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Modern Magic #1
Accidental Magic
Magic is real, fairies are assholes, and everyone knew about it but me…
Sera Allen needs a change. The family house she inherits is the perfect place for a fresh start, except for the sexy neighbor she’d ditched years before and the surprise fairies living across the street. Before long, she’s neck-deep in magic, fae, and zombie bunnies, and her tenuous connection to her powers relies on the one man she wants to avoid.
Jake Thomas is happy in his mundane life. Magic is for other people. Until the girl who’d broken his heart moves back home and he finds himself drawn into the world of the fae. She needs his help, but can he trust her to stick around this time when things get rough?
With a dark force threatening the town, they’ll have to face their pasts and overcome their distrust to have any chance at a future. Together they can make magic, but will it be enough?
Sera Allen needs a change. The family house she inherits is the perfect place for a fresh start, except for the sexy neighbor she’d ditched years before and the surprise fairies living across the street. Before long, she’s neck-deep in magic, fae, and zombie bunnies, and her tenuous connection to her powers relies on the one man she wants to avoid.
Jake Thomas is happy in his mundane life. Magic is for other people. Until the girl who’d broken his heart moves back home and he finds himself drawn into the world of the fae. She needs his help, but can he trust her to stick around this time when things get rough?
With a dark force threatening the town, they’ll have to face their pasts and overcome their distrust to have any chance at a future. Together they can make magic, but will it be enough?
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First published May 22, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 11, 2020
Skip the Foreplay
Ugh. There is something about this book that is just off. The author doesn’t write a single sentence of exposition and not one character has boundaries of any kind about anything.
The first sentence of the book has Jake, the male protagonist, breaking into Sera’s house and her biggest concern is that he’s shirtless. By morning, Sera, the female protagonist, rekindling her romantic relationship with her former high school boyfriend, Jake. There’s no awkwardness at seeing one another again, neither has moved forward in their lives, they’re just right back at it full steam ahead. By the 2nd chapter, the very same day, the author adds in magic, Fae, wolf shifters, druids, gollums, Sera’s abusive ex-husband, Sera’s presumed dead grandma, a villain, and Sera takes to every bit of it without a single moment of hesitation. She’s not even particularly surprised. There are no questions and no discussion about the alternate universe or anything else, rather Sera is ready to get back into bed with Jake all in less than 24 hours. Sera is instantaneously a master magician and it turns out that pretty much everyone in town knows every bit of Sera’s private life. Sera’s mother and the abusive ex spent years colluding to gaslight her that she has mental illness, but she doesn’t even question a single thing. At 24 or 25, a literal winged fairy says “Sera, yer a wizard” and her mental response is that she’ll need to Google the word “sprite” when she gets home later.
This is the 2nd time this year that I’ve come across a book about a woman inheriting grandma’s magical house and reuniting with a high school boyfriend by the time she walks in the front door. I wonder if there was some Reddit prompt for writers and they just churned out these books. The eagerness to Mary Sue these women as all-powerful magic users getting it on with an ex-boyfriend, the writers missed the opportunity to develop the characters or story. I am disappointed that so many women’s lit authors have decided that they aren’t going to write a good book because they’re so focused on writing a hook for a series. They introduce a thousand characters and tangents that they might maybe get to sometime later in future books.
Ugh. There is something about this book that is just off. The author doesn’t write a single sentence of exposition and not one character has boundaries of any kind about anything.
The first sentence of the book has Jake, the male protagonist, breaking into Sera’s house and her biggest concern is that he’s shirtless. By morning, Sera, the female protagonist, rekindling her romantic relationship with her former high school boyfriend, Jake. There’s no awkwardness at seeing one another again, neither has moved forward in their lives, they’re just right back at it full steam ahead. By the 2nd chapter, the very same day, the author adds in magic, Fae, wolf shifters, druids, gollums, Sera’s abusive ex-husband, Sera’s presumed dead grandma, a villain, and Sera takes to every bit of it without a single moment of hesitation. She’s not even particularly surprised. There are no questions and no discussion about the alternate universe or anything else, rather Sera is ready to get back into bed with Jake all in less than 24 hours. Sera is instantaneously a master magician and it turns out that pretty much everyone in town knows every bit of Sera’s private life. Sera’s mother and the abusive ex spent years colluding to gaslight her that she has mental illness, but she doesn’t even question a single thing. At 24 or 25, a literal winged fairy says “Sera, yer a wizard” and her mental response is that she’ll need to Google the word “sprite” when she gets home later.
This is the 2nd time this year that I’ve come across a book about a woman inheriting grandma’s magical house and reuniting with a high school boyfriend by the time she walks in the front door. I wonder if there was some Reddit prompt for writers and they just churned out these books. The eagerness to Mary Sue these women as all-powerful magic users getting it on with an ex-boyfriend, the writers missed the opportunity to develop the characters or story. I am disappointed that so many women’s lit authors have decided that they aren’t going to write a good book because they’re so focused on writing a hook for a series. They introduce a thousand characters and tangents that they might maybe get to sometime later in future books.
August 20, 2021
This wasn't bad, I just found myself unable to ever truly get invested in it. I thought the characters were kind of bland. The romance just picked up where it had left off years earlier, so there was nothing particularly tantalizing or titillating about it. The villains were always just off page, so I felt no threat from them, etc. The world isn't elaborate or detailed.
Nothing was bad. The writing was fine. The narration was fine. The editing (as far as one can tell in audio) seemed fine. I was never quite bored. But I also wasn't overly interested. I wouldn't warn anyone off the book, but I also don't think I'll read he next in the series.
Nothing was bad. The writing was fine. The narration was fine. The editing (as far as one can tell in audio) seemed fine. I was never quite bored. But I also wasn't overly interested. I wouldn't warn anyone off the book, but I also don't think I'll read he next in the series.
April 4, 2024
A great read for teens but convoluted story lines.
January 9, 2022
Mediocre romance with a side of mediocre mystery
The most positive thing I can say about this is that the editing is pretty good.
The characters aren't particularly engaging, the world building is almost non-existent, and the plot could be easily traversed with a troop bingo card.
It's not terrible. There are lots of worse things out there. But that's all I can really say for it.
The most positive thing I can say about this is that the editing is pretty good.
The characters aren't particularly engaging, the world building is almost non-existent, and the plot could be easily traversed with a troop bingo card.
It's not terrible. There are lots of worse things out there. But that's all I can really say for it.
May 5, 2021
Fine but thin, little Kindle Unlimited PNR. Free gets some leeway,but I did have a few nits - leading lady who intuitively levels up in the battle with the big bad and too quick reconnect with second chance love. (Both things would have been more acceptable if the time frame of the story had not been months not weeks.) Oh, and the tag line for this was PNR "with snark" and there really wasn't
August 31, 2020
I started this series with this book and immediately got hooked. The lead character is well thought out and has guts (although confronting an intruder with only a bat may be a bit stupid). Having had a difficult life with her mother & an ex she has difficulty accepting people's care and is very unsure of herself in many ways. I was a bit disappointed in how quickly the 'sex' came up in the story and afraid I skim read that bit - although the fact that they had previously slept together years ago may have explained that.
The other characters came in with enough character to follow through and obviously couldn't be explained as thoroughly without destroying the twists and turns of the book.
The dives into the past history of the characters was enough to bring things into focus without losing the current plot and left enough to look forward to in the next book.
Magic plays an integral part of the book and does happen fairly quickly, which leaves you wondering how the main character copes with such a change in view. Though again background explains this a little.
The mystery was engaging and trying to work out the 2nd 'baddie' was engrossing.
My only disappointment (& the reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars) is the lack of information on the wolf - a wolf wolf or a person wolf/wolf person. As an avid animal lover I would have preferred more on the wolf.
However after reading the book I discovered more is written about the wolf in book 3 - now I need to restrain myself from reading book 3 instead of book 2 next!
The other characters came in with enough character to follow through and obviously couldn't be explained as thoroughly without destroying the twists and turns of the book.
The dives into the past history of the characters was enough to bring things into focus without losing the current plot and left enough to look forward to in the next book.
Magic plays an integral part of the book and does happen fairly quickly, which leaves you wondering how the main character copes with such a change in view. Though again background explains this a little.
The mystery was engaging and trying to work out the 2nd 'baddie' was engrossing.
My only disappointment (& the reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars) is the lack of information on the wolf - a wolf wolf or a person wolf/wolf person. As an avid animal lover I would have preferred more on the wolf.
However after reading the book I discovered more is written about the wolf in book 3 - now I need to restrain myself from reading book 3 instead of book 2 next!
July 11, 2023
Poor Sera has a traumatic experience that causes nightmares at her grandmas. On top of that she meets a boy & falls in love. However, he never calls after they hook up. So she runs home to her mom who convinces her she's crazy. Shortly after she marries a real jerk. He keeps her drugged & controls everything about her life. He locks her in the house. He abuses her. Later she finds out he only married her for her inheritance from her grandma. On top of that grandma had a lot more money than she thought. He's a real slime ball. Jake the guy she ran from is everything she needs. However, when she moves back to town after 7 years to live in grandma's house because she died, is she too late. Will Jake be married? There are a lot of fun snarky comments between the two. Maddie is Jake's sister. She & Sera were friends. When Sera sees Maddie she's done a 180 degree turn. She's not the fun happy girl everyone loves anymore. She's mean, rude,& a spoiled brat. Maddie has no respect for personal space. Now to the magic part. As soon as Sera gets there Ryan, Jake's friend arrives to tell her she has a magical summons. All three go into the woods to talk to the Fae. This is the only complaint I have for the whole story there are barely any Fae characters! Just Zee & Toriex who are Fae, the wolf, & the sprites. For a magical world there needs to be more! Turns out Toriex & her grandma are stuck in a tree. Sera needs to learn magic, find who's helping Toriex & stop them from releasing him. No biggie. Oh I forgot to mention she has 8 days.
June 21, 2020
I love this series! This story is more serious that the prequel and gives the series a whole new tone and atmosphere, but this didn't change how I feel about the series. It is still fantastic just a bit more serious than the prequel.
The author further develops the world and presents a different set of characters. this time we have a different couple and several side characters which will get their own books later and I have to say, I devoured it in one go and can't wait to see what happens next. I loved all the characters and I can't wait to see what happens with them.
There is a lot of magic, but that was to be expected, however, the secrets and the intrigue were quite unexpected and, well, intriguing. The author did a great job unraveling some of the mysteries while keeping some of them for later books and I am dying to know what happens next. I feel like I'm repeating that but the truth is, the author has me hooked and I am loving every minute of it.
This is a fast paced book full of action, and although there is significant portion of romance in here, the main story still revolves around magical events and saving the world. This is really a great series and I highly recommend it.
At the moment there are 4 books in the series: Modern Magic (Prequel), Accidental Magic (Modern Magic Book 1), Insidious Magic (Modern Magic Book 2), and Treacherous Magic (Modern Magic Book 3).
The author further develops the world and presents a different set of characters. this time we have a different couple and several side characters which will get their own books later and I have to say, I devoured it in one go and can't wait to see what happens next. I loved all the characters and I can't wait to see what happens with them.
There is a lot of magic, but that was to be expected, however, the secrets and the intrigue were quite unexpected and, well, intriguing. The author did a great job unraveling some of the mysteries while keeping some of them for later books and I am dying to know what happens next. I feel like I'm repeating that but the truth is, the author has me hooked and I am loving every minute of it.
This is a fast paced book full of action, and although there is significant portion of romance in here, the main story still revolves around magical events and saving the world. This is really a great series and I highly recommend it.
At the moment there are 4 books in the series: Modern Magic (Prequel), Accidental Magic (Modern Magic Book 1), Insidious Magic (Modern Magic Book 2), and Treacherous Magic (Modern Magic Book 3).
October 7, 2020
We read this book for episode 68 of our podcast. Aren’t all Jakes good guys? In Accidental Magic we venture into Mulligan, TX where we meet Sera and Jake, along with Ryan, Zee, Maddie, a mysterious wolf… and so many others! Sera just left a terrible relationship and moved back to her late grandmother Evie’s house, where she spent her last teenage years with love interest Jake and his little sister Maddie. Secrets begin to unfold as Sera investigates the mysterious death of her grandmother and in the process discovers that she has magic, possibly by accident? Not to mention sexy times with good guy Jake. We hope you read along! Join us as we run through the first of the Modern Magic series with… drum roll, author Nicole Hall herself! We had a great conversation with Nicole about her creation so please tune in. For more of our thoughts, listen to episode 68 of Shhh We’re Reading Dirty Books found on any podcast platform!
September 16, 2020
FASCINATING STORY!!!!😁
Great story all the way through! It was very cleverly written and even though it dealt with the Fae and magic the storyline was easy to follow. Sera and Jake were an interesting and unusual couple! Their romance was sexy, sweet and heartwarming! Their interactions and magical challenges were fascinating and engrossing. I found the whole book intriguing, interesting and engrossing. This was the first time I have read a book by Nicole Hall and I have already bought the next one in the series because even though her books deal with a very unusual storyline she writes in such a way that makes the unusual seem totally real!!!! I highly recommend this book. It was very enjoyable!!!😇
Great story all the way through! It was very cleverly written and even though it dealt with the Fae and magic the storyline was easy to follow. Sera and Jake were an interesting and unusual couple! Their romance was sexy, sweet and heartwarming! Their interactions and magical challenges were fascinating and engrossing. I found the whole book intriguing, interesting and engrossing. This was the first time I have read a book by Nicole Hall and I have already bought the next one in the series because even though her books deal with a very unusual storyline she writes in such a way that makes the unusual seem totally real!!!! I highly recommend this book. It was very enjoyable!!!😇
June 18, 2021
Sera and Jake make such a cute couple! I enjoyed seeing them fix the things of the past and work together for a bright future.
I’m still wondering about the wolf…
Will is a jerk and should have been eaten by Torix – or died in another spectacularly horrific way.
I enjoyed the use of magic and the way the Woods work. The use of Samhain and the thinning of the veils were awesome. Sera’s magic is hilarious (more eating than actually useful). LOL.
Can’t wait to read about Ryan, Zee and Maddie in future books.
Trigger warnings: language, domestic abuse, animal sacrifice
I’m still wondering about the wolf…
Will is a jerk and should have been eaten by Torix – or died in another spectacularly horrific way.
I enjoyed the use of magic and the way the Woods work. The use of Samhain and the thinning of the veils were awesome. Sera’s magic is hilarious (more eating than actually useful). LOL.
Can’t wait to read about Ryan, Zee and Maddie in future books.
Trigger warnings: language, domestic abuse, animal sacrifice
December 29, 2022
good
When Sera’s grandmother dies, she heads back to the town she left in a hurry as a teenager.
There she learns about the magical heritage she never knew she had, and meets up again with the man she never forgot.
A fun magical romance, that explores second chances, mysterious magical heritages, and evil entities trying to take over the world.
Sera is recovering from an abusive marriage, and escaping a controlling mother. What she discovers is proof she is sane, and the potential love of a lifetime.
An enjoyable fantasy tale for PNR fans and fantasy romance fans alike.
When Sera’s grandmother dies, she heads back to the town she left in a hurry as a teenager.
There she learns about the magical heritage she never knew she had, and meets up again with the man she never forgot.
A fun magical romance, that explores second chances, mysterious magical heritages, and evil entities trying to take over the world.
Sera is recovering from an abusive marriage, and escaping a controlling mother. What she discovers is proof she is sane, and the potential love of a lifetime.
An enjoyable fantasy tale for PNR fans and fantasy romance fans alike.
July 16, 2023
Story premise ok but whiny characters and dragging story arc made it a slog
There was potential here but the story really dragged and the heroine is so whiny and annoying. There’s a lot thrown out here and a lot left dangling at the end. While the heroine and her guy seem happy at the end nothing else is resolved which left me feeling unsatisfied.
The book really drags in parts and is repetitive in parts. A good editor probably could have made this a tighter and more satisfying story. I probably won’t continue with the series.
There was potential here but the story really dragged and the heroine is so whiny and annoying. There’s a lot thrown out here and a lot left dangling at the end. While the heroine and her guy seem happy at the end nothing else is resolved which left me feeling unsatisfied.
The book really drags in parts and is repetitive in parts. A good editor probably could have made this a tighter and more satisfying story. I probably won’t continue with the series.
October 17, 2023
2.5 Stars
This book started out a bit choppy. I understood that Sera was returning to her grandmother's home, which had been willed to her after her grandmother's death, but everything seemed rushed. I think there was a lot of potential in this, and with some structure and more refinement, it would have been better. Sera has magic that has been hidden. She thought she was crazy. The boy she loved as a teen is still worthy. And her ex is crazy. The rest just got thrown around and didn't make a lot of sense.
This book started out a bit choppy. I understood that Sera was returning to her grandmother's home, which had been willed to her after her grandmother's death, but everything seemed rushed. I think there was a lot of potential in this, and with some structure and more refinement, it would have been better. Sera has magic that has been hidden. She thought she was crazy. The boy she loved as a teen is still worthy. And her ex is crazy. The rest just got thrown around and didn't make a lot of sense.
September 28, 2022
I'm already grabbing the next one
There's not a lot of depth to the characters yet - I'm hoping that will change in subsequent books? Unfortunately, Goodreads doesn't offer 1/2 star ratings so I've been walking between 3 & 4 stars. However, the plotline held my interest and I'm intrigued enough about what's to become of the antagonists that I've already grabbed the next book - I figure that deserves a 4-star rating.
There's not a lot of depth to the characters yet - I'm hoping that will change in subsequent books? Unfortunately, Goodreads doesn't offer 1/2 star ratings so I've been walking between 3 & 4 stars. However, the plotline held my interest and I'm intrigued enough about what's to become of the antagonists that I've already grabbed the next book - I figure that deserves a 4-star rating.
May 22, 2021
I enjoyed it!
I've been looking for a new author to read, and found this. Definitely glad that happened! It's got good writing, an interesting story, and has enough going on that it seems like a smaller book than it really is. I got so into it that I read it front to back! Yes, I'll be reading the next book, and will see what else this author has.
✋🐺
I've been looking for a new author to read, and found this. Definitely glad that happened! It's got good writing, an interesting story, and has enough going on that it seems like a smaller book than it really is. I got so into it that I read it front to back! Yes, I'll be reading the next book, and will see what else this author has.
✋🐺
June 13, 2021
Good read
This book has humor, loads of magic and danger, and a couple of sex scenes. She has always thought she was going crazy, but turns out she's not, even though her ex wants her to think so. Her grandmother is presumed dead and the Fae need her help. Lots of twists and turns and you can't tell who all the bad guys are. Highly recommend for urban fantasy fans.
This book has humor, loads of magic and danger, and a couple of sex scenes. She has always thought she was going crazy, but turns out she's not, even though her ex wants her to think so. Her grandmother is presumed dead and the Fae need her help. Lots of twists and turns and you can't tell who all the bad guys are. Highly recommend for urban fantasy fans.
April 11, 2022
I think I wasn't in the right frame of mind to read this book. Honestly, I found every character so irritating I almost gave up. Sera is whiny and stupid. I hated pretty much everything about her. None of the characters made a single smart choice in the whole book. I'm hoping I can try this series again when I'm in a better mood and can forgive the stupid.
June 28, 2022
Not quite sure how to rate this one. As Sera moves back to the one place where she felt happy as an child she encounters many truths about herself that have been hidden all of her life. At times I felt as though she was much younger than she is supposed to be. The interaction between the main male characters feel as though they are still in high school. I have no desire to read the next book.
March 26, 2023
Got this ebook free.
Not a gripping story in itself. Not sure how a newbie to magic understands the use of shields, how to activate them and how to drop them and gather in magic.
Why did the newbie have to take on the bad guy and why didn't the Fae sort it all out permanently in the first place.
What happened to the bad guy, where did he go?
This book posed more questions than answers.
Not a gripping story in itself. Not sure how a newbie to magic understands the use of shields, how to activate them and how to drop them and gather in magic.
Why did the newbie have to take on the bad guy and why didn't the Fae sort it all out permanently in the first place.
What happened to the bad guy, where did he go?
This book posed more questions than answers.
July 7, 2023
Could NOT finish this book, even 2 chapters in I was confused and that continued throughout the sections I painfully read. All in 3 pages you were thrown into a crazy supernatural fight, with the main character having super strong magic (that she didn’t know!). All the while she doesn’t hesitate or ask anything, her only concern was jake and he’s shirts.
September 25, 2023
A fun weekend read, but missing a little choppy and predictable. That said, I'll be picking up the next one. Sera returns to her grandmother's home and community after the death of her grandmother. Soon Sera learns that there was magic all around her grandmother's life and home. Evie is summoned almost immediately by the forest fae to help solve a problem. She soon learns that faeries are jerks.
June 2, 2020
I love this author's writing style! There's fantasy, there's romance and there's some snarkiness! It's refreshing to have characters that I can instantly relate to and they respond exactly how I would respond if put into situations like Sera does. Can't wait for more books in this series!!
October 7, 2021
This book is about a girl that moves back home into an old family members house who had recently passed, only to find out she's a witch. My favorite part was when her highschool boyfriend was there and she finds out he is a fae (basically a fairy).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2021
Fun read
This is a very entertaining story with a heroine who is in the process of discovering herself after years of abuse and the friend who knows that he never forgot her. Highly recommended.
This is a very entertaining story with a heroine who is in the process of discovering herself after years of abuse and the friend who knows that he never forgot her. Highly recommended.
did-not-finish
June 23, 2022DNF at 51%. This just isn’t working for me. Supposedly, the dude has been in love with her for 7 years but while she was gone, he’s been a manwhore. And this is just not grabbing my attention. Not worth finishing.
July 10, 2022
She thought she was going crazy
Why did her grandmother keep her magic a secret? Where was her grandmother? The fairy told her that her grandmother was still alive. How can she get her back?
Why did her grandmother keep her magic a secret? Where was her grandmother? The fairy told her that her grandmother was still alive. How can she get her back?
August 15, 2022
Great story telling
Didn't know what to expect or who to trust. Hope the story telling carries on in the sequel. Good relationship building, also my with getting insight on the characters.
Didn't know what to expect or who to trust. Hope the story telling carries on in the sequel. Good relationship building, also my with getting insight on the characters.
December 17, 2022
this was a fun good magical read!
A break from reality! Sometimes it’s nice to just break from reality into what if land. This is a great fast read with pace, setting and characters in great form!
A break from reality! Sometimes it’s nice to just break from reality into what if land. This is a great fast read with pace, setting and characters in great form!
June 15, 2023
Fun and fast paced
These characters had a great dynamic together that flew off the pages as the story progressed. There was a lot of great banter back and forth that also moved things along. Can't wait to see what more Mulligan and its residents have to offer.
These characters had a great dynamic together that flew off the pages as the story progressed. There was a lot of great banter back and forth that also moved things along. Can't wait to see what more Mulligan and its residents have to offer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews