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Fangs, Fate, & Mondays
In Azalea Springs, a family curse just means more paperwork.
After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. But after she walks in on her fiancé cheating with her business partner, she has nowhere else to go but home. Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office until she decides what to do with her life. But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface, and the past may not be so willing to let her go.
Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse. When Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship to search for a cure, he reluctantly agrees—and totally not because Dessa was his high school crush. The job description? Keep the werewolves and vampires from tearing each other’s throats out, solve the missing persons case, and don’t fall in love with Dessa McKinney.
It definitely sounds like a Monday, but at least in this office, the coffee really is magical.
After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. But after she walks in on her fiancé cheating with her business partner, she has nowhere else to go but home. Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office until she decides what to do with her life. But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface, and the past may not be so willing to let her go.
Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse. When Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship to search for a cure, he reluctantly agrees—and totally not because Dessa was his high school crush. The job description? Keep the werewolves and vampires from tearing each other’s throats out, solve the missing persons case, and don’t fall in love with Dessa McKinney.
It definitely sounds like a Monday, but at least in this office, the coffee really is magical.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Hayley Reese Chow
14 books144 followersHayley Reese Chow is the author of the Odriel's Heirs series (a dark YA epic fantasy) and the Into the Churn series (a romantic YA sci-fi adventure from Whimsical Publishing) with more YA adventures on the way. She’s also the winner of both the 2024 YA IndieReader Discovery Awards and the 2020 YA Florida Author Project.
When not writing, her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All-American fencer, ex-ultramarathoner, avid traveler, book inhaler, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small book dragons, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.
To see what she's working on next, you can find her at hayleyreesechow.com or on Instagram, Threads, or TikTok @HayleyReeseChow. She's represented by Kristen Terrette of Martin Literary.
When not writing, her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All-American fencer, ex-ultramarathoner, avid traveler, book inhaler, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small book dragons, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.
To see what she's working on next, you can find her at hayleyreesechow.com or on Instagram, Threads, or TikTok @HayleyReeseChow. She's represented by Kristen Terrette of Martin Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
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February 4, 2026Writing this book was such a fun escape! As someone that works a 9-5 in an office with our own cast of interesting characters, the idea of writing a book involving a paranormally-flavored office was percolating in my head for years before I pitched the idea to Whimsical, so I was so thrilled when they were as excited as I was.
Though this book is appropriate for YA audiences, this is my first published book with post-college-aged characters, and I absolutely loved getting to show that (somewhat bumpy) time of life. Themes of family, friendship, grief, and moving on were so fun to explore in the quirkily chaotic magical town of Azalea Springs, with office hijinks alternating between interweaving mysteries, a budding romance, and underlying secrets.
Thanks so much to Whimsical Publishing for making this book beautiful and getting this fun paranormal mystery out into the world! This story is the first of a trilogy (but don't worry, it's marked safe from cliffhangers), and I'm so excited for you all to come along with us on our first adventure in Azalea Springs! We so hope you enjoy!
Though this book is appropriate for YA audiences, this is my first published book with post-college-aged characters, and I absolutely loved getting to show that (somewhat bumpy) time of life. Themes of family, friendship, grief, and moving on were so fun to explore in the quirkily chaotic magical town of Azalea Springs, with office hijinks alternating between interweaving mysteries, a budding romance, and underlying secrets.
Thanks so much to Whimsical Publishing for making this book beautiful and getting this fun paranormal mystery out into the world! This story is the first of a trilogy (but don't worry, it's marked safe from cliffhangers), and I'm so excited for you all to come along with us on our first adventure in Azalea Springs! We so hope you enjoy!
Read
March 27, 2026The cover & title were was sucked me in! Gorgeous and oh so clever! 🤭
It took me a bit to get into the story, but by the 50% mark the pacing mostly levelled out. The office dynamics were fun and the slow burn romance (seriously so slow, not even a kiss in this instalment!) was cute. I’m definitely rooting from Jamison and Dessa!
I think my own expectations got in the way with this book. My journey of clean urban fantasy has mainly been fast paced/high action, and this one… was not. Things happen, but there’s a lot of exposition and meandering. Not a bad thing, just something I wasn’t expecting going in.
But on the whole, this was a cute read & I’m definitely curious to see what’s coming next in Azalea Springs! 👀👀
Content: FMC lived with her ex-fiancé before the book starts; cheating (not MCs); language (h*ll, *ss, d*ck, d*mn); mentions of physical desire
*Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
It took me a bit to get into the story, but by the 50% mark the pacing mostly levelled out. The office dynamics were fun and the slow burn romance (seriously so slow, not even a kiss in this instalment!) was cute. I’m definitely rooting from Jamison and Dessa!
I think my own expectations got in the way with this book. My journey of clean urban fantasy has mainly been fast paced/high action, and this one… was not. Things happen, but there’s a lot of exposition and meandering. Not a bad thing, just something I wasn’t expecting going in.
But on the whole, this was a cute read & I’m definitely curious to see what’s coming next in Azalea Springs! 👀👀
Content: FMC lived with her ex-fiancé before the book starts; cheating (not MCs); language (h*ll, *ss, d*ck, d*mn); mentions of physical desire
*Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 1, 2026
This was a really fun urban fantasy. It was my first time reading anything by this author, but it won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to reading more of her books. While this was a little slow in the beginning, it wasn’t long before things picked up and I became completely invested in the story. I didn’t want it to end!
I loved the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. It was really cool seeing all the different supernatural creatures live and work together. And speaking of work, I loved the AzRIO office. What a cool concept!
I really liked Dessa and Jamison. They were former classmates and had a bit of a rough reintroduction, but I enjoyed seeing them work together, learn to trust one another, and become friends (with the possibility for more later on down the line, maybe).
I enjoyed learning about the paranormal world alongside Jamison. I was very curious about his curse. I’m hoping that will be explored more in future books.
I can’t say enough good things about Fangs, Fate, & Mondays. I highly, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next installment!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I loved the paranormal town of Azalea Springs. It was really cool seeing all the different supernatural creatures live and work together. And speaking of work, I loved the AzRIO office. What a cool concept!
I really liked Dessa and Jamison. They were former classmates and had a bit of a rough reintroduction, but I enjoyed seeing them work together, learn to trust one another, and become friends (with the possibility for more later on down the line, maybe).
I enjoyed learning about the paranormal world alongside Jamison. I was very curious about his curse. I’m hoping that will be explored more in future books.
I can’t say enough good things about Fangs, Fate, & Mondays. I highly, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next installment!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Whimsical Publishing for an ARC of this book. Thoughts and opinions are my own.This was so cute! I loved the chapter titles!
The worldbuilding is interesting but there's still a lot left to explore and I can't wait to see what we find out in future books! I liked the aspect of the different magics though, things like Dessa's abilities and the Vampires, Werewolves and Magickers. Even the Hexxers have some stuff going on, although they are really shady so not sure I trust anything about them yet. Then you have Kiwi-Fred who is more than he appears.
Dessa's past is not talked about in too great a deal, but you get the gist. She mentions that she and the others were ambushed and what happened with that, but you don't find out all the nitty gritty and I'm definitely curious because there's a lot about it. It's sad that Dessa's the only one who kind of came back, but hopefully future books give her more closure. I liked that while she was upset at Jamison going to the graveyard, she was able to acknowledge that a)it needed to be done and b)while she wasn't ready to go yet, she knew she would at some point. I liked the relationship she developed with Jamison, even if it won't go anywhere yet. They make a good team and they're so good together! The reveal on her Uncanny abilities was intriguing and I'm curious if there's more she can do.
Jamison really piqued my interest! The curse business seems like there's a lot more too it, especially after that conversation with Xavier. Jamison really wants to make his own path and I liked that he settled into working at AzRIO and how he wants to be there. Granted, a lot of that is because of Dessa but he's making inroads with Arthur and Richard, and Melba is his secret champion so it seems like he's settling in! I'm definitely curious about what happened a year ago because similar to Dessa's past, we're told a broad overview and we do get a little more, but even with Noah's connection to Rachel, we're still not told everything.
This was a super fun book that had me laughing occasionally. I liked the worldbuilding and I'm super intrigued about what could happen going forward! Hopefully Hayley Reese Chow gets to write at least a couple more books in this series!
Book releases May 26, 2026
May 28, 2026
Quick Summary: A fantasy & fate paranormal mystery/thriller
My Review: Fangs, Fate, and Mondays by Hayley Reese Chow is book #1 in The AzRIO Files series. It is categorized as "Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA." The novel was released on 5/26/26.
About the Book: "After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs.
Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office...
But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface...
Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse."
In My Own Words: Death, distraction, & division meets a curse, chaos, and conspiracy.
My Final Say: This novel is my newest favorite! From the world building to the supernatural beings to the craziness of life... and death in Azalea Springs - this book had a great opening. Consider me hooked.
In terms of Dessa and Jamison, this pair had all of my attention. They are locked in a brilliant, slow-burn tension field that forces them to cooperate. Even as they do, they are driven to support each other in ways that they had not in the past. Their partnership moves to a whole new place, and I want to go right along with them to see where it ends.
Secrets, clues, and MDK are the order of the day. But with the AzRIO on the case, and more specifically with Dessa Blue and the handsome golden boy J.K. in flux, the nefarious deeds and manipulations of those who mean harm will not go unpunished. (To be continued...)
Tropes:
🔮 - Supernatural Beings & Magic
💘 - He Falls First/She Falls First
🗄️ - Workplace Antics
👥 - Forced Proximity
☯️ - Opposites Attract
⏳ - Slow Burn
✨ - Found Family
🔍- Mystery and Mayhem
This book has book club written all over it!
I cannot wait to listen to the audiobook version of this. I already know my dream cast of narrators. (I hope it is already in the works.)
Other: Readers who enjoy stories with supernatural twists and turns, found family connections, deception and dastardly deed dynamics, and crush-to-mush/he falls first/she falls first energy will love this novel.
🚨 *** Potential readers are advised to read any and all author/publisher notes. There may be some triggering content. ***
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: OYA/T, NA, A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💛
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: ❤️
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Whimsical Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I am grateful for the opportunity. I cannot wait to read books 2 and 3 in this series. It was a pleasure to review.
My Review: Fangs, Fate, and Mondays by Hayley Reese Chow is book #1 in The AzRIO Files series. It is categorized as "Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA." The novel was released on 5/26/26.
About the Book: "After her best friend was murdered, Dessa Blue McKinney swore she’d never return to the paranormal town of Azalea Springs.
Desperate for a distraction, she agrees to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office...
But when the new intern is the handsome golden boy of the most notorious family in town and her dead friend’s sister goes missing, old secrets bubble to the surface...
Meanwhile, perpetual screw-up, Jamison Kane, is reeling from his role as the primary suspect in a triple homicide and the brand-new bearer of a family curse."
In My Own Words: Death, distraction, & division meets a curse, chaos, and conspiracy.
My Final Say: This novel is my newest favorite! From the world building to the supernatural beings to the craziness of life... and death in Azalea Springs - this book had a great opening. Consider me hooked.
In terms of Dessa and Jamison, this pair had all of my attention. They are locked in a brilliant, slow-burn tension field that forces them to cooperate. Even as they do, they are driven to support each other in ways that they had not in the past. Their partnership moves to a whole new place, and I want to go right along with them to see where it ends.
Secrets, clues, and MDK are the order of the day. But with the AzRIO on the case, and more specifically with Dessa Blue and the handsome golden boy J.K. in flux, the nefarious deeds and manipulations of those who mean harm will not go unpunished. (To be continued...)
Tropes:
🔮 - Supernatural Beings & Magic
💘 - He Falls First/She Falls First
🗄️ - Workplace Antics
👥 - Forced Proximity
☯️ - Opposites Attract
⏳ - Slow Burn
✨ - Found Family
🔍- Mystery and Mayhem
This book has book club written all over it!
I cannot wait to listen to the audiobook version of this. I already know my dream cast of narrators. (I hope it is already in the works.)
Other: Readers who enjoy stories with supernatural twists and turns, found family connections, deception and dastardly deed dynamics, and crush-to-mush/he falls first/she falls first energy will love this novel.
🚨 *** Potential readers are advised to read any and all author/publisher notes. There may be some triggering content. ***
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: OYA/T, NA, A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💛
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: ❤️
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Whimsical Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I am grateful for the opportunity. I cannot wait to read books 2 and 3 in this series. It was a pleasure to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With the Into the Churn Trilogy, Hayley became one of the authors I like and follows closely. I am prepared to read everything and anything she publishes because she has a special talent to turn stories into experiences. Sadly, I was not able to connect with this book like I did with her previous ones. I can see myself connecting with them but I did not in this specific book. Will this prevent me from reading the second or third book in this series? No. BUT, it still stands that I didn’t connect with the story or the characters; not fully at least.
“Dessa’s lips tightened, warm tears filling her eyes all over again-wanting to believe him so badly, and yet not quite able to. In this moment, she was neither strong nor wise. She was a hundred shards of glass scattered in the dark. But this was a world she knew, and a job she’d once been good at. A place where she could pick up the pieces.”
One of the things I liked at the beginning was the way Dessa approached her situation with her parents, the trust and relationship she showed with them was actually pretty good. I also liked the way Jamison was introduced, the guy comes from a rich family, didn’t know anything about this world but know we don’t know about the curse he has on himself and that makes us be interested in know more, and I did feel that, so bonus points there.
“But a year ago, he didn’t have magic scrabbling beneath is skin, courtesy of a curse that had crashed onto his family from the friggin’ aether.
A curse that had left three women dead”
It was fun to get to know the people that worked with her and some other crazy and fun characters in this crazy community (which I loved the randomness of how they operate, with all the death and rules).
Of course, I have to give a big shout out to Hayley because her writing style is magic and flawless, this book was amazing to read, and that’s big because while not fully connecting with what I was reading, reading it wasn’t a chore, it felt relax and nice to just sit down for a while and read the book.
My issue with the story us that it felt disjoined. It’s difficult to explain. I knew the problems they had but each situation they (Dessa and Jamison) faced, felt superficial. For me, it was like their problems could have been more concerning and fearsome and likewise, the way they investigated the situations could have added layers to the people in this community, to them as main characters and to the many issues they had. I don’t know if I’m explain myself but yes.
I’ll give the second book a chance of course and I hope to connect more in that one.
Thanks, Netgalley and Hayley for the opportunity to have this book as an ARC!
“Dessa’s lips tightened, warm tears filling her eyes all over again-wanting to believe him so badly, and yet not quite able to. In this moment, she was neither strong nor wise. She was a hundred shards of glass scattered in the dark. But this was a world she knew, and a job she’d once been good at. A place where she could pick up the pieces.”
One of the things I liked at the beginning was the way Dessa approached her situation with her parents, the trust and relationship she showed with them was actually pretty good. I also liked the way Jamison was introduced, the guy comes from a rich family, didn’t know anything about this world but know we don’t know about the curse he has on himself and that makes us be interested in know more, and I did feel that, so bonus points there.
“But a year ago, he didn’t have magic scrabbling beneath is skin, courtesy of a curse that had crashed onto his family from the friggin’ aether.
A curse that had left three women dead”
It was fun to get to know the people that worked with her and some other crazy and fun characters in this crazy community (which I loved the randomness of how they operate, with all the death and rules).
Of course, I have to give a big shout out to Hayley because her writing style is magic and flawless, this book was amazing to read, and that’s big because while not fully connecting with what I was reading, reading it wasn’t a chore, it felt relax and nice to just sit down for a while and read the book.
My issue with the story us that it felt disjoined. It’s difficult to explain. I knew the problems they had but each situation they (Dessa and Jamison) faced, felt superficial. For me, it was like their problems could have been more concerning and fearsome and likewise, the way they investigated the situations could have added layers to the people in this community, to them as main characters and to the many issues they had. I don’t know if I’m explain myself but yes.
I’ll give the second book a chance of course and I hope to connect more in that one.
Thanks, Netgalley and Hayley for the opportunity to have this book as an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reader’s Notes:
*Series or Connected Books?* 1st of a series & can be read as a stand-alone, but there are still threads of unanswered questions that still need to be resolved (mainly having to do with a main character’s predicament)
*Point Of View:* Dessa & Jamison
*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* there are about 4 curse words; there are about 5 other not nice words used; there are about 7 mentions of characters swearing without using words
*Romance?* There is romantic interest shown (feelings) & stated to one another, but no official romantic relationship started in this book
*Things To Know:*
–it is mentioned that characters were cheated on by a significant other (recent past events)
-there is some fantasy violence & death (including a snapped neck & a brief mention of a head having been torn off -during an off page scene)
Review:
I tried saving this to read in the month after I got it, and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting soon after getting it instead. 😂 This was a fun world to get into and I loved the various chapter names. I loved the concept of a place for handling any paranormal related business that people would normally do with the government (like saying they moved or registering,etc). I also loved that they doubled as a police force of sorts (with a little less authority) leading Dessa & Jamison to investigate the disappearance of a paranormal. I enjoyed seeing some of the various paranormal species/powers in this world and the regulations they had in order to keep their secrets hidden from humans. I loved the progression of not friends to friendship to hoping for more between Dessa and Jamison and I’m very curious to see how it develops in the next book! I’m also very curious about all aspects of Jamison’s curse and what he hasn’t been told that his family already knows about.
Summary:
Dessa may have grown up in in the paranormal town of Azalea Springs, Florida, but after her best friend was murdered she hightailed it out of town with the intent of never returnign. Though when Dessa finds out her fiancé had been cheating on her, Azalea Springs is the only place she can turn to. And it feels only natural to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office – at least until Dessa is able to figure out what kind of job she wants to pursue more.
The only thing Dessa didn’t expect was to have to work with the heir of the notorious Kane family – Jamison – and give him the scoop on the paranormal world in the process. Though when her dead best friend’s sister goes missing, Dessa finds she has to lean on her newly minted intern if she is going to find the girl so she won’t end up with the same fate as her sister…
Jamison has lived in Azalea Springs his whole life and up until recently he thought he knew everything about it. But when a familial curse hits and makes him a murder suspect, Jamison finds out that nothing was as it seemed.
Now part of a world of vampires, werewolves, and other magical beings, Jamison has to navigate a new society while trying to figure out how to break his own curse. So when someone offers him an internship at the Paranormal Intermediary Office with the opportunity to learn about the paranormal community on the job, it’s a no brainer for him to accept. And getting the chance to hang out Dessa after longing for the chance at real conversation with her during their high school years is almost a dream come true. But when things ramp up at the office in the form of a missing person’s case, various paranormal squabbles, and major amounts of paperwork, Jamison finds that there is so much more to the job than he realized. And at the same time, he’d never trade it for anything else.
*Series or Connected Books?* 1st of a series & can be read as a stand-alone, but there are still threads of unanswered questions that still need to be resolved (mainly having to do with a main character’s predicament)
*Point Of View:* Dessa & Jamison
*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* there are about 4 curse words; there are about 5 other not nice words used; there are about 7 mentions of characters swearing without using words
*Romance?* There is romantic interest shown (feelings) & stated to one another, but no official romantic relationship started in this book
*Things To Know:*
–it is mentioned that characters were cheated on by a significant other (recent past events)
-there is some fantasy violence & death (including a snapped neck & a brief mention of a head having been torn off -during an off page scene)
Review:
I tried saving this to read in the month after I got it, and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting soon after getting it instead. 😂 This was a fun world to get into and I loved the various chapter names. I loved the concept of a place for handling any paranormal related business that people would normally do with the government (like saying they moved or registering,etc). I also loved that they doubled as a police force of sorts (with a little less authority) leading Dessa & Jamison to investigate the disappearance of a paranormal. I enjoyed seeing some of the various paranormal species/powers in this world and the regulations they had in order to keep their secrets hidden from humans. I loved the progression of not friends to friendship to hoping for more between Dessa and Jamison and I’m very curious to see how it develops in the next book! I’m also very curious about all aspects of Jamison’s curse and what he hasn’t been told that his family already knows about.
Summary:
Dessa may have grown up in in the paranormal town of Azalea Springs, Florida, but after her best friend was murdered she hightailed it out of town with the intent of never returnign. Though when Dessa finds out her fiancé had been cheating on her, Azalea Springs is the only place she can turn to. And it feels only natural to fill in at her uncle’s Paranormal Intermediary Office – at least until Dessa is able to figure out what kind of job she wants to pursue more.
The only thing Dessa didn’t expect was to have to work with the heir of the notorious Kane family – Jamison – and give him the scoop on the paranormal world in the process. Though when her dead best friend’s sister goes missing, Dessa finds she has to lean on her newly minted intern if she is going to find the girl so she won’t end up with the same fate as her sister…
Jamison has lived in Azalea Springs his whole life and up until recently he thought he knew everything about it. But when a familial curse hits and makes him a murder suspect, Jamison finds out that nothing was as it seemed.
Now part of a world of vampires, werewolves, and other magical beings, Jamison has to navigate a new society while trying to figure out how to break his own curse. So when someone offers him an internship at the Paranormal Intermediary Office with the opportunity to learn about the paranormal community on the job, it’s a no brainer for him to accept. And getting the chance to hang out Dessa after longing for the chance at real conversation with her during their high school years is almost a dream come true. But when things ramp up at the office in the form of a missing person’s case, various paranormal squabbles, and major amounts of paperwork, Jamison finds that there is so much more to the job than he realized. And at the same time, he’d never trade it for anything else.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of an advanced copy received from NetGalley.
How does one put into words how this book made me feel? Like AAAAAAAAAAAAAA I did not see any of this coming! And please, please, please, Hayley, write us more of these characters, pretty please?
Okay, now that I am done begging for more, onto my actual review, that I did my best to put together.
This was such a cute (and quite dangerous) world of the paranormal slash cozy. Dessa is the niece of the head of the AzRIO office. Brad McKinney gives Dessa the job of the temporary head of office while he is on official business somewhere else. And he assigns the heir to one of the, if not *the*, richest family in Azalea Springs, Jamison Kane, as an intern, and someone to help Dessa in her job.
Now, there is a little bit of history on both ends. Dessa hasn't quite moved on from a tragedy that happened to her and some friends, six years ago, and Jamison had been the murder suspect in a triple homicide, but was eventually acquitted. They both have baggage, they carry a lot of their feelings closer to the vest, but as they start working together, they are chipping through each other's armors bit by bit. As they fight to find who is trying to stir up trouble in Azalea Springs, they get closer than they anticipated.
I won't delve too much into the actual plot, because that way I'd probably give out a spoiler. What I can tell you is that they are going to embark on an adventure that neither one of them is going to forget any time soon. And that plot twist in the end? Totally did not see it coming. Did not even predict it. So, kudos for that.
I loved the side characters so much. I loved how every character had their own quirks and you could tell how seamlessly they worked together. I loved Melba, Arthur, Richard the ghost, the ghost-sipping ladies, and many more. Not to mention Rhett the Vampire and Brynn the Werewolf. They all added flavor to this book, and it wouldn't be what it is without them.
Thank you to the author, Hayley Reese Chow, and Whimsical Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before it's published next month.
How does one put into words how this book made me feel? Like AAAAAAAAAAAAAA I did not see any of this coming! And please, please, please, Hayley, write us more of these characters, pretty please?
Okay, now that I am done begging for more, onto my actual review, that I did my best to put together.
This was such a cute (and quite dangerous) world of the paranormal slash cozy. Dessa is the niece of the head of the AzRIO office. Brad McKinney gives Dessa the job of the temporary head of office while he is on official business somewhere else. And he assigns the heir to one of the, if not *the*, richest family in Azalea Springs, Jamison Kane, as an intern, and someone to help Dessa in her job.
Now, there is a little bit of history on both ends. Dessa hasn't quite moved on from a tragedy that happened to her and some friends, six years ago, and Jamison had been the murder suspect in a triple homicide, but was eventually acquitted. They both have baggage, they carry a lot of their feelings closer to the vest, but as they start working together, they are chipping through each other's armors bit by bit. As they fight to find who is trying to stir up trouble in Azalea Springs, they get closer than they anticipated.
I won't delve too much into the actual plot, because that way I'd probably give out a spoiler. What I can tell you is that they are going to embark on an adventure that neither one of them is going to forget any time soon. And that plot twist in the end? Totally did not see it coming. Did not even predict it. So, kudos for that.
I loved the side characters so much. I loved how every character had their own quirks and you could tell how seamlessly they worked together. I loved Melba, Arthur, Richard the ghost, the ghost-sipping ladies, and many more. Not to mention Rhett the Vampire and Brynn the Werewolf. They all added flavor to this book, and it wouldn't be what it is without them.
Thank you to the author, Hayley Reese Chow, and Whimsical Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before it's published next month.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fangs, Fate, and Mondays by Hayley Reese Chow was such an enjoyable cozy paranormal read, even if it took me a little to fully settle into the story.
The opening portion (roughly the first 30%) felt slower-paced for me, mostly because it’s doing a lot of setup—introducing the town, the characters, and the rules of the supernatural world. But once everything clicks into place, the story really takes off, and I found myself fully invested.
What stood out most was the atmosphere of Azalea Springs. It has that perfect blend of ordinary small-town life mixed with the completely supernatural, where vampires, werewolves, and magic users are just part of the background noise. The idea of a mediation office for paranormal disputes was especially fun—it made the world feel both unique and grounded at the same time.
Dessa’s storyline was easy to connect with. She’s dealing with loss, change, and returning to a place tied to complicated memories, which gives the story a nice emotional core. Jamison, on the other hand, brings a bit of unpredictability—he’s not perfect, and there’s a lot surrounding him that isn’t fully clear, which made him interesting to follow. I really liked how their relationship developed - nothing felt rushed, and the tension built in a natural way.
The mystery element kept me curious throughout the second half of the book, especially as more layers of the town’s past and its secrets started to come forward. I also appreciated that the paranormal aspects added texture to the story without overwhelming it—they enhanced the plot rather than dominating it.
Overall, this was a cozy, character-driven paranormal mystery with a strong sense of place and a satisfying slow-burn romance. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy small-town settings with a supernatural twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The opening portion (roughly the first 30%) felt slower-paced for me, mostly because it’s doing a lot of setup—introducing the town, the characters, and the rules of the supernatural world. But once everything clicks into place, the story really takes off, and I found myself fully invested.
What stood out most was the atmosphere of Azalea Springs. It has that perfect blend of ordinary small-town life mixed with the completely supernatural, where vampires, werewolves, and magic users are just part of the background noise. The idea of a mediation office for paranormal disputes was especially fun—it made the world feel both unique and grounded at the same time.
Dessa’s storyline was easy to connect with. She’s dealing with loss, change, and returning to a place tied to complicated memories, which gives the story a nice emotional core. Jamison, on the other hand, brings a bit of unpredictability—he’s not perfect, and there’s a lot surrounding him that isn’t fully clear, which made him interesting to follow. I really liked how their relationship developed - nothing felt rushed, and the tension built in a natural way.
The mystery element kept me curious throughout the second half of the book, especially as more layers of the town’s past and its secrets started to come forward. I also appreciated that the paranormal aspects added texture to the story without overwhelming it—they enhanced the plot rather than dominating it.
Overall, this was a cozy, character-driven paranormal mystery with a strong sense of place and a satisfying slow-burn romance. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy small-town settings with a supernatural twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2026
Every wonder what supernatural bureaucracy might look like?
This was a super fun story set in a paranormal town featuring vampires, werewolves and magickers, oh my! In Azalea Springs, the Paranormal Intermediary Office is a busy place. There is in fact magical coffee but it doesn't exactly make the workday go by any faster.
After high school, Dessa Blue tried moving away to live a normal life away from everything paranormal, but when her life blows up she finds herself back and home and in need of a job.
Jamison Kane, the high school golden boy who didn't know the paranormal was real until about 5 minutes ago, has found himself not only the main suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, but also the victim of a curse.
When they both find themselves working at the Paranormal Intermediary Office, they'll have to figure out how to work together or it'll be the worst summer yet. With missing persons and likely supernatural foul play afoot, the office has more paperwork in store for them than they are trained for.
I really enjoyed this setting and this world. The story is a supernatural mystery with a dash of adorableness and a fun chaotic read. That said there are still some real challenges that the characters face and the stakes are a bit high, I found this to be a super cozy and fun read with an adorable slow burn romance.
I cannot wait to see what comes next in the series and already suspect I will have a hard time saying goodbye to these characters when the time comes.
I got to read an advanced ebook and I pre-ordered the gorgeous hardback edition from Whimsical Publishing. Thoughts are my own.
Spice Level: 1
Content Warning: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
This was a super fun story set in a paranormal town featuring vampires, werewolves and magickers, oh my! In Azalea Springs, the Paranormal Intermediary Office is a busy place. There is in fact magical coffee but it doesn't exactly make the workday go by any faster.
After high school, Dessa Blue tried moving away to live a normal life away from everything paranormal, but when her life blows up she finds herself back and home and in need of a job.
Jamison Kane, the high school golden boy who didn't know the paranormal was real until about 5 minutes ago, has found himself not only the main suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, but also the victim of a curse.
When they both find themselves working at the Paranormal Intermediary Office, they'll have to figure out how to work together or it'll be the worst summer yet. With missing persons and likely supernatural foul play afoot, the office has more paperwork in store for them than they are trained for.
I really enjoyed this setting and this world. The story is a supernatural mystery with a dash of adorableness and a fun chaotic read. That said there are still some real challenges that the characters face and the stakes are a bit high, I found this to be a super cozy and fun read with an adorable slow burn romance.
I cannot wait to see what comes next in the series and already suspect I will have a hard time saying goodbye to these characters when the time comes.
I got to read an advanced ebook and I pre-ordered the gorgeous hardback edition from Whimsical Publishing. Thoughts are my own.
Spice Level: 1
Content Warning: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fangs, Fate, and Mondays by Hayley Reese Chow was such a fun and cozy paranormal read. The mix of mystery, small-town supernatural drama, and slow-burn romance made this a really enjoyable escape.
I especially loved the setting. Azalea Springs feels like one of those towns where strange things are just part of everyday life, and the idea of a Paranormal Intermediary Office handling conflicts between supernatural creatures like it’s just another office job was both creative and entertaining. It gave the story a light, humorous tone that I really appreciated.
Dessa was a very relatable main character. Watching her return to a town filled with difficult memories while also trying to rebuild her life after everything falls apart made her journey feel very real. Jamison was also a great character—imperfect, a little chaotic, but clearly trying to do the right thing despite the mess surrounding him. I really enjoyed their dynamic, and the slow-burn romance between them felt natural and sweet.
The mystery surrounding the missing person and the secrets buried in Azalea Springs kept me curious, and I liked how the story gradually revealed pieces of the past. The paranormal elements—werewolves, vampires, family curses—added a lot of fun to the story without overshadowing the characters.
Overall, this was a charming and entertaining paranormal mystery with humor, heart, and a really enjoyable slow-burn romance. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy supernatural stories and small-town mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I especially loved the setting. Azalea Springs feels like one of those towns where strange things are just part of everyday life, and the idea of a Paranormal Intermediary Office handling conflicts between supernatural creatures like it’s just another office job was both creative and entertaining. It gave the story a light, humorous tone that I really appreciated.
Dessa was a very relatable main character. Watching her return to a town filled with difficult memories while also trying to rebuild her life after everything falls apart made her journey feel very real. Jamison was also a great character—imperfect, a little chaotic, but clearly trying to do the right thing despite the mess surrounding him. I really enjoyed their dynamic, and the slow-burn romance between them felt natural and sweet.
The mystery surrounding the missing person and the secrets buried in Azalea Springs kept me curious, and I liked how the story gradually revealed pieces of the past. The paranormal elements—werewolves, vampires, family curses—added a lot of fun to the story without overshadowing the characters.
Overall, this was a charming and entertaining paranormal mystery with humor, heart, and a really enjoyable slow-burn romance. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy supernatural stories and small-town mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
March 19, 2026
ARC review
3.75/5 stars
Cozy paranormal mystery with just a pinch of romance set in a small town
Thanks to Whimsical Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It’s what initially drew me to the book and perfectly captures the cozy magic, whimsy and drama of the Azalea Springs world.
Dessa Blue McKinney returns to her hometown of Azalea Springs at her absolute rock bottom. She just lost her fiance, her best friend and her start up business in one fell swoop and has nowhere to go. Her uncle offers are an internship at the local paranormal intermediary office to see her through and keep her occupied. Jamison Kane is also at his wit’s end thanks to a curse on the men in his family that unlocks the world of the paranormal to him.
Dessa and Jamison are forced to work together to investigate the disappearances of members of the paranormal community. It puts them in danger, secrets are revealed and feelings are growing.
This was a cute and cozy paranormal mystery. The romance thread is very light and I assume it will grow if there’s a follow up story to unravel Jamison’s family curse. This is more an “old acquaintances to forced colleagues to friends” dynamic for now. Not a bag thing, as it allows the mystery of the evil at work in Azalea Springs to take center stage while also allowing the storyline threads of the Kane family curse and disappearances and deaths of Dessa’s friends 5 years ago to shine.
The world building was a bit slow and plodding for me, and it took me a while to get through the first 30% of the book. Once I hit that point, it moved MUCH faster.
3.75/5 stars
Cozy paranormal mystery with just a pinch of romance set in a small town
Thanks to Whimsical Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
First off, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It’s what initially drew me to the book and perfectly captures the cozy magic, whimsy and drama of the Azalea Springs world.
Dessa Blue McKinney returns to her hometown of Azalea Springs at her absolute rock bottom. She just lost her fiance, her best friend and her start up business in one fell swoop and has nowhere to go. Her uncle offers are an internship at the local paranormal intermediary office to see her through and keep her occupied. Jamison Kane is also at his wit’s end thanks to a curse on the men in his family that unlocks the world of the paranormal to him.
Dessa and Jamison are forced to work together to investigate the disappearances of members of the paranormal community. It puts them in danger, secrets are revealed and feelings are growing.
This was a cute and cozy paranormal mystery. The romance thread is very light and I assume it will grow if there’s a follow up story to unravel Jamison’s family curse. This is more an “old acquaintances to forced colleagues to friends” dynamic for now. Not a bag thing, as it allows the mystery of the evil at work in Azalea Springs to take center stage while also allowing the storyline threads of the Kane family curse and disappearances and deaths of Dessa’s friends 5 years ago to shine.
The world building was a bit slow and plodding for me, and it took me a while to get through the first 30% of the book. Once I hit that point, it moved MUCH faster.
March 26, 2026
Thank you to Whimsical Publishing & NetGalley for the advance copy audiobook
TLDR: An interesting concept but trying a little too hard to sound relatable.
Rating: 2/5 stars
Specific thoughts: This book is a fun take on paranormal investigation in a small town. The MC, Dessa, moved away for college after some tragic experiences but is now moving back home after life in NY took a turn for the worse. The MMC, Jamison, recently stumbled into the paranormal community due to a different set of tragic circumstances, joins Dessa at the AzRIO, and they become a paranormal investigator duo that then get wrapped up in a case regarding the disappearance of a young girl.
The premise itself, along with the investigation was actually quite fun. The dialogue was realistic, and the events lead to one another in a natural progression. I also loved the chapter titles - they reminded me of PJO and how enjoyable it had been to read those books for the first time.
Unfortunately, the execution of the story did not quite work for me. The pacing is quite slow near the beginning, although it picks up, and the descriptive writing really threw me in places. Some of the wording quite generic in that it seemed almost as if they were from a "common phrases" book. This was quite jarring, especially it did not appear to reflect the character about whom it was written or from whose POV it was written, or the context just generally. In part due to this reason, the characters also felt quite one-dimensional. We learned a lot about them but we were told most of the information, rather than shown.
TLDR: An interesting concept but trying a little too hard to sound relatable.
Rating: 2/5 stars
Specific thoughts: This book is a fun take on paranormal investigation in a small town. The MC, Dessa, moved away for college after some tragic experiences but is now moving back home after life in NY took a turn for the worse. The MMC, Jamison, recently stumbled into the paranormal community due to a different set of tragic circumstances, joins Dessa at the AzRIO, and they become a paranormal investigator duo that then get wrapped up in a case regarding the disappearance of a young girl.
The premise itself, along with the investigation was actually quite fun. The dialogue was realistic, and the events lead to one another in a natural progression. I also loved the chapter titles - they reminded me of PJO and how enjoyable it had been to read those books for the first time.
Unfortunately, the execution of the story did not quite work for me. The pacing is quite slow near the beginning, although it picks up, and the descriptive writing really threw me in places. Some of the wording quite generic in that it seemed almost as if they were from a "common phrases" book. This was quite jarring, especially it did not appear to reflect the character about whom it was written or from whose POV it was written, or the context just generally. In part due to this reason, the characters also felt quite one-dimensional. We learned a lot about them but we were told most of the information, rather than shown.
April 16, 2026
3.50
Tessa returns to her hometown after losing everything. She caught her fiancée cheating on with her friend. They owned a start up together and a home. Her uncle offers a her an internship at the paranormal intermediary office plus a place to live.
Jamison is trying to figure out the curse he is under. Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship at the office. He says it will help get more information on his curse. Jamison was just absolved of the murder of his girlfriend, step mother and another woman. He is know for being a screw up.
Tessa has to take Jamison under her wing so they can try and prevent the vampires and wolves from tearing each other apart and to investigate the disappearances of members of the paranormal community.
Ok this is hard because the first 1/3 of the book is so slow I wanted to dnf this one. The beginning set the tone and helps you become invested but that did not happen. I will continued because I’m reviewing the book for NetGalley. The good news is it does pick up a in the second half if continue reading. Additionally, this is listed as a romance but the two main characters never actually get together. They go from acquaintances to coworkers to friends. I expect that their relationship will continue to grow in the next book.
I do like the small town setting and I found Dessa easy to relate to. She is going thru through a lot and he has to return to her hometown. I love the cover. It’s what drew me to the book. If you enjoy a cozy paranormal book you will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Whimsical Publishing for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tessa returns to her hometown after losing everything. She caught her fiancée cheating on with her friend. They owned a start up together and a home. Her uncle offers a her an internship at the paranormal intermediary office plus a place to live.
Jamison is trying to figure out the curse he is under. Dessa’s uncle offers him an internship at the office. He says it will help get more information on his curse. Jamison was just absolved of the murder of his girlfriend, step mother and another woman. He is know for being a screw up.
Tessa has to take Jamison under her wing so they can try and prevent the vampires and wolves from tearing each other apart and to investigate the disappearances of members of the paranormal community.
Ok this is hard because the first 1/3 of the book is so slow I wanted to dnf this one. The beginning set the tone and helps you become invested but that did not happen. I will continued because I’m reviewing the book for NetGalley. The good news is it does pick up a in the second half if continue reading. Additionally, this is listed as a romance but the two main characters never actually get together. They go from acquaintances to coworkers to friends. I expect that their relationship will continue to grow in the next book.
I do like the small town setting and I found Dessa easy to relate to. She is going thru through a lot and he has to return to her hometown. I love the cover. It’s what drew me to the book. If you enjoy a cozy paranormal book you will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Whimsical Publishing for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 4, 2026
I’m not sure what I expected from the blurb and cover, but this book really surprised me. It is definitely building a world that feels enormous so we better get some future books to pay this all off!
Dessa left town a while ago to get away from a lot of things - her best friend being murdered, the guilt of having set her friend group on the path for that trauma, and all the ghosts that come from that. After her life implodes, she crawls back to town only to be offered a job at the paranormal office that she swore off when she left. Tasked with leading a very strange team of folks in even more strange and secret vampire, werewolf, and magical investigations, she also ends up with an intern.
Jamison was never in the magical know in town, so was not part of Dessa’s friend circle growing up. His family, however, has been struck with a curse that has opened his eyes. It doesn’t hurt that he gets the intern offer to work with his crush from high school, but he’s more than happy to add value somewhere. He can’t openly talk about his curse (part of his curse) but being surrounded by those in the know lifts some of the burden off him. It turns out he is kind of good at this job, too.
The larger story is a bit of a detective mystery that involves all the paranormal factions, a missing girl, some big betrayal, and somehow a bird, too. All of the excitement definitely bonds Jamison and Dessa, but we don’t get a big HEA so don’t get your hopes up - slow burn all the way. At the end we get a nice step forward but there are enough unknowns to keep it interesting.
Dessa left town a while ago to get away from a lot of things - her best friend being murdered, the guilt of having set her friend group on the path for that trauma, and all the ghosts that come from that. After her life implodes, she crawls back to town only to be offered a job at the paranormal office that she swore off when she left. Tasked with leading a very strange team of folks in even more strange and secret vampire, werewolf, and magical investigations, she also ends up with an intern.
Jamison was never in the magical know in town, so was not part of Dessa’s friend circle growing up. His family, however, has been struck with a curse that has opened his eyes. It doesn’t hurt that he gets the intern offer to work with his crush from high school, but he’s more than happy to add value somewhere. He can’t openly talk about his curse (part of his curse) but being surrounded by those in the know lifts some of the burden off him. It turns out he is kind of good at this job, too.
The larger story is a bit of a detective mystery that involves all the paranormal factions, a missing girl, some big betrayal, and somehow a bird, too. All of the excitement definitely bonds Jamison and Dessa, but we don’t get a big HEA so don’t get your hopes up - slow burn all the way. At the end we get a nice step forward but there are enough unknowns to keep it interesting.
March 24, 2026
*ARC review*
This was a very fun, cozy fantasy read with a great mystery at its heart. After losing everything in one fell swoop, Dessa Blue moves back home to a small Florida town notorious for its ties to the paranormal community. Though painful at first, she accepts her job back at AzRIO, a paranormal mediacy agency, from her uncle. While there, she begins working beside Jamison, a former high school classmate who was recently acquitted of three murders under mysterious circumstances.
I thought both Dessa Blue and Jamison were incredibly well thought out and deeply interesting, fully formed characters. I enjoyed the romance crumbs sprinkled between them and enjoyed their chemistry, and I am definitely excited to see where this foundation will lead to in future books in the series. I thought the supporting characters made the cast very well rounded. I also thought all things paranormal in this world were incredibly interesting- I liked the characterization of the weres and vampires, and I liked that the magickers each had their own unique abilities.
I found this book to be incredibly fun once it picked up around the 40% mark, though before it had a bit of slow pacing. The mystery was compelling as well, and well-crafted. I will definitely be looking forward to the next books in the series!
Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
This was a very fun, cozy fantasy read with a great mystery at its heart. After losing everything in one fell swoop, Dessa Blue moves back home to a small Florida town notorious for its ties to the paranormal community. Though painful at first, she accepts her job back at AzRIO, a paranormal mediacy agency, from her uncle. While there, she begins working beside Jamison, a former high school classmate who was recently acquitted of three murders under mysterious circumstances.
I thought both Dessa Blue and Jamison were incredibly well thought out and deeply interesting, fully formed characters. I enjoyed the romance crumbs sprinkled between them and enjoyed their chemistry, and I am definitely excited to see where this foundation will lead to in future books in the series. I thought the supporting characters made the cast very well rounded. I also thought all things paranormal in this world were incredibly interesting- I liked the characterization of the weres and vampires, and I liked that the magickers each had their own unique abilities.
I found this book to be incredibly fun once it picked up around the 40% mark, though before it had a bit of slow pacing. The mystery was compelling as well, and well-crafted. I will definitely be looking forward to the next books in the series!
Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you To Victory editing, author and Netgalley for this ARC.
The book is settled into a b-side if the world, were hidden among nescient population (not awwre of magical world), and cogniscents (aware of the magic world, but not part of it) and the different types of magical creatures, Dessa comes back to her childhood city after a scarring breakup with her former fiance, to aide her uncle in managing the AzRIO office of Azalea springs, where all kind of creatures from the magical hidden world come to question, demand, ask and instigate, investigations, claims, identify and do all kinds of paperwork, so where's the adventure you ask? Coming in fresh from New York Dessa Blue gets wrapped in the middle of the investigation of the disappearance of the younger sister of her childhood crush (now dead)and has to fight, curios onlookers, her uncle indisposition and sbove it all the Presence of the one and only Jameson Kane, once highschool crush, former party boy, now cursed, cog, and her new intern, will Dessa found who is behind the disappearance of the young magical beings? will her heart recover from her shatterer experience? will she2 be able to ieep the AzRIO office above its sinking waters? found out on this funny, hopeful and mistery solving book!
I really really love it, and wish for all my followers to read it, it's perfect.
The book is settled into a b-side if the world, were hidden among nescient population (not awwre of magical world), and cogniscents (aware of the magic world, but not part of it) and the different types of magical creatures, Dessa comes back to her childhood city after a scarring breakup with her former fiance, to aide her uncle in managing the AzRIO office of Azalea springs, where all kind of creatures from the magical hidden world come to question, demand, ask and instigate, investigations, claims, identify and do all kinds of paperwork, so where's the adventure you ask? Coming in fresh from New York Dessa Blue gets wrapped in the middle of the investigation of the disappearance of the younger sister of her childhood crush (now dead)and has to fight, curios onlookers, her uncle indisposition and sbove it all the Presence of the one and only Jameson Kane, once highschool crush, former party boy, now cursed, cog, and her new intern, will Dessa found who is behind the disappearance of the young magical beings? will her heart recover from her shatterer experience? will she2 be able to ieep the AzRIO office above its sinking waters? found out on this funny, hopeful and mistery solving book!
I really really love it, and wish for all my followers to read it, it's perfect.
May 16, 2026
4.5⭐️
This was SUCH a cute book!!! Take a sprinkle of the Office and Brooklyn 99, and mix in paranormal and you have Fangs, Fate, and Mondays. We follow Dessa Blue and Jameson both working as interns at AzRIO trying to solve a missing persons case and what a wild ride we went on with them.
The cast of characters were absolutely fantastic, Dessa and Jameson were great leads, very fleshed out and it was wonderful seeing them grow together and becoming fast friends. Our side characters too were brilliant and I love the found family the AzRIO department have together. The banter between them all was fantastic and I too just wanted to be in this world to also interlope at AzRIO.
The plot itself was great and jogged along at a fast pace, the tiniest bit info dumpy at the start but once I was locked in and understood what was going on, I was thoroughly invested. I do enjoy a mystery and this one was great with some fantastic twists and turns. I loved the magic and the paranormal aspects too, the magic wielders especially were really unique.
The story was all wrapped up nicely by the end of this book but there definitely is some longer threads that haven’t been tied up yet, and I’d love to join the AzRIO crew on their next case when it comes along.
Thank you to Net Galley for the arc!! All views are my own.
This was SUCH a cute book!!! Take a sprinkle of the Office and Brooklyn 99, and mix in paranormal and you have Fangs, Fate, and Mondays. We follow Dessa Blue and Jameson both working as interns at AzRIO trying to solve a missing persons case and what a wild ride we went on with them.
The cast of characters were absolutely fantastic, Dessa and Jameson were great leads, very fleshed out and it was wonderful seeing them grow together and becoming fast friends. Our side characters too were brilliant and I love the found family the AzRIO department have together. The banter between them all was fantastic and I too just wanted to be in this world to also interlope at AzRIO.
The plot itself was great and jogged along at a fast pace, the tiniest bit info dumpy at the start but once I was locked in and understood what was going on, I was thoroughly invested. I do enjoy a mystery and this one was great with some fantastic twists and turns. I loved the magic and the paranormal aspects too, the magic wielders especially were really unique.
The story was all wrapped up nicely by the end of this book but there definitely is some longer threads that haven’t been tied up yet, and I’d love to join the AzRIO crew on their next case when it comes along.
Thank you to Net Galley for the arc!! All views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a surprisingly fun, cozy, paranormal romance! With strong vibes from two of my favorite shows, Veronica Mars and The Office, I started this straight away and was not disappointed!
Dessa has begrudgingly moved back home after a failing startup with her cheating ex-fiance. Out of a job and not wanting to be a burden on her retired parents, she takes her uncle’s job offer to once again work at AZRIO where she will monitor relations and activity between the different supernatural communities. Dessa quickly falls back in to her old job but what she doesn’t expect is Jamison Kane to be her new coworker. Jamison is still handsome and charming as ever except now he’s also cursed. They must work together to solve a strange disappearance all while trying to avoid danger and their growing attraction.
The banter between Dessa and Jamison is delightful. I found myself constantly smiling and laughing at their interactions. The way their relationship grows is so sweet. I absolutely need more of them!
While I was able to guess who was behind the evil doings, the investigation into the mystery still kept me hooked. I loved how the different supernatural communities were involved. There are some very interesting side characters with a greater mystery still at large. If the next book delivers the same way this first one did, I can easily see this becoming a series that I continue to revisit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy.
Dessa has begrudgingly moved back home after a failing startup with her cheating ex-fiance. Out of a job and not wanting to be a burden on her retired parents, she takes her uncle’s job offer to once again work at AZRIO where she will monitor relations and activity between the different supernatural communities. Dessa quickly falls back in to her old job but what she doesn’t expect is Jamison Kane to be her new coworker. Jamison is still handsome and charming as ever except now he’s also cursed. They must work together to solve a strange disappearance all while trying to avoid danger and their growing attraction.
The banter between Dessa and Jamison is delightful. I found myself constantly smiling and laughing at their interactions. The way their relationship grows is so sweet. I absolutely need more of them!
While I was able to guess who was behind the evil doings, the investigation into the mystery still kept me hooked. I loved how the different supernatural communities were involved. There are some very interesting side characters with a greater mystery still at large. If the next book delivers the same way this first one did, I can easily see this becoming a series that I continue to revisit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like your cozy small town mysteries with a splash of magic (and a cast of quirky side characters who try and steal the show)? If so, Fangs, Fate, and Mondays is definitely for you!
This felt like a mashup of the small town of a cozy mystery with the worldbuilding of an urban fantasy and the plotline and action of a detective show. Getting to know the town, as well as the broader world of the story, and the cast of characters, took a little time, but I love worldbuilding and those slower moments of connection that high-stakes plots like a missing persons case don't always let a story explore. I felt grounded in the world and attached to the people.
I loved Jamison. He's delightfully complicated and dealing with A Lot, and of course that made him one of those characters I latch onto immediately. The strained family dynamics and the curse he's living with made me just a little bit protective of him...okay maybe a lot. Dessa kept me on my toes getting to know her, but I loved the backstory and the reveals. And not to spoil anything, but some of those plot twists...WHOA.
If you're looking for a story that feels like a fresh blend of slightly magical coffee...you might want to pick this one up!
Advance copy received from Netgalley but all opinions are entirely my own!
This felt like a mashup of the small town of a cozy mystery with the worldbuilding of an urban fantasy and the plotline and action of a detective show. Getting to know the town, as well as the broader world of the story, and the cast of characters, took a little time, but I love worldbuilding and those slower moments of connection that high-stakes plots like a missing persons case don't always let a story explore. I felt grounded in the world and attached to the people.
I loved Jamison. He's delightfully complicated and dealing with A Lot, and of course that made him one of those characters I latch onto immediately. The strained family dynamics and the curse he's living with made me just a little bit protective of him...okay maybe a lot. Dessa kept me on my toes getting to know her, but I loved the backstory and the reveals. And not to spoil anything, but some of those plot twists...WHOA.
If you're looking for a story that feels like a fresh blend of slightly magical coffee...you might want to pick this one up!
Advance copy received from Netgalley but all opinions are entirely my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
This was a cute, cozy paranormal mystery with a light romance element that feels geared toward young adult readers. After catching her fiancé cheating, Dessa Blue returns to Florida from New York and is offered her old job at AzRIO, an agency ran by her uncle that investigates paranormal disputes. She’s paired with Jamison Kane—the former high school golden boy from a powerful family who clearly has secrets of his own. As paranormals begin disappearing, the two must learn to trust and rely on each other while trying to stop a conflict from escalating.
The characters were well written and felt genuine, and I especially appreciated how vulnerable the main characters were. The side characters also added a lot of charm to the story.
The reason I didn’t rate it higher was the pacing. It was a bit slow for me in the first half, which focused heavily on setup. I also found the reveal of the “bad guy” fairly predictable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters, and it seems like this is just the beginning of a larger series with more mysteries still left to be solved. I will be looking out for the next book.
This was a cute, cozy paranormal mystery with a light romance element that feels geared toward young adult readers. After catching her fiancé cheating, Dessa Blue returns to Florida from New York and is offered her old job at AzRIO, an agency ran by her uncle that investigates paranormal disputes. She’s paired with Jamison Kane—the former high school golden boy from a powerful family who clearly has secrets of his own. As paranormals begin disappearing, the two must learn to trust and rely on each other while trying to stop a conflict from escalating.
The characters were well written and felt genuine, and I especially appreciated how vulnerable the main characters were. The side characters also added a lot of charm to the story.
The reason I didn’t rate it higher was the pacing. It was a bit slow for me in the first half, which focused heavily on setup. I also found the reveal of the “bad guy” fairly predictable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters, and it seems like this is just the beginning of a larger series with more mysteries still left to be solved. I will be looking out for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When in doubt, ask for help, and try not to die. Welcome to AzRIO.
Oh how I love a silly goofy urban fantasy mystery. I've been meaning to read a book from Chow for a long time, and this feels like a very me place to start. The problem with ARCs, though, is that now I probably have to wait like a year and a half for the next one, haha!
I would love to live in the world of Azalea Springs and I know myself well enough to know that I would not do well in the world of Azalea Springs. But goodness it's fun to read about. Full of the banter and small-town found-family energy of any good cozy mystery, this book is just a delight from start to finish. I loved getting to know Dessa, Jamison, and the whole AzRIO gang, and while most of the questions raised in this book got answers, there are a few that I look forward to exploring in further installments. This book got 5 stars of fun from me!
*content warnings for violence and mild profanity
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
Oh how I love a silly goofy urban fantasy mystery. I've been meaning to read a book from Chow for a long time, and this feels like a very me place to start. The problem with ARCs, though, is that now I probably have to wait like a year and a half for the next one, haha!
I would love to live in the world of Azalea Springs and I know myself well enough to know that I would not do well in the world of Azalea Springs. But goodness it's fun to read about. Full of the banter and small-town found-family energy of any good cozy mystery, this book is just a delight from start to finish. I loved getting to know Dessa, Jamison, and the whole AzRIO gang, and while most of the questions raised in this book got answers, there are a few that I look forward to exploring in further installments. This book got 5 stars of fun from me!
*content warnings for violence and mild profanity
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
March 14, 2026
Fangs, Fate, & Mondays is a delightful, witty read that blends supernatural elements with workplace comedy in a really entertaining way. From the very beginning, the author’s humor shines through — from the funny chapter titles to the witty dialogue that keeps the story feeling light and engaging.
One of the highlights of the book is the quirky cast of employees at the AzRIO office. Each character adds their own personality and charm, making the workplace setting feel lively and memorable. It’s fun getting to know this eccentric group as the story unfolds.
I also really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Dessa and Jamison, which was fitting considering the baggage they each carried. Their relationship develops gradually and naturally, making the emotional payoff feel satisfying.
Overall, I’d give Fangs, Fate, & Mondays 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a humorous, charming story with great characters and a romance that unfolds at just the right pace.
Thank you Whimsical Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the highlights of the book is the quirky cast of employees at the AzRIO office. Each character adds their own personality and charm, making the workplace setting feel lively and memorable. It’s fun getting to know this eccentric group as the story unfolds.
I also really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Dessa and Jamison, which was fitting considering the baggage they each carried. Their relationship develops gradually and naturally, making the emotional payoff feel satisfying.
Overall, I’d give Fangs, Fate, & Mondays 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s a humorous, charming story with great characters and a romance that unfolds at just the right pace.
Thank you Whimsical Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2026
Fangs, Fate, and Mondays was such a fun and addictive paranormal romance read. This book had the perfect balance of humour, chaos, romance, and supernatural drama, and I ended up flying through it way faster than I expected.
The characters were honestly one of my favourite parts. They were quirky, lovable, and entertaining, and the banter throughout the story kept me constantly smiling. I loved the mix of paranormal elements with the lighter rom-com energy because it made the story feel cozy while still having enough tension and stakes to keep things interesting.
The romance was sweet, chaotic, and full of chemistry, and I really enjoyed watching the relationships develop throughout the story. It gave me those fun supernatural comfort-read vibes while still keeping me emotionally invested.
If you love paranormal romance with humour, lovable characters, supernatural chaos, and cozy vibes, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Hayley Reese Chow, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were honestly one of my favourite parts. They were quirky, lovable, and entertaining, and the banter throughout the story kept me constantly smiling. I loved the mix of paranormal elements with the lighter rom-com energy because it made the story feel cozy while still having enough tension and stakes to keep things interesting.
The romance was sweet, chaotic, and full of chemistry, and I really enjoyed watching the relationships develop throughout the story. It gave me those fun supernatural comfort-read vibes while still keeping me emotionally invested.
If you love paranormal romance with humour, lovable characters, supernatural chaos, and cozy vibes, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you so much to Hayley Reese Chow, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Whimsical Publishing and the author for the ARC!
This was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a minute.🤭 As an avid fan of The Office, I had to pick this one up! There was snarky vampires, gossiping ghosts, and a wholeee lot of swoony romance.💕 All of the characters had such quirky and fun personalities and honestly it kind of reminded me of The Sims paranormal expansion pack.😂 With the spooky/cozy atmosphere, the unique characters, and all the mythical creatures. I REALLY loved this one and am so excited to pick up the next one when it comes out!
Content Warnings: Mild language, occasional violence, one scene where the MMC summons/talks to a ghost.
👻NA Paranormal Mystery
👩🏻💻The Office x Supernatural x Veronica Mars
🧛🏻Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, & More!
❤️🔥Slow-Burn x He Falls First
🩶Work Place Romance
✨Family Curses x Secret Powers
This was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a minute.🤭 As an avid fan of The Office, I had to pick this one up! There was snarky vampires, gossiping ghosts, and a wholeee lot of swoony romance.💕 All of the characters had such quirky and fun personalities and honestly it kind of reminded me of The Sims paranormal expansion pack.😂 With the spooky/cozy atmosphere, the unique characters, and all the mythical creatures. I REALLY loved this one and am so excited to pick up the next one when it comes out!
Content Warnings: Mild language, occasional violence, one scene where the MMC summons/talks to a ghost.
👻NA Paranormal Mystery
👩🏻💻The Office x Supernatural x Veronica Mars
🧛🏻Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, & More!
❤️🔥Slow-Burn x He Falls First
🩶Work Place Romance
✨Family Curses x Secret Powers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun read! It gives Veronica Mars but make it paranormal vibes, and I am here for it! There was a ton to unravel with all of the issues going on in the paranormal community, from abductions to cults, to clan wars, and large corporate power grabs, you never knew who to trust. But where Fangs, Fate, and Mondays really shone is in its characters. I adored Dessa and Jamison. They are both broken, struggling to figure out what life looks like for each of them now, and the dynamics between these two are delightful. Buckle up for a true slow burn because these two might have sparks flying, but we will have to wait for the next book to see where it goes. If a romantic paranormal mystery sounds like your jam make sure you pick this one up.
June 14, 2026
A fun book with mystery and a dash of romance set in a town where humans and paranormals exist side by side. As such, a liaison is needed to ensure that everyone peacefully interacts with each other and the secrets that some of the citizens hold are not revealed.
The mystery was well-paced and had a couple of twists I wasn't quite expecting. The romance is a slow-burn, but there will be progress over the series especially since the two leads can't completely deny the chemistry between them.
I'm excited to see where the loose threads go as the series continues even as I wonder if I've figured out a couple of them (don't worry, I won't spoil if my predictions end up being true.). A light read with plenty of heart and action.
The mystery was well-paced and had a couple of twists I wasn't quite expecting. The romance is a slow-burn, but there will be progress over the series especially since the two leads can't completely deny the chemistry between them.
I'm excited to see where the loose threads go as the series continues even as I wonder if I've figured out a couple of them (don't worry, I won't spoil if my predictions end up being true.). A light read with plenty of heart and action.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An office romance with quirky, paranormal characters and serious Veronica Mars vibes? Yes, please. I had the privilege of reading an early edition of this fantastic book, and I absolutely devoured it. Dessa Blue returns to her southern hometown in the wake of a romantic betrayal, and finds herself back in the AzRIO office—where the ghost of her past isn’t the only specter haunting the old building. Enter Jameson Kane (the Logan to Dessa’s Veronica 😜), a rich boy best known for screwing things up. Only this rich boy has a shiny new curse to deal with, and who better than former high school crush Dessa Blue to help him? Squeeee.
Such a fun story! Highly recommend.
Such a fun story! Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sooooo this is marketed as The Office + Supernatural + Veronica Mars, two of which I tried to watch and could not do, and one of which I’d never even heard of! Ha!
AND YET…
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!! (If it was prudent to type a thousand exclamation marks here, I would, but I’ll just give you three more instead > !!!!) Okay that was four but who’s counting?
This book: vampires, werewolves, witches, gossiping ghosts, magic coffee, a budgie that’s not quite normal, and a mystery (or two, or three) to be solved by a woman sleuth and a handsome golden boy with a not so shiny past. Oh and donuts, lots of donuts!
So yeah, you’d be mad to miss this one!
AND YET…
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!! (If it was prudent to type a thousand exclamation marks here, I would, but I’ll just give you three more instead > !!!!) Okay that was four but who’s counting?
This book: vampires, werewolves, witches, gossiping ghosts, magic coffee, a budgie that’s not quite normal, and a mystery (or two, or three) to be solved by a woman sleuth and a handsome golden boy with a not so shiny past. Oh and donuts, lots of donuts!
So yeah, you’d be mad to miss this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book gives just enough drama, romance, and excitement to keep you entertained.
Leaving her start up and cheating fiancé to go back to her hometown where she said she would never return. Her hometown is shrouded in mystery and paranormal activity. This opens with a disappearance that may be connected to her past and why she left her hometown in the first place. Will she find a connection and solve both mysteries in the process?
So many questions left unanswered as the book ends and I can't wait to see what is next.
Tropes:
Slow burns
Blast from the past
Mystery
3.75 stars
Bell pepper
Leaving her start up and cheating fiancé to go back to her hometown where she said she would never return. Her hometown is shrouded in mystery and paranormal activity. This opens with a disappearance that may be connected to her past and why she left her hometown in the first place. Will she find a connection and solve both mysteries in the process?
So many questions left unanswered as the book ends and I can't wait to see what is next.
Tropes:
Slow burns
Blast from the past
Mystery
3.75 stars
Bell pepper
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