This novel is also in Water Witch: a Dustin Walker Anthology and Other Tales by RJ Blain.
Layla, a recovering drug addict, reformed kleptomaniac, and general troublemaker, believes she has a one-way ticket straight to hell to go with her general rap sheet. Instead of jail time, she's ordered to perform ninety days of community service. Her job is simple: she must keep two unicorns out of trouble.
It doesn't take her long to learn the truth: she's been assigned to a dose of double trouble, and wherever the unicorns go, chaos and mayhem follow in their wake.
One wants to take over the world.
The other wants in her pants.
Unless she pulls out all the stops, Layla won't escape her community service time single or sane.
Warning: this novella contains magic, mayhem, unicorns, romance, and bodies. Proceed with Caution.
RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
When she isn't playing pretend, she likes to think she's a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
Our heroine has been in trouble all her life. As a matter of fact she didn't just grow up in the system, she grew up in jail. When our hero gets a look at her he decides to help her get out of jail, by whatever means. Meanwhile his sister wants to rule the world. Well, we all need goals in life. Now if only our hero can figure out why the courts were so determined to keep our heroine in jail. Before she gets killed. Cute book! I love this paranormal comedy romance series!
Not one of my favourites in the series but I expect it will grow on me. The blurb gives nothing away. Starts cheerfully insane and dissolves into surprise and chaos. It is in line with the other stories but it does feel like there is less action, despite there being numerous threats of violence. There is info dumps and it does get a little bit rambling. Still it’s enjoyable and like the others has a background dark theme. Would’ve liked to seen more romance or interaction with Dean, but I can see why.
Then, read the rest of the series. It really is marvelous. Ms Blain's books are the only ones on my auto buy-and her magical romantic comedies with a body count are my favorites (though her other works are great too - especially Jesse Alexander) but I still adore MC wabc the most!
More than her others in this series, Double Trouble broke my heart. Layla is an incredible character, and after everything that happened in her life, she is still innocent and kind. As you get to know her and her history, you can't help but understand her and her reactions to her life after learning about what her life was-and should have been. R J does a wonderful job making Layla realistic in her reactions - and the underlying world continues as some of my favorite characters pop up to add to the story with their own particular brand of lunacy and love. Knowing this was coming out, I went back and read the whole series - for approximately the 6th or so time. They are my "go to reads" when I need a smile! Can't wait to get the next!
Bad book. Three scenes of expose- telling not showing. These books used to have a plot with humor and zany characters. Now it’s just a special snowflake woman that everybody loves with a weird geneology and unbelievable talents. I am done with this series and writer.
It’s really not bad. The problem is it all tends to be one note. The banter flies so fast it can be a struggle to figure out who is speaking at times. But it’s almost passionless. The emotions come in small bursts that are too easily deflected with wittiness.
Then there is the over-explaining of future plans, most of which never come to fruition. Grandiose ADD nonsense babble that eats pages without advancing any plot or character development. It gets detailed about things that don’t matter at all and repetitive to an annoying level.
Worst of all, nothing happened. The whole plot involved one paragraph of action. A lot of threats (and one family quasi-brawl that was effectively a pillow fight) but the antagonists only appear in one scene and were summarily dealt with.
This series continues to deteriorate. Which is sad. The author has written much better.
This was vaguely amusing, but I really can’t recommend it.
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read. It was absolutely enjoyable from beginning to end. It has angels, unicorns, the Devil, and so much more. The main character is flawed in the best ways. The way the story is written is genius. I have never laughed out loud with any other book like I did this one. Truly a joy to read. You will love this book.
I really love this series. The humor is great, the imaginative world is so original it's enthralling, and the characters are usually so real you can see them in front of you. However, this author has a tendency to ramble when she writes. Sometimes, I never actually see the point she is trying to make and as a result, I sometimes end her books with more questions than answers. Several in the series are this way and several are not.
This book was good, but needed more depth and more story. I felt like I read a novel but received the depth of character and plot I would get from a novella.
So, if you're looking into this series, start with Hoofin' it, which is freaking amazing and recognize that this one is good but not her best.
For those that care: her books are generally extremely clean in the bedroom, but have violence and cursing.
Another delightful romp with angels, devils, demons, and unicorns
This Magical RomCom was so fun! And the twists, turns, and cameos were great surprises. A convict (damned cupcakes!), two unicorns, and some angels all meet in a NC courtroom. If you enjoyed Whatever for Hire, or Playing With Fire, you’ll want to pick this one up. If you do, you won’t put it down until it’s done.
But not as you know them. This is a fun, fast paced tale involving the delightful Layla, sassy world conquering Xena and her brother Dean. Unicorn mayhem ensues as R.J. rewrites unicorn mythology, combines it with highjinxs, puns and snark, chucks in a couple of incubi, a few angels, the odd succubus and a guest cameo from my fave Satin to make a cracking good read.
I m in the process.of re.reading this very enjoyable series and am on it but way through. It amazes me to many different ways the author fins.to.torment.her.female characters. They nearly always have scrappy parents.dead end jobs no romance in their lives and usually some man to health problems. But.............. There I refreshing naivety to the women also. They bravely struggle through taking olace.from the small pleasure life sometimes offers. The be fine in this story is no exception. Kept in prison since she was a small child she's been given no education (not even reading.or.math) her survival skills (such as they are) are things she learnt in prison which do untranslated well to the outside world. But........through it all she has managed to keep herself sane and refuses to let her situation bring her down. The unicorns are just run we don't get enough of them, especially their parents and siblings. I can't help feel these characters stories are finished and I hope I'm right I would love to read more about them............
I absolutely enjoyed this book! Layla is a sweetheart kleptomaniac with a weakness for cupcakes. Too honest for her own good and she makes court rooms a circus. It’s a whole lot of fun, learning and add two unicorns hellbent on their own goals, and it is a very enjoyable escape.
Wow, just Wow. If you like the complete craziness of R. J. Blain books you will
If you already love the complete craziness of R. J. Blain books, then you will not be disappointed. From the first sentence you will be dragged back into her world. I went willingly. Spoiler alert! I so want a cupcake right now?
As others in the series, I really enjoyed this. It was too quick of a read is my biggest complaint followed by some portions were a little hard to follow with all the characters in scene. I don’t know if better transition or formatting would help the best.
What a wonderfully delightful read, full of crazy, giggles, unexpected twists, and general fun times! This is not your usual romantic comedy, instead it is full of unexpected scenarios, and a rollicking hilarious good time, I could not put it down! Thanks for another short night's sleep RJ!
R.J. books never let you down with the comedy. This books is just as hilarious as all the others in a novel with a body count. I cant wait for the next one to be released.
These books are a riot, and this was no exception. Layla and Dean and Xena are a riot. I wholeheartedly enjoyed and agree with her views on shanking people in her personal space. She’s adorable.
I bought both this book and water witch but double trouble was a large story in water witch so i paid twice for this book. Ido like to read her stories but if on a budget it will save you money. To buy more or different books .
This book is another hit by the author. This series is one of my favorites to read and re-read whenever I need a laugh. Even the bad things are offset by love and laughter. Highly recommend reading this book!
It made me cry and laugh. I loved the characters and how they evolved. It was great seeing a couple of characters from previous books. Would definitely recommend this book.
RJ Blaine never disappoints. I'm always ready for a new entry in the romantic comedy with a body count series. Every one is better than the last, except they're all as good as the first.
Did you hear that?!? That sound was R.J. Blain's knocking it out of the park... AgAiN!! The book has plenty of giggles, a heart breaking situation, a sweet romance and good winning over evil! Oh and lots of mentioned cupcakes! Thank you again for the entrainment!
A bit light on plot line but fun characters and world. Very low heat romance despite a ‘Randy’ unicorn stallion and an MC fresh from a very long and ‘dry’ prison stint.
A parole hearing with unicorns and an angel involved is an interesting start to a delightful magical romantic comedy. Read and enjoy the mystery, romance and snarky humor.
I liked this one a lot, although it felt less complex? Layered? Than some of the others. Still totally worth the read mind you, and I loved it, especially unicorns, and righting wrongs, and strong women, and crazy and chaotic families!
The unicorns were hilarious, together with all the extended family.
However, I found the ending really, really abrupt. All these stories suffer from the same but this one was particularly bad. Bad, of course is relative, I still love these stories & just wish they could have a proper ending.
I had never read a book by this author before and it was crazy. So much naming and repetition of events was a bit of a mess and the truth is I was expecting something else from this story, however, I hope to give it a chance with another read.
Comedy and heart blend for a fun addition to the magical (and slightly murderous) world that Blain has created. Can't wait for the next installment in this series!