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Four Ways to Fate #2

Deadly Little Games

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The day I met the devil was the day my life began.

A life of embracing my magic and discovering the truth of my past. The truth about everything. Even a few things that should have stayed buried. When mysterious notes start appearing on my person telling me not to trust the elves, I’m led to question Elena‘s motives. Which means I also have to question the handsome and aloof elven wizard she talked into helping me.

Crispin might be my best chance of finding my mother, but he also has a bad habit of being reckless with his magic. Plus, I’m not sure how to trust a man who can drive through the city with zero road rage. There’s obviously something terribly wrong with him.

When crazed fairies chase us out of town, it will be a race toward the truth. A race I would have gladly bowed out of had I known I might lose one of the goblins who was slowly winning my heart.

Four Ways to Fate is a cozy “why choose” fantasy with slow burn steam and plenty of banter, romantic tension, and magical hijinks. We may have a few cliffhangers along the way, but rest assured, all four heroes will get their happy endings.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

650 people are currently reading
452 people want to read

About the author

Sara C. Roethle

126 books921 followers
Sara 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

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5 stars
583 (41%)
4 stars
520 (37%)
3 stars
256 (18%)
2 stars
31 (2%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Rose.
687 reviews46 followers
September 13, 2025
Too much just sitting around and talking and all the characters “voices” are too similar. It was boring.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
220 reviews
September 5, 2024
4.25 ⭐️. But it was easy to flow. I love how the world is. And the spicy scenes make sense. I love this slow burn of sexual tension. There is a PLOT, and I have gasped with some of these twists and turns. I am down with his series for sure.

#whychoose #reverseharem #dealwiththedeal #bargins
56 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
I've had to take 24 hours to process what I've just read

I like this author, liked her other series and like her world building and characters. her dialogue is natural and her characters feel like people with different personalities

so this is..... Something. turns out FMC's power comes from sexual attraction which is hm but whatever I'm reading romantasy who am I to judge but when it leads to them shagging in front of the village so a goblin prince can save his village from evil ivy like. are you serious. she can't meet their eyes afterwards and that is no surprise they've just witnessed you having what sounds like the most mediocre sex of your life. they pity you hun

turns out it's one of those all men want her why choose books but the first threesome is just her shagging one guy whilst the other watches and there's just a sentence now and then like huh oh yeah he's still here and then she shags him too but there's no involvement and again the sex seems mediocre which is fine whatever but that's not a threesome that's just banging with your friend watching

the plot doesn't turn up at all, she's looking for her mother to find a weapon yeah cool but the plot is basically she wants to bang all hot guys and they're up for it

I feel like Sara's editor told her sex and reverse harem is selling and she went hm bet, wrote a monogamous romance and then just shoehorned the reverse harem in by having them watch. it is a book of tropes but it doesn't even seem to master them well which is wild because historically this author has nailed this genre
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
328 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2024
Love it so much

This book was even better the first..
I'm kind of sad I read it so fast!
It had a little bit of everything, action, intrigue, and romance.
Eva is a terrific character, and I love all the guys in this. Gabriel's my favorite though..
Can't wait for book 3!
Profile Image for jen.
124 reviews
October 30, 2024
4/5 ⭐️

I need these books to be longer!!! And im dying for multiple POV 😭 I need to know everyone’s true intentions for Eva RN

I feel like the flow of this one was a lot better than the first book. Book one was throwing so many concepts and ideas at you that it was hard to take everything in in less than 300 pages. But now that we’ve got the basics down, book two was smooth sailing.

I still love Ringo. Crispin is so funny, I really like him. Gabriel is SO SWEET, I need to know more about him. I still feel a little meh on Mistral and Sebastian, but they are slowly growing on me.

This is the first why choose I have read where the FMC like, slowly gets to know each person and learns to like them. Most of the ones I’ve read are: here is pack of Boys. Most Boys love the Girl, maybe some don’t but they learn to. Girl loves them all. Happy ever after.

This is a new take on it for me and im loving it. I just reallyyyyy wish it was from their POV sometimes too. 😭

———

“Will there be food where we’re going?” He slowed the horse to a walk as I spotted lanterns in the distance. “You’re a bottomless pit.”

“I can’t just go around kissing people trying to get more magic.”

“Now are you going to try to get us out of here, or not?” “Considering the alternative is being trapped here for eternity with you,” I stepped toward him, “I’m willing to try.”

“I didn’t mean for you to leave him with all of my things,” he said lowly. “He won’t do anything bad!” I left Ringo alone with all of my things all the time.

Not because I was afraid she was going to kidnap me, not with both Gabriel and Sebastian around, but because Crispin was the one driving. If he drove a car anything like he drove paths to other realms, we were all doomed.

Gabriel scowled, but took the little goblin, holding him in the palms of his hands. “He likes french fries,” I said pointedly. “And cake.”

“You saved me.” “Obviously.”

“If you fight it, it will destroy you.”
Profile Image for Lana.
2,766 reviews59 followers
August 19, 2024
Eva is back and she is still seeking to find her mother, the woman who is a fully fledged Celestial, who has a bounty on her head, and who had abandoned Eva when she was still a child. Once Sebastian the demon entered into her life Eva discovered her magical powers but so did many others and they were after her because of these. Her best friend was abducted by vampires because of her, and the fae were also out to get her. She gains the protection of the Elves' King through the intercession of Princess Elena, but Eva is warned not to trust the elves. Furthermore a goblin she is growing very fond of is at risk of losing his life during a major battle which takes place. Eva is torn between who to trust as goblins, elves, the fae and the vampires all seem interested in gaining more power through capturing her. They also want her mother to gain the bounty and even more so the sword which was said to be in her possession. The artifact known as the realm breaker, which could open portals into the far realms to take them back home. In this steamy reverse harem series Eva is gaining more men to her side as now Crispin, the elf wizard, is brought into her group. From a celebate young girl she is now a lover to a number of different males. This series is getting very exciting both in terms of steam and in terms of adventure and battles.
Profile Image for Lit Echos.
71 reviews
March 30, 2025
A Middling Magical Mystery

✨ Why choose?
✨ Slow burn
✨ Magical mystery
✨ Found family 

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

"Deadly Little Games" continues the journey of Eva, diving deeper into the mysteries surrounding her lost memories and burgeoning magical abilities. The pacing, much like the first book, is steady and deliberate. The author maintains a consistent tone, which is a plus for those who enjoyed the first installment.

The "why choose" slow-burn romance is definitely a focal point, and I must admit, the slow burn is executed quite well. The romantic tension is palpable, and the banter between Eva and her potential suitors is engaging. The slight increase in spice level from the first book adds a bit more heat, but it's still far from overly explicit.

While the story progresses and the mysteries surrounding Eva’s powers are slowly unraveling, it does feel like the paving from the first book continues, and the plot isn’t moving at a break neck speed. 

Overall, "Deadly Little Games" is a decent continuation of the series. It delivers on the slow-burn romance and magical intrigue, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of a truly captivating read. If you enjoyed the first book and are invested in Eva's journey, you'll likely find this one enjoyable enough to continue. I will be continuing with the series to see how the mysteries are resolved and the romance develops.
Profile Image for Jenifer.
606 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2025
3.5 stars
I've liked this story so far, but this book in itself feels incomplete.
It's just too short and doesn't have the sense on a completed book... just like the first one.
So, sadly, this marks the end of my journey with this story because I feel like I'm paying for blocks of chapters rather than books.
Again, if it were free, I would probably continue it, just to actually see where it goes.

I like the main character, but if there were more substance to this, it could actually be a really great story. As is, it's not quite cozy (which its advertised as) - not quite a fast-paced urban fantasy (which seems like sometimes), and I'm not entirely sure what it wants to be. It's not quite slow-burn - not quite insta-love, but there's also not much romance going on. I mean, she likes a couple of guys, and they like her, and then shes like "oh I need my magic, so let's do stuff." But there's no explanation why her getting hot and heavy is causing these magic flares - she isn't a siren or anything, and there's been not mention on mates of any kind.

Idk... the plot with the pathways and her celestial mom is what has actually held my interest tge most (the mystery/plot), but the more I think about it, the more I wonder if that really is all there is to this story. Everything else has fallen flatly in the middle, so maybe the plot will, too.
Either way, I'm a little disappointed with there not being more to these books, and just kind bring myself to pay for the third.

Lots of potential - but needs to be workshops in my opinion.

(Listened to on Audible)
289 reviews
June 28, 2025
What happened to begging?

Good continuation of the series, but one thing bugged me. Sebastian at one time told Eva that he would not kiss her again unless she begged for it, and next thing you know, he kisses her in some alley without any real lead up or cause. The having to beg for it just forgotten. I enjoyed the development of the relationship with the goblin(s). I once more felt like these really short books should just be combined, especially when the start of the next book is literally a continuation of the previous book. It makes them quick reads, but it makes them too short and annoying to me. Plenty more action in this, some spice, some rudimentary explanation of the magic system, though it still sounds like its not very clear how its supposed to work. For Eva emotions are clearly part of it, but that seems to be an anomaly, yet her magic was supposedly not bound, just her memories? I'm enjoying the story, but fewer books and more thought expressed about what is normal in this magic, and why are things not so, would be where
Profile Image for Nicole Minken.
169 reviews28 followers
January 30, 2025
“𝑨 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩���𝒈𝒔.”

📚 𝐁ⱺⱺ𝗄 2
💞 𝐖ɦ𝗒 𝐂ɦⱺⱺ𝗌𝖾
🦄 𝐔𝗋ᑲα𐓣 𝐅α𐓣𝗍α𝗌𝗒
🍃 𝐌α𝗀𝗂𝖼αᥣ 𝐌𝗒𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗒
⚔ 𝐏α𝗋α𐓣ⱺ𝗋ꭑαᥣ 𝐑ⱺꭑα𐓣𝖼𝖾
🌌 𝐂𝖾ᥣ𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂αᥣ𝗌 & 𝐃𝖾ꭑⱺ𐓣𝗌
🧝🏼‍♂️ 𝐆ⱺᑲᥣ𝗂𐓣𝗌 & 𝐄ᥣ𝗏𝖾𝗌
🌶 𝐒ρ𝗂𝖼𝖾

I absolutely devoured this book!
There's more spice in this one, and another guy gets added to the "harem."
This one is even more adventurous than the first and you start getting a lot more answers as to why everyone is after Eva's mom, and why she left Eva behind.
You actually find out quite a bit in this one considering it's only the second book. Which I love. I like that it's fast paced and not drawn out.
Like I said this one has a lot more spice, but it doesn't take away from the story and the spice is actually directly linked to her celestial magic.
Profile Image for Jessica Fowler.
362 reviews
September 9, 2024
So very good but

I'm starting to feel like it's a bit dragged out. The storyline is really great and pretty unique, while being a familiar multiple realm type of fantasy universe. I love the FMC (she's funny, smart and adaptive) and the guys definitely grow on ya. I'm enjoying the series so much, maybe too much since it's leaving me chomping at the bit for more but, it feels slightly off pace right now. It feels like the adventure happens in very small bursts surrounded by slightly repetitive recapping.
Profile Image for Hey.Reese.
87 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2025
magic, goblins, and a wizard fae

This second book proved to be a wild time! The “guys” are growing on me. They even start to care for the little goblin creature. There’s some urgency of getting away from the people hunting them, but not a full on scare of someone’s impending doom. Although someone does basically die and they have sex in the goblin lands to pull magic from the ground to save him.
Profile Image for Wendy K..
354 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2025
In this book, we follow Eva as she continues to learn that she has powers and figures out ways to use them, while she still tries to find her mother and deal with several different people who want to hurt her and stop her mission. Let’s not forget that she now has the attention of multiple men who all find themselves attracted to her.

In the first book, she had dalliances with the Goblin King and was potentially making eyes with his friend and the Devil who made a deal with her. In this book, she gets closer with them and also meets an Elf. By the end of this book, she has four men who are attracted to her and it is getting a little bit more steamy. There is a small scene with the Goblin King and his friend and I feel like feeling are starting to get involved.

Eva has to figured out what path to take in the next book. She learned more information about her mother and about the pathways to the other realms. The main question is if she is a key to fixing wrongs that were done in the past? I’m hoping to find out more in the next book.
Profile Image for Paula.
781 reviews5 followers
June 3, 2025
Good!!!

Wow!!! This second book was filled with alot of surprising information for Eva about what she has to go through to find her mother. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Then her changing relationship with Mistral and Gabriel with her growing feelings 🌶🌶🌶 for them that makes her magic grow. a slow-burn love story ending in a cliffhanger for book 3
87 reviews
July 23, 2025
Short and not so sweet!!

I've devoured book 1 and 2 in less than 24 hours- Sara has me hook, line and sinker, or should that be Demon, elf & Goblins?
In this instalment we discover things may not be as straight forward as we first believed. Looking forward to see what spicy roads we are led down next.
Profile Image for Leanne F.
1,044 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2025
as good as the first

And with so many twists and tales, bargains and contracts, it’s a wonder Eva has any time at all to find her mum! With her new elven princess bestie and a slightly mad elf wizard on the periphery, the goblin prince, his oldest friend and a sly devil all thrown in — and a wolf who’s just a flatmate — there a lot happening!! 5 stars. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Holly Wagner.
116 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2024
A great continuation from book 1! I'm loving Eva and her guys more and more and I really loved exploring a new realm. Seriously, this world is one of my all-time favorites!
I'm devastated I have to wait until December for book 3!
Profile Image for AshtonReads.
8 reviews
October 8, 2024
goblins, fae, vampires and more!

I really enjoyed the variety of creatures including elves, goblins fae,celestials and vampires. Some of the romance seemed to be at odd times which I didn’t love but overall I enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Nicole Simpson.
133 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2024
Amazing!

Love the characters. Yes it’s slow burn but the storyline is awesome and there is some smexy scenes. Enough to make me know I’m not reading some kind young kid stuff and not too much where I’m skipping pages lol. Can’t wait for the next book(s).
563 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2025
So good!

It picked up great from the first book! I love the characters, they are so good! I love the storyline is really great! I'm excited to keep reading! Definitely recommend this series!
Profile Image for Rebecca Hajdukovic.
49 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2025
another great addition

I love the blossoming relationships between Eva and her men. They’re all so complex and have their own stories with each other, it’s beautifully written. Can’t wait to read the next one
Profile Image for Stressca.
375 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2025
At this point I’m just hate reading this series….. wild magic? wild magic and we find ourselves hmmm… wild? To be fair, it wasn’t in depth and thank you for that Sara. But two books later and we all know she’s going to end up with Sebastian.. why you playing with us?

Profile Image for Vr.
187 reviews
April 13, 2025
Once again, I found myself quickly drawn into Eva's world.
The world keeps expanding, introducing more and more characters that I liked. I really would have hated it if Gabriel did not end up being one of the MMCs.
A light and fluffy read, nothing too deep or serious.
Profile Image for Katie Simmons.
75 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2025
It just gets better!

The character building in book 2 is just superb. I flew through this book even faster than book one. So far, I think Gabriel is my favorite, but I can’t wait to see what book 3 brings.
Profile Image for Kami.
393 reviews
October 1, 2025
Interesting next installment.

The world building is fascinating and I’m enjoying the on-going mystery. Some details are too much and most details are too vague so I’m not loving it but I like it enough to keep reading the series.
Profile Image for Jordan Lovell.
59 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2024
Not quite as moreish as the first one but still super enjoyable. The ménage a trois was a bit much for me lols. Looking forward to the finale!
Profile Image for Rachael.
107 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2024
Better than no.1 but still 😬 feel like the plot is all over the place & it could have been one big book instead of 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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