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rebakesl's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
2.75
Ugh, I so badly wanted to love this book. I’ve been looking forward to Henry and Clara’s story the whole series and I really love their personalities, but this story left something (or maybe somethings) to be desired. Their love story lacked depth and substance, and it felt like the author was just rushing to pump out the last novel. It followed a similar recipe for pace and spice and drama/resolution as the previous 5, but it just didn’t hold the same magic for me as some of the others. Also, WAY too much pregnancy at the end— how many people need to be pregnant at once, and all at the end. I realize it’s a tender topic for me in this season anyway, but it seemed like overkill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Stalking
bekacrook's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed Clara and Henry's story, I like that Clara was the primary persuer in this book and that Henry was shy and unsure. He was a different kind of male main character than we've seen in this series so far. I genuinely really liked Henry, he was grumpy at times but it was due to his depression and suppression of his magic, not in a dickish way. It was refreshing. He was so doting and caring and full of love when he was finally allowed to show it. Also the necromancy stuff was really cool and it was interesting to watch him discover the true extent of his gift and use it well.
It was nice to see a different side to Clara, she's been in the background of the other books and been portrayed as the permanently happy, whimsical sister whereas this book gave her a bit more depth and showed her power. She had such conviction in her decisions and her faith that everything will work out, which I really liked.
The side plot around the murder charges of Henry's father was interesting but definitely just a side plot there to develop Henry's gift and his relationship with Clara and belief in himself. It was all solved and sorted very quickly and easily and was fairly obvious from the start who the true murderer was.
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the showcase their family and how accepting, close and joyous it is. A hell of a lot of pregnancies and babies by the end but heyho, each to their own.
It was nice to see a different side to Clara, she's been in the background of the other books and been portrayed as the permanently happy, whimsical sister whereas this book gave her a bit more depth and showed her power. She had such conviction in her decisions and her faith that everything will work out, which I really liked.
The side plot around the murder charges of Henry's father was interesting but definitely just a side plot there to develop Henry's gift and his relationship with Clara and belief in himself. It was all solved and sorted very quickly and easily and was fairly obvious from the start who the true murderer was.
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the showcase their family and how accepting, close and joyous it is. A hell of a lot of pregnancies and babies by the end but heyho, each to their own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Murder
2blueshoes's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A cute ending to a cute series, but this book was just too cute and sweet for me. And OMG the SHEER AMOUNT of pregnancy in this book is beyond words. So. Many. Babies. I lost track.
A few small things:
- It didn’t feel like Henry’s gift was integrated into his relationship in the way other hero’s were.
- hearing Clara speak her mind and have a bit of a cheeky side was great, but I wished she had a bigger role in this book besides “Henry’s cheerleader”
- It was really a “sunshine and sunshine” romance, rather than a “sunshine and grumpy person” romance.
All in all, there’s nothing wrong with this book, especially if you like super romantic, lovey dovey novels. It just wasn’t for me. I do like this author and will read more of her books if she writes them.
A few small things:
- It didn’t feel like Henry’s gift was integrated into his relationship in the way other hero’s were.
- hearing Clara speak her mind and have a bit of a cheeky side was great, but I wished she had a bigger role in this book besides “Henry’s cheerleader”
- It was really a “sunshine and sunshine” romance, rather than a “sunshine and grumpy person” romance.
All in all, there’s nothing wrong with this book, especially if you like super romantic, lovey dovey novels. It just wasn’t for me. I do like this author and will read more of her books if she writes them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Torture, Vomit, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
belle_d_mort's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
I loved all previous books and had such high hopes for this one. Alas, I finished it and well… this is probably my least favourite book of the year.
I *hate* the pregnancy trope. Truly loath it. Why are three pregnant at the same time? Why do they Clara and Henry have 7 kids?!
How is it “Roma tic” that Clara forgot her pills and then blames it on Henry? He was counting on her using protection and she agreed to it. Then all of a sudden, he’s “keeping her” from taking the pill by simply existing?! No Ma’am.
They’re also immediately in love and want to marry. At that point, they haven’t even been dating for a week.
I’m also a fan of things/ people staying dead - but no, Henry, who doesn’t know shit about necromancy, to the rescue.
And speaking of Henry who doesn’t know shit. He turns out to be a s€x wizard by watching porn?! And who the f*ck gets a d!ck piercing three days after meeting someone _just in case_ they might date…
I’m truly sad that this series ended the way it did. I loved the world building and will be rereading all other books - also just to forget how horrible this one was
I *hate* the pregnancy trope. Truly loath it. Why are three pregnant at the same time? Why do they Clara and Henry have 7 kids?!
How is it “Roma tic” that Clara forgot her pills and then blames it on Henry? He was counting on her using protection and she agreed to it. Then all of a sudden, he’s “keeping her” from taking the pill by simply existing?! No Ma’am.
They’re also immediately in love and want to marry. At that point, they haven’t even been dating for a week.
I’m also a fan of things/ people staying dead - but no, Henry, who doesn’t know shit about necromancy, to the rescue.
And speaking of Henry who doesn’t know shit. He turns out to be a s€x wizard by watching porn?! And who the f*ck gets a d!ck piercing three days after meeting someone _just in case_ they might date…
I’m truly sad that this series ended the way it did. I loved the world building and will be rereading all other books - also just to forget how horrible this one was
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
sultrytartreviews's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
After finally finishing out this series, I've come to the conclusion that I've out grown Cross's writing. I loved the first three of this series when I was new to Kindle Unlimited and reading indie romance, but I struggled through books 4,5, & 6 (with 6 being the one I enjoyed most of the three). It saddens me that I wasn't more into the story since I found Henry and Clara very adorable in the first half of the book, but by the end I was skimming because I'd lost interest. For me, the romance storylines were not balanced enough with the mystery/secondary plot line. I wish Henry's depression and anxiety hadn't been treated like something to simply spell away (literally gave it a band aid fix instead of working through any issues and how this has been a lifelong struggle for him) and I was downright angry for him that those who supposedly loved him most kept insisting he should forgive his father for his childhood trauma. I just expect more nuance from authors on these topics now and those were two glaring points that I cannot gloss over. There was no healing journey or even real attempt to make a relationship with henry and his dad, really just an attitude that Henry should 'be over it by now' and 'grow up'--which is not how trauma or mental health works.
Perhaps if real world applications do not bother you as they do me this will be a more enjoyable read for you. I have a hard time removing myself from real world issues and applications the more contemporary a book is.
After finally finishing out this series, I've come to the conclusion that I've out grown Cross's writing. I loved the first three of this series when I was new to Kindle Unlimited and reading indie romance, but I struggled through books 4,5, & 6 (with 6 being the one I enjoyed most of the three). It saddens me that I wasn't more into the story since I found Henry and Clara very adorable in the first half of the book, but by the end I was skimming because I'd lost interest. For me, the romance storylines were not balanced enough with the mystery/secondary plot line. I wish Henry's depression and anxiety hadn't been treated like something to simply spell away (literally gave it a band aid fix instead of working through any issues and how this has been a lifelong struggle for him) and I was downright angry for him that those who supposedly loved him most kept insisting he should forgive his father for his childhood trauma. I just expect more nuance from authors on these topics now and those were two glaring points that I cannot gloss over. There was no healing journey or even real attempt to make a relationship with henry and his dad, really just an attitude that Henry should 'be over it by now' and 'grow up'--which is not how trauma or mental health works.
Perhaps if real world applications do not bother you as they do me this will be a more enjoyable read for you. I have a hard time removing myself from real world issues and applications the more contemporary a book is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Murder
Minor: Child abuse
PTSD, depression, childhood traumalivetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is disgustingly sweet, waaay too much sugar for me towards the end.
While I loved Henry’s povs, this is my least favourite of the Stay a Spell books. The cuteness started out fine, and then it got quite serious, but then… the predictable happened, and my stomach plummeted. I was really loving the book, genuinely, and then babies got involved. So. Many. Babies.
The pregnancy trope might be your thing, but it’s definitely not mine, so this might just be a taste thing, really.
I found myself missing some intensity from this, and I’m hoping the next Juliette Cross book I pick up will have that.
While I loved Henry’s povs, this is my least favourite of the Stay a Spell books. The cuteness started out fine, and then it got quite serious, but then… the predictable happened, and my stomach plummeted. I was really loving the book, genuinely, and then babies got involved. So. Many. Babies.
The pregnancy trope might be your thing, but it’s definitely not mine, so this might just be a taste thing, really.
I found myself missing some intensity from this, and I’m hoping the next Juliette Cross book I pick up will have that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
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