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Summer's Harem #1
Shimmer
Our magic is dying...
...we'll die with it.
On his deathbed, the king gave me an impossible task—save the fae realm from extinction.
I need to find the cause, but time is running out.
As if that wasn't enough, the king wants me to work with his son.
I loathe him.
And he loathes me.
Even if we can't keep our hands off each other.
With the help of the prince's friend, a scholar, a human trapped in our realm, and a talking cat, we might just figure out why the fae realm is at risk and how to save it.
Or die trying.
Who said my job was simple?
Join my harem and our quest to protect the world.
Get it now.
**Warning - this is a reverse harem with adult content and language and a cliffhanger.**
...we'll die with it.
On his deathbed, the king gave me an impossible task—save the fae realm from extinction.
I need to find the cause, but time is running out.
As if that wasn't enough, the king wants me to work with his son.
I loathe him.
And he loathes me.
Even if we can't keep our hands off each other.
With the help of the prince's friend, a scholar, a human trapped in our realm, and a talking cat, we might just figure out why the fae realm is at risk and how to save it.
Or die trying.
Who said my job was simple?
Join my harem and our quest to protect the world.
Get it now.
**Warning - this is a reverse harem with adult content and language and a cliffhanger.**
210 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2019
169 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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December 5, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/5/2019)! 🎁
November 8, 2023
"Shimmer" by Maggie Alabaster is the first book in her "Summers' Harem'' fantasy reverse harem series, honestly I will say I had a lot of fun with this one! I really loved how much of a quest vibe it had, with Summer, a Fae King and his friend, a mysterious human, a scholar and a rather fun talking feline (appropriately named Khat), I was honestly completely along for the adventure to try and restore lesser magic to the fae world and hopefully restore the realm from damage that has been done! Now, "Shimmer'' is a reverse harem, so let me tell you there were plenty of spicy, smutty scenes throughout, often in quite mildly unexpected moments, but I honestly just found myself enjoying the utter lightness of this book and I honestly enjoyed Summers' interactions with Huon, Kale, Fletcher and Saff, not to mention the back and forth banter between the boys, it was such sheer light hearted, indulgent, bingeable read, so I definitely found myself invested and wanting to see where the story was going and I'm definitely excited to continue the series! I also honestly loved our sassy Khat (the mimicat), honestly I'm a sucker for anything feline so I loved that the fae and company were joined by a sassy, talking cat! I also loved Maggie Alabaster's writing in that she has nature as such an important thing to fae, also the scenes where Summer and one of her boys were tumbling on a leaf, let's just say that's a mere sliver of the fun spicy-ness that ensues! I also was absolutely not expecting a cliffhanger ending within 280 pages, honestly, talk about being caught off guard! Also I don't know why I'm surprised because Maggie had "Crimson" (book 1 in her "Ruthless Claws" series) end on a cliffhanger, which I'll definitely be picking up book 2 of soon! I enjoyed the pure fae fun and escapism that came with "Shimmer", let alone had plenty of smirks at the silly, suggestive innuendos throughout! 🤣 I'm super happy havinv stumbled on Maggie Alabaster's books, at the @fictionandfriction signing recently, which was amazing! Can't wait to see what's next for Summers' Harem!
January 22, 2020
Boring and predictive. It's supposed to be some kind of adventure type where a group of people try to do impossible feats to save everyone. But that's the idea, the implementation sucks. She is 125 years old and she sees a male - oops I like him, he likes her back! In the first 5 minutes of meeting each other, they not only have sex but declare they have feelings for each other. The whole thing just rang false and forced. Will not be continuing.
July 30, 2021
Shimmer is book one of a reverse harem fantasy romance trilogy that is focused on saving lesser magic and reopening the veil between the fae and human world. This is an interesting premise for a novel, with the characters having to go on a 'quest' to find the solution being a tried and true reader favourite for a reason. While there were parts of Shimmer that had potential, overall I found it drawn out and repetitive with sex and heat included to replace plot. Underneath everything I think Shimmer has good bones I just feel that an editor and proof reader is needed to bring out its shine.
Unfortunately I feel Shimmer represents what people think when they say we read 'fantasy porn' as this book was filled with insta-love, different partners and sex scenes with little to no, physical or verbal connection between the characters. In fact I think the cat (Khat) says it best
I'd recommend it for readers who like fantasy romance, fae, reverse harem, insta-love, magic and a quest to save the world.
Unfortunately I feel Shimmer represents what people think when they say we read 'fantasy porn' as this book was filled with insta-love, different partners and sex scenes with little to no, physical or verbal connection between the characters. In fact I think the cat (Khat) says it best
"Most of the time," Khat said. "Your thoughts are more with your cock than your brain." "How do you know what's going on inside my head?" Saff asked. He sounded more intrigued than annoyed. "Lucky guess," Khat said. Huon chuckled. "He gets you." Khat regarded him. "You're just as bad. You all are."
I'd recommend it for readers who like fantasy romance, fae, reverse harem, insta-love, magic and a quest to save the world.
July 22, 2021
Nothing is well developed in this book. Not the characters or the settings. I found Summer to be a nymphomaniac. A trio starts out to save the Fae world and picks up stragglers along the way to help help. The lack of editing is very obvious. I found 34 editing errors! There were probably more. Words left out and some words written twice in the sentence. ( examples: Stepped passed instead of stepped past. Guiding us until the water instead of into the water.). The story does not end with this book. You will need to get the next one in the series to see if they are going to be able to save their land and people.
February 12, 2021
DNF
I got about 60% into Book 1 and realized what I had hoped to be a fanciful story of saving the fae kingdom had turned into a not so enticing R-rated string of sex and innuendo following a yellow brick road and picking up assorted creatures along the way. If the characters were more mature and had more depth, I might could have compared it to a fantasy rendition of Canterbury Tales but, unfortunately, that fell by the wayside. I'm not sure what audience the author was targeting but she missed the mark with me.
I got about 60% into Book 1 and realized what I had hoped to be a fanciful story of saving the fae kingdom had turned into a not so enticing R-rated string of sex and innuendo following a yellow brick road and picking up assorted creatures along the way. If the characters were more mature and had more depth, I might could have compared it to a fantasy rendition of Canterbury Tales but, unfortunately, that fell by the wayside. I'm not sure what audience the author was targeting but she missed the mark with me.
March 16, 2022
I love a read that gets straight into the smut and sets
the plot.
The first few chapters of Shimmer, I felt It was going to
be an interesting read.
love anything Fae and when you add smut - it's the
perfect combination, so I was invested in the read and
the outcome.
There wasn't a slow burn for any of Summer's partners/
lovers, all their relationships were quite sudden but I
don't think that took much away from the book due to
the storyline.
It wasn't all I was hoping for; but it was a good read and
I look forward to see what more is in store for Summer
and her four lovers + their Khat!
the plot.
The first few chapters of Shimmer, I felt It was going to
be an interesting read.
love anything Fae and when you add smut - it's the
perfect combination, so I was invested in the read and
the outcome.
There wasn't a slow burn for any of Summer's partners/
lovers, all their relationships were quite sudden but I
don't think that took much away from the book due to
the storyline.
It wasn't all I was hoping for; but it was a good read and
I look forward to see what more is in store for Summer
and her four lovers + their Khat!
March 14, 2020
Very Interesting Storyline!!!!!
This is my first story read by Maggie Alabaster and the storyline is very interesting. It has mystery, drama, and suspense. It is kind of an instant love type story. At times that gets a little irritating but the story definitely makes up for it. The storyline draws you in and keeps you so very intrigued. I am excited to see how the story continues. It is well written and has very interesting characters. It is definitely worth reading!!!!
This is my first story read by Maggie Alabaster and the storyline is very interesting. It has mystery, drama, and suspense. It is kind of an instant love type story. At times that gets a little irritating but the story definitely makes up for it. The storyline draws you in and keeps you so very intrigued. I am excited to see how the story continues. It is well written and has very interesting characters. It is definitely worth reading!!!!
May 25, 2020
Unique story
Hotness is strong in this book. Things pick up quickly in both the plot and steam. Summer is given a quest to restore magic and as she joins a ragtag group of fae, human, troll and a mimicat. It is quite humourous at times. Pretty light hearted and adventure oriented with school times. Some light MM but still probably increase in future books. Different take on fae then what you normally read.
Hotness is strong in this book. Things pick up quickly in both the plot and steam. Summer is given a quest to restore magic and as she joins a ragtag group of fae, human, troll and a mimicat. It is quite humourous at times. Pretty light hearted and adventure oriented with school times. Some light MM but still probably increase in future books. Different take on fae then what you normally read.
February 6, 2021
Fun Read With An Interesting Story
This story is like a road trip with the initial team, led by sassy Summer, augmented as the story evolves. This is not a complete story and ends with a cliffhanger. In spite of that, I enjoyed the story. The character development is a little limited but the world view coming from the narrative is great. The problems in the fae realm are definitely linked to what humans are doing to the planet.
This story is like a road trip with the initial team, led by sassy Summer, augmented as the story evolves. This is not a complete story and ends with a cliffhanger. In spite of that, I enjoyed the story. The character development is a little limited but the world view coming from the narrative is great. The problems in the fae realm are definitely linked to what humans are doing to the planet.
July 22, 2021
Fun and short fae tale
Great little fast moving book about Summer and her harem of men on their adventure to save the fae realm with their new friends met along the way. There are a few editing issues (incorrect or missing words and grammar issues) but generally good. It’s very fast paced and reminds me a bit of a children’s book in that manner, but with more adult themes. Great fun book.
Great little fast moving book about Summer and her harem of men on their adventure to save the fae realm with their new friends met along the way. There are a few editing issues (incorrect or missing words and grammar issues) but generally good. It’s very fast paced and reminds me a bit of a children’s book in that manner, but with more adult themes. Great fun book.
October 15, 2022
Although the basic premise of the book held promise, the execution left me - flat.
Characters without depth. Everything far too easy. A pack of guys who do little but crack jokes and have sex. Very little to tell them apart unless you are told who is speaking. Very little to help endear me to the protagonist.
I read through because I generally finish what I start but will not be continuing this series.
Characters without depth. Everything far too easy. A pack of guys who do little but crack jokes and have sex. Very little to tell them apart unless you are told who is speaking. Very little to help endear me to the protagonist.
I read through because I generally finish what I start but will not be continuing this series.
February 11, 2021
Needs an editor!!!
While the story holds promise - so much so I kept reading and gave the story a 4 star rating. However, the amount of errors almost had me giving up on the book after reading only 25%. I.e. entire words missing from sentences, the constant he instead of she and visa versa, If/It - the list goes on. PLEASE for the love of sanity find someone to at least proof read this book!!!
While the story holds promise - so much so I kept reading and gave the story a 4 star rating. However, the amount of errors almost had me giving up on the book after reading only 25%. I.e. entire words missing from sentences, the constant he instead of she and visa versa, If/It - the list goes on. PLEASE for the love of sanity find someone to at least proof read this book!!!
June 22, 2021
The dying fae king gives Summer a last request; find out where the lesser magic has gone.
So, with two friends they set off in the direction of the Troll lands, the only region as yet unchecked.
Their adventure finds further helpers, and each contribute to the quest.
Although a story of fairys, this is not a child's fairytale, with adult content throughout.
So, with two friends they set off in the direction of the Troll lands, the only region as yet unchecked.
Their adventure finds further helpers, and each contribute to the quest.
Although a story of fairys, this is not a child's fairytale, with adult content throughout.
September 6, 2021
I liked the idea of the quest Summer and her Harem were on, I think I just needed a bit more plot and character development. Felt a little rushed.
October 7, 2022
Everything felt very surface level.
December 18, 2019
What a way to start a series. Magic is dying and everyone must band together to save their land, can't wait to read more. New author to me and another author added to my TBR list. Great read
December 5, 2019
Great start!
Great start to a series! I'm glad all 3 are written!!! The harem is just being formed in the first book-even though it hasn't been admitted yet...
Great start to a series! I'm glad all 3 are written!!! The harem is just being formed in the first book-even though it hasn't been admitted yet...
November 25, 2019
A Good book
This was a very interesting book and I liked it. This was my first time reading this author. It just didn’t demand my attention like I want. The plot is interesting as well as the chapters but for some reason I just don’t connect. A good book tho
This was a very interesting book and I liked it. This was my first time reading this author. It just didn’t demand my attention like I want. The plot is interesting as well as the chapters but for some reason I just don’t connect. A good book tho
May 11, 2023
Nope DNF
I could feel my brain cells dying. Why are most of the books starting out with smut and barely having a storyline. Page 5 people, page 5 and straight into sex. The heroine is annoying and snappy for some reason when those MMCs are wrapped around her finger. Ranting about not being easy then naked in the next paragraph. Pick a side lady.
Can't even recommend this as a Y/A even though the writing is basic and childish.
I could feel my brain cells dying. Why are most of the books starting out with smut and barely having a storyline. Page 5 people, page 5 and straight into sex. The heroine is annoying and snappy for some reason when those MMCs are wrapped around her finger. Ranting about not being easy then naked in the next paragraph. Pick a side lady.
Can't even recommend this as a Y/A even though the writing is basic and childish.
October 27, 2019
Reverse harem paranormal
This book had my attention from the beginning. Each of the characters just seem to fit. Summer was snarky but each of her men gave as good as they got. You cant help but fall in love with each one. They are on a journey to save their world. It ends in a cliffhanger. I recommend this book to all that is enamored by the fae.
This book had my attention from the beginning. Each of the characters just seem to fit. Summer was snarky but each of her men gave as good as they got. You cant help but fall in love with each one. They are on a journey to save their world. It ends in a cliffhanger. I recommend this book to all that is enamored by the fae.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews