decided to go away. As the story continues Gil feels the beast grow restless and is afraid the curse hasn't been completely broken.
As the blood lust of the beast surfaces and grows stronger, it comes out at night causing problems in the village. In a turn of events, at some point Gil comes to Amelie for help to rescue Cale and possibly break the curse once and for all.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast has come to an end with a HEA, touch him and die vibes, and steamy scenes.
I would have liked to read more about Gil's father possibly earlier in the book. And the breaking of the curse was unexpected (I didn't think it would of been that simple) but overall, it was a good read and I'm happy to see Gil and Cale get their HEA finally living the way they feel is best for them.💖
Quotes:
💬 He had been willing to kill himself in Ashwood just to make sure I didn’t see him that way over allowing me to see it and see if I still loved him. But did he forget that he’d claimed me, as man and beast? And I had told him I loved him as both.
I received this book as an ARC, all of this is my honest opinion.
October 5, 2023
No me voy a quejar de que el libro es 60% escenas sexuales —que por cierto muy buenas.
Mi queja va al nerfeo del villano, o sea dos capítulos para explicar sus razones y decirme que es un ser muy poderoso para que simplemente me lo borres así 🤨 really!?
Mi queja va al nerfeo del villano, o sea dos capítulos para explicar sus razones y decirme que es un ser muy poderoso para que simplemente me lo borres así 🤨 really!?
September 12, 2023
3.5 stars. An interesting second part of a Beauty/Beast retelling, where this part is a continuation beyond the fairy tale. The childhood home and village of Cale was a totally different setting to the cursed estate of book one. The people were well written and Cale's mother eventually turned out much more pleasant than I expected. The solution to the curse was rather simple and felt more like an afterthought.I would have liked to have seen more interaction with Gil's father too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
March 29, 2024
A little disappointed
As much as adored the first book in this series,this one felt flat for me. I felt like it plodded along at a snail’s pace, and then boom, a hastily put together ending with a dissatisfying resolution. As much as I like Jordan’s writing, this one did not live up to expectations.
As much as adored the first book in this series,this one felt flat for me. I felt like it plodded along at a snail’s pace, and then boom, a hastily put together ending with a dissatisfying resolution. As much as I like Jordan’s writing, this one did not live up to expectations.
September 27, 2023
Just finished the second installment of The Ashwood Curse series and, let me tell you, it picks right up where the first one left off.
Our main guys, Gil and Cale, pay a visit to Cale's mom, Amelie. You know the type - still treats her grown-up son like a little kid. That's part of why Cale packed his bags in the first place.
As we dive deeper into the story, Gil starts feeling that their beastly problem might not be as resolved as they thought. Uh-oh! The beast is getting restless and causing some serious night-time chaos in their village.
In a surprising twist, Gil turns to Amelie for help - gotta save Cale and maybe even squash that curse once and for all!
This fresh take on Beauty and the Beast wraps up with a happy-ever-after ending full of "touch him and die" energy and some sizzling scenes.
I kinda wished we could've heard more about Gil's dad earlier on in the book. And let me tell you, how they broke that curse was totally unexpected! But hey, it all adds up to a great read. So stoked to see Gil and Cale finally living life on their terms!
Thank you to Jordan Lee for the ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Our main guys, Gil and Cale, pay a visit to Cale's mom, Amelie. You know the type - still treats her grown-up son like a little kid. That's part of why Cale packed his bags in the first place.
As we dive deeper into the story, Gil starts feeling that their beastly problem might not be as resolved as they thought. Uh-oh! The beast is getting restless and causing some serious night-time chaos in their village.
In a surprising twist, Gil turns to Amelie for help - gotta save Cale and maybe even squash that curse once and for all!
This fresh take on Beauty and the Beast wraps up with a happy-ever-after ending full of "touch him and die" energy and some sizzling scenes.
I kinda wished we could've heard more about Gil's dad earlier on in the book. And let me tell you, how they broke that curse was totally unexpected! But hey, it all adds up to a great read. So stoked to see Gil and Cale finally living life on their terms!
Thank you to Jordan Lee for the ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews