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Secrets & Sin #1
City of Night
Welcome to the City of Secrets & Sin
When I inherit a haunted bookstore in New Orleans, I go from demon hunter to my dream job. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to my beautiful new life—the gorgeous demon who seems to think he owns the place.
The attraction between us is insane, and we can’t keep our eyes off each other. But I don’t trust him one bit—especially not the way he uses his seductive charms to try to compel me to work for him.
When a young girl is kidnapped from right outside my house, he’s the first person on my mind. I just can’t figure out if he’s the culprit or my fiercest protector. But I do know he has answers. And I have to resist his dangerous allure, because to give in is to risk losing everything—including my life.
City of Night is the first in the Secrets & Sin trilogy. It's got enemies to lovers, fated mates, and a tortured hero who is absolutely obsessed with the heroine (but doesn't want to be).
When I inherit a haunted bookstore in New Orleans, I go from demon hunter to my dream job. Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to my beautiful new life—the gorgeous demon who seems to think he owns the place.
The attraction between us is insane, and we can’t keep our eyes off each other. But I don’t trust him one bit—especially not the way he uses his seductive charms to try to compel me to work for him.
When a young girl is kidnapped from right outside my house, he’s the first person on my mind. I just can’t figure out if he’s the culprit or my fiercest protector. But I do know he has answers. And I have to resist his dangerous allure, because to give in is to risk losing everything—including my life.
City of Night is the first in the Secrets & Sin trilogy. It's got enemies to lovers, fated mates, and a tortured hero who is absolutely obsessed with the heroine (but doesn't want to be).
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2022
1611 people are currently reading
1904 people want to read
About the author
Linsey Hall
107 books4,392 followersFollow me!
For giveaways, contests and book discussion join my Facebook group
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Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
For giveaways, contests and book discussion join my Facebook group
here!
Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
January 6, 2024
3,5
Nie było to nic nadzwyczajnego, ale fajnie się bawiłam. Główna bohaterka ma ciekawe moce, chciałabym się więcej o nich dowiedzieć, zwłaszcza zaciekawiły mnie te związane z duchami. Wątek romantyczny rozwija się powoli i jak na razie podoba mi się.
Mam tylko nadzieję, że główna bohaterka w końcu otworzy tę księgarnię, bo jeszcze nie zdążyła, ponieważ od razu po przeprowadzce zajęła się porwaniem i śledztwem. Plus za demonicznego kota śpiącego na tosterze.
Nie było to nic nadzwyczajnego, ale fajnie się bawiłam. Główna bohaterka ma ciekawe moce, chciałabym się więcej o nich dowiedzieć, zwłaszcza zaciekawiły mnie te związane z duchami. Wątek romantyczny rozwija się powoli i jak na razie podoba mi się.
Mam tylko nadzieję, że główna bohaterka w końcu otworzy tę księgarnię, bo jeszcze nie zdążyła, ponieważ od razu po przeprowadzce zajęła się porwaniem i śledztwem. Plus za demonicznego kota śpiącego na tosterze.
April 14, 2025
Despite this being similar to a hundred other books I've read before, it kept me entertained, and I enjoyed this read. The biggest flaw, and it's more what I like in books, and perhaps not with the book itself; is all of the secrets. The FMC is on the run, the stereotypical raised person ender. And she could get what she needs right away, but she, of course, trusts no one. Even after she starts trusting people. It was very, very frustrating. Other than that, I liked the book enough to give it 4 stars and to make plans to read the next book.
November 12, 2022
Another absolute belter from Linsey Hall, she’s one of my go to authors for Paranormal Romance, I am always guaranteed a great read. This is addictive reading, you really get hooked and need to know what’s going to happen next. Linsey writes such amazing characters, strong leads who can think for themselves and if they get in a scrape don’t need rescuing, that doesn’t mean there’s not amazing leading, brooding men involved, just that they’re modern men. I love this so much and can’t wait for the next
June 1, 2023
Gee, I’m usually a big fan, but I’m halfway through the first book and it’s like a surreal walk through toddler land…
She’s the new girl in town and everyone is just “here have a coffee” “here have some potions” “let me help you” “sure I’ll pick a fight for you with someone”…… walking into a store, directly exchanging numbers with the girl working there… . It’s all just TOO easy and convenient on too many (all) occasions.
She is picking a fight with the main guy for a pretty lame reason and is perfectly fine with the same scenario when it comes to several other people just hours later. There is no rhyme or reason to this and it’s exhausting. On top of that she is overall not very likable. There is not enough character development to actually connect to her. I’m disappointed ☹️
There are so many missed opportunities even just in the VERY beginning. Like talk about her thoughts arriving in the house of the mother who abondoned her - nothing.
Her mother killed someone - sure, ok. Let’s not talk about it, it’s totally normal.
Oh there is a demon cat on the couch. Shrug it off and leave the house without even looking. It’s just all very shallow and continues in that pattern 🤷♀️
She’s the new girl in town and everyone is just “here have a coffee” “here have some potions” “let me help you” “sure I’ll pick a fight for you with someone”…… walking into a store, directly exchanging numbers with the girl working there… . It’s all just TOO easy and convenient on too many (all) occasions.
She is picking a fight with the main guy for a pretty lame reason and is perfectly fine with the same scenario when it comes to several other people just hours later. There is no rhyme or reason to this and it’s exhausting. On top of that she is overall not very likable. There is not enough character development to actually connect to her. I’m disappointed ☹️
There are so many missed opportunities even just in the VERY beginning. Like talk about her thoughts arriving in the house of the mother who abondoned her - nothing.
Her mother killed someone - sure, ok. Let’s not talk about it, it’s totally normal.
Oh there is a demon cat on the couch. Shrug it off and leave the house without even looking. It’s just all very shallow and continues in that pattern 🤷♀️
January 15, 2023
3.5⭐️
City of Night is a funny paranormal romance with mystery that is easy to binge.
Cora is our MC and she is escaping her past and hoping to start over in New Orleans. She has never been able to make decisions about her life and she doesn’t want to end up working for another overlord in New Orleans. Enter Talan—the hot demon leader of the section of New Orleans that Cora moves to. New Orleans is divided into 4 areas that are each run by a different supernatural being—witch, demon, vampire, and werewolf. I really enjoyed the modern world with supernatural beings, and there is pretty much every supernatural creature you can imagine in City of Night.
Cora is a hilarious FMC and her inner commentary had my giggling while reading. I want to explore more about her magic! I love Fiona, a ghost living in her house and someone who ends up being a great friend to Cora. There was tension between Talan and Cora from the start. This is a fairly short book and the romance is very slow burn, but I think there will be more in the next book. Talan is very mysterious and I need to know more about him and his past. While I liked the characters, I didn’t feel very connected to them and I hope to be more invested in them in the next book.
In her first night in New Orleans, a girl in her community goes missing and Cora ends up helping find her. I love a good paranormal romance book with mystery. The mystery was the main plot and I enjoyed seeing how it unfolded. It’s very fast paced which makes it easy to read and I was invested in the story.
Things to expect:
✨Ghosts & demons
✨Fated mates
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Found family
✨Paranormal romance
✨Fast-paced
✨Mystery
✨Fun read
✨Dual POV
City of Night is a funny paranormal romance with mystery that is easy to binge.
Cora is our MC and she is escaping her past and hoping to start over in New Orleans. She has never been able to make decisions about her life and she doesn’t want to end up working for another overlord in New Orleans. Enter Talan—the hot demon leader of the section of New Orleans that Cora moves to. New Orleans is divided into 4 areas that are each run by a different supernatural being—witch, demon, vampire, and werewolf. I really enjoyed the modern world with supernatural beings, and there is pretty much every supernatural creature you can imagine in City of Night.
Cora is a hilarious FMC and her inner commentary had my giggling while reading. I want to explore more about her magic! I love Fiona, a ghost living in her house and someone who ends up being a great friend to Cora. There was tension between Talan and Cora from the start. This is a fairly short book and the romance is very slow burn, but I think there will be more in the next book. Talan is very mysterious and I need to know more about him and his past. While I liked the characters, I didn’t feel very connected to them and I hope to be more invested in them in the next book.
In her first night in New Orleans, a girl in her community goes missing and Cora ends up helping find her. I love a good paranormal romance book with mystery. The mystery was the main plot and I enjoyed seeing how it unfolded. It’s very fast paced which makes it easy to read and I was invested in the story.
Things to expect:
✨Ghosts & demons
✨Fated mates
✨Enemies to lovers
✨Found family
✨Paranormal romance
✨Fast-paced
✨Mystery
✨Fun read
✨Dual POV
April 9, 2023
Quick Summary: WOW!
My Review: City of Night by Linsey Hall was insanely good. Seriously!!!
What I Loved About This Book:
- What made this story so entertaining was its uniqueness. It was a whole new supernatural experience.
- The setting was in NOLA. Still, there was a world that existed beyond the obvious.
- There were four main factions, however, there were outliers that existed as well. Dark and devious forces were at play throughout the book.
- The characters were phenomenal - Cora, Talan, Fiona, Rei, Mia, Calex, the demon cat, the witches. They each had their own charm.
- The antagonists were bananas. They each played their role to perfection. What was most obvious was that more is coming. That shadow of dread permeated the air.
- Cora and Talan... 💣💥💥💥🔥 They've got that BOOM BOOM POW thing going on. Their chemistry was explosive. (I love how they were trying so hard to fight what they so obviously felt. You cannot run from a fire that wants to consume you. It's pointless. They kept being drawn together. It was like they couldn't stay away.)
- The mystery surrounding Cora's mother. There had to be a reason why she did what she did. To Cora. To Fiona. In NOLA. (And I have to wonder, who is Cora's father?)
- I loved that none of the female characters were weak. They were fierce in their own way. (Yass!)
My Favorite Scenes (coded to avoid spoilers):
- No, You Can't See Me
- Party Up!
- Just Like Fire
- May I Touch You
- Partners
- Why Did You Do That
- Dream State
- Blood of One
My Final Say: This gets a hidden treasure rating. It's golden. Readers who are fans of paranormal fic will eat this up and come back for second helpings.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💎
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bonnie Doon Press), and to NetGalley. Thanks for making this title available for review in exchange for honest feedback. The words I have shared are my own.
My Review: City of Night by Linsey Hall was insanely good. Seriously!!!
What I Loved About This Book:
- What made this story so entertaining was its uniqueness. It was a whole new supernatural experience.
- The setting was in NOLA. Still, there was a world that existed beyond the obvious.
- There were four main factions, however, there were outliers that existed as well. Dark and devious forces were at play throughout the book.
- The characters were phenomenal - Cora, Talan, Fiona, Rei, Mia, Calex, the demon cat, the witches. They each had their own charm.
- The antagonists were bananas. They each played their role to perfection. What was most obvious was that more is coming. That shadow of dread permeated the air.
- Cora and Talan... 💣💥💥💥🔥 They've got that BOOM BOOM POW thing going on. Their chemistry was explosive. (I love how they were trying so hard to fight what they so obviously felt. You cannot run from a fire that wants to consume you. It's pointless. They kept being drawn together. It was like they couldn't stay away.)
- The mystery surrounding Cora's mother. There had to be a reason why she did what she did. To Cora. To Fiona. In NOLA. (And I have to wonder, who is Cora's father?)
- I loved that none of the female characters were weak. They were fierce in their own way. (Yass!)
My Favorite Scenes (coded to avoid spoilers):
- No, You Can't See Me
- Party Up!
- Just Like Fire
- May I Touch You
- Partners
- Why Did You Do That
- Dream State
- Blood of One
My Final Say: This gets a hidden treasure rating. It's golden. Readers who are fans of paranormal fic will eat this up and come back for second helpings.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💎
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bonnie Doon Press), and to NetGalley. Thanks for making this title available for review in exchange for honest feedback. The words I have shared are my own.
October 29, 2022
Secrets & sin book 1
Linsey hall is an auto read for me. I don't even look at the description anymore. I was not disappointed with this book. She is great at world building and making characters that you really like and want to know more about. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
Linsey hall is an auto read for me. I don't even look at the description anymore. I was not disappointed with this book. She is great at world building and making characters that you really like and want to know more about. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
June 6, 2023
I found the FMC insanely irrational. She has no patience, firmly believes the world should revolve around her, and believes she is above all. The writing style and dialogue were not for me either, but if you enjoy other Linsey Hall works you might actually enjoy this.
February 21, 2023
3.25.
This was...okay, I guess. Pretty generic, light, Urban Fantasy.
I liked the concept of the different sections of the city for supernatural territories and I like the fact that the female mc was capable of change and realising she was wrong about people. Here is something generally likeable about her. I also liked how the romance is slow burn.
However, the general feeling was just a bit shallow. We hear constant references to her awful past and how she's some amazing mercenary, but the trauma was just somethjng we were told about, it just all seemed very surface level. In fact everything baiut the book did. She also spent most of the book not really being that much of a bad ass. I mean, she walked through a painful maghcal ward and alit a couple of throats towarda the end and used the touch death magic in a few people. But in terms of a highly skilled fighter, trained since childhood, not so much. So it all felt a bit disingenuous.
Talan, the male mc sort of suffered with the same issues, but to a lesser extent as he was in it less. Their relationship has pontential, and its that which is making me contemplate picking up the next book, or continuing my endless, yet most fruitless search for a non-shallow urban fantasy I haven't already read!
This was...okay, I guess. Pretty generic, light, Urban Fantasy.
I liked the concept of the different sections of the city for supernatural territories and I like the fact that the female mc was capable of change and realising she was wrong about people. Here is something generally likeable about her. I also liked how the romance is slow burn.
However, the general feeling was just a bit shallow. We hear constant references to her awful past and how she's some amazing mercenary, but the trauma was just somethjng we were told about, it just all seemed very surface level. In fact everything baiut the book did. She also spent most of the book not really being that much of a bad ass. I mean, she walked through a painful maghcal ward and alit a couple of throats towarda the end and used the touch death magic in a few people. But in terms of a highly skilled fighter, trained since childhood, not so much. So it all felt a bit disingenuous.
Talan, the male mc sort of suffered with the same issues, but to a lesser extent as he was in it less. Their relationship has pontential, and its that which is making me contemplate picking up the next book, or continuing my endless, yet most fruitless search for a non-shallow urban fantasy I haven't already read!
January 15, 2023
I feel like I read this book already, but can’t find any data on it. So it means that it was forgettable or very similar to another book that I’ve read. I honestly can’t tell. Won’t continue with this serie.
April 14, 2024
2.5☆
I agree with everything Ava (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) said!
And the most annoying part for me is that she hated the MMC for no reason at all from the beginning. That's not "enemies to lovers" - that's just stupidity on the FMC's part.
I had to DNF because everything just didn't make any sense anymore with the FMC's blind dislike/hatred of the MMC and creating her own problems out of thin air. I hate DNF'ing but I didn't care anymore for this one. 🤷♀️
I agree with everything Ava (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) said!
And the most annoying part for me is that she hated the MMC for no reason at all from the beginning. That's not "enemies to lovers" - that's just stupidity on the FMC's part.
I had to DNF because everything just didn't make any sense anymore with the FMC's blind dislike/hatred of the MMC and creating her own problems out of thin air. I hate DNF'ing but I didn't care anymore for this one. 🤷♀️
December 13, 2022
City of Night is a fun paranormal romance with fairly interesting magic and setting.
With elements of mystery and a dollop of suspense, it has a lot to offer.
I’m sure many will find enjoyable.
With elements of mystery and a dollop of suspense, it has a lot to offer.
I’m sure many will find enjoyable.
December 21, 2022
Talan & Cora have a magnetic connection that's fire!
I love Talan, I think he's my new book boyfriend! I know he's a demon, he's powerful & he owns part of New Orleans. However, he has a past so similar to Cora's they are perfect mates. I love that he protects his people so much that he helped hunt 2 down. Talan has lots of power anyone that can flick their wrist & kill someone commands respect. Talan a massed all that power to make sure his old master couldn't come after him again. And Cora is on the run from her master who forced her to use her power to kill with a touch. I feel awful for Cora her mother sold her to magic traffickers. She was sent to an orphanage to learn that having friends was a weakness. Emotions were also something she didn't know how to handle. She had been abused by so many guys that she didn't know what it meant to have feelings for Talan. I can't imagine not having even one friend. It would be so lonely. However, trying to keep her secret has to be hard. I'm kind of surprised her master didn't send someone after her. I would think her type of magic would be hard to find. Although, it is odd that 3 of them ended up in one town. If you ask me they got lucky being in Talan's area.
I love Talan, I think he's my new book boyfriend! I know he's a demon, he's powerful & he owns part of New Orleans. However, he has a past so similar to Cora's they are perfect mates. I love that he protects his people so much that he helped hunt 2 down. Talan has lots of power anyone that can flick their wrist & kill someone commands respect. Talan a massed all that power to make sure his old master couldn't come after him again. And Cora is on the run from her master who forced her to use her power to kill with a touch. I feel awful for Cora her mother sold her to magic traffickers. She was sent to an orphanage to learn that having friends was a weakness. Emotions were also something she didn't know how to handle. She had been abused by so many guys that she didn't know what it meant to have feelings for Talan. I can't imagine not having even one friend. It would be so lonely. However, trying to keep her secret has to be hard. I'm kind of surprised her master didn't send someone after her. I would think her type of magic would be hard to find. Although, it is odd that 3 of them ended up in one town. If you ask me they got lucky being in Talan's area.
November 13, 2022
This wasn’t my first book by Linsey Hall, and it definitely won’t be my last. She does a great job of combining action/adventure and romance plots into a truly entertaining story. This book was definitely a slow burn, but there were enough hints of chemistry between the two main characters that the romance plot was never boring. The action/adventure storyline could’ve picked up speed a little earlier in the novel though as the first third of the book was a bit tedious.
The secondary characters were very enjoyable, especially Cora’s ghost and witch friends. Many of the characters had a lot of mystery surrounding them, and I’m looking forward to learning more in future books. While there are still a lot of loose ends, this novel didn’t end on a cliffhanger, which I liked. I’m excited to see the romance between Cora and Talan develop and to learn more about Cora’s powers/history, but I also left the book feeling moderately satisfied by its conclusion.
Overall, this was a fun, action-packed story with romance and solid world building. I highly recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
The secondary characters were very enjoyable, especially Cora’s ghost and witch friends. Many of the characters had a lot of mystery surrounding them, and I’m looking forward to learning more in future books. While there are still a lot of loose ends, this novel didn’t end on a cliffhanger, which I liked. I’m excited to see the romance between Cora and Talan develop and to learn more about Cora’s powers/history, but I also left the book feeling moderately satisfied by its conclusion.
Overall, this was a fun, action-packed story with romance and solid world building. I highly recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*
December 9, 2022
In this new series Cora and Talan are got to take you on a dangerously crazy adventure through New Orleans. This one’s got ghosts, a shadow cat, magic traffickers and a mysterious murderous dead mom all while living in an inherited bookshop. Can’t wait to get my hands on more.
Advance review copy provided for voluntary review consideration
Advance review copy provided for voluntary review consideration
November 10, 2022
DNF
The writing style is not for me, it's over the top descriptive. This is not world building, the colour of furniture being included in every new scene is off putting. The heroine is very flighty for assassin/mercenary, it's as though it's her first time carrying a knife with the way she waves it all around every five minutes.
Just not for me.
The writing style is not for me, it's over the top descriptive. This is not world building, the colour of furniture being included in every new scene is off putting. The heroine is very flighty for assassin/mercenary, it's as though it's her first time carrying a knife with the way she waves it all around every five minutes.
Just not for me.
June 15, 2023
3.5/5*
There was everything here for a great UF - romance, found family, mystery but unfortunately I found this book to be more setting up the series. The end of the mystery wrapped up so quickly with barely any foreshadowing and I felt there were a lot of avenues that could have been explored to add more engagement.
Same thoughts with the romance and side characters. Loved what I saw but ultimately didn’t see enough of it to be convinced
There was everything here for a great UF - romance, found family, mystery but unfortunately I found this book to be more setting up the series. The end of the mystery wrapped up so quickly with barely any foreshadowing and I felt there were a lot of avenues that could have been explored to add more engagement.
Same thoughts with the romance and side characters. Loved what I saw but ultimately didn’t see enough of it to be convinced
April 16, 2023
Love this book
This book is addicting from the first page. I love the main character and how fierce she is. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
This book is addicting from the first page. I love the main character and how fierce she is. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Read
December 7, 2022Read books one and two (this review is for both). The premise had promise, and it was okay enough for me to finish the first and read the second, but I'll pass on the third. Actually, I'll plan on passing on future books by this author altogether. Again, not terrible, but flat, characters a little too cardboard, too undeveloped. Goes back to the "show, don't say" axiom - I felt like the author said "instalove!" and "they just met and now they're besties!" but it's not believable. Premise had promise, but it failed to live up to it.
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.
March 7, 2023
3.5 Stars
April 14, 2023
It was ok! I enjoyed other series by this author, but this book didn't keep my interest!
April 16, 2023
3.5⭐️. Bookclub book. Not bad, a bit predictable which took the fun out of the read.
April 23, 2023
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
3.5 stars
This was a fun quick read and a good start to a new Urban Fantasy series. Cora moves to New Orleans to inherit her mother's estate, including all the baggage that some with it which includes a ghost, a cat, and a demon lord presiding over the area. She quickly finds herself in the middle of city politics and shenanigans and a kidnapping plot. We gets hints of her past life in which she was sold as a baby and used as a mercenary. So she has a lot of personal and trust issues and is very self reliant.
She and the demon lord find themsleves inexplicably drawn to each other as they search to find Elisa, the missing girl and the depths of crime and corruption happening in his territory. Along the way we meet a few key players and people who Cora slowly opens up to the longer she sticks around seeing what New Orleans means for her and her new life here.
I made my way through it quicker than I expected and didn't get too bogged down with magic or politics. I might go looking for book 2 in the future.
3.5 stars
This was a fun quick read and a good start to a new Urban Fantasy series. Cora moves to New Orleans to inherit her mother's estate, including all the baggage that some with it which includes a ghost, a cat, and a demon lord presiding over the area. She quickly finds herself in the middle of city politics and shenanigans and a kidnapping plot. We gets hints of her past life in which she was sold as a baby and used as a mercenary. So she has a lot of personal and trust issues and is very self reliant.
She and the demon lord find themsleves inexplicably drawn to each other as they search to find Elisa, the missing girl and the depths of crime and corruption happening in his territory. Along the way we meet a few key players and people who Cora slowly opens up to the longer she sticks around seeing what New Orleans means for her and her new life here.
I made my way through it quicker than I expected and didn't get too bogged down with magic or politics. I might go looking for book 2 in the future.
March 26, 2023
Good lord I struggled with this book. While the setting in a magical NOLA is fun and exciting for an urban fantasy book, I could not like the main character. Cora is starting over from her violent, traumatic past, and she is supposed to be laying low. Instead, she immediately starts a fight with the powers that be, practically screaming about how she's a badass at every possible moment. True badasses don't argue about who's the strongest, and they certainly wouldn't start fights when attempting to stay under the radar. Her reasoning for trying to find the missing neighborhood teenager makes absolutely no sense given her upbringing. I understand she was wanting to help a teenager in need when no one helped her, but Cora constantly says she doesn't need friends or connections (while receiving copious handouts from others). If she was more conflicted and trying to rise above her upbringing, she would be more tenuously friendly and open to the idea of having friends. And it would be more reasonable for her to stick her neck out for the teen. But instead she's written as toggling between not wanting to be helped at all and practically demanding help.
The book uses Talan's perspective to try to gaslight us into liking Cora. It would have been better to have the entire book from Cora's perspective to allow for more mystery surrounding Talan. This additional book space could have been used to show more personal growth from Cora. Instead we get insipid hormonal thoughts from Talan. At one point he waxes on about how he's so attracted to her intelligence, but at this point all Cora has done is cause stupid problems. What intelligence is he talking about? She can't even figure out how to turn on the electricity at her house and that's at most a thirty minute phone call. It wouldn't have even detracted from her search for the missing teen. I mean, good god, how did her phone keep charge for days on end with her using the map app? You need the freaking electricity!
Overall a frustrating read that could have been so much better.
The book uses Talan's perspective to try to gaslight us into liking Cora. It would have been better to have the entire book from Cora's perspective to allow for more mystery surrounding Talan. This additional book space could have been used to show more personal growth from Cora. Instead we get insipid hormonal thoughts from Talan. At one point he waxes on about how he's so attracted to her intelligence, but at this point all Cora has done is cause stupid problems. What intelligence is he talking about? She can't even figure out how to turn on the electricity at her house and that's at most a thirty minute phone call. It wouldn't have even detracted from her search for the missing teen. I mean, good god, how did her phone keep charge for days on end with her using the map app? You need the freaking electricity!
Overall a frustrating read that could have been so much better.
August 12, 2023
Main Characters:
Cora -
Talon -
Subpar Summary:
Thoughts:
This was a quick, fun read and the characters shined through. Cora’s attitude, despite (or maybe in spite of her past, was really enjoyable. She struggles with her morality having just found freedom and I’m beyond interested in learning more about her past.
Overall: 4.4/5
Cora -
Talon -
Subpar Summary:
Thoughts:
This was a quick, fun read and the characters shined through. Cora’s attitude, despite (or maybe in spite of her past, was really enjoyable. She struggles with her morality having just found freedom and I’m beyond interested in learning more about her past.
Overall: 4.4/5
October 27, 2022
“I adored everything that was meant to shorten my lifespan.” -From City of Night
4 stars
A great urban fantasy start to a series with a slightly prickly heroine you will learn to love. I love some of the paranormal elements, and the cat. It started out really strong for me, but thought the middle lagged a little. I really wished the bookstore element was utilized, hopefully it will make an appearance in future books!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars
A great urban fantasy start to a series with a slightly prickly heroine you will learn to love. I love some of the paranormal elements, and the cat. It started out really strong for me, but thought the middle lagged a little. I really wished the bookstore element was utilized, hopefully it will make an appearance in future books!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
*I received a copy of City of Night by Linsey Hall from Linsey Hall and Storygram Tours in exchange for an honest review*
First off, Thank you Linsey and Storygram tours! I was very excited to read this book with it being the first book in a new series. I received a little promotional package with this GORGEOUS character art of Talan our Male Main Character (MMC) and a beautiful copy of City of Night.
This was my first Linsey Hall book and I really enjoyed it!
I don't want to give too much away BUT this book is a paranormal/magical story set in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our female main character (FMC) Cora just inherited her mother's bookshop after she found out her mother passed away. However, Cora doesn't realize that the bookshop is in an area "protected" by the Demon Lord. He's known to be very scary but very sexy and is very demanding. Think of a mob boss with horns.
Cora is magical but doesn't quite understand what she is since she hasn't met anyone else that has powers like her. City of Night is set around the storyline of Cora finding out about a young woman being taken from the streets of New Orleans by "magic traffickers". Cora has made it her mission to find the young woman before it is too late. In doing so, Cora enlists the help of several people she's met since moving to New Orleans including Talan.
This book is a quick paced story and a quick read so I definitely recommend it for anyone looking to get into a new series that is fun with magical elements, a ghost friend, and sexy demons.
I would say be warned that "magic trafficking" is something that could be triggering for some individuals.
First off, Thank you Linsey and Storygram tours! I was very excited to read this book with it being the first book in a new series. I received a little promotional package with this GORGEOUS character art of Talan our Male Main Character (MMC) and a beautiful copy of City of Night.
This was my first Linsey Hall book and I really enjoyed it!
I don't want to give too much away BUT this book is a paranormal/magical story set in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our female main character (FMC) Cora just inherited her mother's bookshop after she found out her mother passed away. However, Cora doesn't realize that the bookshop is in an area "protected" by the Demon Lord. He's known to be very scary but very sexy and is very demanding. Think of a mob boss with horns.
Cora is magical but doesn't quite understand what she is since she hasn't met anyone else that has powers like her. City of Night is set around the storyline of Cora finding out about a young woman being taken from the streets of New Orleans by "magic traffickers". Cora has made it her mission to find the young woman before it is too late. In doing so, Cora enlists the help of several people she's met since moving to New Orleans including Talan.
This book is a quick paced story and a quick read so I definitely recommend it for anyone looking to get into a new series that is fun with magical elements, a ghost friend, and sexy demons.
I would say be warned that "magic trafficking" is something that could be triggering for some individuals.
March 2, 2023
>Book Review – City of Night
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Secrets and Sin series and ends with a relationship cliffhanger. Cora is an orphan. Her backstory is hinted at. Details of her past are given out sparingly by the author. Enough information is given out about Cora for the reader to know her mother hated her and sold her at birth. She was forced to become an assassin. Somehow, she leaves that life and comes to New Orleans to live in her now-deceased mother’s apartment/bookstore. I love how the bookstore includes a strange cat and a ghost-girl. The reality in this story has supernatural creatures being real but hidden from humans.
>Talan is the demon lord over the demon section of the city. He has an instant attraction to Cora causing him to act out of character. Cora is also attracted to Talan but fights the attraction. Cora doesn’t want to be under anyone’s thumb ever again. Besides the romance, Cora spends most of the book looking for a missing girl. There are a lot of characters, some friendly and some evil, to help/hinder Cora in her endeavors.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The dialogue is smart and fun. I love how Cora learns what it is like to have friends. I only wish there were some instances of Cora feeling jealousy towards Talan.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Secrets and Sin series and ends with a relationship cliffhanger. Cora is an orphan. Her backstory is hinted at. Details of her past are given out sparingly by the author. Enough information is given out about Cora for the reader to know her mother hated her and sold her at birth. She was forced to become an assassin. Somehow, she leaves that life and comes to New Orleans to live in her now-deceased mother’s apartment/bookstore. I love how the bookstore includes a strange cat and a ghost-girl. The reality in this story has supernatural creatures being real but hidden from humans.
>Talan is the demon lord over the demon section of the city. He has an instant attraction to Cora causing him to act out of character. Cora is also attracted to Talan but fights the attraction. Cora doesn’t want to be under anyone’s thumb ever again. Besides the romance, Cora spends most of the book looking for a missing girl. There are a lot of characters, some friendly and some evil, to help/hinder Cora in her endeavors.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The dialogue is smart and fun. I love how Cora learns what it is like to have friends. I only wish there were some instances of Cora feeling jealousy towards Talan.
December 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this book ! the magic and the world building were great !
I really liked Cora ,she's such a badass ,i find her powers so interesting and i would totally love to see more of her backstory ! i totally love her first meeting with Talan ! omg the passion and heat that is coming off them is undeniable ! and i can't wait to see where their relationship goes :) the banter and the push and pull between them is so freaking good, i also really liked that she starts to make friends which is something she has never had before and she doesn't really know how to handle it but she's starting to learn how to let people in !
OMG Talan (fans self) the demon lord is such a hottie ! i loved him the moment we meet him and i totally can't wait to see more of him and Cora ,they are kinda perfect for one another and i can not wait to see the payoff between them ,they both come from similar backgrounds and they both don't want to be drawn to each other but its totally out of their control ! i loved ever second of their steamy scenes together :)
Omg i loved all the side characters too ! i am hoping some of them get a bigger part in the next book !
overall really liked this book and i can't wait to read the next one asap !
I really liked Cora ,she's such a badass ,i find her powers so interesting and i would totally love to see more of her backstory ! i totally love her first meeting with Talan ! omg the passion and heat that is coming off them is undeniable ! and i can't wait to see where their relationship goes :) the banter and the push and pull between them is so freaking good, i also really liked that she starts to make friends which is something she has never had before and she doesn't really know how to handle it but she's starting to learn how to let people in !
OMG Talan (fans self) the demon lord is such a hottie ! i loved him the moment we meet him and i totally can't wait to see more of him and Cora ,they are kinda perfect for one another and i can not wait to see the payoff between them ,they both come from similar backgrounds and they both don't want to be drawn to each other but its totally out of their control ! i loved ever second of their steamy scenes together :)
Omg i loved all the side characters too ! i am hoping some of them get a bigger part in the next book !
overall really liked this book and i can't wait to read the next one asap !
October 28, 2022
I like stories with heroines who have powers and do not let themselves be stopped to fight evil and the style of this author pleases me. Cora has something that worries her, and she is trying to leave her past behind and start a new life without anyone having control over her. I found Talan's character interesting, powerful, intriguing, overwhelming and ... understanding! A mixture that is usually out of the ordinary for a demon character. Cora's struggle with her attraction to Talan keeps me guessing because the feelings are strong, and Talan is going to have to fight hard to break through the barriers that Cora has put up upon herself. I really liked how the plot flows and the suspense is maintained by the action, the intriguing situations and the secondary characters that contribute to the story, add mystery and even humor. A very good selection and it would be worth keeping them in mind for future stories. This is the first book and doesn't end with a cliffhanger. Good! I'm curious to see what is going to happen with Cora next and what surprise the author has in store for us. I voluntarily reviewed this interesting and entertaining story.
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