Klutz: Phoenix Secrets

But Did You Die? #3

by Sedona Ashe

My billionaire dragon mate knows how to pamper a girl!
Rich? Check.
Hot? Check.
Driving my other mates insanely jealous? Check and checkmate!

Xerxes, my dragon mate, has whisked me away to Mexico. He keeps showering me with expensive gifts, breathtaking views, and lavish meals. I’m more of a cheeseburger girl, but I’m not one to complain about food. I just need to learn how to walk in heels without killing myself, again. Been there, done that.

I’ve spent my life trying not to die and failing at it spectacularly. It’s time for me to show them all how tough I really am. Training isn’t easy, but I’m not going to be weak or rely on others to keep me safe. I’m going to protect myself... After I die a few more times, of course. I mean, things change, but do they really?

Things are looking up for me and my mates. Well, everyone except Anzac and Mace. They are working hard to make up for the past, but Imp has it out for them, and her ridiculous pranks are getting out of hand.

What’s coming next, though…isn’t going to be all fun and games. It’s time to pay my parents a visit and get the answers I’m owed. Are they even my parents? Ridgeforce is in shambles and Midnight has put out a contract on our heads. I’m determined, with my mates’ help, to take down every person who was involved with both corrupt agencies. Oh, and I still have a curse to figure out.

It’s time to get my big girl panties on, the cheap ones, not the pretty ones that Xerxes bought me…because they’re probably going to burn anyway.

And what if all my training isn’t enough? What if I keep dying? What if a girl can’t catch a break?

I’m just a girl who’s on fire…
Literally, because I’m a Phoenix.

"But Did You Die?" is a comedy filled, bully (only in book one), paranormal romance series that includes jaguar shifters, a mysterious underground society, fated mates, and an incredibly clumsy Phoenix. Follow Amaryllis as she discovers who she is and ‘collects’ her soulmates along the way! It is full of humor, adventure, and scenes to entice and thrill you... or to make you unexpectedly snort with laughter. The series will have a HEA…it will just take a little while to get there!

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Why Choose, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Magic

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2022

About the author

Sedona Ashe lives in a tiny town in Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. She enjoys reading and writing stories filled with powerful paranormal females, and sexy supernatural men. Sedona has a tea collection of over 300 teas from around the world, which her husband claims has become an obsession. When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking, free diving, and photography. She shares her home with three kids, four pups, five cats, an arctic fox, chickens, a crazy turkey, and way too many reptiles!

Reviews

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

“I was deadly with a bow and arrow. I’d killed everything I hit. The issue was I’d yet to hit anything other than myself.”

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klutz: Phoenix Secrets is the third installment within the But Did You Die? series.

Just like the first two books, Ryls can definitely die in some funny ways. I also enjoyed the bantering between her and the shadow. Mostly because they know how she died from a bug flying into her mouth. I mean, if I saw it happen, I would probably give her shit too.

I also thought the introduction to her new mate, a dragon shifter, was kind of fun too. Even though he thought every date he was taking her on was extra safe. He found out that she will somehow always find a way to die. Not on purpose though but still funny.

Other than that, we get to meet some of her family. Honestly, not a fan of George because he's a huge douche canoe. If anyone deserves to die, it would be him. Besides him, we do get to see her bond with more of her mates which definitely made me happy. I just wasn't expecting the way this one ended. I thought this was going to be a trilogy, so I'm surprised that we are getting another book.

At least it comes out in October so the wait shouldn't be too bad. Right?

[Maureen C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiring

The storyline is getting tiring and going no where fast. Frustrated by the same cliffhanger endings without any substance. Just when i think the action is going somewhere good. Cliffhanger ending with months to wait. Wash and repeat. I don’t plan on reading others in series or by author.

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one. It was amazing and I can't wait for the next book to come out. Fun, cute and sexy as fuck. Plenty of action and fighting.

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow this series keeps getting better and funnier. Honestly Ryls is one hilarious heroine and the ways she dies are often even funnier and in the most random ways you can think of. After escaping captivity and learning the scope of the evil against supernaturals, Ryls is pumped up to dole out some retribution. While she's often a loose cannon, she's the best option the world has and the worst considering she can end it all if she chooses. As she keeps adding mates, the more peaceful life is what she craves and with or without their help she plans to take down the big organization using and experimenting on shifters. The overall concept is not a new idea to paranormal romacne but the little details and awesome heroine are really making it stand out on it's own! It's pretty funny the guys reactions to Ryls especially in dangerous situations. I mean she literally cannot die unless they do and what do these idiots do but try and shield her. Then again outside of her Shadow, her other men like to see her spread her wings and save the day. Looking forward to more fun, craziness and all the new talents Ryls will pick up along the way!!!

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[My_Strange_Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I DNFed this series about 40% into book 4, so this is my review of the series up to that point.

The story has an interesting premise, but there are so many plot holes that you can’t make it to the next scene without wondering what happened.

The men are paper thin and indistinguishable, and Ryls is just a strange heroine. She doesn’t curse—for no reason other than it’s supposed to be funny? She doesn’t have a clear motivation or goal, but yet get overly confident about her powers when she didn’t even know what she was in the first book. The smut was weird and because everyone was paper thin there was no tension or build up. It was a fun ride at first, but then I got very bored.

Phoenix Down ⭐️⭐️
The men are assholes.

Phoenix Heat ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The new men are dreamy.

Phoenix Secrets⭐️⭐️⭐️
All the men are protective and obsessed with her.

Phoenix Revenge ⭐️
DNF 40% BORED.

In my opinion, not worth it.

[Siri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the previous ones, i feel like the story is getting interesting and good. I would love if the books where thicker tho, it´s kinda short. The guys is a very mixed kinda bunch, i do have love hate to some of them. From what they did before but i feel they really wants this to work. I will just have to see. I like the fmc Ryls or Amaryllis , her crazy clumsy ass. She is a genuin person who is getting killed at every turn literary. I did not like her at the beginning so much but she has grown some and i have started to like her.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

So the one liners are getting old. I think this would have been better as a trilogy with A tighter story. Moving on since I'm almost done.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Amaryllis (Ryls) - Phoenix
Jaguar Pack: Anzack, Knox, Dagger, Mace, Jet
Trevor - Gryphon shifter
Xerxes - Dragon shifter

[Megan Riverina Romantics · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥. 5
Narrator Performance: Female: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5 Male: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

[Adrianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The novelty of the ridiculous comedy has worn off at this point and I’m looking for some real plot development.

In this book, I felt like we took 10 steps back and then forced a ridiculous death every other scene.

Then the mate I fell in love with in the last book leaves and is gone the entirety of the book.

It’s no longer funny that she keeps dying doing mundane things like having a dinner date. It worked when she thought she was cursed and had no idea what was going on with her in book one. Even in that book she only died because of the extreme conditions of being in the jungle. Then in book two she got smarter. She was taken to be studied and she bided her time trying to learn what was going on then she set the place on fire and killed all the bad guys. But now in this book she’s a bumbling idiot who died going on three dinner dates and also by falling in the tub. It’s too much.

Also, her mates are idiots. The way the protect her rather then pushing her to use her abilities is mind numbing. I’ve also completely lost compassion for the two jerks in the shadow. So essentially I’ve lost interest in the relationships.

I donno, this one really lost me.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

No book 3 slump here! The third book is either a hit or a flop in longer series, and let me tell you this is the first 5 star out of the three so far! It took some time for the bigger picture to kick in, and me to fall in love with it even more...however, this book hit the mark in every way. I felt like in the previous two something was off with the book being rushed/short to end, some holes that I wanted filled, or in other words just more. Don't get me wrong I still wanted more in this book, but just because I am greedy!
What can I say, this series is my favorite from Sedona! I love the witty banter and humor throughout a basic example non-spoiler - "If goat yoga was a thing, surely jogging with jaguars could become a hit too, right?"...Ryls and the boys always stay true to their characters which by book three sometimes they "change" and you do not get that here! It is all about some of them still trying for redemption, others are in the throws of passion, and you get amazing klutz throughout.
So, here is what I have to say...these books always seem so short because I devour it within in a day. That just shows how well of a job Sedona does. You get some amazing action (cough cough) in every way possible! This is what I call a classic light medium burn with such a fun story line that you cannot help not to love this series. I cannot wait to see what book four has to bring because that ending...yes what a fun minor cliff hanger, oh and if you continue reading she tells you where she was going to end it and you will thank her like I am now :)! Read it and love it because I did!

[Julie Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book. I love the hijinks that insues and the quips. I love the way she is growing and changing along the way with the series. I hope the guys gets their heads out of their butts soon. You can't go wrong with this series or this author.

[Cindy Dillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klutz - Phoenix (But Did You Die?)

Sedona Ashe - fitting name for a Phoenix writer. Thank you for such a gloriously heated up reverse here. I am anxiously awaiting the 4th installment. I know you all have to sell stories, but stretching it over years is trying on the readers patience. Wonderfully, these are so well written we will wait, with baited breath, for the next. Thank you for this series.

[Andrea Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is turning into one of my favorite series...I love Ryls /Amaryllis. She could totally be me! ( in the klutz department 🤣) Sedona Ashe writes really relatable characters and gives them the paces to go through...lol I love all the crazy stuff that the poor girl goes through. I love when a book pulls me into all the different feelings..it means that I am absolutely absorbed in the story..I didn't cry...but I was very choked up... I highly recommend this book and series!!

[Sarah D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m having fun reading this series. It is over the top and silly, and you can’t take it too seriously.

But some honest criticisms:

1) There are too many mates. The jaguars should have been 3: the guy who never wanted to be mean; the middle guy who struggled with Bros before ho’s; and the meany. Then we’d have more time for character development for them and they’d seem more like individuals.

Trevor and Rhyls needed more time in the lab so we feel this romance more. There really just lacks chemistry. Xerxes’ courtship is getting relegated to off scene for the most part, which makes it hard to get into him as a character. Again, I’d say that Trevor and Xerxes probably should have been merged into one character. Jackson and the “guardian” also merged.

2) The action is fast paced and well-written, but too repetitive. There needs to be something other than giant mercenary army battle action sequences to challenge Rhyls.

3) I think there needed to be a clearer indication about what these mercenary groups want with Rhyls. Are they trying to kill her? Are they interested in training her to be a weapon? Do they want to breed her? This idea that they just wanted to do random science experiments on her makes no sense and conflicts with all the other goals that have been mentioned. They wanted to see how a phoenix would grow up when left alone? Uhhh why, when they could have taken her and brainwashed her in a lab? They wanted to see the limits of her body? Why, when she clearly dies like a human?

Narratively, we’re given reasons, but then those explanations conflict with others. One organization wanted to experiment on her and the other wanted to turn her into a weapon, but then it turned out they were the same organization. They found out she was on that plane so they blew it up so they could capture her, but they blew it up to explode the jaguars to stop them from getting her, except they gave the jaguars that assignment - confused yet? Because I am.

I accepted that this series was going to be weird from the start and I like some of the humor… but this is definitely one of those series that would have been a thousand times better if the author had written the whole thing then gone back and done a full edit and rewrite to keep it consistent and tight.

[VANESSA BARRITT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok now that I have finished this book I need the next one, I mean I need ryls in my life she is far too much and imp I have never laughed so much in my life and then you had to add the one scene where I bawled like a baby even if it was only a small part but hush lol.

I love this series far more than I truly should and Sedona I seriously think you should do a book just on ryls and her deaths like 50 unlucky ways ryls dies or something lol.

[Fawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about this book, compared to the two prior. In a way I feel it was rushed in order to get it out in time for its release date. Not to say I didn’t enjoy it, for I did, but I can’t help the feelings of slight confusion, annoyance at minor things, and a sense of “what just happened?” as I finished this book within a few hours. There are several places where there are time jumps of several days or more, which adds to the feeling of the story being rushed. I get that action is needed to keep the reader hooked but I would have enjoyed a time or two taken off for her to try to mend the broken bridges between the few mates she hadn’t bonded with yet. I get what they did in book one was awful, I would be mad at them too, but this is the third book, many things have happened since. Even she is commenting on all the things they do or try to do to make up for what they did, but the flip flop of “I should try to meet them half way” and “there is no way I can forgive them” is annoying, especially when this train of thought lasts for several chapters, small break, but then continues again, even when they are surrounded by attackers.

On top of the fact that the group is an established shadow, never do any of the bonded ones even try to talk to her on the side about how hard they see the others trying. It seems she is the only one who notices. This goes so far as to them agreeing to her, albeit playful antics, and verbally bullying these guys with the whole “man up” or “take it like a man” mentality. There were a few moments of sincere love between characters but mostly it was just her emotional switch between love and hate for those not bonded and constant love for those who are, which leaves me feeling she has had no character growth as an individual, despite her constant “I am a strong, independent woman” mantra she gives herself. Yes, she is strong but there is strength to be found in being equals with, and relying on, those around you. Hopefully she learns that in the next book.

[Pene|ope • Reading Slump, Send Help · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I was deadly with a bow and arrow. I’d killed everything I hit. The issue was I’d yet to hit anything other than myself."

This book felt like a bridge more than anything else. It was nice to get answers about her parents, but not much else happened. There were still parts that had me cackling, which I love. It was odd, though, to see her so unstable with her powers after she had used them almost perfectly with just her intuition in the first two. I look forward to seeing her learn how to use them better.

I'd love to see more details and interactions though. Often times we're told people enter a room (say, the bedroom with her) but then we're only told that she curls up to sleep with one of them. So what happened to the others? Are they just standing/laying there watching all night? Did they leave the room? Are they listening to her conversation with the one she's curled up with? It's a bit aggravating not to know these things.

And so far everything is just basic interactions and then we're told belatedly that the guys do sweet things for her often. I'd like to see those things happen in real time instead, even if it's just a line or two here and there, or like have them kiss her before they leave a room, etc. She hardly spends time with them all and so far it seems like their relationships with her are just about the bond and that's it. Each book is so short that there isn't really room for these things, but it would be nice to see more to their relationships than just the moments they claim each other and the moments they decide to carry her around or curl up for bed.

[michelle rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

This author is so much fun to read! This series gives us great characters, action and an interesting storyline, but most of all, it gives us laugh out loud humor. I absolutely love when an author can make me laugh and Ms. Ashe definitely doesn't disappoint in that department. I am a believer that laughter is good for the soul, so that is why this author has become one of my favorite authors to read. So, to answer your question, yes I would definitely recommend.

[Justyna Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damnit!!!

That is what I said when I reached the end!!! Though his backside…. Kills!!! I had to read it like 5 times to get through it because I kept laughing. I seriously love Ryls. She is the most badass klutzy FMC. I absolutely love love love this series and this book is probably my favorite so far. Cannot wait to see what you have in store for these boys next.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really quite the series. I'm not sure if this you would consider this a rom com, but the humor of this series is impeccable and has just the right balance between cheesiness and nihilism. These books have brought me so much laughter and joy and I really appreciate that. I can't wait to read the next book and am really looking forward to more of Ryls' wit and antics.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I almost died reading this book! That isn't a lie either! I mean it very literally. I was eating dinner and didn't want to stop reading. Big mistake, HUGE! I just took a bite of my burger and laughed as soon as I did. I seriously almost choked to death! So, I guess you can say that this book is to die for!

[Sherrie Boren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I LOVE this series

One of the best series out there, the thing that is driving me nuts is the waiting, I wanna go all Imp and Zap something! It's so good that you wanna read slow an enjoy every word but just when you think you have it, the book is done an now you have to wait to find out what happens.
No I didn't die but errr
ZAP bad bug!!!!

[Toubob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find the FMC and the dialogue hilarious. There are so many times I found myself full on laughing out loud. And chuckling throughout the day about a situation or comment in the book.

I love the ways the FMC has died. I know macabre but some of the ways are hilarious.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

My billionaire dragon mate knows how to pamper a girl!
Rich? Check.
Hot? Check.
Driving my other mates insanely jealous? Check and checkmate!
Xerxes, my dragon mate, has whisked me away to Mexico. He keeps showering me with expensive gifts, breathtaking views, and lavish meals. I’m more of a cheeseburger girl, but I’m not one to complain about food. I just need to learn how to walk in heels without killing myself, again. Been there, done that.
I’ve spent my life trying not to die and failing at it spectacularly. It’s time for me to show them all how tough I really am. Training isn’t easy, but I’m not going to be weak or rely on others to keep me safe. I’m going to protect myself... After I die a few more times, of course. I mean, things change, but do they really?
Things are looking up for me and my mates. Well, everyone except Anzac and Mace. They are working hard to make up for the past, but Imp has it out for them, and her ridiculous pranks are getting out of hand.
What’s coming next, though…isn’t going to be all fun and games. It’s time to pay my parents a visit and get the answers I’m owed. Are they even my parents? Ridgeforce is in shambles and Midnight has put out a contract on our heads. I’m determined, with my mates’ help, to take down every person who was involved with both corrupt agencies. Oh, and I still have a curse to figure out.
It’s time to get my big girl panties on, the cheap ones, not the pretty ones that Xerxes bought me…because they’re probably going to burn anyway.
And what if all my training isn’t enough? What if I keep dying? What if a girl can’t catch a break?
I’m just a girl who’s on fire…
Literally, because I’m a Phoenix.

Heather's Notes
OK, Xerxes is hot, and finally a nice one. He also seems to be a bit bosses. Of course he is a dragon. I do like him. It is getting kind of crowded in her circle though. I do like how kick ass she is. Really growing in her powers.

[Rachael]

Blurb:
My billionaire dragon mate knows how to pamper a girl!
Rich? Check.
Hot? Check.

Driving my other mates insanely jealous? Check and checkmate!
Xerxes, my dragon mate, has whisked me away to Mexico. He keeps showering me with expensive gifts, breathtaking views, and lavish meals. I’m more of a cheeseburger girl, but I’m not one to complain about food. I just need to learn how to walk in heels without killing myself, again. Been there, done that.
I’ve spent my life trying not to die and failing at it spectacularly. It’s time for me to show them all how tough I really am. Training isn’t easy, but I’m not going to be weak or rely on others to keep me safe. I’m going to protect myself… After I die a few more times, of course. I mean, things change, but do they really?
Things are looking up for me and my mates. Well, everyone except Anzac and Mace. They are working hard to make up for the past, but Imp has it out for them, and her ridiculous pranks are getting out of hand.
What’s coming next, though…isn’t going to be all fun and games. It’s time to pay my parents a visit and get the answers I’m owed. Are they even my parents? Ridgeforce is in shambles and Midnight has put out a contract on our heads. I’m determined, with my mates’ help, to take down every person who was involved with both corrupt agencies. Oh, and I still have a curse to figure out.
It’s time to get my big girl panties on, the cheap ones, not the pretty ones that Xerxes bought me…because they’re probably going to burn anyway.
And what if all my training isn’t enough? What if I keep dying? What if a girl can’t catch a break?
I’m just a girl who’s on fire…
Literally, because I’m a Phoenix.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

(DNF ~50%) There was a very rough transition from the last book to the first chapter of this book and a lot was left out about what happened during that time jump. You can't just close one book with the heroine meeting another one of her mates and then immediately start the next book with them already being a couple. You didn't tell me anything about this guy and he doesn't have much personality aside from being very wealthy, so no, this new addition does not mesh well with the heroine just because it's suddenly a fact.

I'm disappointed because I was really looking forward to reading the rest of the series after waiting for all of them to be published so I could just read straight through to the end. I felt myself pulling away from the storyline from the first page of this because of that rough transition, but I gave it a fair shot just in case. Sorry, but even after a big revelation and even more action, I'm just not feeling this series anymore.

*Sidenote: Why does 99% of paranormal RH have the heroine go through some kind of "training"? It happens almost without fail and I'm so tired of seeing it. It's great that they're getting physically stronger and they'll be able to defend themselves, but it's starting to feel like such a chore to keep reading those books once they get to that point. And the training usually goes hand-in-hand with some kind of council meeting coming up with corrupt members. Maybe I've just read too many of these, but I wish they would come up with something different.

[Annette B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent-ish book, but the fact that Ryls is still being treated like a clumsy little accident prone helpless waif is painfully infuriating. She’s meant to be an unstoppable force of power (which we saw in the previous book, where she was a total badass), but she spent the whole of this book being needlessly protected or holding back in a fight which she can very easily end. Beyond being disappointing, as I’d hoped that Ryls would prove to be an actual strong, powerful heroine, like she was in the first two books, her hiding behind her men makes literally no sense plot wise either. I mean, look at the facts. 1. She can’t die permanently. 2. Her men can die permanently. 3. The only way she can die permanently is if her mates die. 4. If she dies, her mates will also die. The characters in the book are meant to be well trained, intelligent professionals, and yet they seem to ignore the glaringly obvious for no real reason. It’s not even that they don’t want her to die, since they seem to be mostly ok with her dying in random situations, so why does that change in battle? It makes no sense. I would’ve loved to love this book as much as I did the last two, but it felt like nothing really happened, and what did happen managed to do little else but piss me off.