The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
tguccione's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Abandonment, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Religious bigotry, Body horror, Murder, Violence, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Suicide
laylareadsthings's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love this series with my whole heart, but this was definitely the book I had the hardest time connecting with. I really love the way each novel has a through plot running concurrently (so youâre always piecing together how things intersect to the larger plot), but each very much has its own story in a story with new characters and new motivations. Callum has been my favorite since he was first introduced, but Everly was always more of an enigma to me and I had a really hard time connecting with her. Their pairing is sweet and I loved the change in power dynamics as they both explore and grow through their traumas.Â
When the plot was going, it was full steam ahead. But there were just large sections of this book I found myself skimming over because they felt repetitive. Training, conversations rehashed many times. This book is much more of an emotional book to me than the previous, so the plot almost takes a back seat.Â
Overall I still give this series a full 4.5 stars, and the ending of this is a wonderful close to the series. I just didnât get sucked into this one like I did with the previous books!Â
When the plot was going, it was full steam ahead. But there were just large sections of this book I found myself skimming over because they felt repetitive. Training, conversations rehashed many times. This book is much more of an emotional book to me than the previous, so the plot almost takes a back seat.Â
Overall I still give this series a full 4.5 stars, and the ending of this is a wonderful close to the series. I just didnât get sucked into this one like I did with the previous books!Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Misogyny, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Murder, Sexism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
spicycronereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Like the second book in the series, much of this book takes place contemporaneous with the events in the previous. However, I found that there were enough new characters and plot points that it kept me wanting to continue to read. I am glad we got to see Hell, which turns out is kind of a socialist paradise? đAnd the last 10% or so was pretty wild. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was fun to finally see more of Everly since her power is hinted at throughout the first two books. I loved her journey and Callumâs unwavering support of her. Reading the acknowledgments at the end, and seeing that Harley Laroux based Callum off of her husband, made me really happy for her, heck, for both of them! In the previous books, Leon and Zane were definitely that swaggering bad boy type. Callum seems much more noble, even though he is arguably the most badass of the three. The plot points that led him to Everly had me sighing and swooning. I wanted to know more about him and Lucifer so maybe a gory story or something at some point can fill in those blanks. Otherwise all of Callumâs traumas and motivations that led him to this point made him a very sympathetic character.Â
And for as much as the events of this book are dark, and trust, they are dark, the tone of this book often seems almost lighthearted. As Everly gets to know Callum, and as various other characters, make appearances, I often found myself smiling or laughing. The scene with the picnic was so touching and had me giggling. I nearly marked the book as lighthearted on here but then worried about the poor soul who might take that to mean it was a romcom or something.Though once The Old Man seemed to hold something back and I guessed that Everly was pregnant, I started bracing myself for Callum to die. That was a rough final battle, expecting the worst. Thank you for not doing that to us, Ms. Laroux!
Both Callum and Everly are bisexual, so there is some diverse representation in the book. Although as a MF pairing, the relationship of the main charactersâŠI wouldnât call it normative because they are both bi and because of the amount of kink, but itâs not as non-normative as it could be? This issue is complex and requires nuance in real life, and so writing about a fictional representation for strangers, I am finding that I am struggling to convey what I mean. Because it is complicated! I have not read Larouxâs Losers series, but I have read all of the first date novelas. I would definitely not be mad to see characters exploring their bi identity in terms of the relationship pairings in either Losers or future books. Ok. Moving away from the awkwardâŠ
The spice levels, as with the previous two, are top notch in both quantity and quality in this book. I loved Everlyâs Journey of discovery and how her confidence changes as she learns to take charge. And I have been waiting for TWO BOOKS to find out what game Everly and Callum were playing when Leon interrupted them. The scene did not disappoint. đ¶ïž đ„”đŠ Definitely read the authorâs content warning, because there is a lot to contend with in the book.
Overall, a great way to end the series, with swoony romance, badass MC action, and spice!Â
It was fun to finally see more of Everly since her power is hinted at throughout the first two books. I loved her journey and Callumâs unwavering support of her. Reading the acknowledgments at the end, and seeing that Harley Laroux based Callum off of her husband, made me really happy for her, heck, for both of them! In the previous books, Leon and Zane were definitely that swaggering bad boy type. Callum seems much more noble, even though he is arguably the most badass of the three. The plot points that led him to Everly had me sighing and swooning. I wanted to know more about him and Lucifer so maybe a gory story or something at some point can fill in those blanks. Otherwise all of Callumâs traumas and motivations that led him to this point made him a very sympathetic character.Â
And for as much as the events of this book are dark, and trust, they are dark, the tone of this book often seems almost lighthearted. As Everly gets to know Callum, and as various other characters, make appearances, I often found myself smiling or laughing. The scene with the picnic was so touching and had me giggling. I nearly marked the book as lighthearted on here but then worried about the poor soul who might take that to mean it was a romcom or something.
Both Callum and Everly are bisexual, so there is some diverse representation in the book. Although as a MF pairing, the relationship of the main charactersâŠI wouldnât call it normative because they are both bi and because of the amount of kink, but itâs not as non-normative as it could be? This issue is complex and requires nuance in real life, and so writing about a fictional representation for strangers, I am finding that I am struggling to convey what I mean. Because it is complicated! I have not read Larouxâs Losers series, but I have read all of the first date novelas. I would definitely not be mad to see characters exploring their bi identity in terms of the relationship pairings in either Losers or future books. Ok. Moving away from the awkwardâŠ
The spice levels, as with the previous two, are top notch in both quantity and quality in this book. I loved Everlyâs Journey of discovery and how her confidence changes as she learns to take charge. And I have been waiting for TWO BOOKS to find out what game Everly and Callum were playing when Leon interrupted them. The scene did not disappoint. đ¶ïž đ„”đŠ Definitely read the authorâs content warning, because there is a lot to contend with in the book.
Overall, a great way to end the series, with swoony romance, badass MC action, and spice!Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
annabelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy, but I have some mixed feelings. TBH Everly and Callum were not my favorite couple in the series, but they were very sweet. I loved their devotion to each other and how they helped each other grow. I also loved how they were both switches!! It made their dynamic so much fun. I especially loved Callum and he really made the spicy scenes for me.
The pacing and plot was good overall, but it moved between being gripping and horrifying to being a chore to get through. Parts of the book just left me either bored or wanting more. I think the book struggled to find a good balance between getting the plot where it needed to be and having the magical training and having relationship and character development. I did love the setting of the house with the ghost of Everly's grandma and the forest fae. And we got to see Hell which was exciting. Â
i just want to know what was the point of the ritual and the special blade if was going to be pointless in the final battle??? The ritual scene was one of my favorites but we could've just done that for fun if the weapon was going to be a moot point.
All in all, there were lots of moments I really loved, I just didn't love it the whole way through.
The pacing and plot was good overall, but it moved between being gripping and horrifying to being a chore to get through. Parts of the book just left me either bored or wanting more. I think the book struggled to find a good balance between getting the plot where it needed to be and having the magical training and having relationship and character development. I did love the setting of the house with the ghost of Everly's grandma and the forest fae. And we got to see Hell which was exciting. Â
All in all, there were lots of moments I really loved, I just didn't love it the whole way through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy
kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Thank you to Harley Laroux and JLRC author services for the digital ARC.
This book will release 08/31/2023
If you love The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, and Beautiful Creatures, the setting is for you, and the smut will not disappoint.
I could not put this book down and I am still thinking about it now.
Harley seems to time their releases just right, because Soul of a Witch is perfect for the rainy-spooky season we have coming up. I promise you, youâre going to want to cozy up with a warm drink and binge this book (and its prequels, if you havenât read those).
It has been a joy to watch Harley grow with their characters in this book, and they continue to set incredibly high standards for fictional men and/or love interests.
This is the book of the season, youâre not going to want to miss it.
I loved to see the different story pieces finally slide together. Even after having read the same story three times through different POVs, Soul of a Witch still manages to add so many unique things to the story, be it through the characters or the world building.Â
Harley manages to lure the reader in through the setting, and then introduces a big scary wolf of a demon with a heart of gold. Callum could be described as a golden retriever boyfriend, and he lives up to his honorary title of âDaddy Callumâ alright.Â
I loved seeing Everly step into her power â And she really is powerful. I think she will serve as an important character for many people to relate to in different ways, because she will teach readers that abusive situations must not last forever, and that we all have the power to create our own destiny and be the makers of our own happiness.
This book will release 08/31/2023
If you love The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, and Beautiful Creatures, the setting is for you, and the smut will not disappoint.
I could not put this book down and I am still thinking about it now.
Harley seems to time their releases just right, because Soul of a Witch is perfect for the rainy-spooky season we have coming up. I promise you, youâre going to want to cozy up with a warm drink and binge this book (and its prequels, if you havenât read those).
It has been a joy to watch Harley grow with their characters in this book, and they continue to set incredibly high standards for fictional men and/or love interests.
This is the book of the season, youâre not going to want to miss it.
I loved to see the different story pieces finally slide together. Even after having read the same story three times through different POVs, Soul of a Witch still manages to add so many unique things to the story, be it through the characters or the world building.Â
Harley manages to lure the reader in through the setting, and then introduces a big scary wolf of a demon with a heart of gold. Callum could be described as a golden retriever boyfriend, and he lives up to his honorary title of âDaddy Callumâ alright.Â
I loved seeing Everly step into her power â And she really is powerful. I think she will serve as an important character for many people to relate to in different ways, because she will teach readers that abusive situations must not last forever, and that we all have the power to create our own destiny and be the makers of our own happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Drug use
CW as provided by the author: âSubjects include descriptions of anxiety and panic attacks, mentions of death/suicide of a parent, religious abuse, mental and physical abuse by a parent to their adult child, pregnancy, discussion of miscarriage/pregnancy loss, graphic violence and elements of horror, including body horror.â Sexual content as provided by the author:
More...