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Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees #3
The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion
Edovard
Um… I was told I'm supposed to summarize my story here, but recently, I've learned that blurbs are hard, so I'm not sure what to say.
My name is Edovard Durand Folange. I'm twenty-seven years old from Fresno, California, and recently, I moved across the country to live with my new parents and brother. Oppa kills people for a living, Papa is his announcer guy, my brother is like his assistant, and I guess it turns out I'm the person the magic tells who needs to die—it's called being an Augur. I don't really know what that word means, but even though it's scary, I'm getting used to it.
It's nice to have a job, but Santanos (he's the Avatar of Evil) offered me a second job, and I'm really excited about that because I get to work with him and help him fix the minions. A lot of them aren't doing very well, so my second job is to make sure that everyone gets as much love as they need in their lives. Sometimes, that means killing people who are stealing all the love away from them. I guess maybe I'm a little evil, too, because I don't mind letting Oppa kill those people to save the minions.
The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion is a paranormal romance featuring a cinnamon roll narrator with more than the usual amount of love to give and a sultry incubus who happens to be the Avatar of Evil. If the minions are especially affectionate with the cinnabun, well, who can blame them when he's the best cuddler they've ever met?
Includes blood and viscera, someone dies because they call Edovard dumb, and Edovard accidentally creates a polycule, but that's ok because he's just making sure everyone gets enough love to be emotionally healthy.
Includes a bonus novella, The Adventure of Sterling Jones.
Um… I was told I'm supposed to summarize my story here, but recently, I've learned that blurbs are hard, so I'm not sure what to say.
My name is Edovard Durand Folange. I'm twenty-seven years old from Fresno, California, and recently, I moved across the country to live with my new parents and brother. Oppa kills people for a living, Papa is his announcer guy, my brother is like his assistant, and I guess it turns out I'm the person the magic tells who needs to die—it's called being an Augur. I don't really know what that word means, but even though it's scary, I'm getting used to it.
It's nice to have a job, but Santanos (he's the Avatar of Evil) offered me a second job, and I'm really excited about that because I get to work with him and help him fix the minions. A lot of them aren't doing very well, so my second job is to make sure that everyone gets as much love as they need in their lives. Sometimes, that means killing people who are stealing all the love away from them. I guess maybe I'm a little evil, too, because I don't mind letting Oppa kill those people to save the minions.
The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion is a paranormal romance featuring a cinnamon roll narrator with more than the usual amount of love to give and a sultry incubus who happens to be the Avatar of Evil. If the minions are especially affectionate with the cinnabun, well, who can blame them when he's the best cuddler they've ever met?
Includes blood and viscera, someone dies because they call Edovard dumb, and Edovard accidentally creates a polycule, but that's ok because he's just making sure everyone gets enough love to be emotionally healthy.
Includes a bonus novella, The Adventure of Sterling Jones.
Audible Audio
First published January 28, 2023
204 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Cody
47 books713 followersJennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas. She has three kids and a Beardo she loves. Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly. She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances. Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
January 29, 2023
3.5
I definitely enjoyed this, but it was just too syrupy sweet for me - Sass Master Romily and snarky Bellamy are more my speed, so I'm looking forward to the next instalment!
I definitely enjoyed this, but it was just too syrupy sweet for me - Sass Master Romily and snarky Bellamy are more my speed, so I'm looking forward to the next instalment!
January 29, 2023
***2.5 Stars*** I have read all of the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. In fact, I've given every book a 5 because I just absolutely loved them. This, unfortunately, is my least favorite of the books, and I'm actually pretty bummed to be writing this review about it.
First, the positives: I love that we get to spend time with a lot of our favorite characters again (Papa, Oppa, Bellamy, etc etc). It is also intriguing to see the dynamic between good and evil in this book, with Edovard's sweet temperament brokering peace in the middle. I love Edovard's wisdom - it's simplistic in its own way, but also makes you think, "Wow, that's so true. It really is just that simple." I love Edovard's relationship with the entire evil squad and his relationship with his partner.
However, striking a balance between wide-eyed innocence and being the 27 year old male that Edovard is can be a hard task. In some places, this is done perfectly. He is mature enough to set goals, consult his journal, recognize the importance of exercise, recognize people's emotional needs and give them what they need (even when they don't know what they need themselves). He knows and internalizes simple, but wise and poignant truths. In many cases, he attributes his knowledge to his grandparents, which strangely takes away the maturity that the reader can attribute to him. It's subtle, but you can go along and feel like he is "child-like" without being a child necessarily, until you almost feel like you are listening to someone who learned a very specific set of rules and lived by them, as opposed to someone who had the maturity to themselves reflect on past experiences and come to their own conclusions. It strangely undercuts the maturity that is needed to balance the behaviors that are child-like (and child-like not in a good way).
Those child-like moments are just too numerous to ignore and it takes a little bit of stretching of the imagination to truly believe this is a 27 year old male who regularly goes to the gym and had a job and lived with family and went to a public school. For example, the comments about the "scaredy cats" in his stomach, Santanos giving him a "frowny" face, or to "do sex," or things making him feel "yucky" -- borders on the uncomfortable. He has never had an erection and doesn't recognize the act of sexual intercourse. The nickname "pupper" doesn't help. I understand the caveat that Romily gives in the beginning of the book - that he is not developmentally delayed, but quite frankly, moments like these surpass innocence and wide-eyed optimism, and for me, veer into the uncomfortable. I will say, however, that aside from a non-con kiss, he is very aware of his own ability to consent and is very clear about his own boundaries.
There is very little in the way of plot here. Progress is made toward a goal, but it is by accident, not intention. I felt like, in many places, I was reading someone go about their daily life (granted in a paranormal world) - going to eat, sleeping, going to work. There is also a lack of a clearly identifiable villain that we are contending with. When they do appear, they are not on the page long enough to matter.
Overall, this book just wasn't for me. Others may be able to look past these things, but I just really had a difficult time suspending my belief in order to make it happen. As a caveat, I work in pediatrics (and do have a degree of training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics), so that may be my own bias showing. It seems like tons of people adored this book and maybe this book and I just didn't connect.
I still love Jennifer Cody and will just chalk this one up to being a "miss" for me and continue on with her next books.
First, the positives: I love that we get to spend time with a lot of our favorite characters again (Papa, Oppa, Bellamy, etc etc). It is also intriguing to see the dynamic between good and evil in this book, with Edovard's sweet temperament brokering peace in the middle. I love Edovard's wisdom - it's simplistic in its own way, but also makes you think, "Wow, that's so true. It really is just that simple." I love Edovard's relationship with the entire evil squad and his relationship with his partner.
However, striking a balance between wide-eyed innocence and being the 27 year old male that Edovard is can be a hard task. In some places, this is done perfectly. He is mature enough to set goals, consult his journal, recognize the importance of exercise, recognize people's emotional needs and give them what they need (even when they don't know what they need themselves). He knows and internalizes simple, but wise and poignant truths. In many cases, he attributes his knowledge to his grandparents, which strangely takes away the maturity that the reader can attribute to him. It's subtle, but you can go along and feel like he is "child-like" without being a child necessarily, until you almost feel like you are listening to someone who learned a very specific set of rules and lived by them, as opposed to someone who had the maturity to themselves reflect on past experiences and come to their own conclusions. It strangely undercuts the maturity that is needed to balance the behaviors that are child-like (and child-like not in a good way).
Those child-like moments are just too numerous to ignore and it takes a little bit of stretching of the imagination to truly believe this is a 27 year old male who regularly goes to the gym and had a job and lived with family and went to a public school. For example, the comments about the "scaredy cats" in his stomach, Santanos giving him a "frowny" face, or to "do sex," or things making him feel "yucky" -- borders on the uncomfortable. He has never had an erection and doesn't recognize the act of sexual intercourse. The nickname "pupper" doesn't help. I understand the caveat that Romily gives in the beginning of the book - that he is not developmentally delayed, but quite frankly, moments like these surpass innocence and wide-eyed optimism, and for me, veer into the uncomfortable. I will say, however, that aside from a non-con kiss, he is very aware of his own ability to consent and is very clear about his own boundaries.
There is very little in the way of plot here. Progress is made toward a goal, but it is by accident, not intention. I felt like, in many places, I was reading someone go about their daily life (granted in a paranormal world) - going to eat, sleeping, going to work. There is also a lack of a clearly identifiable villain that we are contending with. When they do appear, they are not on the page long enough to matter.
Overall, this book just wasn't for me. Others may be able to look past these things, but I just really had a difficult time suspending my belief in order to make it happen. As a caveat, I work in pediatrics (and do have a degree of training in developmental and behavioral pediatrics), so that may be my own bias showing. It seems like tons of people adored this book and maybe this book and I just didn't connect.
I still love Jennifer Cody and will just chalk this one up to being a "miss" for me and continue on with her next books.
January 6, 2025
Le sigh...
Ok listen, I have some thoughts on this one. Also you cannot read this as a stand alone.
Spoilers ahead
So in here we have Edovard, who you might remember from an earlier book where he was kidnapped from a gas station and adopted into Romilys family.
First off, I have to say I did not know that there was a note from Papa in the front of this book until someone pointed that out to me. In this note, we are supposed to know that Edovard dictated this story as he cannot read or write well BUT is not developmentally delayed. I'll go into more detail later on about that.
Anyways, this picks up exactly from the end of the previous book, with Edovard’s attraction to the avatar of evil being obvious while Oppa and Bellamy fight the bad guys. Edovard does not understand this attraction at first, he just thinks the avatar shines brightly with love and goodness. He also is really into helping the avatars bodyguards/boyfriends.
This whole story is basically slice of life. The drama is really only about how Edovard’s family does not like his new partners (cause evil) and his asexuality. Edovard basically goes through this whole story filling up evil minions with love and righting the balance of good/evil. That part was lovely, I actually enjoyed it very much.
However, the way Edovard was portrayed was as if he was developmentally delayed. Which would have been a good portrayal of showing that just because you are delayed, it does not mean you are not a grown adult, but (and this is a big butt) the writer goes out of the way to make you think he was just not all that smart/more kid like but not developmentally delayed, which made sex scenes very problematic. He is a grown man who did not know what an erection was until someone told him. Asexuality does not mean that your body does not work and at some point in his life would have had at least one involuntary erection.
While the others in his polycule bent over backwards to make sure he consented, his thoughts about sex was not on the level as a grown man which is where the uncomfortable feelings came in.
I did love finding out what he was, that he could see love (how great would that be), and that everyone understood that he was most definitely abused growing up, I just wish that Edovard’s portrayal was done differently.
And I really hope that Edovard can make Darcy's dark love grow bright again.
Ok listen, I have some thoughts on this one. Also you cannot read this as a stand alone.
Spoilers ahead
So in here we have Edovard, who you might remember from an earlier book where he was kidnapped from a gas station and adopted into Romilys family.
First off, I have to say I did not know that there was a note from Papa in the front of this book until someone pointed that out to me. In this note, we are supposed to know that Edovard dictated this story as he cannot read or write well BUT is not developmentally delayed. I'll go into more detail later on about that.
Anyways, this picks up exactly from the end of the previous book, with Edovard’s attraction to the avatar of evil being obvious while Oppa and Bellamy fight the bad guys. Edovard does not understand this attraction at first, he just thinks the avatar shines brightly with love and goodness. He also is really into helping the avatars bodyguards/boyfriends.
This whole story is basically slice of life. The drama is really only about how Edovard’s family does not like his new partners (cause evil) and his asexuality. Edovard basically goes through this whole story filling up evil minions with love and righting the balance of good/evil. That part was lovely, I actually enjoyed it very much.
However, the way Edovard was portrayed was as if he was developmentally delayed. Which would have been a good portrayal of showing that just because you are delayed, it does not mean you are not a grown adult, but (and this is a big butt) the writer goes out of the way to make you think he was just not all that smart/more kid like but not developmentally delayed, which made sex scenes very problematic. He is a grown man who did not know what an erection was until someone told him. Asexuality does not mean that your body does not work and at some point in his life would have had at least one involuntary erection.
While the others in his polycule bent over backwards to make sure he consented, his thoughts about sex was not on the level as a grown man which is where the uncomfortable feelings came in.
I did love finding out what he was, that he could see love (how great would that be), and that everyone understood that he was most definitely abused growing up, I just wish that Edovard’s portrayal was done differently.
And I really hope that Edovard can make Darcy's dark love grow bright again.
March 9, 2024
DNF@76%. This was too sappy and preachy, gooey and sticky, I got nauseated 🤮🙄 and the word ‘pupper’… I can’t express how much I hate this word!
WHERE IS BELLAMY’S BOOK?
WHERE IS BELLAMY’S BOOK?
January 30, 2023
It was a struggle to finish, it was just so boring. Maybe it's just me, I just didn't find this story fun. It's like reading about a big child.
Read
January 31, 2023DNF @ 17%
I read all 2.5 previous ones and really enjoyed them
This one did little to entice me. He’s almost too child-like
I read all 2.5 previous ones and really enjoyed them
This one did little to entice me. He’s almost too child-like
August 13, 2024
I enjoyed this one. The new MC was a nice switch; he was so fluffy with happiness and acceptance that it was impossible not to love him. I also like the polyamorous relationship here. I just don't see that enough in books. I find the dynamic super interesting and I love to learn about it, even if that sort of relationship is not for me. Reverse Harem is pretty popular but I see that to be very different from polyamorous.
But in the beginning with Romily's note, he says that Edovard is not slow just full of innocence. Which was okay, maybe some of it, but he was a little slow. The way the author made his narration felt like that's exactly how we were supposed to see the character. Which nothing wrong with that, I just don't understand why confuse your readers with 'he's not slow just innocent' then write him like he's a little slow?
But in the beginning with Romily's note, he says that Edovard is not slow just full of innocence. Which was okay, maybe some of it, but he was a little slow. The way the author made his narration felt like that's exactly how we were supposed to see the character. Which nothing wrong with that, I just don't understand why confuse your readers with 'he's not slow just innocent' then write him like he's a little slow?
January 28, 2023
This is a warm hug in book format. So charming and funny.
March 27, 2023
Wow, um. I had to take a second with this one. In my last review of this series, I basically said there's dumb dumb and then there's fun dumb. This was not the fun kind. It was so all over the place, I had whiplash. There were plot holes as big as the Grand Canyon. Normally, I could have overlooked those because the story was meant to be over the top, but there were abrupt endings to huge conflicts like a huge part of a reel got cut from an old movie. There were important plot devices that had zero depth and no resolution.
But I digress. I am definitely over thinking things, but the main character was so intellectually deficient that it felt unfair to put him in some situations. The way he was written reminded me of the Warner Brothers dog that used to hug and squeeze Bugs Bunny and pet him too hard call him George. I am all for everyone finding "their person" but this was very uncomfortable.
Last thing, the redundancy of language was hurting my brain.
The word "love" was said 328 times. "Giggle" was only used 17 times but felt like 100 and "hugs" was mentioned 117 times. The book was only 189 pages...
But I digress. I am definitely over thinking things, but the main character was so intellectually deficient that it felt unfair to put him in some situations. The way he was written reminded me of the Warner Brothers dog that used to hug and squeeze Bugs Bunny and pet him too hard call him George. I am all for everyone finding "their person" but this was very uncomfortable.
Last thing, the redundancy of language was hurting my brain.
The word "love" was said 328 times. "Giggle" was only used 17 times but felt like 100 and "hugs" was mentioned 117 times. The book was only 189 pages...
January 24, 2023
This book starts where book 2 finished. In the last book, Romily kidnaps Edovard and adopted him. It is so sweet how he calls Fox & Romily, Oppa & Papa. Edovard is such a sweetheart and he only has good in his heart. His Augur powers have started working and I hate how it upsets the puppers!
I could see his attraction to Santanos from a mile away. After seeing him through Edovard's eyes, you could see the good in him. Who would have thought, that the avatar of evil was a sweetheart? I completely fell in love with him. Santanos is amazing with Edovard and treats him so lovingly.
Edovard can see the good in people and is full of so much love. He may take awhile to understand situations, but he is by no means stupid. He may not be book smart but he is so smart in other ways. The way he is with the minions and the ideas he comes up with are so clever. I see why the minions love him so much.
I am glad that Romily kidnapped him because he deserved to be happy. He found a family that love him and want the best for him. His backstory made me so sad and I just wanted to slap his sister! I'm glad he got the family he deserved.
There is a polycule situation going on, and I am all for it. Gregory and Hassan are great Characters and I love how Edovard treats them. He brings such light into their lives and I love the bum pats! I'm all for the one hot, sexy time we get.
This book is still full of humour, with an added dash of crazy! We still get the occasional murder, and they were perfectly justified. Nobody calls our cute puppers dumb! I'm glad we still get the nutty family moments, especially when their thoughts pop-up.
Edovard and Santanos are perfect together and I just fell under their spell. I like seeing things from Edovard's perspective and seeing how he sees people. I love this series and I can't wait for the next book!
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
I could see his attraction to Santanos from a mile away. After seeing him through Edovard's eyes, you could see the good in him. Who would have thought, that the avatar of evil was a sweetheart? I completely fell in love with him. Santanos is amazing with Edovard and treats him so lovingly.
Edovard can see the good in people and is full of so much love. He may take awhile to understand situations, but he is by no means stupid. He may not be book smart but he is so smart in other ways. The way he is with the minions and the ideas he comes up with are so clever. I see why the minions love him so much.
I am glad that Romily kidnapped him because he deserved to be happy. He found a family that love him and want the best for him. His backstory made me so sad and I just wanted to slap his sister! I'm glad he got the family he deserved.
There is a polycule situation going on, and I am all for it. Gregory and Hassan are great Characters and I love how Edovard treats them. He brings such light into their lives and I love the bum pats! I'm all for the one hot, sexy time we get.
This book is still full of humour, with an added dash of crazy! We still get the occasional murder, and they were perfectly justified. Nobody calls our cute puppers dumb! I'm glad we still get the nutty family moments, especially when their thoughts pop-up.
Edovard and Santanos are perfect together and I just fell under their spell. I like seeing things from Edovard's perspective and seeing how he sees people. I love this series and I can't wait for the next book!
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
April 4, 2024
Oh my gosh, that was ADORABLE! Edovard is somehow simultaneously clueless/innocent/maybe a bit dim, but also the most loving and wise character in these books. He brightens up literally everyone’s lives, both good and evil, and is particularly gifted at bringing people together. I laughed many times and basically read this in one sitting since I was enjoying it so very much.
January 29, 2023
Sweetest boy ever, which made this awkward
Edovard is a huge hunk of love. Literally. He's huge. He's hunky. He's chock full of love. His entire being glows with it and all he wants to do is share that love so that everyone else glows, too. So, who better to work for than the Avatar of Evil? Right?
Spoilers ahead.
I'm still waffling over Edovard and anything romantic. Yes, everyone needs love. But he's too pure, too innocent, too childlike. And it sets off some serious inner icks. Him being paired with an incubus and 2 bodyguards, being that innocent, is just...uh. Maybe if he had more inner monologues/thoughts of a s*xual nature? He only used descriptives like pretty, angelic, lovely, nice. He never showed arousal outside direct contact, either. Like thoughts didn't suddenly pop up, causing him to...pop up, you know? Vague tingles he didn't understand is all he mentioned. It just felt off. I was unsure when book 2 mentioned the possible pairing. I am still unsure after reading it. I was hoping "hearing" Pupper's inner voice he'd sound more mature than his actions portrayed. Like a young adult, past teens, still feeling young but learning how the world works. And while I approved of everyone's acceptance and assistance with helping him understand the world around him, no one really explained or assisted him in understanding the adult topics. Like dating, s*x, that being aroused doesn't have to lead to s*x, levels of relationships, how to form non permanent bonds, ... I don't think Edovard is built for shallow, but no one is warning him that other people are and can use his good nature. He can see inner darkness, but sometimes even happy people are users. While I adored his interactions with the minions, I don't think I'll be ok with his 'cule with Santanos, Hassan and Gregory for a while. I need to see him grow up more. He doesn't have to lose his shine, just feel mature enough in his thoughts that it doesn't feel like a being that feeds off s*x hasn't latched onto an adorable, big for his age, middle schooler. So, while I hate the lower stars for one of my favorite, always makes me giggle, authors, I feel Pupper's relationships should have been delayed a book or 2. Have Santanos court him. Have Gregory, the sweet grump, explain adult relationships with him. Have Hassan cuddle with him. Show us those bonds forming, him learning about and wanting this, that he understands arousal, that he isn't just in love with love but actual people.
Also, Santanos went through absolutely zero growth. He went from sending his minions out for wholesale slaughter against Fox to being a beloved and benevolent overlord. No transition, just a complete flip. And he never showed Gregory or Hassan any gentleness in the previous books. He just became perfect for Edovard without any adaptation that we witness. It's like he's a whole new character. Another reason why Edovard should have gotten 2-3 books. He could have shown Santanos how to grow. Then we see him become the boss everyone loves.
Edovard is a huge hunk of love. Literally. He's huge. He's hunky. He's chock full of love. His entire being glows with it and all he wants to do is share that love so that everyone else glows, too. So, who better to work for than the Avatar of Evil? Right?
Spoilers ahead.
I'm still waffling over Edovard and anything romantic. Yes, everyone needs love. But he's too pure, too innocent, too childlike. And it sets off some serious inner icks. Him being paired with an incubus and 2 bodyguards, being that innocent, is just...uh. Maybe if he had more inner monologues/thoughts of a s*xual nature? He only used descriptives like pretty, angelic, lovely, nice. He never showed arousal outside direct contact, either. Like thoughts didn't suddenly pop up, causing him to...pop up, you know? Vague tingles he didn't understand is all he mentioned. It just felt off. I was unsure when book 2 mentioned the possible pairing. I am still unsure after reading it. I was hoping "hearing" Pupper's inner voice he'd sound more mature than his actions portrayed. Like a young adult, past teens, still feeling young but learning how the world works. And while I approved of everyone's acceptance and assistance with helping him understand the world around him, no one really explained or assisted him in understanding the adult topics. Like dating, s*x, that being aroused doesn't have to lead to s*x, levels of relationships, how to form non permanent bonds, ... I don't think Edovard is built for shallow, but no one is warning him that other people are and can use his good nature. He can see inner darkness, but sometimes even happy people are users. While I adored his interactions with the minions, I don't think I'll be ok with his 'cule with Santanos, Hassan and Gregory for a while. I need to see him grow up more. He doesn't have to lose his shine, just feel mature enough in his thoughts that it doesn't feel like a being that feeds off s*x hasn't latched onto an adorable, big for his age, middle schooler. So, while I hate the lower stars for one of my favorite, always makes me giggle, authors, I feel Pupper's relationships should have been delayed a book or 2. Have Santanos court him. Have Gregory, the sweet grump, explain adult relationships with him. Have Hassan cuddle with him. Show us those bonds forming, him learning about and wanting this, that he understands arousal, that he isn't just in love with love but actual people.
Also, Santanos went through absolutely zero growth. He went from sending his minions out for wholesale slaughter against Fox to being a beloved and benevolent overlord. No transition, just a complete flip. And he never showed Gregory or Hassan any gentleness in the previous books. He just became perfect for Edovard without any adaptation that we witness. It's like he's a whole new character. Another reason why Edovard should have gotten 2-3 books. He could have shown Santanos how to grow. Then we see him become the boss everyone loves.
February 3, 2023
There are some books where the main character is innocent to those around them but doesn't really feel like it to me. This wasn't the case here. Edovard is as innocent as they come and I've never said aww so much reading a book. He was adorable. Must protect. I liked how all in they were from the start. The little family notes were interesting. The minion hugs were great, so were the minions.
The council decision made me laugh. "Fuck you, Noe." I do need to do a re-read a) because its fun. b) I lost track of who the grandparents were. I had a feeling the parents were going to adore Puppers, but nope. I guess there had to be one big bad at least. I look forward to them getting offed. I'm all for M/M/M/M. The more the merrier. I'm surprised the Avatar of Evil didn't get jealous with the sneaky minion kisses. This one made my day. I look forward to the next one.
The council decision made me laugh. "Fuck you, Noe." I do need to do a re-read a) because its fun. b) I lost track of who the grandparents were. I had a feeling the parents were going to adore Puppers, but nope. I guess there had to be one big bad at least. I look forward to them getting offed. I'm all for M/M/M/M. The more the merrier. I'm surprised the Avatar of Evil didn't get jealous with the sneaky minion kisses. This one made my day. I look forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2023
Edovard is everyone's favorite Himbo!!!! Pupper is such an accurate description, as he is just like a little loveable puppy. I adore the fact that Jennifer followed her instincts and gave him to Santanos and his minions. The relationship between these 4 was so naturally occurring, it was frustrating to discover that I loved the evil characters as much as the good! This was definately less of a comedy then Romily's stories, but it was refreshing that we got Edovard's voice. I also really loved the remainder of the family's input throughout. I really want more from Gregory and Hassan's POV, and can't wait to continue to watch the Foxily family grow!
February 8, 2023
The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion is the third in the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series. This needs to be read in order after the first two. Edovard is the adopted son of Romilly and Fox. He’s super sweet and naïve and such a fun character to read! He’s an Augur and that’s traumatizing to him. He gets offered a second job by Santanos, the Avatar of Evil. He needs to make sure everyone is happy and healthy. Edovard is pure sweetness and sunshine!! I loved everything about this story, fantastic narration!!! Well written with addicting pacing!
dnf
February 3, 2023I only got 14% into this one but it's not for me.
I enjoyed the first book of this series a lot, the second book a little less so (the sex scenes just ... aren't my thing) but I don't think I'll continue the series.
There's a note 'from Romily' at the beginning explaining that Edovard is not developmentally challenged (with an aside of 'but even if he were, we would love him anyway'). Unfortunately, the way he's written is a step beyond naïve/'street smart not book smart'.
He doesn't know what an erection is. I've read that trope with cis women protagonists (usually historical) and I'm not a huge fan of it but I kind of understand it, because there's a difference in anatomy. But how did he make it to his twenties without experiencing an erection at all? No morning wood? No random hormones firing? No sex ed classes, at least?
The world is really interesting, especially the magic system, and the characters are colorful and diverse, but these books have a lot of sexual scenes and situations. I'm just not comfortable reading this specific narration.
I enjoyed the first book of this series a lot, the second book a little less so (the sex scenes just ... aren't my thing) but I don't think I'll continue the series.
There's a note 'from Romily' at the beginning explaining that Edovard is not developmentally challenged (with an aside of 'but even if he were, we would love him anyway'). Unfortunately, the way he's written is a step beyond naïve/'street smart not book smart'.
He doesn't know what an erection is. I've read that trope with cis women protagonists (usually historical) and I'm not a huge fan of it but I kind of understand it, because there's a difference in anatomy. But how did he make it to his twenties without experiencing an erection at all? No morning wood? No random hormones firing? No sex ed classes, at least?
The world is really interesting, especially the magic system, and the characters are colorful and diverse, but these books have a lot of sexual scenes and situations. I'm just not comfortable reading this specific narration.
January 23, 2023
Thank you to Jennifer for the ARC of this book. I was so excited to return to Romily’s world and this addition is *chef’s kiss*. The book continues straight on from Book 2’s epilogue and is the perfect introduction to the sweetest, most adorable member of the Foxily family.
Edovard is the most sunshiny character to ever sunshine. And his relationship with not only Santanos but also Greg and Hassan was so beautiful. Having the story narrated by someone other than Romily did take a minute to settle in but once Edovard found his voice and once I got used to it, it was amazing.
But not only was this book as funny as the rest of the series, it also had some beautifully heartbreaking moments as well. Edovard saying “It makes me happy to exist, and existing hasn’t always been happy for me, but I don’t like to think about that” nearly killed me and I just wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug (and punch who ever made him feel bad).
Highly recommend Jennifer’s books and especially this series. If you are searching for humour, found family, and supernatural elements, definitely give this a go!
Edovard is the most sunshiny character to ever sunshine. And his relationship with not only Santanos but also Greg and Hassan was so beautiful. Having the story narrated by someone other than Romily did take a minute to settle in but once Edovard found his voice and once I got used to it, it was amazing.
But not only was this book as funny as the rest of the series, it also had some beautifully heartbreaking moments as well. Edovard saying “It makes me happy to exist, and existing hasn’t always been happy for me, but I don’t like to think about that” nearly killed me and I just wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug (and punch who ever made him feel bad).
Highly recommend Jennifer’s books and especially this series. If you are searching for humour, found family, and supernatural elements, definitely give this a go!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Dang On It Jennifer!
Dang on it Jennifer, you did it again where as I just can't get enough of this goodness with this book series! I absolutely love each and every character in this series.. However, Romily (Papa), is still my number one boy but my heart loves and bleeds for our Edovard (Puppers)! I hope he stays showcased in every book you write from now on in this series, because he's earned a special place in my heart..
So, Mrs. Cody when do we get our next installment of this series? Sitting here on pins and needles waiting for my next book fix.. whata book hangover I now have, can anyone offer a cure?
Overall Rating:
5* ~ Excellence!
Dang on it Jennifer, you did it again where as I just can't get enough of this goodness with this book series! I absolutely love each and every character in this series.. However, Romily (Papa), is still my number one boy but my heart loves and bleeds for our Edovard (Puppers)! I hope he stays showcased in every book you write from now on in this series, because he's earned a special place in my heart..
So, Mrs. Cody when do we get our next installment of this series? Sitting here on pins and needles waiting for my next book fix.. whata book hangover I now have, can anyone offer a cure?
Overall Rating:
5* ~ Excellence!
January 30, 2023
So disappointed ! Completely different from the rest of the series and not in a good way. The fun snarkiness of Romily is what has made this series great. I just finished rereading the series in anticipation of another funny and snarky book. I was unpleasantly surprised to find this as the next installment in the series!
Edovard is a nice character, but nice is boring. A whole book of his sweetness and light is a definite snooze fest. I made it to chapter 4 before just giving up. I hope any other books in this series return to the fun and irreverent style of the previous ones. Definitely a miss for me!
Edovard is a nice character, but nice is boring. A whole book of his sweetness and light is a definite snooze fest. I made it to chapter 4 before just giving up. I hope any other books in this series return to the fun and irreverent style of the previous ones. Definitely a miss for me!
September 29, 2024
4 stars
This was super sweet and quite a change from the previous books in this series. We get Edovard's POV narration in this story, which is drastically different from Romily's snappy snark and wit. Edovard truly is the pupper everyone calls him. He's sweet, innocent, well-meaning, and full of so much love to give. It was interesting experiencing this story through him and his naivety as he learns more, even if they are just unknown words to him. This was a unique and fun reading experience. I will say, I definitely vibe more with Romily's dry sense of humor than the simplicity of Edovard. While this was good, it's not my favorite in this series, but it's still a super fun read.
This was super sweet and quite a change from the previous books in this series. We get Edovard's POV narration in this story, which is drastically different from Romily's snappy snark and wit. Edovard truly is the pupper everyone calls him. He's sweet, innocent, well-meaning, and full of so much love to give. It was interesting experiencing this story through him and his naivety as he learns more, even if they are just unknown words to him. This was a unique and fun reading experience. I will say, I definitely vibe more with Romily's dry sense of humor than the simplicity of Edovard. While this was good, it's not my favorite in this series, but it's still a super fun read.
January 23, 2023
Edovard is like pure sunshine distilled into a person. They call him pupper a lot because really he resembles a golden retriever, but he's probably the smartest of them all, emotionally, at least.
I honestly thought I was going to explode with the sugar rush of sweetness.
This one has a distinctive narration style because, like Romilly, Edovard can't communicate the same as the others. There's cut ins of dialogue from all the named characters from the last books that added a little extra to it all.
I loved everything about it and cannot wait to have this on my shelf
I honestly thought I was going to explode with the sugar rush of sweetness.
This one has a distinctive narration style because, like Romilly, Edovard can't communicate the same as the others. There's cut ins of dialogue from all the named characters from the last books that added a little extra to it all.
I loved everything about it and cannot wait to have this on my shelf
January 29, 2023
Oh dear, where to start. I really wanted to like this book as I had really enjoyed the previous 2. However it was way to sweet, thinking hugs and love are going to save the world and although not young Edovard was so naive, too naive.
There was very little plot and I found it very repetitive.
Edovard goes from someone with no sexual knowledge to his first major sex thing as a foursome towards the end of the book.
Really disappointed.
There was very little plot and I found it very repetitive.
Edovard goes from someone with no sexual knowledge to his first major sex thing as a foursome towards the end of the book.
Really disappointed.
January 25, 2023
I absolutely love this series and this is another great addition. The family is expanding and it's great we get to see Santanos and all his minions in a different light thanks to Edovard's help. I'm looking forward to book four.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
January 29, 2023
It was ok, super sweet, but a little weird.
May 7, 2024
DNF started crack got worse, and this one I just don't care what happens to anybody.
February 18, 2023
Funny, entertaining and cute ☺️
Also 🥵
Also 🥵
January 15, 2024
3.5 stars
There isn’t really much of a plot other than the MCs getting together, which I usually don’t like, but for some reason I don’t mind here, probably because there’s so much going on. I like the characters, especially Edovard who isn’t bright but is very wise.
There wasn’t really a climax and it ended on kind of a cliffhanger with the one thing that could have been an exciting ending left for another book. Hence the 3.5 rating. I needed more of a plot and ups and downs.
I love the symbolism of people needing love in their lives to be happy and good. Depression is really a type of sadness and it would be great to fill myself up with enough love that I could be what I want to be for everyone I love and others too.
I really like that Edovard is basically asexual; then he went from nothing to something reasonably well but something to everything WAY too quickly. I was really worried about consent issues with his low intelligence but the book is all about consent. There’s a lot of ménage action which I also don’t usually like but it’s okay here. And I actually see how Edovard and Santanos would click despite the disparity in cognitive ability.
It’s cool that the instalove applies to familial and friendship love too. Romily’s attitude towards his adopted “children’s” sex lives is creepy though even though they are well into adulthood, being older than he is.
This wasn’t as funny as the previous books too but it was good. I’m looking forward to the next one.
There isn’t really much of a plot other than the MCs getting together, which I usually don’t like, but for some reason I don’t mind here, probably because there’s so much going on. I like the characters, especially Edovard who isn’t bright but is very wise.
There wasn’t really a climax and it ended on kind of a cliffhanger with the one thing that could have been an exciting ending left for another book. Hence the 3.5 rating. I needed more of a plot and ups and downs.
I love the symbolism of people needing love in their lives to be happy and good. Depression is really a type of sadness and it would be great to fill myself up with enough love that I could be what I want to be for everyone I love and others too.
I really like that Edovard is basically asexual; then he went from nothing to something reasonably well but something to everything WAY too quickly. I was really worried about consent issues with his low intelligence but the book is all about consent. There’s a lot of ménage action which I also don’t usually like but it’s okay here. And I actually see how Edovard and Santanos would click despite the disparity in cognitive ability.
It’s cool that the instalove applies to familial and friendship love too. Romily’s attitude towards his adopted “children’s” sex lives is creepy though even though they are well into adulthood, being older than he is.
This wasn’t as funny as the previous books too but it was good. I’m looking forward to the next one.
January 4, 2026
Following on from The Trouble with Trying to Save an Assassin (book 2), wherein the search for Romily and Fox's adopted son Bellamy, they managed to acquire another fully grown son, Edovard, this is Edovard's story. You do need to have read books 1, 1.5 & 2 to be able to navigate yourself around the craziness that is Romily and Fox's family.
Once again Jennifer Cody has woven another fabulously amusing and quirky story in the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series. Edovard the newest family member is adorably sweet and his family are very protective of him. He is attracted to Santanos The Avatar of Evil, Fox and Romily's not-quite nemesis and the attraction is returned. Two of Santanos' 'minions' with whom he has a very close relationship are also drawn to Edovard. As I read I really hoped that somehow they could all become part of a poly relationship because I enjoyed them all so much.
Edovard goes to work for Santanos and the Evil organisation slowly starts to take on a less evil tone with the benefit of Edovard's influence, while still being able to call themselves evil. I liked the way Edovard was able to spin things so that good and evil both won while swinging the ratio of good to evil in the right way.
Another fun, crazy read, I look forward to seeing where things go next.
Once again Jennifer Cody has woven another fabulously amusing and quirky story in the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series. Edovard the newest family member is adorably sweet and his family are very protective of him. He is attracted to Santanos The Avatar of Evil, Fox and Romily's not-quite nemesis and the attraction is returned. Two of Santanos' 'minions' with whom he has a very close relationship are also drawn to Edovard. As I read I really hoped that somehow they could all become part of a poly relationship because I enjoyed them all so much.
Edovard goes to work for Santanos and the Evil organisation slowly starts to take on a less evil tone with the benefit of Edovard's influence, while still being able to call themselves evil. I liked the way Edovard was able to spin things so that good and evil both won while swinging the ratio of good to evil in the right way.
Another fun, crazy read, I look forward to seeing where things go next.
December 27, 2023
Sadly, this latest story completely crossed the line into cloying sweetness and overwhelming fluffiness, so I kept putting it down over and over again, taking me nearly 2 weeks to finish.
There was sooooooo much "love light" and "refilling love", which got old fairly quickly. 🙄
Also, the "Pupper" pet name was beyond annoying and repeated ad nauseam.
And there was so much sitting on laps that I started to think that maybe there was a severe chair shortage going on.
Then there was the fact that it felt like *nothing* major actually happened.
So this one didn't work that well for me and I'd rate it at around 2.5 stars, but would look forward to reading Bellamy's book.
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March 7, 2023
DNF @ 20%. This was very, very uncomfortable to read. Edovard reads like he's a child, and it led to me being quite uncomfortable with the direction of the story. The fact that he didn't even know what sex was at first? Very, very uncomfortable. You can write a sweet, innocent himbo without making him completely ignorant to the world around him. I really liked the first two books, and had high hopes for this one, but alas. I also wasn't a fan of them completely disregarding what Santanos did in
in the first book. People just told Edovard that Santanos was evil without describing what he did. I did, however, enjoy Santanos's characterization. The concept that he isn't exactly evil, just the man who rules over evil, was an interesting one! Overall, I wouldn't recommend, and I won't be finishing this one. I hope any upcoming releases are better.
in the first book. People just told Edovard that Santanos was evil without describing what he did. I did, however, enjoy Santanos's characterization. The concept that he isn't exactly evil, just the man who rules over evil, was an interesting one! Overall, I wouldn't recommend, and I won't be finishing this one. I hope any upcoming releases are better.
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