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The Boundlands #3
Seduction of a Psychopomp: Erogenous Hand Holding and Other Ways to Tame your Reaper
I won't live to see my 29th birthday unless I make a deal to marry Death.
An arranged marriage to a grim reaper? Whatever keeps me on this side of the dirt.
My new husband Victor is formidable, built like a god, and ... is scary supposed to be this sexy? Because it's kind of sexy. The problem is he doesn't seem to get this whole marriage thing. Every time I approach him for company, he scampers off like a disgruntled cat. I'd be fine with letting him have his space, but I can't help being reminded every time I look at him that a girl has needs. How can I lure my new husband into bed? And is it even possible to win the heart of a reaper?
An arranged marriage to a grim reaper? Whatever keeps me on this side of the dirt.
My new husband Victor is formidable, built like a god, and ... is scary supposed to be this sexy? Because it's kind of sexy. The problem is he doesn't seem to get this whole marriage thing. Every time I approach him for company, he scampers off like a disgruntled cat. I'd be fine with letting him have his space, but I can't help being reminded every time I look at him that a girl has needs. How can I lure my new husband into bed? And is it even possible to win the heart of a reaper?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2023
292 people are currently reading
3317 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 393 reviews
April 20, 2024
4.5 He Blushes ✨'s
Seduction of a Psychopomp is a paranormal fantasy romance following Celeste, a sickly fae woman, and Victor, the reserved grim reaper who agrees to marry Celeste in order to cure her ailments. The story was fantastical, full of world-building that was distractingly diverse and full of life, charmingly sweet characters, and all the cozy vibes. Victor was sickeningly adorable, the man was constantly blushing and catering to Celeste's every whim. He was determined to make her happy in any way he could and it was so cute how he wanted to let her finally experience the world as she was unable to due to her health. It's safe to say I loved this low angst, sweet, and fluffy romance; the plot may not be action-packed, but I loved how Celeste and Victor got to know each other while he brought her back to life and encouraged her to take what she wanted.
Seduction of a Psychopomp is a paranormal fantasy romance following Celeste, a sickly fae woman, and Victor, the reserved grim reaper who agrees to marry Celeste in order to cure her ailments. The story was fantastical, full of world-building that was distractingly diverse and full of life, charmingly sweet characters, and all the cozy vibes. Victor was sickeningly adorable, the man was constantly blushing and catering to Celeste's every whim. He was determined to make her happy in any way he could and it was so cute how he wanted to let her finally experience the world as she was unable to due to her health. It's safe to say I loved this low angst, sweet, and fluffy romance; the plot may not be action-packed, but I loved how Celeste and Victor got to know each other while he brought her back to life and encouraged her to take what she wanted.
July 23, 2023
4.5 stars. This is an adorable hug of a book.
It's one of those books that doesn't have world shattering events... just two wonderful people getting to know each other.
Celeste and Grim/Victor marry as she's sick and his mating magic will heal her.
Most of this story occurs with just them hanging out, her sleeping, them reading and holding hands, a little bit of sexy times... and some time with Grim's friendship circle and family.
It's cozy and sweet and I loved it.
Safety deets
- HEA... they're happy and married. However, the epilogue is only a couple weeks in the future and we don't get to see how they interact with her family or where they end up living or anything.
- No OW/OM. They are both virgins and Grim is so cute... he is reading up on intimacy/sex as he waits for Celeste to heal. Celeste does have an old guy friend who wanted more with her than she wanted with him, but it doesn't take up much of the story.
- Consent rules in this story. The author does a great job at writing sweet men who absolutely adore their women but also want them to be well and into everything they do. And Grim is just so cute about seeking her consent. Eventually, Celeste has to make some moves on him to show him she's healthy enough for some sexy times.
It's one of those books that doesn't have world shattering events... just two wonderful people getting to know each other.
Celeste and Grim/Victor marry as she's sick and his mating magic will heal her.
Most of this story occurs with just them hanging out, her sleeping, them reading and holding hands, a little bit of sexy times... and some time with Grim's friendship circle and family.
It's cozy and sweet and I loved it.
Safety deets
- HEA... they're happy and married. However, the epilogue is only a couple weeks in the future and we don't get to see how they interact with her family or where they end up living or anything.
- No OW/OM. They are both virgins and Grim is so cute... he is reading up on intimacy/sex as he waits for Celeste to heal. Celeste does have an old guy friend who wanted more with her than she wanted with him, but it doesn't take up much of the story.
- Consent rules in this story. The author does a great job at writing sweet men who absolutely adore their women but also want them to be well and into everything they do. And Grim is just so cute about seeking her consent. Eventually, Celeste has to make some moves on him to show him she's healthy enough for some sexy times.
July 25, 2023
She was no longer a broken flower, but a full, robust blossom just beginning to unfurl. A perfect, healthy bloom who was just coming to know herself and her value.
i didn't know i needed to read nursing back to life(literally) trope but this was it 🤌🏼
Victor was such a baby girl🤍 i love him dearly. he was shy, gentle and so sweet. i nearly had a heart attack everytime he blushed 🥺
their erotic hand holding and little kissing moments 😭 this book has no right to be this sweet.
i didn't give 5 stars because i got bored around last %20. Apollo drama was fun but a little bit unnecessary. and since i only read prequel i didn't know the previous couples so i honestly didn't care about their cameo at the end 😶
i didn't know i needed to read nursing back to life(literally) trope but this was it 🤌🏼
Victor was such a baby girl🤍 i love him dearly. he was shy, gentle and so sweet. i nearly had a heart attack everytime he blushed 🥺
their erotic hand holding and little kissing moments 😭 this book has no right to be this sweet.
i didn't give 5 stars because i got bored around last %20. Apollo drama was fun but a little bit unnecessary. and since i only read prequel i didn't know the previous couples so i honestly didn't care about their cameo at the end 😶
July 25, 2023
I had been so excited for this and then three friends read it before me so I had to dive in! This series is like a warm sweater in front of a roaring fireplace on a cold day and someone also brought you hot chocolate with cool-shaped marshmallows. It’s cozy alright? Cozy and sweet and lovely. This book esp was low angst and fluffy with a blushing new husband nursing his bride back to health while they erotically hold hands until she cracks and seduces him. I loved Victor and Celeste, how each was protective and caring of the other in small and big ways (the times she protected him made me smile so big). Their marriage was arranged to save Celeste’s life but they fall in love slowly and sweetly. I also loved their wedding ceremony with Victor’s initial feelings about Celeste and I thought it really set the stage for how focused he was going to be on his wife and her comfort. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny om drama from h’s friend who fancies himself in love with her but she doesn’t return those feelings. Dual virgins folks (adorable).
As adorable as I found this book, I wasn’t in the right head space to love a low angst fluffy book as much when I read it (which is crazy because I’m usually always in the mood) so I did feel like parts of the story dragged a bit of their time together waiting for Celeste to recover her strength. Other friends also mentioned the last part of the book not being as strong and it was sort of muddled with the introduction of past series characters. I loved seeing their familiar faces but I think I would have preferred maybe less of that and then more of Celeste establishing herself in their new life (which I guess one could argue she was doing with the friendships).
This is a slow burn with some steamy scenes and lots of swoon, but also with spots of humor and a couple moments of danger as well. There is a theme of death as Victor is a reaper and the author has an amazing note at the front of the book to be mindful of your emotional health. I loved the side characters from Victor’s family to the servants to his friend group. Also this is filled with excellent details in terms of setting and cool magical features.
The ending is a HEA in the sense that they’re married and in love and Celeste will eventually be immortal with Victor. As I said earlier, I did wish some of the story captured more of that regular life feel since so much of it is right after their wedding, but this is a wonderful romantic fantasy book and I do recommend the series as a whole.
As adorable as I found this book, I wasn’t in the right head space to love a low angst fluffy book as much when I read it (which is crazy because I’m usually always in the mood) so I did feel like parts of the story dragged a bit of their time together waiting for Celeste to recover her strength. Other friends also mentioned the last part of the book not being as strong and it was sort of muddled with the introduction of past series characters. I loved seeing their familiar faces but I think I would have preferred maybe less of that and then more of Celeste establishing herself in their new life (which I guess one could argue she was doing with the friendships).
This is a slow burn with some steamy scenes and lots of swoon, but also with spots of humor and a couple moments of danger as well. There is a theme of death as Victor is a reaper and the author has an amazing note at the front of the book to be mindful of your emotional health. I loved the side characters from Victor’s family to the servants to his friend group. Also this is filled with excellent details in terms of setting and cool magical features.
The ending is a HEA in the sense that they’re married and in love and Celeste will eventually be immortal with Victor. As I said earlier, I did wish some of the story captured more of that regular life feel since so much of it is right after their wedding, but this is a wonderful romantic fantasy book and I do recommend the series as a whole.
December 18, 2023
Seduction of a Psychopomp is seriously one of my favourite reads of the year 💕 I'd thoroughly enjoyed reading Victor and Celeste's story. The care and gentleness Victor had for Celeste is so 🥹💕 He was so attentive to Celeste's needs and so adorable in his shyness. Can we talk about the hand holding parts?? So sweet. I love reading how their relationship and feelings with each other grew with time. I also adore the fact that we got several character cameos from previous books. I adore Victor and Celeste so much and hope to see more of them in future books. There's just something precious about Elsie Winters' characters that I can't stop talking about.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves sweet and cosy romances, although I'd suggest you to check out the first book in this series, Leviathan's Song 😉
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves sweet and cosy romances, although I'd suggest you to check out the first book in this series, Leviathan's Song 😉
July 22, 2023
This was so stinking precious.
We are rounding out the friend group with Grim’s story. He is tall, dark, and mysterious. But we also have watched him be so tender and sentimental during quiet moments in previous books, so I was ready to smile like a nut job at my kindle. And yes, in public, I read this book with a smile on my face.
Grim is sweet and inexperienced. Celeste (his new Fae wife) is kind and approaches things softly at first, but when she finally decides to seduce her new husband she doesn’t hold back.
This is low angst, slow burn sweetness. No third act breakup. And a nice little peek at the couples from other books so we can catch up with characters we love 💕
Also the epilogue was hilarious
We are rounding out the friend group with Grim’s story. He is tall, dark, and mysterious. But we also have watched him be so tender and sentimental during quiet moments in previous books, so I was ready to smile like a nut job at my kindle. And yes, in public, I read this book with a smile on my face.
Grim is sweet and inexperienced. Celeste (his new Fae wife) is kind and approaches things softly at first, but when she finally decides to seduce her new husband she doesn’t hold back.
This is low angst, slow burn sweetness. No third act breakup. And a nice little peek at the couples from other books so we can catch up with characters we love 💕
Also the epilogue was hilarious
July 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
''Every version of this planet will crumble into dust, and I will still belong to you''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW drama
- Small OM drama
- Grief/d*ath
- Chronic iIlness
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This had the potential to be so amazing but, in the end, it lacked a few things I was looking for. I enjoyed the characters, I really loved Grim aka Victor and Celeste. Though he was the more fascinating one to me as he was so clueless about so many aspects of life despite the fact he lived amongst mortals.
I did not read the books prior to this to truly understand his friend’s stories or personalities. Also, about how the world in these books works, I'll be honest and say I might never read them.
Victor is one of the many Grim Reapers and is tasked with marrying the princess of a fae court who is on the verge of dying from an illness that has plagued her for years. Having him marry her will lead to her healing considering his powers will be bonded to her. She would eventually become immortal, and no harm would come to her.
These two are complete strangers and only meet at the altar. Now Victor is described as 7 feet tall with piercing blue eyes, while Celeste is much shorter and blonde. They each find the other pleasing but because of her illness and weakness he is hesitant to handle her with nothing, but care and he knows she might not want him or even wanted this, so he keeps himself apart from her in more ways than one.
This is definitely a slow burn as they do not get together physically until around 60% of the book. We also find out that not only is Victor adorably naive, but he is a virgin in every way never seeing a reason for physical acts, but Celeste is so turned on by him she literally attempts the cutest forms of seduction, and he finally gives her what she seeks. There was literally intense hand holding happening and it felt so humbling yet extremely erotic.
I'll say that outside of the plot we have there is not much else going on and we spend more time travelling to get back to his home to live out there forever than I would have liked at the end. It also abruptly ends with just them stating to have lived out their forever. I would have loved more of a view of their marital life once they had settled.
The ending felt lacking, and I just felt like I wanted so much more especially since once they got together it was getting really good. My reason for the three stars had nothing to do with the characters or their relationship but more about how there were missed opportunities to have their relationship explored even further and the abrupt ending.
Small OM drama:
Apollo is Celeste’s best friend for years and he had expressed his love for her years before, but she did not feel the same. He is not present during her wedding and shows up later requesting she come back to him and leave Victor since she is healed and that’s all they needed from him but Celeste being in love with Victor rejects him brutally and never once considers his proposition.
''Every version of this planet will crumble into dust, and I will still belong to you''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW drama
- Small OM drama
- Grief/d*ath
- Chronic iIlness
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This had the potential to be so amazing but, in the end, it lacked a few things I was looking for. I enjoyed the characters, I really loved Grim aka Victor and Celeste. Though he was the more fascinating one to me as he was so clueless about so many aspects of life despite the fact he lived amongst mortals.
I did not read the books prior to this to truly understand his friend’s stories or personalities. Also, about how the world in these books works, I'll be honest and say I might never read them.
Victor is one of the many Grim Reapers and is tasked with marrying the princess of a fae court who is on the verge of dying from an illness that has plagued her for years. Having him marry her will lead to her healing considering his powers will be bonded to her. She would eventually become immortal, and no harm would come to her.
These two are complete strangers and only meet at the altar. Now Victor is described as 7 feet tall with piercing blue eyes, while Celeste is much shorter and blonde. They each find the other pleasing but because of her illness and weakness he is hesitant to handle her with nothing, but care and he knows she might not want him or even wanted this, so he keeps himself apart from her in more ways than one.
This is definitely a slow burn as they do not get together physically until around 60% of the book. We also find out that not only is Victor adorably naive, but he is a virgin in every way never seeing a reason for physical acts, but Celeste is so turned on by him she literally attempts the cutest forms of seduction, and he finally gives her what she seeks. There was literally intense hand holding happening and it felt so humbling yet extremely erotic.
I'll say that outside of the plot we have there is not much else going on and we spend more time travelling to get back to his home to live out there forever than I would have liked at the end. It also abruptly ends with just them stating to have lived out their forever. I would have loved more of a view of their marital life once they had settled.
The ending felt lacking, and I just felt like I wanted so much more especially since once they got together it was getting really good. My reason for the three stars had nothing to do with the characters or their relationship but more about how there were missed opportunities to have their relationship explored even further and the abrupt ending.
Small OM drama:
Apollo is Celeste’s best friend for years and he had expressed his love for her years before, but she did not feel the same. He is not present during her wedding and shows up later requesting she come back to him and leave Victor since she is healed and that’s all they needed from him but Celeste being in love with Victor rejects him brutally and never once considers his proposition.
October 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐️.
A princess on the verge of death is arranged to marry a shy, introverted, virginal Grim Reaper because only their marriage can save her life by making her immortal. Romance ensues. Slow start but once the story really gets going after a few chapters, it’s goingggggggg 🏃🏻♀️💨.
- Slow burn.
- Cinnamon roll MMC.
- Touch her and you 💀.
- Arranged marriage.
- Stand-alone in an interconnected fantasy series.
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
A princess on the verge of death is arranged to marry a shy, introverted, virginal Grim Reaper because only their marriage can save her life by making her immortal. Romance ensues. Slow start but once the story really gets going after a few chapters, it’s goingggggggg 🏃🏻♀️💨.
- Slow burn.
- Cinnamon roll MMC.
- Touch her and you 💀.
- Arranged marriage.
- Stand-alone in an interconnected fantasy series.
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
July 22, 2023
Plot? Don’t know her.
The blurb made it sound like it was going to be kind of funny? Like Celeste is running around trying to seduce Grim at every turn, that doesn’t happen.
First 30% of book is told through Grim’s POV since Celeste is basically in a coma. For some reason, his family offered him up to marry Celeste because his magic will keep her alive since she’s slowly dying from some mysterious disease. After their wedding he busts her out of her family’s castle because she doesn’t want to be there anymore (I was under the impression we were going to find out her family had something to do with her illness but that’s not the case)
Next 30% of book is from Celeste’s POV were they’re shacked up in one of his family’s keeps while she recuperates. He washes her hair and feeds her and she’s like omg I need to bang him. There’s a lot of reading and wrist stroking but Grim is basically asexual and doesn’t get horny.
Celeste gets some lingerie and Grim is finally like yeah I’ve been reading porn in the library let’s do the damn thing. They do it a bunch of times but then realize being horny is part of their hand fasting and it’ll go away?
Suddenly they’re not in old timey fairy land anymore but in Seattle? But otw they meet up with her bff who ditched her and he’s like “I love you, ditch this loser and get with a real man” and she’s like “screw you bestie I love him”
They hang out in Seattle and the end?
Maybe if I’d read the rest of the series I would like it more but it just didn’t do a thing for me. Also I didnt care much for the writing style and didn’t feel the characters actually wanting each other.
The blurb made it sound like it was going to be kind of funny? Like Celeste is running around trying to seduce Grim at every turn, that doesn’t happen.
First 30% of book is told through Grim’s POV since Celeste is basically in a coma. For some reason, his family offered him up to marry Celeste because his magic will keep her alive since she’s slowly dying from some mysterious disease. After their wedding he busts her out of her family’s castle because she doesn’t want to be there anymore (I was under the impression we were going to find out her family had something to do with her illness but that’s not the case)
Next 30% of book is from Celeste’s POV were they’re shacked up in one of his family’s keeps while she recuperates. He washes her hair and feeds her and she’s like omg I need to bang him. There’s a lot of reading and wrist stroking but Grim is basically asexual and doesn’t get horny.
Celeste gets some lingerie and Grim is finally like yeah I’ve been reading porn in the library let’s do the damn thing. They do it a bunch of times but then realize being horny is part of their hand fasting and it’ll go away?
Suddenly they’re not in old timey fairy land anymore but in Seattle? But otw they meet up with her bff who ditched her and he’s like “I love you, ditch this loser and get with a real man” and she’s like “screw you bestie I love him”
They hang out in Seattle and the end?
Maybe if I’d read the rest of the series I would like it more but it just didn’t do a thing for me. Also I didnt care much for the writing style and didn’t feel the characters actually wanting each other.
July 16, 2023
This series is criminally underrated.
Fantasy romance readers - Get on this 👏
I knew going in that I would love this even if it was 300 pages of Grim silently coloring on the couch.
But this still blew me away. There is something so endearing and wonderful about Elsie Winter's writing. And her characters are so damn easy to love.
Watching this grumpy, quiet Grim Reaper come UNDONE for the heroine was *chefs kiss*
• Arranged marriage
•Virgin hero
•Care taking
•Stolen from the wedding
•Erogenois handholding (the title does not lie 😅)
•Hilarious banter
Fantasy romance readers - Get on this 👏
I knew going in that I would love this even if it was 300 pages of Grim silently coloring on the couch.
But this still blew me away. There is something so endearing and wonderful about Elsie Winter's writing. And her characters are so damn easy to love.
Watching this grumpy, quiet Grim Reaper come UNDONE for the heroine was *chefs kiss*
• Arranged marriage
•Virgin hero
•Care taking
•Stolen from the wedding
•Erogenois handholding (the title does not lie 😅)
•Hilarious banter
August 26, 2023
Rating: 4.25
Victor the intimidating Grim is really just a sweet, shy boy cinnamon roll and I couldn’t get enough.
A sweet, tender arranged marriage (with excellent build-up to spice), I would’ve loved to see even more of them w the whole crew. I really could’ve done without Apollo but at least it wasn’t the main focus.
Elsie Winters does a great job of creating her own unique hybrid world of other realms & urban fantasy, I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.
Victor the intimidating Grim is really just a sweet, shy boy cinnamon roll and I couldn’t get enough.
A sweet, tender arranged marriage (with excellent build-up to spice), I would’ve loved to see even more of them w the whole crew. I really could’ve done without Apollo but at least it wasn’t the main focus.
Elsie Winters does a great job of creating her own unique hybrid world of other realms & urban fantasy, I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.
July 17, 2023
I just love them. We start off with Grim surrounded by a whole new cast of characters for the first 70% or so of the book, which I was not necessarily expecting, but we eventually make our way back to our beloved friend group. I think it can always be a bit iffy to take chronic illness or other disabilities or medical needs and fix them with magic, but I also think that it was well done, made sense to the story, and was respectful. A sick fairy princess having to marry a grim reaper is a fascinating concept, and I loved our cast of characters. I loved how she immediately moved to the top of his priority list. And bashful he was. And how sweet she was while also actively trying to seduce him. I always love when we have an immortal, but it’s a really young immortal lol. Also I did read this as an arc, but that literally just means I read it four days sooner than I would have if I picked it up on kindle unlimited on release day, absolutely nothing about my review is due to it being a free arc. CW chronic illness, death.
August 25, 2023
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐.5 (3.5 stars)
Rating System (1-5):
Writing = 3
Plot = 3
Characters = 4
Romance = 4
SPICE SCALE (1-5): 🔥.5 (1.5)
Trope/Setting Highlights
✔ Cozy fantasy romance
✔ Upper-YA/NA
✔ Arranged marriage/marriage of convenience-ish
✔ High fae (FMC) x [grim] reaper (MMC)
✔ Can be read as standalone, but characters from other books in this author’s world are featured
Christina’s Corner (personal tropes/elements/warnings I dislike and usually want to know if included in book – some might be super niche but want to add if helpful to others!)
✘ Closed-door romance (give me smut or give me death)
✘ Love triangles (Book has to be DIVINE for me to conveniently gloss over inescapable love triangles)
✘ Cheating (beyond normal OM/OW jealousy as minor angst because I can eat that shit UP sometimes)
✘ Hung up on [ex, dead] partner
✘ Unexpected pregnancy
✘ Tragic end
✘ Graphic DV/abuse
✘ Generally soft-avoid friends-to-lovers/second-chance romance
✘ Generally soft-avoid stories with characters under 17 (perspective tends to feel too young for me, that’s all!)
Review:
Seduction of a Psychopomp: Erogenous Hand Holding and Other Ways to Tame your Reaper by Elsie Winters is a cute and mildly spicy cozy fantasy romance that’s perfect for a night of reading with a mug of hot chocolate in hand and a fantasy ambiance YT video playing in the background.
When dealing with the idea of a grim reaper type figure, especially as the MMC, the themes of death and loss (and sickness and health on the part of the FMC) were lightly touched upon, and handled with tenderness, but they weren’t explored in too great of depth, with the developing romance between the main characters taking center stage.
While the main characters are a little older than teens (FMC is 29 and MMC early thirties), the overall writing style felt more like upper-YA, which is why I was pleasantly surprised we got some spice! Although I did have a feeling, with the book title after all ;)
If you’re looking to take a palette cleanser break from high-stakes romantic fantasy, give this lovely little book a try!
Rating System (1-5):
Writing = 3
Plot = 3
Characters = 4
Romance = 4
SPICE SCALE (1-5): 🔥.5 (1.5)
Trope/Setting Highlights
✔ Cozy fantasy romance
✔ Upper-YA/NA
✔ Arranged marriage/marriage of convenience-ish
✔ High fae (FMC) x [grim] reaper (MMC)
✔ Can be read as standalone, but characters from other books in this author’s world are featured
Christina’s Corner (personal tropes/elements/warnings I dislike and usually want to know if included in book – some might be super niche but want to add if helpful to others!)
✘ Closed-door romance (give me smut or give me death)
✘ Love triangles (Book has to be DIVINE for me to conveniently gloss over inescapable love triangles)
✘ Cheating (beyond normal OM/OW jealousy as minor angst because I can eat that shit UP sometimes)
✘ Hung up on [ex, dead] partner
✘ Unexpected pregnancy
✘ Tragic end
✘ Graphic DV/abuse
✘ Generally soft-avoid friends-to-lovers/second-chance romance
✘ Generally soft-avoid stories with characters under 17 (perspective tends to feel too young for me, that’s all!)
Review:
Seduction of a Psychopomp: Erogenous Hand Holding and Other Ways to Tame your Reaper by Elsie Winters is a cute and mildly spicy cozy fantasy romance that’s perfect for a night of reading with a mug of hot chocolate in hand and a fantasy ambiance YT video playing in the background.
When dealing with the idea of a grim reaper type figure, especially as the MMC, the themes of death and loss (and sickness and health on the part of the FMC) were lightly touched upon, and handled with tenderness, but they weren’t explored in too great of depth, with the developing romance between the main characters taking center stage.
While the main characters are a little older than teens (FMC is 29 and MMC early thirties), the overall writing style felt more like upper-YA, which is why I was pleasantly surprised we got some spice! Although I did have a feeling, with the book title after all ;)
If you’re looking to take a palette cleanser break from high-stakes romantic fantasy, give this lovely little book a try!
November 26, 2023
Dual virgin and he’s never kissed anyone before🥹😍
July 30, 2024
i love soft mmcs sm i need more of them
July 30, 2023
4 stars- what a cute story. I have to say Elise Winters handled the "Reaper" thing with such tenderness and love- how refreshing. And I 100% want to believe that such a wonderful thing is happening.
I don't always follow the writing style so these books are kind of wasted on me but Grim was such a good character. Celeste was ok.
His Grandmother was a hoot:
"But that wasn’t what she said.
“I don’t know why they’re bothering. I’ve already worked everything out with Queen Danica,” she muttered. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your sister demands a bevy of goats in exchange for your hand.”
and this explains why the story unfolds like it does:
“You will need to take good care of her, Victor.” I nodded. Of course I would. “She will not be immortal immediately, and though this disease will not continue for terribly much longer beyond the ritual itself, she will still be able to be killed for several years. Your only duty during that time is to protect her.”
Grim takes this to heart:
"The fae had given me this woman as my wife, and what she wanted mattered far more to me than what they wanted, or even what my family expected of me."
When Celeste is coherent enough, she is cute:
"A deep, resonant baritone that made my breath catch and my brain stall out. I could have listened to him read the list that Cook sent out to the shops."
---------
My entire body reacted to his arrogant, possessive tone—my cheeks heating and a strange swooping sensation building in my lower abdomen. I barely restrained myself from flaring my wings suggestively. (I loved the wing angle)
---------
“Victor. Tell me we kissed at the wedding.” My family was going to be so horrified. His eyes went wide, but he only made eye contact with me for a fraction of a second. He probably wasn’t used to being chastised, but this was grievous.
“We did,” he said, but he didn’t sound at all convincing.
“Why do I feel like you’re lying?” He was totally lying.
---------
Then I’d endured another torturous day of nothing but erotic hand holding that made me want to scream.
---------
I didn’t understand how he could get me so worked up with nothing but his fingers brushing along mine, but I’d never felt so repressed in all my life.
---------
He was too busy having an aneurism or solving the mysteries of the universe or whatever it was he was doing while staring at my tits.
I like that she doesn't play games with Apollo and Grim and that she takes the initiative in seducing him but something was off about her pursuit of him. Both are virgins but she must have fooled around more than is explained in the story since the impression I got was different than she acted out. Sweet story though.
I don't always follow the writing style so these books are kind of wasted on me but Grim was such a good character. Celeste was ok.
His Grandmother was a hoot:
"But that wasn’t what she said.
“I don’t know why they’re bothering. I’ve already worked everything out with Queen Danica,” she muttered. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your sister demands a bevy of goats in exchange for your hand.”
and this explains why the story unfolds like it does:
“You will need to take good care of her, Victor.” I nodded. Of course I would. “She will not be immortal immediately, and though this disease will not continue for terribly much longer beyond the ritual itself, she will still be able to be killed for several years. Your only duty during that time is to protect her.”
Grim takes this to heart:
"The fae had given me this woman as my wife, and what she wanted mattered far more to me than what they wanted, or even what my family expected of me."
When Celeste is coherent enough, she is cute:
"A deep, resonant baritone that made my breath catch and my brain stall out. I could have listened to him read the list that Cook sent out to the shops."
---------
My entire body reacted to his arrogant, possessive tone—my cheeks heating and a strange swooping sensation building in my lower abdomen. I barely restrained myself from flaring my wings suggestively. (I loved the wing angle)
---------
“Victor. Tell me we kissed at the wedding.” My family was going to be so horrified. His eyes went wide, but he only made eye contact with me for a fraction of a second. He probably wasn’t used to being chastised, but this was grievous.
“We did,” he said, but he didn’t sound at all convincing.
“Why do I feel like you’re lying?” He was totally lying.
---------
Then I’d endured another torturous day of nothing but erotic hand holding that made me want to scream.
---------
I didn’t understand how he could get me so worked up with nothing but his fingers brushing along mine, but I’d never felt so repressed in all my life.
---------
He was too busy having an aneurism or solving the mysteries of the universe or whatever it was he was doing while staring at my tits.
I like that she doesn't play games with Apollo and Grim and that she takes the initiative in seducing him but something was off about her pursuit of him. Both are virgins but she must have fooled around more than is explained in the story since the impression I got was different than she acted out. Sweet story though.
September 29, 2023
“I didn’t understand how he could get me so worked up with nothing but his fingers brushing along mine, but I’d never felt so repressed in all my life.”
The entire book is really two strangers meeting and then falling in love and it is adorable!!
It’s all the slow burn, low stakes, cozy fantasy to refresh the senses with something different that you didn’t know you needed.
I didn’t read the other books in this series and don’t feel like I’ve missed out. It works fine as a stand alone
It’s slow. It’s sweet. Probably won’t be for everyone. I found it charming.
The entire book is really two strangers meeting and then falling in love and it is adorable!!
It’s all the slow burn, low stakes, cozy fantasy to refresh the senses with something different that you didn’t know you needed.
I didn’t read the other books in this series and don’t feel like I’ve missed out. It works fine as a stand alone
It’s slow. It’s sweet. Probably won’t be for everyone. I found it charming.
July 28, 2023
DNF @83%
I saw all my friends enjoy reading this so I figured I better get myself to the party, better late than never,right?
Anyway. I really wanted to love this like the rest of my friends. But I was really confused about how I would rate this while reading, there are so many elements that I enjoyed but even still, I found myself feeling bored and my attention drifting elsewhere.
There seems to be a lot of world, lore building but not as much romance. I was bored while reading Grim’s POV anxious to get to their meeting and when they finally met I was excited for Celeste’s POV and once I was able to see her POV I wanted to be back at Grim’s POV. 😵💫
If the POVs alternated each chapter as is typical for dual POV I think I would’ve enjoyed this a lot more. There were so many instances where I was curious as to what Grim was thinking/feeling. Grim seemed to be a natural care taker and he was very good at bringing Celeste back to health but while Celeste was growing affectionate and lustful towards her husband I wanted to see if he felt the same? From Celeste’s POV it was clear he was aroused at some parts in the story but was it just a physical reaction to her touch or was it associated with fondness for his wife?
I enjoyed seeing him show a bit of possessiveness and how he claimed he was hers, how dedicated he was because of their bond. But I felt myself wanting her family to show up and actually try to annul the marriage to cause some conflict in the story. 🙈
I also felt like there was so much time spent in their minds instead of actual conversations happening to have them get to know each other. It made their connection a little harder for me to like, he was immediately dedicated because she was chosen to be his wife and she needed him to heal her, and she found him super hot and let’s me honest he was a sweetheart so I don’t blame her for falling for him but it just didn’t feel … natural? 🤔
Personally, I just struggled to see their feelings bloom. 🥲
And lastly, I wasn’t a fan of the time skips. There were scenes I would’ve liked to continue but flipping the page brought me to a new chapter where time had already passed.
. . . .
Also, one of Grim’s ability is to see tendrils of the future and he was able to see his friend’s child even before the mother was preggo but he wasn’t able to see anything from Celeste due to her weakened state, I thought we’d get something about this once we were back in his POV and she was a lot healthier but it didn’t come back up, at least not up to where I read.
. . . . .
♥︎ What I did enjoy:
•Fantasy elements, magic, wings. ~
•Arranged marriage.
•Hugging, cuddling, lap sitting.
•Hand holding, erotic wrist/arm touches.
•Grim’s devotion.
•Grim’s excitement to being referred to as ‘husband’.
•Their family tree mating mark.
•Celeste going badass to save her husband while he was just sparring.
•Celeste claiming she was staying with her husband because she loved him. ( Stupid Apollo)
My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. ❀
I saw all my friends enjoy reading this so I figured I better get myself to the party, better late than never,right?
Anyway. I really wanted to love this like the rest of my friends. But I was really confused about how I would rate this while reading, there are so many elements that I enjoyed but even still, I found myself feeling bored and my attention drifting elsewhere.
There seems to be a lot of world, lore building but not as much romance. I was bored while reading Grim’s POV anxious to get to their meeting and when they finally met I was excited for Celeste’s POV and once I was able to see her POV I wanted to be back at Grim’s POV. 😵💫
If the POVs alternated each chapter as is typical for dual POV I think I would’ve enjoyed this a lot more. There were so many instances where I was curious as to what Grim was thinking/feeling. Grim seemed to be a natural care taker and he was very good at bringing Celeste back to health but while Celeste was growing affectionate and lustful towards her husband I wanted to see if he felt the same? From Celeste’s POV it was clear he was aroused at some parts in the story but was it just a physical reaction to her touch or was it associated with fondness for his wife?
I enjoyed seeing him show a bit of possessiveness and how he claimed he was hers, how dedicated he was because of their bond. But I felt myself wanting her family to show up and actually try to annul the marriage to cause some conflict in the story. 🙈
I also felt like there was so much time spent in their minds instead of actual conversations happening to have them get to know each other. It made their connection a little harder for me to like, he was immediately dedicated because she was chosen to be his wife and she needed him to heal her, and she found him super hot and let’s me honest he was a sweetheart so I don’t blame her for falling for him but it just didn’t feel … natural? 🤔
Personally, I just struggled to see their feelings bloom. 🥲
And lastly, I wasn’t a fan of the time skips. There were scenes I would’ve liked to continue but flipping the page brought me to a new chapter where time had already passed.
. . . .
Also, one of Grim’s ability is to see tendrils of the future and he was able to see his friend’s child even before the mother was preggo but he wasn’t able to see anything from Celeste due to her weakened state, I thought we’d get something about this once we were back in his POV and she was a lot healthier but it didn’t come back up, at least not up to where I read.
. . . . .
♥︎ What I did enjoy:
•Fantasy elements, magic, wings. ~
•Arranged marriage.
•Hugging, cuddling, lap sitting.
•Hand holding, erotic wrist/arm touches.
•Grim’s devotion.
•Grim’s excitement to being referred to as ‘husband’.
•Their family tree mating mark.
•Celeste going badass to save her husband while he was just sparring.
•Celeste claiming she was staying with her husband because she loved him. ( Stupid Apollo)
My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. ❀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 6, 2023A deliciously romantic hot chocolate of a book with a little bit of spice, as a treat. This is a lovely slow-burn arranged-marriage romance between a reserved-but-sweet grim reaper and a fairy princess who is used to thinking of her duty rather than herself.
Recommended for lovers of cosy fantasy romance.
Recommended for lovers of cosy fantasy romance.
July 30, 2023
All right, all yall, let’s do this one more time, shall we?
SUMMARY
In Seduction of a Psychopomp, which can be read as a standalone, this pays homage to a few things from the romanticized myth of greek gods Hades and Persephone with them now being replaced by Victor, one of many personifications of death, and Celeste, a faerie princess.
Unlike how Hades and Persephone were wedded as a second option, Victor and Celeste’s arrangement, while circumstantial, is what gets their romance started. With Celeste dying of a mysterious illness, the matriarch of Victor’s family (his russian grandmother) assigns him Celeste as his “mate”, meaning by binding them together, Victor’s powers of “death” will restore Celeste’s life.
While Victor himself is not one to copiously emote, he is one to silently empathize, and meeting his sick wife as well as seeing the treatment and disrespect she’s given makes him want to provide and protect her, while Celeste is still in a cocoon of misery for her half-life of disease and loss.
The wedding completes the binding ceremony and Celeste and Victor are officially married—in his culture, at least. And when his new wife is still too weak to play perfect princess, she accepts Victor’s offer to leave Faery and the life of being subjected to ableism.
From here, love slowly grows. Victor—as imposing as he is—has little experience with intimacy and romantic care, but he’s considerate of Celeste forever and always. Celeste understands the highs and lows and in-betweens of romance, and as she grows into a healthier state, she takes the reigns in starting their marriage officially by her culture’s standards while Victor serves as her steadfast protector and adorable husband.
Tensions arise when Celeste learns the reason Victor seemed standoffish came from his lack of requiring as much sleep and food as her, but also that evil beings wish to consume her power while she’s still a vulnerable mortal. But with Victor’s experience and Celeste’s growing power, they head for a safe haven they can call home.
______________________________________
THE GOOD
______________________
This story was so 👏🏾 fucking 👏🏾 cute👏🏾😭🤧💃.
I adore stories where the MC2 is a badass undertaker, but they’re shy and inexperienced with intimacy, while MC1 is the bubblegum pop badass who unsuspectingly takes the reigns.
🤌🏾
I thoroughly enjoyed the explanation of Victor and his powers as well as how fleshed out his personality is. He was excellently written.
I also enjoyed how the romance happened and the intimacy. I thought it cute Victor actually read books about intimacy to better understand it. And the handholding, oh lord 😭
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
THE BAD
_____________________
I’m not terribly fond of how Celeste was written. I think she served her purpose as the MC, but this book feels like there’s a second one because of how many plot threads weren’t wrapped up.
For example, we learn Celeste has a friend named Apollo who loved her romantically and abandoned her when she denied him. He later returns once she’s wedded and bedded her husband, hoping for a second chance, and she denies him again.
And that’s…it.
I looooove lowkey drama, but the way that this was executed was poorly. The “Apollo”
Individual subplot for Celeste was set up to be bigger. The same with Celeste’s place within Faery as a princess. Faery politics were spoken about, but they contributed nothing to the story. We’re warned about the ableism, but we’re only told about it and maybe a handwavy scene when Celeste’s mother wants her sick daughter to still attend the wedding reception.
But that’s…it.
There’s no confrontation in Faery about Celeste’s treatment or really anything about Celeste’s family in Faery, even though they are mentioned. Why mention them if they don’t matter? Why not reinvite them into the scene later on? Especially when Celeste drops she could potentially have angelic ancestry around 90% into the book?
🫨
It felt like a disservice to set up a lot of these plots and knowledge drops with nothing coming to fruition of it. I would’ve been fine if we’d skipped over Celeste’s little spiels about her family life or one out of two times she used her powers since they don’t matter at all to the plot .
I also want to mention Faery was poorly explained. For a species/race that appears to be so close to the spiritual plane, I didn’t understand why faeries would believe in the Abrahamic god nor why they had western weddings. I was anticipating something much more in line with the mythology faeries are from, but it ended up being the US but with shapeshifting people who average around 5’.
Well they have wings, so I guess that’s interesting?
They also use boy and girl to describe their younger selves but it’s not male and female, so I’ll take it.
While I liked the romantic aspect of this story, I’m still on the fence about the sexual aspect of this story. I say this because of the insta-lust Celeste feels towards Victor when she’s healthy. It didn’t feel believable to me? The romance? YES, it was executed just fine.
But the sex was all…forced?
Don’t get me wrong. Victor is a ✨baby girl✨ and we love that energy from him, but I disliked how Celeste’s sexual feelings for him were approached in the beginning. I’m still confused why a faerie would be tied to a patriarchal value of equating a man having sex with you as proving your worth
This is what irks me with PNRs. Authors will include magical races/species and rely on very human and very western thinking.
EDIT
I do want to add that the premise makes it sound like this is all Celeste’s POV and there will be a romantic struggle between her and Victor. The premise is a lie. The cuteness and romance happens fairly quickly and we alternate with both leads. She is more trying to win his dick than his heart and really focuses on the consummation of marriage rather than romance.
I also forewarn that the initial author warning paragraph felt undeserved. We never confront actually nitty-gritty philosophy surrounding death and challenged perceptions. Victor explains his powers once to us readers and then explains to Celeste, who then just apologizes to him he “has” to do that (reap souls) and never actually understood Victor’s words.
And that’s it. We weren’t confronting anything. It just feels unnecessary to warn about it, but you never did anything with it. The note of mental health is nice, but I didn’t feel particularly challenged with this read. It was low angst and the stakes were hardly much. But that’s me personally.
______________________________________
OVERALL
This story was cute, but because of Victor, not because of Celeste. If you’re looking for cohesion with both leads well-rounded and receiving their own individual growth outside of a relationship and also within the context of their relationship, look elsewhere since, I’d say, Victor actually grew independently and within the relationship, but Celeste just got physically better with a minor mention of ”Oh look she likes pudding”.
The plot threads set up by the author will not be wrapped up and will be unsatisfying for those of us who enjoy having reasons why certain information or lore is added to a story. You’ll receive no answers and, while I like open to interpretation, these plot threads should’ve been tied off.
HAVING SAID THAT, if you enjoy a comfy read about a ✨baby girl✨ ML, who is darkness and shadow, but he’s a total grandma’s boy and a sweetie? Read this immediately. I came for Victor and I stayed for Victor.
- 3.5⭐️ rounded up.
- 3 🌶️ for the steam/spice. Explicit but lengthy
- No OW drama.
- OM drama is basically Celeste telling Apollo to leave her alone and he does
- Dual POVs
- NO CHILDREN MENTIONED IN ENDING OR IN EPILOGUE. My childfree siblings, we got a WIN for this ✅
SUMMARY
In Seduction of a Psychopomp, which can be read as a standalone, this pays homage to a few things from the romanticized myth of greek gods Hades and Persephone with them now being replaced by Victor, one of many personifications of death, and Celeste, a faerie princess.
Unlike how Hades and Persephone were wedded as a second option, Victor and Celeste’s arrangement, while circumstantial, is what gets their romance started. With Celeste dying of a mysterious illness, the matriarch of Victor’s family (his russian grandmother) assigns him Celeste as his “mate”, meaning by binding them together, Victor’s powers of “death” will restore Celeste’s life.
While Victor himself is not one to copiously emote, he is one to silently empathize, and meeting his sick wife as well as seeing the treatment and disrespect she’s given makes him want to provide and protect her, while Celeste is still in a cocoon of misery for her half-life of disease and loss.
The wedding completes the binding ceremony and Celeste and Victor are officially married—in his culture, at least. And when his new wife is still too weak to play perfect princess, she accepts Victor’s offer to leave Faery and the life of being subjected to ableism.
From here, love slowly grows. Victor—as imposing as he is—has little experience with intimacy and romantic care, but he’s considerate of Celeste forever and always. Celeste understands the highs and lows and in-betweens of romance, and as she grows into a healthier state, she takes the reigns in starting their marriage officially by her culture’s standards while Victor serves as her steadfast protector and adorable husband.
Tensions arise when Celeste learns the reason Victor seemed standoffish came from his lack of requiring as much sleep and food as her, but also that evil beings wish to consume her power while she’s still a vulnerable mortal. But with Victor’s experience and Celeste’s growing power, they head for a safe haven they can call home.
______________________________________
THE GOOD
______________________
This story was so 👏🏾 fucking 👏🏾 cute👏🏾😭🤧💃.
I adore stories where the MC2 is a badass undertaker, but they’re shy and inexperienced with intimacy, while MC1 is the bubblegum pop badass who unsuspectingly takes the reigns.
🤌🏾
I thoroughly enjoyed the explanation of Victor and his powers as well as how fleshed out his personality is. He was excellently written.
I also enjoyed how the romance happened and the intimacy. I thought it cute Victor actually read books about intimacy to better understand it. And the handholding, oh lord 😭
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
THE BAD
_____________________
I’m not terribly fond of how Celeste was written. I think she served her purpose as the MC, but this book feels like there’s a second one because of how many plot threads weren’t wrapped up.
For example, we learn Celeste has a friend named Apollo who loved her romantically and abandoned her when she denied him. He later returns once she’s wedded and bedded her husband, hoping for a second chance, and she denies him again.
And that’s…it.
I looooove lowkey drama, but the way that this was executed was poorly. The “Apollo”
Individual subplot for Celeste was set up to be bigger. The same with Celeste’s place within Faery as a princess. Faery politics were spoken about, but they contributed nothing to the story. We’re warned about the ableism, but we’re only told about it and maybe a handwavy scene when Celeste’s mother wants her sick daughter to still attend the wedding reception.
But that’s…it.
There’s no confrontation in Faery about Celeste’s treatment or really anything about Celeste’s family in Faery, even though they are mentioned. Why mention them if they don’t matter? Why not reinvite them into the scene later on? Especially when Celeste drops she could potentially have angelic ancestry around 90% into the book?
🫨
It felt like a disservice to set up a lot of these plots and knowledge drops with nothing coming to fruition of it. I would’ve been fine if we’d skipped over Celeste’s little spiels about her family life or one out of two times she used her powers since they don’t matter at all to the plot .
I also want to mention Faery was poorly explained. For a species/race that appears to be so close to the spiritual plane, I didn’t understand why faeries would believe in the Abrahamic god nor why they had western weddings. I was anticipating something much more in line with the mythology faeries are from, but it ended up being the US but with shapeshifting people who average around 5’.
Well they have wings, so I guess that’s interesting?
They also use boy and girl to describe their younger selves but it’s not male and female, so I’ll take it.
While I liked the romantic aspect of this story, I’m still on the fence about the sexual aspect of this story. I say this because of the insta-lust Celeste feels towards Victor when she’s healthy. It didn’t feel believable to me? The romance? YES, it was executed just fine.
But the sex was all…forced?
Don’t get me wrong. Victor is a ✨baby girl✨ and we love that energy from him, but I disliked how Celeste’s sexual feelings for him were approached in the beginning. I’m still confused why a faerie would be tied to a patriarchal value of equating a man having sex with you as proving your worth
This is what irks me with PNRs. Authors will include magical races/species and rely on very human and very western thinking.
EDIT
I do want to add that the premise makes it sound like this is all Celeste’s POV and there will be a romantic struggle between her and Victor. The premise is a lie. The cuteness and romance happens fairly quickly and we alternate with both leads. She is more trying to win his dick than his heart and really focuses on the consummation of marriage rather than romance.
I also forewarn that the initial author warning paragraph felt undeserved. We never confront actually nitty-gritty philosophy surrounding death and challenged perceptions. Victor explains his powers once to us readers and then explains to Celeste, who then just apologizes to him he “has” to do that (reap souls) and never actually understood Victor’s words.
And that’s it. We weren’t confronting anything. It just feels unnecessary to warn about it, but you never did anything with it. The note of mental health is nice, but I didn’t feel particularly challenged with this read. It was low angst and the stakes were hardly much. But that’s me personally.
______________________________________
OVERALL
This story was cute, but because of Victor, not because of Celeste. If you’re looking for cohesion with both leads well-rounded and receiving their own individual growth outside of a relationship and also within the context of their relationship, look elsewhere since, I’d say, Victor actually grew independently and within the relationship, but Celeste just got physically better with a minor mention of ”Oh look she likes pudding”.
The plot threads set up by the author will not be wrapped up and will be unsatisfying for those of us who enjoy having reasons why certain information or lore is added to a story. You’ll receive no answers and, while I like open to interpretation, these plot threads should’ve been tied off.
HAVING SAID THAT, if you enjoy a comfy read about a ✨baby girl✨ ML, who is darkness and shadow, but he’s a total grandma’s boy and a sweetie? Read this immediately. I came for Victor and I stayed for Victor.
- 3.5⭐️ rounded up.
- 3 🌶️ for the steam/spice. Explicit but lengthy
- No OW drama.
- OM drama is basically Celeste telling Apollo to leave her alone and he does
- Dual POVs
- NO CHILDREN MENTIONED IN ENDING OR IN EPILOGUE. My childfree siblings, we got a WIN for this ✅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2024
4.85? I have 103 highlights from this book!! Will be good if you’re looking for something like Lilith stone. Or Mallory Dunlin but without politics/plot/battles. Lots of pining, longing, and blushing. Also I LOVE this cover and the title.
February 26, 2025
Aww that was sweet 🥰
April 18, 2024
This was cute and sugary sweet. I needed something sweet after my last dark read. I liked how Grim nursed the h back to health and how big he was on consent. I found the rest of the book a bit boring as not much happened with the plot. It was put-downable after the MC’s got together. This author’s world building and character development is excellent. The characters were very endearing. The plot just didn’t keep me hooked.
March 17, 2024
Sweet baby Grim finally gets his book
I have been excited for Grim’s book since the second he showed up in book one. Of course, the end of book 1 made me even more excited. He’s just such a precious reaper with such weird ideas about anything outside his immortal existence or mortal death.
Celeste was a sweetheart and I kinda wanted to punch out her family. Her history of chronic illness and the messiness that brought to her life was relatable AF. She and Grim were perfect together. She helped him grow without expecting him to be a different person, and he helped her grow into her worth and power. Couple goals.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: chronic illness, sibling loss (off page), death, mild horror themes aka other creatures that go bump in the night
I have been excited for Grim’s book since the second he showed up in book one. Of course, the end of book 1 made me even more excited. He’s just such a precious reaper with such weird ideas about anything outside his immortal existence or mortal death.
Celeste was a sweetheart and I kinda wanted to punch out her family. Her history of chronic illness and the messiness that brought to her life was relatable AF. She and Grim were perfect together. She helped him grow without expecting him to be a different person, and he helped her grow into her worth and power. Couple goals.
Spice: 3.5/5
Triggers: chronic illness, sibling loss (off page), death, mild horror themes aka other creatures that go bump in the night
May 22, 2025
Cute, but where's the story?
July 16, 2023
4.5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
"She was mine, and I was hers. Darkness and light. Two halves of one whole."
Seduction of a Psychopomp is the third standalone novel in the Adult Fantasy Romance series, The Boundlands. It is not required to read the previous books but it is fun to catch the references.
In this book we follow Victor and Celeste. Victor is a reaper who finds peace ferrying souls from the human realm to their afterlife. Yet his life is turned upside down when his grandmother asks that he enter an arranged marriage to save the life of a Fae princess who is dying from a terminal illness. Yet for a grim who has no true understanding of what it means to marry and be in a relationship he is in for a surprise when the woman he is bound to desires a real marriage...body and heart.
Victor is a fascinating character that I just could not get enough of. He's studious and thoughtful; the ways in which he takes a situation and looks forward made this arranged marriage relationship an absolute delight to read. He is never intruding on Celeste's space and does not expect anything. Yet when he realizes the feelings are reciprocated he becomes a big and protective cinnamon role.
Celeste is a female on a mission. While she had no idea what was in store for her after waking up from a medically induced coma (but magical), she sees Victor and is immediately drawn to him. Watching her try to understand with grim reaper tugged on my heart strings again and again. She is inquisitive and assertive and I loved watching her develop a rapport with Victor before approaching something more with him.
This is a slow burn romance but when we finally get the spice it was beautifully rewarding. I would place with around 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers as we do get a few scenes in the second half of the book. The slow burn itself was incredibly well handled as we get to learn these characters story and see them try to find a place with each other. The fact that Victor has no relationship experience (not even one night stands) made this adorable and the spice that followed was excellent.
"You might not feel yet that you are mine, but that doesn't mean I don't. This mark...means that I have been bound to you for all eternity. Life and death will fade away and every version of this planet will crumble into dust, and I will still belong to you."
In terms of world building and plot I would say this book is more vibes than anything else. I believe more of the world building would have come from previous books but you get enough information to understand, though I would have liked a bit more. The story itself is very light as the main push is the marriage but then afterwards it mainly focused on these two making the marriage work. There is some action but I wasn't sure the point. That said, I think what cemented this story for me was the characters. Reading about how Victor and Celeste fall in love was PERFECTION for me. I loved the banter, the teasing, the discovery, and the passion between them. I adore arrange marriage tropes that focus on the characters trying to make it work and these two hit the nail on the head with this trope.
Overall, this novel was a joy to read that left me grinning ear to ear watching these two characters create a beautiful arranged marriage with delightful banter and all the steamy tension. I now need to go read the two previous books because I am not ready to leave this world.
Thank you to the author for this e-ARC!
"She was mine, and I was hers. Darkness and light. Two halves of one whole."
Seduction of a Psychopomp is the third standalone novel in the Adult Fantasy Romance series, The Boundlands. It is not required to read the previous books but it is fun to catch the references.
In this book we follow Victor and Celeste. Victor is a reaper who finds peace ferrying souls from the human realm to their afterlife. Yet his life is turned upside down when his grandmother asks that he enter an arranged marriage to save the life of a Fae princess who is dying from a terminal illness. Yet for a grim who has no true understanding of what it means to marry and be in a relationship he is in for a surprise when the woman he is bound to desires a real marriage...body and heart.
Victor is a fascinating character that I just could not get enough of. He's studious and thoughtful; the ways in which he takes a situation and looks forward made this arranged marriage relationship an absolute delight to read. He is never intruding on Celeste's space and does not expect anything. Yet when he realizes the feelings are reciprocated he becomes a big and protective cinnamon role.
Celeste is a female on a mission. While she had no idea what was in store for her after waking up from a medically induced coma (but magical), she sees Victor and is immediately drawn to him. Watching her try to understand with grim reaper tugged on my heart strings again and again. She is inquisitive and assertive and I loved watching her develop a rapport with Victor before approaching something more with him.
This is a slow burn romance but when we finally get the spice it was beautifully rewarding. I would place with around 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers as we do get a few scenes in the second half of the book. The slow burn itself was incredibly well handled as we get to learn these characters story and see them try to find a place with each other. The fact that Victor has no relationship experience (not even one night stands) made this adorable and the spice that followed was excellent.
"You might not feel yet that you are mine, but that doesn't mean I don't. This mark...means that I have been bound to you for all eternity. Life and death will fade away and every version of this planet will crumble into dust, and I will still belong to you."
In terms of world building and plot I would say this book is more vibes than anything else. I believe more of the world building would have come from previous books but you get enough information to understand, though I would have liked a bit more. The story itself is very light as the main push is the marriage but then afterwards it mainly focused on these two making the marriage work. There is some action but I wasn't sure the point. That said, I think what cemented this story for me was the characters. Reading about how Victor and Celeste fall in love was PERFECTION for me. I loved the banter, the teasing, the discovery, and the passion between them. I adore arrange marriage tropes that focus on the characters trying to make it work and these two hit the nail on the head with this trope.
Overall, this novel was a joy to read that left me grinning ear to ear watching these two characters create a beautiful arranged marriage with delightful banter and all the steamy tension. I now need to go read the two previous books because I am not ready to leave this world.
Thank you to the author for this e-ARC!
July 30, 2023
3.5✨
This is such a sweet, delightful read! It’s a quiet, cozy romance, one that provides so much comfort, laughs, and swoons. I really enjoy when I come across reads like this in the fantasy genre.
Its world isn’t expansive, there are no big battles, no longwinded journeys, no complex character building. In a way it’s a slice of life, but with fantasy romance as its genre. It's a story about two souls coming together without choice but choosing to learn about one another and allowing love to sneak into their hearts.
It’ll make you gushy and blushy! Also, there’s a lot of good humor in it! Celeste finds herself a bit put off at how Grim isn’t being very receptive to her seduction efforts, and then she finds some…rather interesting books he’s reading that provides clarify to his bashful, aloof grumpiness (is that a thing? It is now thanks to Grim!). My cheeks started to hurt because of all the smiling this book provides! I promise, you’ll just be so happy reading this one, and falling in love with its romance which is at its heart.
I did have mixed feelings on the world-building. I never visualized it fully, but there was a certain feeling to it that I found quite appealing. I do think it would have benefitted me if I had read the other books in this series, to garner a better understanding, especially of the previous books characters who had minor roles, but overall I did enjoy the feel of the world and its characters. It’s very much modern fantasy, so expect modern dialogue, which may not be for eveyone. What became a bit unclear was the different ‘worlds’ within the world traversed. However, I found I wasn’t overly bothered that I never had that full clarity, because, well, the vibes were there, for lack of a better word. And those vibes hit beautifully.
Seduction of Psychopomp is a cozy, sweet read. It delivers positively a low stakes, low angst plot. It’s all sweetness, giggles, blushing cheeks, and all the breathy swoons. Whew! It’s light-hearted reading and sometimes that’s exactly what the heart needs, so I’m very glad to have read it and I am definitely going to read the previous entries to this series. I need more!
Thank you so kindly to the author for providing an arc in exchange of an honest review.
This is such a sweet, delightful read! It’s a quiet, cozy romance, one that provides so much comfort, laughs, and swoons. I really enjoy when I come across reads like this in the fantasy genre.
Its world isn’t expansive, there are no big battles, no longwinded journeys, no complex character building. In a way it’s a slice of life, but with fantasy romance as its genre. It's a story about two souls coming together without choice but choosing to learn about one another and allowing love to sneak into their hearts.
It’ll make you gushy and blushy! Also, there’s a lot of good humor in it! Celeste finds herself a bit put off at how Grim isn’t being very receptive to her seduction efforts, and then she finds some…rather interesting books he’s reading that provides clarify to his bashful, aloof grumpiness (is that a thing? It is now thanks to Grim!). My cheeks started to hurt because of all the smiling this book provides! I promise, you’ll just be so happy reading this one, and falling in love with its romance which is at its heart.
I did have mixed feelings on the world-building. I never visualized it fully, but there was a certain feeling to it that I found quite appealing. I do think it would have benefitted me if I had read the other books in this series, to garner a better understanding, especially of the previous books characters who had minor roles, but overall I did enjoy the feel of the world and its characters. It’s very much modern fantasy, so expect modern dialogue, which may not be for eveyone. What became a bit unclear was the different ‘worlds’ within the world traversed. However, I found I wasn’t overly bothered that I never had that full clarity, because, well, the vibes were there, for lack of a better word. And those vibes hit beautifully.
Seduction of Psychopomp is a cozy, sweet read. It delivers positively a low stakes, low angst plot. It’s all sweetness, giggles, blushing cheeks, and all the breathy swoons. Whew! It’s light-hearted reading and sometimes that’s exactly what the heart needs, so I’m very glad to have read it and I am definitely going to read the previous entries to this series. I need more!
Thank you so kindly to the author for providing an arc in exchange of an honest review.
Read
December 1, 2023DNF.
The cover on this is absolutely stunning. I wish I was more attached to the characters but I didn't feel that attached and I didn't entirely know why the grandmother was so adamant about shackling Victor to Celeste for eternity? I get that she's royalty and "of good genes" (queue deep cringe) but... I mean are we getting some cattle or land or something??? The story is very, very slow with a lot of exposition from only Victor until around the 25% mark which was unfortunately just a little too late for me to really bond with Celeste.
The cover on this is absolutely stunning. I wish I was more attached to the characters but I didn't feel that attached and I didn't entirely know why the grandmother was so adamant about shackling Victor to Celeste for eternity? I get that she's royalty and "of good genes" (queue deep cringe) but... I mean are we getting some cattle or land or something??? The story is very, very slow with a lot of exposition from only Victor until around the 25% mark which was unfortunately just a little too late for me to really bond with Celeste.
February 27, 2024
3.5⭐ this was adorable 🫶🏻
March 1, 2024
✨well, that was adorable✨
Sometimes the only way to accurately convey how you feel is with a run-on so: this story was sweet and cozy and comfortable and a little spicy and I’m so sad it’s over and so pleased to have stumbled across it.
Hands down, best story, standing ovation, 5 stars. :3
Sometimes the only way to accurately convey how you feel is with a run-on so: this story was sweet and cozy and comfortable and a little spicy and I’m so sad it’s over and so pleased to have stumbled across it.
Hands down, best story, standing ovation, 5 stars. :3
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