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Two Idol Hearts
A routine investigation gone awry, a charming stranger, a life-changing kiss, hands that glow, and a sweeping romance for the… wait—what? Glow!?
Cleo is a hard-working, art loving, very non-magical police officer who hasn't been on a date in four years. While investigating a vandalism complaint at the train station, she meets Rask, a charming man who, unbeknownst to her, is both the leader of a magical preservation society and on the run from rival relic hunters.
When a railway foot-chase leads Cleo to a chance encounter with an ancient idol and an unexpected kiss from Rask, she is left with glowing hands she didn't ask for, nor wanted. As more magic bursts loose, romantic heat swells, quirky friends meddle, and rival thugs present a looming threat, Cleo's hopes of getting rid of the power and returning to her normal life hinge on not being Rask's soulmate.
But... should she hope for that?
From the
On December 10th, 2023, I created a fun Valentine's Day themed writing challenge and posted a call for story prompts on my social media. I asked folks to submit a setting, a character, an item/object, an animal, and a secondary genre to mash-up with romance. The winner, Johannah Simon got to name the main characters, and I wrote this tale using her prompt picks listed below.
train station. archeologist. flask. butterfly. Secondary urban fantasy.
Cleo is a hard-working, art loving, very non-magical police officer who hasn't been on a date in four years. While investigating a vandalism complaint at the train station, she meets Rask, a charming man who, unbeknownst to her, is both the leader of a magical preservation society and on the run from rival relic hunters.
When a railway foot-chase leads Cleo to a chance encounter with an ancient idol and an unexpected kiss from Rask, she is left with glowing hands she didn't ask for, nor wanted. As more magic bursts loose, romantic heat swells, quirky friends meddle, and rival thugs present a looming threat, Cleo's hopes of getting rid of the power and returning to her normal life hinge on not being Rask's soulmate.
But... should she hope for that?
From the
On December 10th, 2023, I created a fun Valentine's Day themed writing challenge and posted a call for story prompts on my social media. I asked folks to submit a setting, a character, an item/object, an animal, and a secondary genre to mash-up with romance. The winner, Johannah Simon got to name the main characters, and I wrote this tale using her prompt picks listed below.
train station. archeologist. flask. butterfly. Secondary urban fantasy.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 3, 2024
[[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review]]
This being the result of a writing exercise explains a lot.
Novellas are tricky to write, which is something I feel the need to preface my review with. The writing of a novella, especially one with a fusion genre like this, has to be really tight in order for it to work effectively. Conflict and stakes have to be established quickly, world-building needs to be set with a delicate hand, the reader has to begin rooting for the protagonist almost immediately, etcetera, etcetera, I could ramble all day about what makes a novella go smoothly.
This novella just doesn't handle many of those things well. I can see the potential in some of the concepts, but potential doesn't mean that it holds up. This reads a lot like a passion project that the author really liked, and then threw every idea they could think of into it without thinking much about getting those ideas to flow together effectively. As stated in the prologue of the novella, this is the result of a writing challenge where the author was given a bunch of random ideas and had to find some way to bring them all together. They sure were brought together (just not smoothly, in my opinion).
What worked for me:
- The concept. I love the idea of the quirky magical meet-cute that's described in the blurb of the book. He's a magical archaeologist???? Hot. Sign me up.
- Rask (MMC) going back stealthily repair the mosaic that Cleo (FMC) really enjoys is a sweet touch, and the only real romantic thing that happens.
- I like the idea of the Mageeks as a group (even if I think the name is objectively goofy). People who go around searching for magical relics and protecting them from people who would use them to evil ends? Very cool! Runs into some interesting questions of ethics when it comes to relics belonging to other cultures, which could have been interesting to explore.
- Mageek clubhouse sounds like a cool place. 10/10 would hang out there.
What didn't work:
- The world-building was handled in a way that feels very lop-sided. For example, we get to see Rask info-dump several paragraphs about Mageek powers and how each Mageek has a colorful magic aura and develops between 2 and 5 specific powers (though 5 is rare, as is told to us several times). However, no one bothers to properly look at the function of the magical artifact that literally causes the prompt until the very end of the book. We also never learn much about magical relics in general (where they come from, what they're for, who they should technically belong to, what role the Mageeks definitively play in their keeping and preservation). We also never really get a good feel for how Mageeks function in the world of the novel and why they hide themselves from the regular humans.
- There are some pacing issues here that make the plot feel like a series of coincidental events that just happen. The inciting incident needed to happen MUCH faster, there needed to be fewer shenanigans at the police station, Paula did not really need to exist, the pizza ordering scene didn't need to be there, the "training" scene was rendered pointless by an event that happened immediately afterward... you get it. I could go on. This story needed fewer incidents and more actual plot and conflict, and more time for Cleo and Rask to get to know each other.
- The inciting incident hinges on the "he forced me to kiss him but I forgive him because he's hot" shtick, which is not a fave. This probably could have been written more effectively or some sort of consent could have been established.
- The 8 million side characters. In a story that's only 95 pages long, there was no reason for both Cleo (FMC) and Rask (MMC) to both have so many friends. None at all. Paula (Cleo's bestie) really could have just driven her home and then dipped. Literally none of Rask's friends mattered--they were only there to be quirky and eat pizza. The number of friends should have been dialed back and then real work should have gone into developing Cleo and Rask. Cleo needed a personality beyond "female cop" and Rask needed a personality beyond "physically attractive man".
- Speaking of Cleo and Rask, these two barely get a chance to interact with each other over the course of this story even though it's supposed to be about them falling in love? I'm also supposed to believe that they're SOULMATES by the end of this story? They've barely talked to each other. If the plot had been centered around these two unlikely allies coming together to actually solve a conflict, I might have bought it. As it is, the story simply has these two meet twice, then , and then there's a battle and we find out they have been dubbed soulmates? I'm confused. When did they fall in love?
- The antagonists never felt like a real threat. They had no real motive (other than "get relic from Rask's gang". Why?? No why. Just get) and never even got proper names. They didn't feel like a legitimate source of danger and lent no tension to the plot whatsoever. They literally disappeared for the middle portion of the story.
- The relic is purely a device of plot convenience. At risk of delving further into spoiler territory, I'll leave it at that.
TL;DR: I'm sorry but this story did not make me believe in soulmates. This is not for the world-building girlies.
This being the result of a writing exercise explains a lot.
Novellas are tricky to write, which is something I feel the need to preface my review with. The writing of a novella, especially one with a fusion genre like this, has to be really tight in order for it to work effectively. Conflict and stakes have to be established quickly, world-building needs to be set with a delicate hand, the reader has to begin rooting for the protagonist almost immediately, etcetera, etcetera, I could ramble all day about what makes a novella go smoothly.
This novella just doesn't handle many of those things well. I can see the potential in some of the concepts, but potential doesn't mean that it holds up. This reads a lot like a passion project that the author really liked, and then threw every idea they could think of into it without thinking much about getting those ideas to flow together effectively. As stated in the prologue of the novella, this is the result of a writing challenge where the author was given a bunch of random ideas and had to find some way to bring them all together. They sure were brought together (just not smoothly, in my opinion).
What worked for me:
- The concept. I love the idea of the quirky magical meet-cute that's described in the blurb of the book. He's a magical archaeologist???? Hot. Sign me up.
- Rask (MMC) going back stealthily repair the mosaic that Cleo (FMC) really enjoys is a sweet touch, and the only real romantic thing that happens.
- I like the idea of the Mageeks as a group (even if I think the name is objectively goofy). People who go around searching for magical relics and protecting them from people who would use them to evil ends? Very cool! Runs into some interesting questions of ethics when it comes to relics belonging to other cultures, which could have been interesting to explore.
- Mageek clubhouse sounds like a cool place. 10/10 would hang out there.
What didn't work:
- The world-building was handled in a way that feels very lop-sided. For example, we get to see Rask info-dump several paragraphs about Mageek powers and how each Mageek has a colorful magic aura and develops between 2 and 5 specific powers (though 5 is rare, as is told to us several times). However, no one bothers to properly look at the function of the magical artifact that literally causes the prompt until the very end of the book. We also never learn much about magical relics in general (where they come from, what they're for, who they should technically belong to, what role the Mageeks definitively play in their keeping and preservation). We also never really get a good feel for how Mageeks function in the world of the novel and why they hide themselves from the regular humans.
- There are some pacing issues here that make the plot feel like a series of coincidental events that just happen. The inciting incident needed to happen MUCH faster, there needed to be fewer shenanigans at the police station, Paula did not really need to exist, the pizza ordering scene didn't need to be there, the "training" scene was rendered pointless by an event that happened immediately afterward... you get it. I could go on. This story needed fewer incidents and more actual plot and conflict, and more time for Cleo and Rask to get to know each other.
- The inciting incident hinges on the "he forced me to kiss him but I forgive him because he's hot" shtick, which is not a fave. This probably could have been written more effectively or some sort of consent could have been established.
- The 8 million side characters. In a story that's only 95 pages long, there was no reason for both Cleo (FMC) and Rask (MMC) to both have so many friends. None at all. Paula (Cleo's bestie) really could have just driven her home and then dipped. Literally none of Rask's friends mattered--they were only there to be quirky and eat pizza. The number of friends should have been dialed back and then real work should have gone into developing Cleo and Rask. Cleo needed a personality beyond "female cop" and Rask needed a personality beyond "physically attractive man".
- Speaking of Cleo and Rask, these two barely get a chance to interact with each other over the course of this story even though it's supposed to be about them falling in love? I'm also supposed to believe that they're SOULMATES by the end of this story? They've barely talked to each other. If the plot had been centered around these two unlikely allies coming together to actually solve a conflict, I might have bought it. As it is, the story simply has these two meet twice, then , and then there's a battle and we find out they have been dubbed soulmates? I'm confused. When did they fall in love?
- The antagonists never felt like a real threat. They had no real motive (other than "get relic from Rask's gang". Why?? No why. Just get) and never even got proper names. They didn't feel like a legitimate source of danger and lent no tension to the plot whatsoever. They literally disappeared for the middle portion of the story.
- The relic is purely a device of plot convenience. At risk of delving further into spoiler territory, I'll leave it at that.
TL;DR: I'm sorry but this story did not make me believe in soulmates. This is not for the world-building girlies.
April 24, 2024
Thank you BookSirens and R.A. Clarke for providing me with an early copy!
I was in the mood for a short book, and this one was great for that. I loved how the author actually based this story on a prompt by one of her readers, which was a great addition. Although it was short, we somehow did get a good grip on the characters, their dreams, and the world. Cleo is a cop, but when she meets Rask, her life changes completely when her hands suddenly begin to glow.
I enjoyed Cleo and Rask a lot, and their romance was cute. The one downside to short books is that it's hard to fully care about the characters, because you don't have a lot of time to fall in love with them. Still, I really enjoyed them. Rask was so cute, The side characters were interesting as well, and I especially snorted about Lot and her eating popcorn while watching Cleo and Rask. Not sure how I felt about Mel, she was kind of all over the place. Paula was also a great friend, I'm not sure what I'd do if one of my friends suddenly had glowing hands and magic lol.
The only thing I missed, was the steam lmao! The kisses were great, but I for some reason expected more steamy scenes lmao.
I noticed just one mistake in writing, so Clarke please do contact me if you'd like to know where!
It honestly was quite a cute read, and the ending was lovely. I do wish we'd see whether or not Cleo would develop other powers, and what Rask's fifth power would be. I just wish we'd learned a bit more about all the possible powers, since there seen to be a LOT of possibilities. It's understandable that there just wasn't room to explore that too much, but I wish that had a bit more depth.
February 27, 2024
I was already familiar with the author, however the previous work I've read from her was more comedy than fantasy… Well, I can say she does both quite well, as I did enjoy both.
For this one, I wouldn't have minded a longer story (I know what I was getting myself into, but still…), so I could have learned more about the Mageeks and all the characters in general. Alternatively, I could settle for a sequel.
All in all, a very nice novella if you enjoy the fantasy genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For this one, I wouldn't have minded a longer story (I know what I was getting myself into, but still…), so I could have learned more about the Mageeks and all the characters in general. Alternatively, I could settle for a sequel.
All in all, a very nice novella if you enjoy the fantasy genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2024
This was a really enjoyable fantasy romance story! A great idea, really nicely written, touches of romance through out & magic! A really good first book, interesting characters & ideas, looks like it will be a really great series! A pleasure to read!
February 1, 2024
This book is a short story, yet it's beautifully written. The plot is compelling and has tons of twists, adding an extra layer to this story.
Cleo is puzzled with her new talents after encountering Rask. She finds herself in a peculiar position, and whilst navigating through her new discovery, Rask guides her. They both share a special connection, and as their relationship grows, so does their affection for one another.
I had a great time reading this magical plot, and I recommend it to everybody into this genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cleo is puzzled with her new talents after encountering Rask. She finds herself in a peculiar position, and whilst navigating through her new discovery, Rask guides her. They both share a special connection, and as their relationship grows, so does their affection for one another.
I had a great time reading this magical plot, and I recommend it to everybody into this genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2024
This was a really cute short novel! It was quick and kept me interested. I loved the paranormal aspect with magical abilities. At first I was really unsure on how this story was going to go, but her and the MMC becoming soulmates was a cute touch. I think if this novel was longer and able to go more in depth with everything, maybe seeing our FMC train in her newfound magical abilities and watch their love blossom, I would’ve rated it 5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
This was a fun cute novella.
I really enjoyed the concept of a magical archeologist type group of people hunting down and protecting magical artefacts. I would 100% read more in that world. Give me Rask in some ancient tomb channeling his inner Indiana Jones to find the idol featured in this story, while throwing around some cool ass powers. I would read the hell out of that.
I think that’s where novellas are good. I’ve been given a tease of some interesting characters in an interesting world that makes me want to read more should more be written - job well done.
I really enjoyed the fight scenes in this story, especially the butterflies. Awesome.
I’m not the biggest fan of insta love, soulmates, fated mates, those kind of “they are destined to be together” tropes. I’m not a big romance girly so I do tend to prefer a slow burn, friends to lovers type thing but It’s fine, they work. So if you love that sort of trope you’ll enjoy the romance in this story. I can see Rask being a great book boyfriend in a longer story.
I really enjoyed the concept of a magical archeologist type group of people hunting down and protecting magical artefacts. I would 100% read more in that world. Give me Rask in some ancient tomb channeling his inner Indiana Jones to find the idol featured in this story, while throwing around some cool ass powers. I would read the hell out of that.
I think that’s where novellas are good. I’ve been given a tease of some interesting characters in an interesting world that makes me want to read more should more be written - job well done.
I really enjoyed the fight scenes in this story, especially the butterflies. Awesome.
I’m not the biggest fan of insta love, soulmates, fated mates, those kind of “they are destined to be together” tropes. I’m not a big romance girly so I do tend to prefer a slow burn, friends to lovers type thing but It’s fine, they work. So if you love that sort of trope you’ll enjoy the romance in this story. I can see Rask being a great book boyfriend in a longer story.
March 6, 2024
Two Idol Hearts is a novella following the prompts from a writing challenge. I enjoyed this novella and am rating it 3.5 stars (rounding up for Goodreads purposes). The overall concept of the Mageeks’ powers, magical relics, and an urban fantasy romance peaked my interest. While reading, it felt like too many concepts were being introduced and that not enough time was spent on other topics. There could have been more time spent on the villains, who were not present for the majority of the novella. Considering one of the writing prompts was about Rask (MMC) being an archaeologist, there could have been further discussion of magical relics and an explanation for how the Mageeks came about protecting them. It would have been fun to read about the main characters using more of the artifacts to show how powerful they can be. As I said though, I did enjoy this novella and would recommend it to someone looking for a quick and entertaining romantic fantasy read.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 6, 2024
This is a fabulous quick read. The forward in this short story clued me in that this story would include magical elements, but other than that, I had no idea where the story was going to take me.
I love how seamlessly the story mixed cop life and magic in the real world, with a sprinkle of romance in there as well.
This feels like a novella that could easily be used to establish a broader storyline beyond this story. It feels like the origin story of characters you would grow to love deeply in a multi book series. I feel that is the sign of a good novella, it makes you want to know more about the world that novella is written about.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: .5/5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love how seamlessly the story mixed cop life and magic in the real world, with a sprinkle of romance in there as well.
This feels like a novella that could easily be used to establish a broader storyline beyond this story. It feels like the origin story of characters you would grow to love deeply in a multi book series. I feel that is the sign of a good novella, it makes you want to know more about the world that novella is written about.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: .5/5
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2024
I received an ARC for this book. I have never read a novella before and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this. I am a huge fantasy and fiction reader so this seemed right up my alley. I was instantly intrigued by the story line and loved the characters off the rip. The story was unique and stood out from a lot of the fantasy i’ve read which was a nice change since they can all kind of sound like each other after a while. I understand it was a novella but I wish there was more to it which I think goes to show how much I enjoyed it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 21, 2024
Two Idol heart gets four stars from me. I was constantly wanting more from the novella, but not in a bad way. More in a, I cannot wait for more to this story kind of way. This novella was joyous, and sassy. Clarke was able to hook you in right away. There was no need for extra spicy scenes you are able to be hooked in by the personalities of the characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2024
This was a fun quick read. The main character was a bit too archetypal for me and I felt that some of the romance was a bit forced, but it still was fun and enjoyable. I would read more of the work, though I am not sure I would read any more of this series because it is not for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2024
I liked this book, and will definitely be around for future instalments as the author develops this world and its characters. To respond to someone else's comment, I didn't feel at all like this was a ripoff of any other book or show. Clarke puts her own spin on things and makes it all her own!
May 9, 2024
“Two Idol Hearts” is a delightful urban fantasy novella that weaves romance with magical intrigue. R.A. Clarke has crafted a story that is both enchanting and heartwarming, set against the backdrop of a world where magic and mundane coexist.
The protagonist, Cleo, is a relatable character whose life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Rask, a charming leader of a magical preservation society. The chemistry between Cleo and Rask is palpable, and their romance blossoms amidst a flurry of magical mishaps and thrilling adventures.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this novella is the unique blend of genres. Clarke has skillfully combined elements of romance with urban fantasy, creating a narrative that is fast-paced and engaging. The magical elements are intriguing, especially the concept of Mageeks’ powers and the significance of ancient relics.
The novella’s length is perfect for a quick read without sacrificing depth. Despite its brevity, the story provides a satisfying glimpse into the characters’ lives and the magical world they inhabit. The writing challenge that inspired this tale adds a layer of creativity to the narrative, making it a standout piece.
For those who appreciate a good romance with a twist of magic, “Two Idol Hearts” is a must-read. It’s a testament to Clarke’s storytelling prowess and her ability to captivate readers with a tale that is both imaginative and emotionally resonant.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
The protagonist, Cleo, is a relatable character whose life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Rask, a charming leader of a magical preservation society. The chemistry between Cleo and Rask is palpable, and their romance blossoms amidst a flurry of magical mishaps and thrilling adventures.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this novella is the unique blend of genres. Clarke has skillfully combined elements of romance with urban fantasy, creating a narrative that is fast-paced and engaging. The magical elements are intriguing, especially the concept of Mageeks’ powers and the significance of ancient relics.
The novella’s length is perfect for a quick read without sacrificing depth. Despite its brevity, the story provides a satisfying glimpse into the characters’ lives and the magical world they inhabit. The writing challenge that inspired this tale adds a layer of creativity to the narrative, making it a standout piece.
For those who appreciate a good romance with a twist of magic, “Two Idol Hearts” is a must-read. It’s a testament to Clarke’s storytelling prowess and her ability to captivate readers with a tale that is both imaginative and emotionally resonant.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
February 10, 2024
R.A Clarke never disappoints. This is the fourth story I have red from this author, but the first as a standalone novella and I am excited to see where this author will take us next!
Cloe is a very relatable character, a police officer who has been having things a bit rough in recent times. She thinks she is on a routine investigation when things go sideways, very very sideways! Oh I absolutely adore how clarke has moulded the relationship between Cloe and Rask. I am not one for a love story usually but I am behind these two all the way!
Essentialy Rask is the handsome stranger on the run. A mysterious figure with lips of magic, literally and figuratively!
Clarke weaves the narrative like a firework spirals into the sky after you have watched it be set, lit, and the slow burning fuse fizzes with that glorious anticipation. The narrative flies, glittering and strong, until the explosion, where everything comes to fruition with delightsurprise and a little bit of fright! (Please excuse the overly long and gratuitous analogy)
A quick read, very entertaining and enjoyable, defo an author to follow
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cloe is a very relatable character, a police officer who has been having things a bit rough in recent times. She thinks she is on a routine investigation when things go sideways, very very sideways! Oh I absolutely adore how clarke has moulded the relationship between Cloe and Rask. I am not one for a love story usually but I am behind these two all the way!
Essentialy Rask is the handsome stranger on the run. A mysterious figure with lips of magic, literally and figuratively!
Clarke weaves the narrative like a firework spirals into the sky after you have watched it be set, lit, and the slow burning fuse fizzes with that glorious anticipation. The narrative flies, glittering and strong, until the explosion, where everything comes to fruition with delightsurprise and a little bit of fright! (Please excuse the overly long and gratuitous analogy)
A quick read, very entertaining and enjoyable, defo an author to follow
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 1, 2024
It was a fun little novella, and it was easy to read. it (of course) didn’t have as many details as a novel but I also did not lack anything. It was also interesting the way the book was made, like I got a look in too the process because I knew what inspired the book.
I don’t think I will read it again. Still, I have thought a little bit about the book even though it’s around 4 days since I finished it.
It was a great and comfy read and that was all I wanted from it.
4 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don’t think I will read it again. Still, I have thought a little bit about the book even though it’s around 4 days since I finished it.
It was a great and comfy read and that was all I wanted from it.
4 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews