ju_51's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
toshi21's review
4.0
This book was a delight to read.
There is something about a Charlie book that sinks into you and you just can’t resist it.
The characters were warm and so funny. Saphir and his long suffering patience was by far the best part of the book and when he finally caught Caspian? I grinned like a loon.
I was so excited to see this collaboration and I can’t wait for the next book.
There is something about a Charlie book that sinks into you and you just can’t resist it.
The characters were warm and so funny. Saphir and his long suffering patience was by far the best part of the book and when he finally caught Caspian? I grinned like a loon.
I was so excited to see this collaboration and I can’t wait for the next book.
yvannastar's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
An absolute triumph for this duo of authors.
I've read many Charlie Cochet pieces before, and loved so many of them. I've never read a Macy Blake before. But reading this, I wonder if this author balanced out Cochet's signature humor (which I absolutely love, no question) with a more serious tone. I don't know Blake's style, but knowing Cochet's, that's the feeling I got. That Cochet, in her amazing way, was able to keep this more light than it probably would be otherwise, while Blake might have brought more levity and seriousness to the piece.
If that's how Blake writes, then this is a wonderful combination for both authors. They balanced each other very well, and this is an amazing start to what I'm hoping is a fun, interesting series.
In a world where there are humans, but also shifters, the regular humans have had magic used on them to not remember or know of the shifters' existence.
The most powerful of the shifters are the Dragon shifters, and the Dragon shifter is King, with there being Dukes and Earls and Barons and so on down the line, in a modern day world. The shifter world is like a mix of both old customs and the new, modern world. They have cell phones and TVs but also old fashioned titles and they dress a little more regency era.
Caspian is known as a scoundrel, a rake, but also the best friend to the prince of shifters, the son of the King.
But soon into the beginning of this story, tragedy strikes, and a mystery that is going to definitely span several or all the books in this series is started.
9 months after the tragedy, Saphir, former Captain of the Royal Guard, and fiercely loyal to his king, who is now retired 6 years after the tragedy of losing his parents, and is now a Baron, a title given to him by the King himself, is called to a meeting with the King.
He is asked to let his younger sister, who he has been taking care of the past 6 years, to debut for the first time at the stat of the Season. But also he is tasked with protecting and looking after Caspian, the best friend of the Prince who is almost like a son to the King.
Additionally, on his own, Saphir has been investigating the tragedy that happened at the beginning of the book.
Caspian, meanwhile, is still grieving the tragedy, but is also part of a secret order of spies who protect the King, the Dahlias, and has to keep that secret. He's been training hard the last 9 months.
When the Season begins, they are also matched - the rules in this book are that couples are matched, and then they do a mating run, basically, where one partner tries to catch the other. If they manage to catch the other, they are "mates" for the next 8 months, and can choose to remain together or not after those 8 months of the "Season".
If the other doesn't catch the other during the run, then the other being chased can turn the other down right then and there.
Of course, Caspian and Saphir are chosen as mates, and of course, Saphir catches Caspian
I've read many Charlie Cochet pieces before, and loved so many of them. I've never read a Macy Blake before. But reading this, I wonder if this author balanced out Cochet's signature humor (which I absolutely love, no question) with a more serious tone. I don't know Blake's style, but knowing Cochet's, that's the feeling I got. That Cochet, in her amazing way, was able to keep this more light than it probably would be otherwise, while Blake might have brought more levity and seriousness to the piece.
If that's how Blake writes, then this is a wonderful combination for both authors. They balanced each other very well, and this is an amazing start to what I'm hoping is a fun, interesting series.
In a world where there are humans, but also shifters, the regular humans have had magic used on them to not remember or know of the shifters' existence.
The most powerful of the shifters are the Dragon shifters, and the Dragon shifter is King, with there being Dukes and Earls and Barons and so on down the line, in a modern day world. The shifter world is like a mix of both old customs and the new, modern world. They have cell phones and TVs but also old fashioned titles and they dress a little more regency era.
Caspian is known as a scoundrel, a rake, but also the best friend to the prince of shifters, the son of the King.
But soon into the beginning of this story, tragedy strikes, and a mystery that is going to definitely span several or all the books in this series is started.
9 months after the tragedy, Saphir, former Captain of the Royal Guard, and fiercely loyal to his king, who is now retired 6 years after the tragedy of losing his parents, and is now a Baron, a title given to him by the King himself, is called to a meeting with the King.
He is asked to let his younger sister, who he has been taking care of the past 6 years, to debut for the first time at the stat of the Season. But also he is tasked with protecting and looking after Caspian, the best friend of the Prince who is almost like a son to the King.
Additionally, on his own, Saphir has been investigating the tragedy that happened at the beginning of the book.
Caspian, meanwhile, is still grieving the tragedy, but is also part of a secret order of spies who protect the King, the Dahlias, and has to keep that secret. He's been training hard the last 9 months.
When the Season begins, they are also matched - the rules in this book are that couples are matched, and then they do a mating run, basically, where one partner tries to catch the other. If they manage to catch the other, they are "mates" for the next 8 months, and can choose to remain together or not after those 8 months of the "Season".
If the other doesn't catch the other during the run, then the other being chased can turn the other down right then and there.
Of course, Caspian and Saphir are chosen as mates, and of course, Saphir catches Caspian
owlsreads's review
4.0
Notorious was a pretty fun read despite the grief and loss at the beginning. I really liked what Cochet and Blake did with the world-building here and how it integrated into shifter society. The romance and premise of a fake relationship was also really well done and made for some pretty funny moments throughout! I did find the bit of relationship angst towards the end unnecessary and rushed, though. I also wished we had gotten more answers about the murder mystery subplot.
theyreadromanceetc's review
4.0
Loved the world building and both main characters. A very sweet love story, with spy shenanigans mixed in.
janetted's review against another edition
4.0
What more do you need than mystery, romance and espionage?
On its face, Charlie Cochet & Macy Blake build a compelling world of paranormal romance with plenty of action & suspense that manages to incorporate just enough elements of historical romance to create something really unique. On the PNR side, you have a shifter society representing a myriad of animals ruled by the almighty Dragon King. The titled aristocracy, extravagant balls, and social propriety are all a nod to Regency romance. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine combining two of my favorite genres in this way would work, but it just does. Perhaps because traditional shifter societies typically have a social hierarchy and rigid structure? Maybe but honestly, whatever it is, I’m not questioning it.
Cochet & Blake waste no time setting up what looks to be a series-long whodunit paired with an improbable romance between two strong characters. Rather than a slow steady build, it catapults forward in leaps and bounds with some of the emotional evolution happening off page or in solo scenes and affirmed by later events. Overall it's an exciting, captivating tale that will leave readers hungry for more.
On its face, Charlie Cochet & Macy Blake build a compelling world of paranormal romance with plenty of action & suspense that manages to incorporate just enough elements of historical romance to create something really unique. On the PNR side, you have a shifter society representing a myriad of animals ruled by the almighty Dragon King. The titled aristocracy, extravagant balls, and social propriety are all a nod to Regency romance. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine combining two of my favorite genres in this way would work, but it just does. Perhaps because traditional shifter societies typically have a social hierarchy and rigid structure? Maybe but honestly, whatever it is, I’m not questioning it.
Cochet & Blake waste no time setting up what looks to be a series-long whodunit paired with an improbable romance between two strong characters. Rather than a slow steady build, it catapults forward in leaps and bounds with some of the emotional evolution happening off page or in solo scenes and affirmed by later events. Overall it's an exciting, captivating tale that will leave readers hungry for more.
ashtwhite's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0