Midlife at Midsummer

Not Too Late #5

by Victoria Danann

A NOT TOO LATE novella

Rita Hayworth transitioned from underappreciated insurance adjuster and underappreciated wife to the most powerful figure in the magic world. The job came with perks. Guaranteed health, a dream home, wonderful neighbors, magical dogs, and a sexy soul mate who's also a legendary relative of the fae. So what's wrong with that? Keir has a burning desire for a formal commitment, but Rita's been burned by love before.

When she finally makes a decision and agrees to let the vampire officiate, it seems happily ever after is at the next stoplight. But wait. This is Rita. It can't be that easy because, for one thing, Loki just can't seem to leave her alone.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Novella

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2021

About the author

Over three million books sold.
Eighteen times Amazon #1.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Danann, is the author of over forty works of romance: paranormal, scifi, fantasy, and contemporary.

Her Knights of Black Swan series was voted BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES FIVE YEARS IN A ROW!

WEBSITE: https://www.VictoriaDanann.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/authorvictoriadanann

FOLLOW ON AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Danan...

COZY WOMEN'S ROMANTASY

Not Too Late 1. Midlife Magic
Not Too Late 2. Midlife Mayhem
Not Too Late 3. Midlife Mojo
Not Too Late 4. Midlife at Midnight
Not Too Late 5. Midlife at Midsummer
Not Too Late 6. Trials of Tregeagle
Not Too Late 7. Hallow Hill at Halloween 1
Not Too Late 8. Hallow Hill at Halloween 2 P
Not Too Late 9. MADE


WITCHES and WARLOCKS

Witches of Wimberley 1. Willem
Witches of Wimberley 2. Witch Wants Forever
Witches of Wimberley 3. Wednesday

READING ORDER:


THE KNIGHTS OF BLACK SWAN

Knights of Black Swan 1.My Familiar Stranger
Knights of Black Swan 2. The Witch's Dream
Knights of Black Swan 3. A Summoner's Tale (BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR, 2013)
Knights of Black Swan 4. Moonlight (BEST SHIFTER NOVEL OF THE YEAR, 2013)
Knights of Black Swan 5. Gathering Storm
Knights of Black Swan 6. A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Knights of Black Swan 7. Solomon's Sieve (BEST VAMPIRE NOVEL OF THE YEAR, 2014)
Knights of Black Swan 8. Vampire Hunter
Knights of Black Swan 9. Journey Man
Knights of Black Swan 10. Falcon (BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR, 2016)
Knights of Black Swan 11. Jax
Knights of Black Swan 12. Deliverance
Knights of Black Swan 13. Black Dog
Knights of Black Swan 14. Trespass
Knights of Black Swan 15. Irish War Cry
Knights of Black Swan 16. The Music Demon

Order of the Black Swan Novels
Black Swan Novel, Prince of Demons


THE HYBRIDS

Exiled 1. Carnal
Exiled 2. Crave
Exiled 3, Charming


THE WEREWOLVES

New Scotia Pack 1. Shield Wolf: Liulf
New Scotia Pack 2. Wolf Lover: Konochur
New Scotia Pack 3. Fire Wolf: Cinaed

HOTBLOODED 1. Stalk


CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Sons of Sanctuary MC , Book 1. Two Princes
Sons of Sanctuary MC , Book 2. The Biker's Brother
Sons of Sanctuary MC , Book 3. Nomad
Sons of Sanctuary MC , Book 4. Devil's Marker
Sons of Sanctuary MC, Book 5. Roadhouse
Cajun Devils MC, Book 1. Batiste
Sons of Sanctuary MC, Book 5. Roadhouse

Reviews

[Linzi Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

RANT WARNING:
Yes I was a huge fan, I got it on KU on publication day for heaven's sake! But I felt really cheated and incredibly disappointed (I actually cried tears of fury and disappointment at the end) by this latest offering in Rita's much-loved series and having adored and rated the others highly I simply won't do that this time.

It says it's a novella - but really while it might technically be a novella - it's more of a long short story, it's less than half the length of the second book - which in turn was less than half of the first book.

Short doesn't necessarily mean bad - but there's no clue that it IS so short - at the time of reviewing it's the same price as the first book which was over four times the length and therefore had an actual story to it - which this one is noticeably lacking.

I read it in well under an hour. And again that's not necessarily bad - I have happily read the type of 0.5, 1.50, 2.50 ebooks that contain some vital and much-awaited scene (especially a wedding) and been perfectly happy with 20 - 60 pages. Except that in this short novella all the actual scenes with the characters we've come to love, especially the ones that should have had the good romantic feels are barely a page or two! And then ... it just stops!

The bulk of the first 48% of the book is taken up with a looooooong, tedious and boring conversation with Loki - which actually goes nowhere and achieves literally nothing to do with any plot or storyline.

The author may be setting something up for a future book - but taking half of this super-short-short to do that and then cheating us out of Keir properly talking Rita into marrying him in a somewhat convincing way, given their short time together and her 20-year history of broken trust with her ex-husband it was pretty much:

R: No, not yet I'm really not ready, let me take some time
K: Oh but I'm so cute and I'll love you forever
R: Oh OK then, I'll just pretend I didn't have any reason to be cautious
(This is NOT a spoiler it's the first couple of pages)

And then compressing the actual wedding itself into a super short postscripty thing - is just breaking my reader trust in Victoria's books irreparably.

What was the point of Rita talking John David into marrying them if we don't know anything about what he said? (I mean there's a wonderfully funny potential scene just thrown in the trash - right?) Rita and Keir's vows? Nope. The complete lack of Keir's brothers at his wedding!?! Any other bridal party members? This is NOT paranormal romance - it's a paranormal disappointment.

And finally - Rita is living in England. As do I and like all the other Brit readers I wish the author would do some however-bloody-brief damn research. We don't have/eat/serve Lox Ploughmans. Because we don't have Lox up here (we also don't call the closest thing to it Lox 'up north') - that would be an American thing. I've seen many previous reviews giving a heads up about major cultural issues, food errors, distance errors, and things that would be obvious to anyone who had lived here for the length of time, 10 months, that Rita is supposed to have done.

Authors, please don't set your series in a specific part of Cumbria if you're unwilling to do ANY research about the things that make my home county so incredible and unique.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment.

This is at best a long short story or a short novella adding little to the series. Rita's wedding is not recounted, only that it happened. There are three short courtroom scenes. There is a conversation with Loki and that's about it. After waiting expectantly for the next book, I am still waiting.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read about the hysterical and fantastic life of Rita Hayworth as the only human in the village of Hallow Hill with her mythical and magical friends. More outrageous judicial cases take place at the Court Meet, another visit from the irrepressible Loki, and the continuing crackerjack, clever dialogue and interaction with the delicious Sephalian Keir make for a terrific, entertaining read. If you need a laugh and something to put that smile back on your face, this is the series to do it! It's just terrific!

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midlife at Midsummer is a short and entertaining story. I was glad to see the court cases were back in this one which are always interesting. I would have loved more detail about Keir and Rita's wedding than was provided. I'm sure that there will be more to look forward to in the next book with Loki after his brief appearance in this one.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

So glad that I didn't pay for this but used Kindle Unlimited. Definitely not up to the standards of the first 4 books in the series. So short and no real plot or anything to recommend it. Like 'here's a little bit of a storyline. Let's throw in a few fairy tales court cases, and stop'. Maybe it was just to set up the next book but still. I'm not a 'fast' reader and I read this very short story in under 90 minutes. So disappointed. :( No adventure or anything. The main characters didn't show any real emotions that came through. Even when Keir couldn't wake Rita (for a - again- very short time) it didn't show much emotion. I'll give the next book a chance hoping this one was a fluke.

[IdRatherBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and simple!

This book wasn’t so much about Rita getting married but the events before her vows. Including a court meet, with new regulations in place by her of course. Trickster Loki makes an appearance but I was more entertained with Keirs’ reaction to said dilemma. Her daughter evil has come into her new fae powers wonderfully.

[Stephanie Ransby · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last...#6

I can't wait to find out how the series ends. I hope it is as good as the story leading to it.

[Dr. K S~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the norm

Something happened in this part of the story..... not typical of the author. The story was incomplete. It was not cohesive. There was little addition to the previous character development. Overall a disappointment

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-1/2 stars: Well I’m really glad that I was warned ahead of time that this was a major let down. I was OK that this was a “novella” though in all fairness it felt closer to a longer short story than an actual novella. What really disappointed me was the fact that the author complete skimmed over the actual wedding. WTF?! There was all this lead up and then it was over. Also, the whole interlude with Loki felt like a lead-in to something coming down the road because otherwise it had zero purpose. This totally could have been the start to the next full length book instead of a separately published piece. I’m very glad I got it for free through Kindle Unlimited and I guess maybe it would have been ok to pay the $.99 they are charging for it… but maybe not. I’m definitely not giving up on the series, at least not yet. I think if I hadn’t been warned I may have been angrier about this huge let down of a story where nothing happened. Keeping my fingers crossed that the next book is back up to par with the rest of this great series.

[Lucy Dosch (EBookObsessed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epilogue to the Not Too Late series.

Midlife at Midsummer is mostly an epilogue to the series.  We again see Evie re-settling into her new life after the upheaval of Evie's abduction.  We also have Keir trying to convince Rita that it is time for a handfasting between them.  It is only 10 months since Rita divorced her husband of 20 years and started this new life at Hallow Hill.    Rita could happily see herself spending this new life with Keir by her side, even if she will someday grow old and he will not, but is a formal handfasting really necessary?  But will Keir be content without one?

Rita is busy trying to decide if she is ready to make that commitment to Keir when someone absconds with her this time.  Rita and her no-nonsense court has shaken the long-lived fae and other powerful beings who have long believed that they could do as the please.   Rita is an interesting and shiny new toy in this magical world and someone has decided they want to play.   Rita will have to out-think a God so she can get back to her sweet Town of Hallow Hill and give her sephalian her answer.

Again there is good and bad with making waves in this age old pool.  Rita has made some wonderful new  friends and some dangerous enemies in her short time as magistrate and has caught the attention of someone very powerful who wants to keep that shiny new toy all for himself.  With no way to escape this powerful being, Rita will need to think fast if she want to go home.

I am sad to see an end of the series, which was more like one long story.  The characters were great and Court meets had so much potential for conflicts between the different groups.  We definitely could have followed this series for awhile.   It should be noted that the author's website has on her list a Book 6: Trials at Tregeagle, but clicking on that only takes you to Amazon's website and Midlife at Midsummer.  If there is a book 6, I will absolutely be grabbing a copy of the audiobook since the narrator does such a wonderful job.

I definitely enjoyed this series and would happily read more.

[Sue-Dee Numb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella rather than a novel, and though it feels like the end, it's only the beginning of a new life for Rita!
This entry into this amazingly creative series is brief but that doesn't mean it's lacking content, it still has 3 cases for the magistrate to judge and cause waves in the Fae Population. Keir is still his strong, loving presence, and a wedding is in the offing.
This entry inn the Not To Late series does feel like it's setting up the pins for the bowling ball, and it's relieving to learn this will not be the last book in this amazing series. I'm looking forward to seeing how Victoria Danann will move this series on. There is a lot going on in the background for Rita, not just in her duties as magistrate, nor as her role as mother-in-law to one of the Fae kings or girlfriend to the sephalian or even host of the legendary lunches! No Rita seems to have drawn the interest of other supernatural creatures and gods alike!!

I'd love to see a book of just trial entries, Danann comes up with some depraved crimes that the Fae seem oblivious to the wrongness of what they are doing to each other. The way she handles each case and the sentence she hands down is delightfully depraved! With the punishment truly fitting the crime, a justice system I'm sure we would love to see implemented for real!
However on saying that it's not just Rita's magistrate duties that make this series so entertaining. Rather it is the relationships that Rita has forged, that despite the town having been in existence with the same population for millennia, Rita had brought a sense of community with members who were outliers are enveloped in her community spirit.
A great series.
Was this book shorter than i would have liked, yes. However knowing it is not the end, well i can take a few less pages for a few more books!!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course we needed closure for Kier and his desire to wed Rita. Why she resisted, I can’t understand but it makes for some good tension and a conflict to overcome. So when she finally capitulated I rejoiced and then commenced the planning which was way fun for me. One of the things, besides the clever wit and banter is the continued aromas, food, plants, weather that Danaan describes. I can see, smell, hear, taste, and feel everything around the characters, not to mention feeling the emotions. The interaction between Rita and Keir cracks me up, but I love watching the new dynamics between the newlyweds and their parents. All the court cases were engaging again. One in particular, the case of the enchanted easel was disturbing and proved that Danaan can write violence and horror with aplomb. This book went fast for me for some reason. Maybe I was eager to get to the wedding? I was. There was a point when the court season was over but it was another two days to the the wedding, and Kier was already calling Rita “wife.” I loved that. I really enjoy how much he loves her. I was disappointed not to attend the actual wedding and just skip through it and onto the perfect honeymoon which was also devoid of specifics or prolonged description. It was a bit anticlimactic.

[Linda Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series

I have enjoyed this series so much, it's easy reading, light hearted, fun & has wonderful characters. It's not epic fantasy by any means, the books are short but still enjoyable.
My only gripe with this latest instalment is the ending, it just stopped , seems quite rushed & I won't explain too much as it would be a huge spoiler for other readers but one page we are in a ' scene ' then the next it ends, a bit strange & unsatisfying is my personal opinion. I know the books and & lead into the next one but it can't be described as a cliff hanger as it's not, it just stops. The book list a star for me for that alone sadly, still looking forward to the next one tho. I recommend starting this series with the first book & read in order as you need the character development and background to understand this book. Enjoy

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending was somewhat of a let down

I have loved every single book in this series and anticipated every release day. I've read multiple series from this author and enjoyed them all. This book has all the fanfare leading up to the wedding and the current court...but there is nothing. A chapter, maybe 2 covering court...and there are very few details about the cases being heard...no shenanigans....and that's the end of court. The wedding and honeymoon get the last chapter, together. Very few details about the wedding and the honeymoon. They certainly could have been expanded on to give the book a little more length and not seem like the story was dragging on. All this lead up, for a few paragraphs...was a let down.

[Kirstie McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

A quick wrap up for the Rita series, ending in a wedding as before any lighthearted tale (although it looks like there will be a highlights reel of her married and magistrate life going forward). Nicely totes up all the loose ends. I’ve really enjoyed this series, it’s an excellent example of storytelling that doesn’t require breaking the heroine to provide an interesting story. Plus, it’s interesting to see a story about a woman in power who simply is able to live her life, and wills that power, without having to pay heavily in some other life choice. No penalty for competence. Highly enjoyable!

[Laura Levada · Rating 2 out of 5]

Que decepção! Como é que pode uma serie tão boa, terminar assim (não sei se terminou mesmo) Eu esperei um bocado por esse livro, para sair essa coisa corrida, eu fiquei, tipo, o que?
A primeira parte do livro é um papo chato entre Rita e Loki, depois passa para o tribunal que sempre foi minha parte favorita e desta vez foi "meia boca", em seguida vamos para o casamento da Rita, e... acabou. Não teve descrição da cerimonia, não falou sobre como foi o Jonh David oficiando o casamento, nada sobre como foi para o pessoal da cidade, ou os convidados ou como foi o marco de ser o primeiro casamento de um magistrado humano e de um sephalian, ou a lua de mel. Uma boa historia jogada no lixo.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita has a busy summer with planning a wedding, court to hold and a nocturnal visit from Loki. I love that I don't really think of her age anymore. She has more adventure than most and more experience on which to base her decisions. She is full of wonder and love. I'm glad her daughter continues to play an important role. I loved Evie's story in the last book. It seems that no matter what book Loki is in, the character is full of mischief and fun and this is no exception. I love this series! I read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandy Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of antics and fun in this story. It looks like Rita and her extremely good-looking fae fiancé, Keir, are maybe about to tie the knot, but not without a few hiccups. John David, the vampire, makes an appearance along with Loki which is quite hilarious with what he wants with Rita. I love all the mystical and magic beings in the story. The book is fast-paced and will definitely capture your attention. How can you not want to live in this world? I was smiling through-out the entire book. Don't miss out on this opportunity for escapism at its finest.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series but the only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was that it was like a novella…too short, very little substance. It was as if the author got tired of writing. It was a great premise which could have been developed in much greater length and detail. The court meet cases were given short shrift with barely any mention and they are usually so detailed and interesting. I’m hoping the last book will be as good as the first three with character depth, fully developed plot length, intrigue and her classic humor.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series is cute and we’ll written, and I love the characters, but the last two books struck me as very passive feeling. Like, things happened and the characters just rolled with it. Even the main characters wedding at the end felt like a thing just tossed in at the end of a chapter. There doesn’t seem to be much character growth or challenges to overcome, just events that transpire. I almost DNF’ed books 4 and 5, but kept going out of respect for how much I liked the series in books 1 and 2, and because they’re easy, quick reads, so I figured I might as well finish.

[debra haslett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is more an outline then a book,very disappointed

I don't k ow what the author was doing or publisher when this was considered completed. Unlike the rest of the series this was more a short story lacking any depth with the characters or storyline.One minute Rita agreed to getting married and the next she was on a ho symptom and bam the book was done. I actually thought I accidentally jumped forward on my kindle because it was over before it actually took off. Don't bother reading this one unless your so bored and nothing g to do for a few hours.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book actually read like 4-5 short stories all jammed together. And, I'm saying "book" euphemistically. This was a short story, no way around it. There were 3 very short court scenes, one (and a little more) scene with Loki that led to some other interactions, and a short, very short, discussion about the wedding. Not a story about the wedding, just a little info and maybe a few extra pages about where they honeymoon. I've previously enjoyed every other book in this series. This one, however, almost seemed to be written as an afterthought.

[Rebecca Stigers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well first of all it's a Victoria Danann book!
Second it's another look into Rita Hayworth and her life as the Magistrate... There's laughs, a few tear's, lot's of interesting magical beings. Oh and did you know her daughter is a Queen now? Oh yeah...and do you know that Loki the God of Tricksters has a "thing" for Rita! I wished there was more of the story! I want more of Rita and her magical story! Great read!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short and fun book to read. A lot of my favorite characters had a part in this book, especially Rita and Keir. Rita’s new life is anything but boring, with the court meet starting, planning a hand feasting and having a selfish little devil butting into your life. But having your daughter as a Irish Fae Queen sure does help. I couldn’t put this book down. It was amazingly written, I loved reading it.

[Kristin M Roork · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with the book. In the past Victoria Danann has written full, fun and interesting plot books. It seems like she is having "writer's block". Maybe she needs to take a vacation from writing and do something else. I hope she gets her mojo back because I have really enjoyed reading this series of books.
The book seemed to end with a whimper without her usual "I can hardly wait for the next book."

[Just Jese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was this so short?

Did I enjoy this? Yes, I did. We got everything we normally got from these books EXCEPT an appearance of an Olivia legendary lunch, Maggie and the antique shop visits, and more/detailed court cases.
I’m questioning why I even gave this 4/5 as this screamed more of a novella than something we’ve grown to like. I’m just really disappointed because of the length and lack of real story here. We got more wedding planning action in the last book than this one!

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Novella

I enjoyed this book. It was shorter and less complex than the first 4 books in the series. But it was still an enjoyable read. I liked the more in depth scene with Loki and curious to where that will go. But mostly I loved the cases the Magistrate judges. There were only 3 and they were short, but very interesting. I hope that this part of the books is not going to become less of the storyline. It is what makes this series unique for me.

[Mel Large · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downward slide..

I have binged read all five of the books in this series, thus far. Book 1 - book 3 were amazing and could not stop reading and I swore Victoria Danaan was the best author out there (and I have read plenty of different works). Book 4 was a great story about Evie and her journey and seeing inside the relationship of mother and daughter. This story, though, (#5) just seemed a bit rushed and way to short. Sort of makes me not want to read her upcoming segment.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of putting novellas into the middle of novel series. This felt like a token offering to an editor’s deadline that had to be retitled “novella” because of its brevity. Second shortcake in this series, and it looks like the next installment is the same. When half of your books are half-books, it’s hard to view it as a series and not an attempt to monopolize on what should’ve been a simple trilogy.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book in this series. I loved it!

Amazon synopsis:
Rita Hayworth transitioned from an underappreciated insurance adjuster and underappreciated wife to the most powerful figure in the magic world. The job came with perks. Guaranteed health, a dream home, wonderful neighbors, magical dogs, and a sexy soul mate who's also a legendary relative of the fae. So what's wrong with that? Keir has a burning desire for a formal commitment, but Rita's been burned by love before.

When she finally makes a decision and agrees to let the vampire officiate, it seems happily ever after is at the next stoplight. But wait. This is Rita. It can't be that easy because, for one thing, Loki just can't seem to leave her alone.