Mama Si's Paradise

by D.N. Hoxa

The girls in Mama Si’s Paradise live like royalty. Real-life princesses. Dolls, she calls them, and what they do is entertain her very beautiful, very wealthy guests.

They hide the true face of the Paradise so well…

Good ole me went in there to apply for a housekeeping position after I caught my boyfriend cheating, and he kicked me out. Nobody in town was hiring, so I thought, what the hell. Even though I knew what that place was, I went.

Then Mama Si saw me.

She took one look at me, told me that the vacancy was no longer available, but that she had a better offer to make me—to become one of her dolls.

I accepted because she promised me freedom. She promised me power. She promised me magic.

She lied.


My whole world turns upside down for me within days. I end up bitten by a dragon and stuck in an isle where the sun never shines. Stuck in the Evernight Court, as the bride-to-be of one of the five Evernight brothers who rule the Seven Isles—what is left of the world of magic on Earth.

They’re powerful vampires, hungry for new blood, desperate for an heir, each more breathtakingly beautiful than the last—and all of them trying to make me theirs.

I pretend to play along while I search for an escape from their Isle and hope to make it back home in one piece.

Except the Evernight brothers are not easily fooled. Secrets hang in the air, and there’s a storm lurking in the distance that nobody seems to know about. The more time I spend in their midst, the more I am convinced that I will never find my way back, that I will have no choice but to accept my fate in the Isle.

And the first question is, which one of the brothers will make me their bride?


***This book contains very explicit romantic scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Dragons, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Witches

668 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most laborious read of my life. Could not make it through. Interesting plot points… poorly executed.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author

The first 25% of the book I was really confused and a little bit annoyed. I really felt like it dragged that first bit, BUT I’m glad I stuck with it because I ended up really liking the book for the most part. Personally I thought it was a little bit overly “wordy” but all in all I did like the book.

The slow burn was so slow I didn’t even know we were slow burning, but really ramped up towards the end of the book.

I definitely still have a lot of questions about what’s going on and the cliff hang was no joke.

[katherine luther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story, weak female lead

This was a great new telling of supernatural magic and curses. Almost didn't finish it because the female lead is weak and has insight into her weaknesses but makes the same choices over and over. .If it wasn't for the story and the other characters I never would have finished it. Lets hope the next book is better. won't finish it if its the same

[Jagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with plenty of flaws. The premise is the first problem, it'll take more than 50% of the book to even get to that point - it just gives away so much that it can be hard to be hooked. Easy fix, go in blind!

The FMC is annoying, a lot of room for improvement which was on purpose for the character development, but it can be much at times.

The plot was what had me, it was predictable but very enjoyable. The spice was spicy. I spotted the MMC immediately, it was interesting to see how things played out.

[Spider-Punk Hobei Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a review that said this was the slowest burn that I didn’t know was burning… and I whole heartedly AGREEEEEE!!! Wow what a world!! I loved it! It does get a little wordy and slow for a little bit. Also, heads up the FMC is def gullible and not a strong heroine but just stick with it…the drama and spice is coming I promise lol❤️🔥 on to book 2!!

[Happilykira · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC- 4.75

wow… i don’t even know where to start!

This book was amazing, and was the first book in a long time that i kept thinking about even when i wasn’t reading it.

I will admit - we got off to a slow start, and the first 30% had me very confused, but then everything took a turn so fast and just got better and better honestly!

THAT CLIFF HANGER?! MY GOD!!!

I was really getting that 5 star feeling throughout this book, but them some bits were lost on me, or I did find a few bits very wordy and harder to get through, so i feel a 4.75 is a far rating.

overall i will 100% carry on with this series and i am soooo excited to see what happens. it can only get better IM SO READY.

[Calley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.. so here’s the thing. I loved the story. This is a long book, I read on a Kindle with the most compact layout and the smallest font setting and it was still 658 pages for me. The reason it is so long is not character development or world building, it’s because of the insufferable amount of repetition. The same exact thoughts of this girls whiny internal monologue repeat CONSTANTLY. Almost every paragraph. After the first 50 times, we get it. And she has the same things explained to her constantly throughout but is still “confused” the entire time. Bluntly, the FMC is awful I can’t stand her. Very weak, naive, woah is me the entire book. But I really think it’s more because of the writing than the actual character. The plot IS good and it is a very unique take on fantasy. The spice delivers, it is very hot and well written. But the connection from the characters just isn’t there because again 99% of the book is this girls repeating thoughts.

A lot of fantasy romance follows the same general formula but this world and story truly are unique. It could do with a lot less exclamation points in the writing. The potential REALLY is there but it feels very immature, and very forced right now. I will give the second book a try because I am praying it gets better because I want to see where the story leads but I am not doing over 600 pages of this again lol wish me luck.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really really tried to enjoy this book. Disclaimer, I did think it was going to be a reverse harem, but still kept reading. Honestly, I had to put in a conscious effort to read as far as I got, dropped it for a couple weeks and came back. The author stretches the plot so far, like I enjoy a lengthy story and was excited that it had 300+ pages, but the plot takes forever to get anywhere. And then there’s the female lead, the beginning chapters fool you into thinking she’s going to be strong and open minded, when in actuality she whines and complains through the entire story. I had to eventually quit the series in the first book because I couldn’t take anymore. Honestly, a bit scared to hop into another of this author’s series that is already in my library.

Side-note: discovered that the Author writes a good amount of young adult romance, so I believe this story is more for the reader that just dipping their toe into the spicier novels. Just not meant for a dark romance reader that loves some 5 alarm spice.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoax sure knows how to paint a picture. She describes these vivid scenes that easily pull me into the story. A story that feels kinda fluid. It's like a portal fantasy, it starts off in our average world then goes to the world of glitz and glam before slowly making its way to a fantasy realm with dragons, witches, sirens, and more. It was seamless.


Fall really does fall into one situation after another, it's mind-boggling how she's still alive because her curiosity combine her naivete should have done her in. I was yelling at her to use common sense and the worst part she didn't seem to learn her lesson. I mean she gets it but does not apply it. Nevertheless, Fall was likable, I mean I totally felt bad for her because she didn't deserve what was happening to her.


Things didn't work out how I expected them to, romantically speaking, and can I say that this would have been great as a reverse harem. But nevertheless, out of the five Evernight brothers, only two got my attention. Valentine who I instantly felt comfortable with and could easily connect to. The other was Grey, who snuck past all my defenses. The man is quiet and intense but also sincere and thoughtful. He had my attention from the start and my fascination grew from there.


The plot is just so freaking interesting. My favorite part was the story within the story, when Fall her the history of Ennaris, more specifically, the Fall of Ennaris. Syra's story was just so compelling, it was easy to fall into and everything in Fall's story started to make a lot more sense. However, that whole little adventure Fall had, had me asking a lot of questions and coming up with my own theories.


Holy crap, what an ending! So many revelations and that last scene, it made my heart stop. Mama Si's Paradise is a thickums but it's not over, I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s kind of crazy to me that i’m giving this 5 stars because this is certainly no perfect read by any means. i had PLENTY of issues with this book so this rating is purely for ✨vibes✨.

The beginning half of this book has literally NOTHING to do with the last half. they are basically 2 different stories and you really have to have faith that the book gets better. i was so tempted to dnf in the first half because it just felt incredibly meandering, repetitive, and pointless. that section DEFINITELY could’ve been shortened because i don’t think we’ll be going back there, so none of it really even mattered or will matter in the future.

and the fmc was SUPER naive so that didn’t really help things either.

and the mmc’s don’t even get introduced until like at least 50% of the way through, i wanna say. but at least the story finally gets moving once they are introduced.

the main love interest was no shock to me as soon as he was introduced. i almost wish there had been some “why choose” moments in this book (based on the synopsis it seemed like there would be). but yeah the romance was fairly insta-lovey in my opinion.

i also didn’t love the section of the book where she’s in Fairy Aerie. That section seemed like it went on far too long for no real reason. i understand the author wanted to explain the curse but i think it could’ve been done more succinctly.

i’m complaining a lot about a 5 star read but like i said, i just loved the vibes and the romance and how obsessed the mmc was with the fmc. and the spice was SPICING! you do have to wait a while for it but it is WORTH IT!

i’m super unsure how the 2nd book is gonna go for me. based on the synopsis, i don’t have super high hopes but i could be surprised… i’m open!

[Kreela · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF.

Who wouldn’t want to get paid loads of money to lounge around all day next to a pool with a margarita and hot gentlemen on your arm? Especially if the resort smelled like roses and cupcakes. It sounds too good.

Autumn is a naive twenty-year-old with no skills and no home after her boyfriend kicks her out. Desperate, she finally approaches the “hotel” rumored to be owned by a witch and applies for a job. Since I get the impression Fall (Autumn) is not the smartest cookie in the jar, she is immediately ensorcelled into this utopia. She is perfect: no family to care if she disappears, no money to her name, young and beautiful (I get the impression that beauty can be made, so that might not be a requirement). So what does Mama Si want from her?

I tried, I really tried to get into the story. At first I was mad at Fall for being so stupid, but I finally realized she was just naive, and the author was really good at describing Fall ‘falling’ into a spell just as we would imagine anyone without magical protections would.

But 30% in and Fall finds a magical Disney fairy land where her deepest wishes come true. A piano erupts out of tree roots. Animals follow her like ducklings after the mother. Mama Si finds her and explains the mystery of the island, and I am immediately tossed out of the story. What does any of this have to do with the vampires I have yet to see? Help! I need out of this Candy Land!

I may attempt to read this again later, but for now I am tabling it. I see other reviewers mention that the story really begins after the first 30%.

[ReadsBetweenKatNaps · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate to say it, but this series dragged…

So this is a review for the trilogy and I wish I could say it was phenomenal, but it was lackluster at best. I have never read a book by this author and I want to offer some constructive criticism. The premise was a good one, but it dragged out. Each book was long, repetitive, and became hard to read. I almost DNFd several times, even found myself skimming because I felt I was rereading chapters because they became similar. I think if this had been less detailed about every little thing, more concise -and whether this makes sense or not, but something alive and 3 dimensional. As far as the characters go…the FMC became just plain annoying. This series really could have used a strong lead. Instead she came across as wishy washy, whiny and unlikeable. The back and forth of betrayals and are they getting double crossed or no is it quadruple crossed now and can I believe them this time or are they lying again. It was just a whole lot. I could name at least 4 separate times this series could have ended, but even when it did finally come to an end, it was meh. How did Valentine survive? What did he become? What did the rulers decide to do? Where did the main couple decide to live? How did they live? Was the baby ok? Was Mama Si actually a good person in the end? There was an opportunity to end it spectacularly. It just didn’t happen. I always say to each their own and maybe you will find this more amazing than I did…take a test run at it…see what you think. I can only give my HO.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once we convince ourselves that something can be done, impossible becomes just a word.”

“Mama Si’s Paradise,” by D. N. Hoxa

Fall just wanted to become a housekeeper but Mama Si had other ideas. After being told that the position is no longer available a new job opened up, to be one of Mama Si’s dolls. Fall accepted because she didn’t have any other option and being free is something she had always wanted and that’s what was promised. She lied, and Fall ended up getting bitten by a dragon and stuck in the Evernight Court as a bride-to-be for one of the five Evernight Brothers.

This book was amazing! The first half of the book felt like a completely different book than the second half. It was so intense and dark and insane. The first half I was like the character are jerks, but the world is so interesting and cool but the second half I couldn’t care less about the world because the characters were so mesmerizing. I loved how different all the brothers were and how I didn’t know who she should trust or even if I wanted them to fall in love or not. My emotions were all twisted around. His is seriously one of the best books I’ve read this year, so good. Cannot wait for book 2! 5 out of 5 stars, perfect.

-Escorts
-Magic/ Magic Users
-Dragons/ Sirens/ Vampires/ Faeries
-Enemies To Lovers
-Fated Mates

Thank you for the ARC, Booksprout.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama Si’s Paradise takes readers where they may have never gone before in what is a smartly written excursion through a paradigm of imaginative storytelling .
MFC Autumn Hayes, nicknamed Fall, returns home unexpectedly one day to every woman’s nightmare, her boyfriend Brandon with another woman. It hurts, it hurts a lot, but not as much as it should have. This is the catalyst that puts Fall onto the path leading to Mama Si, purportedly a witch who runs a brothel that caters to the rich and influential here in their little corner of Maine.
Fall initially applies there for a housekeeping position until Mama Si decides she has something better in mind for Fall.
No, it’s not quite what you think as the expansion of Fall’s story, which in moments may seem to good to be true, and whatever is? Turns into a magical mystery ride into the realms of darkness, power, magic, passion, adventure, twists, and surprises.
Can’t give away too much with this fantasy story because it has to be read in its entirety to experience the full and delectable flavor of its scope in world building and total command of prose.
May the wait not be long for book two because the cliffhanger was a… OH NO!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so ecstatic that I finally read a book by DN Hoxa! She created this amazing world of magical creatures and blew my mind! Fall is a human with too much sadness in her life: never loved as a child, then a horrible boyfriend, and then lied to by Mama Si. Fall is vulnerable because she’s never developed the tools to protect herself, she looks for what makes her happy and ignores her instincts so he doesn’t disappoint anyone.

Mama Si’s promise to make her an Enchanted puts her in a situation where she feels powerless. She’ll have to choose one of the Everknight vampire brothers. There is so much detail, drama, and tension that it took my breath away: these men, their other brides, and their dark home is overwhelming for Fall. Lies, secrets, and danger is everywhere: trusting the wrong person could be devastating. This ends on a cliffhanger that is absolutely heartbreaking!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring

I usually try to read a book to at least 20% before I decide whether I like it or not. This book on the other hand was a struggle to even get to 20%. After 7% of reading I was bored to tears. Even after I did get to the 20% mark, I still didn’t quite understand what was going on. There really wasn’t much of a storyline in this book and it seemed like even though fall was 20 she acted like she was a young teenager. I understand that there might’ve been some magic that she was not used to or has ever seen, but fall was all over the place with her thinking that it drove me crazy. She was always second-guessing herself, there is definitely some voyeurism in this book, and she was not liked by a lot of the other girls, which kind of felt like high school drama. I will definitely not read the next book in the series. I usually like this authors books but lately I haven’t been able to find any that are decent.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED it! This is the first book of Hoxa’s latest series, and I can’t wait for the next. It is the story of Autumn and Grey’s Fall.

If you picked up this book solely because of the blurb you may be scratching your head during the first 30% or so of the story. But it is important, and it plays a bit part in Fall’s character development and eventual realization of the true meaning of betrayal. No synopsis here, it is much more worthwhile to be surprised!

The world-building is amazing, and quite frankly some of the best I have read. Don’t plan on reading a bit here and there. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. It ends on a whopping cliffhanger that already made me immediately check out if there is a release date for book 2 yet!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rudi Wordlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to do when Mama Si's Paradise turns out to be an entire new world?! I truly couldn't get enough of this first book in the Fall of the Seven Isles series by D.N.!! Truthfully, I got a little confused on the transition from Paradise to the Seven Isles, however once we got settled in the Seven Isles and into the Fall + Evernight brothers storyline I immediately was HOOKED! I adored Falls journey from page 1 to the literal last line of this book as she finds her way through obstacle after obstacle, but always remaining true to herself. Her entanglement with the Evernight brothers had me on an emotional rollercoaster and I will be thinking about the end of this book everyday until i get my hands on book 2!

Thank you for the ARC, genuinely can't wait for book 2!!!!

[Christinaraven]

A wild ride that builds slowly as get to know Fall and her troubled past and her hopes for a better future. After her latest issue of her cheating boyfriend as the book opens, Fall finds herself at Mama Si's and the story really begins as introduced to the characters and world Fall thought she was entering. Fall thought she knew what she was getting into, but learned it was that and so much more. Secrets, magic, lots of steam and a story that kept me reading to the end to see what curve Fall was thrown next...Hint there were a lot as she thought she was going forward then another curve. Enjoyed the story, world building and surprises. And cannot forget the magic and cannot wait to see what happens next. Fall is a survivor and just keeps on trying her best.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ The girls in Mama Si’s Paradise live like royalty. Real-life princesses. Dolls, she calls them, and what they do is entertain her very beautiful, very wealthy guests.

They hide the true face of the Paradise so well…”

This series is off to an incredible start. Autumn / Fall is such a great character, strong, resilient and a survivor despite everything that life keeps throwing in her path. The author draws us in with fantastic world building and an exciting and gripping tale that has you hooked from the get go. Dragons, vampires, secrets and lies, this dark and intriguing world is thrilling, has some incredible characters and twists and turns to keep you spinning. So so good, I simply cannot wait for more!

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so hard to write a review when you are speechless!

I received an advanced readers copy from the author. This book is so amazing! Edge of your seat, every time you think you may know what’s going on another twist Amazing! Roller coaster ride for sure. This book ended too soon and on a cliffhanger and I need to know more!

Fall is a girl after your own heart. From the very beginning you feel for her and I think at one time or another we have all been that girl. Mama Si gives me Coraline Other Mother vibes! As a girl who grew up on Buffy the Vampire slayer, I have to say that Grey Evernight is beautifully written as far as book boyfriends go and I want one!

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall & Grey
To start this is a fantastic story of Autumn's life. She is a survivor and life keeps throwing curve balls. Just when she thinks tings are getting better, another curve. She has some great and wonderful times in this story, and I think that it is fantastic. If I go any further with details it would be spoilers, I do not do them! I Loved It!!! I will be waiting at this cliff for book two! It is a series, that I am truly excited to see where it leads. I Highly Recommend!
I received an ARC and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review Because I Choose to and Think that this is a GREAT STORY!!!

[Sarah Sanches · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot seemed so promising, but I honestly wished I had just DNF'd this book. I kept holding out, thinking it would get better, and it never did. The pacing was not my fav. I didn't care about any of the 9 million characters that we were introduced to for seemingly no reason.

My biggest issue was that the book took its time on everything I wish it would have sped through, and it sped through everything I wish it would have taken its time on. I was bored through most of the book.

Really creative concepts. I would have loved a book about Mama Si's brothel, but that's not what this was, and I was honestly dissapointed.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

why are we not advertising this series!

This series was absolutely amazing! The beginning is not at all what I was expecting! AT ALL! Then it turned into something way off charts that was so unbelievably amazing! The author already has me in the first half but definitely got me in the second half! This book is just so well written and ORGINAL!
You know those books that you’re like “eeehhh I’ve already read something like this”
THIS WAS NOT THAT!!!
Trust me read this series and go into it with an empty mind. This book helped me get into fantasy Again.
Also the SMUT
🥵 10/10

[Nickole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. Whoa!!! What a wild ride of emotions reading this book. We meet Fall aka Autumn being dumped and kicked out bt her BF. She doesn't know where to go as going home to her grandmother's isn't an option. Then she hears about a place hiring housekeeping. She needs a job so she'll do almost anything for freedom. What she expect was to see an opulent mansion and the owner just as stunning. By happenstance, Fall wasn't meant to meet Mama Si, but is offered a position within the house. Fall is shocked. Her brain is telling her to run but her heart wants the freedom she craves. Being whisked away into a lifestyle that shes not used to, Fall becomes enchanted by this place and Mama Si. Fall stumbles upon a magical Forrest with a piano made out trees. The piano is the one thing she loves the most and it had her hooked. When she chats with Mama Si she learns about the Glen, curse and magic it brings and decides she wants in. Fall is way in over her head when the time comes for the ritual...a ritual that she wasn't told the full extent of. So when Fall comes face to face with sirens and dragons all common sense went out the window esp when she is bitten by a dragon. Things are not what they seem and when Fall learns the actual truth of the matter, her one goal is to get away and fast. But with a curse, dragons and now vampires, it makes it all much more dangerous for Fall. Drama, lies, betrayal, legends and you wanting to scream NOOOO in the cliffhanger has you sitting at the edge of your seat. Another great book by DN!!

[Amanda Geiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Fall, and how her bad luck/decisions change her life. You're thrown into mystery and magic, with new takes in this fantasy. About the first 30% of the book I'm not going to lie, I was confused, wondering if I was going to like it. To finish this ARC read. But in true D.N. Hoxa fashion, the twist and confusion became clear and it all made sense.
The cliff hanger is one that you will have you raging with the dragons, because how dare that happen! And I am now contemplating how to get over this book hangover while waiting for the next installment.

[Brittany Rotz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review. Boy oh boy the roller coaster of emotions this fantasy book takes you through. You love characters in the beginning then end up hating them at the end of the book and vice versa. The way this book is written with the amount of detail (a bit much at times) transports you into the Seven Isles and you feel like you’re walking amongst faeries and others. The level of spice sprinkled throughout the book was perfect. Less than 10% of the books I read I rate 5 stars and this was an easy 5 stars! I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens to a character I unexpectedly am rooting for.

Now it’s time to rest my brain, go under the covers, and dream about becoming an Enchanted and choosing Grey through the Blood Call.

[Ginger Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author as an ARC on my kindle. The first part of the book was a little slow for me and I was worried that it would be similar to too many other reads and dark romances. Boy was I wrong. This book had so many twists and turns and you can’t help but fall in love with the MMC. I’m friggin pissed that the second book isn’t released already because she leaves you on a cliff hanger which is just rude hahaha but I will definitely be looking forward to the rest of this series!! 4.5 stars for me!!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts slow as we learn Fall’s back story, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it, but I became hooked by Mama Si and trying to figure out how things were going to play out. The books keeps throwing twists at you including quite the cliff hanger meets curve ball at the end. I appreciated the authenticity of Fall’s character and her feelings of being in a strange and scary place while also recognizing and learning from her naivety. This one is a super slow burn but worth the wait!

[Dorothy Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 3 book book, 📖 and I am having a blast reading it, and I definitely laughed, cried, was fearful for "Fall" and I want to read more.

If you are into SPN ROMANCE then definitely read this.

She's broken, and extremely nieve and you just want to either hug her, slap her, or cry with her.

The author came up with some totally different ideas for the type of characters in this and I found it refreshing.

Take your time to get into this book, and you won't be disappointed in the least.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.