Title: Whatever For Hire ReRead
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

ReReading Whatever for Hire after reading through most of the published Magical Romantic Comedies (with a Body Count) makes it somehow even more hilarious. I mean, her entanglements with the Devil were always entertaining for me to read about, but they somehow get better with the knowledge of the rest of the series. Plus, I feel like this is the first of the books in the series which really starts to dig deep into the idea of an overarching storyline. Plus, again, with the knowledge of the rest of the series, I can see where the events of Kanika’s story are touched upon in other stories within the series. Which, of course, meant, that, as much as I loved this for the first read through, reading through it again was even better.

Even though I knew (this time around) what species Malcolm actually is, I loved finding all of the little breadcrumbs and trying to figure it out all over again. And, even in a reread, it wasn’t actually that obvious just what he is. Which, again, I absolutely loved. It was fun trying to find all of the hints, and wondering if I could piece them together organically. Then, there’s the nature of Malcolm’s curse – I’m actually still not entirely sure of the entirety of what his curse entails, but it was a good bit of extra information. Maybe next time I choose to reread this series, I’ll be better able to pick up more about the curse…

Normally I really zone in on the lead female of a paranormal romance, I read women who write strong women for a reason, after all. But, although I absolutely adored Kanika and thoroughly enjoyed her adventures, there is something about Satan that really made me laugh. I’m not sure what it is, but Satin’s (I mean Satan’s), entire storyline and personna throughout this series is really endearing, and often leaves me laughing out loud. With much enthusiasm, and to the sometimes shock of my Fur Babies. He is just such a joyously manipulative being of chaos, one that is endearingly sweet at times, even if he is supposed to be the opposite of Order.

Even if this was a reread, I really didn’t want to put it down. It was light, funny and all kinds of wonderful. Just the perfect book to pick up when life is feeling chaotic and seriously insane. Plus, because I’m beginning to believe that there is rarely a good romance without at least a little bit of violence, this has violence and chaos in spades. Something I can 100% get behind and continue to jump on board with. Now onto the next book, Fowl Play, for more magic, mayhem, and just all round enjoyable chaos.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Serial Killer Princess ReRead
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I shouldn’t like stories which feature violent and unhinged women so much. And it’s probably seriously problematic that I really loved this novella – a story of a serial killer of serial killers. I mean, I kind of get it, but still… I loved this and I loved it just as much on the reread as the first time I dived into its pages. Part of this may also just be due to the fact that throughout the whole story, Tulip is constantly aware that she is not making “good” decisions. In fact, most of Tulip’s internal dialogue, if it isn’t scheming, is trying to figure out how to be less of a psycho. Which, of course, just makes her seem more psychotic.

I can’t say that I’ve ever thought about what the offspring of a mermaid and a gorgon would be like. Particularly not a Mermaid Queen and Gorgon King – particularly within this story, it provides a great and entertaining child. I also loved how Tulip’s very existence helped Blain to further explain the intricacies of Gorgon society. And Mermaid society, but having read the series before, I didn’t pay as much attention to the mermaids – they don’t seem to be mentioned again. I would actually quite enjoy having more mermaids in the series though…

The idea of a Black Mamba absolutely freaks me out. Particularly one that is giant, and so toxic that it concerns even the Gorgons. I did read this half expecting to have a nightmare about the idea of a reptile / Black Mamba shifter. But, somehow, I didn’t. And, I don’t get the privilege of reading many stories which feature shapeshifters. The difficulties of being a creature without limbs was also investigated – I hadn’t actually thought of what the challenges would be if I didn’t have any limbs at all, so that definitely intrigued me, as much as it still totally freaks me out.

Although this was a reread, I couldn’t quite remember how the couple ended up together. I did remember that they are both species that don’t necessarily get along in the wild. But the brilliance of making the hunted do the hunting had me laughing. There is a bit of truth in loving the thrill of the chase (especially when you are the one who is enjoying the reading of the nonsense), and how it worked out was truly brilliant. And hilarious. And just showed how manipulative and well thought out the entire romance is.

Image source: Amazon