jadesarah's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
“Wow, I never expected witchcraft to be so complicated,” I said. “Then again, I never expected it to be real either.”
Lily never believed in magic or witches etc then she's pretty much plucked from her life and taken to The Isle to find out she's the next Mixologist in line with the weight of this new world on her shoulders.
She's got a grouchy mentor in Gus, a kooky family and a love interest who she can't be with because rules and their own denial and an enemy with similarities to a Slytherin professor if you're familiar with Harry Potter.
I don't know if this series is for me. I'm torn because I struggled with it a lot but also liked it at some parts too.
+ I love Gus. He's by far, my favourite.
<b>“Would it kill you to show a little bit of affection?”
“I did. I patted you on the head that one time. That’s all I have in me.” Gus shook his head.</b>
- I love silly, even immature humour. It completely missed the mark in this book. It annoyed me instead of charming me.
+ The mystery deaths and kidnappings definitely make the story intriguing.
- Lily, Zin and Poppy are GROWN women. Sometimes that's hard to remember and then they are treated by family and others like they're children who are not in charge of their own lives.
- Lack of diversity.
+ Some characters grew on me by the end of the book.
- The cop out of her father being a cold man just so it would be easier for her to transition into her new world and new magical family irked me.
+ The romance being in the background was completely fine with this central romance reader.
+ I struggled with the story, with some of the characters but the writing/writing style itself is good.
-/+ Ranger X is a good guy and I liked him by the end of the book but the macho caveman prickly shit can go and I wouldn't miss it.
Like I said I'm torn and I don't know whether to continue because it will probably continue the same way or I could like it more as I go but some of it really grated on me and that's never a continuous good reading experience.
BUT I'm also intrigued to see where it goes.
And what the hell happened with Ainsley. I thought we were seeing her again? And the fact Lily barely gives her a thought?!
Lily never believed in magic or witches etc then she's pretty much plucked from her life and taken to The Isle to find out she's the next Mixologist in line with the weight of this new world on her shoulders.
She's got a grouchy mentor in Gus, a kooky family and a love interest who she can't be with because rules and their own denial and an enemy with similarities to a Slytherin professor if you're familiar with Harry Potter.
I don't know if this series is for me. I'm torn because I struggled with it a lot but also liked it at some parts too.
+ I love Gus. He's by far, my favourite.
<b>“Would it kill you to show a little bit of affection?”
“I did. I patted you on the head that one time. That’s all I have in me.” Gus shook his head.</b>
- I love silly, even immature humour. It completely missed the mark in this book. It annoyed me instead of charming me.
+ The mystery deaths and kidnappings definitely make the story intriguing.
- Lily, Zin and Poppy are GROWN women. Sometimes that's hard to remember and then they are treated by family and others like they're children who are not in charge of their own lives.
- Lack of diversity.
+ Some characters grew on me by the end of the book.
- The cop out of her father being a cold man just so it would be easier for her to transition into her new world and new magical family irked me.
+ The romance being in the background was completely fine with this central romance reader.
+ I struggled with the story, with some of the characters but the writing/writing style itself is good.
-/+ Ranger X is a good guy and I liked him by the end of the book but the macho caveman prickly shit can go and I wouldn't miss it.
Like I said I'm torn and I don't know whether to continue because it will probably continue the same way or I could like it more as I go but some of it really grated on me and that's never a continuous good reading experience.
BUT I'm also intrigued to see where it goes.
And what the hell happened with Ainsley. I thought we were seeing her again? And the fact Lily barely gives her a thought?!
mleach07's review against another edition
DNF 82% just can't do it. If I roll my eyes one more time I risk losing them.
ladymoneypenny's review
2.0
This was a light, fun read - if somewhat a bit silly at times.
There were some things that were totally skimmed over, or ignored (and if I were Lily, I'd have been demanding answers). IMO the story really needed to be fleshed out some more.
I'm not sure if I'll bother continuing with this series. It had so much potential, but just fell flat.
There were some things that were totally skimmed over, or ignored (and if I were Lily, I'd have been demanding answers). IMO the story really needed to be fleshed out some more.
I'm not sure if I'll bother continuing with this series. It had so much potential, but just fell flat.
coconutlavender's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stevie_2e's review
3.0
Cookey grandmother, mystery man named Ranger... Ok, Ranger X, but still. A bit too Stephanie Plumb at times.
Interesting premise, but the teeny-bopper behavior of "almost 30" year old women combined with some HUGE hurdles the reader is asked to leap makes this a non-starter for me going into the rest of the series.
It is not a Plumb-Potter mash up. But it is a good start and worthy of 3 stars. I know folks who gobble these types of novels and I will recommend.
Interesting premise, but the teeny-bopper behavior of "almost 30" year old women combined with some HUGE hurdles the reader is asked to leap makes this a non-starter for me going into the rest of the series.
It is not a Plumb-Potter mash up. But it is a good start and worthy of 3 stars. I know folks who gobble these types of novels and I will recommend.
valerienicole's review
3.0
Gina's works just don't do it for me. I know a lot of people love her books but I'm just not one of those people. If you're on the fence about reading her books I suggest starting with Shades of Pink. In my opinion it's her best book.
techielibgrl's review
5.0
Loved
I just loved this book. I wanted so much more info and world building. However, I loved it. I felt like Lily did not ask the right questions at times but I will have to be patient. Keep writing as u want to read more about Lily and her crew.
I just loved this book. I wanted so much more info and world building. However, I loved it. I felt like Lily did not ask the right questions at times but I will have to be patient. Keep writing as u want to read more about Lily and her crew.
bluesapphire39's review
3.0
This series has a lot of potential but I’m a bit disappointed it didn’t pan out in this one. The mystery element was there, the punny title and the “Beth and George” to the very witchy Nancy Drew lead, it even has the law enforcement love interest, but that was it. Disappointing. I’m hoping because it had a lot of exposition to get the that the next reads will be better.