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Wonderfall #1
Seer
Paranormal creatures are dying. A psychic computer geek and a mysterious pet resort owner join forces to track down the supernatural murderer. Killer attraction has never felt so dangerous.
I’ve had visions since I was 13 years old. Minor stuff on the whole, usually nothing to get excited about. Which is for the best, since the police think I’m a crackpot, and the people I try to help call me a freak. Don’t get me started on my mother and the priest she brought home to do an exorcism. She’s not even Catholic.
Maybe things would be different if I weren’t also an introverted, wardrobe-challenged, heavyset computer nerd with sarcasm issues. If I were slim, pretty, and charismatic, I’d probably have my own psychic TV show and online fan club.
So you’ll understand why I’m suspicious when it suddenly starts raining hot men in my life. Hot men who just want to hold my hand. Yeah, no. I didn’t fall for stunts like that in high school, and I’m not falling for them now.
And my visions have changed. People—not completely human people—are dying. I can’t see enough details to save them, but I have to try. My quest leads me to Greg, the one hottie to rule them all. Who definitely does not want to hold my hand. I mean, thank goodness, right? I don’t need to be distracted from what matters—stopping the killer.
Yep, no time to think about how Greg might have a warm and caring heart under his uptight and insufferable façade. Absolutely no time to worry about how we accidentally got magic-married—and how I wouldn’t mind consummating our union.
Nope, my vision says the killer’s about to strike again, but Greg and I still don’t know who or what they are, and we don’t know how to fight them.
With a ticking clock and lives on the line—including ours—we better figure it out fast.
Seer is an MM paranormal romance with psychics, supernatural creatures of all kinds, fated mates, found family, Klingon weapons, D&D references, and humor. HEA guaranteed!
I’ve had visions since I was 13 years old. Minor stuff on the whole, usually nothing to get excited about. Which is for the best, since the police think I’m a crackpot, and the people I try to help call me a freak. Don’t get me started on my mother and the priest she brought home to do an exorcism. She’s not even Catholic.
Maybe things would be different if I weren’t also an introverted, wardrobe-challenged, heavyset computer nerd with sarcasm issues. If I were slim, pretty, and charismatic, I’d probably have my own psychic TV show and online fan club.
So you’ll understand why I’m suspicious when it suddenly starts raining hot men in my life. Hot men who just want to hold my hand. Yeah, no. I didn’t fall for stunts like that in high school, and I’m not falling for them now.
And my visions have changed. People—not completely human people—are dying. I can’t see enough details to save them, but I have to try. My quest leads me to Greg, the one hottie to rule them all. Who definitely does not want to hold my hand. I mean, thank goodness, right? I don’t need to be distracted from what matters—stopping the killer.
Yep, no time to think about how Greg might have a warm and caring heart under his uptight and insufferable façade. Absolutely no time to worry about how we accidentally got magic-married—and how I wouldn’t mind consummating our union.
Nope, my vision says the killer’s about to strike again, but Greg and I still don’t know who or what they are, and we don’t know how to fight them.
With a ticking clock and lives on the line—including ours—we better figure it out fast.
Seer is an MM paranormal romance with psychics, supernatural creatures of all kinds, fated mates, found family, Klingon weapons, D&D references, and humor. HEA guaranteed!
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
73 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Bix Barrow
17 books78 followersWhen Bix Barrow got an idea for her first book, it ended up turning into her second — and thus the first two stories in the Bent Oak, Texas series emerged. An aspiring author for most of her life, it took a foray into the MM romance genre to spark the steamy scenes and blazing banter Bix now weaves into her novels. Accompanying her on her writing exploits are her two dogs and multitude of cats (six at last count). An avid traveler, Bix has started to view her expeditions as interviews for her future home. Born and raised in Texas, she is eager to move somewhere with fewer politicians, hurricanes and flooding.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 15, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
A magical world full of Wonders, a psychic who’s trying to uncover a killer and the pet resort owner he accidentally magic-marries.
I really enjoyed the world-building and magical elements of Seer, the wonderful Ms Jackson, the fated mates and the bond between Greg and Cal. I wanted more of that, of them bonding, more romance, more spice. The sexual feedback loop between fated mates is sooo yummy, it’s too bad we only see it once.
A urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a lot of action and an intriguing plot, a sprinkle of love and a sweet found family.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Fat-shaming, name-calling & bullying
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- References to emotionally abusive parent
- Murder/violence
- Grumpy/grumpier
- Fated mates
- Accidentally magic-married/bonded
- Dry humping
- Strict top/bottom (one scene)
A magical world full of Wonders, a psychic who’s trying to uncover a killer and the pet resort owner he accidentally magic-marries.
I really enjoyed the world-building and magical elements of Seer, the wonderful Ms Jackson, the fated mates and the bond between Greg and Cal. I wanted more of that, of them bonding, more romance, more spice. The sexual feedback loop between fated mates is sooo yummy, it’s too bad we only see it once.
A urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a lot of action and an intriguing plot, a sprinkle of love and a sweet found family.
“I’m glad it turned out to be you,” he said. I cocked my head at him. “Um, what turned out to be me?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“The man of my dreams.”
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Fat-shaming, name-calling & bullying
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- References to emotionally abusive parent
- Murder/violence
- Grumpy/grumpier
- Fated mates
- Accidentally magic-married/bonded
- Dry humping
- Strict top/bottom (one scene)
August 17, 2024
I finished this book in one sitting, sacrificing a night of sleep for it. No regrets though. All I can say is - Dear author, damn you are good!
Of course, there were a couple things I was not too impressed with, but there were a lot more that worked for me and made this a great story.
I love the world-building in this one. Sure, it is similar to how fantasy worlds are generally built, but different enough to be special in its own way. The characters were awesome! Main characters absolutely need to work on their communication and the miscommunication trope is strong, but it is equal parts exasperating and funny at times. Other characters were a great balance to bring out the best and worst in both main characters. The plot was a bit disappointing, but mostly because I am a sucker for mm romance/mystery mix and the mystery puttered out and ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, which no one is a fan of. The main thing that made this book so great was the writing though. Strong, fluent and light enough to carry the story through without weighing it down. The format was a bit unusual with all the discord chats, but I got used to it and it flowed better afterwards. Overall, this is a great story with quirky characters, interesting plot and great writing. Also, totally called it that the next book will be MMM and with two of the characters briefly featured in this one, maybe with the trope "Idiots in love"? Because honestly..those two are so blind.. and very over-enthusiastic. Can't wait to see what they do in the next one. It is bound to be something extremely cringe-y :D
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
Of course, there were a couple things I was not too impressed with, but there were a lot more that worked for me and made this a great story.
I love the world-building in this one. Sure, it is similar to how fantasy worlds are generally built, but different enough to be special in its own way. The characters were awesome! Main characters absolutely need to work on their communication and the miscommunication trope is strong, but it is equal parts exasperating and funny at times. Other characters were a great balance to bring out the best and worst in both main characters. The plot was a bit disappointing, but mostly because I am a sucker for mm romance/mystery mix and the mystery puttered out and ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, which no one is a fan of. The main thing that made this book so great was the writing though. Strong, fluent and light enough to carry the story through without weighing it down. The format was a bit unusual with all the discord chats, but I got used to it and it flowed better afterwards. Overall, this is a great story with quirky characters, interesting plot and great writing. Also, totally called it that the next book will be MMM and with two of the characters briefly featured in this one, maybe with the trope "Idiots in love"? Because honestly..those two are so blind.. and very over-enthusiastic. Can't wait to see what they do in the next one. It is bound to be something extremely cringe-y :D
**I was provided an ARC of this book from the GRR for an honest review**
August 3, 2024
What a fun story. 378 pages literally just flew by. It took me a chapter or two to get a grasp on the world-building but it quickly feel into place for me. Love the characters, the story is interesting, can't wait to read more! Due to several recent promotions my TBR is stacked with books I had lined up to read next but this one jumped to the top of the list; Bix Barrow is too entertaining to pass up.
May 14, 2025
May 2025
Kindle edition
Miscommunication, one sex scene and pretty much just fated mates, it is what it is. Had potential. Cal has an interesting power, and Greg...not exactly sure what Greg did. He felt like the DM in name only. Nothing really happened for the two of them until past the half way point. It was all about the support characters and future pairings. The bad guy reveal was anti-climatic, because they were brought up more than once and laughed off each time. Ms Jackson was probably the best character. Curious about the good vampire.
Kindle edition
Miscommunication, one sex scene and pretty much just fated mates, it is what it is. Had potential. Cal has an interesting power, and Greg...not exactly sure what Greg did. He felt like the DM in name only. Nothing really happened for the two of them until past the half way point. It was all about the support characters and future pairings. The bad guy reveal was anti-climatic, because they were brought up more than once and laughed off each time. Ms Jackson was probably the best character. Curious about the good vampire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
I loved everything about this book!
I love the characters, I love all of the cheesy, typical romance book bits, I love the comfort read-level plot, I love the setting… I genuinely couldn’t have been happier with the whole shebang.
That’s a lie. My bad. I will never like Texas. Ever. So it could’ve been somewhere else and I would’ve been happier. Don’t @ me, most of the world agrees with me. I am not alone and for once I’m certain of the fact. I still love it regardless.
For real, though, I love a plot-heavy book. There was a very well-paced arc for their love story and some light spice, but the plot and the set up for the new series were the stars of the show. I will never not be here for that.
Also, there was a very well-developed build up to readers getting all of the relevant and necessary information. It’s something I enjoy immensely when it’s done right. Like, it almost felt like each MC ran off of nothing but vibes for a while—which is so relatable it’s painful, let’s just be serious—and the details came in a very true-to-life way as the story progressed.
Tons of detail and a hella realistic little journey to get it? All of the chef’s kisses. I am going to be rabid for book two until it’s in my hands and being absorbed with my eyeballs.
Oh! And!! Let’s not forget I’m digging the lore and the magic/paranormal system. I’m here for the more “real” feel it gave, meaning magic and shifter math don’t run the show 24/7. People aren’t immortal, or immune to everything, or (mostly) all overpowered…it’s rad. All of it. 10/10. Thank you for making my PNR dreams feel less like dreams and more like enthusiastic “it could happen”-s! My rampant imagination loves the author SO BIG for this blessing.
5/5. A closing special—and very important—shoutout to the cover model, because I love them and would definitely fight battles for them. And Ms. Jackson. They deserve hype energy, too!
**[I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All opinions, ratings, and reviews are my own.]**
I love the characters, I love all of the cheesy, typical romance book bits, I love the comfort read-level plot, I love the setting… I genuinely couldn’t have been happier with the whole shebang.
That’s a lie. My bad. I will never like Texas. Ever. So it could’ve been somewhere else and I would’ve been happier. Don’t @ me, most of the world agrees with me. I am not alone and for once I’m certain of the fact. I still love it regardless.
For real, though, I love a plot-heavy book. There was a very well-paced arc for their love story and some light spice, but the plot and the set up for the new series were the stars of the show. I will never not be here for that.
Also, there was a very well-developed build up to readers getting all of the relevant and necessary information. It’s something I enjoy immensely when it’s done right. Like, it almost felt like each MC ran off of nothing but vibes for a while—which is so relatable it’s painful, let’s just be serious—and the details came in a very true-to-life way as the story progressed.
Tons of detail and a hella realistic little journey to get it? All of the chef’s kisses. I am going to be rabid for book two until it’s in my hands and being absorbed with my eyeballs.
Oh! And!! Let’s not forget I’m digging the lore and the magic/paranormal system. I’m here for the more “real” feel it gave, meaning magic and shifter math don’t run the show 24/7. People aren’t immortal, or immune to everything, or (mostly) all overpowered…it’s rad. All of it. 10/10. Thank you for making my PNR dreams feel less like dreams and more like enthusiastic “it could happen”-s! My rampant imagination loves the author SO BIG for this blessing.
5/5. A closing special—and very important—shoutout to the cover model, because I love them and would definitely fight battles for them. And Ms. Jackson. They deserve hype energy, too!
**[I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All opinions, ratings, and reviews are my own.]**
July 25, 2024
"𝙄'𝙢 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪," 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙.
𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. "𝙐𝙢, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙚?"
𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨. "𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨."
Sᴇᴇʀ is book one in the Wonderfall series by Bix Barrow which is Greg and Cal's journey.
When I saw that Bix Barrow was venturing into the paranormal universe, I had to jump on it sooner rather than later.
Greg's family keeps accusing him of nesting and he keeps trying to deny it, even after Cal, who is perfect for Greg in every way, comes into his life and throws it for a complete loop not only since he is Greg's mate but because of the looming threat to the ones he has sworn to protect.
Greg and Cal are entertaining and keep you engrossed in their story from the very beginning. They have a journey ahead of them to try and answer everyone else questions about what is happening while also trying to navigate their new mating bond. Once they clear the air from their initial misunderstandings about each other, their relationship blooms into something magical.
There are a lot of interesting side characters that I can not wait to see if they get books of their own in this series, as well as some unanswered questions that I can not wait to find out the answers to. Although this book was a little too slow of a burn for me, hence the .5 decline in rating, I can not wait for this series to continue.
Get ready for... paranormal, age gap, grumpy • grumpy, slow burn and fated mates vibes, and be mindful that there is content that may be uncomfortable for some readers, and check the trigger warnings before enjoying it.
🍁🍁🍁🍁.5
𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢. "𝙐𝙢, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙚?"
𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨. "𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨."
Sᴇᴇʀ is book one in the Wonderfall series by Bix Barrow which is Greg and Cal's journey.
When I saw that Bix Barrow was venturing into the paranormal universe, I had to jump on it sooner rather than later.
Greg's family keeps accusing him of nesting and he keeps trying to deny it, even after Cal, who is perfect for Greg in every way, comes into his life and throws it for a complete loop not only since he is Greg's mate but because of the looming threat to the ones he has sworn to protect.
Greg and Cal are entertaining and keep you engrossed in their story from the very beginning. They have a journey ahead of them to try and answer everyone else questions about what is happening while also trying to navigate their new mating bond. Once they clear the air from their initial misunderstandings about each other, their relationship blooms into something magical.
There are a lot of interesting side characters that I can not wait to see if they get books of their own in this series, as well as some unanswered questions that I can not wait to find out the answers to. Although this book was a little too slow of a burn for me, hence the .5 decline in rating, I can not wait for this series to continue.
Get ready for... paranormal, age gap, grumpy • grumpy, slow burn and fated mates vibes, and be mindful that there is content that may be uncomfortable for some readers, and check the trigger warnings before enjoying it.
🍁🍁🍁🍁.5
July 22, 2024
4.5/5 This was sure a whole other side of Bent Oak, Texas. For some reason, I was expecting it to be less connected, like Cal would be the main point of connection and all the supernatural stuff would spin out from him. Instead, we learned a lot more about some characters we knew from Bent Oak, and several characters got inducted into this broader world. (So there’s lots of old friends if you’re familiar with the other series, as I am, but I think it would still stand alone.) I appreciated Cal being the newbie to the supernatural world, as it was a good way to inform the reader of the structure of the world. I liked the Discord chapter headers for connecting everyone and keeping us informed. (And I’m glad Cal has plans.)
Cal and Greg spend a fair bit of the book making a lot of assumptions about one another, Greg especially, but once he realises how wrong he was, he calls himself to task quite hard and works to make up for it. Even when they’re trying not to touch and totally awkward, the two of them make a good team, and it’s fun to see them work together to try to find the bad guy. (The Klingon connection made me grin the whole time.)
I enjoyed all the side characters along with the mystery. Ms. Jackson is awesome, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them and hopefully finding out a lot more in the next book (where I hope Shane and Ellis will have acquired a bit of common sense, lol).
Although the book didn’t take place over very much time, it sure felt like Greg and Cal were strongly connecting (and fighting their connection and giving in to their connection), and I was definitely rooting for them to figure things out. The connection and bond was intriguing, and I’d like to see more couples experience it. I’m really looking forward to the next book and learning more about the overall mystery!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Cal and Greg spend a fair bit of the book making a lot of assumptions about one another, Greg especially, but once he realises how wrong he was, he calls himself to task quite hard and works to make up for it. Even when they’re trying not to touch and totally awkward, the two of them make a good team, and it’s fun to see them work together to try to find the bad guy. (The Klingon connection made me grin the whole time.)
I enjoyed all the side characters along with the mystery. Ms. Jackson is awesome, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them and hopefully finding out a lot more in the next book (where I hope Shane and Ellis will have acquired a bit of common sense, lol).
Although the book didn’t take place over very much time, it sure felt like Greg and Cal were strongly connecting (and fighting their connection and giving in to their connection), and I was definitely rooting for them to figure things out. The connection and bond was intriguing, and I’d like to see more couples experience it. I’m really looking forward to the next book and learning more about the overall mystery!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
August 7, 2024
I loved Cal & Greg. They were honestly a refreshing couple. While they felt that instant attraction they didn't jump happily into the connection. Granted Greg's trauma was mostly to blame, but once he over came that Cal didn't just accept it at face value.
The premise of the world was interesting. It game a newer take on paranormals and how they are viewed on the real world. The plot was very intriguing. I liked how they set up a way to communicate and hide in plain sight.
While this ended with an HEA for our couple, the overarching plot will continue. And I can't wait, I need to learn more about our villains.
The premise of the world was interesting. It game a newer take on paranormals and how they are viewed on the real world. The plot was very intriguing. I liked how they set up a way to communicate and hide in plain sight.
While this ended with an HEA for our couple, the overarching plot will continue. And I can't wait, I need to learn more about our villains.
July 30, 2024
Seer is the first book in the Wonderfall series. All I can say is what an amazing start to the series. This is Cal who has visions and Greg's story. The blurb gives a great preview of what the story is about but the story is so much more. I love how these two work together even with all the misunderstandings that they have about each other. Boy do they have issues to work through. I love the story concept of seers , people who are shifters or have some kind of magic. This is a new take on magic and how it works and I am so there for it. The story was attention holding as I wanted no needed to see what was going to happen next. It was also fun to see characters from Bix's Bent Oak, Texas series again. You don't have to have read the Bent Oak, Texas series to read this one through. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
August 16, 2025
I discovered Bix Barrow's books not all that long ago and fell in love with them so fast it made my head spin. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long for her new book AND I was lucky enough to get an ARC for it! Cal and Greg's story was absolutely wonderful, just like her other books. Amazing characters, a fun story, a sweet romance, and just enough angst to keep me on the edge of my seat without reducing me to a puddle of anxiety. While the Bent Oak series is contemporary, this one is paranormal (or is it Urban Fantasy? I can never tell the difference) and I really enjoyed that aspect! The magic system is one I haven't come across before and it was fascinating. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books in the series.
One note, though. While this IS a new series, it IS also connected to her Bent Oak, Texas series and I fully believe you'll have a much better time if you've read those before starting this one. If only so you know who everyone is. I will admit that it took me a moment to remember who's who at first, but I got back into it very quickly. Still, people new to Bix Barrow should definitely read Bent Oak, Texas first, and not just to fully enjoy this one, but also because it's a great series.
I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
One note, though. While this IS a new series, it IS also connected to her Bent Oak, Texas series and I fully believe you'll have a much better time if you've read those before starting this one. If only so you know who everyone is. I will admit that it took me a moment to remember who's who at first, but I got back into it very quickly. Still, people new to Bix Barrow should definitely read Bent Oak, Texas first, and not just to fully enjoy this one, but also because it's a great series.
I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2024
November 2024
I reread this one in anticipation of the next book and still.loved it.
Cal and Greg are great together
So definitely 5 stars
First review
This is the start of a new paranormal mystery series, and what a start it was.
Cal and Greg are a great opening couple. Both are not easy characters, both have their flaws, and due to their "positions," they were perfect for getting to know the world building.
I adored their relationship and how that developed. True, Greg was a bit of an ass at the beginning, but he truly redeemed himself. Not only because he was grovelling but also because it was understandable after learning about his background.
The plot of the series was interesting and will develop further with each book.
That is normally not my favourite scenario, but here it was really well done.
Another point in favour of this book are the secondary characters ... I really am looking forward to the next book
In all, great 4,5 to 5 stars for a new beginning
I reread this one in anticipation of the next book and still.loved it.
Cal and Greg are great together
So definitely 5 stars
First review
This is the start of a new paranormal mystery series, and what a start it was.
Cal and Greg are a great opening couple. Both are not easy characters, both have their flaws, and due to their "positions," they were perfect for getting to know the world building.
I adored their relationship and how that developed. True, Greg was a bit of an ass at the beginning, but he truly redeemed himself. Not only because he was grovelling but also because it was understandable after learning about his background.
The plot of the series was interesting and will develop further with each book.
That is normally not my favourite scenario, but here it was really well done.
Another point in favour of this book are the secondary characters ... I really am looking forward to the next book
In all, great 4,5 to 5 stars for a new beginning
August 11, 2024
Colour me confused. I'm sure I read a book with Craig and his other half got together and there wasn't a sniff of paranormal in sight. It's the author's work and they can do what they like with it but as a reader this is confusing.
I feel like the paranormal is lobbed in here with the offhand explanation that 'not even Craig's other half knows about it' or whatever the line was. Well great. There's nice for Craig's other half. And yes I know they aren't the MCs in this book, so why should I be bothered. Just seems off that you're serious with someone and yet can't share that. Mmkay.
Lots of characters chucked at us and I'm not interested in sorting it out. The mother sounds extremely irritating already and I don't know why authors insist on making characters like this, they aren't cute and they aren't 'a force of nature' they're irritating. 2 stars for what I've read.
I feel like the paranormal is lobbed in here with the offhand explanation that 'not even Craig's other half knows about it' or whatever the line was. Well great. There's nice for Craig's other half. And yes I know they aren't the MCs in this book, so why should I be bothered. Just seems off that you're serious with someone and yet can't share that. Mmkay.
Lots of characters chucked at us and I'm not interested in sorting it out. The mother sounds extremely irritating already and I don't know why authors insist on making characters like this, they aren't cute and they aren't 'a force of nature' they're irritating. 2 stars for what I've read.
Read
November 22, 2024Seer by Bix Barrow offers an engaging dual POV narrative set in a paranormal world. The story follows Cal, a seer, and Greg, a protector of paranormal beings, as they team up to prevent a series of tragic events foretold by Cal's visions. The concept of bonds adds an interesting twist to their relationship, which is complicated by Greg's mental health struggles and Cal's body insecurities.
While the writing introduces a lot of information around the world-building early on to set the scene, the story is overall very accessible and an easy read. The story also takes place in the same universe as Barrows’ previous works and has several recurring characters.
Seer is a promising start to a series, and left me curious about future developments.
While the writing introduces a lot of information around the world-building early on to set the scene, the story is overall very accessible and an easy read. The story also takes place in the same universe as Barrows’ previous works and has several recurring characters.
Seer is a promising start to a series, and left me curious about future developments.
September 5, 2025
This was so amazing. So good I’m struggling to write my review in hopes that it’s worth of it. I’m saying it was a dream read. That’s how much I enjoyed it. It had the suspense down pat. And it made me laugh at times as well as hurt my heart moments. What made it even better was that I read the Bent Oak series first so from slight mentions to full on page time I knew some of the characters and how they think. The consistency with them really made this so realistic. So much so that while I drove my daughter home tonight, in the fog, I was constantly making sure my door was locked lol. Seriously, this was a fantastic read and I don’t know how I’ll make it through the wait for the next one.
October 8, 2024
Too much meddling
If you like super, oppressive level meddling, where everyone pushes the mc forcefully into the next stage of whatever they think the mc should be doing, it's an interesting story. The premise is intriguing. Just feels oppressive and rushed. His mom is pushing, his community is taking his mom's stance and helping push, it's too much. DNF
If you like super, oppressive level meddling, where everyone pushes the mc forcefully into the next stage of whatever they think the mc should be doing, it's an interesting story. The premise is intriguing. Just feels oppressive and rushed. His mom is pushing, his community is taking his mom's stance and helping push, it's too much. DNF
May 21, 2025
Let me start by saying that I loved this book. It was such a fun time. I started reading it late (or early, depending on your definition), and I was curled up in bed smiling so wide my face hurt. Seer is a warm, feel-good paranormal queer romance, and I ate it up.
As always, I'm going to start with what worked. Both characters here are slightly older than our usual twenty-somethings fantasy MCs. Greg is forty, and Cal is thirty-two. They both have regular people jobs aside from their other abilities. Cal, for instance, is a co-founder of a dating app (this is such a cute detail, why was it left out of the blurb?) with his best friend, Steve. Anyways, it was refreshing to see older MCs.
The main characters don't meet until you're about a quarter of the way through the book. I actually liked this since we got insight into Greg and Cal's personalities, and how they function independently before the romance started. It also built up the anticipation. I was really excited to have them meet. The romance itself was great. Both characters start off on the wrong foot, and the first half of the love story is both of them trying to hold off their attraction to each other even when there's so much chemistry between them. The second half of the romance delivers. Cal and Greg are so good together.
This is my second book this year with a plus-sized MC. I'm mad at myself for not looking for more books like this sooner. I have never seen body positivity look this sexy. I'm not joking - I don't know how Barrow managed it, but it Greg was very into Cal without it being a case of fetishization. (It was so good, y'all). A lot of Cal's second thoughts about his body hit home, but not in an upsetting way. It was really comforting to have a writer express feelings I have had before. I felt seen <3 It was especially heartwarming since Cal is pretty confident and has backbone (he knows he's beautiful, thankfully).
The friendships depicted here were lovely. Cal updated his besties on his love life and all his new magic discoveries via text, which was so real of him. They even had debriefing sessions, which were both highly relatable and heartwarming.
This is not an omegaverse novel, but it has elements of that world that have been adapted for this universe. The story begins with Greg nesting, and starting to build a home for himself and his future soulmate. There are mates and matebonds here, even if they are decontextualized from what usually happens in omegaverse. All this to say that if you're a sucker for the soulmate trope like me, you might enjoy this.
Also, this book was laugh-out-loud funny. There were moments I was full out giggling. It was so much fun to read, I didn't want it to be over.
Finally, I only had some minor quibbles about the writing. One: we needed an epilogue. The outro to this book should have been longer. I loved the story, and would have appreciated a slightly longer ending. I didn't get the feeling of the story coming to an end, you know? It felt like we left our characters mid-scene, even though it was not a cliffhanger. Second: the transitions between scenes were inconsistent. In some chapters, it felt like jumping from one scene to another, while in others, we had all this unnecessary descriptions of characters walking in and out of cars, or just mundane actions that could have been edited out. Third: some patches of writing were a little bit sloppy, like Barrow using "whatever" instead of choosing between two adjectives, or instead of elaborating.
Overall, this was a cute and thoroughly enjoyable read.
As always, I'm going to start with what worked. Both characters here are slightly older than our usual twenty-somethings fantasy MCs. Greg is forty, and Cal is thirty-two. They both have regular people jobs aside from their other abilities. Cal, for instance, is a co-founder of a dating app (this is such a cute detail, why was it left out of the blurb?) with his best friend, Steve. Anyways, it was refreshing to see older MCs.
The main characters don't meet until you're about a quarter of the way through the book. I actually liked this since we got insight into Greg and Cal's personalities, and how they function independently before the romance started. It also built up the anticipation. I was really excited to have them meet. The romance itself was great. Both characters start off on the wrong foot, and the first half of the love story is both of them trying to hold off their attraction to each other even when there's so much chemistry between them. The second half of the romance delivers. Cal and Greg are so good together.
This is my second book this year with a plus-sized MC. I'm mad at myself for not looking for more books like this sooner. I have never seen body positivity look this sexy. I'm not joking - I don't know how Barrow managed it, but it Greg was very into Cal without it being a case of fetishization. (It was so good, y'all). A lot of Cal's second thoughts about his body hit home, but not in an upsetting way. It was really comforting to have a writer express feelings I have had before. I felt seen <3 It was especially heartwarming since Cal is pretty confident and has backbone (he knows he's beautiful, thankfully).
The friendships depicted here were lovely. Cal updated his besties on his love life and all his new magic discoveries via text, which was so real of him. They even had debriefing sessions, which were both highly relatable and heartwarming.
This is not an omegaverse novel, but it has elements of that world that have been adapted for this universe. The story begins with Greg nesting, and starting to build a home for himself and his future soulmate. There are mates and matebonds here, even if they are decontextualized from what usually happens in omegaverse. All this to say that if you're a sucker for the soulmate trope like me, you might enjoy this.
Also, this book was laugh-out-loud funny. There were moments I was full out giggling. It was so much fun to read, I didn't want it to be over.
Finally, I only had some minor quibbles about the writing. One: we needed an epilogue. The outro to this book should have been longer. I loved the story, and would have appreciated a slightly longer ending. I didn't get the feeling of the story coming to an end, you know? It felt like we left our characters mid-scene, even though it was not a cliffhanger. Second: the transitions between scenes were inconsistent. In some chapters, it felt like jumping from one scene to another, while in others, we had all this unnecessary descriptions of characters walking in and out of cars, or just mundane actions that could have been edited out. Third: some patches of writing were a little bit sloppy, like Barrow using "whatever" instead of choosing between two adjectives, or instead of elaborating.
Overall, this was a cute and thoroughly enjoyable read.
August 1, 2024
This book is full of immaculate world building, a thrilling plot that makes you eager for more, fantastic characters that add their own personalities to the story along with providing terrific dialogue, and a unique writing style!
We start off the book slowly getting to know Cal and Greg's characters, figuring out who these men are and what they are about. Greg is part of the Wonders world and has been apart of it from a young age, whereas it's all new to Cal. While Cal has had visions since he was young he didn't know that there were others like him, or that there were people who could shift into animals. He got introduced into a whole new world he wasn't expecting, but ended up accepting easily because he was determined to help people.
I thought the way the background scenery was written was done well, each location that these characters visited was described in great detail. In each vision that Cal had the vision itself was detailed, and when the characters went to where these visions were occuring there was even more detail then as well. The characters themselves I thought were fantastic. Cal is a bit grumpy but he's a caring person! Even though he isn't familiar with the world of Wonders he wasted no time in accepting those around him, and doing what he could to help save people from harm. Greg is precious, he's a bit judgemental at the beginning but we saw his character grow and be honest with Cal, and himself, the more the story went on.
I enjoyed the unique ness of the different Wonders, and the people who sparkle with magic yet can't wield it, all of them kept me interested and eager to learn more about them. The mystery surrounding the murderous of kept me engaged the whole time, I was curious about who, or what, was trying to harm other Wonders, and what they wanted. That alone kept me on my toes and made me keep reading. Then on top of that we had excellent chemistry between the two MC's. Their relationship developed slowly which I thought was fitting to this book because it wouldn't have been the same if they got together right away. It was drawn out nicely.
I thought all the chats throughout the story was such a fun and unique addition!! I loved reading the chats that were occuring with the characters within this world.
Even though her character was mentioned briefly, I liked that Mia's character said how she's ace and that there is a way to bond with your mate without being physically intimate. It not only gave Cal and Greg information to help one another but it added another depth to the story and the world itself.
I will say that while Cal and Greg get a HFN in this story, the mystery surrounding why the fog is killing Wonders leaves off on a cliffhanger, which makes me eager for the next story. I can't wait to see more of Ms. Jackson's character and I can't wait to see what they turn into next!
We start off the book slowly getting to know Cal and Greg's characters, figuring out who these men are and what they are about. Greg is part of the Wonders world and has been apart of it from a young age, whereas it's all new to Cal. While Cal has had visions since he was young he didn't know that there were others like him, or that there were people who could shift into animals. He got introduced into a whole new world he wasn't expecting, but ended up accepting easily because he was determined to help people.
I thought the way the background scenery was written was done well, each location that these characters visited was described in great detail. In each vision that Cal had the vision itself was detailed, and when the characters went to where these visions were occuring there was even more detail then as well. The characters themselves I thought were fantastic. Cal is a bit grumpy but he's a caring person! Even though he isn't familiar with the world of Wonders he wasted no time in accepting those around him, and doing what he could to help save people from harm. Greg is precious, he's a bit judgemental at the beginning but we saw his character grow and be honest with Cal, and himself, the more the story went on.
I enjoyed the unique ness of the different Wonders, and the people who sparkle with magic yet can't wield it, all of them kept me interested and eager to learn more about them. The mystery surrounding the murderous of kept me engaged the whole time, I was curious about who, or what, was trying to harm other Wonders, and what they wanted. That alone kept me on my toes and made me keep reading. Then on top of that we had excellent chemistry between the two MC's. Their relationship developed slowly which I thought was fitting to this book because it wouldn't have been the same if they got together right away. It was drawn out nicely.
I thought all the chats throughout the story was such a fun and unique addition!! I loved reading the chats that were occuring with the characters within this world.
Even though her character was mentioned briefly, I liked that Mia's character said how she's ace and that there is a way to bond with your mate without being physically intimate. It not only gave Cal and Greg information to help one another but it added another depth to the story and the world itself.
I will say that while Cal and Greg get a HFN in this story, the mystery surrounding why the fog is killing Wonders leaves off on a cliffhanger, which makes me eager for the next story. I can't wait to see more of Ms. Jackson's character and I can't wait to see what they turn into next!
July 29, 2024
1st person, past tense, dual POV
Gregory Martin Shaw (40), co-owner of Bark and Purr Pet Resort, District Monitor for the Central Texas District of 'Wonders'
Calvin Steadman (32), Chief Technology Officer of Rogues Gallery, a Seer with psychic visions
I have to say that I loved this book and it's characters so much!
While this is billed as the first in the Wonderfall series, it's important to note that there is some crossover with the author's Bent Oak world (in fact both Cal and Greg are characters from that series), though (having read and enjoyed those) I believe she did a good job in not spoiling its books, while still providing enough context to show who people are in relation to each other.
The magic system and supernatural world elements have a sense of realism that makes one feel like the events of the story are possible instead of the more fantastical typical PNR books. I loved the unique world building and how everything was masterfully explained bit by bit as it became relevant instead of either info dumped on the reader or not addressing things at all, leaving the reader confused.
While there was considerable attraction on both sides and a nearly instantaneous bond between Cal and Greg, I loved the slow burn and lower heat of the book because it felt like they developed a deeper and truer connection than typical of the fated mates trope. Both guys have hang ups and make some judgements that impact their ability to form a relationship outside of their magical bond but as they get to know one another better these impediments melt away and it was delightful to watch it all happen. It felt like all the intimate moments fit the narrative and balanced perfectly with the overall story.
More than the romance I was fully invested in the mystery of who or what was killing Wonders. I cannot express how much I LOVE it when MCs have to work together to solve a problem or mystery like this. It had me turning pages well into the night, despite needing to get up and go to work in the morning.
The supporting characters were all easily distinguished from one and other and played their own roles in the narrative without overshadowing the main couple or story. I can't wait to read more of their stories, especially the magical Ms. Jackson and mysterious Simon.
It would have also been nice to know that while the couple gets their HEA, there is an overarching plot to this series that is not entirely wrapped up. It's my preference for series like this to wait until they are complete and then binge them all in one go - sorry!
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Gregory Martin Shaw (40), co-owner of Bark and Purr Pet Resort, District Monitor for the Central Texas District of 'Wonders'
Calvin Steadman (32), Chief Technology Officer of Rogues Gallery, a Seer with psychic visions
I have to say that I loved this book and it's characters so much!
While this is billed as the first in the Wonderfall series, it's important to note that there is some crossover with the author's Bent Oak world (in fact both Cal and Greg are characters from that series), though (having read and enjoyed those) I believe she did a good job in not spoiling its books, while still providing enough context to show who people are in relation to each other.
The magic system and supernatural world elements have a sense of realism that makes one feel like the events of the story are possible instead of the more fantastical typical PNR books. I loved the unique world building and how everything was masterfully explained bit by bit as it became relevant instead of either info dumped on the reader or not addressing things at all, leaving the reader confused.
While there was considerable attraction on both sides and a nearly instantaneous bond between Cal and Greg, I loved the slow burn and lower heat of the book because it felt like they developed a deeper and truer connection than typical of the fated mates trope. Both guys have hang ups and make some judgements that impact their ability to form a relationship outside of their magical bond but as they get to know one another better these impediments melt away and it was delightful to watch it all happen. It felt like all the intimate moments fit the narrative and balanced perfectly with the overall story.
More than the romance I was fully invested in the mystery of who or what was killing Wonders. I cannot express how much I LOVE it when MCs have to work together to solve a problem or mystery like this. It had me turning pages well into the night, despite needing to get up and go to work in the morning.
The supporting characters were all easily distinguished from one and other and played their own roles in the narrative without overshadowing the main couple or story. I can't wait to read more of their stories, especially the magical Ms. Jackson and mysterious Simon.
It would have also been nice to know that while the couple gets their HEA, there is an overarching plot to this series that is not entirely wrapped up. It's my preference for series like this to wait until they are complete and then binge them all in one go - sorry!
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
August 4, 2024
Disclaimer: the "universe" in which it is set this story is part of another series written by author, "Bent Oak, Texas", so there will be several cameos by many characters we have already met in past books, but it still can be read without having to read the other books in the previous serie.
This book is about Cal, a nice even if a little standoffish man, who since he was little, has always had "visions"/ snippets of the future. His power made my distrust other people who usually treated him like a freak or didn't believe him when he tired to help them when his vision manifested. With the exception of his choose family, Cal always felt different and that led him to keep by himself.
The main story focuses on some mysterious visions that Cal begins to have at the beginning of the book, in which some "beings" that seem human but are not quite human at all, begin to disappear. So what does Cal do? Since he doesn't know what to do and how to help, he goes looking for someone who can help him prevent his visions from coming true.
Meets Greg, the othe MC, who seems to have all the answers to the weridness that is happening around Cal, but seems set to avoid Cal at all cost.
TO complicate thing more, Cal's powers start "acting up" and strange people start poping up everywhere and trying to hold his hand. Thing could be more strange? Yes, yes they can. While investigating Cal and Greg start to spend a lot of time togheter and at one point end up magically married to each other(fated mate trope). Can the solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the people Cal keeps seeing in his visions and at the same time find the truth about their bond, before WHAT or WHO is behind these disappearances sets thiers eyes on them too? Read the book to find out.
The story is a slow burn, with a medium-low level of angst and a oaranormal-mystery sub plot which will be be solved partially at the end, but will be expanded in the future books in the serie (I hope - there are still many questions un answered). The Spicy level is medium, and is well placed in the story, without penalizing the mystery sub plot... which is quite complex and need to be well articulated to show the paranormal side of Bent Oak made by the author. The book has an HAE so don’t worry, there are no cliffhanger, but we won't have all the answer we want all at the same time.
I loved all the cameos from the Bent Oak, Texas characters, and how selfless, dedicated to thier loved ones, and sweet both Cal and Greg are, they are well suited for each other.
However, here's a warning: there's quite a bit of miscomunication at the beginning of their relationship, creating ridiculing situations, so much that sometimes I would have loved nothing more than bash their heads togheter and to shout at them to talk to each other, damn!
They sure would have avoided many misunderstandings, but the book would have been much more shorter for sure, and we would have missed their sassy bantering which is hilarious XD
I can’t wait to read the other books of this series and meet more new and old characters!
*I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my unbiased review. All opinions, ratings and reviews are my own.*
This book is about Cal, a nice even if a little standoffish man, who since he was little, has always had "visions"/ snippets of the future. His power made my distrust other people who usually treated him like a freak or didn't believe him when he tired to help them when his vision manifested. With the exception of his choose family, Cal always felt different and that led him to keep by himself.
The main story focuses on some mysterious visions that Cal begins to have at the beginning of the book, in which some "beings" that seem human but are not quite human at all, begin to disappear. So what does Cal do? Since he doesn't know what to do and how to help, he goes looking for someone who can help him prevent his visions from coming true.
Meets Greg, the othe MC, who seems to have all the answers to the weridness that is happening around Cal, but seems set to avoid Cal at all cost.
TO complicate thing more, Cal's powers start "acting up" and strange people start poping up everywhere and trying to hold his hand. Thing could be more strange? Yes, yes they can. While investigating Cal and Greg start to spend a lot of time togheter and at one point end up magically married to each other(fated mate trope). Can the solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the people Cal keeps seeing in his visions and at the same time find the truth about their bond, before WHAT or WHO is behind these disappearances sets thiers eyes on them too? Read the book to find out.
The story is a slow burn, with a medium-low level of angst and a oaranormal-mystery sub plot which will be be solved partially at the end, but will be expanded in the future books in the serie (I hope - there are still many questions un answered). The Spicy level is medium, and is well placed in the story, without penalizing the mystery sub plot... which is quite complex and need to be well articulated to show the paranormal side of Bent Oak made by the author. The book has an HAE so don’t worry, there are no cliffhanger, but we won't have all the answer we want all at the same time.
I loved all the cameos from the Bent Oak, Texas characters, and how selfless, dedicated to thier loved ones, and sweet both Cal and Greg are, they are well suited for each other.
However, here's a warning: there's quite a bit of miscomunication at the beginning of their relationship, creating ridiculing situations, so much that sometimes I would have loved nothing more than bash their heads togheter and to shout at them to talk to each other, damn!
They sure would have avoided many misunderstandings, but the book would have been much more shorter for sure, and we would have missed their sassy bantering which is hilarious XD
I can’t wait to read the other books of this series and meet more new and old characters!
*I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my unbiased review. All opinions, ratings and reviews are my own.*
August 9, 2024
I don't read a ton of paranormal romance books--which, as a lover of fantasy, is probably a little weird, but for whatever reason the genre has never really spoken to me. However, I decided to give this one a try, and I am so glad I did!
In this series starter, paranormal beings exist alongside the "real" world, without normal people (NPCs) being any the wiser. However, there are Seers, shifters, and other magical beings everywhere, watched over by a loosely organized group of district monitors (DMs, to keep up with the D&D parlance to be able to discuss things without NPCs being any the wiser). Enter Greg, a grumpy DM who also owns a pet spa/daycare and is definitely not looking to settle down, thank you very much. Even if he is interested in buying a house that is way too big for one person. And even if he feels the connection he could have with the new Seer in his area, he's not going to bond with him. Even if he is exactly his type, except for his being a slob (maybe?) that triggers his anxiety.
Cal has visions when he sleeps. Usually they're pretty benign, but lately they've been getting kind of dark again. When he starts having visions where he's pretty sure people is getting murdered, he has to try to save them. Even if some of them seem to have...interesting characteristics. He ends up teaming up with Greg, who couldn't act more uninterested in him. Which is fine with Cal. Even if they seem to have a connection that is literally sparkling between them...
This was a pretty entertaining story! I do have to knock a star off for the fact that it took awhile to figure out the world, as you get thrown into it pretty abruptly, but once you're a couple of chapters in the rest of the book flies by. This is a paranormal romance with some zany vibes, which is right up my alley. Throw in a bona fide mystery and I'm sold!
I don't want to give away too much plot, but I will say that Cal and Greg were a very good slow burn as they both tried to fight their attraction (physical, emotional, and magical) for various reasons. We have a plus size snarky MC, a rare grumpy/grumpy pairing (though both are secret marshmallows underneath), and chemistry that sizzles, even if it does take these two a long time to get their heads out of their keisters to see that they're great together.
If you already like paranormal romance, or if you are a little wary of it like me, this is a good book!
CW: fighting, death of nonmajor characters, bullying, fat-shaming, panic attacks, trauma from childhood
In this series starter, paranormal beings exist alongside the "real" world, without normal people (NPCs) being any the wiser. However, there are Seers, shifters, and other magical beings everywhere, watched over by a loosely organized group of district monitors (DMs, to keep up with the D&D parlance to be able to discuss things without NPCs being any the wiser). Enter Greg, a grumpy DM who also owns a pet spa/daycare and is definitely not looking to settle down, thank you very much. Even if he is interested in buying a house that is way too big for one person. And even if he feels the connection he could have with the new Seer in his area, he's not going to bond with him. Even if he is exactly his type, except for his being a slob (maybe?) that triggers his anxiety.
Cal has visions when he sleeps. Usually they're pretty benign, but lately they've been getting kind of dark again. When he starts having visions where he's pretty sure people is getting murdered, he has to try to save them. Even if some of them seem to have...interesting characteristics. He ends up teaming up with Greg, who couldn't act more uninterested in him. Which is fine with Cal. Even if they seem to have a connection that is literally sparkling between them...
This was a pretty entertaining story! I do have to knock a star off for the fact that it took awhile to figure out the world, as you get thrown into it pretty abruptly, but once you're a couple of chapters in the rest of the book flies by. This is a paranormal romance with some zany vibes, which is right up my alley. Throw in a bona fide mystery and I'm sold!
I don't want to give away too much plot, but I will say that Cal and Greg were a very good slow burn as they both tried to fight their attraction (physical, emotional, and magical) for various reasons. We have a plus size snarky MC, a rare grumpy/grumpy pairing (though both are secret marshmallows underneath), and chemistry that sizzles, even if it does take these two a long time to get their heads out of their keisters to see that they're great together.
If you already like paranormal romance, or if you are a little wary of it like me, this is a good book!
CW: fighting, death of nonmajor characters, bullying, fat-shaming, panic attacks, trauma from childhood
November 23, 2024
Seer is the first book in Bix Barrow’s Wonderfall series and as a lover of paranormal romance, I was curious about the story. While there is crossover with other work from the author, this was my first foray into the author’s work. From what I can tell, the other work from the author is contemporary, yet there is overlap with the characters. This did mean I was thrown into a lot of characters where I did not know their backstories, yet these backstories were not central to understanding Seer.
I will be honest and say that Seer had me conflicted for a while, until I finally decided upon my rating for one clear reason. The notion of the story had plenty of elements that usually intrigue me. There was some mystery, there was some tongue-in-cheek wording with the way the supernatural was hiding in plain sight, and there were attempts to put some unique spins on well-known supernatural elements. Unfortunately, from the start, I struggled with the writing of the book. There was too much telling and information dumps and nowhere near enough showing. I really wanted to feel a deep connection with the story, but the lack of showing made this difficult. This was especially clear to me where the heavier elements started to hit, and I could not feel any connection to them because they seemed to be thrown in through a heavy does of telling. From that point on, I realised there were many things that were failing to hit me as deeply as they should have been, with some things feeling forced, and this impacted upon my rating. While there was a hint of a three-star rating early in the book, I found myself rounding my two-point-five-star rating down in the end because I never felt the connection that I had hoped to experience.
All in all, I can see this working for many as there are elements that are sure to hook. Unfortunately, for me, the way in which the story was told prevented me from feeling the connection I had hoped to experience.
I will be honest and say that Seer had me conflicted for a while, until I finally decided upon my rating for one clear reason. The notion of the story had plenty of elements that usually intrigue me. There was some mystery, there was some tongue-in-cheek wording with the way the supernatural was hiding in plain sight, and there were attempts to put some unique spins on well-known supernatural elements. Unfortunately, from the start, I struggled with the writing of the book. There was too much telling and information dumps and nowhere near enough showing. I really wanted to feel a deep connection with the story, but the lack of showing made this difficult. This was especially clear to me where the heavier elements started to hit, and I could not feel any connection to them because they seemed to be thrown in through a heavy does of telling. From that point on, I realised there were many things that were failing to hit me as deeply as they should have been, with some things feeling forced, and this impacted upon my rating. While there was a hint of a three-star rating early in the book, I found myself rounding my two-point-five-star rating down in the end because I never felt the connection that I had hoped to experience.
All in all, I can see this working for many as there are elements that are sure to hook. Unfortunately, for me, the way in which the story was told prevented me from feeling the connection I had hoped to experience.
September 30, 2025
I’ve not come across this author before and the blurb sounded intriguing. I enjoy paranormal books that have an element of mystery solving within them.
Sadly this did not live up to my expectations. I think the best way to describe this book is that everything feels very surface level. That includes the plot as well as our MCs (Cal and Greg). I just didn’t feel any real emotional connection between them.
So, the good points. I did think it was an interesting take to hide the existence of the paranormal community by treating it like a D&D campaign - using the terminology so they could communicate out in the open, plus using discord to reach out/update each other. There was also a lot of different strands within the paranormal community - shifters/magic users and I liked the variety.
Now the bad points. Sigh. I didn’t like Greg, he made some awful assumptions about Cal based on flimsy reasons and then treated him like a leper basically. Also, we got a CW about child neglect, and yet somehow this neglectful mother (to the point the kids didn’t have clean clothes/provided food) was a part of the plot. There didn’t seem to be any apology as to her historical behaviour and she was head of a rescue centre? Umm, really?! It just didn’t sit right.
I also was super confused for a good third of the book as it felt like I had missed an introduction novella. I’m not too sure if this was done on purpose as Cal was new to the paranormal community and this was done to empathise with him, or if it was poor writing.
All in all this wasn’t a satisfying book for me, it had great potential but majorly fell flat. I’m never bothered if a book is low spice but here it happens once and at 90%, just as an FYI.
I received this as an ARC from gayromancereviews.com and this is an honest review. I’m regretting my life choices right now as I requested this whole series, sigh. Maybe they’ll get better?!
Sadly this did not live up to my expectations. I think the best way to describe this book is that everything feels very surface level. That includes the plot as well as our MCs (Cal and Greg). I just didn’t feel any real emotional connection between them.
So, the good points. I did think it was an interesting take to hide the existence of the paranormal community by treating it like a D&D campaign - using the terminology so they could communicate out in the open, plus using discord to reach out/update each other. There was also a lot of different strands within the paranormal community - shifters/magic users and I liked the variety.
Now the bad points. Sigh. I didn’t like Greg, he made some awful assumptions about Cal based on flimsy reasons and then treated him like a leper basically. Also, we got a CW about child neglect, and yet somehow this neglectful mother (to the point the kids didn’t have clean clothes/provided food) was a part of the plot. There didn’t seem to be any apology as to her historical behaviour and she was head of a rescue centre? Umm, really?! It just didn’t sit right.
I also was super confused for a good third of the book as it felt like I had missed an introduction novella. I’m not too sure if this was done on purpose as Cal was new to the paranormal community and this was done to empathise with him, or if it was poor writing.
All in all this wasn’t a satisfying book for me, it had great potential but majorly fell flat. I’m never bothered if a book is low spice but here it happens once and at 90%, just as an FYI.
I received this as an ARC from gayromancereviews.com and this is an honest review. I’m regretting my life choices right now as I requested this whole series, sigh. Maybe they’ll get better?!
November 19, 2024
********** Contains Spoilers**********
I rated this book 4.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 5 stars. This is the first book that I’ve read by Bix Barrow and it won’t be my last. I thought that it was a good start to the Wonderfall Series. I enjoyed immersing myself is this world that she has created. I’m definitely going to read her Bent Oak, Texas Series since it’s set in the same universe and quite few of characters from that series pop in and out of this one. I could still follow along but I really wanted to know their stories. I enjoyed reading Cal and Greg’s story. I don’t blame Cal for the misunderstandings where Greg was concerned. I do wish that Greg had spoken to Cal earlier about why it seemed like he hated him.
Greg actually really liked him instantly but Cal’s unkemptness was triggering to his anxiety issues. I’m glad that Greg eventually set the record straight and told Cal the truth that he made assumptions about Cal but then due to the way Greg was acting Cal also made assumptions about him too. I’m glad that Cal didn’t forgive Greg straight away and wanted Greg to show him that he’s actually truthful. I liked how their relationship progressed and I think that Cal and Greg make a great team. I’m looking forward to reading what happens next during Medium, as well more books from Bix Barrow in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I rated this book 4.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 5 stars. This is the first book that I’ve read by Bix Barrow and it won’t be my last. I thought that it was a good start to the Wonderfall Series. I enjoyed immersing myself is this world that she has created. I’m definitely going to read her Bent Oak, Texas Series since it’s set in the same universe and quite few of characters from that series pop in and out of this one. I could still follow along but I really wanted to know their stories. I enjoyed reading Cal and Greg’s story. I don’t blame Cal for the misunderstandings where Greg was concerned. I do wish that Greg had spoken to Cal earlier about why it seemed like he hated him.
Greg actually really liked him instantly but Cal’s unkemptness was triggering to his anxiety issues. I’m glad that Greg eventually set the record straight and told Cal the truth that he made assumptions about Cal but then due to the way Greg was acting Cal also made assumptions about him too. I’m glad that Cal didn’t forgive Greg straight away and wanted Greg to show him that he’s actually truthful. I liked how their relationship progressed and I think that Cal and Greg make a great team. I’m looking forward to reading what happens next during Medium, as well more books from Bix Barrow in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
August 5, 2024
This is the first book in this series and are you ever in for a treat! This is the story of Greg Shaw and Cal Steadham. Cal and his best friend Steve created the app and company Rogues Gallery. While being the CTO had been challenging and kept him busy in the first few years; that is no longer the case. When Cal decides to tell Steve he is bored and wants to leave, Steve surprises him by wanting to go with him. Start up a new company and app. Cal also has the ability of seeing visions and he is currently seeing people disappearing. He wants to help them and contacts a Texas Ranger that he knows. But he is now also seeing people's second self and it scares him. Greg is a part owner in an animal resort and he is also involved with his magical family. He is a District Monitor who helps all the magical beings in his district. Greg's mother also has visions and reaches out to Cal to try and be a mentor if he wants. But before he decides he has another vision. He wants to save the victim so he goes to see Greg. He thinks he can help him. What happens is a crash course in magical beings. Cal and Greg have misunderstandings of each other but put it aside to try and find the killers. This is their story. I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and easy to read. I loved how Cal and Greg came to see the real person inside of each other and treated them like they deserved to be treated. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2025
I loved that we got a big man as our MC. Abs and nice and all but so is a nice, soft belly that can be the perfect pillow🥰
Cal and Greg’s first encounter wasn’t exactly what they expected it to be. When Greg thought about finding his mate, he didn’t think he would look so unkempt and messy. Not exactly what someone with an OCD for cleanliness wanted.
Cal was so taken aback by Greg’s reaction to him that he instantly disliked him despite his attraction to him. Made to feel bad about himself most of his life, Cal wasn’t about to take any crap from the gorgeous man.
Having to work together to help the Wonders wasn’t going to be easy, especially when the two were supposed to be bonded. Cal didn’t exactly want to spend the rest of life tied to someone who disliked him.
Making assumptions always makes you look foolish and that’s exactly what happened to Greg. He made assumptions about Cal that were completely off and he felt like a jerk.
Cal was completely different to what he thought and boy was he glad because his attraction for the bigger man couldn’t be ignored. Cal was exactly his type.
It took some adjustments but they both came to understand they were made for each other.
Even though they started on shaky ground, Cal and Greg made the perfect combination. They complemented each other so well. I loved that Greg made sure to let Cal know his bigger size wasn’t an issue. On the contrary, that’s what he loved the most about him.
My favorite part was how Cal’s vision came to pass and how happy he was about it. Such an interesting story! Can’t wait to read the rest.
Cal and Greg’s first encounter wasn’t exactly what they expected it to be. When Greg thought about finding his mate, he didn’t think he would look so unkempt and messy. Not exactly what someone with an OCD for cleanliness wanted.
Cal was so taken aback by Greg’s reaction to him that he instantly disliked him despite his attraction to him. Made to feel bad about himself most of his life, Cal wasn’t about to take any crap from the gorgeous man.
Having to work together to help the Wonders wasn’t going to be easy, especially when the two were supposed to be bonded. Cal didn’t exactly want to spend the rest of life tied to someone who disliked him.
Making assumptions always makes you look foolish and that’s exactly what happened to Greg. He made assumptions about Cal that were completely off and he felt like a jerk.
Cal was completely different to what he thought and boy was he glad because his attraction for the bigger man couldn’t be ignored. Cal was exactly his type.
It took some adjustments but they both came to understand they were made for each other.
Even though they started on shaky ground, Cal and Greg made the perfect combination. They complemented each other so well. I loved that Greg made sure to let Cal know his bigger size wasn’t an issue. On the contrary, that’s what he loved the most about him.
My favorite part was how Cal’s vision came to pass and how happy he was about it. Such an interesting story! Can’t wait to read the rest.
August 5, 2024
“Seer” by Bix Barrow is a captivating start to the Wonderfall series, blending supernatural mystery with a heartfelt MM romance. The story follows a psychic computer geek and a mysterious pet resort owner as they team up to solve a series of supernatural murders. The plot is engaging, filled with suspense, humor, and a touch of romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
One of the standout features of “Seer” is its well-developed characters. The protagonist’s journey from being an introverted, sarcastic computer nerd to a key player in solving the mystery is both relatable and inspiring. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their interactions are laced with witty dialogue and genuine emotion. The promise of seeing these characters grow and evolve in future books adds an exciting layer of anticipation.
The book also excels in world-building, creating a vivid and immersive setting where paranormal creatures and psychic abilities feel both magical and believable. The author’s use of humor and pop culture references, including D&D and Klingon weapons, adds a unique charm to the narrative.
Overall, “Seer” is a delightful read that combines mystery, romance, and supernatural elements seamlessly. With its HEA (Happily Ever After) ending, it leaves readers satisfied yet eager for more. I highly recommend it to fans of MM romance and supernatural mysteries.
One of the standout features of “Seer” is its well-developed characters. The protagonist’s journey from being an introverted, sarcastic computer nerd to a key player in solving the mystery is both relatable and inspiring. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, and their interactions are laced with witty dialogue and genuine emotion. The promise of seeing these characters grow and evolve in future books adds an exciting layer of anticipation.
The book also excels in world-building, creating a vivid and immersive setting where paranormal creatures and psychic abilities feel both magical and believable. The author’s use of humor and pop culture references, including D&D and Klingon weapons, adds a unique charm to the narrative.
Overall, “Seer” is a delightful read that combines mystery, romance, and supernatural elements seamlessly. With its HEA (Happily Ever After) ending, it leaves readers satisfied yet eager for more. I highly recommend it to fans of MM romance and supernatural mysteries.
November 29, 2024
4 stars
“Seer” by Bix Barrow is the first book in the ‘Wonderfall’ series, and features Cal, an unsuspecting computer geek with psychic abilities, who becomes exposed to a whole new facet of the world while forming unwanted connections with Greg, a pet resort owner with mysterious depths. Frightening visions and complicated relationship developments accompany remarkable changes in Cal’s life, but he can’t predict how well they’re going to turn out.
My first thought was that I was definitely not the target audience for this delightful gay paranormal romance since I was a little disconcerted by the Discord entries at first. Once I learned the lingo being used to hide the paranormal beings from the untalented humans, I was able to appreciate the storyline much more, and I enjoyed all of the tongue-in-cheek references, from the sayings on Cal’s T-shirts to the in-jokes related to the Elven artifact. I enjoyed the quirks and misunderstandings that provide the tension between the main characters, and I was fascinated by the variety of talents displayed by the supporting characters.
Although I haven’t read the connecting stories, I had no problem becoming immersed in this version of the world, and I was delighted to know the sequel to this story, “Medium,” is just being released. I love the snark and sarcasm showcased, and I look forward to learning more about these charismatic folks.
A copy of this story was provided for review
July 19, 2024
Not gonna lie, I got a little worried I would be confused when I started to read this book because I did not read the Bent Oak, Texas series but it was short lived, lol. It immediately jumped to Cal and Greg story and focused on them. The characters from the previous series do continue to make an appearance but it was not confusing or felt like I missed something (well ok I missed knowing these characters which seemed like a tragedy so I will be rectifying that shortly, lol).
Cal is such a sweetheart, well deep inside since he uses sarcasm and grumpiness to hide his insecurities. When Cal's vision led him to Greg, sparks flew but unfortunately Greg was not very accepting. I wanted to shake Greg and make him see the truth, lol. Luckily he realized his mistakes and started to open up, showing his vulnerability. Loved that Cal was not an instant pushover but made Greg beg a little and ask for forgiveness. And no worries it was not dragged out where it got frustrated, just enough to set the right pace. And once they got together, those sparks ignited.
The author handled the MCs issues/insecurities very respectfully and did not make them seem unimportant or easily fixable.
The mystery and suspense was balanced perfectly with the romance. The characters were well developed and intriguing. There was also humor and found family. I cannot wait for the next book!!
Cal is such a sweetheart, well deep inside since he uses sarcasm and grumpiness to hide his insecurities. When Cal's vision led him to Greg, sparks flew but unfortunately Greg was not very accepting. I wanted to shake Greg and make him see the truth, lol. Luckily he realized his mistakes and started to open up, showing his vulnerability. Loved that Cal was not an instant pushover but made Greg beg a little and ask for forgiveness. And no worries it was not dragged out where it got frustrated, just enough to set the right pace. And once they got together, those sparks ignited.
The author handled the MCs issues/insecurities very respectfully and did not make them seem unimportant or easily fixable.
The mystery and suspense was balanced perfectly with the romance. The characters were well developed and intriguing. There was also humor and found family. I cannot wait for the next book!!
July 28, 2024
- series
- slow burn
- paranormal
- soulmates
This is a new to me author, so I haven't read the connected Bent Oak series, I still enjoyed this as a standalone story. Cal is a seer, and has been having visions for years, and Greg helps paranormal beings or wonders as they're called. When Cal and Greg first meet, there's an instant attraction but this is a slow burn as they don't even really like each other for the first two thirds of the book. That's not a criticism at all, as it works for these two. Cal has had bad experiences with men in the past and is wary of new people, and Greg's almost crippling anxiety makes it hard for him too.
I liked both guys though, very much. They are a good fit together, Cal is highly intelligent and brings a lot to the wonder network just by thinking out of the box, and Greg in turn supports and loves Cal the way he is. There's an accidental magical connection between the two, but I think even without that these two would find their way to each other. I liked the story of the fog monsters too, it added a real element of suspense although at the end I'm left with a lot of questions that I hope future books answer. It was a satisfying HEA for Greg and Cal although I'm left with a lot of questions. And a craving for pizza.
Can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
- slow burn
- paranormal
- soulmates
This is a new to me author, so I haven't read the connected Bent Oak series, I still enjoyed this as a standalone story. Cal is a seer, and has been having visions for years, and Greg helps paranormal beings or wonders as they're called. When Cal and Greg first meet, there's an instant attraction but this is a slow burn as they don't even really like each other for the first two thirds of the book. That's not a criticism at all, as it works for these two. Cal has had bad experiences with men in the past and is wary of new people, and Greg's almost crippling anxiety makes it hard for him too.
I liked both guys though, very much. They are a good fit together, Cal is highly intelligent and brings a lot to the wonder network just by thinking out of the box, and Greg in turn supports and loves Cal the way he is. There's an accidental magical connection between the two, but I think even without that these two would find their way to each other. I liked the story of the fog monsters too, it added a real element of suspense although at the end I'm left with a lot of questions that I hope future books answer. It was a satisfying HEA for Greg and Cal although I'm left with a lot of questions. And a craving for pizza.
Can't wait for more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 20, 2024
Okay, despite not having read all the other stories in the parallel (non-paranormal) series which intermingles here, I'd read enough that I got the gist of who was who.
It kept me reading and while at first it's all a bit confusing I actually felt for Greg and was so pissed off at his mother. He kept making excuses for his treatment as a child. He was basically left to raise himself with his brother and "she was mourning his father" "she had to look after the other shifters" "she tried her best". No she didn't. So NOW she "sort of" keeps people away from you when you go visit but she doesn't really and I'm sure wants to say "you should just get over it and let it go". So no, I did not find his mother admirable or interesting in any way.
I did get why he reacted as he did to Cal, was it nice? No. But sometimes our brains don't react in the way we want hope. I was glad though that Cal was feisty and kind of in the "f-you, I am who I am" way. He didn't let things get to him.
It was an interesting explanation of the way shifters came to the world although I was confused by Ms. Jackson (you'll have to read to find out about them). But I see their role maybe crosses books as a way to bring folks together. Not sure.
Anyway, I'll probably check out the next book as it was a fun read even if it took me a bit to get it all straight in my head.
It kept me reading and while at first it's all a bit confusing I actually felt for Greg and was so pissed off at his mother. He kept making excuses for his treatment as a child. He was basically left to raise himself with his brother and "she was mourning his father" "she had to look after the other shifters" "she tried her best". No she didn't. So NOW she "sort of" keeps people away from you when you go visit but she doesn't really and I'm sure wants to say "you should just get over it and let it go". So no, I did not find his mother admirable or interesting in any way.
I did get why he reacted as he did to Cal, was it nice? No. But sometimes our brains don't react in the way we want hope. I was glad though that Cal was feisty and kind of in the "f-you, I am who I am" way. He didn't let things get to him.
It was an interesting explanation of the way shifters came to the world although I was confused by Ms. Jackson (you'll have to read to find out about them). But I see their role maybe crosses books as a way to bring folks together. Not sure.
Anyway, I'll probably check out the next book as it was a fun read even if it took me a bit to get it all straight in my head.
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