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Four Ways to Fate #1
Wicked Little Tricks
Escape into a cozy “why choose” fantasy with slow burn steam, plenty of banter, delicious romantic tension, and magical hijinks.
Eva Nix, glorified messenger at your service.
Sure, the ability to cross boundaries into other realms is pretty neat, but when a devil tricks me into a contract, my celestial blood suddenly becomes the greatest prize in a dangerous game.
My first mission lies deep in the goblin realm, beyond the wild forests to the stone towers of the old ones in search of Mistral.
I expected him to be deadly and cunning.
I did not expect him to sit me by a cozy fire to offer a contract of his own, sealed with a kiss.
With angelics trying to kidnap me, and vampires snapping at my heels, I have no choice but to somehow fulfill both contracts. Suddenly I’m kissing goblins and cuddling up to a devil, just trying to stay afloat in their wicked game.
When the truth of the game finally comes to light, it rocks my entire world. Almost as much as realizing I have feelings for a goblin prince, and maybe some for his brooding vassal, Gabriel.
And as for Sebastian… Does it count as feelings when all I really want to do is rip his clothes off?
Let’s hope not. I like my soul right where it is. My heart, however, seems to be up for grabs. And for now, it is hopelessly divided.
If you love stories
Slow burn romance built on trust and respect (with four guys)Complex heroes ranging from a valiant brooding protector to a morally gray devilFun mysteries light on the violenceSexy goblins and elvesA female lead looking for her found familyLots of coffeeCute little goblin companions, andCelestial magic
Then Wicked Little Tricks is the story for you.
P.S. If it wasn’t already clear, this series has multiple love interests. Four to be exact. Number four is a surprise and will be revealed in book two.
Eva Nix, glorified messenger at your service.
Sure, the ability to cross boundaries into other realms is pretty neat, but when a devil tricks me into a contract, my celestial blood suddenly becomes the greatest prize in a dangerous game.
My first mission lies deep in the goblin realm, beyond the wild forests to the stone towers of the old ones in search of Mistral.
I expected him to be deadly and cunning.
I did not expect him to sit me by a cozy fire to offer a contract of his own, sealed with a kiss.
With angelics trying to kidnap me, and vampires snapping at my heels, I have no choice but to somehow fulfill both contracts. Suddenly I’m kissing goblins and cuddling up to a devil, just trying to stay afloat in their wicked game.
When the truth of the game finally comes to light, it rocks my entire world. Almost as much as realizing I have feelings for a goblin prince, and maybe some for his brooding vassal, Gabriel.
And as for Sebastian… Does it count as feelings when all I really want to do is rip his clothes off?
Let’s hope not. I like my soul right where it is. My heart, however, seems to be up for grabs. And for now, it is hopelessly divided.
If you love stories
Slow burn romance built on trust and respect (with four guys)Complex heroes ranging from a valiant brooding protector to a morally gray devilFun mysteries light on the violenceSexy goblins and elvesA female lead looking for her found familyLots of coffeeCute little goblin companions, andCelestial magic
Then Wicked Little Tricks is the story for you.
P.S. If it wasn’t already clear, this series has multiple love interests. Four to be exact. Number four is a surprise and will be revealed in book two.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2024
About the author
Sara C. Roethle
124 books955 followersSara C. Roethle is a Fantasy author and part-time unicorn. She enjoys writing character driven stories in various fantasy realms with elements of Celtic and Norse myth, humor, and metaphysical ponderings.
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 19, 2024dnf @ 40%
the cover was so cute and this sounded so fun, but it just wasn't for me :((
i got really bored and didn't particularly like any of the mmcs - though i did love our fmc, and the worldbuilding was new. just not captivating enough, unfortunately!
the cover was so cute and this sounded so fun, but it just wasn't for me :((
i got really bored and didn't particularly like any of the mmcs - though i did love our fmc, and the worldbuilding was new. just not captivating enough, unfortunately!
August 9, 2024
DNF 30%
I may try this one again later, but for now I'm just not into it.
It's too slow, the situation is super frustrating and the main character is pretty helpless about everything and just being manipulated around non stop.
I've read other novels where the FMC is a useless human among sups or gods and didn't come out half as pitiful as this girl.
I'm shelving this as 'try again when I have patience' because it's an interesting idea and it's well written for the most part, and I really really like her little furry goblin pet she picked up.
I may try this one again later, but for now I'm just not into it.
It's too slow, the situation is super frustrating and the main character is pretty helpless about everything and just being manipulated around non stop.
I've read other novels where the FMC is a useless human among sups or gods and didn't come out half as pitiful as this girl.
I'm shelving this as 'try again when I have patience' because it's an interesting idea and it's well written for the most part, and I really really like her little furry goblin pet she picked up.
July 5, 2024
“I know nothing of the games played between angelics and devils, dear one. But luck does not bless anyone caught in the middle.”
This is for my Baldur’s Gate lovers who are looking for a fun and cozy why choose romantasy! I absolutely loved the vibes in this book and Sara always writes super fun and adventurous stories that are fast paced and refreshing. I loved all of the characters so much, especially Ringo, I want my own cute little fuzzy goblin companion that I can take everywhere with me 😭. I devoured this book so quickly and was so sad when it was over. I cannot wait for book two! Also, the book itself could not be more beautiful. The cover and the interior is absolutely stunning!
🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔
(This was also the perfect palette cleanser after reading a super dark book that I was not expecting 😅.)
This is for my Baldur’s Gate lovers who are looking for a fun and cozy why choose romantasy! I absolutely loved the vibes in this book and Sara always writes super fun and adventurous stories that are fast paced and refreshing. I loved all of the characters so much, especially Ringo, I want my own cute little fuzzy goblin companion that I can take everywhere with me 😭. I devoured this book so quickly and was so sad when it was over. I cannot wait for book two! Also, the book itself could not be more beautiful. The cover and the interior is absolutely stunning!
🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔
(This was also the perfect palette cleanser after reading a super dark book that I was not expecting 😅.)
February 4, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ This reminded me a bit of Cresent City. The world felt similar. I had a bit of a hard time liking the main characters, but that is probably more to do with me than the storytelling.
July 11, 2024
DNF at 90%, I tried to stick with it but I had no drive to finish this book, it was all a bit of a non story and not much happened. I liked the idea of having a world where only certain beings could pass into realms and across barriers etc but this book didn't really bring it to life. I def wouldn’t say this was a why choose read at all. Only character I quite liked was Ringo who was a small troll!
July 15, 2024
I don't really know what to say I guess. I liked parts of this book but will be honest and say it lost my interest more than it didn't.
The main character is fun and she has a certain charm about her, but she at times fell flat for me. I can't explain it beyond that.
As far as love interests go, I struggled because they were very one dimensional. Not a ton of depth or information throughout the book to get me engaged.
At the detriment of the overall romance plot the ongoing mystery and step by step jobs she does keeps the plot moving along. I think I just kept thinking that yes this is a way to move the plot but it gets repetitive. Task-almost die for no information see cute guy that I'm not into but really am. Rinse and repeat.
I am actually bummed because I read the blurb and jumped right in! The first few chapters even made me think this was going to be an amazing read, then it plateaued for me.
The main character is fun and she has a certain charm about her, but she at times fell flat for me. I can't explain it beyond that.
As far as love interests go, I struggled because they were very one dimensional. Not a ton of depth or information throughout the book to get me engaged.
At the detriment of the overall romance plot the ongoing mystery and step by step jobs she does keeps the plot moving along. I think I just kept thinking that yes this is a way to move the plot but it gets repetitive. Task-almost die for no information see cute guy that I'm not into but really am. Rinse and repeat.
I am actually bummed because I read the blurb and jumped right in! The first few chapters even made me think this was going to be an amazing read, then it plateaued for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
This was an alright book. I wanted the FMC to be more of a badas* and snarkier to all the men in her life. She just kinda lets them manipulate her for their own gain. I also didn't feel the attraction between these characters. They didn't spend enough time together to suddenly jump into bed.
August 28, 2025
2.5⭐️
Do we all have the same dictionary? How does being hunted, threatened, kidnapped, almost being killed, abandoned by your mom, having your memories stolen equal cozy‽ This has gotten billed as a cozy RH, none of the things I listed are cozy!!!
Putting aside the miscategorization of this book, it was alright I guess. Very middle of the road. Actually no, calling this book cozy annoyed me more than anything else. It does the book no favors, as I almost DNF'd it because I picked it up wanting cozy vibes.
Hopefully book 2 will be better because I'll go into it not expecting coziness and can judge the book better on its own merits.
Do we all have the same dictionary? How does being hunted, threatened, kidnapped, almost being killed, abandoned by your mom, having your memories stolen equal cozy‽ This has gotten billed as a cozy RH, none of the things I listed are cozy!!!
Putting aside the miscategorization of this book, it was alright I guess. Very middle of the road. Actually no, calling this book cozy annoyed me more than anything else. It does the book no favors, as I almost DNF'd it because I picked it up wanting cozy vibes.
Hopefully book 2 will be better because I'll go into it not expecting coziness and can judge the book better on its own merits.
April 15, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
I actually had a really good time with this one. It kept me interested the whole way through and I flew through it. It gave me slight Crescent City vibes with the different magical districts, all the creatures, and the chaos of everything going on at once. The world is fun, just not super deep. You’ve got goblins, vampires, elves, devils, angelics, all living in their own territories after the Rift, and Eva being able to move between them made it feel fast-paced and constantly moving. I liked the concept a lot, I just wish it had been built out a little more because it had so much potential. Eva as a main character was likable, but I really wanted more from her. I kept waiting for her to be a little more bold, a little more snarky, especially with all these powerful men constantly trying to use her. She kind of just… goes along with things more than I wanted her to. The romance was where it didn’t fully hit for me. I like the idea of the why choose dynamic and all the different personalities, but it felt rushed. The connections didn’t feel built up enough before things turned physical, so I didn’t really feel the chemistry the way I wanted to. That said, it was still fun. The banter, the chaos, the magical politics, and especially the side characters made it really enjoyable. Ringo was honestly a highlight. This is one of those books that’s super entertaining and easy to binge, even if it doesn’t go super deep. If you’re looking for something fun, fast, a little spicy, and not too heavy, this definitely delivers.
Spoilers ahead
Summary of whole book
Eva Nix, who works as a night runner, is basically a courier who can move between magical districts because of her celestial blood. The world is split into different territories after something called the Rift, so you’ve got goblins in the Bogs, vampires in the Dark District, elves in Emerald Heights, and the Circus as this neutral, chaotic meeting place. Everything kicks off when Eva delivers a package to the angelics at the Circus and immediately gets dragged into something way bigger than she expected. She meets Sebastian, a devil, who tricks her into a contract to collect a debt, and even though she initially refuses, she’s forced into it when the angelics suddenly try to kill her. That’s when she finds out the “debt” she’s supposed to collect is tied to her own mother, Celeste, a full celestial who abandoned her years ago and hid her memories. At the same time, Eva makes another deal with Mistral, a goblin prince, agreeing to spy on Sebastian in exchange for information about her mother, so now she’s stuck playing both sides without really knowing who to trust.
As everything escalates, Eva learns her mother is being hunted by basically every supernatural group because of the Realm Breaker, a powerful sword that can open pathways between realms, and everyone thinks Celeste either has it or knows where it is. Meanwhile, Eva’s powers start evolving, especially after her first spicy moment with Mistral, where something strange happens and her magic reacts in a way that clearly means she’s more powerful than she realizes. Her life gets even messier when her roommate Braxton is kidnapped by a vampire named Ivan, who thinks Eva can lead him to Celeste. During the rescue, Eva unlocks even more of her abilities and actually teleports to save Braxton, which confirms she can fully shift between realms, something she didn’t even know she could do before.From there, more starts coming out. Sebastian tells her her memories weren’t stolen, they were hidden inside her mind, meaning she already has the answers she’s looking for but just can’t access them yet. At the same time, Elena, who seemed like just a bartender, reveals herself to actually be Princess Millelena of the elves, basically everyone Eva knows has been hiding something. Eva also learns that her mother may not be the victim she thought, especially after finding out Celeste sent angelics to kill night runners, which flips everything she believed about her upside down. On top of all that, her connection with Mistral continues to deepen, especially since their magic is now linked, while she’s still tied to Sebastian through their contract and has growing tension with Gabriel too, which really sets up the why choose dynamic. By the end, Eva is stuck in the middle of multiple deals, multiple love interests, and multiple supernatural factions all pulling her in different directions. She still hasn’t found her mother, but now she knows she’s at the center of something bigger involving the Realm Breaker, her hidden memories, and her own growing powers. The book ends with her realizing she’s not just caught in the game, she’s a key piece of it, and everything moving forward is going to revolve around her whether she’s ready or not.
I actually had a really good time with this one. It kept me interested the whole way through and I flew through it. It gave me slight Crescent City vibes with the different magical districts, all the creatures, and the chaos of everything going on at once. The world is fun, just not super deep. You’ve got goblins, vampires, elves, devils, angelics, all living in their own territories after the Rift, and Eva being able to move between them made it feel fast-paced and constantly moving. I liked the concept a lot, I just wish it had been built out a little more because it had so much potential. Eva as a main character was likable, but I really wanted more from her. I kept waiting for her to be a little more bold, a little more snarky, especially with all these powerful men constantly trying to use her. She kind of just… goes along with things more than I wanted her to. The romance was where it didn’t fully hit for me. I like the idea of the why choose dynamic and all the different personalities, but it felt rushed. The connections didn’t feel built up enough before things turned physical, so I didn’t really feel the chemistry the way I wanted to. That said, it was still fun. The banter, the chaos, the magical politics, and especially the side characters made it really enjoyable. Ringo was honestly a highlight. This is one of those books that’s super entertaining and easy to binge, even if it doesn’t go super deep. If you’re looking for something fun, fast, a little spicy, and not too heavy, this definitely delivers.
Spoilers ahead
Summary of whole book
Eva Nix, who works as a night runner, is basically a courier who can move between magical districts because of her celestial blood. The world is split into different territories after something called the Rift, so you’ve got goblins in the Bogs, vampires in the Dark District, elves in Emerald Heights, and the Circus as this neutral, chaotic meeting place. Everything kicks off when Eva delivers a package to the angelics at the Circus and immediately gets dragged into something way bigger than she expected. She meets Sebastian, a devil, who tricks her into a contract to collect a debt, and even though she initially refuses, she’s forced into it when the angelics suddenly try to kill her. That’s when she finds out the “debt” she’s supposed to collect is tied to her own mother, Celeste, a full celestial who abandoned her years ago and hid her memories. At the same time, Eva makes another deal with Mistral, a goblin prince, agreeing to spy on Sebastian in exchange for information about her mother, so now she’s stuck playing both sides without really knowing who to trust.
As everything escalates, Eva learns her mother is being hunted by basically every supernatural group because of the Realm Breaker, a powerful sword that can open pathways between realms, and everyone thinks Celeste either has it or knows where it is. Meanwhile, Eva’s powers start evolving, especially after her first spicy moment with Mistral, where something strange happens and her magic reacts in a way that clearly means she’s more powerful than she realizes. Her life gets even messier when her roommate Braxton is kidnapped by a vampire named Ivan, who thinks Eva can lead him to Celeste. During the rescue, Eva unlocks even more of her abilities and actually teleports to save Braxton, which confirms she can fully shift between realms, something she didn’t even know she could do before.From there, more starts coming out. Sebastian tells her her memories weren’t stolen, they were hidden inside her mind, meaning she already has the answers she’s looking for but just can’t access them yet. At the same time, Elena, who seemed like just a bartender, reveals herself to actually be Princess Millelena of the elves, basically everyone Eva knows has been hiding something. Eva also learns that her mother may not be the victim she thought, especially after finding out Celeste sent angelics to kill night runners, which flips everything she believed about her upside down. On top of all that, her connection with Mistral continues to deepen, especially since their magic is now linked, while she’s still tied to Sebastian through their contract and has growing tension with Gabriel too, which really sets up the why choose dynamic. By the end, Eva is stuck in the middle of multiple deals, multiple love interests, and multiple supernatural factions all pulling her in different directions. She still hasn’t found her mother, but now she knows she’s at the center of something bigger involving the Realm Breaker, her hidden memories, and her own growing powers. The book ends with her realizing she’s not just caught in the game, she’s a key piece of it, and everything moving forward is going to revolve around her whether she’s ready or not.
March 29, 2025
A Quick and Intriguing Start
✨ Why choose?
✨ Slow burn
✨ Magical mystery
✨ Found family
Spice: 🌶️
This is a short (21 chapters), quick read that dives into a fantasy world brimming with diverse species like Celestials, Elves, Demons, and Goblins.
The premise is intriguing, centering around a reverse harem dynamic although it's not the primary focus, which might disappoint some readers looking for more explicit content as the spice is quite subdued.
Despite this, I found myself enjoying the fast-paced narrative and the overall flow of the story. There js a sense of mystery surrounding the FMC, leaving you curious about why she's the target of so much attention. This element of intrigue is definitely a strong point and kept me engaged.
Overall, I liked this book. It serves as a solid introduction to the series, and I'm definitely intrigued enough to continue and see where the story goes.
✨ Why choose?
✨ Slow burn
✨ Magical mystery
✨ Found family
Spice: 🌶️
This is a short (21 chapters), quick read that dives into a fantasy world brimming with diverse species like Celestials, Elves, Demons, and Goblins.
The premise is intriguing, centering around a reverse harem dynamic although it's not the primary focus, which might disappoint some readers looking for more explicit content as the spice is quite subdued.
Despite this, I found myself enjoying the fast-paced narrative and the overall flow of the story. There js a sense of mystery surrounding the FMC, leaving you curious about why she's the target of so much attention. This element of intrigue is definitely a strong point and kept me engaged.
Overall, I liked this book. It serves as a solid introduction to the series, and I'm definitely intrigued enough to continue and see where the story goes.
June 17, 2025
3 ⭐️ IT WAS JUST OKAY
This one was just okay for me. I loved the idea of a “why choose” fantasy with a chaotic FMC and some morally grey shenanigans but somewhere along the way it lost me a bit.
There were parts I enjoyed … the main character had her charm for sure, but I found myself confused more than once about what was going on and the love interests felt kind of flat. Like yes they were there, but I didn’t feel much for any of them.
The plot structure got a bit repetitive too: almost die, mysterious task, new guy, confusing reaction, rinse and repeat. It kept moving but without a lot of emotional weight behind it.
I think this one just wasn’t for me, and that’s ok! I probably won’t continue with the series but I can definitely see how it would work for someone looking for a lighter, trope-filled fantasy romance without a lot of darkness or heavy worldbuilding.
This one was just okay for me. I loved the idea of a “why choose” fantasy with a chaotic FMC and some morally grey shenanigans but somewhere along the way it lost me a bit.
There were parts I enjoyed … the main character had her charm for sure, but I found myself confused more than once about what was going on and the love interests felt kind of flat. Like yes they were there, but I didn’t feel much for any of them.
The plot structure got a bit repetitive too: almost die, mysterious task, new guy, confusing reaction, rinse and repeat. It kept moving but without a lot of emotional weight behind it.
I think this one just wasn’t for me, and that’s ok! I probably won’t continue with the series but I can definitely see how it would work for someone looking for a lighter, trope-filled fantasy romance without a lot of darkness or heavy worldbuilding.
April 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! The world the author creates is not only intriguing but also exceptionally well-crafted. The Gobs are described in amazing detail, and the danger they present feels genuine. I love everything about it, especially Ringo, the little furry goblin rescued by the FMC.
The world-building is masterfully done, seamlessly drawing you in without overwhelming you with exposition. The characters are well-rounded and relatable.
Even with the situations the FMC found herself in, it wasn't at all a dark read. A light-hearted and quick read to get you out of a funk if you're not looking for something too deep.
The world-building is masterfully done, seamlessly drawing you in without overwhelming you with exposition. The characters are well-rounded and relatable.
Even with the situations the FMC found herself in, it wasn't at all a dark read. A light-hearted and quick read to get you out of a funk if you're not looking for something too deep.
January 17, 2026
3.5✨
Faced paced little romantasy.
Goblins, demons, devils, angels, vampires and wolves? Yeah I was invested.
The secrets and the hidden intentions helped with the plot a lot.
It’s a perfect start for someone starting in romantasy and felt like a junk food read. Nothing amazing but still a good time.
It promised why choose but there wasn’t any spice on page, am I bothered? Not really.
Will continue with the series.
Faced paced little romantasy.
Goblins, demons, devils, angels, vampires and wolves? Yeah I was invested.
The secrets and the hidden intentions helped with the plot a lot.
It’s a perfect start for someone starting in romantasy and felt like a junk food read. Nothing amazing but still a good time.
It promised why choose but there wasn’t any spice on page, am I bothered? Not really.
Will continue with the series.
May 13, 2025
Wicked Little Tricks is a cozy urban fantasy with lots of magical creatures that transport you to another world, and I for one really enjoyed it! ✨
The book starts without extensive world-building; you're thrown into the story without knowing where it's headed. As someone who often struggles with world-building, I found that refreshingly different. The pacing of this book was very good—there was enough action to keep me interested, and I’m definitely diving straight into book two 😌
The book starts without extensive world-building; you're thrown into the story without knowing where it's headed. As someone who often struggles with world-building, I found that refreshingly different. The pacing of this book was very good—there was enough action to keep me interested, and I’m definitely diving straight into book two 😌
August 6, 2025
unexpectedly great!!
What a great story!! Eva lives her life as a mere mortal believing she’s nothing special but a series of events, an encounter with a devil and a foray into the goblin realm, reveals just how wrong she is and sparks fly. Mild cliffhanger. 5 star read. Highly recommend.
What a great story!! Eva lives her life as a mere mortal believing she’s nothing special but a series of events, an encounter with a devil and a foray into the goblin realm, reveals just how wrong she is and sparks fly. Mild cliffhanger. 5 star read. Highly recommend.
December 3, 2024
Let’s go with 3.5 stars. Too short but also really liked the story! I’m not entirely sure I’d call it “cozy” though given the amount of people who kinda want to kill or kidnap Eva…
Did Not Finish
December 10, 2024DNF at 31%. I don’t really like the world. It just felt lost.
February 22, 2025
Enjoyable light read. Like a mystery with a bunch of fantasy species added to make things interesting.
March 15, 2025
Finished it but only just, didn’t really know what was going on throughout.
September 30, 2024
DNF @ 50% - some parts I liked but it was just… so slow and nothing exciting was happening to keep me interested (plus I read some spoilers about this & book two and went ick no thanks)
November 5, 2025
slow burn —- probably too slow for me
Don’t think I will read book two. I don’t really feel the connection between the love interests and if I am not rooting for them after the whole first book, it feels like a miss for me!
Don’t think I will read book two. I don’t really feel the connection between the love interests and if I am not rooting for them after the whole first book, it feels like a miss for me!
July 25, 2024
interesting
Ok, so this is an interesting PNR, but I don’t get how it’s cozy, at all. And it’s rather an urban fantasy as opposed to a PNR, and there are multiple love interests - kinda? I don’t know where those will go. I’ll read the next as the plot intrigues me.
Ok, so this is an interesting PNR, but I don’t get how it’s cozy, at all. And it’s rather an urban fantasy as opposed to a PNR, and there are multiple love interests - kinda? I don’t know where those will go. I’ll read the next as the plot intrigues me.
May 24, 2025
This book feels like a rip off of Cresecent City. A city split into factions of different supernatural creatures? FMC with limited skill set at start of book? A best friend who is a werewolf? Yup. FMC gets wrapped up in a mystery, not of her own choosing and with no idea what's going on while all the important people around her push her around? Yup. Latent talent that makes her a Mary Sue? Yup.
About the only thing that is different is the author is setting this up to be a reverse harem. (It's not in the first book. The FMC starts having feelings for multiple characters without any reason for it- they are all openly manipulating her and she doesn't like it. Then next chapter, she wants sex with them.
It could have been good in it's own right, but it is like a speed-run fanfic retelling of Cresecent City. The blurb about it says "Escape into a cozy “why choose” fantasy with slow burn steam, plenty of banter, delicious romantic tension, and magical hijinks." There isn't anything cozy about this book- cozy books are small scale intrigue with everyday problems. I can't detail the major problems here without giving spoilers, but world-shattering consequences aren't small scale. The only partially good banter the FMC has is with a small goblin she befriends. And the spicy scenes are forgetful, as in I can't even remember what I read yesterday level forgettable (side from the plot point that ties into that in the epilogue. why is there an epilogue if there's a second book? epilogues are for wrapping things up. messy).
If you're looking for a throwaway, meaningless book to eat up some time, this is fine. It's not a god spicy book. It's not a good mystery because there aren't really meaningful clues or anything. Not really any foreshadowing. It is just fine. It's fine.
About the only thing that is different is the author is setting this up to be a reverse harem. (It's not in the first book. The FMC starts having feelings for multiple characters without any reason for it- they are all openly manipulating her and she doesn't like it. Then next chapter, she wants sex with them.
It could have been good in it's own right, but it is like a speed-run fanfic retelling of Cresecent City. The blurb about it says "Escape into a cozy “why choose” fantasy with slow burn steam, plenty of banter, delicious romantic tension, and magical hijinks." There isn't anything cozy about this book- cozy books are small scale intrigue with everyday problems. I can't detail the major problems here without giving spoilers, but world-shattering consequences aren't small scale. The only partially good banter the FMC has is with a small goblin she befriends. And the spicy scenes are forgetful, as in I can't even remember what I read yesterday level forgettable (side from the plot point that ties into that in the epilogue. why is there an epilogue if there's a second book? epilogues are for wrapping things up. messy).
If you're looking for a throwaway, meaningless book to eat up some time, this is fine. It's not a god spicy book. It's not a good mystery because there aren't really meaningful clues or anything. Not really any foreshadowing. It is just fine. It's fine.
January 30, 2025
DNF
The writing style just isn't for me. Pointless descriptions of things that are neither here no there. That is not world building. What kind of worlds are they? Who lives in them? It would make more sense for me to know that than descriptions of buildings.
I was already skim reading at 12% by 40% I found myself wondering why I was even bothering. With all that pointless yammering what does the heroine even look like???
The writing style just isn't for me. Pointless descriptions of things that are neither here no there. That is not world building. What kind of worlds are they? Who lives in them? It would make more sense for me to know that than descriptions of buildings.
I was already skim reading at 12% by 40% I found myself wondering why I was even bothering. With all that pointless yammering what does the heroine even look like???
January 20, 2025
I kept seeing ads for this book about it being a cozy read. Is everyone’s definition of cozy different from my definition of cozy?
January 21, 2025
Escape into a cozy “why choose” fantasy with slow burn steam, plenty of banter, delicious romantic tension, and magical hijinks.
Eva Nix, glorified messenger at your service.
Sure, the ability to cross boundaries into other realms is pretty neat, but when a devil tricks me into a contract, my celestial blood suddenly becomes the greatest prize in a dangerous game.
My first mission lies deep in the goblin realm, beyond the wild forests to the stone towers of the old ones in search of Mistral.
I expected him to be deadly and cunning.
I did not expect him to sit me by a cozy fire to offer a contract of his own, sealed with a kiss.
With angelics trying to kidnap me, and vampires snapping at my heels, I have no choice but to somehow fulfill both contracts. Suddenly I’m kissing goblins and cuddling up to a devil, just trying to stay afloat in their wicked game.
When the truth of the game finally comes to light, it rocks my entire world. Almost as much as realizing I have feelings for a goblin prince, and maybe some for his brooding vassal, Gabriel.
And as for Sebastian… Does it count as feelings when all I really want to do is rip his clothes off?
Let’s hope not. I like my soul right where it is. My heart, however, seems to be up for grabs. And for now, it is hopelessly divided.
If you love stories
Slow burn romance built on trust and respect (with four guys)Complex heroes ranging from a valiant brooding protector to a morally gray devilFun mysteries light on the violenceSexy goblins and elvesA female lead looking for her found familyLots of coffeeCute little goblin companions, andCelestial magic
Heather's Notes
This was not as good as I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to read a cute story with some laughs. While the story was cute, it wasn't really funny. The two "guys" didn't really do anything, and there were only two, maybe more will show up in future books, but I don't think I will go any further. I found myself quite disappointed with the story.
Eva Nix, glorified messenger at your service.
Sure, the ability to cross boundaries into other realms is pretty neat, but when a devil tricks me into a contract, my celestial blood suddenly becomes the greatest prize in a dangerous game.
My first mission lies deep in the goblin realm, beyond the wild forests to the stone towers of the old ones in search of Mistral.
I expected him to be deadly and cunning.
I did not expect him to sit me by a cozy fire to offer a contract of his own, sealed with a kiss.
With angelics trying to kidnap me, and vampires snapping at my heels, I have no choice but to somehow fulfill both contracts. Suddenly I’m kissing goblins and cuddling up to a devil, just trying to stay afloat in their wicked game.
When the truth of the game finally comes to light, it rocks my entire world. Almost as much as realizing I have feelings for a goblin prince, and maybe some for his brooding vassal, Gabriel.
And as for Sebastian… Does it count as feelings when all I really want to do is rip his clothes off?
Let’s hope not. I like my soul right where it is. My heart, however, seems to be up for grabs. And for now, it is hopelessly divided.
If you love stories
Slow burn romance built on trust and respect (with four guys)Complex heroes ranging from a valiant brooding protector to a morally gray devilFun mysteries light on the violenceSexy goblins and elvesA female lead looking for her found familyLots of coffeeCute little goblin companions, andCelestial magic
Heather's Notes
This was not as good as I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to read a cute story with some laughs. While the story was cute, it wasn't really funny. The two "guys" didn't really do anything, and there were only two, maybe more will show up in future books, but I don't think I will go any further. I found myself quite disappointed with the story.
August 20, 2026
Wicked Little Tricks (Four Ways to Fate, #1) by Sara Roethler
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, I need to talk about this book because it genuinely saved my reading life lately. 📚✨
I’ve had a rough streak…like, DNF-after-DNF, “why do I even bother” kind of streak. Books so bad I couldn’t even muster the energy to write a review afterward. I’d finish them (or not), shove them into my “never again” pile, and move on feeling drained. But Wicked Little Tricks? This one pulled me out of that slump, and I am so grateful.
First off, the world-building is chef’s kiss. 🌍💋
Sara Roethler created something that gave me major Shadowhunters vibes, not the same story at all, not even close. but that same feeling of stepping into a rich, layered world where magic is real and dangerous and alive. It’s completely its own thing, but if you loved that atmosphere? You’ll get it.
The characters are so different from each other, and I loved that. No cookie-cutter personalities here. The main character? I adored her. She felt real, she felt grounded, and I actually cared about what happened to her. That’s been rare for me lately. 💗
Now, is this a perfect book? Honestly, not much happens plot-wise. It’s very much an introductory book, lot of setup, a lot of world-building, a lot of laying the groundwork. But you know what? For a first book in a series, it’s done so well. I never felt bored. I was invested the whole way through, and that’s saying something given how checked out I’ve been with reading lately.
And here’s the thing, maybe it’s not technically a five-star read for everyone. But for me? It absolutely is. Because it made me want to read again. It made me want to write this review. It made me excited to pick up the next book. That alone deserves five stars. 🌟
I’m already planning to dive into book two on audiobook because I need more of this world, and I genuinely wish I had more free time to just binge it. If you’ve been in a reading slump or you love a cozy fantasy with slow-burn tension, why choose, banter, and magical chaos, give this one a shot. It might just be exactly what you need. 🎧🔮
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, I need to talk about this book because it genuinely saved my reading life lately. 📚✨
I’ve had a rough streak…like, DNF-after-DNF, “why do I even bother” kind of streak. Books so bad I couldn’t even muster the energy to write a review afterward. I’d finish them (or not), shove them into my “never again” pile, and move on feeling drained. But Wicked Little Tricks? This one pulled me out of that slump, and I am so grateful.
First off, the world-building is chef’s kiss. 🌍💋
Sara Roethler created something that gave me major Shadowhunters vibes, not the same story at all, not even close. but that same feeling of stepping into a rich, layered world where magic is real and dangerous and alive. It’s completely its own thing, but if you loved that atmosphere? You’ll get it.
The characters are so different from each other, and I loved that. No cookie-cutter personalities here. The main character? I adored her. She felt real, she felt grounded, and I actually cared about what happened to her. That’s been rare for me lately. 💗
Now, is this a perfect book? Honestly, not much happens plot-wise. It’s very much an introductory book, lot of setup, a lot of world-building, a lot of laying the groundwork. But you know what? For a first book in a series, it’s done so well. I never felt bored. I was invested the whole way through, and that’s saying something given how checked out I’ve been with reading lately.
And here’s the thing, maybe it’s not technically a five-star read for everyone. But for me? It absolutely is. Because it made me want to read again. It made me want to write this review. It made me excited to pick up the next book. That alone deserves five stars. 🌟
I’m already planning to dive into book two on audiobook because I need more of this world, and I genuinely wish I had more free time to just binge it. If you’ve been in a reading slump or you love a cozy fantasy with slow-burn tension, why choose, banter, and magical chaos, give this one a shot. It might just be exactly what you need. 🎧🔮
June 28, 2024
I just loved reading this first book in a new dark reverse harem fantasy series by Ms. Roethle, Eva Nix the main character is full of mystery. She is just a night runner, however she knows nothing of her past and is in search of her long lost mother. However, interestingly enough, she is not the only one seeking her mother, a full celestial, it seems. A devil called Sebastian accosts her and asks her to accept a job, that of collecting a debt for him, since she could cross the magical boundaries, whilst he could not. But when she sets out to make a delivery at the Circus, she is nearly killed by Angelics, and soon finds herself being hunted by vampires, goblins, as well as elves. What is the sudden interest? Seems they all want to get their hands on the Realm Breaker, an almost mythological sword who many believed was just that, a myth. As she and her best friend Braxton, a werewolf shifter, find themselves in ever more danger she does not know who to trust or turn to. The high goblin Mistral who lives in the citadel in the bogs has promised to protect her but then so did Sebastian, the devil who had got her into this mess in the first place, and turned her life into a living hell being hounded by the many men suddenly interested in her. Her mother Celeste is wanted dead or alive but could she give her up to her enemies if ever she found her, even though she owed her nothing? I am dying to read book 2 of this very exciting dark and spicy magical fantasy as it seems things for Eva will be getting hotter with so many showing an interest in her.
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