You know those YA books we still love where some plucky teenager finds out they are the chosen one with magical powers and has to save a realm?
Someone fucked up. Someone fucked up badly. My second husband just left me for his TA and I just had a hot flash so bad, the roof of my house blew off. I honestly thought it was just spontaneous human combustion, but then three demons appeared in my bathroom and they apparently don't like it when you squirt shampoo in their eyes because you can't reach the towel.
So, yes, it was a hot flash, but it was also demon puberty because my dad is Lucifer. That explains why Mom never talked about him. Apparently, I'm not the antichrist, but I am heir to the throne of Hell. Lucifer is missing and Hell needs a Morningstar or it malfunctions. All those reports about a dangerous new street drug were actually souls escaping Hell and plonking themselves in the freshest dead body they could find. Someone should have told me there were zombies.
So, yeah, me and my hot flashes have to go to a realm known for being a fiery inferno to stop the zombies from invading Earth and probably locate the devil because I have no idea what I'm doing.
Midlife in Hell is a why choose twist on the chosen one trope, but the heroine is in her forties with three smoking hot demons she doesn't have to pick between
USA Today Bestselling Author JB Trepagnier is secretly 30 feral cats in a trench coat and combat boots writing romance with a shared feral cat hive mind.
Oh I love this woman, she doesn’t give a sh*t about hierarchies, race, gender or age. She’s just awesome all the time and I must say, I am just a little bit jealous of her!
Gods, this book was a lot of fun. I got a kick out of all the '80s references, and the characters were cool as heck. MFC Sydney is a wildcard. She's smart, snarky, and funny. She knows how to handle herself and doesn't mind telling people what she thinks. She doesn't hold back, and I loved that about her. Celix, Nuro, and Kujo are the three demons who come to retrieve her. Nuro and Celix are sweetie pies, and I adored them, while Kujo was a jerk for ninety-nine percent of this book, but at least he was a hot jerk, haha. I love that Sydney was always snapping back at him. It was hilarious. He does get better towards the end. I'm dying to see how things work out between them.
There were a couple of other cool characters. Wrathhog was another strong female. I liked that Sydney had a female friend to bond with and help her adjust to Hell. Satan was the cool uncle type. Angel DNA is still a bit of a mystery, so the uncle part is questionable. The plot was incredible. It's a case of a missing person. Lucifer is gone. Souls are escaping Hell, the princes are plotting, and Sydney has to face her daddy issues now that she knows the truth. Holy crap, what an ending. I didn't see that coming.
Midlife in Hell was freaking fantastic. It was light and full of humor with an entertaining storyline. I can't wait until the next book.
So. On one hand, this was an entertaining, unique take on this fictional world involving demons, the children of demons, Lucifer, angels and their ongoing discord. I did become invested in this story and still want to see where this goes. However, there is one issue with the writing that was quite glaring once I noticed it and it was even more noticeable to me the further I got reading this book.
The way this was written, it is clearly missing the descriptive language that takes place in between the times when you have written characters speaking, whether they are talking to others or themselves. In this book, it just goes from one person talking, then immediately to the next person and their response. One character speaks, then the next character speaks. That’s it. There is no descriptive writing between any conversations the characters have, there is nothing that describes the looks that can take place or pass between people while having a conversation or discussion, nor any descriptions of reactions by any character to what is being said, whether to each other or to someone else. There is nothing describing emotions of any of the characters. I have never noticed this in a book before, and this is the best way I can think to explain what is missing. I included an example below from when it finally clicked with me what was missing in this book, after being puzzled initially while reading.
Example: Chapter 19-Sydney
“Yeah, there were times I would wonder what someone was thinking and then they’d open their mouth and I’d realize I probably didn’t want to know what kind of squirrels were running around in their brain.”
“Oh, shit. It’s exactly like that. You’ll hear it if someone thinks you’ve got nice tits or if they can’t wait to get home to dip their balls in pudding and then smack a cactus with them.”
“Who did that?” Nero demanded. “I want names.”
“So, Sydney doesn’t know Elfed, but he’s Asmodeus’s right-hand man. He’s an upper demon and one of the big ones on purity. He also thinks Hell would be a much better place with Asmodeus in charge.”
“I experimented in college, but is dipping your testicles in pudding and abusing them with a cactus a demon thing?”
“We don’t claim that,” Celix said.”
This example (to me) is when it clicked & I finally realized that this book is missing emotional reactions and/or cues to what is being said. Which explained why I was noticing a lack of emotional connection between the characters in regard to where the story went. It is hard to buy into the building of relationships when there is no emotion involved. It almost comes across as if you’re trying to understand a person with a very flat affect aka no emotional expression.
A why choose reverse harem. Sydney just got divorce because she makes more money then her husband and her books got published. Meanwhile he could not finish writing his academic book. He says her books are trashy and leaves her for a younger woman. She starts having hot flashes and one just blew the roof off her bathroom. It was not a hot flash, a fury, an incubus and a cat like demon show up her bathroom while she is without a towel. She quiets shampoo in the eyes who was looking right at her. Kujo is angry at her and whisks them to hell with nothing from her home. She is not happy at that. They find her some clothes and tell her she is Lucifer's daughter and needed to take his place to stop from evil people souls in hell escaping into earth, into dead bodies and making them like zombies but they do not eat people. They bring her to Lucifer's home and she makes them bodyguards which is not usually done because hell the other princes are racist and corrupt except for Satan and Abaddon. Satan's daughter teaches them how to take down anyone with wings. So cool. They figure out Kujo is seeing where Lucifer in dreams. They go, it is dangerous and when they make to where should be, he is not there. There is a spy in the house or bugs. Amadeus set up reporters in front of the house, saying she can stop the escaping souls. She says she does not know if she can. Shutting down him from setting her up. She finds up more why Lucifer met her Mom. Kujo Mom shows up with a bunch of furies and says she wants him. She does it so he can not dream where Lucifer is again. She ends trying to kill him by Sydney steps in front of him and guess what happens? That is the end of this book. What happens next?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book and like all the books I've read or listened to from JB Trepagnier, it was such a fun adventure with a funny heroine you root for and a sexy group of males she don't have to chose between. I mean, even from the author's opening, I knew I was in for a treat: "So, this got a little blasphemous. Sorry, not sorry." Bring it on!
Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved Sydney from her first page. Her personality shone through and why can't I meet a woman like this in real life? She'd be my best friend! Celix, Nero, and Kujo won my heart from the start, too. I loved how they met Sydney for the first time- though poor Kujo would beg to differ- and she was surprisingly calm after three hot not-quite-human men appeared in her bathroom after she blew the roof off.
I loved the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. This story was fun, exciting, humorous, and fast-paced chosen one goodness. I can't wait until (*fingers crossed*!) it comes out in audio and I hope Anneliese Rennie voices Sydney. I loved her in the Library of the Profane. 5 stars
I really liked that Sydney was older, knew her own mind and just got on with it; she is a total breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the pop culture references throughout and the plot surrounding Lucifer was engaging with plenty of plotting and backstabbing as Sydney tries to navigate the new world she finds herself in.
It's briskly paced with a lot packed in but there is plenty of action and comedy with a bit of spice too. I found Nero and Celix a little interchangeable however I really liked Kujo. The scene with the painting was brilliant and genuinely made me laugh as did "babygirl". The cliffhanger was a bit of a surprise and I'm keen to see what happens in book two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My interpretation of the star system; 3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again 4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series 5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read.
Sydney has just found out she is a daughter of Lucifer, before that her main worries were going thru divorce and menopause. Well, those just became insignificant.
She now has three protectors, a father to find and her powers to come in to her.
And, she is ready to throw down with anything that gets in her way.
The characters are well developed and I'm sure you will have a few favorites very soon, Sydney being the ultimate one.
PS, you know a cliffhanger is coming, and when it does, it's a good one, need the next book now.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sydney is recently divorced from her cheating husband and is a new published author. She's having major hot flashes and ends up blowing the roof off her bathroom, changing her life forever. Three demons appear, shampoo squirts, and all the 80's fun made this a fun read. What a way to find out you are the daughter of Lucifer and had a job to do. This is a why choose, reverse harem with a fun and interesting storyline, captivating characters, and an ending I was not expecting. Midlife in Hell is book one and a fabulous start to the Chosen by 40 series, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
This was very fun to read. The rapport between the characters made me laugh out loud on occasion. The story is very interesting it has the aspects of both finding Luciifer and defeating the other Princes but also the characters working through their personal trauma of "daddy issues" and abandonment. I like the social justice elements in this story and the irony that Satan in Help has a stronger stance against classicism and racism than the Angels in Heaven. JB Trepagnier is one of my favorite authors. This first book barely nibbled into where this story can go. I really hope the wait for the next books won't be long.
This is Sydney, Kujo, Nero and Celix’s story. Love the way Sydney and Kujo go at each other. Sydney has thought she was human and having hot flashes, until she blow the roof off her house. Now she is in Hell and Lucifer is missing. Can they find him? What will happen to her now? Will someone go after her too? The story keeps you reading. Can’t wait for the next book to see what happens, since we have a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am in my fifties, and feel like a jerk reading romances about folks in their early twenties. Sydney is in her forties, going through a truly annoying divorce, and has a hot flash that blew up her life. She finds out she is Lucifer’s daughter, an is brought back to hell. She is snarky, puts up with no 💩 and hilarious. There is a bit of a cliffhanger , so I really hope the next book gets written, as the world development is phenomenal. Characters are nicely complex, and writing is great. I want more!
Midlife in Hell is the first book in the Chosen by 40 series, is a reverse harem paranormal romance that focuses on a woman who thought she was having hot flashes, only to find out she is the daughter of Lucifer! Spirits are running amok, along with the zombies. Time to shut that down! It’s a fun fantasy with a later in life trope that speaks to an older crowd, with a great storyline, an FMC who is ferociously snarky, and some hot demons. Ends on a cliffhanger, so I hope the next book isn’t far behind.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There were spots where it bogged down a bit with soapboxiness and the push to focus on world views, which could be distracting because it felt a tad forced in preachiness and snark.
However, it was still an interesting read that ends on a cliffhanger.
I am waiting (slightly impatiently) to find out what happens.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Midlife in Hell was just an okay read for me. There were a handful of genuinely funny moments and some clever references that made me chuckle, but I had trouble connecting with the characters. Considering the book is fairly short, I get that they might not be fully developed yet, but for now, they felt flat and I didn’t really care about any of them. The steamy scenes didn’t land for me either. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this series.
The author is a natural storyteller that invites you into his world of Chosen by Forty. This is the first book in the series and what a way to start. From the start of the book where Sydney explodes herself and her house after experiencing a hot flash that went wrong to her induction to hell and finding out she is Lucifer's daughter. This story will pull you in until the last moment and the cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sydney .. a smut author thinking she is suffering hot flashes to find out she is the daughter of Lucifer.. a total surprise that she handled with snark and humor cause she already writes about demons and their appendages.
Three demons .. a cousin and of course Satan joining her fun.
Changes are coming .. and she is leading the way all while flirting to find her dad.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m loving this new series and I can’t wait to read book 2 and this story is about Sydney who is going through a horrible divorce and while she was in a cold shower her skin started to steam and then she blew the roof off, then three men suddenly appeared in her bathroom well one man and two demons Sydney didn’t scream but they grabbed her and took her to hell. I loved this story, the characters and the chuckle worthy moments and I highly recommend reading this book.
This book sucked me in from the very first page. The FMC is unapologetically herself and has no problem showing it. The relationship between her and the MMC’s is something I’m excited to see bloom and grow. The world building is enticing and has you craving more. Her new friendship is exactly what we want in a best friend and I’m happy to stick around to find out how epic it becomes.
Sydney thought she was going through a mid life crisis - but she had no idea of what was really happening. Who was her father? Would she and her new friends be able to find and rescue him? Cliff hanger ending, can't wait for book 2 - love the characters and the time line!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holy smokes she has to be my favorite female main character ever. She is strong and bad@ss and can back it up, without being whiney or making stupid decisions, or treating the guys around her stupidly, or letting stupid misunderstandings happen.
Definitely an interesting take, not the usual romance with the princes but instead the sweet guys who are considered less than in the hierarchy. Which is honestly really enjoyable considering I’m usually really into the seven deadly sins.
I definitely will read the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Things are rarely tame in JB's stories and this new book delivered! This was just my kind of crazy, with banter, quirky characters and an interesting setting, couldn't put the book down. Can't wait for book 2 and the rest of Sydney's adventures in Hell! that cliffhanger is a doozy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I cannot believe you ended the book like that. I am highly irritated, but I am so excited for the next book in the series because oh my God this book was so good Sydney is my spirit animal. I wanna be like her when I grow up. lol
Good book. Its a bit different from what the author normally writes. It was still a good book. The characters were interesting and the details were good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was so prepared for this to be a standalone. Holy cliffhanger. The characters. Omg I am so Sidney. (I think every forty someone is.) seriously I would have the same give no shit attitude any gen x er would have. Bring it savior trope.
Not only is does this book have ann older main character in it but the story line is great!!! I hope the next one comes out soon cause that cliffhanger is brutal!!