He Lost his past. She lost her future. Truth may be their only salvation.
Days before saying “I do,” Jasmine Stone’s life is flipped upside down. With a shattered heart and an empty bank account, her sister Charlie convinces her to take that would-have-been honeymoon to Greece. A career helping those affected by human trafficking has taught Jasmine all about grief and trauma. But dealing with her own heartache? That’s another story. Will she find peace on the shores of paradise, or something else that makes her question everything?
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Genie has a past, just one he can’t remember. Stripped of his humanity by the dark force that created him, he only has one job: read his master’s emotions and help guide them to their wishes. Easy, right? His new master makes it anythingbut simple. Between breaking the few rules he has, her indecisiveness, and an ex-fiancé who refuses to stay out of her life, Jasmine might be the worst master he’s ever had. When enemies begin closing in on all sides, will his power be enough to rescue her, or will he be the one in need of saving? Book 1 of 2
I have so many thoughts and feelings about this that are swirling around in my mind, but this was so freaking good! What a solid Aladdin retelling!
Honestly, I just finished it and I’m all kinds of stressed. Can you say cliffhanger?! Truth be told, I didn’t want to give this 5 stars because I’m mad at that ending, but the story is too good that I couldn’t do any less.
Genie (aka - Addin, Aladdin) is absolutely the cutest and I just loved him. He was sweet, protective, and chivalrous. I like how she didn’t have to use her wishes for him to give her things. That was a good twist because otherwise, this story would’ve been a little too quick. He was so likable and relatable, and did I mention sexy? Didn’t mind reading about the way he looked for over 400 pages, lol! Mercy.
Jasmine was a good FMC. Loved that she had a panic disorder, especially considering her job. That was excellent representation for those of us who have such issues.
However, she did act absurdly TSTL a few times. It drives me nuts when these FMCs think they can handle bad guys without telling the MMC they’re going to meet them. It’s so ridiculous and I wish that stupid plot line would just go away, but I’ve seen it in almost every book I’ve read lately.
Why in the world would Jasmine think Aladdin wouldn’t feel her leave in the middle of the night when he literally HAS TO remain within close proximity to her or his insides go up in flames? Where is her brain here? GIRL.
I’m very intrigued with how the brown robes/demon guy factors in. Since this is a Christian fantasy, I’m wondering how he can enslave a believer like Jasmine.
I also had a hard time with Jasmine’s tendency to stop Aladdin from taking down very bad people who literally tried to abduct, rape, and kill her. Like, DUUUUUDE, I get that this has faith woven in, but God is just, and forgiving someone doesn’t mean they don’t have to face consequences for their actions.
It’s a problematic common thread in Christian fiction. I understand stopping Aladdin from killing the young pregnant woman who stabbed her, but ALL THE OTHERS? Come on now.
Those things bothered me, but other than that, I was really into this novel! I love a good forced proximity romance and this was extremely well done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.75 to 4 stars. This was a very interesting modern take on a Genie retelling. Using original names and characters from the story we all know and love, this book mixes modern realism with the world of magic and fantasy.
Jasmine has just been left at the alter and decides to take her sister on her would be honeymoon trip. Trying to work through the feelings of heartbreak, Jasmine stumbles upon an old ancient relic, the lamp. She unknowingly releases Genie in her hotel room before leaving and he's left to wonder where he is and who is his new master. Jasmine's life begins to unravel and she finds herself in dangerous situations. The bond that Genie feels with her is undeniable and he will cross heaven and earth to save her.
Jasmine is on her own mission to help Genie remember the life he lost and break free from the slavery of a wicked and mysterious robed man who is forcing Jasmine to make 3 selfish wishes. What will she choose? Will love bring them together or does a different fate await them?
This book has: Faith themes Protective MMC Indecisive FMC Human traffic mention but not detailed Violence but not graphic No swearing/language No spice, only kisses
This is a great romantic fantasy. With an Aladdin retelling and Christian themes, this book was truly unique. I just wish I had the full story.
When Jasmine is dumped days before her wedding, she and her sister take her honeymoon trip to Santorini’s Jasmine finds an old lamp and, sure enough, she now has a Genie who returns home with her. She is adverse to using her wishes and letting him help her in other ways. Her job is in exposing human trafficking and Genie is a slave. Through their forced proximity and his protector heart, they get closer than ever… even with her pesky ex butting in all the time. I totally didn’t want to put this book down and can’t wait to finish this story. There are some scenes with violence, kidnapping, drugs, and there is also innuendo. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 3.
Content: violence, kidnapping, drugs, human trafficking
I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Genie by Elizabeth Joy is an absolute must-read! I loved loved loved the beautiful way she intertwined faith in the storyline, it was so natural and soul stirring. I was entranced from the very first page and was left hanging with one of the craziest cliffhangers I've ever read at the end. Elizabeth created such a unique storyline and such wonderful characters. If you are looking for a new read full of faith, romance, laugh out loud moments, and a thrill that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is your next read. I highly recommend it!
thank you, Elizabeth, for an early ebook copy to read, my review and thoughts are my own.
I have been obsessed with this book for months now. Still think about how amazing it was and how badly I need book two!
This is a kisses only, Christian fantasy retelling of Aladdin. There is danger, suspense, action, sizzling slow burn forbidden romance and a cliffhanger that will leave you 😫
Seriously addictive and exhilarating!
Go read it!
Thank you Elizabeth for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
✨🌊 Book Review: Genie by Elizabeth Joy ⭐ 5/5 Stars — a magical, emotional romance about grief, faith, and finding yourself when everything falls apart Jasmine Stone was supposed to be on her honeymoon. Instead, she’s in Greece with her sister, a purple carry on, a shattered engagement, and a heart that doesn’t know what comes next. Four years of love ended in four words. “I can’t marry you.” 💙 Jasmine is smart, compassionate, and exhausted in a soul deep way. Her work fighting human trafficking has shown her the darkest parts of the world, yet she’s still quietly clinging to faith even when her prayers feel bruised and unanswered. She hates coffee, burns under the Mediterranean sun, and carries more responsibility than she ever signed up for. ✨ Genie (Giovanni) has no memories of his life before the darkness. Created, controlled, and stripped of choice, his purpose is simple: serve, obey, and never feel. Until Jasmine. Until her grief, her indecision, her humanity cracks something open in him that was never meant to exist. What begins with a tarnished lamp on a Greek beach becomes a story about lost pasts, stolen futures, and the terrifying beauty of free will. Their connection is slow, aching, and layered with danger from an ex who won’t let go to enemies closing in from the shadows. 🌸 This book surprised me with how tender it is. Amid magic and mythology, Genie is deeply grounded in trauma, healing, and the quiet question of whether love can be salvation or choice. 🌙 Perfect for readers who love: 🧞♂️ Genie mythology with a fresh twist 💔 Broken engagements & emotional healing ✨ Slow-burn, fate questioning romance 🌊 Travel vibes & introspective FMCs 🙏 Themes of faith, grief, and hope ⚠️ Content Warnings: • Panic attacks • Torture • Slavery & human trafficking • Death of loved ones • Alcohol mentions 📘 Final Thoughts: Elizabeth Joy delivers a story that blends magic with real world pain in a way that feels thoughtful and sincere. Genie asks what it means to choose love when nothing is guaranteed and reminds us that sometimes, losing everything is the beginning of becoming whole. — Elizabeth
Days before her wedding, Jasmine Stone’s life unravels, sending her to Greece on a broken-hearted escape. There, she encounters Genie, a mysterious being bound to grant wishes despite his lost humanity and forgotten past. As danger closes in and emotions blur the rules between them, both must decide whether they can save each other or risk losing everything.
What you'll love: Modern retelling of Aladdin dual pov forced proximity protective MMC mild love triangle (sort of...) villain you love to hate forbidden romance Genie's eating habits! plot twists super swoony kisses Christian themes cliffhanger
I think this might be one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. It’s a wildly fun and imaginative take on Aladdin, packed with unexpected twists and turns that kept me completely hooked. I absolutely struggled to put it down because I had to know how it ended!!
Jaz and Genie’s relationship is full of highs and lows, and while there’s a mild love triangle for a time, I loved how their connection deepens through mutual care, sacrifice, and growth. They may come from two entirely different worlds, but that doesn't stop them from falling for each other and makes their match even more compelling. Genie is very much a protective hero, but I also appreciated how equally protective Jaz is of him. And oh my goodness, the chemistry between them was off the charts!
The story also weaves together suspenseful moments, tender scenes of faith and reflection, and beautifully done magical realism, all blending into a unforgettable read. Fair warning: there is a cliffhanger, and I’m already anxiously waiting for the next book.
If you enjoy fairytale retellings with hints of faith, rich emotion, strong romance, and a touch of danger, this is one you won’t want to miss!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
CW: kisses only, no language, non-graphic violence, human trafficking, drugs, mild innuendo,
Oh my goodness! This was a fantastic book! Nowadays, it is hard to find good, quality fiction where there is a strong plot and emotionally intelligent characters. Thankfully, Elizabeth Joy gave me just that! I had an amazing time reading it and was sad when it came to an end on such a riveting cliffhanger.
For my sensitive readers, Jasmine does work for an anti-human trafficking organization, and slavery is a major theme in this book. After all, Jasmine, who is opposed to slavery, now finds herself in an unwanted position of owning someone (Genie).
Jasmine is a Christian, and her character is portrayed as such. She goes to church, reads Scripture, and endeavors to live a godly life. For those who do not like Christian fantasy, I want to encourage you to still read it: This is not that kind of book. Sometimes, Christian fiction can come off as heavy-handed and pushy. With Elizabeth Joy, this is NOT the case. The incorporation of Christianity and Christian themes is done appropriately to the story and in a way that advances the plot.
I wouldn't give this book five stars; I would give it a thousand!
I read an advanced copy of this book, and all views I express were unsolicited and my own.
Thank you, Elizabeth Joy, for writing such a wonderful book! I can't wait for book 2!
Genie is part one of Elizabeth Joy’s debut action and adventure duology inspired by Aladdin.
On a vacation in Greece, Jasmine finds an old lamp and unwittingly releases Genie while cleaning it up. In addition to giving the standard three wishes, Genie exists to protect her and serve her every need. Jasmine finds it problematic that her career is with a non-profit fighting against human trafficking and now she essentially owns a slave. While having a magical Genie at her disposal is convenient at times, Jasmine is very altruistic and takes a very long time deciding on her wishes. She is more interested in freeing her moody Genie than gaining benefit from him. She starts by sharing her faith with him.
The elements of the Genie/Master relationship in this story are intriguing. They develop a lovely friendship that becomes more over the course of the book. Due to evil and selfish people, Jasmine finds herself in danger from which Genie is compelled to protect her. She also has an ex-fiance who is trying to protect her, so the Genie/ex-fiance relationship is also entertaining. The first 1/3 of the story could have been edited to be more concise, but overall, the story is enjoyable and creates anticipation for the remainder of the story in the 2nd book.
Absolutely amazing!! I don't give 5 stars out very easily anymore. Between content I can't condone, or the story just not hitting right, it's hard.
But Genie.
This is a fantastic blend of fantasy and modern romance all with Christian themes on display in a *tasteful* and realistic way. It doesn't feel preachy or cliche, just authentic.
I squealed, I had to pace at one chapter specifically (💐), and it kept me on the edge of my seat while savoring every moment.
I loved how the author kept things grounded with some real world issues, and how she brings awareness, again without sacrificing her art. It all blended together so well.
For a debut novel, scratch that. I'm just impressed. This had to be a work of love, blood, sweat , and tears because nothing comes out this special without all that and a whole lotta prayer.
Content warnings include: discussion of human trafficking, discussion of murder and intent to murder, hints at sexual immorality. Some mild violence (not very discriptive), and a character gets her drink drugged at a nightclub. References to parent/child abuse.
I'm a picky reader, let's start with that. I DNF a book very quickly if it's not grabbing my interest. With Genie, she had me hooked from line one! I absolutely love a good fairytale retelling, and that's exactly what this is. She blended the two POVs perfectly and found a way to make you root for both characters in the ways she made them come alive on the page. If you enjoy an action-packed story that also has a swoon-worthy romance that'll grip your heart, this is absolutely for you. I couldn't put it down and definitely lost some sleep reading it late into the night. Though fantasy, she pulls in real-world elements and struggles that add lots of depth and realism to the tale. My heart broke, soared, and cheered along with the characters' journeys. I fully recommend this book to anyone who values beautiful writing, exciting twists and turns, and, to top it off, it's a closed-door romance, so you never have to skip a section. Easy five stars!
I had the honor of reading Genie as an arc, and I loved every minute of reading this phenomenal retelling of Aladdin. This was a different take on Aladdin and had a nice spin to it. By far, Genie is my top 12 of Disney retellings.
Genie is full of suspense, romance, mystery, magic, and so much more; I couldn't stop reading. Genie had me on the edge of my seat, and I was on an emotional rollercoaster the whole time. I highly recommend reading this book! And yes, there might be a cliffhanger at the end, but don't let that get you! This is only book 1! Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting us read this masterpiece!
Okay, wow! When I saw the length of this book, I just knew it would take me days to read. But nope! I started it last night, skipped sleep, woke up early to squeeze in more pages, and even snuck in the last few chapters immediately after work. Needless to say… I was hooked!
The real question is: how am I supposed to wait for book 2? Gosh, if that isn’t always the hardest part of reading duologies. This is such a unique story... Aladdin retelling with Christian themes, and wow, what a page turner!
Jasmine is off on her honeymoon with her sister after her wedding falls through, and while she’s away she finds a lamp… but not just any lamp. One containing a Genie. She becomes his master until she uses her three wishes. What "Genie" doesn’t expect is that the woman he now belongs to will become so important to him. Jasmine is unlike anyone he’s ever met. He thinks he’s there to grant her wishes, and maybe even save her as danger begins closing in... but Jasmine seems far more interested in saving him! Genie is constantly torn between protecting the woman he’s falling for and protecting his own heart. What does the future hold for Jasmine and her Genie? Can there be a world where she fights for those sold into slavery in the present while he remains enslaved himself?!
This story has it all... The romance is everything! And yes, there is a love triangle, handled really well, and the kisses? Yep, a bit steamy but still closed door. The suspense is intense at times, and the storytelling will keep you guessing and flipping pages into the early morning hours. (I should know!)
I am SO ready for book 2, because that cliffhanger… I need to see this story through!
Content notes: Closed door, just kisses, some innuendo. Also contains: human trafficking, violence, drugs. I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Mild to moderate language usage, closed door, intense in places
A fun and edgy fairytale retelling of Aladdin (loosely based). There are so many twits and turns in this book that it’s hard to put down. And the end 😱
This is a fantastic Aladdin retelling but what I enjoyed the most was how it sheds light on what I C E really does. Highly recommend this read. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 purely because I felt like the language could have been more period during the time jump. Otherwise I loved it.