Stolen by the Pooka

Midnight Hour Mates #1

by Tai James

A song of grief, a truth revealed, and a love more dangerous than any enchantment...

Riona’s life was a carefully constructed melody, each note perfectly placed to mask the discord within. Until the day Aiden —all smoldering looks and wicked charm—revealed the she was half-Fae, her voice a siren song of power and seduction.

Years later, fleeing a life that's crumbled to dust, Riona finds herself at the mercy of Aiden, the frustrating Fae who sends her pulse racing with a mere glance. He promises her sanctuary in the Unseelie Court, a realm of intoxicating beauty and treacherous whispers, where her mother’s secrets lie buried.

But as Riona delves deeper into the mysteries of her past, she discovers that some truths are best left undisturbed…and some desires, once ignited, burn too fiercely to be contained.

If you crave enemies-to-lovers romance set in a world of dark magic and irresistible immortals, don't miss STOLEN BY THE POOKA!

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Paranormal Romance, Ebooks, Paranormal

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2024

About the author

When Tai isn’t writing, she can be found catering to her two neurotic cats or touring the latest haunted house that rolls into Austin. Tai also has a wonderful husband and two Swedish Valhunds, along with the aforementioned cats.

Reviews

[Ally · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t understand why this book is rated as highly as it is. I don’t hate the story I’m just really mad by the insanely long list of missed opportunities for world building, relationship building, character building, side story building etc. Everything felt very 2D and bland. When I guess a relationship started to be built(??) between the FMC and the MMC, I was asking myself “how?” There was no juicy build up, there were so many missed scenes for bonding moments that could have happened. And then the friendships? Also how did Meg know what Riona and Aiden had? She just showed up in the woods randomly for 5 minutes and left! There could have been more written about her being there for a few days and helping buffer the misunderstanding between Aiden and Riona at the least. And then Riona and Broc??? SO MUCH WAS MISSED OUT ON. We could have had an entire scene of them locked up, getting to know eachother, Broc earning Rionas trust (MAYBE CONFUSING HER FEELINGS A BIT)(this is a DNR for me but if Broc doesn’t turn out to be the baddie coming after Meg?? Another missed opportunity). I’m just so frustrated because there is sooooooo much potential in this story and it’s just wasted. I really hoped for more.

[Lennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet enemies to frenemies to lovers story!
What if you lived half your life as a lie but didn’t know it? Until one day you come across a Fae on the day of your mother’s funeral and he shows you who you really are. Unraveled, you discover that you are half Fae and your mother and father had been hiding things from you.
Riona met Aiden when she was still young. She knew right away that he was Fae and didn’t trust him, knowing that humans shouldn’t trust the Fae. Before he left he gave her a gift. One she most definitely would have rather never received. After discovering that she was half Fae her world just seemed to spiral downwards for years to come.
This story is about how they came back together after many years and their journey of being together while also finding out things about her parentage she didn’t know.
Ready for book 2 to find out more of the missing puzzle pieces!

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riona and Adian met for the first time when she was still quite young. She had just lost her mother and met the boy fae in the woods were she had gone to be alone. He being naive, for a fae, saw that she had some kind of glamor and decided she needed to be free of it. That “good deed” began a downward spiral in her life and left her extremely wary of all fae. The story of how they met and how they came back together was well worth the read.

The world building is quite good and I was able to easily picture the village Riona grew up in and the type of people she dealt with in her life. I also liked the peek we get at the Unseelie Court and I expect to see more of it in the next book.

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

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen by the Pooka is book 1 of the Midnight Hour Mates Series, a fantasy romance (romantasy) which follows the story of Riona, after the loss of her mother and little brother she meets a young fae, who offers her a gift, which changes her life, but not for the better.

This was a good read, a story of how the mains met and how they come back together, it has mystery, secrets and of course romance.
Tai did a great job with the plot, world building and characters.
Overall it was a good read and anyone who enjoys a slower paced enemies to lovers fantasy will enjoy it.

[ZyaTheBookDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and fun enemies to lovers story. The character development is spot on. The world in this novel is intriguing and magical. I enjoyed how things were unknown, but later unfold in the flow of the story. A lot of people will be able to relate to the MFC and the emotions she expresses. The MMC definitely fits the morally gray category. All in all, it was a joy to read. I recommend it for anyone who wants a slower pace fantasy romance to read. With spice of course.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and I loved all the characters that where involved and this is Riona and Aiden’s story of secrets and lies, betrayal, politics, distrust, romance. In a magical world that Riona never knew about after her Mother and Brother died and at her funeral a Fae shows up and tells her she is half Fae and unlocks the glamor that was containing her magic. This is not really my kind of book but I did get swept up in this book.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining story about Riona a half-Fae and Aiden a Fae Unraveller at the Unseelie Court. The story of how they overcome their past hurts and find a future together is well-written and highly recommended reading.

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

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers who crave a stirring and passionate enemies-to-lovers romance, with a taste for dark magic, fae lore, and complex characters, will be swept away by the intoxicating world of Stolen by the Pooka, where secrets, desires, and forbidden love ignite a sizzling tale of self-discovery and transformation.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Midnight Hour Mates, Riona a half-Fae and Aiden a Fae Unraveller. There is mystery, secrets, drama, and romance. I enjoyed seeing them get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Fantasy Romance

James masterfully crafts a cozy tale of love in a world of the Fae. With engaging characters, beautiful world building, and passionate romantic scenes, I couldn’t put it down!

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this shifter romance, despite it not being my typical romance I read. Great story and hot scenes!

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

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟s

It's cute, more character based then plot but I was definitely rooting for these two.

(I was going to eventually read more of the series but book 3s description doesn't really match what was said in book 1 so I may just leave here.... idk maybe the description isn't what it seems....)

[Lauren S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fae and human world with politics, distrust and magic. Broken promises and desperation cause characters to make bad decisions. Steamy 18+ read.

[Kim Says It's Time To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story. In the midst of heaving reads, this was just perfect to lift the spirits. It's such a good read.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome steamy-sweet fantasy romance!! I loved it! Dark and delicious, mysterious secrets and hidden love.. Wonderful characters!

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good story to read but it just did not grab my imagination. It was well written and I am sure it will be a great story for readers.

[Mima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought. I found myself reading through it a second time. Fun fae story that anyone can enjoy

[Kasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent premise. The writing could use some work, but I don't hold that against anyone because writing is hard! Definitely can hold your attention.