Quick Synopsis – McKenna has been running from her past for 10 years and it’s finally caught up with her. Her Archdemon ex Remi drags her back to her hometown to settle a debt. McKenna is determined to leave again, but there seems to be more going on than Remi is letting on. It might just be time for McKenna to face her past.

Song This Reminds Me Of – peace – Taylor Swift

Publication Date – Nov. 12, 2024

Content Notes – There are several references to mental health issues, suicide, and being confined to a mental hospital. There is also blood and mentioning of vomiting.

Steamy Rating – 🌶️🌶️

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Review – First, it’s definitely a marketing ploy to call this a steamy romance. There is some hot kissing, but any actual sexual activity happens behind closed doors. I actually really liked this as just a fantasy novel with some light romance. Not all fantasy novels need explicit erotic content. Too me the story was good the way it was, it was more about McKenna coming to terms with her past, discovering her family history, and overcoming her fear. Which I loved that journey. Plus, McKenna is 29, it’s nice to have an adult protagonist.

I think this book could have benefited from an appendix or index that outlined the families and their powers. I got a little confused a few times and had to skip back a few pages to figure out who was doing what. The dialogue and inner monologue were often a little to staccato for me. It just felt a little choppy and disconnected, not like real characters. I did think the disassociation and panic attacks McKenna had been realistic and relatable. Her trauma follows her story and just because she’s magic, doesn’t mean there is a magic fix.

I thought the magic system was well done and made sense. The set up for further books was also nice without leaving too many cliffhangers or plot holes. There are enough questions left to build an interesting story without leaving the reader pissed. Also, I just love a disaster bisexual main character, and this book definitely served that up.

I would recommend this book, it’s fun and has a good mystery plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.