For Better or For Worse

Deathly Beloved #2

by Miranda Grant

This is Fine. Everything is Fine.

So my husband stabs people. Which makes sense considering he blackmailed me into marrying him and framed me for a crime that carried the death penalty. He's Richard Morningstar, after all, the Demon of Raza, the tyrant ruler of the fairies. I mean, all the signs were there.

And okay yeah, deep down I did know, but by the gods, he's amazing in the you-know-what department, and like, what woman hasn't compromised a few things here and there for that utter deliciousness?

Besides, it's not like the guy he stabbed died or anything. So this is fine. Totally fine…

Everything is Not Fine.

When the Court forced me to take a wife, I wasn't supposed to fall in love. Now I have a weakness I'm struggling to protect.

My kingdom is at war. The Court wants to use her to take my throne. The rebels want to kill her to bring me to my knees. And our world, its customs and traditions, will destroy her very soul. Arienna Morningstar will not survive being queen. Unless...

I destroy it all.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Smut, Dark Romance, Humor, Fae

400 pages, ebook

About the author

Miranda Grant is not a serial killer.

As an author of fantasy and paranormal romance, she just needs to know some things, like how many dead babies can fit in a bathtub (34, 52.5 if blended), what human meat tastes like (dry pork), how to get away with murder (it’s really hard to tell the difference between a drowning accident and a drowning murder, just saying), etc.

This non-serial killer lady lives with her partner, who often drags her outside, claiming ‘sunlight is necessary’ and ‘social interactions are a good thing’. Given her questionable search history, she goes along with it, thinking it’ll be better to have less ‘aloof serial killer vibes’ should the police ever knock on her door…

Reviews

[Bethany Hartzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pls I really thought this series couldn’t get more bonkers than the first but I was wrong lmao. It’s humor gets darker and so does the content surprisingly. I do really appreciate Arienna having to come to terms with having been raised in a cult and what that means for her as a person and how to restructure herself going forward. I’m unsure how I feel about adding jace into the mix sexually given Richards personality but I also think that the way it was done didn’t go against his character, which is a big problem for alot of authors who decide to add in a mmf to a monogamous couple. Also arienna trying very hard to remember the word monogamy sent me laughing but also was so incredibly sweet. A literary masterpiece it was not but it left a mark on my memory and with the mass amount of books I read that means something.

[Sarah R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, I read the first book so I knew it was going to be weird and crazy, but it somehow managed to up the ante on the most bonkers book I'd ever read.

I really like the characters in this series, wasn't necessarily expecting the depth or growth or some of the themes that we got, but it worked. Nothing is dwelled on for too long, nothing is too heavy, so the humour doesn't jar when it comes.

Overall I enjoyed the whole book, but it was the second half that really lifted it for me, where you had such gruesome things happening against pure silliness. It gave a monty python/Terry Pratchett vibe but not in a copycat kind of way, just in the humour of contrasting the mundane with the horror.

I'll definitely be picking up any future books in the series.

[Laci Steimel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I love the little world Miranda Grant has created. A fan of fae settings, this really drew me in. Arienna is such a sweet brownie, with a little bit of a mischevious side that made me fall in love with her. Richard is kind of an alphahole at the beginning, but definitely fits with Arienna and becomes her protector. This story kept me guessing, and I really enjoyed it! Can't wait for the next!

[Lindsey Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The first book in this series was hysterical. This book did not disappoint. I did not expect to be so addicted to the character growth. Not only was this a really fun read but wow, Miranda turned the spice up in this book for sure. Loved it!

[Stevie Killeen-McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Better or For Worst, book 2 in the series.

Full to the brim with Dark humour, and smut, in my opinion so funny and love how the main characters grow though out the book.

So many part made me howl with laughter, it is weird and I understand that’s not for everyone, but for those of you that like something that is completely different, then I would definitely say to read this series.

I have read this book though Beta reading and loved every minute of it.

[Charlotte Chrisp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird but good

[Courtny · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd installment even better than the 1st!

If you liked the 1st book then you will LOVE this one! Arienna really comes into her own in this one and learns to stand up for herself. I really enjoy how Grant dives a little farther into the cult of happiness that is the brownie civilization. She has a gift of writing comedy while also delivering some serious content. There is a goofy/playfulness especially centering around Arienna but as we learn more about the brownies you can see where it comes from. This book gives more depth to the story. Plus can’t disregard some excellent Richard groveling and finally being put in his place a little. Smut is top notch too!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but it was not a quick read at all. Honestly, as much as I liked the characters I had a rough time getting through the story since it was pretty light on the storyline in some parts of the book. If you're in the mood for a good erotic romance this will be one for you however you need to read the first book first. This second book does not stand alone and even though I read the first book it took me a bit to figure out the relationships going on. Overall it was an enjoyable read I just wish it wouldn't have taken so long for me.
*I received a copy for an honest review*

[Bibliophilic Kitten · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had no idea this was a part 2 of a Duet. It was recommended to me for a good grovel.

I was stuck between confusion, laughing, and annoyance. I don't even remember how it ended and I just finished it a couple of hours ago.

[Christina Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn. Nr. 2 bog i serien og waow. Den var god og sjov. Fortryder intet

Smut 10/10

[Christine Georgiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, although being a little better than its predecessor, was again one I struggled to finish.

Firstly, it felt faaaarrrrrr toooooo loooooong. This story could very easily be told in half the time. Nothing significant really happens until the end, which was the best part of the book.

This series was advertised as a hilarious, quirky world, but I found it a little boring and not very funny at all.

The MMC was a little better in this book, but the FMC was even worse, if that is at all possible. Childish and stupid comes to mind when describing Arienna.

There are a few spicy scenes which were, in my opinion, the best parts of the book as the story was very light and did not keep me interested. I kinda wish that the effort of describing the spicy scenes had been put in the actual story.

This series was a bit of a no for me, it wasn't funny or endearing, and I struggled to finish it. 😐

[Beth Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


This is the second book in the Deathly Beloved series and I absolutely love it! There are so many emotions whirling around that I felt like I was on a roller coaster.


I have fallen in love with the main characters. I really hope that Richard and Arienna have a smooth-ish ride from here on out (probably not too smooth as she does enjoy her punishments!) I also highly hope Jace gets the love he deserves and can work through his feelings that he has bottled up inside!


I really can't rate this series high enough. Miranda is a fantastic writer in whatever she turns her hand to!


I'm ready for the next one Miranda!


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

[SN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to rate this book five and two stars at the same time. The first half of the book was really great, and the second half was much much worse. At some points, I thought the author was a literal genius, beyond the book being hilarious. The grammar wasn't great, but the book was good enough to overlook that. The grammar was significantly worse in the second half of the book as well, so I wonder if there was some sort of timing issue.

[jackie Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again this author has knocked it out of the ball park with this book! This one was even more sexy/steamy/smutty then the 1st 🔥🥵🔥🥵 I definitely needed a cold shower or 4 haha. All of the funny craziness of the 1st book. Arianna is just hilarious and Richard is still super sexy and dominant and we get a little sharing happening featuring Jace and a little MM aswell 🥵

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im hyperventilating rn because i feel the author is hinting at jace x ariennax richard and im gnna be so mad bro since the first book it was fabia x jace or fabia and richards brother pleaseee dont do this to me 😭