The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully)

Carry A Faerie #2

by Michele Notaro

Are there pixies absolutely everywhere? Unfortunately.

Tiny flying faeries with poisonous dust? Great…

Is Winter calling me his boyfriend all of a sudden? Wait. What?

It’s pixie season, and they’re everywhere. Win and I are wearing so much pixie gear we look like we’re in space suits. It isn’t fun, but getting dusted is worse. Pixies. Ugh. But Chaos and Aeson need our help, so here we are.

To top it off, Winter and I have people showing up from our pasts, demanding our attention and bringing up old hurts. But at least I have him by my side this time—and he has me. Not sure how long it’ll last—even though my heart wants forever and Win’s saying all the right things—but I’m definitely going to hold on to him while I can.

The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is an MM urban fantasy and the second book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Magic

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2025

About the author

Michele is married to an awesome guy that puts up with her and all the burnt dinners she makes—hey, sometimes characters are a bit distracting, and who doesn’t plot when they’re supposed to be cooking? They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with two little monsters, a three-legged princess, a four-legged goofball, and a cutie with giant ears (aka their two kids, their two cats, and their dog). She hopes to rescue another cat soon, and if her hubby wouldn’t kill her, she’d get more than one… and maybe a few more dogs as well.

She loves creating worlds filled with lots of love, chosen family, and of course, magic, but she also likes making the characters fight for that happy ending. She hopes to one day write all the stories in her head—even if there are too many to count!

If you would like updates on my new books or to be notified when a new book is released, please join my mailing list:
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Feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear from you.

Reviews

[Cat the bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, but a bit… boring?

I honestly feel bad for rating a book like this one with “just” 3 stars, it feels like kicking a puppy.

It’s… so very wholesome, and is full of cute ideas. It’s the second book of the “Carry a Faerie” series, and the second book for Miles and Winter. Miles is an empath, and he owns a “faery cleaning” business (similar to a pest control/exterminator business, but while faeries are mostly considered vermin, Miles doesn’t kill them, only relocates them to “faery sanctuaries”.

Oh, and Winter, his highschool nemesis and now boyfriend, is a “null”, meaning that he’s able to nullify magic of all sorts, so he’s the only person Miles can be “quiet” with.

So. They’re boyfriends of sorts now, and Win starts working with Miles. And there’s Lyric, and the twins, and all kind of faeries/pixies and the like.

But while cute, it felt… idk. Repetitive. We spend a lot of time with one character having a thought, voicing said thought, discussing the thought with others, and …moving on.

There are so many side plots, all potentially interesting, but none fleshed out. Milles cop background? The teen he wanted to adopt? Win’s toxic boss? Win’s sister? The unresolved crime case with the sanctuary? The dragon egg issue? Why did it happen? How? And why did it take them SO long to figure out why the pixies acted strangely?

On top of that… idk. I feel weird about Tinkerbell-lookalikes being little more than annoying, buzzing mosquitoes who get chased away or killed, or eaten by more sentient faeries.

It took me ages to get through the book because I didn’t feel like I was missing out if I’m not picking it up.

On top of that, there’s no relationship development. No steamy scenes. PG 12 🤷‍♀️

Not sure if I’ll pick up the next book tbh.

2.5 stars rounded up because since many of its ideas give a new spin to everything involving faeries.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

“You are such a weirdo.”
“Yeah, but you like me.”
“Probably because I’m a weirdo too.”

It took me a while to get back into the world of Carry A Faerie, and I gotta admit, some parts were slower than others, BUT in the end I fell in love all over again for this cute magical world.

Now that I was allowed to kiss him and touch him, I wasn’t going to be able to stop.

My favorite parts were the adorable animals/faeries, Miles and Win’s kindness towards the twins, the found family moments.

The writing was where it kind of lost me. There was lots of chitchat, and it was over-explanatory at times. Like, we get it, Ace has secret magic, you can stop dropping hints.
And the romance felt more in the background than it actually was. While Miles and Win were cute and sweet together, nothing new happened between them.

Towards the end it got good again and I loved the sweet happy-for-now ending (and the surprise gnome!).
So, even if this wasn’t a perfect reading experience, I’m still invested in these characters and can’t wait to see what happens next to the gang and their fluffy/feathery/scaley companions.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” Winter whispered against my hair. “You’re safe with me.”

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Mention of past bullying
- Mentions of abuse of minors (off page)
- Mention of death of a minor (past)
- Intercrural
- No penetrative sex

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually felt tense whenever the pixies were involved in this story 😂

Miles and Winter are as adorable as ever but they're both so insecure and holding back their feelings! I can't wait to get their first love declaration now.

Aeson and Chaos make me go into full motherhen mode like Miles. I'm cautiously optimistic that they're going to become permanent members of the family along with Confetti the kitten.

The ongoing crime plotline continued but again it was just a background plot, so I'm curious to see how that develops. I hate Higgins' new detective partner though, he's so smarmy!!

I'm really looking forward to the next book after that ending too 😂

*****

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review   

[Achim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This time it's tiny pixies becoming terrifying while protecting a fossilized dragon egg. It's nice to see how the author is turning the cutest beings into something fearful without making them into monsters but now that I'm a little more familiar with this world one such exterminator case isn't enough to balance the sweetness that everything else seems to be. There are big parts that are dragging on like the situation with the twins. Everyone who read the first book knows that they are homeless and don't go school but it takes an eternity for Miles and Winter to get to that point and then act like the kind guys with helper syndrome that they are. Then there is also Miles fear that Winter is going to leave him any day even while Winter isn't showing anything that indicates such a thing. It might feel different if their terrible past wasn't only told like a statement or if they were a bit vengeful or bitter or just more than only kind and nice and pardoning. There were parts where I craved to get a villain or at least a bad boy.

There are some clues and hints that maybe the next book is going to speed up, that we will get move from single cases to an overall story line regarding the sanctuary situation and the police investigation. There's also the last part which keeps my hope up that the next book is more than cute pets, adorable mythic creatures and terrifying fun with tiny faeries.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

More brilliance in this series of misfits

I'm loving this series by Michele Notaro and now I'm sad I'll have to wait for the final book to come out later this year.

Win and Miles, and the ragtag bunch of people and animals they've gathered around them are the best found family going.

Here we get to find out more about both men's pasts, as well as learning more about the teenage twins and I'm all for it.

There's dodgy pixies in this one, as well as a dragon fossil and another soft cliffhanger for events outside of the main story narrative in this book.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

*Double review of Did it Have to be Gnomes? and The Pushy Pixies are Going Down (Hopefully).*

Michele Notaro is one of those authors whose books have been on my TBR forever, but I just haven't been able to get to them so far. Then I read her co-write with TJ Rose and they promptly got bumped up quite a bit, starting with her newest series, Carry a Faerie! Since I got a review copy for the first book and an ARC of the second, and I read them back to back, I figured I'd do a double review for these wonderful stories.

Honestly, these books are so magical and soft and sweet, with just enough of an edge to them to keep me on my toes. The world and magic system are so fascinating that I wouldn't mind a hundred more stories set in this world. The side characters are all lovely and interesting, and the main characters? Oh they stole my heart. Miles, especially. I just wanted to give him so many hugs. Their romance is slow burn and low spice, but it fits for them and it's so so beautiful.

To keep things spoiler-free for both books, I'm going to keep this short. Miles & Winter's story is far from over, and I'm very excited to see what's next for them! If these books sound like something you'd enjoy, definitely check them out! I, for one, am going to try harder to get to Michele's other books.

[antonia🫧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i need book three and i need it now.:(

i love winter and miles's story and i love their relationship with lyric, aeson and chaos!!

i need more backstory and i wanna know more about meep!

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

Well this was a good one. We get a little more background on Miles and Winter...their relationship is going full speed ahead along with all the pushy pixie problem. Very entertaining for us but absolutely annoying for them. New faeries introduced...truths and revelations about the twins Ace and Kaos and boy oh boy...was I not ready for the ending...I mean hints were thrown in book 1 and book 2 but oh emm gee mannnnnnnnn. I was pleasantly surprised and entertained at the end...I didn't want it to end I was so giddy. Mannnnnnnnnnnn I can't wait for book 3. I will say the narrator did a wonderful job...especially the end. I highly recommend this audio...just to get to the revelations at the end...heeeheehee

[Angel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked with the first book and super excited to read the sequel. The character development is amazing and I love seeing the relationships develop between everyone, especially with Chaos and Ace. The overreaching plot of Whispering Pines Sanctuary is intriguing and I'm looking forward to seeing that play out.

I was really hoping that Chaos and Ace would end up moving in with Miles and I'm so happy to see them finally have a home and people who will support them.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Segunda parte de esta saga que me calienta el corazón. A pesar de su portad (para algunos infantilesca) la historia tiene bastante trasfondo. Me gustan sobre todo ciertos personajes secundarios. Quiero más aventuras de ellos. Asimismo, siento que esta segunda novela no ha sido tan buena como la predecesora.

A por el siguiente cuando el cuerpo me lo pida.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this on

[Mic_Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series - a long wait for book three 😅

[Elizabeth]

DNF at 21%.

Look, book 1 was great and I loved it. But, I'm sensitive to certain things... and deception in a relationship (especially when it's about "protecting" someone but really takes away their agency and potentially puts them in harms way) is a whole kettle of fish I do not like.

What follows is kinda spoilers for Book 1... but not really.

Miles and Winter knew each other peripherally when they were kids. They had crushes from afar but did nothing about it. In Book 1, they run into each other and Miles needs help from Winter because he's got a huge problem at one of his jobs... gnomes. Winter happens to be working for a competing pest business but is game to help his crush do a job over a weekend. It's a big, rough job but they're super supportive and loving and plain adorable with each other... and at the end of Book 1, they are dating but also still really nervous about how much they like each other.

Here's the thing. Winter is SUPER protective and loves being the one to rescue Miles. While that's cute and all, at the end of Book 1, it goes too far for me. He sees a gnome in Miles' pantry and knows that Miles HATES (and is scared of) gnomes. Winter decides that Miles is stressed enough and he doesn't need to know.

And that's how Book 1 ends.

First of all, I HATE that Winter thinks he should hide something like this from his new boyfriend. At the very least, he could set a trap for this pest and get rid of it on his own. But he just ignores it and I've made it to 21 percent of Book 2 and THE GNOME IS STILL THERE... but Winter isn't thinking about it. Miles notices that someone keeps opening bags of marshmallows and he keeps throwing them away. First of all, who has more than one bag of marshmallows?

But second of all... and the most important part is that the author decides to do a time jump. "TWO MONTHS LATER..."

Uh. The gnome has lived in Miles pantry for more than 2 months!?

Seriously, Miles is SUPER afraid of gnomes.

It stresses me out and makes this super sweet romance NOT fun for me to know that Winter hasn't told Miles for TWO MONTHS... and it seems to have faded from the plot.

I know, I know. This doesn't seem like that big of a deal. But, to me, this is inexcusable. It's such a blatant disregard of Miles' feelings and safety for Winter to be this chill/forgetful. He's supposed to be wildly in love with Miles. And he forgets something so essential!?

At best, it's the author leaving a gaping plot hole. At worst, it's Winter being a terrible new lover.

Either way, it makes me sad and not want to read this book.

[Demian Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is the second book in the Carry A Faerie series, and it is as warm and gentle as the first one (although there are a few dark bits sprinkled in).
We are back with Miles and Winter and their growing group of friends (*cough* family) in a new set of shenanigans. They once again find themselves in a problem, and this time it’s with pixies. And let me tell you, the story is as entertaining as it sounds...but equally hectic. 😁

I’m a sucker for found family trope, so it’s no surprise that for me, one of the best parts of this series continues to be the found-family vibe that Miles and Winter have with Lyric, Chaos, Aeson (Ace), and all the pets and familiars. I really love how Miles’s mother-hen instincts are even more awakened in this book. 😆 His caretaking nature is all-present but not suffocating, it’s gentle but consistent. I also love Winter’s steady (and equally caring) presence. He is the calm in the storm for Miles in many ways. While this is the second book, their relationship still feels new but also more settled. It’s soft and steady, and you can see a deeper trust starts to form as they share more of their histories with each other.

I loved that we get even more worldbuilding. It expands in interesting ways and answers a few questions from book one…while also planting new ones, of course. 😅 The ongoing mystery around abducted magical creatures continues in the background, but Ace and Chaos take on a bigger role here as they face some tougher personal challenges. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, but they broke my heart in this one. I definitely cried alongside Ace when he brought Confetti to Miles’s house. 😭
Oh, and there’s also a surprise new point of view at the end! Meep is going to be an entertaining addition, I can feel it! And I can’t wait to see how he fits in with everyone… especially with Miles. 😈

As with the first book, I had so much fun with this one. I love the cozy, magical charm of this world, and I’m enjoying all the mysteries along the way. I’m trying not to be impatient, but I can’t wait to see how the story continues, especially after all the new developments toward the end.

I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my unbiased review.

[Savy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series, and I was very excited about this one. However, I felt it took a while for the story to get going.

First, we dive straight into the part where the last book left off. Which was great, as it was a sort of cliffhanger and we wanted to know more. Only we didn´t really learn anything more. It was just a set up for an overall story arch, which then got lost again until the end of the second book. Now, I really like an overall story arch within a series, where we get little hints and clues about where the story will take us next. I just feel like it might have been better if this part of the story was put into an epilogue and prologue, to make it more clear this wasn´t part of the story in this book.

Anyway, after getting that bit out of the way, the story mainly told us about the developing relationship between Win and Miles, with a heavy side dose off (found) family. It was really sweet having Miles trying to open up more and Win having to hold himself back from smothering Miles with his affection. Then there's the addition of even more (furry) family members, which makes for a full house.
There are some really great side characters in this story. Everyone has their own voice and I really like that the side characters each offer something else to the story.

Between all of this, Miles and Win are helping out Ace and Chaos with a pixie problem. But again, it doesn't really feel like this is the main part of the book, even though there's plenty of pixie attacks going round. Even so, I still enjoyed this book a lot. So even though it took me a while to get into, I can't wait for the next book because I really love this series!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could do the grandma cheek squeeze to a book series, it would be this one. SO. CUTE. There is so much cuddling and gentle affection in this story, and when Miles and Winter finally open up about their feelings it's going to be all over for everyone. The animals are gorgeous (obviously the more the merrier), and obviously Chaos and Ace are fantastic. I loved seeing more of Lyric and though Mile's past as a detective seems to be haunting him, meeting Higgins was also good. The overarcing mystery plot is interesting, as was the main mystery in this book with this pixies. The humour, slice of life, found family, with hints of sad/dark is just what I needed from this book.

[Jane (PS) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Love this world and the characters within. There's diversity, community, a little mystery and a fabulous array of creatures ;). Bring on book 3!

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

audio update
Zachary Zaba is back for book 2 and does noy disappoint! Such a fun and addicting listen! No issues telling whose talking or whose POV we are in. And yeah all I can say meep🤣🤣

Ugh I just adore these books so dang much! Winter and Miles relationship is developing slowly but not at the same time, which in their cases makes total sense after what they've been through. The twins call them for help with some unruly pixies giving miles, winter and lyric more time to dote on them and slowly break down their defenses. This series is proving that right balance of hilarity along with seriousness that keeps you wanting more. Their little found family shows the family you make is the family you deserve not the one you were born into. cannot express enough how much I am adoring this cast of characters and they shennigans they keep getting themselves thrust into.

This should not be read as a standalone it takes away the joy of understanding all the different dynamics. This does end on a soft cliffhanger but the family are all in a healthy and stable relationship, just more chaos will be coming there way.

[Susi June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO excited for this book!
Did it have to be gnomes?! was an instant favorite for me. So of course I couldn't wait to get back to Miles and Win's family. I was not disappointed in the slightest, I loved this story so much. I had a huge smile on my face while reading.

While they were working on a Faerie issue, this book felt way more like a slice of life story, than anything else. The pixie case was interesting and why the pixie acted the way they acted was really surprising.
The main part of this book was definitely the family they are building.
This series is a great example for a found family. It makes me so happy. We learn more about Aeson and Chaos, ugh my heaaarrrrttt. Lyric is being their fabulous self. And they both get closer to people from their past. I can't gush enough about their family. They all deserve the love so much. Plus the pets? Perfection.
Though at the end of the book Miles house seems, ahem full.

The meeps chapter CRACKED ME UP! I'm so excited to see what happens next.

I totally understand why Miles is the way he is, still, come on dude. I feel like, they could be married for forty years and having children together and still Miles would be scared that Winter could break up with him at every moment.

Is it weird that I ship Chaos and Miles's familiar? They could have such cute babies.
Speaking of shipping, I kinda hope Higgins and Lyric meet and like each other!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super adorable and very easy to get lost in. I loved seeing Winter and Miles again as well as all their friends. I adored the new additions to the group, both of the human and animal variety.

I did find at times the pacing was a little off. We had some gaps in the timeline where it jumped forward and we didn't get to see some scenes that had been arranged by the main characters. For example, some time was spent arranging a brunch that would be happening the next day, however next chapter we'd jumped forward a week and it just skipped over the brunch.

Overall though this series is incredibly fun and it's made me fall in love with Michele's writing style. I'm excited to see what's next for our crazy gang!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5
The saga of Miles and Winter continues, only this time, the problem is in the Museum of Supernatural History, where a small group of pixies has broken off the main mischief (group of pixies, like a herd of cows) and is attacking visitors in the dragon history section. When they investigate, they are in for a big surprise as they try to find what has caused the pixies to act in such a violent way. As Win and Miles work to solve the problem, they are helped by Chaos and Aeson as the situation escalates, and the magic from all of them is needed in one way or another.

Aside from the pixie problem, both Winter and Miles nurture their developing relationship, and continue to be concerned about the health, safety and food access for Aeson and Chaos. The boys seem even thinner, something is going on, and Miles, especially, is determined to find out what it is and how they can help. In the process, they learn more about the boys’ background and how they might help even more. Both men receive a blast from the past in the form of friends and family neither have seen in years, leading to anxiety, but also the beginning of a rebuilding of relationships. New animal and magical creatures are introduced including a baby dragon, a baby griffin, and a kitten, increasing the menagerie of Sola, Odin, Goliath, Clucky, and newcomer Confetti. The book concludes with a settling of the pixie problem and a HFN for Win and Miles, but also a setup for book 3 in the series.

This is an enjoyable series with great world-building with all the magical faeries (guess that term actually includes a wide range of magical creatures, such as pixies, gnomes, griffins, firebirds, etc), and the capturing of the chaos causing creatures in each book is creative and entertaining, forming fun pictures in my mind of the antics our heroes suffer through. I do think it is important to actually read the books in order — I had to go back and read the last chapter of book 1 as I was initially very lost in the first chapter of book 2, (it had been too long since I had finished book 1). Book 2 began right where 1 left off, so I imagine 3 will do the same. The side characters are recurring and engaging, adding dimension to Win and Miles’s story, and there is an ongoing mystery element as well. This isn’t a short read, but it is an engaging one, sure to bring smiles and chuckles, as well as serious times too, well worth the hours on a rainy afternoon.

I received an ARC from the author for free and this is my voluntary review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m recommending this story. It’s cute, shows lots of potential and has great characters.

Rating: 4🌈

The second novel in Michele Notaro’s Carry A Faerie series, The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is an entertaining tale , one jammed packed with emotional drama of the group of characters as well as their multiple personal storylines.

There’s sub plots which have a series mystery element associated with abducted fantasy creatures. A big storyline that’s building is one that features the younger characters of mages Aeson and Chaos, now working at a local museum. Their story is prominent here in, not just because they require the help of Miles (Empath) and Winter (Null) to take care of another pixie infestation but as we can see, they aren’t doing as well personally since we saw them last.

Miles and Win’s relationship moves forward in several ways, including the reveal of their own histories.

But most interesting, a third POV is added to the mix at the end of the story.

The characters of the young mages and the fantasy animals/familiars are fantastic. Detailed, engaging and engaging. Their circumstances are such that the reader is immediately empathetic to their story.

Which is why another aspect of this book is bothering me. Hard to go into details without spoilers but for the author to go down this route so early in the series (and having set up the situation to go bad considering the characters involved), makes me wonder why and what Notaro’s thoughts were. Especially given the sensitivity of the storyline.

This series seems to veer from comedic scenarios to extremely complex emotional dark scenes and histories. And I’m not sure it’s giving enough context and depth to the latter. And this talented author is more than capable of doing so. See her series, The Magi Accounts.

I’m recommending this story. It’s cute, shows lots of potential and has great characters.

It will be a year before the next book is released. I’ll be looking forward to it.

Carry A Faerie (3 book series):
Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! #1
The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2
Gremlins, Goblins, And… What Is THAT? #3 - November 5,2026

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miles and Winter are back!! I loved the first book in this series SO much, I've been anticipating the second book's release ever since the first one came out. It was well worth the wait! I love being back in this unique and magical universe, full of mythical creatures, magic, spells, and adorable kids who are just trying their best.

Found family is one of my favorite dynamics to read about and this book, and this series, has that in spades! Miles, Winter, Chaos, Ace, Lyric, and their hoard of adorable animals really encompasses and showcases people from different backgrounds, age groups, and species, coming together to form a family. It's really beautiful what they've formed together, and I am so elated that our two MC's finally earned more of Chaos and Ace's trust. I adored being able to see their relationship flourish more in this book, the kids are amazing and I'm glad that they are finally starting to trust Miles and Winter. I hope as this series progresses further that their relationship and bonds will grow and they'll open up to the two older men as time goes on.

This book is jam packed full of pest control cases that Winter and Miles get sent to deal with. Dwarfs, lots of Pixie cases, and even some gnomes as well. I enjoyed the mystery regarding the angry pixies at the Museum. I thought that was written in a nice way, it created a sense of mystery while also explaining things in a way that somehow made sense even though pixies aren't real... The dragon egg component was SO awesome!! I don't want to spoil anything but I am so excited to see what happens with that in the next book!

Overall I thought this was a great continuation of the first book and I'm looking forward to continuing reading this unique series! Oh, and I'm also very excited to see Lyric get their baby Griffin!!

The last chapter was phenomenal!! It was a terrific way to end this book and it provided insight into a certain creature's head...

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is the second book in Michele Notaro’s Carry A Faerie series, and I was excited to dive into it after enjoying the first book. Although Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! was a three-point-five-star rating that I opted to round up, it did everything necessary to ensure I came back for more. It also left me with the hope that the writing would improve in the second book.

Unfortunately, I felt like things regressed with The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully). The writing felt like it was aimed toward children. This is not a bad thing if the book is aimed at children… yet such was very clearly not the case. Everything felt extremely juvenile, which then made the characters feel like children. While I was able to overlook this in the first book because it had me hooked, I found it harder to ignore in this second book. Especially as a lot of this second book felt like filler. Although there was some progress with the story, everything was far too obvious from the start. It was missing the extra hook that allowed me to fall so deep into the first book, which meant I was constantly distracted by the little things did not work for me with this second book.

If I am being brutally honest, a part of me did consider giving this second book a two-star rating as it was nowhere near as addictive as the first. I decided to be generous, however, as there were some moments toward the end of the book that did have hints of those feelings. It was too little, too late, yet it did have me opting to give a three-star rating. At this point, I am unsure if I am going to read the third book. I am curious about what comes next, but I need a lot more from the next book if I am going to be sucked in.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second instalment in Miles and Winter’s story is pure delight—chaotic, heartfelt, funny, and full of that gorgeous found-family warmth that made the first book such a standout. Pixie season is exactly the kind of unhinged supernatural nonsense I hoped for, and watching Miles and Win stomp around in their “space suits” trying to avoid poisonous pixie dust had me grinning from ear to ear. The pixie mystery itself is clever and surprisingly emotional, but what really shines here is everything happening around it.

The slice-of-life tone works beautifully for this stage in their relationship. Their little family—Aeson, Chaos, Lyric, and the ever-growing menagerie of pets—continues to be one of the most joyful, comforting ensembles I’ve read. The deeper glimpses into Aeson and Chaos were especially lovely, and Lyric remains a fabulous scene-stealer. And yes, Miles’s house being very full by the end absolutely cracked me up.

Miles and Winter’s dynamic is tender and messy in a way that feels so true to them. Miles’s insecurities are still very much present, but the devotion between them is unmistakable, and Winter calling him his boyfriend without hesitation gave me butterflies. Their emotional growth is steady, real, and full of charm.

Also—the meeps chapter? Comedy perfection.

Magical mayhem, emotional sweetness, and a brilliantly loveable cast—this series just keeps getting better, and I’m already excited for the next supernatural disaster they’ll face together.

I received a free ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[noa A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest—this book was less successful than the first. In my opinion, it could have been significantly shorter.

I also really didn’t like Winter’s sister at all. Supposedly they were extremely close, and then he goes to prison and she completely cuts him off—only to suddenly get back in touch after 13 years?!
And Winter just welcomes her back with open arms! Why exactly?! He should have told her he doesn’t need judgmental and disloyal people like her.

And what kind of stupid excuses are those for not talking to him? Was it really that hard to stay in contact behind their parents’ and siblings’ backs?

I hate it when people forgive as if it’s nothing—you can be a good person and still hold a grudge.

Beyond that issue, which really annoyed me, this book was also lacking a solid plot. There were so many side storylines that were interesting but didn’t get enough focus.
The faerie trafficking storyline—why don’t we find out what happens with it? Was it stopped? Were the animals rescued?
How did the dragon egg suddenly come back to life? Are there more of its kind still alive?
What’s the deal with the museum director and the twins?
Why is Aeson’s power being hidden? It’s clear to me he’s a healer, so why is he keeping it a secret instead of using it?
Why don’t Miles’s and Chaos’s animals get along? And why doesn’t Miles just read their emotions?

So much potential, and it wasn’t fully realized at all.

I was debating whether I want to continue with the next book when it comes out, but I do want more of Meep—that chapter was way too short for me.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Carry A Faerie series and in Miles and Winter's love story. This book continues the overarching plot theme but it also has it's own supernatural problem that must be dealt with. There is a HFN ending for Miles and Winter but their story continues on in the next book. Miles is an Empath and partner with Winter who is a Null. They take on work as ethical exterminators of supernatural creatures. This story brings the twins Aeson and Chaos back into their lives. Both work work at the museum and there is a definite problem with Pixies. They are becoming more and more aggressive and dangerous to the visitors to the museum. You immediately see the nurturing and caregiver tendencies of Miles as he tries to protect and help the boys. While they both have unexpected blasts from their respective pasts, the overarching mystery carries on from the first book. This is their story. I really enjoyed this book. It is very well written and easy to read. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. The beautiful cover of this book gives the read a big clue as to the fun and joy awaiting within. This book is sure to put a smile on your face. I enjoyed seeing their found family grow. And even thought I just finished this book, I am anxiously anticipating the next book in the series.

[Aysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is book two in the Carry A Faerie series. It should be read after the first book and ends in a mild cliffhanger.

Miles, Winter and their found family is back! These two characters just feel like a warm comforting hug.

I love the vibes in this series: funny, cute, comforting, magical, some action and mystery. Miles has such a big heart and it’s evident in this book. I adore his and Winter’s relationship. It feels both new and exciting but also so secure and devoted. Winter’s caring side never fails to make me swoon!

There was great continuity from the first book plot wise; the world building was definitely explored so much more and it was absolutely fantastic. I have some of my questions answered but still have many more!

This one, like the previous story, is a slow burn.

Omg I loved this so much and need more! I love all the characters (Miles, Winter, Lyric, Chaos, Aeson, the pets, the creatures (👀)!!! I knew there would be new additions to the family and I’m excited to see more of that! 100% recommend if you even think you will like it!

🐉 MM Urban Fantasy
🥰 Found family
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
🏠 Forced proximity
🌤️ Opposites attract
🧚‍♀️ Magic shenanigans
🐦‍🔥 Faeries, pets and sweetness

Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
World building: 🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Eye-catching cover: 🌺🌺🌺🌺

[Rochelle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It hasn't even been that long since book 1 (Did It Have To Be Gnomes?!) came out, but I finished it and was IMMEDIATELY salivating for this next book!

I adore Miles and Winter, and we finished book 1 with them just settling into coupledom. This second book picks up literally where book 1 left off, with Miles' ex-partner showing up at the door looking for Miles' help. Since Miles and Winter are already an established couple, the focus is a little more on the external plotlines (helping Chaos and Ace with a problem at their place of business, and Miles' ex-partner whose name I can just NOT remember with a case) with some gradual, low-angst romantic relationship development between our two lovebirds just sort of flowing along peacefully along the way.

I barked out one of those weird "HAH!" laughs at the final chapter/epilogue in this book, and I'm REALLY hoping for more from our new friend in book 3! (Gremlins, Goblins, And... What is THAT? coming November 2026!)

This is the second book in the Carry A Faerie series, which is (so far) focused on one couple and is best read in order. I am VERY MUCH WAITINNNNNNG for a book for Lyric, and books for Chaos and Ace once they grow up a bit. I am thinking maybe Lyric and Miles' old partner? *suggestive eyebrow wiggles*

[Em (Diversify Your Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I got an arc*

CW: family stress, abused unhoused kids (abuse in the foster system), assault at a police academy (by other recruits-- in the past), abusive bosses

Miles & Winter have survived gnomes but can they survive... weirdly aggressive pixies? Aeson & Chaos (teenage twins from book 1) have called in the Carry a Faerie team to help with vicious pixies that are guarding a fossilized dragon egg. Can the duo figure out what has the pixies so riled up? And maybe figure out what Aeson & Chaos are hiding?

--

" The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully)" manages to have a fairly light-hearted conflict (what is going on with those pixies?) while also, in many ways, being a very heart-felt book about really serious topics (police brutality, unhoused teens, foster abuse). Michele Notaro does a good job balancing the seriousness of the traumas that the main five face with the silliness of their relationships with each-other. The epilogue was absolutely hilarious and I can't wait to see how that game-changing information affects everyone in the next book!

I will say though that while a lot of the book is humorous, the more serious topics are a bit of a gut punch. This is not a bad thing, but if police brutality (to their own and to prisoners) and/or the mistreatment of foster kids is a particular trigger, make sure you're in an okay place before reading it.