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Midlife Mayhem #1
Forty, Fabulous & Fae?
No one expects their happily-ever-after to end at forty—but here I am one Prince Charming short of a fairytale.
Living back at Mom’s place with her and Gram is not how this ex district attorney intended to start the next chapter of her life, but I shouldn’t be surprised it’s where I ended up.
You see, my family is cursed.
At least that’s what both Gram and Mom claim. I’ve never given much thought to their ridiculous superstitions, but when three local patrons from my mom’s occult shop end up dead, even I’m a bit unnerved.
So, I decide to dive right into the crazy headfirst. And what I thought would be the end of my journey…may only be the beginning.
Living back at Mom’s place with her and Gram is not how this ex district attorney intended to start the next chapter of her life, but I shouldn’t be surprised it’s where I ended up.
You see, my family is cursed.
At least that’s what both Gram and Mom claim. I’ve never given much thought to their ridiculous superstitions, but when three local patrons from my mom’s occult shop end up dead, even I’m a bit unnerved.
So, I decide to dive right into the crazy headfirst. And what I thought would be the end of my journey…may only be the beginning.
Hoopla Digital Audio
Published November 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
November 23, 2021
Shannon is Forty, not so Fabulous and something strange is happening to her!!
This book was laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish. I couldn't put this down even though I was at work.
Cough, Cough !! Do not tell my manager !! PS: I'll deny it LOL
I am currently writing this short giddy-up while I am taking a fake lunch break of 5 minutes to consume my crackers and Snapple!!
I am super excited to see where this series takes me. I haven't had a good series that made me feel all giggly like this in a while so this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Happy reading everyone XOXO!!
This book was laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish. I couldn't put this down even though I was at work.
Cough, Cough !! Do not tell my manager !! PS: I'll deny it LOL
I am currently writing this short giddy-up while I am taking a fake lunch break of 5 minutes to consume my crackers and Snapple!!
I am super excited to see where this series takes me. I haven't had a good series that made me feel all giggly like this in a while so this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Happy reading everyone XOXO!!
August 20, 2020
Magic Can Happen After 40
A 40 year old DA named Shannon has just divorced her husband after his affair with his employee and decides to return to her hometown of Portland to live with her mom and grandmother in the house she grew up in. Little does she realize her family members are witches and even more of a surprise is the discovery she is one too..and more. Shannon discovers there are ritual murders occurring to women from the witches coven her mom and grandmother belong to and that Hunter, the man she has met, hopes to work with and is attracted to, is not who he says he is.
I was enjoying it until near the end when this intelligent, assertive woman decides she still carries a sexual torch for this guy who has lied to her, verbally abused her and almost killed her..that part is psychologically weird and does not feel congruent with who and what this woman is supposed to represent. She has spent years working with criminals for goodness sake and shouldn’t have the hots for her attacker just because at the last minute he doesn’t kill her, that’s more like Battered Woman Syndrome or Stockholm Syndrome. That ending pretty much turned me off about continuing the series since it makes the storyline somewhat predictable and the last thing I want to read about is a woman who is sexually drawn to an abuser.
A 40 year old DA named Shannon has just divorced her husband after his affair with his employee and decides to return to her hometown of Portland to live with her mom and grandmother in the house she grew up in. Little does she realize her family members are witches and even more of a surprise is the discovery she is one too..and more. Shannon discovers there are ritual murders occurring to women from the witches coven her mom and grandmother belong to and that Hunter, the man she has met, hopes to work with and is attracted to, is not who he says he is.
I was enjoying it until near the end when this intelligent, assertive woman decides she still carries a sexual torch for this guy who has lied to her, verbally abused her and almost killed her..that part is psychologically weird and does not feel congruent with who and what this woman is supposed to represent. She has spent years working with criminals for goodness sake and shouldn’t have the hots for her attacker just because at the last minute he doesn’t kill her, that’s more like Battered Woman Syndrome or Stockholm Syndrome. That ending pretty much turned me off about continuing the series since it makes the storyline somewhat predictable and the last thing I want to read about is a woman who is sexually drawn to an abuser.
September 21, 2020
I'm not a reviewer that rehashes the plot, if you're reading the reviews you know what the story is about. I will tell you what I liked (or didn't) about the book itself. I enjoyed this quick read, and will continue with the series. I prefer longer books so I get more of the story but it was a complete story. The book ends with a cliffhanger, but it ended at what felt like a natural point. I didn't feel like the story just cut off. The characters are engaging, the dialog is intelligent and believable, and the mystery is intriguing enough to keep going to see what happens. This is my first book by Melinda Chase, but it won't be my last.
November 22, 2020
Found a great new author. Great voice. I think I'm gonna like this new series.
August 22, 2021
Meh, this wasn't bad, but it wasn't fabulous either. I think it just needed another 100 pages—taking it from a novella to a novel—to carry it off. As it is, everything feels a little sketched out, none of the characters feel particularly well-fleshed, and the plot barely starts before the book ends on a cliffhanger.
I liked Shanna well enough, but she's the only character you get to know, and barely even her. And notably, since this is supposed to be PWF, nothing about her or her situation feels 40+ years old. She could have been 25 and the book would have felt exactly the same. Her being a DA is literally extraneous to the plot. What's more, I think given the lack of age-defining characteristics, mid-twenties would have fit the plot better. (I always wonder in such scenarios if the author just aged the character up to catch the PWF wave, but of course I don't actually know.) Everyone else is either just a name or a card-board cutout not worth mentioning.
The writing is quite readable, though, the narrative has an appreciable tone, and the audiobook narrator did a good job. But I'm still pretty meh on the whole thing. I don't think I'd bother with the next book. I'm just not invested enough to really care what happens.
I liked Shanna well enough, but she's the only character you get to know, and barely even her. And notably, since this is supposed to be PWF, nothing about her or her situation feels 40+ years old. She could have been 25 and the book would have felt exactly the same. Her being a DA is literally extraneous to the plot. What's more, I think given the lack of age-defining characteristics, mid-twenties would have fit the plot better. (I always wonder in such scenarios if the author just aged the character up to catch the PWF wave, but of course I don't actually know.) Everyone else is either just a name or a card-board cutout not worth mentioning.
The writing is quite readable, though, the narrative has an appreciable tone, and the audiobook narrator did a good job. But I'm still pretty meh on the whole thing. I don't think I'd bother with the next book. I'm just not invested enough to really care what happens.
August 24, 2020
DNF at chapter 4.
Having a bit of a hard time with the MC. She has lived with a mom and grandma who are completely into the supernatural, own a magic store and say they are witches, but says it stupid. Then she doesn't even have a clue when things start happening - like her things just all of a sudden are packed and taped in boxes when 5 minutes ago everything was a mess, and people just start doing what she says - against their wishes...but nope, supernatural stuff is just silly. Nothing here folks..... yeah, having a bit of a problem with that.
Having a bit of a hard time with the MC. She has lived with a mom and grandma who are completely into the supernatural, own a magic store and say they are witches, but says it stupid. Then she doesn't even have a clue when things start happening - like her things just all of a sudden are packed and taped in boxes when 5 minutes ago everything was a mess, and people just start doing what she says - against their wishes...but nope, supernatural stuff is just silly. Nothing here folks..... yeah, having a bit of a problem with that.
July 19, 2020
On my!
This one is an exciting, fast , and thrilling read. Doesn't really end, so you'll want to read book 2. Another great author to read.
This one is an exciting, fast , and thrilling read. Doesn't really end, so you'll want to read book 2. Another great author to read.
May 15, 2021
This one disappointed me . . . mostly because the description and the title are deceptive. I tend to avoid witches and witchcraft and the new Paranormal Women's Fiction seems to be overrun with them. So, I was excited to find a book in this genre that was NOT about witches. Well, sigh, it IS about witches. I was so disappointed when this hit that the rest of the book was just irrelevant to me and I had a hard time enjoying it.
I may or may not continue on - it was not BAD, it was just disappointing - but I am going to have to get past the disappointment before I decide.
I may or may not continue on - it was not BAD, it was just disappointing - but I am going to have to get past the disappointment before I decide.
April 7, 2022
Shannon is forty, newly separated from her husband, and living back at home with her mom and grams. When women that frequent her family's occult store are being murdered, family secrets are revealed forcing Shannon to investigate.
I read, or rather listened to this book as part of a book challenge requirement -- to read a book with a middle aged protagonist. Though not something I'd have normally picked up, I enjoyed the story and might even pick up the rest of the series at some point.
I read, or rather listened to this book as part of a book challenge requirement -- to read a book with a middle aged protagonist. Though not something I'd have normally picked up, I enjoyed the story and might even pick up the rest of the series at some point.
October 28, 2020
I wanted to love this book. I really did, but I just couldn't get into it the way I wanted to. The story felt way too rushed and I think it would have been better if there was more to the story than what the author has given us. It wasn't bad, but not as great as I was hoping.
February 12, 2021
Not recommended
It’s more of a novella. It has the single element I most despise a cliff hanger ending. The bad guy gets away, and then the story mounts a second story arc that goes unanswered. The writing is very straight forward. Most of it told in the characters heads. The heroine’s thoughts are pretty redundant AND I got pissed that it took her so long to put the clues together. I have opted to not move ahead with the series.
It’s more of a novella. It has the single element I most despise a cliff hanger ending. The bad guy gets away, and then the story mounts a second story arc that goes unanswered. The writing is very straight forward. Most of it told in the characters heads. The heroine’s thoughts are pretty redundant AND I got pissed that it took her so long to put the clues together. I have opted to not move ahead with the series.
March 26, 2021
I enjoyed the first book 😁 starting the 2nd after this review
I liked this book and not just Im also a 40 some but It didnt hurt lol. The characters felt real and developed and the world plausible if you are interested in Fae and Magic.
I liked this book and not just Im also a 40 some but It didnt hurt lol. The characters felt real and developed and the world plausible if you are interested in Fae and Magic.
December 27, 2020
Not bad, not great.
You can see the twist coming from a mile away and Shannon, while telling you she worked her way up to DA of Boston, could have been replaced with a teenager and you would not have noticed a difference, looking at her voice or behaviour. How does she convince the PI to let her help? “I’m not going away until you let me tag along”… I expect more from a character who should know her share of scheming etc.
The love interest is an insta thing that I could do without.
Characters that Shannon describes as important to her barely show up.
A couple of typos etc. left.
You can see the twist coming from a mile away and Shannon, while telling you she worked her way up to DA of Boston, could have been replaced with a teenager and you would not have noticed a difference, looking at her voice or behaviour. How does she convince the PI to let her help? “I’m not going away until you let me tag along”… I expect more from a character who should know her share of scheming etc.
The love interest is an insta thing that I could do without.
Characters that Shannon describes as important to her barely show up.
A couple of typos etc. left.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2021
Well, at least it warns you from fairly close to the start what to expect...
{GAG!} the worst kind of unbelievable and overused 1970's style bodice-ripper-romance tropes are trotted out as soon as Shannon meets the obnoxious Hunter in a coffee shop.
He's SO DEVASTATINGLY ATTRACTIVE ({sigh!} - Really? The author goes with that hackneyed approach) that she doesn't pull him up about his overly familiar actions and entitled behaviour....
If this is what it's like in the warm-up, when the characters are just being introduced to the reader (or listener in the case of the audiobook - which at least has a decent narrator) then it really doesn't bode well for the rest of the series improving on the first book.
I'm not impressed.
Include romance, by all means, but I don't care how fantastical the magical/mythical storyline of the book is, at least give the characters believable human reactions instead of relying on tropes that were already overused and worn thin by the worst Mills-And-Boon writers of forty or more years ago and should really have been thrown out as too worn-out for upcycling.
{GAG!} the worst kind of unbelievable and overused 1970's style bodice-ripper-romance tropes are trotted out as soon as Shannon meets the obnoxious Hunter in a coffee shop.
He's SO DEVASTATINGLY ATTRACTIVE ({sigh!} - Really? The author goes with that hackneyed approach) that she doesn't pull him up about his overly familiar actions and entitled behaviour....
If this is what it's like in the warm-up, when the characters are just being introduced to the reader (or listener in the case of the audiobook - which at least has a decent narrator) then it really doesn't bode well for the rest of the series improving on the first book.
I'm not impressed.
Include romance, by all means, but I don't care how fantastical the magical/mythical storyline of the book is, at least give the characters believable human reactions instead of relying on tropes that were already overused and worn thin by the worst Mills-And-Boon writers of forty or more years ago and should really have been thrown out as too worn-out for upcycling.
January 5, 2021
Not my favorite style of writing - there's a lot more "tell" than there is "show" and it made me dislike the main character. All protagonists are self-involved to an extent - the all the telling instead of showing seems to make it even worse. She came across to me as tiresome and self-centered.
And her relationship with her mom and gran just didn't connect with me. Their interactions just seemed inauthentic and the protagonist just feels kind stupid to me.
My cat was sleeping on me and I couldn't start a new novel without disturbing him, so I did keep reading. I thought the book got a little better towards the end - perhaps I just got interested enough in the mystery part to overlook my distaste for the main character. I'm not sure how much of the series I'll continue with though - I am giving the second one a try.
Overall, I think it's a solid enough entry in the paranormal light-mystery/romance segment. And I don't think Chase is a bad author. I think the problem for me was that her style isn't one I enjoy reading.
And her relationship with her mom and gran just didn't connect with me. Their interactions just seemed inauthentic and the protagonist just feels kind stupid to me.
My cat was sleeping on me and I couldn't start a new novel without disturbing him, so I did keep reading. I thought the book got a little better towards the end - perhaps I just got interested enough in the mystery part to overlook my distaste for the main character. I'm not sure how much of the series I'll continue with though - I am giving the second one a try.
Overall, I think it's a solid enough entry in the paranormal light-mystery/romance segment. And I don't think Chase is a bad author. I think the problem for me was that her style isn't one I enjoy reading.
August 25, 2022
For 100 something pages, this book is okay. It was just quite slow and a bit boring for me until the fae part finally pop up. I had to reach half of the book until I know that Shannon got something special in her and the story became so much more alive.
Alive in here means that suddenly I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know so bad what would happen next.
Storyline : 4/5, only after Hunter had known about Shannon's secret and intended to kill her at the moment, Shannon fought the evil fae, and when the Hunter's Council found out that Hunter failed to kill her. I also love the relationship between Shannon, her mom, and her grandmother and all the secrets both mom and Grams which haven't been spilled out.
The main character : 3/5. Shannon is a type of woman who knows what she want. I love this kind of person! She doesn't depend on man even after Kenneth dumped her. She got up and moved to Portland and eager to solve the murder mystery which involved the witch and fae. The character development in this book is okay and so did the storyline.
The antagonist : 5/5. I'm pretty sure that the evil fae got a badass power that make her unbeatable. She fought with Shannon and still didn't die after being kicked by so many intense bolt. She's gone but I know she'll come back stronger the next time. Or probably will come after Shannon and bring the entire evil fae. The curiosity that have been built in me toward this book is hilarious. The writer didn't give any clue for the readers and oh of course she didn't want us to know her next move. And I like it.
The romance : 2/5. It's just wasn't there, okay? First off, the meeting was too stiff and there's no spark between Shannon and Hunter when they worked together. At the end that both of them realize they have feeling for each other, for me it's so unreal, there's no detail, no explanation.
The book is promising in some ways, but I'm begging if you want to make something special between Shannon and Hunter, please make it worth my reading. Thank you very much.
Alive in here means that suddenly I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know so bad what would happen next.
Storyline : 4/5, only after Hunter had known about Shannon's secret and intended to kill her at the moment, Shannon fought the evil fae, and when the Hunter's Council found out that Hunter failed to kill her. I also love the relationship between Shannon, her mom, and her grandmother and all the secrets both mom and Grams which haven't been spilled out.
The main character : 3/5. Shannon is a type of woman who knows what she want. I love this kind of person! She doesn't depend on man even after Kenneth dumped her. She got up and moved to Portland and eager to solve the murder mystery which involved the witch and fae. The character development in this book is okay and so did the storyline.
The antagonist : 5/5. I'm pretty sure that the evil fae got a badass power that make her unbeatable. She fought with Shannon and still didn't die after being kicked by so many intense bolt. She's gone but I know she'll come back stronger the next time. Or probably will come after Shannon and bring the entire evil fae. The curiosity that have been built in me toward this book is hilarious. The writer didn't give any clue for the readers and oh of course she didn't want us to know her next move. And I like it.
The romance : 2/5. It's just wasn't there, okay? First off, the meeting was too stiff and there's no spark between Shannon and Hunter when they worked together. At the end that both of them realize they have feeling for each other, for me it's so unreal, there's no detail, no explanation.
The book is promising in some ways, but I'm begging if you want to make something special between Shannon and Hunter, please make it worth my reading. Thank you very much.
July 28, 2025
I honestly struggled with this one from the very beginning. The premise had potential—a woman in her forties getting a second chance at life, rediscovering her roots, and unlocking some long-buried magic. But what should’ve been a fun, empowering urban fantasy ended up feeling like a half-baked, frustrating mess. The plot dragged its feet and somehow still managed to rush through key developments with zero buildup. The “twists” were painfully obvious and poorly executed, offering no surprise or payoff. There was barely any connection between events or characters, which made everything feel jarring and disjointed.
Shannon, the main character, drove me up the wall. She supposedly grew up surrounded by witches, raised in a magic shop by her supernatural-obsessed mom and grandma, but scoffs at the idea of anything otherworldly happening. Even when her belongings mysteriously pack themselves or people start following her commands without explanation, she refuses to believe something strange is going on. It made her seem dense rather than skeptical. And while we’re told she worked her way up to DA of Boston, nothing about her dialogue or decisions supports that—she could’ve been a moody teenager for all it mattered. Her interactions with the PI were eye-roll worthy, and the forced, insta-love angle only made things worse. There was no chemistry, no depth, just a lot of empty dialogue and flat character beats. I had high hopes going in, but I won’t be continuing with this series.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
Shannon, the main character, drove me up the wall. She supposedly grew up surrounded by witches, raised in a magic shop by her supernatural-obsessed mom and grandma, but scoffs at the idea of anything otherworldly happening. Even when her belongings mysteriously pack themselves or people start following her commands without explanation, she refuses to believe something strange is going on. It made her seem dense rather than skeptical. And while we’re told she worked her way up to DA of Boston, nothing about her dialogue or decisions supports that—she could’ve been a moody teenager for all it mattered. Her interactions with the PI were eye-roll worthy, and the forced, insta-love angle only made things worse. There was no chemistry, no depth, just a lot of empty dialogue and flat character beats. I had high hopes going in, but I won’t be continuing with this series.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
October 31, 2020
Very Good Story and Characters But...
I did enjoy this book. I liked the characters and the premise of the story was very interesting. My concern is that there was no true end to the book. A lot of hidden truths were finally unveiled, a betrayal dealt with, and a significant battle occurred. But there was no final resolution, not even with the combatants in the battle. There was no huge cliff hanger, the book just felt unfinished. There are already 5 books out in the series and after reading all the blurbs I do not see a final resolution to all the issues. I do not like these ongoing storylines. The book feels more like a long serial than a series to me. Or maybe an urban fantasy type of book which naturally has these many, many book plotlines that never seems to resolve fully. I do not like most urban fantasy either for that very reason. I rated this book 5 stars because many people don't mind this type of ongoing storyline. It is just not my cup of tea, normally, not unless I am already a fan of the author.
I did enjoy this book. I liked the characters and the premise of the story was very interesting. My concern is that there was no true end to the book. A lot of hidden truths were finally unveiled, a betrayal dealt with, and a significant battle occurred. But there was no final resolution, not even with the combatants in the battle. There was no huge cliff hanger, the book just felt unfinished. There are already 5 books out in the series and after reading all the blurbs I do not see a final resolution to all the issues. I do not like these ongoing storylines. The book feels more like a long serial than a series to me. Or maybe an urban fantasy type of book which naturally has these many, many book plotlines that never seems to resolve fully. I do not like most urban fantasy either for that very reason. I rated this book 5 stars because many people don't mind this type of ongoing storyline. It is just not my cup of tea, normally, not unless I am already a fan of the author.
October 31, 2020
Overall I liked it. Not a bad attempt for a debut novel.
But there's no denying that there were some issues.
Lack of character development for one. The protagonist is supposed to be a successful, middle-aged D.A. Sadly, from the way she behaves and thinks it reads more like YA, acting downright stupid at times. Going from barely divorced to carrying a torch for a guy who mislead her, lied to her, lured her into a trap and tried to kill her within like two weeks!!!
Also, I've never been a fan of the whole star-crossed lovers thing. But that's more a personal preference or rather dislike.
The lack of development is also apparent in the story/plot development. Some things simply makes no sense at all. Or like one minute she has no clue about this new world/power/personal history and the next she's going on supernova without so much as a minute of training, practice, etc. Not cool.
Conclusion: the idea is there, the bones are there, it just needs further development, fleshing out. Maybe a bit more than 150 pages...
But there's no denying that there were some issues.
Lack of character development for one. The protagonist is supposed to be a successful, middle-aged D.A. Sadly, from the way she behaves and thinks it reads more like YA, acting downright stupid at times. Going from barely divorced to carrying a torch for a guy who mislead her, lied to her, lured her into a trap and tried to kill her within like two weeks!!!
Also, I've never been a fan of the whole star-crossed lovers thing. But that's more a personal preference or rather dislike.
The lack of development is also apparent in the story/plot development. Some things simply makes no sense at all. Or like one minute she has no clue about this new world/power/personal history and the next she's going on supernova without so much as a minute of training, practice, etc. Not cool.
Conclusion: the idea is there, the bones are there, it just needs further development, fleshing out. Maybe a bit more than 150 pages...
October 7, 2020
Shannon the half witch/half fae woman who moves home to Portand to be with her Mom and Grandmother is a delightful character. Really enjoyed her snarkiness and her 'figure it out' DA attitude. The danger of a supernatural being killing her family, and herself, is painted very realistically. Her discovery of her nature comes about as she discovers her Mom has lied to her all of her life. Great family dynamics. Great setting in Portland. Great bad guys in the Witch Council. Intriguing good/bad guy in the fae killer Hunter. Author Chase writes so smoothly you barely notice you are reading versus experiencing. Her scene work, transitions and dialogue are excellent. Her urban fantasy world is very real. I will read the sequel. Highly recommended. Tom.
December 8, 2021
Let me tell you what I liked about this book. It was short. I listened to the audio and it was 4 hours. I just came off s super long book by Ruby Dixon and I liked a short story.
Ok. That is misleading because it ends on a cliffhanger. Not a dramatic cliffhanger, but nothing got resolved in this book. It was like an intro book.
But that is ok, I like the feeling of accomplishment of finishing a book. I like going to Goodreads and marking it done and writing this little blurb. I have already moved on to book 2.
This book was action packed with good character development. I am invested in all the characters and am wondering how it will all work out, but I got a feeling it will take a few books to get there.
Ok. That is misleading because it ends on a cliffhanger. Not a dramatic cliffhanger, but nothing got resolved in this book. It was like an intro book.
But that is ok, I like the feeling of accomplishment of finishing a book. I like going to Goodreads and marking it done and writing this little blurb. I have already moved on to book 2.
This book was action packed with good character development. I am invested in all the characters and am wondering how it will all work out, but I got a feeling it will take a few books to get there.
April 26, 2024
Pretty lackluster given its potential. Will probably read the second book since the library also has it and it’s a quick read to play for on walks.
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Spoiler:
All the hype around the killer only for it to get away after basically a non-fight fight. The “fight” happens and you’re left thinking, that’s it? After all the murders of witches, the killer comes across Shannon, who has way more power, apparently, and they just run off without trying harder? Oh and Hunter is a “hunter”? I wouldn’t say the ending was a cliff hanger cuz you can already tell how things are going to play out-the writing was that obvious.
Let’s hope book 2 does better, although I have a feeling the story would work better with 1 & 2 being combined.
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Spoiler:
All the hype around the killer only for it to get away after basically a non-fight fight. The “fight” happens and you’re left thinking, that’s it? After all the murders of witches, the killer comes across Shannon, who has way more power, apparently, and they just run off without trying harder? Oh and Hunter is a “hunter”? I wouldn’t say the ending was a cliff hanger cuz you can already tell how things are going to play out-the writing was that obvious.
Let’s hope book 2 does better, although I have a feeling the story would work better with 1 & 2 being combined.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2024
I really really enjoyed this book. It was not what i expected and i love that. From the blurb & cover i expected a run of the mill cutzy cozy paranormal mystery read but no! This was an emotional roller coaster with hidden family secrets, lies, gruesome historic murders, secret councils, and heartache.
I really enjoyed having an older leading lady dealing with midlife crap as well as trying to catch a murderer, and learning the truth about her family. I really felt for her throughout the story and there were some genuinely meeeep moments.
I also really liked that the romance storyline wasn’t all simple & easy, and was left on a very meeepish what now moment! Which of course means I have to read book 2 because I want to know what’s going to happen next! Well worth reading!
I really enjoyed having an older leading lady dealing with midlife crap as well as trying to catch a murderer, and learning the truth about her family. I really felt for her throughout the story and there were some genuinely meeeep moments.
I also really liked that the romance storyline wasn’t all simple & easy, and was left on a very meeepish what now moment! Which of course means I have to read book 2 because I want to know what’s going to happen next! Well worth reading!
June 20, 2020
I was surprised. I wanted to continue in the series of 40 plus midlife books. I never read Melinda Chase before, but I was surprised. It was a good read. Written well. I binge-read it because it was interesting, exciting and held my interest. Ms. Chase must be a newer author since I did not see any other books on Amazon. I did read her Potions and Pearls book which was the prequel to this book...I hope this is not the last book she writes since I am looking forward to book 2. There are a few unanswered questions, but not a true cliff hanger. Love it.
August 1, 2020
A cliffhanger - my bête noire!
Shannon McCarthy, a DA married to a judge, at least she used to be. But the judge wanted to ‘live an different story’! Now Shannon is back with her mom and grams and trying to work out how some weird things have happened. She’s a bit of a control freak, who isn’t, but what she walks into when she gets home is completely outside her control! A funny, whacky, mystery that paints the Fae in a different light, or should I say ‘dark’?
A terrible cliffhanger- I detest cliffhangers - but at least the next book is already out! Mwa -ha - ha!
Shannon McCarthy, a DA married to a judge, at least she used to be. But the judge wanted to ‘live an different story’! Now Shannon is back with her mom and grams and trying to work out how some weird things have happened. She’s a bit of a control freak, who isn’t, but what she walks into when she gets home is completely outside her control! A funny, whacky, mystery that paints the Fae in a different light, or should I say ‘dark’?
A terrible cliffhanger- I detest cliffhangers - but at least the next book is already out! Mwa -ha - ha!
June 7, 2021
Read this on a dare. Kudos for the hero over 20. That is genuinely cool and refreshing to see.
Otherwise, not much else I can say for this book. Lots of tropes like a YA novel, but it might be fun for someone who wants the tropes without a young heroine. I was also hoping for an actual cozy murder mystery with fun fae elements (the serial killer plot was a let down--was hoping for investigation, clues, actual mystery sleuthing--not plot thread, diversion, solved suddenly at the end).
As light fantasy books go, I'll stick to Vampire Knitting Club or Fred the Vampire Accountant.
Otherwise, not much else I can say for this book. Lots of tropes like a YA novel, but it might be fun for someone who wants the tropes without a young heroine. I was also hoping for an actual cozy murder mystery with fun fae elements (the serial killer plot was a let down--was hoping for investigation, clues, actual mystery sleuthing--not plot thread, diversion, solved suddenly at the end).
As light fantasy books go, I'll stick to Vampire Knitting Club or Fred the Vampire Accountant.
July 20, 2024
DNF. I was excited to read a story with an adult protagonist. She was supposed to be in her 40s and had been a DA. Too bad her reaction when she finds out that her mother and her grandmother have not been completely forthcoming with her magical heritage, she reacts like she’s a teenager. I tried to ride it out, it is a short book; however, when I discovered, based on comments in reviews, that the book would end in a cliffhanger I quit reading. I wasn’t interested in spending more time with this character.
I really wanted this to be good based on the premise but I was sadly disappointed.
I really wanted this to be good based on the premise but I was sadly disappointed.
July 22, 2020
What would you do if you found out you shouldn't exist?
Elle is a sassy redhead. She takes after her mother. For some reason her family is cursed, when it comes to men. Elle's never met her father or grandfather. Elle is getting divorced, she is forced to move back home. Only to find out that magic is real. And worse than that a serial killer is trying to kill her mother and Grams. Now she has to figure out how to stop them.
Elle is a sassy redhead. She takes after her mother. For some reason her family is cursed, when it comes to men. Elle's never met her father or grandfather. Elle is getting divorced, she is forced to move back home. Only to find out that magic is real. And worse than that a serial killer is trying to kill her mother and Grams. Now she has to figure out how to stop them.
September 20, 2020
Over forty but acts more like a teenager
The story was cute. I will read the next book and hope the story continues to engage me. The main character has turned 40, lost her husband and moved home..her attitude is that of a sullen teen at times that does not resonate as a 40 year old....but sometimes moms can make us crazy so maybe?....I enjoyed the story and will gladly read the next.
The story was cute. I will read the next book and hope the story continues to engage me. The main character has turned 40, lost her husband and moved home..her attitude is that of a sullen teen at times that does not resonate as a 40 year old....but sometimes moms can make us crazy so maybe?....I enjoyed the story and will gladly read the next.
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