"Don't come crying to me if he somehow manages to actually kill you!"
Twenty-one-year-old Jesse leads a pretty ordinary life until he encounters Jamie, who, covered in soot and ash, can't even remember where the blood on his hands came from.
Aware of the risk, Jesse offers him a place for the night, and what starts as simple act of kindness quickly deepens into a profound connection. Jamie explores the world anew, curious and with an endearing innocence, but things change rapidly when their first intimate moment nearly ends in tragedy. Even worse, Jamie begins to experience vivid nightmares; and discovering mysterious powers inside of him, the question of who he really is becomes all the more pressing. What did he do before he met Jesse? Is Jamie truly the harmless person he seems to be?
Son of the Moon Serendipity is the first in a series of seven books, where MM Romance collides with Contemporary Fantasy in a gripping tale for everyone who loves Hurt/Comfort and Found Family.
Tropes:
Book 1 of 7 MM Romance Contemporary Fantasy Strangers to Lovers Found Family Amnesia/Lost Identity Hurt/Comfort First times Dancer (or maybe not...?) Avatar Last Airbender Vibes
Serendipity Son of The Moon Book 1 Janelle Cressida
Jesse & Jamie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶
Amnesia Found family Fantasy First Times Hurt/Comfort Action / Mystery DIfferent world
This was giving Avatar and The Last Air Bender but also make it swoony, steamy and queer.
This was so great. Incredible writing.
Randomly one night while Jesse was with his friend Nate on his way home from class a stranger steps in front of their car nearly causing a crash.
Jesse had no idea this one moment would change his life forever.
Covered in soot, ash and blood, Jesse feels an instant pull to take care of this person, who also does not remember anything.
There is definite tension between Jamie and Jesse. Jesse wanting to take care of a confused Jamie, they form a connection. This was an incredibly emotional and tender book.
We get to see a lot of perspectives in this book and I loved that, it feels like we get more of a formed view.
There is some mystery too, especially with Jamie and him not remembering who he is. I can’t wait to know more about Jamie, especially when his power started to show, I was like what? Wait? I need more lol
The way these two are together is so sweet. Jesse is so tender and patient with Jamie. Jesse is such a protector. I loved how their relationship evolved. Oh my, that first kiss was everything!
The intimacy between Jesse and Jamie was incredible. Jamie was so needy and I was here for it.
The action, suspense and mystery was great too. The plot flowed great.
Austin was everything lol. Such a funny and great friend.
This was so good. Such a rollercoaster of a ride, I loved every second.
Oh my that plot twist, I did not see that coming ! That cliffhanger, I had tears in this book.
Oh my heart. I really enjoyed this.
Can’t wait for the next book. I’m really interested to see how this story will play out over the next 6 books.
This book had me hooked on every possible thing. I was so intrigued with Jamie and Jessie. I was rooting for them and going through the journey of Jamie trying to regain he’s memories. This had it all little spice, hurt/comfot, mystery and intrigue and elemental powers like come on. This is the first book of a series I cannot wait to devour more it’s like avatar the last air bender for adults and I’m personally here for it. That ending tho like come on how can you so that to me lol.
Son of the Moon: Serendipity is the first book in a new series and author Janelle Cressida's debut. I really enjoyed this one. Fun, likeable characters, delightful fantasy elements, an intriguing plot, a very sweet romance, and an ending that might've ripped my heart out a little bit. But I'm fine. I'm FINE! Shush.
The writing was always super smooth and flowing, and it got a tad info-dumpy near the end, but those are just new author/debut niggles that don't really bother me all that much overall. The only thing that kept me from rating it higher was purely a me-problem, which is simply that it took me a while to be fully hooked.
I do recommend this one if it sounds like something you'd enjoy and I look forward to see where the series goes!
This is such a fantastic book, a great start to this new series.
The fantasy elements are amazing and thrilling to read. The mystery behind who Jaime is is very interesting, and we get to experience all the enigma surrounding him through Jesse, who is just as confused and intrigued by Jaime. Despite the circumstances in which Jesse finds Jaime and the many questions about who he is, it doesn’t stop Jesse from taking care of Jaime and being able to somehow guide him in this new world for him. They instantly are able to form such a nice friendship that as it progresses, feelings start forming. Through this new relationship, they both learn about love and about themselves and how to navigate it. These two are just too cute and sweet together, the way they explored their intimacy, which was filled with heartfelt and many learning moments that strengthened their bond even more.
Austin I love him so much, and his interactions with Jaime and Jesse were so much fun to read.
Can’t wait to learn more about Jaime and see how their relationship between them develops with the many challenges they have to face.
I didn't dislike this book. It held my interest for the most part. The main characters were pretty solid. And I appreciated bringing the fantasy element into the modern day world.
However, I, unfortunately, do judge books by their cover and the cover is bad. 🥴 If I'm not mistaken, it's very much AI and AI is the bane of creative worlds existence. I would rather see something made on MS Paint than an AI generated piece.
If not AI, my opinion still stands that the cover is bad and I think if it was just the title with a cool font (like most fantasy novels have), it would be much more appealing.
We ABSOLUTELY loved it🥹 Just wow, what a perfect first book👏🏼The story captivated us from beginning to end. We swooned, we laughed, we giggled, and by the end, we were crying our eyes out😭 As a reader, you're truly drawn into the story and its progression. You feel truly invested, along with these wonderful characters. First of all, Jamie and Jesse ofc🥹 They are so adorable, and their sweet love for eachother gaaaah🤍 Two beautiful MMC’s (Did we mention Jesse is Korean?😏) And then our precious Flounder🐠 Honestly, we love him so much🫶🏼
Besides the fact that it is such a beautiful story, it is also incredibly well-written; very inviting and smooth, if you know what we mean. Janelle takes her time and you can feel that ... If there is one thing we hate is that a story feels rushed and that is absolutely not the case.
It's book one in a series of 7, SOOO HAPPY it isn't over yet. But damn that cliffhanger, we can't wait to continue😭
Where to start? I don’t remember when was the last time that I read a fantasy romance. Let's just say I have a difficult relationship with this genre.
But this book broke my curse. I was invested in the story from the very beginning to the end. Without wanting to spoil anything, I'll just say this: our main characters, Jesse and Jamie, meet by chance. Jamie has memory problems and doesn't know what happened to him, where he is or where he lives. Jesse, a kind soul and nursing student, doesn't have the heart to leave him without help, so he invites him temporarily to his apartment. This is how a beautiful adventure into the unknown begins. We are witnessing not only unusual events that are difficult to explain logically, but also love blossoming between the main characters.
A great technique used in this book was gradually allowing the characters to guess what was happening (we are not told exactly what is going on from the beginning), and we accompany them on this journey. They are often wrong, and when the truth comes out, they are just as surprised as we are. I don't know which of the characters captivated me more. Jamie, due to his memory loss, can be charmingly naive, but he is also brave and open to new friendships, even though he has every right to feel depressed about what happened to him. Jesse is the protective type. He cares about the happiness of his loved ones, sometimes at the expense of his own. And I can't forget our dear Austin, Jesse's friend who quickly won my heart with his humor and the support he showed his friends. I'm afraid that if I write more, I'll reveal too much. But I want to convey as many feelings as possible that reading this book left me with. What I really love in that story is that I felt a connection with the characters. The author has done a great job showing us the interactions between the characters, thanks to which we completely believe in the relationship that has developed between them and eagerly await what will happen to them in the next chapters. Also the fantasy and romantic elements are perfectly balanced. This book really gives me the vibe of my favorite fantasy movies. Since this is the first book in a series of seven, the adventure is really just beginning. But in this part, we get to know the characters well enough that I am completely satisfied with how we part ways with them, which does not mean, however, that waiting for the second part will be easy. I will be eagerly awaiting every mention of the next part and its release date. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
I haven't read anything like this before but if I was to try and describe the vibe it would be giving Avatar, Last Air Bender.
Jesse is studying to be a nurse and is just going about his life when Jamie suddenly appears out of nowhere. When we meet Jamie, he's covered in blood and ash and has no idea who he is or how he suddenly ended up in the middle of a street. Being the kind sweet person he is, Jesse offers Jamie a place to stay while they try to figure out who Jamie is. I love how the reader is not the only one going on this journey. The mystery is also unfolding for Jesse and Jamie and most of the time they are just as surprised by the discoveries as we are.
Jamie seems absolutely oblivious to almost everything in the world and it's adorable to see him discover things with an almost childlike wonder. While he's incredibly frustrated that he can't remember anything, Jamie also has such an eagerness to learn everything he can about this world he finds himself in.
This is a slow burn - Jesse tries so hard to fight his feelings but when Jamie expresses his own feelings, it's only a matter of time before they give in. This was another gorgeous journey of discovery we get to go on.
Austin was such a fun side character - cheeky and supportive, even though he's been through his own trauma and has his own struggles. His existing friendship with Jesse and their text chats are hilarious. The growing friendship he builds with Jamie is heartwarming. Nate is another side character who appears less often and I'm not mad about this. I'm not loving him right now but I'm willing to give him a second chance if he has a redemption arc in books to come.
Finally THE CLIFFHANGER! Sorry to yell but I neeeed the next book now! This is book one of 7 so get ready for multiple cliffhangers as this will be one epic series! We get to meet Jesse and Jamie in this book, see their beautiful relationship blossom and watch Jamie work so hard to remember who he is. A lot happens at the end and we get a few crumbs but really, there are still so many questions not yet answered! Book two can't come soon enough!
❄️MM Romance ❄️Contemporary Fantasy ❄️Strangers to Lovers ❄️Found Family ❄️Amnesia ❄️Hurt/Comfort ❄️First Time
Austin and Jesse the friendship I can’t I just love these guys so much as best friends like they are so funny
Also can we talk about how ADORABLE JAMIE IS LIKE GIRLLL
And the mysterious aspect of this is perfect the major changes that got me on my toes wanting to know more
I also really love Jamie and Jesse together they are so adorable together and super freaky like get it kings pop off, but they complete each other and everything. So caring and Jesse being overprotective over Jamie AHHH HOTTTTTT
However not only was Jesse overprotective but Jamie is also protective “driven to help Jesse be safe” like how freaking adorable are the both of these cuties my Shayla’s ahh
OKAYY holy plot twisttttt I knew something big was gonna happen and I was righttttttttt
Also the ending ?!?!! girllll respectfully I am a crying mess and WTFFFFF. Like okay I need a minute this hurt I didn’t expect this feeling.. AHHH call me deceased 😭😭
This book is spicy, this book is is so emotion driven and so character driven I loved Austin and Jazmine’s and hazel, this book was built on love and hurt and comfort.
I so think Jamie and Jesse are soulmates I have the gut feeling call me a psychic when I read the others cause they definitely have the power to be soemthing Great. Also a book that you may have crashouts or that may just be me cause girl WHATTTTT
Also thank you to the author for reaching out to me to review and honestly THIS WAS AHHHHHH why did I wait so long to review this was so good mainly for the found family with Austin and Jamie and Jesse have.
I had the huge honor of being the first to read Janelle's book-and once again, thank you so much, Janelle, for giving me that opportunity. It was truly a joy to "work" with you on it!
Now, about the book: wow-what a journey! It's packed with secrets, wit, and mysteries. You learn alongside Jesse and Jamie, as if you're being gently guided by the hand. One of the things I absolutely loved is how we grow with Jamie. He enters a world completely unknown to him and experiences it with the wonder and openness of a child. We get to accompany him, in a sense, from toddlerhood to adulthood in just a few months-and it's beautifully done.
And Jamie-he's just so lovable! You can't help but like him. He's incredibly endearing, and the same goes for Jesse's best friend, Austin. With Jamie and Austin, Janelle has created two truly wonderful characters (not to take anything away from Jesse-he's fantastic too! )The worldbuilding and the story in general are also incredibly well done. I can't wait to learn more about the other world and what the world order is like there.
Anf Janelle's writing style is also exceptional-smooth and engaging, which makes it easy to stay immersed in the story. There's really nothing more to say except that I can't wait for the next part. There are still so many unanswered questions!
If you like fantasy, then RUN and get the book. It's out on June 13th!
Son of the Moon set my curiosity on fire fast. Jesse and Jamie feel like two magnets that shouldn’t work…and yet there’s this weird, inevitable pull that makes you dig in.
MMC: Jesse + Jamie
What I loved — Jamie’s innocence + amnesia wasn’t cheesy. It made every tiny piece of trust between them feel dangerous and delicate. It’s hurt/comfort with teeth. Also — the found family hints and the elemental-ish “what is he exactly?” mystery is addictive.
What didn’t fully land — the pacing lagged in a couple early sections. There’s so much worldbuilding being implied, but we get crumbs instead of meat for a bit. I wanted a couple more payoffs earlier.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Overall — a little unhinged, a lot tender, and the mystery backbone is what really carried me. Book 1 of 7 — and yeah…you can feel the series runway already laid out.
I had the honor of beta reading this book and what can I say…. A journey like no other. There’s mystery, chaos, yearning, love and supernatural elements that keep you on your toes at every turn. Jamie and Jesse’s relationship was not rushed but you could feel the yearning and the love they had for each other as it’s written in a way where you just have to root for them. There was also the element of the supernatural and lurking danger that kept the reader on their toe coz you have no clue what’s happening and when you think you do…. Trust me… you don’t! I had to ask the author for a preview of book 2 coz I just had to know!
This story had me hooked from page one! Jesse’s life as a nursing student takes a turn the day he and his friend encounter a mysterious stranger (Jamie) on the road. What starts as a simple act to help quickly turns into something far bigger. And an adventure begins!
If you’re craving a fantasy romance with action, found family, lovable characters, and just the right dash of spice, this is one to check out. ❤️
Okay I can’t even, I absolutely loved this so much. The tension and mystery. It was amazing, the world building was incredible and just so beautiful. I loved the depth of the characters. I read this in one sitting. I genuinely cannot wait for the next book. I need more now. I can’t believe this was a debut novel. Can’t wait to see more from Janelle.
This book literally flew by!!! I started it without any particular reading plan, and before I knew it, I was already at 70%!
The story had the perfect mix of mystery and humor that made it impossible to put down. Right off the bat, we meet Jamie and are instantly intrigued by what happened to him. His cluelessness about the simplest things (and the world in general) was sooo adorable. If anyone’s familiar with the TV show Kyle XY, he totally gave off that vibe: adorable and confused, yet clearly more than he seemed, like there was something about him that didn’t quite make sense.
I lived for Jesse and Austin’s interactions and text messages!!! They felt so natural and relatable. I was dying laughing at every single one 🤣
Beyond the mystery and humor, I really loved the heartfelt moments between the characters. I won’t spoil anything, but "something" happened years ago that deeply affected them. Watching them navigate those emotions while trying to heal and support each other was beautiful. The same goes for Jamie. He was completely vulnerable and lost, but found a safe place and family with these guys. I loved the bond they formed ❤️
Overall, I loved this book. The fantasy elements made it even more fun, and I still can’t believe what happened at the end!!! I was gasping and freaking out!!
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. The mystery pulled me in right away, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I absolutely loved Jamie’s character—there’s something so compelling about someone starting with nothing, not even his own memories, and growing into such a strong, layered main character. His journey from that childlike wonder to becoming someone truly unforgettable made him one of my favorite male leads in any fantasy series. The relationship between Jamie and Jesse is beautiful. It starts with Jesse simply offering help, but over time it grows into something so real and moving. Jesse is such a wonderful character—his quiet kindness and thoughtfulness honestly made my heart melt. Austin, Jesse’s friend, deserves so much love too. He’s the definition of a true friend—supportive, loyal, and always there. He really brought warmth and strength to the story. And then there’s the ending… That cliffhanger hit hard. I was in tears long after I finished reading. This book left a mark on me, and I already know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
↓↓ Holy smokes. This sucked me right in and I couldn't get enough. I didn't want it to end. I went through all the emotions when reading it, laughing, crying, mad and everything in between.
They always say your life can change in an instant. Jesse learned of that saying when just one simple act completely changed the trajectory of his life.
I loved Jamie, he's been through it but is so strong and determined. He had the greatest character development. He was just the absolute sweetest and I wanted to wrap him in a big ol hug and never let him go.
Jesse is a true ride or die in all aspects. From day one he was there for Jamie in every way and would do anything and everything for him. Also Austin, let's applaud that bestie, he's the kind of friend that everyone needs in their life.
Jesse and Jaime both really intrigued me and the mystery aspect really kept me captivated me from start to end. I love how their relationship progressed and their connection.
Amazing debut and I can't wait to see how this story and world progress.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥 🔥Amnesia 🌊 Found Family 🔥Different World 🌊Lost Identity 🔥First Times 🌊Hurt/ Comfort
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Son of the Moon, and wow, this one really got me. I felt everything, every high, every ache and I wasn’t ready for how attached I’d become to Jesse and Jamie. The world-building and connections created in this book truly are something special.
What starts as a simple act of help between Jesse and Jamie turns into something so much deeper. There’s a softness between them that slowly builds, and as the world around them shifts, something spectacular is created.
Jamie’s trying to piece himself back together, but things get strange fast with nightmares, powers, and questions neither of them are ready for. It’s tense, emotional, and full of those moments that make you pause and feel.
This isn’t your typical love story. It’s layered, unexpected, and completely captivating. I couldn’t put it down and honestly, I didn’t want to.
Son of the Moon by Janelle Cressida is a spellbinding MM romantasy that beautifully blends love, loss, and the clash of two worlds. Jesse and Jamie’s love story unfolds with an aching tenderness. Janelle captures the spark between them so vividly that their every touch, glance, and word carries emotional weight.
What makes this book truly stand out is how Janelle builds two richly imagined worlds one steeped in light and the other shadowed and lets them collide in ways that test the very core of Jesse and Jamie’s love. When those worlds finally tear them apart, the heartbreak feels both inevitable and devastating.
Janelle ’s writing is balances high stake fantasy with deeply human emotion. Son of the Moon isn’t just a romance, it’s a story about love that defies realms, and the pain of discovering that even soulmates can be separated by the forces that created them.
Oh I had fun with this!!! Jamie was so adorable and Jesse was so overprotective but in the sweetest way! I loved their chemistry and relationship dynamic. Jesse was so patient in wanting to help Jamie find his place and Jamie was so ready to learn and grow and it was such a good time! The dance crew was fun and I really enjoyed Jamie finding something that was his!!! I loved the friendship Jamie and Jesse had with Austin. They each had their own connection with him and I liked seeing them have their individual interactions with Austin as well as all three of them hanging out. Boy were the text messages hilarious!!! I’m excited to see what’s next in this series!
Jesse is a nursing student living a normal life like anyone else. One day, while riding in the car with his friend Nate, Nate suddenly stops without warning. Startled, they decide to check what made Nate stop so abruptly. That’s when Jesse sees a strange man standing in the middle of the road, looking completely lost. Jesse takes a closer look and realizes something is wrong. Alarmed, he gets out of the car to try and help this stranger, who doesn’t seem to know where he is or how he got there… without knowing that this moment would change his life forever. Son of the Moon is the first book in an eight-book series. And if you liked Avatar: The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra, you’re going to love and enjoy this book, it has the same kind of vibes. The writing is super easy to follow; Janelle wrote everything clearly and in great detail, so there’s no way to get lost. It’s really easy to stay connected to the story, and it grabs your attention from the very first chapters. Jamie, God, I love Jamie. He’s so sweet, but also the kind of person who deeply cares about the people he loves. And Jesse… God, what a man! He’s been Jamie’s protector since day one. That man would do anything for him. Austin is the kind of best friend who gives you advice, scolds you, but then says, “Okay, I can’t let you do this alone, I’m helping too.” The plot of this book is so engaging. We get to see Jamie go from remembering nothing to slowly regaining his memories. The love between Jesse and Jamie is absolutely sweet you fall for them so easily. And the twist? You are not ready. Maybe you’ll see it coming, maybe you won’t… but that’s what makes it so good. I adored this book. I laughed with this book. I cried with this book. But most of all, I loved every moment of it. So, if you’re looking for a fantasy book with Avatar vibes, action, found family, and sweet (and spicy!) moments, you need to read this book. Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spice Rating: 3 /5 🔥🔥🔥 If you like to read: 🔥Amnesia 🌊 Found Family 🔥Different World 🌊Lost Identity 🔥First Times 🌊Hurt/ Comfort
I really wish I could say I was invested enough in this story to finish it. Unfortunately, I don’t think this book is for me. Although the first few chapters initially intrigued me, I quickly grew bored.
The main problem was that I wasn’t invested in Jamie and Jesse’s relationship, and the entire first half of the book revolves around them spending time together. Some things annoyed me about their relationship – mainly how the conflict between them stemmed from communication issues that felt forced and completely avoidable. I also thought Jamie’s nativity was a little extreme. Yes, he has amnesia, but he doesn’t know what love and jealousy are? Two basic human emotions? Maybe there’s an explanation later in the book, but to me it felt over-the-top.
These problems made it difficult for me to care about Jamie and Jesse’s relationship, which made it difficult to get through this book. There is a bit of mystery surrounding Jamie’s past, which had me intrigued, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for me to want to continue this book. Maybe if there had been earlier plot progression in this aspect, I would’ve been more interested.
There are some positives about this book. There were some cute moments between Jesse and Jamie that had me smiling. The characters are likeable for the most part, and I especially liked Austin and his growing friendship with Jamie. The writing was also pretty good, although I wish there were more descriptions of the environment. I had no idea what type of city I was supposed to be imagining this story taking place in.
If I had been more invested in the romance, I could definitely see myself enjoying this book. Other reviews I’ve seen appear to mostly be positive, so I guess it’s down to personal preference.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
{Son Of The Moon} Arc review by Jessie Melka ___________•___________
GRRRRRRRR I NEED MORE
Son of the moon is book one on a new series by Janelle Cressida And it’s extremely well written with some amazing themes and vibes of I could describe son of the moon in a simple sentence it wold be “Sotm is like avatar the last air bender meets reality plus a hol’ lot of gay panik”
Jesse is a med student studying to become a nurse one night while driving home with his friend Nate a stranger walks In front of their moving vehicle almost causing a collision the stranger is covered im blood and sod and Jesse feels a pull inside him to take care of this amnesiac stranger
Jamie is confused he’s memory is gone and he has no idea how he got here nothing is familiar and everything is so confusing A stranger decides to take care of him and as they get to know each other sparks fly and everything freezes while love makes him fight for his memories to come back
Chapter 27 blew my mind im talking ugly ful on sobbing i know this is just the start of the story so there is still hope for me jet i don’t normally cry reading but sometimes it just bursts out of me
I instantly fell in love with the story and the found family aspect but my fav character i have to be honest is 100% Austin he is such a great Friend so supporting and loving I hope he gets to be more happy less depressed in the future for those of you who don’t know Austin is Jesse’s and also becoming Jamie’s best friend
When you read the book the writing switches between perspectives and i honestly loves how we got so much perspective form deferent people also getting to see Jamie and Jesse’s relationship from other people gives a valid perspective of how different their relationship is
With Jamie having amnesia, we don’t really know a lot about him so that really kept me guessing a lot of the time and when his power suddenly started to show I was even more interested in his past and where he comes from
Jesse and Jamie’s relationship is so sweet the way they care for each other and the way Jesse explains the things Jamie doesn’t understand. It’s just so extremely nice to see. Also they have amazing chemistry and that first kiss though that was amazing and so sweet.
I read this book a 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend this to you if you’re into something like found family or lost identity and if you are totally cool with starting a new series from the beginning but remember to form your own opinions and not just listen to me Until next time, my loves…
Rating: 5/5 Spice: 3/5 Angst: 4/5 Would I read again: yes absolutely
(I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily)
🫀MM Romance ❄️Found Family 🫀Amnesia ❄️Fantasy 🫀First Times ❄️Hurt/Comfort 🫀book 1 ___________•___________
Son of the Moon isn’t just a romance it’s a quiet reckoning. A story about the weight people carry, and what it means to be seen when you think you’re unrecognizable, even to yourself.
Jamie is splintered. Not just by what’s happening to him these nightmares, these strange powers but by grief, by the aftermath of surviving. And then there’s Jesse. Steady, sincere, someone who offers help without expecting anything in return. What starts as a simple act of kindness turns into something deeper: the slow, cautious trust between two people learning how to hold space for each other.
Their connection unfolds gradually, full of soft moments that feel like breath between storms. But as the world around them tilts into the unknown, so does their relationship shifting from something small and tentative into something life-altering.
The writing pulls you into that space between fear and hope. It’s charged, emotional, and surprisingly gentle. Every scene carries weight some heavy, some featherlight but all of it matters.
This isn’t just a story about falling in love. It’s about finding light when everything feels shadowed. About choosing each other, again and again, even when the future feels impossible.
When reading this book, many emotions hit you throughout it. When Jesse first runs into Jamie and feels the need to help, he makes you see his compassion and empathy for those around him. Jesse just follows his gut even though he hears the warnings from his friends around him. Jamie being lost and not knowing the world around him shows the innocence that a person can have but yet still trusts his gut and trusts Jesse. The way these two characters push each other and help each other grow shows you the difference one person can make in your life. The trials and tribulations they go through show you that the right people around you can help ease the struggle you are going through. Austin being thrown into the mix helps you see the growth in Jesse and Jamie in different ways throughout the story. Austin is a guardian and a guiding light for these two throughout the book. The shock and surprises that come with Jamie learning more and more about his powers bring a twist to the story. Curiosity of what Jamie is makes you want to continue to read. As the ending of this book comes with a realization of what is to happen to Jamie and Jesse, you just can't wait for the next book to get here.
WOW, what a uniquely special book! I truly blown away. This book sucks you straight in from the very first page and just brings you on a wild ride filled with humor, found family, pure innocence and mystery after mystery that had you guessing throughout. I just had to keep on reading to find out the true story about who Jamie really was.
Jesse finds Jamie covered in blood and having no idea who he was, but together they try to piece together who or what Jamie is and along the way they find the purest love within each other. The way Jesse handles Jamie melted my whole heart he is green flags all day everyday! Sweet Jamie was so lost trying to find who he truly was but not wanting to lose this new person he has become, I tear up just thinking about the turmoil he went through.
The writing flowed so well when the characters interacted it felt like I was actually watching this all unfold instead of reading. The ending had been bawling of course because there was no other way around the issues and they just had to accept their heartbreaking fate.
This was a different read for me, but I seriously can’t wait for the next book to come so I can see the rest of this mystery unfold!!!
This book is part of a series where the story continues through the books so this book does end on a cliffhanger part way through the story. I am amazed that this is Janelle Cressida’s debut novel because it is a marvelous read with great depth to it. Jesse and Jamie have a very complicated time in this book because Jamie has no idea who he is. Jesse takes him in and lots of weird stuff begins to happen. There are some very funny bits in the beginning as Jesse has to explain all kinds of things like cars and cell phones to Jamie. Jesse is a marvelous character who is a great foil for Jamie. I didn’t like Jamie as much, but I think that will change in subsequent books now that he has his memory back. There are some interesting side characters especially Nate, but this book is mostly Jamie and Jesse and their struggle to find out what is going on. I do hope that we get more of these side characters and others in the next book and that it comes out soon.
I wasn't sure what I would think of this when I decided to give it a go, but I don't regret doing it. At first I kept wondering what was happening, what it even was, and while the main character was so adorable, I found myself being a little like... hum, is this weird? But I quickly forgot about that as I kept reading and realized soon that I was getting invested in the characters and their journey.
They were super adorable and cute together as they tried navigating every day life while also trying to figure out what was wrong. Their friend, loyal sidekick, night owl writer was a lovely addition to the mix and I grew very fond of him as well. Their dialogue was hilarious and it was easy to follow.
I feel like Jesse might have been a little too protective at times, and then making things more complicated than they had to be, but that was also part of what made him so realistic and likeable.
It was a really good read. I will definitely read more of this series, cause I HAVE to know more!
I don’t even know where to start—this book had me hooked from the very first page. The mystery unravels immediately: Who is Jamie? Where did all the blood come from? Why doesn’t he remember a single thing? So many questions, and the tension just keeps building.
The use of a three-person POV was brilliant—you’re the only one who gets the full picture, and you start piecing things together alongside the characters. But let me tell you, nothing could have prepared me for that ending. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Janelle Cressida doesn’t just write a cliffhanger—she launches you off it, and now I’m sitting here, emotionally wrecked and ready to beg for the sequel.
Jamie, Jesse, and even chaotic bestie Austin have all carved out a space in my heart. The mystery, the romance, the intense friendship—it’s all next-level. I can’t recommend this book enough. You need to experience this twisty, emotional rollercoaster for yourself.
I went into this book completely blind—just knowing it was an MM fantasy romance—and wow, it surprised me in the best way. There’s a little mystery, a little romance, and definitely some tension that kept me turning the pages and guessing until the very end.
Jesse and his friend Nate come across Jamie one night, bloodied, disoriented, and with no memory of who he is or where he came from. After the hospital clears him, Jesse can’t bring himself to let Jamie go off on his own. Against Nate’s advice, he invites Jamie to stay, and before long Jesse starts to develop feelings for him. I loved the way their relationship unfolded—Jamie’s sweet innocence and Jesse’s protective instincts were such a great balance.
I also really enjoyed Austin, Jesse’s oldest friend. He brings so much insight and perspective to the story, and I liked the dynamic he added.
And that ending?? So emotional and such a cliffhanger. I’m absolutely ready for more!
** I received a complementary copy of this book.**