Kristen CallihanRecensioni

I would have really liked this book if not for the fact that *trigger warning* Jack gets raped, I hate it when sexual assault is used as an unnecessary plot device like that, and also I am not looking forward to the next book because you just know that this is going to be part of his character arc and I don't want to read about it

March 2023 reread: I love the first 100 pages - Killian and Libby getting to know one another. I feel like the first three books in this series have wonderful beginnings; taking time to build intimacy between the MCs. This is a good start to the series but not the best in the series, imo.

First read: I really enjoyed this rockstar romance. It had a A Star is Born vibe but fear not, this has an HEA!

CW: this series features some pretty difficult issues such as attempted suicide (off page), alcohol and drug use that may be considered dependency, drunk driving (on and off page), death of parents (off page), but I think the books do a pretty good job handling. Take care of yourself!

December 2022 reread: I still love this book and really adore the MCs. This is longer than many contemporary romances I read, but I feel the length is warranted - so many private moments together that build intimacy AND the right amount of time apart. I still have gripes about the not-great sw thoughts and the bonkers pilot side-story for Stella (every dang book has one lol) but also love how excellent Kirsten Callihan handles STIs. I will likely reread this book often - actually this book and Managed are gonna be reread often!

CW Suicide attempt (historical, off-page, depression, anxiety, abandonment, PTSD, attempted human trafficking historical)

I'm glad we get Jax/John's story now - two years after his suicide attempt. I was worried we wouldn't get his perspective until the last book in the series. I had a lot of feelings for Jax's story as told thru his bandmate (Killian, book 1) and manager's (Scottie or Gabriel if you're nasty, book 2) books. Until now, we've spent a lot of time with other people's feelings about Jax and that night but we never get Jax's words about his own experience. What I loved about Stella was her righteous anger on behalf of Jax - we love his bandmates but they failed in big and little ways after the suicide attempt. So I was happy for Jax that he finally had someone to tell him he did deserve better and then he eventually demanded better when he confronted Killian.

Something unique to this book (and there may be more with this representation that I am not familiar with) is Jax discovering he has an STI in the beginning of the book. I appreciate how that was handled and also how the doctor was non-judgmental and took the time to explain STIs. Romance has a lot of fucking but doesn't always reach the mark in regard to safe practices or even how human anatomy works. . . if I have to read another fucking book about super sperm breaking thru birth control I am going to shit and I'm not kidding. It's kind of shitty to make contraceptive seem flimsy or that super sperm is an actual thing that exists in men who have ripping abs. Anyway - the author makes plain that sometimes, people contract STI's and the best thing we can do is support folks in getting tested and treatment - you do not have to be ashamed.

I rated this book 5 stars because I just loved Jax and Stella AND their romance . . . but there is one area that falls short - that many romance stories fail to properly represent. And that is sex work. Stella is a professional friend - no sex just friendship. We see her interacting with a few clients and she helps them feel confident to try new things or feel less alone. It is a job she enjoyed but has lately felt is draining as no one is her actual friend especially when she needs one. The way her job and the job of professional escort (which can sometimes include sex) is very I AM NOT A WHORE BECAUSE BEING COMPARED TO A SEX WORKER IS AWFUL. I really didn't like this. Later in the book . . . we find that Stella's shitty dad forced her into an escorting situation - which she was clueless about - so she is sensitive to being considered an escort. Fine I get that BUT it is the way sex work is spoken about that bothers me. I felt there was such a missed opportunity for Stella to be like, "I do not provide sex with my services but I respect people who do. My work is work and sex work is work and we should respect people regardless of what we feel about their profession". It's a let down because she did such a good job saying people who contract STI's deserve respect and dignity - like you get it but you also don't lol

Anyway - I loved this book, probably my favorite in the series. It's intense though. These books deal with some serious shit so take care of yourself first!

I've finally read Gray's book! I read this entire series out of order and it was chaotic and amazing lol.

In the best way possible, I did not see this trajectory for Gray. He was a solid friend to Drew in The Hook Up, and I knew he was ultimately a good person but I wasn't expecting him to transition from "single and ready to mingle!" to "maybe I'm done mingling" so easily. This was a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance and I believed in their HEA. Heavy content warnings so if you need them, please skip to the bottom of my thought dump below.

I want to explain why I love sports, rock star and celebrity romances. I love them because I want to examine our cultural relationship to celebrity. Often in these types of romances, a very narrow view of masculinity is imposed upon the MMC, and is enforced by the public. I think romance novels help characters confront these stereotypes they may have accepted in their past but no longer want to be ruled by. Not all romances examine these issues and that's totally fine but I want to know the thought processes of people who find love with non-celebrity folks. I feel that Kristen Callihan excels at this examination. Often, her heroes have had fame or status thrust upon them and are at a point in their lives where the characters want more for themselves. What is it like to be considered public property and have the expectation that because something is free for your taking you should not turn it down? Be it sex, drugs or money - who could ever turn these things down if there were an endless supply? For me, as a reader, I want to know why these things no longer give pleasure to the hero or how does the hero really feel about themselves in regard to the excesses they are expected to indulge?

Possible spoilers for some examples:

For instance, there is a scene in The Hook Up (book one of this series) where Drew remembers staying in a hotel and a woman is sent to his room by an agent interested in signing him. This isn't exactly a fond memory, and he mentions how it was the first time he felt breasts that were enhanced. This wasn't a commentary on plastic surgery (bc there is nothing wrong with choosing to have plastic surgery) or sex work (bc sex work is work) but on a teenager being offered something society tells him he deserves even though he never asked for it and may not even want it.

Another scene, from Fall (book three in the Idol series), Jax has learned he contracted an STI orally. He is remembering who he may have contracted the STI from and how, at the time, he was having intercourse with the person but began to have intrusive thoughts that made it impossible for him to continue so he ended up performing oral on this person. Again, this wasn't a commentary on people who have STI's in fact the author does an amazing job explaining that STI's can happen to anyone, makes clear no one "deserves" an STI, everyone deserves compassionate care and there should be no stigma. Rather, the MMC was doing something he thought he is supposed to be doing because it's offered and expected, and because, as a celebrity, his body is not really his own.


In celebrity, thinness is currency, especially in white, hetero, cis couples. Simply existing in a larger or fat body can cause thin folks to meltdown. Kristen Callihan's works focus on MMCs being in the famous/privileged position and often conventionally attractive whereas the FMCs are either far outside that world or adjacent (famous parents but not famous themselves) and usually described as having bodies that are average. The FMCs are interesting, complicated and well-written characters. It is important to have average and plus-sized folks loved and thrive in romance. Sadly, I think sometimes that comes at a cost - if the FMC is average and other women in the orbit of the MMC are stunning - some authors make the choice to find ways to put down conventionally attractive people and that doesn't work for me. I find Kristen writes about the complexity of being the object of desire for a famous MMC while also being average or larger-bodied better than most. Her FMCs have insecurities, as all people do, but they often check their behavior when an insecurity manifests in jealousy. It's a good reminder to examine our own thoughts!

Anyway, I love sports/musician/celebrity romances for complicated reasons!

CW's: unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, death of parent, cancer, body shaming

This book. THIS book. So good. I don't tend to cry when reading books often, but this fucking book had me tearing up a few times. Drew fell so hard almost right away for Anna and she spent almost the whole time trying to fight the feelings she had for him. They both had reasons for why they made the choices they did, but it sure hurt my heart at times. One of my best reads of 2022.


CW: sports injury, death of family members (off page), parental abandonment (off page), adulting mishaps and overall difficult time trying to get thru life and shit

I really loved Chess and Finn - together and separately! It felt like a true opposites-attract and they came together in the best ways. This may be one of my favorite epilogues EVER.

This book is A LOT - like A LOT. It's pretty heavy, CWs are: miscarriage - off page - Finn has a one-night-stand with someone they become pregnant and they miscarry at about 5 months there is lingering sadness from this event for Finn and the ex; Chess had ovarian cysts removed - and other health problems - that made it impossible for her to become pregnant; Chess has parents that aren't emotionally abusive but are mostly out of the picture I think it's important for romance to include some of these heavier themes - not in every book, of course. I mentioned in an update while reading that I really wish I had found some CWs prior to reading because I just was not ready for what was in the book. I went thru many reviews and was unable to find any - this book came out a few years back prior to the popularity of CWs being included in reviews (or even author's notes being common). FYI: This author did a great job of including and author's note in the VIP series and I appreciate that! I also greatly appreciate all reviewers who strive to provide CWs in their reviews. This year I have really tried to include them in all my reviews and I hope to get better at recognizing what to include.

What I love about the books in this series is that everyone wants to figure out how to form authentic connections with people but they just have no fucking clue how to get out of their own way. . . But when these people finally figure it out - and even tho it’s out of sync with the person they are in love with and sometimes their best mates - it just lights me up inside like nothing else!

Loved this book and I love how with each book, it is reinforced that even tho the guys are not perfect, they want to learn and they want to be better. It warms my heart - no one is some alphahole and gross lol. They are just a bunch of guys who are dealing with some shit and long to be loved and to love.

Anyway, I’m worried we won’t get a book about Mr. Drummer boy Whack I can’t seem to find any future works. Fingers crossed!!!

2022 reread: upgraded to 4 stars
Upon reread, I loved this book. This is a really good series full of depth and big feelings. Ethan and Fiona's relationship was always a little rocky since Fiona was always about the run away. She had a habit of putting distance between herself and the things she wanted - possibly for fear of failure.

CWs: unwanted sexual advances (not rape), leaked intimate photos, online bullying

original review 2021: So I really liked this book BUT the steamy stuff happened so early in the book that it made everything kind of trudge by. This is more of a me problem then the author's - I complain when the steamy scenes don't happen until the last chunk of the book and I complain when they happen too soon so then I get bored. I can't decide if I want straight up erotica or slow-burn romance I WANT IT ALL! Anyway - I look forward to other books in this series.

original review 06/2022:
SLOWWWW BURN but worth the wait. I love Sophie and Gabriel! The first few chapters on the plane were excellent.

10/18/2022 Not a re-read just a quick return to my favorite parts:
Upgrading to 5 stars with caveat - Although I loved this book, and I REALLY do, Gabriel's weird fighting thing was a bonkers addition that didn't work for me. I feel like each book in this series has one of these bonkers side stories? . BUT, I will always love this book for the perfect beginning chapters on the plane - that banter between Gabriel and Sophie is just delicious, Gabriel just falling hard for Sophie lights me up. He is so controlled prior to meeting Sophie that seeing him loose control is beyond enjoyable.

01/2024 read: still one of my favorite slow burns.

Very good paranormal romance. I really liked the fact that the female lead was neither a blushing virgin or helpless. She also had her own secrets that rivaled the hero's. This is the second book in the Darkest London series I have read (I read them out of order but it did not matter) and I will read the third when it is out next Feb.

Team Scottie

I loved this book so much. Scottie aka Gabriel is the man that pretty much runs the show behind the band Kill John. Sophie and Gabriel meet in an usual place an airplane while he is having a mild panic attack and she has to cuddle him to help him calm down. At first he can’t stand her she talks to much and she is the reason horrible pictures of one of the members of the band was released. She thinks he’s stuck up and pretentious yet they can’t fight their attraction and he can’t sleep without her sharing the same bed. This is so far my favorite of the series but I can’t wait to read Jax’s story.

I’ve been waiting for a while on Jax’s story, from the glimpses we got of him in the previous two books I just knew his story would be sad maybe even tragic. He was going through what I would assume all people go through, depression. Jax never knew how to cope with his depression never wanted to talk to anyone about it because it’s considered taboo. Then along comes Stella, she’s broken too knows what it feels like to be lonely but unlike Jax she copes by helping others not feel lonely. Together they shouldn’t work but they can’t fight their attraction to each other. I loved this story so much because personally I’ve felt how Jax has, felt hopeless so you can resonate with his feelings and I loved how Stella didn’t want to fix him but be there with him and for him. It was a beautiful story about how we shouldn’t treat others with mental health issues as nothing is wrong but accept that and try to be there for them and show them we love them. Jax and Stella was beautiful.

I loved this book so much. Scottie aka Gabriel is the man that pretty much runs the show behind the band Kill John. Sophie and Gabriel meet in an usual place an airplane while he is having a mild panic attack and she has to cuddle him to help him calm down. At first he can’t stand her she talks to much and she is the reason horrible pictures of one of the members of the band was released. She thinks he’s stuck up and pretentious yet they can’t fight their attraction and he can’t sleep without her sharing the same bed. This is so far my favorite of the series but I can’t wait to read Jax’s story.

I’ve been waiting on Rye’s book and was super excited to finally read it. In this one we follow enemies, lovers, Ryland and Brenna who start an enemy friends with benefits relationship. Rye loves to get a rise out of Bre and she just thought he was a heartless player with no care fir anyone else. Bre pretty much runs the band Rye is part, her family is part, and has been with them from day one so in a way their relationship is a little taboo in workplace type of romance. I loved Rye in this book because he opened up and showed us more to his repetition and character than what he came across as and Bre was this tough lady who works super hard but just wants to be loved. Rye loved with all his heart and hard but Bre was hesitant to take things seriously with him. Rye was a truly beautiful soul but they both had things they had to workout so do they or do they turn away and just remain friends? I still think Scottie and Jax’s stories the best but I did thoroughly enjoy this read.

This was a much darker book then I imaged it would be originally (yes I realize the irony in that statement). It was also however a much deeper and complex romance than I imagined as well. Part Beauty and the Beast and part Cupid and Psyche, I was fascinated by the interplay between Archer and Miranda. Their way with words, their verbal sparring and well chosen words interested me far more than the romance at times in fact.

It would be safe to say that if I hadn't read EMBER, the prequel short story, first then Miranda's guilt complex would be a lot more irritating then they were. EMBER really set the stage as to why Miranda felt she had no choice but to hide what she could do--why she felt ashamed and desperate to make amends for the past. It also gave a better accounting of what happened with Martin, since its more or less glossed over in this novel.

Oddly, having read EMBER I was almost put off by Archer's attitude. A few years had passed from the first meeting between Archer and Miranda and the start of the novel, but he seemed a lot less...determined I think is the right word. Less confident in his decisions, especially in regards to Miranda.

The revelation of what Archer was becoming exactly was really not what I expected. To be perfectly honest I had a lot of trouble visualizing it and buying into the idea. It was clever however, and definitely a good twist on the whole 'gaining immortality' angle. There's many forms of immortality after all.

As I said above the interplay between Archer and Miranda fascinated me moreso than the romance. Callihan excels at believable and rich banter; both in terms of making it snappy and making it intelligent. Both are highly intelligent individuals and both know how to make words work for them, how to hide the truth in plain sight with a sentence. That said the romance was a slow burn, despite how passionate they both were, and it felt like an organic process.

Miranda was not instantly in love with Archer, she was too wary and curious about him to feel that emotion. Even after she finds out it was he who saved her years ago she doesn't fall into a fit of giddy school girl flights of fancy. Archer was quicker of the two, but then he knew of her much longer and was of a somewhat more impulsive nature (where his emotions were concerned at least). When they finally understand one and other, well its a joy to behold and read.

In book two in the Darkest London series, Daisy Ellis Craigmore is now a widow, finally free from her abusive, elderly husband. All she wants to do is have fun and experience sexual freedom, but then a werewolf attacks her in a shadowy alley. A handsome man comes to her rescue, and her life will never be the same.
Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, lives in exile from his lycan pack, and he’s suffered much loneliness and pain after losing his wife and son. Then he meets Daisy, a damaged woman with her own problems. As the mad werewolf stalks across London and targets Daisy, it’s up to Ian to hunt him down and save the woman he’s falling in love with.
I really enjoyed this book. Unlike Archer and Miranda from book one, Ian and Daisy actually communicated and often shared their feelings with each other. Both of them are damaged characters, each letting the past affect their lives and future. Ian treated Daisy with respect, like a partner, and not a woman meant to be coddled and put on a shelf. That was very refreshing.
In most historical romances, the heroines are virgins before marriage, but not so for Daisy or her younger sister Miranda. I find that wonderful because I like the idea of giving the heroines the right to explore their sexuality just as the heroes do.
There were two big twists at the end, one in regards to the villain and the other in regards to the H/h’s HEA. I love being surprised and didn’t see either of those twists coming.
I found the GIMs (ghosts in the machines) very interesting, but I didn’t really understand exactly what they were and what they did. That, of course, should be explained in future books.
I’m dying to read book three and learn more about Poppy and Winston, Daisy’s elder sister and brother-in-law. Talent and Mary are interesting characters, too, and I’m looking forward to reading their book. Archer and Miranda returned from book one, and it was great seeing Archer act more comfortable in his own skin.
The story is fast paced and kept my attention. It’s well written, without typos. I definitely recommend it.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.

In book seven in the Darkest London series, Layla Starling returns to London and goes home to her beloved guardian Augustus. He’s raised her since she was a baby, and they love each other like father and daughter. The last person she expected to see sitting in the parlor was St. John “Sin” Evernight, her childhood friend whom she hadn’t seen in several years.
Sin has loved Layla from afar, but after suffering years as a blood slave for the evil fae queen, he doesn’t believe he’s good enough for Layla. He’s a powerful elemental and now Judgment, an angel with the ability to steal souls from evil people and send the souls to Hell. Augustus is also Judgment and Sin’s mentor, and he’s adamant Sin protect Layla from the Damnation demon that is looking for her.
Layla is a half-breed (half Judgment and half Damnation), but she’s probably the sweetest, kindest heroine in the series. Sin is so damaged, his self-esteem so low. Layla’s acceptance and love, and his sisters’ regret for thinking the worst of him, did a lot to help him heal. I really loved the scene when all the secrets were out and Poppy, Daisy, and Miranda finally learned the truth and realized how wrong they were.
There are two couples featured in this story, Layla and Sin being the most prominent. I preferred, however, the romance and reconciliation with Augustus and Lena.
Though commonly believed to be a powerful sanguis demon, Lena is a Damnation demon in love with angel. Needless to say, this couple has not had an easy courtship, mostly due to Lena’s refusal to accept Augustus as her mate.
Augustus was an awesome but very conniving character, and I loved the scene when Lena called him out on it. For over a thousand years, he’s been playing chess, setting people up in the roles he wants for them and pushing them down the right path, so he could achieve his end game. If not for his manipulations, the main couples in this seven-book series never would’ve met, fallen in love, or had even been born. That’s pretty extraordinary.
As with the previous book, I was a little confused with the timeline and the amount of time that has passed. I like twists and turns in novels, but it was surprising that certain truths from earlier stories were revealed as false in this story. Other than Lena’s heritage, the most notable twist was Archer and his “curse” from book one. It’s always irked me a little that Archer/Miranda and Winston/Poppy (from book three) remained human at the end of their stories when all the other couples became immortal. Though I’m happy Archer and Miranda has transformed into something more, I still feel bad for Win and Poppy.
The only typos I noticed were the villain’s name. It was spelled two different ways (St Clair and St Claire).
I’m disappointed my favorite secondary character, Lucien, didn’t show up in this book. He deserves to fall in love with someone, either off-page or on, but it didn’t happen.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’m sad to see the series end, but everything was mostly wrapped up. (There are some unanswered questions, series-wise, but nothing of great importance.) I see the potential for a spinoff series, and if Ms. Callihan ever writes it, I’ll be sure to read it.
4 Stars

In book five in the Darkest London series, Holly Evernight is too afraid to leave the safety of her London home, Evernight House, and passes the time by creating technical wonders. A year earlier, a cruel fallen angel had kidnapped her and forced her to build a mechanical clockwork heart, which he then brutally installed in an unwilling demon. Even though she’s human, she’s descended from the Fae and can control all types of metal. Her life is now in danger again, and the only man to help her is the one she’s been struggling to forget.
Sanguis demon William Thorne has lived in terrible pain for a year. His platinum clockwork heart keeps him alive, but the metal has taken over his body, turning him into a mindless fiend. He wants nothing more than to kill the woman responsible for building the heart, but when he finds her, he realizes she’s his only hope for a cure. With one touch, Holly draws the pain away and controls the metal. In exchange for her help, he promises to find the assassins out to kill her.
Holly was very cold, logical, and closed-off to her emotions while Will embraced his emotions and always sought out joy and amusement. Even though they initially disliked and mistrusted one another, they quickly found common ground through sexual attraction and a mutual need to belong to someone. They were complete opposites, but fit perfectly together. He loosened her up, and she gave him order.
Though I liked Will and Holly a lot (they’re one of my favorite couples in the series), I don’t understand why neither of them showed remorse for the people they had killed. (Holly killed a female demon in self-defense, and Will killed a human blood donor while in a mindless rage.) Their lack of emotion in those two instances didn’t seem right.
Holly’s cousin, Sin Evernight, has been talked about for a few books now, and I’m so happy he’s finally been introduced on page!
I loved all the scenes with Adam and Eliza May, but I didn’t like him very much.
It was great to see Mary and Jack again, but I wish the questions I had from their book would’ve been answered in this one.
It’s always interesting to see Poppy Lane, the heroine from book three, in her role as Mother, the leader of the SOS, the society that protects the secret of the existence of supernatural creatures. As Mother, she’s cold and a little cruel, but that’s just a front for the kind woman beneath the surface.
As with the previous book, there are some unanswered questions. Will Holly lose her prestigious job with SOS, as Poppy threatened, since she’s refusing to give up Will? The secret group of assassins, the Amulet, was very interesting, but how did Will join up with them? After Will and Holly tricked Mab, will life go back to normal for Will’s human family?
I like Ms. Callihan’s writing style, despite the occasional use of passive voice. It’s flowery and flows well with unique descriptions, metaphors, and adjectives. Behind Winterblaze, this is my favorite book in the series.
4.5 Stars

In book four in the Darkest London series, Mary Chase works a regulator (an agent) for SOS, a secret society that monitors supernatural creatures and keeps the humans in the dark about them. She’s also a GIM, a ghost in the machine, meaning she has a clockwork heart and can leave her body in spirit form.
Jack Talent secretly desires Mary, but his guilt and shame over an incident in his and Mary’s past has ruined any chance he might have had with her. He constantly insults and degrades her, but she responds with equal fire. Two years earlier, Jack was kidnapped and brutally tortured by several demons, and the experience has darkened his already battered soul. Revenge is the only thing he cares about, but then he’s forced to work with Mary on a high-profile murder case.
Jack is probably one of the most tormented heroes in this series, even above or equal to Archer from book one. He’s so miraculously strong for surviving the torture and then finding his way back from the darkness in his mind. Like Jack, Mary has her own secrets and hidden pain, but she had a better hold on her emotions that he did.
I’ve been rooting for this couple since book two introduced them. Even though I knew Mary and Jack would be fighting and arguing a lot, it carried on for way more than half the book and grew tiresome after a while. Once they finally talked and shared their secrets, and realized they loved one another, this story read more as a romance, instead of an adventure/suspense story. A scene at the end left me in tears. They’ve both suffered so much heartbreak, so it was wonderful seeing them finally come together.
It was also great to see Lucien, Poppy, Winston, Daisy, and Ian again. Will Thorne is a sexy, mysterious new character, and I’m sooooo anxious to read about him and Holly Evernight in the upcoming book.
There are a few unanswered questions. What will the SOS do when or if they learn about Jack’s Nex connections and that he really was Bishop? Also, what has Winston Lane been doing job-wise since the last book?
This book is a standalone, but it’s best if readers read book three, Winterblaze, first. (There are references to that story in this one that might confuse new readers.)
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to continuing the series.
4 Stars

In book three in the Darkest London series, Poppy Ellis Lane has a special elemental gift—she can create and control ice. As the leader of SOS, a secret organization dedicated to keeping humans in the dark about supernatural creatures, she’s currently hunting down a powerful demon that’s recently escaped from hell. The demon is targeting her estranged husband, and Poppy is determined to save her man’s life.
After surviving a brutal werewolf attack, Winston Lane discovered his beloved wife’s secrets and left her. Months later, he’s struggling to get his life back together when a mysterious man approaches him, claiming Win had made a deal with him years earlier. Though Win doesn’t remember making the deal, he knows it’s the truth. Now, Win’s unborn child is in danger, and he has no other choice but to reconcile with his wife in order to defeat the demon.
Wow! I love this story and even teared up a few times. When reading the previous two books, I always looked forward to scenes with Poppy and Winston, and their own love story definitely didn’t disappoint. Normally, I don’t like flashback scenes, but I loved reading about how Poppy and Win first met and fell in love. With their secrets finally revealed, they fell even deeper into love, which strengthened their relationship. They’re so much alike that they’re often at odds with one another. Poppy has been lying to Win and her sisters for years, and it’s been tearing her apart. Winston is definitely a strong, capable man, especially for understanding and forgiving Poppy for humiliating and emasculating him.
As for the secondary characters, Jack Talent and Mary Chase play a much larger role in this story than in the previous one—understandably, since their story is next, which I’m dying to read. The trauma Jack experienced was heartbreaking, and all I wanted to do was hug him.
The SOS and the universe in which the characters live are evolving, and more characters are being introduced. I’m enjoying the world building and want to learn more. This story, so far, is my favorite in the series.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.

In book six in the Darkest London series, Eliza May has been living a life of luxury with Mab, the fae queen and her grandmother. Though she trusts Mab, she isn’t happy and feels beholden to her supposedly kind benefactor. Her illusions are soon shattered when she finds a horribly beaten man in Mab’s dungeon.
Adam, King of the GIM, is living under a curse. He recognized Eliza as his long-awaited soul mate at first glance, so he chained her to his side, never caring about her feelings. Then he lost his one hope for redemption when Mab and a few others freed Eliza from him. Now, Adam is Mab’s prisoner, his powers gone. Though still charming and arrogant, he’s changed from the cold man Eliza knew. Working together to escape Mab and her cruel brother, Adam and Eliza have to trust one another out of necessity, but their unlikely friendship blooms into something more.
Eliza is a great character. She’s brave, mysterious, and strong enough to handle Adam, but her secret heritage was a little disconcerting.
Adam definitely redeemed himself in my eyes! After seven hundred years of complete numbness, he finally felt emotion when he met Eliza, so it’s no wonder he acted so terrible to her. After failing miserably with Eliza, he finally learned humility and how to put someone else’s needs above his own. Likewise, Eliza finally understood his desperation and why he did what he did. I love virgin heroes! They’re so rare in the romance genre, so I’m always happy to find a book featuring one.
Though I enjoyed this story, I found parts of it confusing due to inconsistencies with the previous book, Evernight. Eliza’s grandparents, Mab and Aiden, had a daughter, so Aiden is supposed to be Eliza’s maternal grandfather. Now, he is her paternal grandfather. If that’s the case and Eliza’s father was an Evernight, why is her surname May? Also, the previous book was set in 1886, this book was set in 1888, and yet the H/h claim they’ve only been apart for about a year and that Adam was only tortured for a few months. Maybe I missed something, but that timeline doesn’t make sense to me.
There are three different realms (Here, There, and Nowhere), and Adam can travel through them at will. Since Eliza’s and Adam’s souls are bound, and he can move about freely, why can’t she do the same at the end of the story?
There were a few grammar issues, but nothing major. Overall, I liked the story and will be reading the next one in the series.
3.5 Stars

In book one in the Darkest London series, Miranda Ellis’s crooked father lost the family fortune, so she has no choice but to steal in order to survive. Then her father forces her into a marriage with Lord Archer, a wealthy man rumored to have a violent temper. Miranda can create fire from just thinking about it, and though she’s determined to never let Archer know about it, she’s prepared to use it to protect herself if need be.
Benjamin Archer hides his face behind a mask due to a mysterious accident from years earlier. People shun him, believing he’s a monster and a murderer, and he prefers that fear and scorn to pity. He marries Miranda, believing she’s the one person capable of accepting and understanding him for whom he truly is, but he still refuses to show her his face and share his secrets with her.
Wow. This couple just downright refused to communicate. Both of them had huge secrets, and neither of them trusted the other well enough to share those secrets. This became really tiresome after a while. Though they formed a strong friendship and genuinely liked one another, their romance felt forced because of the lies and tension constantly wedging between them. The one and only sex scene is at the end of the book, and I would’ve preferred more.
The plot itself was very entertaining, but the pacing was a little slow. A masked villain is parading around London, killing noblemen, and shifting the blame on Archer.
The secondary characters were fun. I’m very interested in Miranda’s sisters, in particular Poppy and her husband Winston.
There were some typos, but nothing major. I enjoyed Ms. Callihan’s voice and smooth, lyrical writing style. I also enjoyed the world building, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
3 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.

Loved this book. The voices of both main characters were different from one another and interesting. The mystery of what Archer hides behind his mask really kept me going. I'm reading the rest of the series now and the gradual development of their world has me hooked.

My favorite so far of the Darkest London series. The tangled emotions around Jack and Mary made sense in their circumstances. Things didn't happen to them because the plot said so, they acted and reacted as themselves and created/worsened/resolved their own problems.

I love these books.