Magical Midlife Battle [Dramatized Adaptation]

Leveling Up [Dramatized Adaptation] #9

by K.F. Breene, Karen Novack (Reader), Yenni Ann (Reader)

It has all come down to this.

The battle to save Kingsley's pack, and Austin's place of birth, is upon them. They have their team, they have their supplies, and they have a very nerve-wracking secret weapon that Edgar devised.

They aren't even close to ready.

If they lose this battle, every shifter in the world will be in jeopardy. But to fight means danger they might not all walk away from.

If only the battle was their sole worry.

Austin has come home for the first time in fifteen years. He left the pack in tatters and a great many people haven't forgotten, his family included. He must finally face his past.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Magic, Supernatural, Humor

1 pages, Audio CD

Published December 17, 2025

About the author

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K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.

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Reviews

[Robin (Bridge Four)]

Another fun book that proves you can be a woman over forty and kick butt.

Jesse, Austin and most of the wacky characters from Ivy house head off to protect Kingsley's pack from the Mages that want to take it over and decimate the shifter population there. It is a bit stressful for Austin as he left in disgrace and there are some bridges to mend with his family.

The great thing about this story was that Jesse and Austin were moved outside of their comfort zones and showed that no matter who the Alpha of the territory is when it is time to kick magical butt they are the superstars. The battle in this book was harder than any of the previous battles and showed just how much damage the Mages could do, especially when they decide to work together and this was the first book that had some significant losses for Jesse and her team.

I like that now that Jesse and Austin are an established couple the author is not building drama between them when there doesn't need to be. Instead we have a new romantic couple to root for and I am loving the slow burn, cat and mouse game going on between Tristin and Nessa. She is a bit vicious and I adore how Tristin really gets her and loves the woman she is.

The whole Ivy house crew comes in all there weird and strange glory. Mr. Tom and Edgar always are a hoot, I liked the new attack flowers too. Neive always cracks me up and is a good time. I wish I could go out drinking with that crazy lady. There is always a good time with the situational comedy happening around Jesse to keep things relatively light until the final battles. A few of the new additions with Aurora and the female gargoyles that came to "help" led to a lot of fun. Who new a healer could be so funny or a bunch of gargottes.

“Ladies, let’s go make a difference.’ And that is exactly what we’ve come to do, Olly. We’re going to make a difference. If we all go down with the ship, so what? At least we are finally living!”

Looking forward to seeing how the world opens up in the next book with Nessa and Sebastian's decision at the end.

Narration:

I've completely enjoyed the full cast dramatized versions of this series. With so many quirky characters and moments it adds to the hilarity to have a cast and sound effects to enhance the entire story. If you have a chance this is the best way I've found to experience this series.

[Magdalene]

This series has a chokehold on me. This is book nine and it had me laughing and crying.

[Elif]

An amazing sequel to the series. An established crew of side characters (Mr Tom-Niamh and Edgar) were leveled up with more of Nessa and Tristan. I now wonder how these loose ties will come together. Kingsley did not disappoint (in terms of untested unknowing boss of a large pack) but later came along. I expect more of Aurora in the next books.
The end was heart breaking. The sacrifice of Nathanial, the suffering Jesse went through, this was all very beautifully written. Banter was good, action was high, another perfect adventure. KF Breene never disappoints..

[(✿◠‿◠)]

I’m sticking around for Tristan and Nessa’s relationship.

[Ursula]

I absolutely devoured Magical Midlife Battle. You’d think by book eight of the Leveling Up series I’d be getting bored, but I swear this one just keeps getting better and better. I don’t know how K.F. Breene does it! Magical Midlife Battle had everything I needed….. action, romance, steam, humor, and emotional ups and downs. I could not get enough!

I think what I love most about this series is the quirky cast of characters, especially the Ivy House crew. They are a fantastic found family, but also bat sh*t crazy, in the best way possible. I especially recommend reading these books in graphic audio format. The full cast narration captures the depth of each character and all of the shenanigans to perfection. I can’t count the number of times I laughed out loud or clutched my heart with the feels. I love everyone but my top favorites are Edgar, Mr. Tom, and Nieve. But I do need to take a moment of appreciation for our FMC and MMC. The love and mate bond between Jess and Austin is the stuff dreams are made of. I love seeing a healthy, mature relationship with open communication on page.be prepared to swoon.

This particular installment had so much packed into it. A long term plot point comes to a head while expanding the already rich world building. I laughed, I cried and then healed. If you appreciate second chances at life and love, belly busting humor, magical creatures of all kinds, adventure, suspense, romance, family drama, high stakes, pearl clutching action, brave sacrifice’s, grief and healing give this series a try. I give Magical Midlife Battle 5 gargoyle winged stars.

[Ashley (Kindled Souls Book Blog)]

Nine levels in, how am I still loving this series so much? By book nine in a series, I'm usually over it. The drama that has to be manufactured and played out by that point typically feels old and repetitive. However, I don't find that to be the case with this Magical Midlife series.

I absolutely loved this installment. We've got action and romance, steam and humor, emotional turmoil. I laughed and I legitimately shed some tears. This series is full of found family. Each character feels complex and well-developed.

K.F. Breene must have a bit of magic of her own because this series sparkles.

I also really love the Graphic Audio narration of this series. The full cast brings so much depth to the performance and helps bring the characters to life.

[Julia Varnes]

I love this entire series. The characters are hilarious! And captured well with the dramatic adaptations.

[Shyla]

love this searies! this book got me in tears 😢
K. F. Breen is one of my faves

[Juanita Draime]

The GraphicAudio dramatized adaptation of Magical Midlife Battle was pure entertainment from start to finish. By this point in the series, I've become completely invested in Jessie, Austin, Ivy House, and the wonderfully eccentric cast of characters that make these books so much fun, and this installment delivered everything I've come to love.

The GraphicAudio production once again elevated the story. The full cast, sound effects, and music made every battle, magical confrontation, and hilarious conversation feel vivid and immersive. There were several moments where I felt like I was listening to a fantasy television show rather than an audiobook.

What continues to make this series stand out is its perfect balance of action, humor, friendship, and heart. Jessie has grown so much since the beginning of the series, yet she still has the relatable determination and sense of humor that made me root for her from the start. Watching her navigate increasingly dangerous magical challenges while trying to protect the people she loves kept me fully engaged.

Of course, Edgar nearly stole the show yet again. His unique perspective on life, boundless enthusiasm, and ability to make absolutely every situation more chaotic provided some of my favorite moments. No matter how serious things become, Edgar manages to bring levity and laughter when it's needed most.

I also loved the continued development of Jessie's relationships, particularly with Austin and the Ivy House family. One of the strengths of this series is that the characters genuinely feel like a found family, and those connections give the action and stakes even more emotional impact.

This series somehow keeps getting better, and the dramatized adaptation makes an already enjoyable story even more engaging. If you're a fan of paranormal fantasy with strong characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of magical mayhem, Magical Midlife Battle is an easy five-star listen.

[TheWidowRose]

SO much TELLING, not enough DOING! Such a departure from the rest of the series. I worry because Midlife Flowers was a dud too.

Very disjointed and I had to drag myself through it. Kingsley‘s character does not live up to what we expect him to be as this grandiose leader. Tristan and Nessa continue their lust-dance (frustratingly for the reader) and it STILL has no fruition.

And the actual battle… Don’t even get me started. It lasts so much less than all the yakking in the book, it’s practically a blip. But an over-narrated blip.
The ridiculous lack of actual battle groups or understanding WHY no one was “doing battle”
blocked me from understanding what was going on, and where the players were. So when tragedy strikes I didn’t have a fair emotional reaction, because the storyline investment just wasn’t there in this book.

It was like the author mentally checked out and push this book to get it out quickly.
I am super disappointed.

[Alyson Buxey]

I imagine this is a bit like the heyday of radio serials. At times you need to suspend belief but I feel so invested in all the characters and I can’t wait for the next adventure. Interestingly I have no trouble believing Jessie’s capacity for self sacrifice but house wife turned army general even of this rag rag bunch feels a bit of a stretch at times. This one certainly upped the ante, breath catching, a few tears, still some swoons. Thank gawd Kingsley turned it around because I was feeling a strong sense that Ivy House + crew should tell his pack to stick it. The story has ended with more than a little trepidation fingers crossed for happy endings

[Jill Nathanson]

I've been waiting so many books for the battle to save Austin's brother's lands and it is finally here. While there are plenty of hijinks from Jessie's crew, this book is a little more serious than the prior books. I remain a huge fan of this series and the dramatized adaptations. I can't wait for Graphic Audio to release the next several books.

And I want magical flowers in my yard (but no gnomes).

[Kat]

Basic Plot: Jesse and crew go to Kingsley's territory to defend them from enemies mage and shifter alike.

There was a lot of buildup to the main event here, a decent amount of aftermath, and not a whole lot of actual battle. The battle we got was good, so I'm satisfied, but the build up was excessive. Granted, there were some pretty hilarious moments that made the wait very worth it. All told, another solid entry in this series.

[Daisy Delfin]

This is one of the best series I read this year. The heroin is a bit older even though the feel of the book is not like it's a story about oldish people. The feel experienced but fresh. I like this about the series. They alle have history but get to start over in this town and in this special house.

I will surly reread this a lot of times. Breene always sets the right mood and I like her version of crazy.

[Debra]

First, I have to admit I love Graphic Audio, they bring such depth to the story and the characters. Edgar was his hilarious self, I never know what he is up to - neither do those around him. There was so much going on, Austin did not leave his old pack with good relations, and now that his old pack with his brother the alphas needs help, he is back with his new group of friends. The two packs don't trust each other and that is not even counting the enemy coming to attack the pack.

[Yvonne Fortin]

One of the better installments

[Jaycee]

Amazing story in book form, but with this cast, it's a consistently entertaining listen as well. Even the voices in my own head aren't this good!

[Caitlin Stover]

3.5⭐

[Alicia Faling]

5⭐️ The dramatized version never disappoints! I love KF Breenes writing and how much humor she uses. I could definitely fit in with the Ivy house crew!

[Ramplo]

Funny as always, then I cried, and then a minute or two later, I’m railing against it because I hate speeches in books. I don’t know why they hit me so wrong.

As a rule, I hate hate, hate, graphic audio, but I cannot imagine reading this series and enjoying it nearly as much just because it is so off-the-wall the actors add so much to it and the people who mixed it all in the end, managed to not drown out the voices with music, which is a rarity for graphic audio.

I’m so tempted to read ahead, but I’m waiting for the joy of this team brings me every time. One of these books is released.

[Shauna Kruse]

I am loving this entire series, but this was definitely my favorite book so far. The connections between the characters, the suspense, all of it. The battle had me biting my nails and so nervous. And then it had me crying. I absolutely love how the whole team came together for this one. I'm going to be sad when I'm done with this series and these characters.