Bikini Magic: An Unconventional Romance

Bikini Days #5

by Michael Dalton

Sometimes all you need is a little magic in your life

For two years, I’ve lived the dream. Family, friends, career, and four beautiful, wonderful women sharing my life and my home.

But life moves forward. My daughter Maddie is getting married, kicking into motion a range of issues we’d thought settled and dealt with. Meredith is starting to feel the baby lust, and that’s a big decision when I could be a grandfather soon. Ariella is fitting in better than I’d expected, but she’s still keeping secrets from us.

When Maddie’s wedding planning unexpectedly draws my toxic ex back into our life, I’ve got to juggle a web of competing concerns, all pulling me in different directions.

I’ll deal with it, because no one else can. Because you don’t poke Papa Bear in his den.

Bikini Magic is a multi-POV, age-gap, harem romance with emotional drama, no cheating/NTR, and a HEA.

Genres: Harem

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2025

About the author

Michael Dalton is a professional journalist and editor.

Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.

Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SUPER continuation of this very special series. There are a lot of characters and Ethan, the bikini girlfriends, daughter, and Ex continue to evolve.

I like the relationship development in this series and appreciate how gently Ariella is brought into the group. A key driver is the casual sexuality of the group. No one is pressing and attention is freely given and received. For me, it's an idyllic state where everyone's needs are being met and the feeling of deep love emanates from that.

I do appreciate the underlying current of leading edge HiTech. The issues and concerns discussed are real, with a fine balance of major risks and huge rewards.

There was a fair amount of tension with the Ex. I thought the way the author brought further background/insight into the Ex was interesting. I felt her characterization was a little too black and white. She seemed to have such little self awareness, decisions about her were too easy - most villains have some redeeming qualities which make dismissing them much more difficult.

Having not read either the Demon Hunter or Shifter Girls series, I'm left wondering where any of those connections might be hidden. 🤔

A Solid 5 Stars and a Terrific Addition to the series.

[YSP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo! Brenda Bad

Solid entry into the series, the story moves well without it feeling forced, still. Personally, I still dont really like how Ariella is holding something back, or, at least, I dont like how it's being portrayed as something life- changing about her and everyone else in the story just doesn't know.

But I digress, fun story still.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Book in this Series!

The characters are certainly growing and developing deeper connections. I'm probably slow but I've just picked up on the connection with the Demon Hunter Series and the Shifter Girls Series. Now I have to go back and reread both of those series also!

[Jeff Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic indeed!

Michael, once again, you successfully entwined complex plot with steamy romance. I can hardly wait for Bikinis Forever. Thank you!

[N P · Rating 5 out of 5]

great fun

I have really enjoyed all this series, it fills a spot that hardly any do and does it perfectly. The worst thing is the announcement that the next one is the last one.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the author has either lost the plot thread or just lost interest in this series. Either is possible, especially since at the end the book announces that the series will conclude with the next installment. Regardless, this book was the weakest in the series. We retread the same plot beats, none of the characters are developing or progressing, and where before the story had a minor quality of believability, now it is just so unrealistic and boring. Every time you turn around, there are more and more poly people. There are apparently a lot of wink wink, nudge nudge, references to other series by the author in this odd shared universe, but since I’m not familiar with nor interested in those series these moment tend to go unnoticed (at least by me). It’s kind of like the author is trying to show us one of those after credits or mid-credits Marvel movie scenes that teases other characters, but when the audience goes “huh? What?”, there are no articles we can google to explain these supernatural cross over moments. I think the author would have been much better off keeping the “harem” to a minimum and developing the characters as they face the challenges of the years passing and their relationship shifting. Apparently two years have gone by, maybe more by the end of the book, but no one has changed or dealt with how relationships shift once the “shinny new toy” phase wears off. And sure, this is a fantasy and an escapism story, but I’d much rather a grounded unconventional romance, than a “hey here’s the boring, I don’t know what to do with non-powered corner of an MCU universe of my making and by the way the girls are always wearing bikinis that get smaller and smaller and you know none of them ever have to worry about anything realistic regarding life, society, and how people work at getting along while maintaining a relationship over the long term because… idk… reasons… I guess?”

In the end, I give this two stars, one for it being written and one for what the series was in earlier installments. I doubt much will happen in the final book (whenever it comes out) and honestly, I’m not sure I’ll take the time to read it when it does because I have a feeling it will be a lot like this book - dull, boring, and a whole lot of “huh”?

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

My opinion of course, but this was boring AF and a waste of my time. It's not written poorly, but boring me is a fatal flaw in a book, and I kept skipping forward to see if anything of interest happened, but it never did. If you like 100% slice of life books you may like this a lot more than I did. I was hoping for some of the actual magic from the author's other series, but the title feels like a bait-and-switch. YMMV,

[Sterling Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one sitting read

I am a huge fan of this author and I have enjoyed reading all of his books. This is my favorite series and I have enjoyed this one so much that it only took me one session to finish it. I enjoy listening as well as reading. But this one I couldn't put down long enough to listen to it. I can't wait for the next one. And this author has been very, very enjoyable to read. If you enjoy this book, try looking into the rest of his universe books. I prefer this series over the rest. But I also have enjoyed all the others. You can see his growth and his advancement in writing. And I look forward to reading his other book "Boat Wizard". I hope its as good as the rest of his solo books.

[Dannan Tavona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting slice of life

Alternate universe, changing POV, slice of life, harem achy situations

Further developments with Ethan, his polycule harem, and some new characters. Mostly real life drama, continuing previous situations, with Ethan being the steady center for Meredith, Lexie, Olivia, and Ariella, with the latter opening up more to the women. No great shakes, but solid storytelling and excellent editing. Enjoyed.

[Steve Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

A good continuation for the series. More of a slice of life story. Not a lot happened but I do really enjoy the characters. Still not sure how I feel about the crossover with the other series from this author. Not sure if it really adds anything. I haven't read the shifter series, but it isn't really a requirement. Overall, a short simple fun read. I am looking forward to seeing where this goes.

[Ben Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait

I've been waiting for this book for a while, and it lived up to all the hype. All of our characters continue to be amazing, and I love all the crossover with the other series. I'm excited we're getting at least one more book. Honestly, I could read this series forever, but it does seem like we're coming to some sort of conclusion.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds collide!

Another excellent and emotion filled tale!
The group grows ever closer, old hurts are given a chance to heal, and new challenges unfold.
All of this while the world of our Bikini clad group finds out they have connections they never would have realized with a much larger universe.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Character development and issues as well as good editing make for a entertaining series
Keep up the good work and hope that you’ll consider keeping the series going longer term.

[Ruddy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

Story was awesome with many wonderful characters. I like the hinted supernatural activities that was in the background of the story. Well written with a satisfying end.

[Mike Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

keeps getting better

This series just keep getting better and building. I can’t wait for more secrets to be revealed in the next one! Worth the price of admission, the audiobooks are excellent as well.

[anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous storyline and execution

The author has developed such an amazingly warm and caring group of people into a wonderful family. It is a shame that there will only be one more book in the series. This is a marvelous series that has so much class and beauty.

[david reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well we're off and running

With the unexpected turns of the last two books, I can't wait until the next. This is a great series. I'm not surprised, but I am real happy. I hope this one is actually out now.

[Hoddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Wholly relatable and beautifully written. A story that could run for a few more books.