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260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2025
Thank you to author Madison Nicole for providing me with a digital ARC of Unexpected Attachments. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I returned to the world of Cirque Callisto with high hopes, especially after the glimpses of Dani and Myla’s chemistry in Tangled Encounters. The setup had all the elements I tend to enjoy: forced proximity, emotional healing, and two characters navigating how to build something meaningful out of a difficult past. While there were moments of warmth and tenderness, the execution didn’t fully deliver the emotional depth I was hoping for.
The premise begins strong. Myla, reeling from a breakup, invites Dani to move in as a roommate. Their budding friendship and eventual romantic tension should have been a foundation for something emotionally rich. But instead of watching this pivotal decision unfold, it is brushed off with Myla forgetting how she asked Dani to move in. That narrative choice removed what could have been a powerful and grounding moment for their connection. From there, I often felt that the characters were telling me about their closeness rather than showing it in a way that felt earned.
Dani is clearly meant to be a stabilizing force for Myla, but I struggled to connect with her as a character. We are told she is kind and supportive, but outside of being emotionally supportive and helping out around the house (which are kind of the basics of being a good roommate), we don’t see enough connection that makes the foundational friendship feel real. Myla’s emotional journey is centered around healing from her toxic ex, but her lack of communication dominates the plot in a way that often felt more frustrating than compelling. That said, the spice scenes between them were well written and thoughtful, which added a softness to their dynamic that I appreciated.
One of the highlights of this book is the supporting cast. The broader Cirque community remains one of the most compelling aspects of the series. I loved their presence and the way they helped to flesh out the world with vibrance and personality. Their continued involvement made the story feel connected and grounded, even when I struggled to connect with the main relationship.
I want to acknowledge that part of my disappointment may come from how much I had been looking forward to this story. Anticipation creates high expectations, and when those expectations aren't met, it can color the experience. There is a solid foundation here, and I still believe the Cirque Callisto series has more to offer in future installments. I hope to see more emotional depth and character complexity next time around.
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