Simplemente Mortal: Romantasy urbana llena de magia y peligro

Merely Mortal #1

by Michelle M. Pillow

Publicado originalmente en inglés.Cuando ser simplemente mortal se convierte en el secreto más peligroso.

Una nueva serie de urban fantasy romántica narrada en primera persona por Michelle M. Pillow, autora bestseller del New York Times y USA Today. La serie está completa y disponible en su totalidad, lista para leer sin parar.

Todo lo que quiero es una vida sencilla y normal.

Pero la normalidad es un lujo que no me puedo permitir, nacida humana en una poderosa familia sobrenatural marcada por la magia. Siempre me recordaron que tenía fecha de caducidad. Así que imagina la sorpresa cuando soy yo la que se encuentra sobre sus tumbas… y no al revés.

El incendio que los mató no fue culpa mía. Sin embargo, todos me culpan, sobre todo los vampiros. Ahora tengo un blanco en la espalda y una recompensa por mi cabeza. Sin la protección de mi familia, estoy atrapada en una red de dinastías sobrenaturales y luchas de poder arcanas.

Por eso, cuando un desconocido atractivo y su pequeña hija me ofrecen ayuda, no digo que no. Un error… que podría costarnos la vida a todos.

A veces, ser simplemente mortal apesta.

La serie está completa y lista para ser devorada.

__

Para las lectoras que disfrutan de la fantasía urbana con romance, magia prohibida y secretos Simplemente Mortal lo tiene una protagonista humana perdida en un mundo de vampiros y magos, una atracción peligrosa, intrigas de dinastías, misterios oscuros y un tono adictivo que te atrapa desde la primera página. Perfecto para fans de Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas, Jeaniene Frost, Nalini Singh y Patricia Briggs.

Genres: Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Witches, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2024

About the author

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author of All Things Romance
MichellePillow.com

Michelle M. Pillow is a bestselling author with millions of books sold worldwide. She is known for her romantasy, paranormal and sci-fi romance and paranormal women’s fiction.

Her bestselling series includes Dragon Lords, Lords of the Var, Warlocks MacGregor, Tribes of the Vampire, Realm Immortal, Order of Magic, and Merely Mortal.

Recent News:
Pan Macmillan Tor Bramble acquired world rights to her Realm Immortal (romantasy, high fantasy enemies-to-lovers) and Tribes of the Vampire (urban romantasy, gothic vampire seduction) series for new print, audio, and translation editions starting 2026.

A hybrid author (traditional + indie), Michelle is a #1 Amazon bestseller, 2006 RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner, Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award nominee, and HOLT Medallion recipient.

Printable Booklist: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/42pg25jekx

Michelle loves to travel and try new things, whether it’s a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She’s addicted to movies and used to drive her mother crazy while quoting random scenes with her brother. She is the very proud mom to the most talented artist. Though it has yet to happen, her dream is to be a zombie in a horror movie. (She came close as a refugee extra on SyFy’s Z Nation, Fall 2016!) She is involved with various film and historical documentary projects with her filmmaker husband.

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Reviews

[Michelle]

NEW SERIES: Merely Mortal

I'm thrilled to announce that my brand new romantic urban fantasy series, Merely Mortal! Book one, Merely Mortal, is now available for preorder on Amazon! 🎉📚

I am especially excited to share that "Merely Mortal" marks the beginning of a ✨ brand new✨ series and is my first venture into publishing in the first person POV. This fresh perspective allows you to dive deeper into Tamara's world, experiencing her emotions, conflicts, and triumphs firsthand. It’s been an exhilarating journey exploring this new writing style, and I believe it adds an intimate and immersive layer to the storytelling. I can't wait for you to join Tamara on her journey and experience the magic and mystery from her unique viewpoint.

Insert me begging everyone to give it a try, and to tell your book lover friends. I think this might be one of the best books I've ever written, so I'm a complete nervous wreck just thinking about the release day.

✨ Strong Female Protagonist
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Mortal in a Supernatural World
✨ Forbidden Love
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Mythical Creatures
✨ Dark Family Secrets

Get "Merely Mortal" Here:
Amazon US - https://amzn.to/3WWfZTL
Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/4bwX4Ue
Amazon CA - https://amzn.to/3yH7a6a
Amazon AU - https://amzn.to/4bC4fKL

Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=...

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mere...

Apple Books - https://books.apple.com/us/book/merel...

GooglePlay - https://play.google.com/store/books/d...

Wishlist Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/merely-...

Add on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...


Thank you for all your incredible support and enthusiasm! I can’t wait for you to meet Tamara and explore her magical, mysterious world.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.In Merely Mortal, the first book in the Merely Mortal series, Michelle Pillow delivers an enchanting tale that immerses readers in a world brimming with intrigue and suspense. A world deeply rooted in the supernatural realm.

Meet Tamara Devine, a mortal living in a supernatural world. Her mother is mortal, but her father is a supernatural being, she being the product of an affair. Raised by her father and stepmother, she grew up with one particular lesson: she doesn't have long to live. With the help of her adopted brother, she navigates the supernatural world as best as she can, constantly reminded of her short lifespan. On her twenty-eighth birthday, the unthinkable happens—her family perishes in a fire. To make matters worse, her adopted brother informs her that the police view her as a suspect. To avoid arrest and clear her name, she goes on run, embarking on an adventure that will change her life dramatically.

Merely Mortal is a story that takes the reader on a journey where the extraordinary intersects with the ordinary. Throughout this journey, the heroine Tamara discovers that despite her mortality, she possesses a unique strength. She also faces danger, learns about her past, finds love, and experiences the ultimate betrayal. This was one journey I did not wish to end. The story completely captivated me, making it difficult to put down. The world and characters created by the author also fascinated and intrigued me. Although it would be remiss of me not to mention that there were times when the heroine annoyed me with her woe is me attitude.

Readers planning to pick this one up should prepare for an exciting urban fantasy featuring vampires, fairies, goblins, and a host of supernatural beings. However, be aware that the story ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the reader to wonder about Tamara's fate. One's aware going into the story that a cliffhanger was imminent but the twist at the end was unexpected.

Fans who enjoy urban fantasy will love Merely Mortal. I am looking forward to continuing my journey with Tamara Devine.

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. It drew me in from the first page. Tamara Devine is a mortal living in a supernatural world. Her family is killed in a fire. Except for her adopted brother. She is so shattered that she relies on him to take care of her. He tells her that the police are going to arrest her and he urges her to run. Not wanting to risk being trapped in a police station or jail she runs. She meets Diana, a young girl mourning her mother. Diana attaches to Tamara right away. Her father, Paul, agrees to give her a ride. This is the beginning of an adventure no one would choose. There are vampires, werewolves, witches, fairies, trolls and so much more. Can Tamara escape this seeming curse? Will she be able to protect Paul and Diana? Can she figure out who or what is out to get her? The story does end on a cliffhanger. I can hardly wait to see what happens next. I did receive an advance copy for my honest review. But did purchase it for my personal library.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a must read. The plot is incredible. It does end in a cliffhanger. But, it is so worth it. This author is an awesome storyteller. I’ve read just about all her books and love them all. This story is a departure from her usual style and it feels fresh, exciting.

The main character, Tamara, thinks she is in trouble with the law and goes on the run. The adventure felt like she fell down a rabbit hole and has to navigate a bunch of implausible situations. She meets the man of her dreams who tries to help her out. At the end of this part of the story, so many bad things have happened to her that one wonders how the author is going to get her out of her current pickle.

Can’t wait to see where this story goes next. Highly recommend this very entertaining story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara is the human daughter of two powerful supernaturals. Her elder brother Anthony is like her parents and they learned at an early age that Tamara was a regular. Her adopted brother, Conrad has always been by her side. He saw something supernatural while in foster care and that is when Tam’s parents adopted him. At the beginning, Tam is at a funeral of her parents and brother Anthony. Things happen and Tam goes on the run and she meets Paul and his daughter Diana, who is absolutely precious and adorable and hilarious. Things keep happening that are crazy. It was a roller coaster of emotions and I loved the book. Yes, it does end on a cliffhanger and the ending is mind blowing. I loved it and can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[chesirern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merely Mortal by Michelle Pillow is an urban fantasy novel. This is an exciting new series by this author. There are witches, vampires, trolls, shifters, fairies and of course mere mortals. The plot was fresh and exciting. I also enjoyed learning about the new environment Michelle Pillow was creating in this novel and series.
Tamara is considered well a mere mortal in her family because they all are supernatural and she supposedly is not (this is only book one after all). One day a fire kills everyone but her step brother and her so she runs. Eventually she meets a girl named Dianna and Paul who she travels with. There is loads of action and adventure.
I really enjoyed this book and I am already desperate for book 2!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The MC was a bit too much in her head. I thought the story could've been trimmed down. I almost DNF'd twice, but stayed with it knowing there was a cliffhanger ending. Dumb b/c now I kinda wanna know what's next, but I'm not so curious that I will jump into book 2 any time soon. I'll sit with this one a bit longer before deciding if another possible DNF is worth "saved it in the end" 500pg read.

★★½

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow what an amazing story this is the best story that this author has ever written and I’m dying to read book 2 because this story ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read what happens next, I felt bad for Tamara she was born into a powerful magic family but she had no magic and her mother used to call her it they were horrible parents and when they are murdered Tamara gets the blame and now she is on the run. Fantastic story I loved it and I highly recommend this book.

[Madeleine Booth-Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride!! One roller coaster roll after another!! I couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting. I was absolutely captivated by Tamara and all the events surrounding her. I loved diving into this new world and learning about each character and species traits. I loved unveiling one mystery after another and what an ending!! I really can't wait for more!

[Dawnetta Ltlbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I don't have enough words for how great this is. However I bought the whole series at once so I didn't have to suffer and wait for the next book release.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara is unbelievably relatable. She stumbles through her life most genuinely. (feel the air quotes) Yes, girl, I do. Her personality comes off the page with every scenario. Paul and Daina are excellent, and I look forward to their development. The story is fast-paced, easy to follow, and the ending was unexpected. I can typically figure out the ending well before it happens, but with this book, I was surprised. I will for sure be looking forward to the next installment. I hope to see that maybe she isn't as mortal as she believes, and I need more information about the prophecy!

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was dreadfully slow. Basically 90% is her inner monologue and grief. There was a potential for a plot but somehow the ride to Kansas City was 75% of the book and boring. It’s obvious who is attempting the murders. FMC is supposedly blinded by familial love/obligation, where I felt she was really naive and annoyingly in denial. I didn’t feel the connection with the instalove between M/FMC’s and skipped the steamy scenes. The only reason I bumped it to a 2⭐️ is that I enjoyed the twist at the ending. That being said, I still skimmed from 69% on to the twist in the last chapter.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, unexpected and hard to put down

Phew. This book. It is a beautifully crafted urban fantasy whose main character is a real, relatable and likeable person who has flaws, but is really just trying to do her best as messy human in a very messy situation. The story grabbed me from the first page and kept me enthralled until the last. It weaves together all the good things - exhilarating adventure, palpable tension, unexpected twists, dangerous moments, big feels, and swoony romance. This story does not get us to the end or to an HEA, it ends on a huge cliffhanger. As long as you understand that, you’ll enjoy this part of the story. Tamara is from ancient magical lineage but she is merely mortal and her mortality makes her vulnerable. She somehow survives when her immediate magical family all die in a fire. At their funeral her one remaining family member, her adopted human brother, Conrad, tells her to run since the police suspect her of starting the fire. While leaving the cemetery she stumbles upon Paul and his five year old daughter, Diana, who just attended the funeral for Diana’s mom. They form an instant bond and a simple ride soon becomes an unexpected road trip. But nothing is as safe as it appears and danger begins to stalk the trio. The flow of the story was fantastic - peppered in between the present events, we have flashbacks of Tamara’s life leading up to the fire. Plus the multiple episodes of slowly ratcheting up of the suspense followed by an exciting incident was all delicious perfection. The book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, spicy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, supernatural creatures, secrets, plot twists, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. I am definitely invested in the story and I cannot wait to read the continuation of it in the next book.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Merely Mortal series and sees the main character Tamara Devine having to deal with the fact that she is a mortal born to a powerful supernatural family. Her father and stepmother, as well as her older brother Anthony, all die in a fire at what should have been her birthday party but turned into another celebration of her oldest brother’s magical pedigree and a meet and greet for him to make more connections. Instead, she and her adopted brother Conrad, who was brought into the family to protect her, are the only ones that survived. The only one she really loved was her grandfather, who gave her a necklace when she was a little girl, to protect her always, but Covid got him even will all the magical power he had. Tamara was always pushed together with Conrad, who had been taken out of a foster home to look after Tamara, as her stepmother often said. ‘it can die’, which was her blunt comment on Tamara’s mortal life span in comparison to theirs. Her grandfather even wanted her to pick her gravestone for her latest birthday gift and to marry her off to another magical power family, to continue the family name. Her real mother was mortal and her father’s liaison with her ended with Tamara being born and ending up with her supernatural side of the family after her mortal mother unable to keep her safe from all the supernaturals who wanted her Devine bloodline. Tamara has been in a daze since the fire and Conrad has been dealing with all the family lawyers, as her uncle Mortimer arranged the funeral, which he nearly missed. When he does get there, he gives her a bag and tells her she needs to run, as the police are going to arrest her, having found evidence she started the fire in which the rest of the family died!

Just as she succumbed to the smoke of the fire, one of the vampires, Costin, flew over her in his bat form and crashed into a tapestry, before falling to the floor and turning to dust. Now the vampires are also after her, having heard she was to blame of the fire and wanting to kill her themselves, after a bit of torture of course. There is also a bounty on her head and Conrad tells her to go to a certain address and to meet him there at a specific time. As she disappears from the funeral, she comes across a young girl who has been at her own mother’s funeral and had escaped form her father’s sight for just a minute. The girl, Diana, starts talking to Tamara, which surprises her dad when he finds them, as she hasn’t talked to anyone since her mother died. Diana tells her dad, Paul Cannon, that Tamara has a sad heart like them as well. He ends up offering her a lift and even taking a sudden trip to his parents like he had told Diana they would. Tamara gets a good vibe from Paul whilst little Diana loves to copy everything Tamara does, which is amusing at times. Tamara can feel eyes on her however and wonders if she is putting Paul and Diana in danger, as numerous supernaturals are apparently after her! The only one she can rely on is her brother Conrad, but he may not be quite as behind her as she thinks. They grew up together and she has always put any of his little quirks and issues out of her mind, knowing he had a bad childhood before he joined her family. They were always left together in a safe area of the house, whilst the supernaturals had their parties, even when it was her birthdays! But Conrad always broke the rules Lady Astrid put on any magical books and items, telling them they would be poisoned if they even touched them. He ignored that, wanting to have magic like the rest of the family and become immortal somehow.

She just doesn’t realise quite how power hungry he really is, until a series of fires and attacks seem to follow her everywhere she goes. Paul is her rock during their travels, with a romance starting between them that can’t really go anywhere with Diana around them all the time. Tamara has led a very sheltered life, with her father and her stepmother Lady Astrid, having full control over everything she was allowed to do, with Lady Astrid punishing her with more schoolwork or more time in the gym. She was to be the perfect choice for a power marriage with a family and suitor of their choice, to ensure she had babies with a supernatural to overcome her mere mortal lifespan and failings, as soon as possible before her life was over. As the supernatural amongst them seemed to think her lifespan was of a trivial time frame and everything must be rushed! She doesn’t quite understand the gift her grandfather gave her when she was little and had a fall after trying what should have been some magical flying dust with Conrad. The necklace would protect her, but it doesn’t stop her getting hurt, and quite seriously as she soon finds out! Diana doesn’t want to let her go and neither does Paul by the time she has to part ways with them, but his warnings about all the connections between each of the awful situations she finds herself in, leading to someone she trusts, hurts her deeply as she can’t allow herself to believe it could be true. Unfortunately, she will soon get proof of just exactly who set the fire, the rest of her family died in, and as they try yet again to have her killed, the story gives readers an enormous twist, leaving us all with a massive cliffhanger to await what happens next! Tamara was definitely a bit too naive and trusting but shows herself getting a bit of a backbone and going for what she wants, to uncover the truth, however painful that might be!

I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Caroline Paquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A golden new cord to her bow

Is there anything Michelle M. Pillow can’t do? I honestly don’t think so.

For her first foray into first-person narrating, and urban fantasy to boot, she passed the test with flying colours!

Difficult to put down, Merely Mortal is full of action, with characters that we can only love (or hate) more with every page we turn, until another turn of the action leaves us breathless, only wanting for the next book to know what will happen to Tamara and the others.

To be frank, five stars are not enough!

[Amanda Bhear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It kept me turning pages until the end. Tamara starts out at the funeral of her father, mother & brother wondering where her adopted brother, Conrad, is. It seems like he should be here by now with her. When he does show up he shove a backpack with a change of clothes in it & some cash. He tell she needs to get out of town while he tries to clear things up. The cops think she started the fire that killed everyone at the party & the vampires are after her because they think she tried to kill Constin. She tells him he was on fire & she tried to save him but was too late. He tells her to go to the address in the backpack while he tries to get the lawyers & cops to believe she had nothing to do with it. She heads off in a different direction & meets up with a little girl, Diana, who just put her mother's ashes in an urn. Her dad, Paul, starts looking for her when sees them talking. Tamera is the first person she has really talked too since they lost his wife. He doesn't want her to know but she was cheating on him & where she was found in the car when it crashed & killed them looked bad. Somehow Tamera gets him to give her to the address Conrad gave her. It's not a good place, Paul asks if she would like to go somewhere else. She says this is the place. Tamera sees vampire signs all over wondering why her brother would send her here? She goes up to the door listed, & a creepy woman who looks addicted to something asks if she has her money. Conrad never mentioned any of this, so while she is trying to figure this out Diana jumps out of the car & runs back to Tamera. Tamera smells gas & the woman goes to light a cigarette. She grabs Diana & runs for the door just as the explosion goes off. There is a blue light. They make it out a little rough around the edges, but alive. She convinces Paul to go to Kansas city. Things keep happening. She tells Paul about the supernatural beings around them. She tells him they need to part ways before he & Diana get hurt. He tells her the only person who knows where she has been in all the fires & vampire attacks in Conrad. She doesn't want to believe it because he is the only immediate family she has left & it has always been them against the world. She gets Paul to leave her at a bus stop so she can go meet her birth mother in California. She called the lawyer to find out how bad it is & finds out nothing Conrad has told her is true. She texts her mother to warn her about Conrad. She catches a plane the rest of the way to San Diego & finds out her mother gave her to her father to protect her. She finds out that Paul is tied up upstairs. He had come to check on her & her mother thought he was Conrad. She turns him loose. Conrad shows up to try kill her & finds out the necklace protects her. He makes her give it to him. He puts it on & everything he has tried to do to kill her seems to happen to him. In a mere flash, it's like they're back at the birthday party. Everyone is out safe except one person Conrad & her necklace is broke. When they put his ashes in the crypt, she goes the way she did before but just when she is about to speak to Diana Conrad's ghost shows up to make finger guns at them, warning her away. To see what happens next we just need to read the next book.

[Answer Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle M. Pillow's Merely Mortal is a fiercely compelling, first-person plunge into a supernatural underworld where the most dangerous creature might be the one everyone underestimates. From its gripping opening to its breathtaking cliffhanger, this book is a masterclass in voice-driven, binge-worthy fantasy.
Our mortal heroine’s desire for a “simple, normal life” immediately resonated, making her brutal reality the disdain of her magical family, the looming “expiration date” all the more poignant. The catastrophic fire that flips the script, leaving her alive and hunted, is a brilliant inciting incident. Pillow perfectly captures the terrifying isolation and raw desperation of being the weakest link in a world of predators, with a bounty on your head and no one left to trust.
The tension is relentless. Every alley feels dangerous, every offer of help suspect. The arrival of the handsome stranger and his daughter is a perfect narrative trap a moment of hope so fraught with unease that you want to shout at the page. Their dynamic adds a complex, emotional layer to the survival thriller, blending vulnerability with a spark of forbidden connection that promises to unravel everything.
Pillow’s world-building is seamlessly integrated, revealing a tangled, brutal hierarchy of vampires and dynasties through action and immediate threat, never info-dumping. The prose is sharp, witty, and perfectly suited to the heroine’s vulnerable yet resilient voice.
Merely Mortal is a phenomenal start to a complete series. It delivers everything promised: magic, high-stakes power struggles, and a love that feels both dangerous and destined. The cliffhanger is a sucker punch that left me immediately grateful the next book is ready and waiting. An utterly addictive read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it took me awhile to get into this book. Tamara is the completely human daughter of a vampire father and a human mother. She has been brought into her father's vampiric family, though it is years before she is told that the woman she thought as her mother is really her stepmother. She has a half-brother and an adopted human brother. Until Conrad came along she was basically alone because she was considered too fragile and because she was unable to defend herself against supernatural threats. Though Conrad was not the puppy she had been promised, he was at least someone to join her in her imposed 'safe' exile.

Everything changes when, on her twenty-eighth birthday, a fire starts in the family mansion and she loses her parents and her half-brother. As she and Conrad attend services for the family, he informs her that the police are looking at her for starting the fire and she needs to get out of town while the lawyers 'fix' things. An chance meeting at the cemetery with a young girl who just lost her mother, and the girl's father, send her on a bizarre trip across the country. The three are almost blown up several times and narrowly escape an attack by vampires. Tamara finds herself drawn to the widower, Paul, and desperately wishes life would just allow her to disappear quietly into the human world. But she needs to get away from Paul and Diane before she causes them to be hurt or killed by her vengeful attackers.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, but gets really strange right before that happens. I won't ruin it for you. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the first in the Merely Mortal series, drew me in and held my attention from the first page. It tells what happens to Tamara Devine, following the deaths of her family in a fire. Her adopted brother told her she was about to be arrested and encouraged her to run!

After she ran, she met Diana and her father, Paul. Diana was also mourning her mother's loss, so when Paul offered Tamara a lift, she accepted.

The plot is exciting, flows well and features vampires, werewolves, witches, fairies and trolls to name but a few and follows Tamara on a rollercoaster ride no one would choose to take. There is a cliffhanger ending, but fortunately the next book is readily available.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.This book, the first in the Merely Mortal series, drew me in and held my attention from the first page. It tells what happens to Tamara Devine, following the deaths of her family in a fire. Her adopted brother told her she was about to be arrested and encouraged her to run!

After she ran, she met Diana and her father, Paul. Diana was also mourning her mother's loss, so when Paul offered Tamara a lift, she accepted.

The plot is exciting, flows well and features vampires, werewolves, witches, fairies and trolls to name but a few and follows Tamara on a rollercoaster ride no one would choose to take. There is a cliffhanger ending, but fortunately the next book is readily available.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

MERELY MORTAL is a Urban Fantasy Romance. This is a new series from Michelle Pillow and a little different from her normal style. This is a supernatural urban fantasy told in the first person from the main character's thoughts and feelings POV. This style may not appeal to all readers and normally to me, but I actually found it was easy and entertaining to read and it kept me turning the pages.

Tamara was born into a powerful magical family, but without any magic, merely mortal. When a fire destroys  everything she knows, only she and her non-magical adopted brother remain. When the police focus on her as the arsonist and murderer, she flees getting a ride from a stranger. Soon not only is she fleeing the police, the vampires are after for the death of one of theirs. She's also falling in love. Get ready for one wild ride.

The romance is tender and the characters strong and admirable with some intense action. You do spend a lot of time in Tanara's thoughts, but that did not hinder my enjoyment in this story.

I'm impatiently waiting the next installment to see what happens to Tamara next and of course will she ever be free to find love without fearing all the monsters. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb seemed interesting so I decided to give it a try. It's not really what I was expecting. Tamara is a human living in the world of supernaturals. When her family dies, the only person she has left is her adopted brother, another human. The FMC deals with a lot of anxiety and trauma throughout the book and there's a lot of her being in her head and ruminating. I wanted to see more of the supernatural world versus just hearing about it here and there. I feel like most of the book is the FMC having anxiety and traveling around ruminating but it doesn't feel like a lot actually happens. I think some parts could have been removed and it would have made the book a little easier to get through. I knew this would have a cliffhanger and didn't mind that but honestly the ending just completely threw me. I was confused and had to read it again to understand the explanation the author gives in the story for why it happened that way, but honestly it really makes no sense to me. I'm not a fan of timejumps either and we do see a lot of back and forth in the story between the present and the fmc's past. I understand why but it just didn't add much for me. I could probably read book two but I'm not really sure if I'm invested enough to care about what happens next.

Very neutral 3 stars for me

[Shawne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this knowing that the style is different from the authors previous books so I was cautious but hopeful given how many of her previous books I have read and loved... I had nothing to worry about this book was great. I could definitely tell this was her first published first person POV book in the way that it was a little clunky in the beginning trying to give the main characters back story but caused an unnatural break and a few rough time skips.

However overall this was such an entertaining read, Tamara's world and story are so interesting and the twists and turns the story took were so surprising every time I thought I could see where it was going another shift happened. The ending though absolutely was the best twist and cliff hanger I could never have guessed at and it was so well written that even with such a large last minute shift I am so impressed and intrigued as to what could come next that I can't even be annoyed that so much happened at the very end as I would normally be.

I can't wait to read the next in the series and definitely recommend this to anyone that has enjoyed the authors previous books but wasn't sure if they should give this one a try.

I read an arc of this book through book sprout

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamara has been implicated in the fire that took the lives of her family. They may not have been the closest or warmest of families but they were hers. Now with only her adopted brother Conrad to support and protect her, Tamara is sent across town and then country- always mere steps from the jaws of danger.

Paul and his daughter Diana were only visiting the grave of his late wife when they came upon Tamara. Diana opened up to the stranger and Paul felt he should at least offer the woman a life. He had no idea this would turn into a cross country adventure and see a baptism of fire into the world of magic, vampires and shifters!

There are some twists along the way, with Tamara learning more about herself and her history and Paul that sometimes it's ok to take a leap of faith for a stranger. I loved that Tamara was well aware of her aimlessness and was determined to find her place in the world on her own terms. Paul is a great single dad figure - authoritative and playful by turns. Diana is a precocious little darling and I'm glad she finally found Plop!

That ending though...I did let out a bit of a WTAF Michelle! It's certainly made an novel approach on how to get "everything to reset" if you will. I'm secretly rather pleased that from the outset I guessed the "baddie" and they really were a complete waste of skin that I thoroughly enjoyed having a reason to hate!

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who wants Tamara Devine dead? Merely Mortal the newest treat from author Michelle M. Pillow brings the reader along on a journey filled with twists, romance, subterfuge, suspense, and more in an urban fantasy that will keep you immersed.
This is only the first book and does continue in the next, but will definitely leave one pumped up in anticipation because this story is so GOOD.
MFC Tamara is the human daughter of supernaturals and is attending their funeral after they and her brother passed away in a strange fire.
When her adopted brother Conrad shows up for the services he tells Tamara the police are on the way to arrest her for their murders. Innocent she is of course but he sets her on a path that will lead to a chance meeting with MMC Paul and his young daughter Diana, so the die has been cast.
Excellent writing, and imaginative world building converge together in a mesmerizing narrative that closes with a heartbreaking cliffhanger that I KNOW has to be resolved somewhere down the road!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara has had an unusual upbringing: her father is a Devine, a powerful magical family, but the woman she calls ‘mother,’ Lady Astrid is not her mother and therefore she is mortal. She is kept in a gilded cage, only being shown love from her grandfather. Every year on her birthday, her family throws a party, but not for her! The paranormal community all seem to be invited, vampires, trolls, warlocks, you name it and they are there.
Suddenly, Tamara’s world is turned upside down when a fire wipes out her immediate family and she runs thinking the police are after her for the deaths, and everywhere she goes, so does death!
This is an action-packed story that tells us what is happening now and, in the past, and how these experiences affect Tamara and her decisions.
As stated by others, I too do not normally like cliff-hangers, however forewarned was forearmed so I was prepared, although I wish I did not have to wait until October!
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All my life, I’ve been treated like some delicate butterfly that the supernatural world wanted to squish because that’s what monsters do when they’re bored."

Tamara never expected to be the last one standing from her immediate family... but she and her adopted brother Conrad have just lived through the unimaginable, and now she must face the unthinkable.

This book is filled with the supernatural and paranormal, but it is the humans who bring a truly special magic to these pages. Their realistic struggle with grief, and finding joy and friendship with others who understand their broken hearts and pain is just the beginning of the special interactions that made this an emotional page turner.

I can not wait for the next book. Tamara has earned something special from the fates after the trials and tribulations she endured in these pages... and it's entirely possible we'll see subtle changes born of growth and lessons learned in these pages. Fingers crossed it is a short wait.

I was gifted with a copy of Merely Mortal and chose to share my thoughts.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Magical Puzzle.
Tamara as a mortal in a world of magical and mythical beings was the ideal first person POV storyteller. The novel opens with a very somber funeral of three family members. I thought there was solid backstory and character descriptions to make the the situation more realistic. Hearing Tamara’s thoughts and feelings as more details are revealed really painted a clear picture of who she was. Situations from the past with relevance to our understanding now were briefly shared though flashback snippets. It is just so much better experiencing those details through Tamara’s eyes and emotions! The action and plot progress were quite consistent, ensuring a good balance between action and some of the fun, quirky and emotional exchanges. I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger ending but I never anticipated the significant twist before that. Wow. I can’t wait to see what Tamara will do next!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I predict another Michelle M Pillow hit series. It does end on a cliffhanger and I for one, find that very refreshing! Cliffhangers in books, as apposed to tv shows, means more books, yay! But I digress.

This plot revolves around Tamara, her brother Conrad and innocent bystanders, Paul and his daughter Diana. At first it seems to be just an unfortunate accident that turns murder mystery. Only to become evident that a certain someone has a target on their head. The supernaturals are fantastic. Hallelujah the vampires act like vampires. And the character of Ivy is a true piece of work.

The major twist at the end was so imaginative I never would have thought of it. It's probably one of the best twists I've ever read. The feelings I was left with were extreme happiness and extreme sadness all in one. But in a good way, if that makes sense.

You won't be able to put this down, it sucks you right in. I highly recommend you one click right now. You won't regret it.

[Paranormal Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merely Mortal is an interesting story about Tamara, a human woman who is a member of a powerful supernatural family. When tragedy strikes she ends up traveling with Paul, a kind stranger and his daughter, Diana who has taken an immediate liking to Tamara. Romance blooms between Paul and Tamara but danger is following her, putting everyone around her in peril.

I liked Tamara, Paul and Diana. It was nice reading about a child that acted their age. Both Paul and Diana helped Tamara feel better during a rough time. But she knew they would be safer without her. I won't even go into her failure to even attempt to make sure she wasn't tracked. She was pretty much an idiot in that regard.

I liked Merely Mortal until the end when the plot went in a direction that I didn't care for. I'm also not a fan of bad guys reappearing like a bad penny. Perhaps the the second book can redeem the ending of this one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara is a mortal in the supernatural population which tolerates her due to her family’s (of supernaturals) prestige and power. Tamara is running and fears for her life after a fire takes her family. She meets Paul, recently widowed, and his daughter Diana. For a while, it looks like there might be a connection, but someone, or something, has a different idea. Merely Mortal is intense, complex, and a little bit scary in places. It’s great, a well-written urban fantasy set in an imaginative New York setting. The story is full of drama, suspense, lots of twists, and a budding friendship and romance. The characters a quite interesting, mortal and supernatural. Diana is a darling. Conrad, Tamara’s adopted brother, is one to watch. The ending is a hanky-worthy cliff-hanger. It’s like the last show of the season that ends with “to be continued.” I am sure the next installment will be worth the wait.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.