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mooninda82's review against another edition
Great
Brilliant start to a new series. Riley and Gareth were both brilliant characters. I loved the world building in this book and learning about new characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Greyhaven People :) xx
Brilliant start to a new series. Riley and Gareth were both brilliant characters. I loved the world building in this book and learning about new characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Greyhaven People :) xx
roguesmith's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first in a new series set in a sanctuary town where all manner of supernatural creatures and people live together, with the idea being you can only get in if you mean no harm to others. I love the idea of that, it's not a new idea but I love reading books set in sanctuary settlements. This is Gareth (Gar) and Riley's story. Gar has lived in Greyhaven all his life, and Riley is a new arrival, coming to Greyhaven as his last hope to break a curse that's had him running for years, never settling.
I liked both Riley and Gar, I could understand Riley's wariness and fear when he met Gar for the first time, and the shock on realising they were fated mates. Riley has been through a lot when we meet him, but I liked that he was still hopeful about breaking his curse and about being happy with his fated mate, even if said mate was a warlock, same as the one who cursed him. I liked Gar and Riley together too, and the scene where they test Gar's magic against Riley was great.
I'm all for fated mates, even if it does make things move fast - sometimes that's not a bad thing and it worked for these two as time was against them. I liked the rest of the cast of characters in the town too, there's lots of stories that can be told here and I'm looking forward to meeting them and reading their stories.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I liked both Riley and Gar, I could understand Riley's wariness and fear when he met Gar for the first time, and the shock on realising they were fated mates. Riley has been through a lot when we meet him, but I liked that he was still hopeful about breaking his curse and about being happy with his fated mate, even if said mate was a warlock, same as the one who cursed him. I liked Gar and Riley together too, and the scene where they test Gar's magic against Riley was great.
I'm all for fated mates, even if it does make things move fast - sometimes that's not a bad thing and it worked for these two as time was against them. I liked the rest of the cast of characters in the town too, there's lots of stories that can be told here and I'm looking forward to meeting them and reading their stories.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
jen_and_her_books's review against another edition
5.0
Plagued by a family curse, Riley find his way to Greyhaven, a supernatural sanctuary. Everyone with good intentions is welcome at the place Riley hopes to find a way to lift the curse.
A warlock seems to be the best solution for Riley’s dilemma. Unfortunately due to his past Riley is deadly afraid of warlocks as a warlock is the one who put the curse on the family…
Enter Gareth… a warlock…
Throughout the course of this book, Jax whisks us away to an incredible world. We get action, learning to trust and love and swooooooooon ❤️
I love Jax’s PNR stories as she created magic with places, storylines and incredible characters.
A wonderful introduction to this community of Greyhaven
A warlock seems to be the best solution for Riley’s dilemma. Unfortunately due to his past Riley is deadly afraid of warlocks as a warlock is the one who put the curse on the family…
Enter Gareth… a warlock…
Throughout the course of this book, Jax whisks us away to an incredible world. We get action, learning to trust and love and swooooooooon ❤️
I love Jax’s PNR stories as she created magic with places, storylines and incredible characters.
A wonderful introduction to this community of Greyhaven
bookpimpfairy's review against another edition
5.0
What a way to introduce a new series!! Get ready to fall for each of these characters, and okay, maybe you want to smack some over the head a little. So many emotions to be had in this hurt comfort novella. Gareth is so beautifully understanding why Riley needs to work through his past to be able to even be friends.
Cannot wait to see what Jax has in store for us next from the Greyhaven universe. For those not wanting to read an overly Christmas story, this isn't that it just happens to take place around Christmas.
Cannot wait to see what Jax has in store for us next from the Greyhaven universe. For those not wanting to read an overly Christmas story, this isn't that it just happens to take place around Christmas.
christie86's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
bronwynheeley's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine, a good, solid series starter, letting us get to know the type of world we are stepping into, the characters we are sure to see again. The romance was typical, fated mates, I honestly can see why people love this and why they won't I'm in the middle.
msjessc's review
A lot of explaining the joke type of writing. We all got why the character did what they did. There was no need to explain and it ruins any cuteness or sweetness that could have been there. It takes me out of the story and there was so much of it. I'm going to put this book on pause for now.
jennifox's review against another edition
The mayor of this small town is the actual goddess Hestia.
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review
5.0
"I'll always fly home to you."
Cursed at Christmas is a prequel to a new series by author Jax Stuart. The story of Riley and Gareth brings us to a secret hidden town known as Greyhaven. There's a reason the town is hidden and that would be because it's a sanctuary for supernaturals. It's a town for those who need a safe place to lay there heads. Some come to stay for good, while for others it's a stop along the way in their journey. No matter the reason, Greyhaven is there for those who need it, and Riley is one shifter who desperately needs it.
Gareth is a lifelong resident of Greyhaven. He was born there and can't imagine living anywhere else. He enjoys his life teaching, even if he sometimes wishes he had someone to call his own. When Riley arrives in town, Gareth is ecstatic to find the man fated to be his. Unfortunately for Gareth, Riley most definitely does not feel the same. In fact, he's utterly terrified of him.
Like many who find sanctuary in Greyhaven, Riley has a past. The problem is that his past is still causing him large issues in his present. He carries a curse placed on him by an evil warlock, so the fact that fate chose a warlock as his mate is the cruelest kind of joke to a man like Riley. He could desperately use a person in his corner, but he doesn't know if he could ever trust his mate based on what he is.
Despite their rocky beginnings, Gareth doesn't give up. He works hard to prove to his mate that he is safe with him. Every time I could see Riley letting his guard down a little bit I wanted to cheer! After everything he'd been through I just truly wanted him to be happy and I believed Gareth was the key to making that happen. Well that, and breaking Riley's curse.
We meet so many new faces in this book, not to mention an old one. I don't know whose book I want next the most! Oh who am I kidding, I want them all! Longwei, Dax, Eason, and even Tatsuya, though that dragon is on my shitlist at the moment. He better have a good excuse for his actions, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait for more in this series!
Merged review:
"I'll always fly home to you."
Cursed at Christmas is a prequel to a new series by author Jax Stuart. The story of Riley and Gareth brings us to a secret hidden town known as Greyhaven. There's a reason the town is hidden and that would be because it's a sanctuary for supernaturals. It's a town for those who need a safe place to lay there heads. Some come to stay for good, while for others it's a stop along the way in their journey. No matter the reason, Greyhaven is there for those who need it, and Riley is one shifter who desperately needs it.
Gareth is a lifelong resident of Greyhaven. He was born there and can't imagine living anywhere else. He enjoys his life teaching, even if he sometimes wishes he had someone to call his own. When Riley arrives in town, Gareth is ecstatic to find the man fated to be his. Unfortunately for Gareth, Riley most definitely does not feel the same. In fact, he's utterly terrified of him.
Like many who find sanctuary in Greyhaven, Riley has a past. The problem is that his past is still causing him large issues in his present. He carries a curse placed on him by an evil warlock, so the fact that fate chose a warlock as his mate is the cruelest kind of joke to a man like Riley. He could desperately use a person in his corner, but he doesn't know if he could ever trust his mate based on what he is.
Despite their rocky beginnings, Gareth doesn't give up. He works hard to prove to his mate that he is safe with him. Every time I could see Riley letting his guard down a little bit I wanted to cheer! After everything he'd been through I just truly wanted him to be happy and I believed Gareth was the key to making that happen. Well that, and breaking Riley's curse.
We meet so many new faces in this book, not to mention an old one. I don't know whose book I want next the most! Oh who am I kidding, I want them all! Longwei, Dax, Eason, and even Tatsuya, though that dragon is on my shitlist at the moment. He better have a good excuse for his actions, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait for more in this series!
Cursed at Christmas is a prequel to a new series by author Jax Stuart. The story of Riley and Gareth brings us to a secret hidden town known as Greyhaven. There's a reason the town is hidden and that would be because it's a sanctuary for supernaturals. It's a town for those who need a safe place to lay there heads. Some come to stay for good, while for others it's a stop along the way in their journey. No matter the reason, Greyhaven is there for those who need it, and Riley is one shifter who desperately needs it.
Gareth is a lifelong resident of Greyhaven. He was born there and can't imagine living anywhere else. He enjoys his life teaching, even if he sometimes wishes he had someone to call his own. When Riley arrives in town, Gareth is ecstatic to find the man fated to be his. Unfortunately for Gareth, Riley most definitely does not feel the same. In fact, he's utterly terrified of him.
Like many who find sanctuary in Greyhaven, Riley has a past. The problem is that his past is still causing him large issues in his present. He carries a curse placed on him by an evil warlock, so the fact that fate chose a warlock as his mate is the cruelest kind of joke to a man like Riley. He could desperately use a person in his corner, but he doesn't know if he could ever trust his mate based on what he is.
Despite their rocky beginnings, Gareth doesn't give up. He works hard to prove to his mate that he is safe with him. Every time I could see Riley letting his guard down a little bit I wanted to cheer! After everything he'd been through I just truly wanted him to be happy and I believed Gareth was the key to making that happen. Well that, and breaking Riley's curse.
We meet so many new faces in this book, not to mention an old one. I don't know whose book I want next the most! Oh who am I kidding, I want them all! Longwei, Dax, Eason, and even Tatsuya, though that dragon is on my shitlist at the moment. He better have a good excuse for his actions, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait for more in this series!
Merged review:
"I'll always fly home to you."
Cursed at Christmas is a prequel to a new series by author Jax Stuart. The story of Riley and Gareth brings us to a secret hidden town known as Greyhaven. There's a reason the town is hidden and that would be because it's a sanctuary for supernaturals. It's a town for those who need a safe place to lay there heads. Some come to stay for good, while for others it's a stop along the way in their journey. No matter the reason, Greyhaven is there for those who need it, and Riley is one shifter who desperately needs it.
Gareth is a lifelong resident of Greyhaven. He was born there and can't imagine living anywhere else. He enjoys his life teaching, even if he sometimes wishes he had someone to call his own. When Riley arrives in town, Gareth is ecstatic to find the man fated to be his. Unfortunately for Gareth, Riley most definitely does not feel the same. In fact, he's utterly terrified of him.
Like many who find sanctuary in Greyhaven, Riley has a past. The problem is that his past is still causing him large issues in his present. He carries a curse placed on him by an evil warlock, so the fact that fate chose a warlock as his mate is the cruelest kind of joke to a man like Riley. He could desperately use a person in his corner, but he doesn't know if he could ever trust his mate based on what he is.
Despite their rocky beginnings, Gareth doesn't give up. He works hard to prove to his mate that he is safe with him. Every time I could see Riley letting his guard down a little bit I wanted to cheer! After everything he'd been through I just truly wanted him to be happy and I believed Gareth was the key to making that happen. Well that, and breaking Riley's curse.
We meet so many new faces in this book, not to mention an old one. I don't know whose book I want next the most! Oh who am I kidding, I want them all! Longwei, Dax, Eason, and even Tatsuya, though that dragon is on my shitlist at the moment. He better have a good excuse for his actions, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait for more in this series!
xanthe87's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.0
An enjoyable new series from Jax Stuart bringing several of my favourite tropes together - differeant paranormals within one community, fated mates, and Christmas!
Riley is in a really tough spot and has been from a few years, never able to settle in one place after being cursed by a warlock. Arriving in Greyhaven is a way of looking for help in a town that is purely for the supernatural community, hidden away to keep those who can't hide in plain sight safe. Hoping to get help to break the curse, the one thing he can't deal with is warlocks, and one man who is just happens to be his fated mate. Gareth is shocked to meet and the be left by his fated mate. Once he understands a little more, he is so sweet going out of his way to make Riley comfortable whilst also helping him with possibly breaking the curse.
Riley's history is painful as he has been forced to do things against his will and see his family suffer. Meeting so many friendly and helpful people in Greyhaven puts him off kilter but he puts effort in with that as much as learning to trust Gareth. They become a really great couple with Gareth giving Riley all of the space he needs, as he settles in the town and they work towards breaking curse on Riley and his family for good. There is a very good bad guy to dislike though I was a little surprised with how quickly that bit finished in the story but it had a great outcome for Riley and his loved ones.
I'm looking forward to more from the rest of this series and getting to know more of the paranormals in the community.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Riley is in a really tough spot and has been from a few years, never able to settle in one place after being cursed by a warlock. Arriving in Greyhaven is a way of looking for help in a town that is purely for the supernatural community, hidden away to keep those who can't hide in plain sight safe. Hoping to get help to break the curse, the one thing he can't deal with is warlocks, and one man who is just happens to be his fated mate. Gareth is shocked to meet and the be left by his fated mate. Once he understands a little more, he is so sweet going out of his way to make Riley comfortable whilst also helping him with possibly breaking the curse.
Riley's history is painful as he has been forced to do things against his will and see his family suffer. Meeting so many friendly and helpful people in Greyhaven puts him off kilter but he puts effort in with that as much as learning to trust Gareth. They become a really great couple with Gareth giving Riley all of the space he needs, as he settles in the town and they work towards breaking curse on Riley and his family for good. There is a very good bad guy to dislike though I was a little surprised with how quickly that bit finished in the story but it had a great outcome for Riley and his loved ones.
I'm looking forward to more from the rest of this series and getting to know more of the paranormals in the community.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.