a_ab's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
2.0
I had read a couple books from this series before and although I found them very forgettable, they do give me the sense that if you've read one of them, you've read them all. They are like those poorly drawn identical looking anime characters who need obnoxiously distinct hairdos to tell them apart. In these books the 'hairdos' are the characters' professions and shifter types. Everything else including most character traits and situational reactions seems to be the same, or at least similar enough to blur together.
Although I have trouble recalling the details of the other books, they all seem to follow the exact same formula of romance + "mystery" + romantic crisis + murder attempt + all ends well + reconciliation and a happily ever after for the romantic couple. It's not that the formula is necessarily bad, but it does get old when repeated with such religious fervor.
I actually like the premise of a town of different magical creatures peacefully coexisting and building a safe haven for all, struggling to create all the necessary infrastructure required to support the influx of new people with so many diverse needs. I would love to see it better explored through some less repetitive plots. But it doesn't look likely in this series.
Although I have trouble recalling the details of the other books, they all seem to follow the exact same formula of romance + "mystery" + romantic crisis + murder attempt + all ends well + reconciliation and a happily ever after for the romantic couple. It's not that the formula is necessarily bad, but it does get old when repeated with such religious fervor.
I actually like the premise of a town of different magical creatures peacefully coexisting and building a safe haven for all, struggling to create all the necessary infrastructure required to support the influx of new people with so many diverse needs. I would love to see it better explored through some less repetitive plots. But it doesn't look likely in this series.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend
4 Stars
A significant improvement on the previous installment.
Sonia Fong, the preternaturally efficient office manager for the League in Mystic Bayou, is astounded at her attraction to sexy, Will Carmody, a physician who has returned to help the residents of his small hometown. Sonia and Will initially rub each other the wrong way as they allow their prejudices to get the better of them, but they have great chemistry and complement each other very well. The eventual conflict is rather contrived and glossed over quickly; nevertheless, their relatively angst-free relationship is satisfying overall
Although the mystery and culprit are quite obvious, the suspense plot is interesting, and there is a significant development in the ongoing arc focusing on the Rift in Mystic Bayou. It will be interesting to see where Harper takes this.
The secondary cast is wonderful as always and I adore the interactions between Zed and Dani, Bael and Jillian as well as the developments in their storylines. Will's brother, Jon, is also very intriguing and I look forward to his book.
All in all, the Mystic Bayou series is light and fun, and Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davies narration are delightful.
4 Stars
A significant improvement on the previous installment.
Sonia Fong, the preternaturally efficient office manager for the League in Mystic Bayou, is astounded at her attraction to sexy, Will Carmody, a physician who has returned to help the residents of his small hometown. Sonia and Will initially rub each other the wrong way as they allow their prejudices to get the better of them, but they have great chemistry and complement each other very well. The eventual conflict is rather contrived and glossed over quickly; nevertheless, their relatively angst-free relationship is satisfying overall
Although the mystery and culprit are quite obvious, the suspense plot is interesting, and there is a significant development in the ongoing arc focusing on the Rift in Mystic Bayou. It will be interesting to see where Harper takes this.
The secondary cast is wonderful as always and I adore the interactions between Zed and Dani, Bael and Jillian as well as the developments in their storylines. Will's brother, Jon, is also very intriguing and I look forward to his book.
All in all, the Mystic Bayou series is light and fun, and Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davies narration are delightful.
ramakn22's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
pena12488's review
4.0
The series is good but the reminder of the old characters is getting repetitive. I almost got bored reading this book. It picked up later and it was worth the wait. In a sense the good part was rushed. I will not give up on the series. I’m too invested.
dukefn99's review
4.0
I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much as I did if I hadn't listened to the others in the series. It kinda stands alone, but with so many recurring characters and a bit of an overarching plot, someone new to the series might be a bit lost.
That said, I really did enjoy this book. I was glad that Sonja finally got her story and Will and the introduction to selkies to this magical world were just plain interesting. I could have used just a little more since it felt like the story wrapped up rather abruptly. But the characters were well developed and I enjoyed having past characters still being featured as their lives and romances advance.
The narration team of Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis is still a hit with me. I can live with their accents and enjoy their pacing and emoting.
If you've invested in this series, it's a good addition. If you haven't read any yet, I'd suggest starting at the beginning before tackling this one.
That said, I really did enjoy this book. I was glad that Sonja finally got her story and Will and the introduction to selkies to this magical world were just plain interesting. I could have used just a little more since it felt like the story wrapped up rather abruptly. But the characters were well developed and I enjoyed having past characters still being featured as their lives and romances advance.
The narration team of Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis is still a hit with me. I can live with their accents and enjoy their pacing and emoting.
If you've invested in this series, it's a good addition. If you haven't read any yet, I'd suggest starting at the beginning before tackling this one.
rmbussa's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookwife's review
5.0
I loved this book! I am not sure why I have put this off for so long. I love Molly Harper and I have really enjoyed this series. The romance is good but what I really loved in his book was the relationship with the 6 core characters of the series. Their friendships are beautiful and fun and I enjoyed seeing them interact!
If you like PNR with quirky characters, then I highly recommend this series.
If you like PNR with quirky characters, then I highly recommend this series.
shinysue's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Another book that's fine. I definitely liked these characters more, though I'm getting whiplash from the authors inconsistent messaging. My biggest issue with the novella was that he was in the wrong whe she flipped out. But in this book he's in the wrong for flipping out. And worse, he had 50 hears to get over it, but in the novella she has 70 years. But I guess the message in this book is better/correcred the issue with the novella.
emerion's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory issues. Read them at your peril!
3rd in a series about a shifter/human town where local magic is getting out of control because there is a. Sonya is an organiser for the magical community. Her love interest is . The same evil doings are afoot, with slightly different evil doers. The baddy is easy to spot, and this one is a less fun copy of the previous two, but still enjoyable. Amanda Ronconi does an excellent job of narrating again.
3rd in a series about a shifter/human town where local magic is getting out of control because there is a