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trisha_thomas's review against another edition
1.0
So, to be fair, the fact that I haven't read book 1 or 2 was not a fair way to start a series. Really, had I read them, I'm sure I would have understood so much more about the story and the characters (and the love story).
But as it was, it was just silly and....I just couldn't get into it and enjoy the story. The mystery part wasn't didn't hold me, the characters were annoying to me.
But as it was, it was just silly and....I just couldn't get into it and enjoy the story. The mystery part wasn't didn't hold me, the characters were annoying to me.
tessiekat's review against another edition
5.0
This dang series. It is so good and I'm so hooked. The ending of this one has me reeling and throwing money at Amazon for the next book. Katie was much better in this book and Owen became even more complex and I'm still swooning. (Don't tell my husband! lol). He really is a wonderfully developed character and I'm dying to read more.
jscarpa14's review
3.0
I'm going to be honest and say that I hated the way this one ended as well as few other aspects. I may be able to understand the reasons behind it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Additionally I liked this series so much because it's consistently managed to make me smile and leave me feeling happier after reading it, this installment just left me feeling depressed.
The ending wasn't the only reason that I rated this installment lower than previous ones. Newly introduced characters such as Ethelinda as well as the actions of some well known characters just irritated me in this book. One of the interesting things about the series prior to this installment is that even the bad guys have some likeable qualities. I actually enjoy seeing Idris appear even if he is the bad guy because he's a really funny bad guy. I still smile when I think about the cafe scene in book two. Ethelinda doesn't fit that mold, there wasn't a single likable quality about her. Sure she's got good intentions, but she won't listen to what the person she's supposed to be helping actually wants and despite her intentions she does nothing but cause harm. Additionally her personality is completely obnoxious.
The thing was she's not the only character who's actions irritated me. Gemma for example, though pushy is usually fairly likeable, but in this book she comes across as a bitch from the way she treats Phillip to the "intervention" she really doesn't seem like much of a friend to me. Merlin seemed to really care about Katie in the first book and even in the second book though a little blind to some things took an interest in her well being and her happiness. In this book he's all about sacrificing her for the greater good and doesn't even stop to consider that some of his words or actions might actually hurt. It's like he doesn't care at all. Merlin was initially a great character in the first book because of the way he cared and took the time to forge bonds with the new people in his life and now he's become more of just a boss. I don't want to read about just a boss or just a regular work place that happens to have magic in it, the series is interesting because that company always came across as sort of an adorable dysfunctional family. The whole thing with Kim... I don't even have words to describe how much that disgusted me. And swoon worthy Owen made a really sucky boyfriend in all but a couple scenes in the book so he doesn't seem so swoon worthy anymore.
That said I still recommend reading it because it's a part of a series that builds upon what happened in prior novels in order to continue the next installment, I just don't think it's one of the better ones in the series.
The ending wasn't the only reason that I rated this installment lower than previous ones. Newly introduced characters such as Ethelinda as well as the actions of some well known characters just irritated me in this book. One of the interesting things about the series prior to this installment is that even the bad guys have some likeable qualities. I actually enjoy seeing Idris appear even if he is the bad guy because he's a really funny bad guy. I still smile when I think about the cafe scene in book two. Ethelinda doesn't fit that mold, there wasn't a single likable quality about her. Sure she's got good intentions, but she won't listen to what the person she's supposed to be helping actually wants and despite her intentions she does nothing but cause harm. Additionally her personality is completely obnoxious.
The thing was she's not the only character who's actions irritated me. Gemma for example, though pushy is usually fairly likeable, but in this book she comes across as a bitch from the way she treats Phillip to the "intervention" she really doesn't seem like much of a friend to me. Merlin seemed to really care about Katie in the first book and even in the second book though a little blind to some things took an interest in her well being and her happiness. In this book he's all about sacrificing her for the greater good and doesn't even stop to consider that some of his words or actions might actually hurt. It's like he doesn't care at all. Merlin was initially a great character in the first book because of the way he cared and took the time to forge bonds with the new people in his life and now he's become more of just a boss. I don't want to read about just a boss or just a regular work place that happens to have magic in it, the series is interesting because that company always came across as sort of an adorable dysfunctional family. The whole thing with Kim... I don't even have words to describe how much that disgusted me. And swoon worthy Owen made a really sucky boyfriend in all but a couple scenes in the book so he doesn't seem so swoon worthy anymore.
That said I still recommend reading it because it's a part of a series that builds upon what happened in prior novels in order to continue the next installment, I just don't think it's one of the better ones in the series.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a fun series. Cute characters (there's a fairy godmother in this one), and good storyline. Magical but in a lighthearted way (not too dark) and funny.
joellemw's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lestaslettering's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars for just the ending. But the fairy godmother was absolutely annoying, I was waiting for her to transform into this evil sorceress that would've made the plot more interesting but no such luck. I want to stop reading the series right here when its still good, but after an ending like that, how can you not want to read the sequel?
taleisin's review against another edition
2.0
This one was okay. It was nice to see Owen and Katie finally get together, but they had to pull them apart again. The ending felt kinda off for me.
I am still going to read the next one. I want to know how this story ends.
I am still going to read the next one. I want to know how this story ends.
hoperu's review against another edition
4.0
My least favorite of the series, but I still really like it. Mainly, I dislike Katie's fairy godmother. She causes plenty of problems, and makes Katie hide things from Owen, again, which is never a good idea. In general, I don't like it when a main character hides something that turns out to be really important from the people who could solve the problem, just because they are being stubborn (see Harry Potter, esp. book 6). Other than that, the growing relationship is good - what I'd been rooting for since book 1 - and it is nice to learn more about Owen's background.
Now, we just have to convince the publisher that there should be a book 5, so we can learn even more about Owen's mysterious background and the past magical war...
Update Shanna Swendson has published books 5, 6 and 7 of this series! Hooray!
Now, we just have to convince the publisher that there should be a book 5, so we can learn even more about Owen's mysterious background and the past magical war...
Update Shanna Swendson has published books 5, 6 and 7 of this series! Hooray!
a_ab's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*. I liked this installment both more and less than its predecessors.
More - because it had a theme that was interestingly explored - the changing norms of romantic courtship, changing gender roles and the ineptitude of outside meddling if all sorts.
Less - because I hated the ending and the glacial pace of any meaningful developments for the main cast - it is getting more than a bit old. And so does the gimmick of the villains getting away at the last moment even if their plot is spoiled.
I also found the ending very frustrating, because the book ends with the heroine making yet another iteration of the same mistake she's been making repeatedly throughout the whole series and promising every time that she had learned her lesson. Well, apparently not. She is still making unilateral concealing decisions about the most important people in her life and not trusting them to make informed decisions about their lives. Her last decision in this book is exceptionally stupid on top of that and would have been much more in character if it came from the bumbling fairy godmother. Given the heroine's disdain for the said godmother, it was a very frustrating surprise and demolished most of my respect and liking for the heroine. We are entering the dreaded TSTL territory here, and that's never fun.
Not sure I can care for her enough to continue the series. Hence, I am not going to round up this time.
More - because it had a theme that was interestingly explored - the changing norms of romantic courtship, changing gender roles and the ineptitude of outside meddling if all sorts.
Less - because I hated the ending and the glacial pace of any meaningful developments for the main cast - it is getting more than a bit old. And so does the gimmick of the villains getting away at the last moment even if their plot is spoiled.
I also found the ending very frustrating, because the book ends with the heroine making yet another iteration of the same mistake she's been making repeatedly throughout the whole series and promising every time that she had learned her lesson. Well, apparently not. She is still making unilateral concealing decisions about the most important people in her life and not trusting them to make informed decisions about their lives. Her last decision in this book is exceptionally stupid on top of that and would have been much more in character if it came from the bumbling fairy godmother. Given the heroine's disdain for the said godmother, it was a very frustrating surprise and demolished most of my respect and liking for the heroine. We are entering the dreaded TSTL territory here, and that's never fun.
Not sure I can care for her enough to continue the series. Hence, I am not going to round up this time.
irurian's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this one. I'm still enjoying the story, but it feels like Katie isn't learning from her past mistakes at all.