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Lemon & Malice
Lemon & Malice is a fantasy adventure with humor, romance, and action.
Beatrice Lemon and Malice Malacar are thieves-for-hire that have just been "encouraged" to take a new job.
Can they pull off this latest heist without losing their lives, hearts, or wits?
When handsome paladins, bandits, and the gods themselves are involved, who knows?
Beatrice Lemon and Malice Malacar are thieves-for-hire that have just been "encouraged" to take a new job.
Can they pull off this latest heist without losing their lives, hearts, or wits?
When handsome paladins, bandits, and the gods themselves are involved, who knows?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 15, 2025
I would like to thank the author and Bookfunnel for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. This was such a fun read. The characters are interesting and fun to get to know. I would consider this a traveling story. While traveling stories aren't my favorite style of reading, I had a really good time. My favorite parts of this novel are the variety of the characters, the found family aspects, and the silly banter between the characters. The reasons I gave it 4 stars and not 5 stars is occasionally the pacing felt a little off, and other times it felt like certain aspects were a little force and didn't completely make sense. (I believe this is going to be a series, so maybe those things will be resolved and make more sense in the next book)
September 8, 2025
I was selected to be an ARC reader for Lemon & Malice in return for my honest review and I can honestly say this is a 5 star read for me!
It’s fun, entertaining, and unique. This fantasy novel is about two thieves-for-hire that are forced to take on a new, dangerous job that is clouded in mystery. This job takes them on a journey that involves bandits, gods, forbidden love, and a some self discovery.
From the first introduction, I immediately fell in love with our human FMC, Beatrice Lemon. She’s spunky, witty, and a badass. Her best friend, and partner in crime (literally), is an easygoing orc named Malice Malacar. He brings a balance to her ambitious nature while also complimenting each other.
The dialogue is entertaining and the plot keeps you wondering what will happen next. I was intrigued from the start and my interest in the story never died out. By the end, I was fully immersed and put through a whirlwind of emotions.
I think this story ended perfectly for it to be a standalone, but I also would love to see more of Bee, Mal, and Ges.
It’s fun, entertaining, and unique. This fantasy novel is about two thieves-for-hire that are forced to take on a new, dangerous job that is clouded in mystery. This job takes them on a journey that involves bandits, gods, forbidden love, and a some self discovery.
From the first introduction, I immediately fell in love with our human FMC, Beatrice Lemon. She’s spunky, witty, and a badass. Her best friend, and partner in crime (literally), is an easygoing orc named Malice Malacar. He brings a balance to her ambitious nature while also complimenting each other.
The dialogue is entertaining and the plot keeps you wondering what will happen next. I was intrigued from the start and my interest in the story never died out. By the end, I was fully immersed and put through a whirlwind of emotions.
I think this story ended perfectly for it to be a standalone, but I also would love to see more of Bee, Mal, and Ges.
October 9, 2025
A Sharp, Witty, and Delightfully Chaotic Fantasy Adventure—Pure Fun from Start to Finish!
Kaitlyn Owenby’s Lemon & Malice is an absolute gem—a perfectly balanced blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure. Bursting with snappy dialogue, chaotic charm, and irresistible chemistry, it’s the kind of fantasy romp that makes you grin one page and gasp the next. If you love clever banter, morally flexible heroes, and a heist that goes delightfully off the rails, this is your next favorite read.
At its core, the story follows Beatrice Lemon and Malice Malacar, two thieves-for-hire who are as brilliant as they are exasperating. When they’re “encouraged” into taking on a dangerous new job, their lives spiral into a wild series of mishaps involving handsome paladins, conniving bandits, and—because why not—the meddling of the gods themselves. Owenby’s storytelling thrives on this chaos: every twist feels both hilarious and heartfelt, and every mistake somehow leads to even more trouble.
The banter between Beatrice and Malice is pure gold—equal parts snark, tension, and affection. Their dynamic crackles with energy, playing beautifully off Owenby’s quick pacing and tongue-in-cheek humor. Yet beneath the sarcasm and sword fights, there’s surprising emotional depth. Both characters wrestle with loyalty, trust, and what it means to choose between love and survival in a world that rarely offers both.
Owenby’s worldbuilding is vivid yet breezy, filled with whimsical gods, dubious moral codes, and an undercurrent of divine mischief. The balance of romance and adventure is spot-on—neither overshadows the other, and both feed into the story’s emotional punch. Every character, no matter how briefly they appear, feels distinct and memorable.
What really makes Lemon & Malice shine is its tone—it’s adventurous without being grim, romantic without being sappy, and funny without ever losing heart. Owenby writes with a confident, cinematic style that makes every chase scene, snarky exchange, and stolen glance feel alive.
Kaitlyn Owenby’s Lemon & Malice is an absolute gem—a perfectly balanced blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure. Bursting with snappy dialogue, chaotic charm, and irresistible chemistry, it’s the kind of fantasy romp that makes you grin one page and gasp the next. If you love clever banter, morally flexible heroes, and a heist that goes delightfully off the rails, this is your next favorite read.
At its core, the story follows Beatrice Lemon and Malice Malacar, two thieves-for-hire who are as brilliant as they are exasperating. When they’re “encouraged” into taking on a dangerous new job, their lives spiral into a wild series of mishaps involving handsome paladins, conniving bandits, and—because why not—the meddling of the gods themselves. Owenby’s storytelling thrives on this chaos: every twist feels both hilarious and heartfelt, and every mistake somehow leads to even more trouble.
The banter between Beatrice and Malice is pure gold—equal parts snark, tension, and affection. Their dynamic crackles with energy, playing beautifully off Owenby’s quick pacing and tongue-in-cheek humor. Yet beneath the sarcasm and sword fights, there’s surprising emotional depth. Both characters wrestle with loyalty, trust, and what it means to choose between love and survival in a world that rarely offers both.
Owenby’s worldbuilding is vivid yet breezy, filled with whimsical gods, dubious moral codes, and an undercurrent of divine mischief. The balance of romance and adventure is spot-on—neither overshadows the other, and both feed into the story’s emotional punch. Every character, no matter how briefly they appear, feels distinct and memorable.
What really makes Lemon & Malice shine is its tone—it’s adventurous without being grim, romantic without being sappy, and funny without ever losing heart. Owenby writes with a confident, cinematic style that makes every chase scene, snarky exchange, and stolen glance feel alive.
October 4, 2025
Thank you to Kaitlyn Owenby for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lemon and Malice felt like a quest line straight out of a video game—and I say that with all the love in the world! The banter and dynamic between the characters reminded me of wandering through Thedas with my favorite companions. This story was well-written, full of charm, and surprisingly polished. I’m honestly shocked the author doesn’t already have a backlist to dive into. It was fun and light, and I’d happily join Bee, Mal, and Ges on more adventures in the future. ♥️
Lemon and Malice felt like a quest line straight out of a video game—and I say that with all the love in the world! The banter and dynamic between the characters reminded me of wandering through Thedas with my favorite companions. This story was well-written, full of charm, and surprisingly polished. I’m honestly shocked the author doesn’t already have a backlist to dive into. It was fun and light, and I’d happily join Bee, Mal, and Ges on more adventures in the future. ♥️
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews