What do you think?
Rate this book
Monster Magic Dating Service #2
Trying the Trickster
A muse in the flesh…at least to the shapeshifter who so desperately needs her help.
Only one Cathy’s creativity is gone. Kaput. Dead in the water. Without it, she’s a shell of the woman that she once was, lost and bitter without the one thing that makes her who she truly is.
Reynard is the trickster king, a shapeshifter of the first order whose purpose is to help bring his kind into the human world. Cathy is a friend of his family, but more than that, he and the rest of his kind need her art and creativity to aid the plan to convince humanity to accept them. Without it, his people will be forced back to the world where they have been exiled for so long.
The greater good is reason enough for Reynard to help Cathy regain her creativity, but as they get to know one another more, he realizes that perhaps he is more personally invested.
Without Cathy, the plan to rejoin the human world will die, but without her creativity, Cathy will wither, and Reynard isn’t willing to let either of those things happen.
Not without a fight.
Only one Cathy’s creativity is gone. Kaput. Dead in the water. Without it, she’s a shell of the woman that she once was, lost and bitter without the one thing that makes her who she truly is.
Reynard is the trickster king, a shapeshifter of the first order whose purpose is to help bring his kind into the human world. Cathy is a friend of his family, but more than that, he and the rest of his kind need her art and creativity to aid the plan to convince humanity to accept them. Without it, his people will be forced back to the world where they have been exiled for so long.
The greater good is reason enough for Reynard to help Cathy regain her creativity, but as they get to know one another more, he realizes that perhaps he is more personally invested.
Without Cathy, the plan to rejoin the human world will die, but without her creativity, Cathy will wither, and Reynard isn’t willing to let either of those things happen.
Not without a fight.
230 pages, ebook
Published February 8, 2023
41 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 11, 2023
I’m so excited that we get to come back to the world of the Midlife Magic Dating Service again. And I’m particularly giddy that we get to see Reynard matched up. (And that the pairing is with the best friend, Cathy.) I was so quickly pulled into the story that it felt like I blinked, and it was already over. It’s is filled with surprises, a little bit of spice, and a whole lot of laugh out loud funny moments. I’m not sure where the authors will take us next, but I’m so ready to go on that ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
May 21, 2023
This is book two of the Midlife Magic Dating Service series and Cathy had signed up for the dating service, hoping to finally break her bad run with dates, after a recommendation from her best friend Roma, who met her fated mate Bran in the first book. She has had three dates out of her expected six, but each had been a bit of a disaster, with even her creativity coming to a stop after her latest one. She visits the dating service and has realised that the men she was sent on the blind dates with, were not quite human and was told the last one had been a muse. Her next dates are to be with a fox shifter, then a troll and a vampire. Only problem is that the muse has stolen her creativity, leaving her unable to help with setting up multimedia advertising, to help the so called monsters who had been exiled to Dream, be looked upon as normal people, just with a bit of a magical addition or difference to them. They had been exiled by humans known as the Alchemists and also infected with a virus that has made their lives worse, with some becoming deformed whilst others have gone mad or died. The king of the shifters and others, Bran, had sent Rey (Reynard) to Gaia ie Earth years before, to get ready for others to come through and hopefully have a better life. He has gotten used to human ways and settled well, but hasn’t found a mate, not that he was even looking for one and was pushed to sign up for the service by Bran.
Cathy is persuaded to go for her next few dates, to see if any of them are a better match and ends up meeting with Rey and the start of their date goes very well. That is until a man comes up and accosts Rey and calls him a thief, grabbing an item out of Rey’s pocket after freezing him with a powder he blew at him! That ends the date as far as Cathy is concerned, but it doesn’t allow her to forget about Rey or stop thinking about him! Bran and Reynard need Cathy and her creative skills to get them and their kind accepted in the human world and not thought of as the monsters of folklore and legend. As they try to bring more of their people over, they also have to fight against the mysterious Alchemists, who want them all dead! Cathy and Roma’s friend Tanni is working on trying to find a cure, but testing whatever she comes up with could be dangerous and has no guarantee of working. Rey’s second is not happy to involve humans in their cause, but has to listen to Rey’s commands. Rey also can’t get Cathy out of his head and both of them realise they are falling for the other, no matter how unexpected it was. She finds out about Rey’s trickster side and isn’t exactly happy with that, thinking it confirms he is a thief, but she will soon find out more about him and his protective side.
He will do anything for his king and his people, but they will soon find themselves working together against the Alchemists, one is Kenneth from the previous book and thought to be dead after having been sent to an unknown dimension in a magical chair, he tried to use on someone else. Rey is a lot more than most expect and his favourite form is as a fox, but that is not all he can become, plus he has trickster DNA, which helps him in some situations, but didn’t help in the midst of his original date. He now has to persuade Cathy to go on another date with him, but his idea of a date is to show her what he does and she seems to like the action and it certainly gets her blood flowing, shall we say. They have to find the muse and get him to give Cathy back her creativity, as it hasn’t returned to her yet and she can’t do any of her work without it. Her mind is completely blank and she can’t think of anything to help make a website pop! The muse is found, but has another trick up his sleeve, that soon has Rey acting against normal and possibly quite dangerously. Nice to see the continuation of this strange story of shifters exiled to the dimension of Dream and the monsters trying to get back to Earth, as well as this weird dating service trying to match human and monsters, the best of them that is. Good bit of romance and steam, with shifters, a tragic virus and a fight back against those that don’t want them here and wish them harm. Nice catch up on the past match, the new one and a hint of the one to come at the end. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Cathy is persuaded to go for her next few dates, to see if any of them are a better match and ends up meeting with Rey and the start of their date goes very well. That is until a man comes up and accosts Rey and calls him a thief, grabbing an item out of Rey’s pocket after freezing him with a powder he blew at him! That ends the date as far as Cathy is concerned, but it doesn’t allow her to forget about Rey or stop thinking about him! Bran and Reynard need Cathy and her creative skills to get them and their kind accepted in the human world and not thought of as the monsters of folklore and legend. As they try to bring more of their people over, they also have to fight against the mysterious Alchemists, who want them all dead! Cathy and Roma’s friend Tanni is working on trying to find a cure, but testing whatever she comes up with could be dangerous and has no guarantee of working. Rey’s second is not happy to involve humans in their cause, but has to listen to Rey’s commands. Rey also can’t get Cathy out of his head and both of them realise they are falling for the other, no matter how unexpected it was. She finds out about Rey’s trickster side and isn’t exactly happy with that, thinking it confirms he is a thief, but she will soon find out more about him and his protective side.
He will do anything for his king and his people, but they will soon find themselves working together against the Alchemists, one is Kenneth from the previous book and thought to be dead after having been sent to an unknown dimension in a magical chair, he tried to use on someone else. Rey is a lot more than most expect and his favourite form is as a fox, but that is not all he can become, plus he has trickster DNA, which helps him in some situations, but didn’t help in the midst of his original date. He now has to persuade Cathy to go on another date with him, but his idea of a date is to show her what he does and she seems to like the action and it certainly gets her blood flowing, shall we say. They have to find the muse and get him to give Cathy back her creativity, as it hasn’t returned to her yet and she can’t do any of her work without it. Her mind is completely blank and she can’t think of anything to help make a website pop! The muse is found, but has another trick up his sleeve, that soon has Rey acting against normal and possibly quite dangerously. Nice to see the continuation of this strange story of shifters exiled to the dimension of Dream and the monsters trying to get back to Earth, as well as this weird dating service trying to match human and monsters, the best of them that is. Good bit of romance and steam, with shifters, a tragic virus and a fight back against those that don’t want them here and wish them harm. Nice catch up on the past match, the new one and a hint of the one to come at the end. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
May 31, 2023
Where Can I Sign Up?
I love the idea of a monster dating agency! We learn a lot more about it in this book, partly through an amusing conversation between a disgruntled female client and the agency's owner. The client wonders just *what* exactly she’s been paired with, as something about each of the *men* seems off. She doesn’t quite know how to feel when it turns out that a tall(!) dwarf gave her diamonds he personally mined, and the reason she hasn’t been her artistic self lately is that the woman at the agency paired her with a muse who, essentially, feeds off a person's creative energy. She hasn't been able to do her work for weeks! The agency owner wants to help the good “monsters” integrate back into Earth culture after their long banishment; she figures her dating agency is an excellent way to do that. This female client happens to be besties with the woman who found her match through the agency in the previous book, and after a few tension-filled questions, the two are able to discuss it openly over a few bottles of wine and pizza rolls! The paranormal fun continues through the rest of the book, taking a few interesting twists and turns that are a delight to follow. You don't necessarily need to have read the first book to understand this one, but doing so will only add to your pleasure and appreciation of it. Highly recommended series, and I'm looking forward to the next books!
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I love the idea of a monster dating agency! We learn a lot more about it in this book, partly through an amusing conversation between a disgruntled female client and the agency's owner. The client wonders just *what* exactly she’s been paired with, as something about each of the *men* seems off. She doesn’t quite know how to feel when it turns out that a tall(!) dwarf gave her diamonds he personally mined, and the reason she hasn’t been her artistic self lately is that the woman at the agency paired her with a muse who, essentially, feeds off a person's creative energy. She hasn't been able to do her work for weeks! The agency owner wants to help the good “monsters” integrate back into Earth culture after their long banishment; she figures her dating agency is an excellent way to do that. This female client happens to be besties with the woman who found her match through the agency in the previous book, and after a few tension-filled questions, the two are able to discuss it openly over a few bottles of wine and pizza rolls! The paranormal fun continues through the rest of the book, taking a few interesting twists and turns that are a delight to follow. You don't necessarily need to have read the first book to understand this one, but doing so will only add to your pleasure and appreciation of it. Highly recommended series, and I'm looking forward to the next books!
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
February 14, 2023
Hilarious!
This is the 2nd book in the Midlife Mage Dating Service, and I loved it just as much as I loved the first one! This book features Cathy, who is the 1st book's MC’s best friend, and Reynard, who is the ruler of all the shifters, who we also met in the 1st book. Cathy has already been on 3 of her 6 dates with the paranormal dating service when she goes out on a date with Rey. It goes really well until some guy shows up at their dinner, claiming he stole from them. Come to find out, the alchemist group is back at it and is trying to send all the paranormal beings back to Dream. Cathy discovers that Rey was not a thief and decided to give him a shot, especially after her latest date was a troll – and I mean that literally! This book has a great plot line with them trying to introduce society to their kind and create a PR campaign, but there are those pesky alchemists who are not about to let that happen. Oh, and there is a surprise person who shows back up in this book – someone we thought was gone forever! Lol
Loved this!
I received an ARC for my honest review!
This is the 2nd book in the Midlife Mage Dating Service, and I loved it just as much as I loved the first one! This book features Cathy, who is the 1st book's MC’s best friend, and Reynard, who is the ruler of all the shifters, who we also met in the 1st book. Cathy has already been on 3 of her 6 dates with the paranormal dating service when she goes out on a date with Rey. It goes really well until some guy shows up at their dinner, claiming he stole from them. Come to find out, the alchemist group is back at it and is trying to send all the paranormal beings back to Dream. Cathy discovers that Rey was not a thief and decided to give him a shot, especially after her latest date was a troll – and I mean that literally! This book has a great plot line with them trying to introduce society to their kind and create a PR campaign, but there are those pesky alchemists who are not about to let that happen. Oh, and there is a surprise person who shows back up in this book – someone we thought was gone forever! Lol
Loved this!
I received an ARC for my honest review!
February 14, 2023
Reynard and Cathy's Story . . .
Reynard and Cathy’s story was humorous and fun. Cathy, Roma’s best friend, signs up with the Midlife Magic Dating Service. Finding that she was dating “monsters” was not an issue, except that one of her dates, a muse, stole her creativity. Reynard, a date she also met through the dating service, decides to help her get her creativity back so she can help with a larger plan to make other paranormals gain acceptance from humans. But the part of the plan he had not considered was getting to know her better and finding that she may be more important to him than he realized. And she needs his help to get that creativity she has lost back so that she can return to the person she was.
Once again, the author’s writing will keep you invested in the story line. There is lots going on and fun characters to get to know. Grab your copy and enjoy!
Reynard and Cathy’s story was humorous and fun. Cathy, Roma’s best friend, signs up with the Midlife Magic Dating Service. Finding that she was dating “monsters” was not an issue, except that one of her dates, a muse, stole her creativity. Reynard, a date she also met through the dating service, decides to help her get her creativity back so she can help with a larger plan to make other paranormals gain acceptance from humans. But the part of the plan he had not considered was getting to know her better and finding that she may be more important to him than he realized. And she needs his help to get that creativity she has lost back so that she can return to the person she was.
Once again, the author’s writing will keep you invested in the story line. There is lots going on and fun characters to get to know. Grab your copy and enjoy!
February 19, 2023
Start with Book 1 and continue with this. There is a lot of backstory, chiefly the background of this universe, the introduction to characters (heroes and villains), and the intense romance between Bran and Roma.
In this book, Cathy finds out her friend Anne has set her up with dates with monsters: a muse, a dwarf, and a werewolf. Her friend Roma has also been set up with monsters, Bran, a goblin. The monsters look and act much like humans, but have recently returned from a long exile to Dream. Anne and Bran want to peacefully reintegrate monsters with humans, which promises to be a challenge, especially with an evil organization working to start a brutal, bloody war. There is lots of humor and plenty of romance, as well as some action/adventure as the villains are thwarted. But even bigger villains seem to be lurking behind the scenes, setting the stage for Book 3.
In this book, Cathy finds out her friend Anne has set her up with dates with monsters: a muse, a dwarf, and a werewolf. Her friend Roma has also been set up with monsters, Bran, a goblin. The monsters look and act much like humans, but have recently returned from a long exile to Dream. Anne and Bran want to peacefully reintegrate monsters with humans, which promises to be a challenge, especially with an evil organization working to start a brutal, bloody war. There is lots of humor and plenty of romance, as well as some action/adventure as the villains are thwarted. But even bigger villains seem to be lurking behind the scenes, setting the stage for Book 3.
September 15, 2023
Another great story from L.A. Boruff! An author that I discovered 2 years ago during the pandemic. I had Kindle Unlimited and found her books on there. I haven't stopped reading them they are that good.
The books are co-written with Daphne Moore and I can't get enough. The Midlife Magic Dating Service is a wonderful series where women are paired with demons/monsters/shifters. We learn a lot about the dating service and how monsters/demons/shifters wanting to come back to Gaia (earth). The writing keeps you interested and you don't want to put the book down. We do have a happily ever after in each book and this story is about Cathy and Reynard. Cathy signed up for the dating service and she was matched with 5 gentlemen. The first she met was a muse and unknowingly the muse took something from Cathy, her creativity. The second date was Reynard, a shifter, and with Rey it was love at first sight. Cathy thought he was annoying. Will Cathy fall in love with Rey or will she find another match more appealing. You have to read the story to find out.
While you can read this book as a standalone I would highly recommend that you read the first book in the series Monsters Matchmaking. It will give you the beginning of Roma & Brans story.
Highly recommend if you like paranormal books.
The books are co-written with Daphne Moore and I can't get enough. The Midlife Magic Dating Service is a wonderful series where women are paired with demons/monsters/shifters. We learn a lot about the dating service and how monsters/demons/shifters wanting to come back to Gaia (earth). The writing keeps you interested and you don't want to put the book down. We do have a happily ever after in each book and this story is about Cathy and Reynard. Cathy signed up for the dating service and she was matched with 5 gentlemen. The first she met was a muse and unknowingly the muse took something from Cathy, her creativity. The second date was Reynard, a shifter, and with Rey it was love at first sight. Cathy thought he was annoying. Will Cathy fall in love with Rey or will she find another match more appealing. You have to read the story to find out.
While you can read this book as a standalone I would highly recommend that you read the first book in the series Monsters Matchmaking. It will give you the beginning of Roma & Brans story.
Highly recommend if you like paranormal books.
February 12, 2023
I loved this, I read book 1 Roma and Bran's story and Book 2 follows Reynard (Rey) and Cathy (Roma's best friends story).
As with book 1, book 2 starts with Cathy registering with the Midlife Magic Dating Service and eventually meeting her mate Rey. The couple is soon embroiled in the mystery and adventure that surrounds the magical creatures in the world.
There is a happy ever after and the final chapter hints at who the heroine of the next book will be.
It is a creative plot and as with all L.A. Boruff and writing partners book it has wit, warmth and humour. You want to keep reading.
As with book 1, book 2 starts with Cathy registering with the Midlife Magic Dating Service and eventually meeting her mate Rey. The couple is soon embroiled in the mystery and adventure that surrounds the magical creatures in the world.
There is a happy ever after and the final chapter hints at who the heroine of the next book will be.
It is a creative plot and as with all L.A. Boruff and writing partners book it has wit, warmth and humour. You want to keep reading.
February 24, 2023
Cathy signed up with the Midlife Magic Dating Service only to get her creativity stolen by one of her dates a muse. Reynard a shapeshifter was another one of her dates needs Cathy to get her creativity back so she can help him convince humans to accept paranormals. The more time Cathy and Reynard spend together the closer they get. This was a fun read packed with quirky and interesting characters, unexpected twists, humor, steam, and an entertaining storyline that held my attention from beginning to end. Trying The Trickster is book two in the Midlife Magic Dating Serice and I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
February 11, 2023
introducing the Others who were banished to Dream back to earth becomes a mission for Roma - a mission Cathy might join if she can find an appealing date thru the dating agency for supernaturals
Not all experiences were good ones, though several were quite humorous - and even the fun dates have hilarious cultural clash mis cues and pop culture funnies- late night tv might not be the best cultural introduction
sneaky forces from the dangerous and deceptive alchemists could wreak havoc on more than just the Others
tense suspense and romance and drama filled action
Not all experiences were good ones, though several were quite humorous - and even the fun dates have hilarious cultural clash mis cues and pop culture funnies- late night tv might not be the best cultural introduction
sneaky forces from the dangerous and deceptive alchemists could wreak havoc on more than just the Others
tense suspense and romance and drama filled action
February 12, 2023
After enjoying the first book in this series I am delighted that book 2 was just as great a read with humour, fun, great main character, magic, mystery, intrique and good storyline to follow its up and downs.
Great escapism fantasy read that gives you feel good factor, smiles, laughter, sexy romance and magic.
L.A. Boruff and her collaborations makes great series and books to read, either individual stand alone but don't miss out on the series to get full adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great escapism fantasy read that gives you feel good factor, smiles, laughter, sexy romance and magic.
L.A. Boruff and her collaborations makes great series and books to read, either individual stand alone but don't miss out on the series to get full adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Cathy joined a dating service only to find after the third date that they were monsters. She doesn't have trouble with it other than the one of the dates was a muse who stole her creativity. The fourth date was really good with Reynard. Several things happen that lead to Reynard and Cathy working together and more. The muse features a bit more in problems he creates. However it all works out in the end for Cathy and Reynard. The book has unpredictable events to make it interesting.
February 15, 2023
It was hilarious reading Cathy's reaction when she finds out she's actually been dating supernaturals and I can understand her horror when she finds out the muses actually suck your artistic abilities out of you like a vampire. Funny and entertaining. Can't wait for the rest of this series to review.
July 13, 2025
Interesting take on magical creatures
The story was interesting but way too short. There were a few noticeable spelling errors, such as abnd. At the end Reynard leads police to kidnapped children. However, the last name of the kidnapper detained for the incidents is the same as Reynards.
The story was interesting but way too short. There were a few noticeable spelling errors, such as abnd. At the end Reynard leads police to kidnapped children. However, the last name of the kidnapper detained for the incidents is the same as Reynards.
February 10, 2023
I loved this one. Cathy is struggling to deal with discovering that her recent dates have all been with "monsters", while dealing with the theft of her creativity and crush on a fox shifter. Fast paced and quirky, this one felt like falling down the rabbit hole and not wanting to come back.
February 10, 2023
In this installment, Roma’s best friend Cathy finds her monster and oh what a fox Reynard is. This is a fast paced romp that will have you looking at the world a little differently. I look forward to Tanni’s tale.
November 23, 2023
I love this series that combines humor, romance, and paranormal elements. Dating in the real world is hard enough but even more complex in the paranormal world!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2024
Quite magical
What a wonderful new twist on the supernatural tale. Absolutely loving this series what fun and loveable characters. Highly recommend enjoy I’m off to the next adventure woo hoo
What a wonderful new twist on the supernatural tale. Absolutely loving this series what fun and loveable characters. Highly recommend enjoy I’m off to the next adventure woo hoo
March 30, 2024
Cute story
This story was a continuation from the first but with different character points of view. It was a fun read. It has a lot of errors though, and so I gave it only three stars.
This story was a continuation from the first but with different character points of view. It was a fun read. It has a lot of errors though, and so I gave it only three stars.
May 25, 2024
Trying the Trickster
Cathy is not having luck with her dates. When she goes out with Reynard they hit it off. Until they don't. They have to solve a problem. Will all come out well in the end?
Cathy is not having luck with her dates. When she goes out with Reynard they hit it off. Until they don't. They have to solve a problem. Will all come out well in the end?
Read
July 7, 2024Fun adult PN romance-action
**For those easily triggered: Mature-rating for violence/ murder, sex, other criminal behavior, compulsion by some characters.
This is a fun adult paranormal, romance-action story outside of scenes in which are warned about above.
**For those easily triggered: Mature-rating for violence/ murder, sex, other criminal behavior, compulsion by some characters.
This is a fun adult paranormal, romance-action story outside of scenes in which are warned about above.
February 12, 2023
Hey! Are you serious scrolling through reviews to see if this is one you want to buy?! Well- I don’t regret it and neither will you! A fantastic story! I swallowed this whole!
February 17, 2023
This is Rey and Cathy’s story and it was a hoot. Funny and entertaining to read as follow Cathy and her dating trouble. Made me laugh and see what was happy in this crazy world.
February 22, 2023
A good story!
I really liked this story!! Filled with both regular and gifted women, and paranormals (or "Monsters"), this story was fun, exciting,and thoughtful at once.
I really liked this story!! Filled with both regular and gifted women, and paranormals (or "Monsters"), this story was fun, exciting,and thoughtful at once.
March 20, 2023
DNF. I lost interest.
April 17, 2023
Love this series.
This series is well done! I loved this book. The story is amazing, characters well done. Its funny and romantic too. Everything I could want. Yay!
This series is well done! I loved this book. The story is amazing, characters well done. Its funny and romantic too. Everything I could want. Yay!
August 5, 2023
trying the trickster
Good characters and storyline but it took me a long time to finish the book. I like the authors just can’t get into this series
Good characters and storyline but it took me a long time to finish the book. I like the authors just can’t get into this series
July 28, 2024
Entertaining and engaging
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews