Jasper Jones is Lyric’s most pitiful incubus. He can’t feed and doesn’t want to if it means hurting people. When a witch gives him a chance at breaking the cycle of hunger, he rushes half cocked into the woods in search of a cure.
Caleb moved into Poisonwood Forest to escape the crowded city of Lyric, but it’s lonely by himself. He doesn’t expect to find his mate when he trips over an unconscious young man in the middle of the woods, but there he is, perfect—except for a peculiar fondness for processed cookies.
Their only problem is that Jasper’s sick, and when he doesn’t get better, his one shot at survival is in the hands of a bear shifter who’ll do anything to save him.
When a bear and a demon meet in the woods, what happens?!
What happens is the absolute delight that this book was.
It's short (ish) but it still manages to pack a whole lot of story into its pages, a really sweet and quietly amusing tale of a bear shifter and an incubus who meet thanks to some sisterly witch manipulation.
Caleb is all grumpy lumberjack type, Jasper is a twinky sweetheart who can't stand having to sexually feed on humans without them having informed consent and is slowly starving himself.
The meet/cute is simple but effective, they fall in love over a relatively short period of time but it never feels like a shot of instalove but a relationship development that intensifies as they spend time together.
A wee bit of a misunderstanding involving Jasper's ass of a half-brother, some more sisterly interference on the parts of both characters' supportive siblings and a nice happy ending is the payoff.
Loved it.
#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This book was a bit strange. I'm not sure what it was exactly, only that it didn't have a nice flow to it. And the characters often acted in a way I didn't expect.
So Jasper would rather die then have sex with someone and saving his life, because he feels as an incubus he is robbing people of their free will to have sex with him.
And even though he has sex with bear shifter Caleb without using any of his powers, he still won't try to 'feed' from his energy. He'd rather die.
That was a bit strange and went on for too long. I figured once Jasper had the confirmation that Caleb really did want him for himself, they would have a talk about Jasper being an incubus. But no, Jasper just let himself starve til the point where he almost did die.
And then Caleb felt the need to suddenly hunt down a demon bear living in the woods so that Jasper could eat his heart. That came out of nowhere and I don't think it even helped. It wasn't really followed up on after it happened. I have no idea if Jasper felt better after that.
And I still have trouble with the witch sister almost killing Jasper by accident and sending her own brother to kill a wild demon bear and almost die trying, and then act all casual about that.
Overall this book just felt off to me. Not enough background story for these guys either.
Oh, this was so sweet and lovely. I just loved Jasper and Caleb together. Jasper was so sweet, and so endearing. I love how he didn't want to do what was expected of him as an incubus.
I think this is the first story I have read from either of these two authors (although I think I have some of their books on my to-buy list) and I really enjoyed it. Definitely going to be on the lookout for the next one and more from these two!
It wasn't a bad book but it was kind of disjointed. There were a lot of things that I didn't understand like why Caleb almost getting killed by another bear was necessary. What did Jasper need to eat the heart for? It didn't seem to do much. The fact that Jasper martyred himself and almost died was ridiculous as well. It wasn't like he couldn't control his power. I understand that he wanted someone to like him just for himself but it was just so unnecessary.
There was was some issues where I couldn't keep up with the dialogue. I couldn't understand why they were saying what they were saying at times.
I love these two authors. Their paranormal stories are awesome. But this poisonwood series...lacks the world building they’re typically so good at. It’s like any meet-cute, fluffy story with just a bit of paranormal elements that qualifies it to be listed in the paranormal genre.
I’m a tad bit disappointed. I was hoping for more than just this sad guy meets grumpy guy, sad guy grows on grumpy guy, they fall in love, grumpy guy slays sad guy’s...demons(for the lack of a better word), voila! Happily ever after. And it literally does just feel like it went through that progression very quickly. I didn’t even get the “demon”-slaying bit.
While I ADORED the idea of an Incubus struggling with the moral and ethical implications of how they feed, I felt like the shorter length hindered the character development, and the angst felt less authentic than it could have been (while also being over the top)? And the world-building seemed considerably short-changed compared to other books I've read by Sam Burns. (Actually, nothing I've read by this author lives up to Blackbird, yet.) That said, I thought the romance very sweet and hot and once it comes out I will give the second book a try.
While this was a sweet little read, it was annoying as well. The constant miscommunication got on my nerves after a while. It also felt a little rushed. However, I would probably read the next one.
Yup, It's official. Unless Sam Burns does something crazy (like kill an MC at the end of a book or something similarly outrageous-), I don't believe she can do much wrong in my eyes.
This book was just great. I loved the character building, loved Caleb and Jasper. Caleb was sufficiently grumpy with a heart of gold and Jasper was indeed an odd one; an incubus who didn't want to feed of unwilling participants. This pair certainly made for interesting reading with the patented Sam Burns magic sprinkled through the book.
There were characters I wanted to smack and others that left me apprehensive (I wish more info had been given about them) but I guess given the novella nature of the book, that wasn't done so I can't really be mad.
Good news is that this was book 1 of hopefully a "multi-book" series so I can look forward to further goodness from this world. :)
**eARC Provided By Author in Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review.**
I got this because I wanted sweet and some paranormal.
I was enjoying it at first cause Caleb is clearly the grumpiest sweetheart and Jasper needs that.
But it became too contained too quickly and the pacing is a bit strange but also the reasoning behind decisions and lack of just are making no sense to me.
Maybe I'll come back to it But right now I'm too annoyed at the things that aren't working for me lol
I really hit the jackpot with sweet stories this weekend. It was exactly what I needed, really. And with a demon and bear shifter, who'd of thought it? And this was, both short and sweet. <3
Bonus: my favorite new word, twinkubus! LOLOLOL. :)
This was alright. Kinda boring. No warm fuzzies...Jasper made me mad takin off on Caleb like that… dude was out getting his heffer ass some oreos! How could you 💔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"Sweetheart, I never, ever have so much to do that I don’t have time for you. You’re what my time is for. It’s everything else that’s the distraction.” ............
"I don’t give a damn if you’re using your sneaky incubus powers on me. I want you this way, that way, and every other way. Every day, every way. Always.” ............
"I’ve only got a lifetime to spend with you. Can’t waste that.” ...........
An adorable incubus (an oreo lover) And a handsome bearshifter (an oreo hater)
First off, the cover is magically gorgeous and it caught my attention instantly. The story is light, soft, tender, sweet, and easy to digest. If you want a cute love story with a bear hug and sex coupled with a goodhearted incubus (and oreos) , this story will lighten and sweeten up your mood with warmth and soothing strokes.
A super short, quick, quirky read. I enjoyed the conflict of Jasper Jones, who as an incubus, would rather starve himself to death than harm someone else. Then there is sweet, kind Caleb and what can I say I have a soft spot for the tender-hearted bear-shifter. It was endearing in the way that Caleb and Jasper formed a friendship and a bond as Caleb tried desperately to nurse Jasper back to health.
There were definitely a few sizzling scenes and some over-the-top dramatics as both Caleb and Jasper try to do the right thing. Given the short nature of the book, it lacks a certain substance and character depth. But these two eventually get things right and air out all their truths. In addition, I found the ending to be very abrupt but it was an intriguing story that was an nice break from my other reads.
Oh yeah, I’m going to be in love with this series. I can tell. I’m in love already. Half of the characters are less than favorable, but the ones that matter are just perfect the way they are. And there are some important lessons to learn in this story. And the biggest is that love is stronger. Jasper really wants to feed, but hates his family for the most part. He loves his sister, and his reclusive brother, Declan, but the rest he could do without. They use their abilities to make people mindless drones and he refuses to be that way. Even if it means he starves. But his sister has a friend who’s a witch that might be able to help. When Poppy gives Jasper the solution he needs in order to help his cravings, he ends up going overboard and poisons himself. What he didn’t expect was to be saved by a bear of a man named Caleb. And a bear he truly was. He saves Jasper from the poison, but Jasper is getting sicker by the day, to the point he’s dying. Caleb doesn’t know what to do, but has finally figured out what Jasper really is by little clues. And he thinks he may have found a way to help. But it means doing some nasty business that could cost him his life. But for Jasper, he feels it would be worth it. I love this story for several reasons. One because Jasper and Caleb are the most adorable people. It’s funny because Caleb is this grumpy old bear shifter, but Jasper is this perky, bright, beautiful young man. Or would be if he wasn’t dying. But what I love about Jasper, is Jasper is willing to risk his life to save others. He really isn’t the demon he’s supposed to be. He’s loving and kind, considerate and selfless. He would rather lose his own life then know he hurt another. He would even risk losing the love of his life, than to risk hurting him. And it makes him so much more loveable. Clueless a bit. Because all he needed to do was talk to Caleb to get the whole story. But I love that he really is trying to be so good and not be the evil that most people think his kind is. He really is one of a kind. And these two are so perfect for each other. I love how well they mesh together. It’s perfect. Caleb gives Jasper what he needs to survive and Jasper brings new life in a being that thought he’d be better off alone as well. They are so suited for each other. I love it. I’m anxious to see who’s next. I’m hoping Declan’s story is soon, if not next, because he sounds so intriguing. He and Jasper being so much alike, I’m hoping he finds what he needs as well. And maybe the rest of the family will learn to chill. Or find some to meet their match.
Poisonwood is the first time I have read the Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes duo. The love story with an Incubus who feels bad about feeding from unsuspecting humans, and a grumpy hermit bear shifter within the forest of Lyric.
Jasper and Caleb were sweet together. Caleb is caring even if not full of words, and takes care of Jasper selflessly and feels a lot of the loneliness inside. Jasper makes Caleb feel wanted and he finds someone who wants him for himself, not for being an incubus and being a bit of a horny magnet. It took them a bit of time to get together, and then there is some whitefanging due to Jasper's misconceptions of what could happen in a relationship with an incubus. Further misunderstandings affect their getting back together, but eventually, the couple reaches their HEA.
This might sound weird but I think my favorite part was the epilogue, of Jasper finally having full confidence in himself and their relationship. How their life pieced back together. There was some midpoint-angst for sure, and the breakup/drama around that was difficult to read too. For being a book about an incubus, the sex scenes were just... fine. That is what the book is really for me: just fine.
I don't think it's bad, though, so if you want an easy PNR novella to read, this is a good one for it!
This story couldn't get too deep into it's world building considering the length, but the authors managed to balance it all really well so that I still feel like a got a good bit of love story and fantasy in a short amount of time. I also knew I would be ready to read the next in the series as soon as it comes out well before I was done with this one.
I hope the two MC's here get some more page time in the next book. I feel like there is more story for them and I would love to read it.
This... was a bit of a mess. The concept seemed interesting, but the entire plot felt very odd and forced and a bit non-sensical. I get that it's a fantasy-type book, but it was so clear that the authors were making the characters do things for plot reasons and they didn't bother attempting to make those actions actually make sense. And then the misunderstanding at the end was ridiculously overblown. cute premise, but the execution was pretty awful.
I usually like Sam and W.M.'s works but here I skimmed from the 60% mark, which I struggled to reach, till the end, so this can even go to the DNF pile but anyway....
First of all none of the MCs were likeable. Jasper was whining but wasn't willing to do much to save himself but play martyr and Caleb also with his martyr tendencies and a forlorn outlook on life that was self imposed (unless he suffered from depression and somehow I missed it, if so I take it back).
The misunderstanding trope was, something that I usually enjoy if it was done well, was also self inflicted and just guuuh.... not much chemistry between the MCs either.... I'll try Wyrmwood when it's out because I do love me some dragons hoping that it won't flop.
This story had a variety of elements - family members that were a pain in the butt, poisonous plants that you were told to consume, and main characters that wanted a meaningful relationship. I loved how Caleb fell for Jasper and would do anything to prove that love. Jasper was a little much for me but I can totally get wanting to be loved for yourself and not because you put a spell on someone. Not my most favorite by this author but I really enjoyed the ending and need some Oreos and milk now. Nope....you have to read the book to discover why.
That's all Jasper wants -- a place he can belong and a person who loves him for him, and not his incubus magic. After being sent into the woods to find a cure for his never-ending incubus hunger, Jasper grows ill and is saved by lonely bear shifter, Caleb. Caleb is the most introverted of introverts, but his wants are parallel to Jasper's -- all he wants is a mate to keep him company and share his life with. Jasper and Caleb might find their happily ever after, if Jasper can learn to trust himself and believe in Caleb.
This was relatively low angst and without too much drama, which made it a perfect read for these weird days. I highly recommend it.
Oh, that was simply lovely! Grumpy solitary bear, sad self-denying twinkubus, nosy/bossy sisters. This is the second story I've read by this pair, and I obviously need to put more of their books on my TBR asap! I hope there are many more Poisonwood & Lyric books planned, at the very least the story of Declan and how he can survive without feeding.