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Leveling Up #3
Magical Midlife Invasion
Jessie is well on her way to learning her new life and settling in. The tough alpha, Austin, has joined her team, and she has painstakingly learned to fly. At the moment, life couldn’t get any better.
But it can get a whole lot…more irritating.
Her parents have decided to visit. They don’t know anything about magic, about Jessie’s new digs, or about the crazy crew living in and around Jessie’s house. She must do everything in her power to keep the truth away from them.
Which would be much easier without the unfelt presence lurking within Ivy House’s borders. It seems an enemy has figured out a way to magically bypass Ivy House’s defenses. Jessie is completely exposed.
The real battle, however, won’t be with the incoming force. It will be between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mom, each intent on being the most helpful. Mr. Tom might have met his match, and he is not pleased.
Just when things were finally settling down, Jessie is in the thick of it again, and this time, the turmoil is all around her.
But it can get a whole lot…more irritating.
Her parents have decided to visit. They don’t know anything about magic, about Jessie’s new digs, or about the crazy crew living in and around Jessie’s house. She must do everything in her power to keep the truth away from them.
Which would be much easier without the unfelt presence lurking within Ivy House’s borders. It seems an enemy has figured out a way to magically bypass Ivy House’s defenses. Jessie is completely exposed.
The real battle, however, won’t be with the incoming force. It will be between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mom, each intent on being the most helpful. Mr. Tom might have met his match, and he is not pleased.
Just when things were finally settling down, Jessie is in the thick of it again, and this time, the turmoil is all around her.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2020
6976 people are currently reading
7290 people want to read
About the author
K.F. Breene
120 books14.4k followersFollow me!
K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.
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K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.
Click FOLLOW for notification of new releases.
Join her mailing list to receive BONUS CONTENT, free stories, and hear about the crazy goings-on of her life. Sign up here ➜ http://bit.ly/KFBContent
Check out her chat group on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,118 reviews
October 17, 2025
****4.5****
It's definitely one of my favorite series, but I'm rounding it down because I feel a little strung along with Jessie and Austin. It was fun and tension for the first two thirds but then it stopped being so fun, imo. We have two awesome, intelligent, compassionate leads who are being utterly stupid about this - they both want this, but think the other doesn't, and rather than talk about it after the millionth time of almost hooking up, they both keep pretending. I'm actually more mad with Jess about it than Austin - he said a couple things, opening himself up, and even in her pov she recognized it like huh, it's weird he said that. Oh well, I'll go on being a dumbass and not saying anything. Twice he dropped big lines that made it clear he wants this but is holding back out of fear of his past. And we were in her pov to see her recognize and pause over the comment. And... choose not to engage.
It was damn frustrating. From the way she's just gone along with him, she's given zero indication that she wants more. Instead he thinks - fairly - that she just wants some sex, not a relationship, and doesn't want to risk their friendship for some fun.
Alright, that's enough about that.
Overall, I did love it. Hilarious as always, and Jessie's family was freaking hysterical. I'd like to get a better grasp of the lay of the magical land, though. I feel like she's just attacked in every book, by someone, and it usually ends up tying back to Graves. And she wins, and he taunts her, and there's no forward movement, and a little more relationship tease, and then done.
I love the setup. The world, the characters, the story. But it's starting to feel a little circular.
It's definitely one of my favorite series, but I'm rounding it down because I feel a little strung along with Jessie and Austin. It was fun and tension for the first two thirds but then it stopped being so fun, imo. We have two awesome, intelligent, compassionate leads who are being utterly stupid about this - they both want this, but think the other doesn't, and rather than talk about it after the millionth time of almost hooking up, they both keep pretending. I'm actually more mad with Jess about it than Austin - he said a couple things, opening himself up, and even in her pov she recognized it like huh, it's weird he said that. Oh well, I'll go on being a dumbass and not saying anything. Twice he dropped big lines that made it clear he wants this but is holding back out of fear of his past. And we were in her pov to see her recognize and pause over the comment. And... choose not to engage.
It was damn frustrating. From the way she's just gone along with him, she's given zero indication that she wants more. Instead he thinks - fairly - that she just wants some sex, not a relationship, and doesn't want to risk their friendship for some fun.
Alright, that's enough about that.
Overall, I did love it. Hilarious as always, and Jessie's family was freaking hysterical. I'd like to get a better grasp of the lay of the magical land, though. I feel like she's just attacked in every book, by someone, and it usually ends up tying back to Graves. And she wins, and he taunts her, and there's no forward movement, and a little more relationship tease, and then done.
I love the setup. The world, the characters, the story. But it's starting to feel a little circular.
November 21, 2020
Magical Midlife Invasion
Leveling Up, Book 3
By: K.F. Breene
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
This is such a great series! On my favorite list! If you love magic, gargoyles, shifters, Bigfoot, mages, vampires, a house that has a personality and magic herself, touch of romance, and lots and lots of humor then start this series! Read in order and on Audible! The story is full of craziness, hilarious banter, unpredictable situations, and just a lot of fun to listen to! The narrator makes the book come alive!
In this story Jesse's parents come to stay with her but they don't know about her magic or the house, or all the craziness that goes with her life now. It's while they are visiting that Jesse's enemy decides to attack. Jessie and team are ready! Parents, not so much!😉 Can't wait for the next book! Truly recommend!!!
Leveling Up, Book 3
By: K.F. Breene
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
This is such a great series! On my favorite list! If you love magic, gargoyles, shifters, Bigfoot, mages, vampires, a house that has a personality and magic herself, touch of romance, and lots and lots of humor then start this series! Read in order and on Audible! The story is full of craziness, hilarious banter, unpredictable situations, and just a lot of fun to listen to! The narrator makes the book come alive!
In this story Jesse's parents come to stay with her but they don't know about her magic or the house, or all the craziness that goes with her life now. It's while they are visiting that Jesse's enemy decides to attack. Jessie and team are ready! Parents, not so much!😉 Can't wait for the next book! Truly recommend!!!
December 19, 2025
This is definitely one of my favorite series. This one was not as hilarious as the last one, but Jessie and Austin... swoon! Then there is the magic, the crazy house and invasion by parents? Is this a magical house? And is Jessie the leader of a cape wearing cult? So. Much. Fun!
February 28, 2021
Have you ever read a book where you can actually physically feel the sexual tension coming off of the pages? I now have. And oh boy you could cut it with a knife. It was AWESOME! Normally I’m all about skipping the foreplay and jumping into the down and dirty but after this book I’m ALL about the edging.
I adore the cast of characters that are coming together, they are so dang unique. And freaking funny. I’m over here laughing like a teen boy over a fart blanket! I’m a mature professional woman, it shouldn’t be THAT funny, but it absolutely was.
Definitely a must read, and read, and read again book and series. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.
I adore the cast of characters that are coming together, they are so dang unique. And freaking funny. I’m over here laughing like a teen boy over a fart blanket! I’m a mature professional woman, it shouldn’t be THAT funny, but it absolutely was.
Definitely a must read, and read, and read again book and series. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.
January 7, 2025
3.5 stars
I definitely found myself laughing so much more in this one versus the previous two 🤣.
Jessie’s parents are coming to visit… and now Jess has to scramble to figure out how to
A: reveal she’s magical and there’s magical people/entities all around or
B: pretend/hide the truth from them 🫣
Not only that, but there’s a storm a brewing too 😬 because they have enemies coming for them, and they need to be ready (just like I’m ready to see Austin shift 👀)
What I liked:
—the tension 🔥. Only kissing happens (😒😒😒) but there’s so much tension
—the date he set up 🥹. I LUUUURVE that he’s showing Jess what a date should look like ❤️
—Jessie’s parents 🤣🤣🤣 her dad killlllls me 🤡
—the other amazing side characters 👀 I love seeing them on screen lol
—the damn dolls are still coming in to help. Who’da thunk it but these scary things are helpful
—growing powers 👀. I love that Jess isn’t just a normal woman and has powers
—the drama and magical elements 👀. I’m loving the world building
What I didn’t like:
—it’s been three books. T. H. R. E. E… how much longer are we… ahem… I mean… Jessie and Austin going to suffer not succumbing to their attraction? All we’ve gotten are kisses 😭. This is why I had to round down versus up. I hate that it’s still being dragged out ugh (yes she’s not looking to commit. Yes he doesn’t wanna become possessive but come on 😐… 🤣🤣🤣)
Overall, I’m enjoying the series but I need more 🔥😭😭😭
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd*/omd/ or sex
-yes. No sex. Only kisses 😒
-violence
-there’s ow who tries flirting with the H. He shuts up down (but the MCs aren’t even together… and the h even encourages him to get with a woman 🙄)
-cliffy
I definitely found myself laughing so much more in this one versus the previous two 🤣.
Jessie’s parents are coming to visit… and now Jess has to scramble to figure out how to
A: reveal she’s magical and there’s magical people/entities all around or
B: pretend/hide the truth from them 🫣
Not only that, but there’s a storm a brewing too 😬 because they have enemies coming for them, and they need to be ready (just like I’m ready to see Austin shift 👀)
What I liked:
—the tension 🔥. Only kissing happens (😒😒😒) but there’s so much tension
—the date he set up 🥹. I LUUUURVE that he’s showing Jess what a date should look like ❤️
—Jessie’s parents 🤣🤣🤣 her dad killlllls me 🤡
—the other amazing side characters 👀 I love seeing them on screen lol
—the damn dolls are still coming in to help. Who’da thunk it but these scary things are helpful
—growing powers 👀. I love that Jess isn’t just a normal woman and has powers
—the drama and magical elements 👀. I’m loving the world building
What I didn’t like:
—it’s been three books. T. H. R. E. E… how much longer are we… ahem… I mean… Jessie and Austin going to suffer not succumbing to their attraction? All we’ve gotten are kisses 😭. This is why I had to round down versus up. I hate that it’s still being dragged out ugh (yes she’s not looking to commit. Yes he doesn’t wanna become possessive but come on 😐… 🤣🤣🤣)
Overall, I’m enjoying the series but I need more 🔥😭😭😭
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd*/omd/ or sex
-yes. No sex. Only kisses 😒
-violence
-there’s ow who tries flirting with the H. He shuts up down (but the MCs aren’t even together… and the h even encourages him to get with a woman 🙄)
-cliffy
September 18, 2025
I loved this book and KF is a brilliant writer. Do yourselves a favour and start reading her books today. I have never laughed so hard as I have reading this series. There is madness and mayhem and everything in between. There are lots more books in this series and I am off to the next book.
Put this author on your TBR list you will not be disappointed.
Put this author on your TBR list you will not be disappointed.
August 30, 2021
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Magical Midlife Invasion
Jessie is steadily making progress with her magic and adjusting to having magical companions in her life. But just as she thinks she can take a chance to relax into her new role, her parents decide on an impromptu visit to Ivy House. Her ordinary nonmagical parents. Suddenly tasked with trying to hide the fantastical elements of her new life, Jessie will find herself in over her head. Especially when the members of Ivy House find that a new foe has begun watching the house, possibly planning an attack.
K.F. Breene has a talent for meshing together everyday life scenarios with the fantasy elements in her world. Magical Midlife Invasion is another hilarious and action packed addition to the Leveling Up series. I found myself chuckling at Jessie's parents' tactics and completely understanding where Jessie was coming from with her thoughts and reactions. To have something so normal be inserted into a plotline with readying battle defenses and magical training doesn’t seem like it should work, but it just does.
Part of what makes this series shine is the characters. The interactions between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mother were hilarious. Wanting to be helpful, Jessie’s mom tries to cook and clean but Mr. Tom is right behind her trying to do the exact same thing. The two end up in a face off throughout the entire book trying to out help the other. It’s hilarious and Jessie pretty much throws her hands up in the air and lets them have at it. Though I can’t say I blame her, I wouldn’t want to get in between that type of feud either.
And amongst all the camaraderie and character development, K.F. Breene starts to peel back more lore about Ivy House and the extent of what Jessie can do. I love watching Jessie struggle to learn magic. Jessie wants to do her best and she is determined to figure out how to make it all work. I can’t wait to see what new heights Jessie will reach and how she will prepare for the next magical attack.
I can’t say enough how much I recommend this series for women in their midlife years. There are so many nuances and details packed into this series that are relatable. The overall tone and perspective of the story brings it all together in a light hearted enjoyable read.
Jessie is steadily making progress with her magic and adjusting to having magical companions in her life. But just as she thinks she can take a chance to relax into her new role, her parents decide on an impromptu visit to Ivy House. Her ordinary nonmagical parents. Suddenly tasked with trying to hide the fantastical elements of her new life, Jessie will find herself in over her head. Especially when the members of Ivy House find that a new foe has begun watching the house, possibly planning an attack.
K.F. Breene has a talent for meshing together everyday life scenarios with the fantasy elements in her world. Magical Midlife Invasion is another hilarious and action packed addition to the Leveling Up series. I found myself chuckling at Jessie's parents' tactics and completely understanding where Jessie was coming from with her thoughts and reactions. To have something so normal be inserted into a plotline with readying battle defenses and magical training doesn’t seem like it should work, but it just does.
Part of what makes this series shine is the characters. The interactions between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mother were hilarious. Wanting to be helpful, Jessie’s mom tries to cook and clean but Mr. Tom is right behind her trying to do the exact same thing. The two end up in a face off throughout the entire book trying to out help the other. It’s hilarious and Jessie pretty much throws her hands up in the air and lets them have at it. Though I can’t say I blame her, I wouldn’t want to get in between that type of feud either.
And amongst all the camaraderie and character development, K.F. Breene starts to peel back more lore about Ivy House and the extent of what Jessie can do. I love watching Jessie struggle to learn magic. Jessie wants to do her best and she is determined to figure out how to make it all work. I can’t wait to see what new heights Jessie will reach and how she will prepare for the next magical attack.
I can’t say enough how much I recommend this series for women in their midlife years. There are so many nuances and details packed into this series that are relatable. The overall tone and perspective of the story brings it all together in a light hearted enjoyable read.
November 8, 2020
Don't Unleash The Crazy, The Parents Are Coming To Town!!😳🍷🔥💞💥
Grown Up Hilarity & Magic With A Side Of Sensual Tease.😂✨🌠🔥😉
Magical Midlife Invasion (Leveling Up #3)
This book is just a pleasurefest from start to finish. We have Jessie swooning over Austin & vice versa, but both are too fearful of messing their friendship up to make any real moves. The tension between them is just dreamy!😍 Jessie has the scariest visitors of all time turning up, they've informed her via letter with barely any warning!😳 No one else understands how badly this could truly go.😂 She has new magic to keep learning, she needs to figure out how the estate is doing financially & can they afford for Edgar to keep replenishing his flower stocks to this extent?🙈 On top of all of that are more magical people coming for her??😱
This is escapism at its absolute finest. It's funny, touching and full of such camaraderie. It grips your heart, mind & nervous system due to the amazing cast of character's that you route for as much as you laugh at and with!😍 Plus, of course, the storyline completely immerses you into all of their lives, loves,fears & hopes.🙏 I can not say enough about the writing this Author produces, it's amazing. This is another 5 star read to add to this series. I can't get enough of 'Leveling Up'. 🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
Grown Up Hilarity & Magic With A Side Of Sensual Tease.😂✨🌠🔥😉
Magical Midlife Invasion (Leveling Up #3)
This book is just a pleasurefest from start to finish. We have Jessie swooning over Austin & vice versa, but both are too fearful of messing their friendship up to make any real moves. The tension between them is just dreamy!😍 Jessie has the scariest visitors of all time turning up, they've informed her via letter with barely any warning!😳 No one else understands how badly this could truly go.😂 She has new magic to keep learning, she needs to figure out how the estate is doing financially & can they afford for Edgar to keep replenishing his flower stocks to this extent?🙈 On top of all of that are more magical people coming for her??😱
This is escapism at its absolute finest. It's funny, touching and full of such camaraderie. It grips your heart, mind & nervous system due to the amazing cast of character's that you route for as much as you laugh at and with!😍 Plus, of course, the storyline completely immerses you into all of their lives, loves,fears & hopes.🙏 I can not say enough about the writing this Author produces, it's amazing. This is another 5 star read to add to this series. I can't get enough of 'Leveling Up'. 🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
November 21, 2020
This series just gets better with every installment. Invasion welcomes back Jessie and the team. As Jessie learns and grows her magic, her transformation, as well as her resoluteness as a character, are an absolute delight. All the regulars are as wild and hilarious as always with a couple of new additions that make book 3 something really special. As new information is discovered and new battles ensue, the team really tests their mettle. It was exciting, tense, engaging, and really fun. I can't wait for book 4!
November 20, 2020
I love this series!
The characters are so, so funny!
ARGH!
The chemistry and off-the-charts attraction between Jacinta and Austin is amazing and frustrating.
They are absolutely perfect for one another.
Talk about a slow burn... this is the third book and they're still circling around each other.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
which is being released February 2021.
May 18, 2021
Slow
It was a little bit of a struggle to get me through this book. It wasn't as interesting and seemed to drag on.
It was a little bit of a struggle to get me through this book. It wasn't as interesting and seemed to drag on.
December 22, 2025
Re-listened December 23, 2025.
Re-listened July 26, 2025.
Re-listened March 16, 2025.
Re-listened July 29, 2024.
Re-listened March 14, 2024.
Audiobook - Audible
Narrated by
Nicole Poole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
KF Breene is one of my favourite writers 😍📚
That being said.
This was not one of her best works.
The battle scene is too short and confusing.
The relationship between the FMC and her parents lacked a lot.
The tension between the FMC and Austin got a lot of time, but was going nowhere.
We were not let in on her training. Just informed that she trained.
I feel like this book was kind of a chapther for the next book..? 🤔
Will I pick up the next book in this series?
Yes.
- because Breene has a sense of humour that makes me laugh 😉
*********
🎧📚
Finally did a listen on Audible.
Nicole Poole does a 5 star job and elevates the book to a 4 star listen 🎶 👌🏻
Re-listened July 26, 2025.
Re-listened March 16, 2025.
Re-listened July 29, 2024.
Re-listened March 14, 2024.
Audiobook - Audible
Narrated by
Nicole Poole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
KF Breene is one of my favourite writers 😍📚
That being said.
This was not one of her best works.
The battle scene is too short and confusing.
The relationship between the FMC and her parents lacked a lot.
The tension between the FMC and Austin got a lot of time, but was going nowhere.
We were not let in on her training. Just informed that she trained.
I feel like this book was kind of a chapther for the next book..? 🤔
Will I pick up the next book in this series?
Yes.
- because Breene has a sense of humour that makes me laugh 😉
*********
🎧📚
Finally did a listen on Audible.
Nicole Poole does a 5 star job and elevates the book to a 4 star listen 🎶 👌🏻
August 16, 2021
Mild complaint
Jess and Austin act like they are the cool kids while Edgar, Mr. Tom and Nia are dimwits. They have been loyal, helpful and inviting to Jess and Austin. Yet, at every turn they are considered odd or weird. It's a little disheartening honestly the way she talks about them. Why not embrace their differences? Besides Jess and Austin are far from perfect. Not sure I'll finish the series since we are on book three and this theme continues.
Jess and Austin act like they are the cool kids while Edgar, Mr. Tom and Nia are dimwits. They have been loyal, helpful and inviting to Jess and Austin. Yet, at every turn they are considered odd or weird. It's a little disheartening honestly the way she talks about them. Why not embrace their differences? Besides Jess and Austin are far from perfect. Not sure I'll finish the series since we are on book three and this theme continues.
May 4, 2021
This series is really good. The characters (including Ivy House) are all...well...characters. There's lots of action, but also some fun down time, and I'm liking the slow burn on the romance (though hopefully it heats up in the next book). The main battle at the end of the book had me snort-laughing - her parents really are a riot! Looking forward to jumping into the next book.
July 12, 2021
I enjoy this funny little series. It's a good summer read!
July 5, 2021
Our mid-forties heroine is back for another novel where the biggest threat is not the invading magical forces in her town, but her parents unexpected arrival and complete unwillingness to believe in anything magical in a house full of magical people.
January 13, 2021
Such a cute series! Bunch of misfits who are formidable and hysterical. Can't wait for the next book!
August 6, 2021
3.75 stars.
I couldn’t stop reading this series, now 😬😘.
I couldn’t stop reading this series, now 😬😘.
November 20, 2020
3.5 stars
I need to start off by saying that I really love K.F. Breene as an author. I have really enjoyed this new genre (I was here for the initial launch of the 13 authors) and have loved the first two books in this series. I was excited to see that there was a new book available and I immediately bought both the Audible and the eBook version. Okay. So that is the background. Unfortunately, what started off as a huge bang in book one, has slowly been moving in the wrong direction for me. With that being said, I enjoyed this latest book. But, just not as much as book two which I didn't like as much as book one.
Alright, let's discuss this book. The premise of this is wonderfully unique. With ALL of the books out there dealing with the supernatural, I can honestly say that I have NEVER read about a 40 year old female gargoyle. Really. Wonderfully unique.
The female MC is a funny and brave woman who finds herself with a sentient house, zany new friends (a butler, a neighbor and a gardener) and a super hot Alpha polar bear. See...wonderfully unique. The first book dealt with introducing us to this new world and the characters that made us laugh...and I really, really laughed. The second book was more about the Big Bad Guy who has set his sights on our female MC and is determined to own her - through whatever means necessary.
We also begin to see the obvious attraction between our female MC and said polar bear. It even got a bit frustrating because it is obviously very apparent to EVERYONE else - yet these two crazy kids just seem a bit clueless. At the end of book two, it seemed as if we were making some progress between the two.
Okay, enough history. So, this book is roughly the same as book 2. Gargoyle and polar bear make absolutely NO progress in terms of becoming a couple - even though they both WANT to, but both are afraid to take that all important first step. Well, they took a baby step, but then immediately stepped right back. AND...the entire book deals with the same Big Bad Guy attempting to get our MC ...sound familiar? There is some difference. Her parents come to visit and that is pretty funny. They definitely fit into the weird and zany world and its funny seeing everyone trying to keep the existence of magic from the folks yet the folks are determined to NOT see anything anyway.
The book is fun. There is a story arc and it is completed. My problem was that there was SO much potential in book one. I was SO excited about the premise and the characters. Yet, it felt like a rinse and repeat. AND....the thing with Austin Steele began to really bug me. But, I still have hope. There is an overall story arc that is still in play. There is still the bad guy out there. There is still a polar bear to tame...so...lets see what book four has to bring.....
I need to start off by saying that I really love K.F. Breene as an author. I have really enjoyed this new genre (I was here for the initial launch of the 13 authors) and have loved the first two books in this series. I was excited to see that there was a new book available and I immediately bought both the Audible and the eBook version. Okay. So that is the background. Unfortunately, what started off as a huge bang in book one, has slowly been moving in the wrong direction for me. With that being said, I enjoyed this latest book. But, just not as much as book two which I didn't like as much as book one.
Alright, let's discuss this book. The premise of this is wonderfully unique. With ALL of the books out there dealing with the supernatural, I can honestly say that I have NEVER read about a 40 year old female gargoyle. Really. Wonderfully unique.
The female MC is a funny and brave woman who finds herself with a sentient house, zany new friends (a butler, a neighbor and a gardener) and a super hot Alpha polar bear. See...wonderfully unique. The first book dealt with introducing us to this new world and the characters that made us laugh...and I really, really laughed. The second book was more about the Big Bad Guy who has set his sights on our female MC and is determined to own her - through whatever means necessary.
We also begin to see the obvious attraction between our female MC and said polar bear. It even got a bit frustrating because it is obviously very apparent to EVERYONE else - yet these two crazy kids just seem a bit clueless. At the end of book two, it seemed as if we were making some progress between the two.
Okay, enough history. So, this book is roughly the same as book 2. Gargoyle and polar bear make absolutely NO progress in terms of becoming a couple - even though they both WANT to, but both are afraid to take that all important first step. Well, they took a baby step, but then immediately stepped right back. AND...the entire book deals with the same Big Bad Guy attempting to get our MC ...sound familiar? There is some difference. Her parents come to visit and that is pretty funny. They definitely fit into the weird and zany world and its funny seeing everyone trying to keep the existence of magic from the folks yet the folks are determined to NOT see anything anyway.
The book is fun. There is a story arc and it is completed. My problem was that there was SO much potential in book one. I was SO excited about the premise and the characters. Yet, it felt like a rinse and repeat. AND....the thing with Austin Steele began to really bug me. But, I still have hope. There is an overall story arc that is still in play. There is still the bad guy out there. There is still a polar bear to tame...so...lets see what book four has to bring.....
December 20, 2020
Another amazing action packed instalment!
Jessie’s parents had me cracking up. The humour in this series is spot on. Her Dad’s penchant for airing out his begonia’s was comedy gold; as well as all the cape wearing jibes.
I’m enjoying seeing Jessie acclimate to her new powers with the help of her trusted team. That Elliot Graves is a cocky little shit but I find him quite intriguing, I want to know more.
Gah all the sexual tension between Austin and Jessie is driving me crazy in the best way. But I’m hoping that we see more romance in the next book. I like slow burn but fuck I need more! End the dry spell damnnit!
And on that note, I eagerly await the next book.
Jessie’s parents had me cracking up. The humour in this series is spot on. Her Dad’s penchant for airing out his begonia’s was comedy gold; as well as all the cape wearing jibes.
I’m enjoying seeing Jessie acclimate to her new powers with the help of her trusted team. That Elliot Graves is a cocky little shit but I find him quite intriguing, I want to know more.
Gah all the sexual tension between Austin and Jessie is driving me crazy in the best way. But I’m hoping that we see more romance in the next book. I like slow burn but fuck I need more! End the dry spell damnnit!
And on that note, I eagerly await the next book.
December 4, 2022
This was better than the second book, but I still don't think it was as good as the first. Not much happened in the novel and the overall plot is taking forever to unspool. We are three books in and all the development feels like it could have been contained in one novel. I did really enjoy the dynamic of the parents and the magical household. But ultimately, the story was still a little lack luster. I'm starting to get bored and may not continue the series.
February 27, 2021
I want an Ivy House...
... and maybe some gargoyle and shifter friends to go with it, too. Besides the awesome magical defense, and the usual hilarious cast, we get to meet the MC's parents! They are a riot!
I can't wait to see what other magical beings Jess calls to her defense, because there are plenty of spots yet to fill. Also, the romance is finally starting to heat up! Here's to hoping for no more lady blue balls for Jess in the following books!
... and maybe some gargoyle and shifter friends to go with it, too. Besides the awesome magical defense, and the usual hilarious cast, we get to meet the MC's parents! They are a riot!
I can't wait to see what other magical beings Jess calls to her defense, because there are plenty of spots yet to fill. Also, the romance is finally starting to heat up! Here's to hoping for no more lady blue balls for Jess in the following books!
November 21, 2020
Ivy house
Wow this book felt like I was coming home again.
Truly amazing the storyline had me from the first sentence
I want me an Austin in my life, haha
But really k f Breene has out done her self
Being on the next one!!
Wow this book felt like I was coming home again.
Truly amazing the storyline had me from the first sentence
I want me an Austin in my life, haha
But really k f Breene has out done her self
Being on the next one!!
November 30, 2020
A rating.
September 23, 2025
My favorite of the series so far.
What I like-
- The sentient house. I am a sucker for these in fantasy
- Jessie incremental learning about her magic and the progression we see.
- Deeper backstory on her crew, especially Austin Steele. I like what we are learning about him, and his POV chapters give a lot of insight of why he is so hesitant to form a non-platonic relationship with Jessie.
- Austin in general. He is a great person. His confidence and support of Jessie is fantastic. Also him stepping up and giving her a 'perfect date' after her dismal date history was pretty cool. Of course they are gonna get together but so far the road isn't too torturous.
- The slow building of her team. I love the 'Knights of the Round' table-like aspect of how she needs to build her team and how the house chooses where they sit at the council table. Ulric, the Pink Gargoyle is one of my favorites. His pride in being chosen and his speech before taking his seat was sweet.
- The balance between the urban fantasy genre conventional plot elements, the humor, and the romance. In one great scene Jessie is just demoralized and exhausted and doesn't understand why this guy (who she has never met nor ever heard of) is so dead set in being her nemesis. He is toying with her and she just wants him to come to her face to face and tell her what he wants. After she gets over her crying jag she declares she is going to 'write him a sternly worded letter!' It is an example of how the author manages to slide in lighter elements throughout.
- The humor. This book is laugh out loud in many places. It leans into the humor and gives everybody a chance to whiff out a funny line.
- Jessie's parents. They were the source of much of the humor in this one. Especially her father. They come to visit and of course, they are regular humans with no knowledge of magic or magical beings. There is a running gag throughout the book where her father refuses to believe his own eyes. Jessie and her crew are abysmally bad at hiding what they are and often times accidentally reveal something magic right in front of her father. He manages to be blithely blind to it all, rationalizing it with explanations he can live with. I loved the end of the book where the explanation he comes up with for all the weirdness is pretty funny and how matter of fact he is about it.
- The dolls. And Jessie's reaction to them all the time.
- The audiobook. I have been listening to the full cast Graphic audio version and the voice cast is superb.
What I like-
- The sentient house. I am a sucker for these in fantasy
- Jessie incremental learning about her magic and the progression we see.
- Deeper backstory on her crew, especially Austin Steele. I like what we are learning about him, and his POV chapters give a lot of insight of why he is so hesitant to form a non-platonic relationship with Jessie.
- Austin in general. He is a great person. His confidence and support of Jessie is fantastic. Also him stepping up and giving her a 'perfect date' after her dismal date history was pretty cool. Of course they are gonna get together but so far the road isn't too torturous.
- The slow building of her team. I love the 'Knights of the Round' table-like aspect of how she needs to build her team and how the house chooses where they sit at the council table. Ulric, the Pink Gargoyle is one of my favorites. His pride in being chosen and his speech before taking his seat was sweet.
- The balance between the urban fantasy genre conventional plot elements, the humor, and the romance. In one great scene Jessie is just demoralized and exhausted and doesn't understand why this guy (who she has never met nor ever heard of) is so dead set in being her nemesis. He is toying with her and she just wants him to come to her face to face and tell her what he wants. After she gets over her crying jag she declares she is going to 'write him a sternly worded letter!' It is an example of how the author manages to slide in lighter elements throughout.
- The humor. This book is laugh out loud in many places. It leans into the humor and gives everybody a chance to whiff out a funny line.
- Jessie's parents. They were the source of much of the humor in this one. Especially her father. They come to visit and of course, they are regular humans with no knowledge of magic or magical beings. There is a running gag throughout the book where her father refuses to believe his own eyes. Jessie and her crew are abysmally bad at hiding what they are and often times accidentally reveal something magic right in front of her father. He manages to be blithely blind to it all, rationalizing it with explanations he can live with. I loved the end of the book where the explanation he comes up with for all the weirdness is pretty funny and how matter of fact he is about it.
- The dolls. And Jessie's reaction to them all the time.
- The audiobook. I have been listening to the full cast Graphic audio version and the voice cast is superb.
October 21, 2025
Tout est dit dans le titre de cette review. J’ai pris un très grand plaisir à lire ce troisième tome des aventures hautes en couleur de Jessie et toute sa clique. Cette fois, nous faisons la connaissance de ses parents qui ne croient pas un gramme au paranormal et ce ne sera pas faute de la part de la d’Yvi House de le leur faire comprendre.
Je les ai bien aimés, ce sont des gens comme tout le monde avec des idées fixes au sujet de leur fille. Jessie quant à elle continue d’apprivoiser ses nouveaux pouvoirs dans le but de contrer un potentiel ennemi qui en veut à la maison.
En plus d’une bonne intrigue qui a su me tenir en haleine jusqu’au bout de ce tome, j’ai bien aimé le dérouler de la romance… enfin, romance… On est sur un véritable slow burn et nos héros ne veulent rien précipiter entre eux malgré leur attirance mutuelle. C’est très bien fait, c’est adulte et ça renforce la tension sexuelle qui existe entre Jessie et Austin, j’adore.
En plus d’une histoire qui tient la route, on a droit aussi à une dose d’humour plus que bienvenue avec des personnages secondaires bien campés et qui savent donner de leur voix.
Une touche de magie est une bonne urban fantasy, une comédie fantastique sans prétention qui me fait toujours passer un bon moment de lecture, et ce tome 3 reste dans cette lignée !
Je les ai bien aimés, ce sont des gens comme tout le monde avec des idées fixes au sujet de leur fille. Jessie quant à elle continue d’apprivoiser ses nouveaux pouvoirs dans le but de contrer un potentiel ennemi qui en veut à la maison.
En plus d’une bonne intrigue qui a su me tenir en haleine jusqu’au bout de ce tome, j’ai bien aimé le dérouler de la romance… enfin, romance… On est sur un véritable slow burn et nos héros ne veulent rien précipiter entre eux malgré leur attirance mutuelle. C’est très bien fait, c’est adulte et ça renforce la tension sexuelle qui existe entre Jessie et Austin, j’adore.
En plus d’une histoire qui tient la route, on a droit aussi à une dose d’humour plus que bienvenue avec des personnages secondaires bien campés et qui savent donner de leur voix.
Une touche de magie est une bonne urban fantasy, une comédie fantastique sans prétention qui me fait toujours passer un bon moment de lecture, et ce tome 3 reste dans cette lignée !
July 21, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️
I love the gargoyles so much 😂 especially Ulric!
The romance in this is such a slow-burn teaser!!
Loving the story, but it is dragging just a little - the end of this book picked up though, so we'll see how book four goes!
I love the gargoyles so much 😂 especially Ulric!
The romance in this is such a slow-burn teaser!!
Loving the story, but it is dragging just a little - the end of this book picked up though, so we'll see how book four goes!
November 24, 2020
Well. Jessie's life is a tangle of potential and fast learning and magical mayhem happening at inconvenient moments and that's BEFORE her parents come to visit. Her parents who know nothing about magic or how Jessie's life has so drastically changed since she claimed the mantle of the mistress of Ivy House. Heck, they don't even know that Ivy House is anything more than a slightly spooky house with a whole lot of character.
Which isn't all that far off the mark, come to think of it.
The point is Jessie has a whole lot on her plate (being able to shapeshift into a gargoyle, learning magic at a breakneck speed, creepers who want her for nefarious purposes) and her parents' arrival is just another headache for her to deal with.
PLUS...there's that thing with Austin. That thing that ISN'T a thing. But should be. They might both have their reasons for holding back, but they both want one another and they're good together and JUST DO IT ALREADY, WILL YOU?!?! And by 'do it' I mean accept that they're more than just friends and works buds and go with where those pesky emotions welling up inside them want them to go.
Magical happenings, a house with some serious defenses, a crew of mismatched individuals who match up quite well together, and the perfect date. Oh, and a horde of pitchfork waving townsfolk looking to cause some damage. Well, it's a horde, at least.
Anywho. I'm digging Jessie's story and her battle to figure things out while keeping those who gravitate toward her safe. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Which isn't all that far off the mark, come to think of it.
The point is Jessie has a whole lot on her plate (being able to shapeshift into a gargoyle, learning magic at a breakneck speed, creepers who want her for nefarious purposes) and her parents' arrival is just another headache for her to deal with.
PLUS...there's that thing with Austin. That thing that ISN'T a thing. But should be. They might both have their reasons for holding back, but they both want one another and they're good together and JUST DO IT ALREADY, WILL YOU?!?! And by 'do it' I mean accept that they're more than just friends and works buds and go with where those pesky emotions welling up inside them want them to go.
Magical happenings, a house with some serious defenses, a crew of mismatched individuals who match up quite well together, and the perfect date. Oh, and a horde of pitchfork waving townsfolk looking to cause some damage. Well, it's a horde, at least.
Anywho. I'm digging Jessie's story and her battle to figure things out while keeping those who gravitate toward her safe. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 28, 2022
Magical Midlife Invasion is book 3 in the Leveling Up series. I enjoyed this book but some of the stuff with her eccentric parents was a bit over the top. I really liked that Jessie and Austin were getting closer. They have great chemistry. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them. The narration was good. I recommend this series so far.
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