Title: The Flame Game
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

So far of the Bailey and Quinn stories, I actually liked this one the least. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, but it most certainly wasn’t my absolute favourite. I think I just wanted a lot more… something out of this than what I got. Whilst Bailey and Quinn’s happily ever after is pretty much set at this point, I think that I wanted a whole lot more of the getting there process. This felt a little like a novel that was tying up all of the loose ends, and maybe I just wanted a bit of a longer story to do so.

Having said all of that, this was still a really good and fun novel. I mean, Bailey gets to ride off into the sunset, pregnant and planning to adopt the whole damn world. Quinn is mostly just getting dragged along for the ride… happily and lovingly. I would’ve liked a little more doubt from Bailey as to the reality of Quinn’s love for her. She went from having some pretty ginormous issues, to being chaotically and happily violent in the blink of an eye. I wanted more issues damn it!

The overarching story line that threads throughout the three Bailey and Quinn books is the rabies outbreak and the conspiracy behind it. I liked how Blain was able to wrap up this story line and also pull in a few moments from other books within the series. Add to that the fact that Bailey spends this whole book pregnant, I really enjoyed the craziness of this whole story. Particularly the added complications and challenges of being a pregnant cindercorn. Pregnancy is crazy enough as it is, but to be a magical beast and pregnant? Probably not ideal.

As much as I love Perky and Perkette, I really want more of them! They are a funny pair, and I want to see how they handle being parents to quads. Two is enough crazy for me, but four at once? Born to a cop and a mad scientist? Yeah, that’s a story that I would love to read in the future! Even if they are just secondary characters yet again.

All in all this is a fun and sassy novel, like all of the other Blain books in my shelves. It left me laughing and giggling the whole time I was reading it. Although that’s the end of Bailey and Quinn’s story, I can’t wait to jump into the rest of the A Magical Romantic Comedy series. There is just something fun about the pure insanity that is the writing of Blain.

Image source: Amazon

Title: A Chip on Her Shoulder
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #15
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

It took me a little bit longer to get through this book than the others in this series. Mostly just because I had a bit of hectic essays going on. But also because I found it a little bit more difficult to connect with Darlene. I mean, she was an absolutely fantastic character, and I still had my laugh out loud moments. But she also wasn’t someone I found much connection with in the grand scheme of things.

I do love that this novel went back in time a little bit. Not only did it give background to the Devil’s marriage, but it also provided some more information on both Kanika and Bailey. Two characters that I really did love. I love that, although there are hints of the world intertwining throughout this series, this is the novel that really highlights it. It’s very cool how everything slots in together so beautifully. And I can’t wait to see how this expands in the future.

Alongside revealing more information about some key characters in this series, this novel also gives more of a background into the whole end of days, battle type theme. I like how although it uses a lot of Christian theories, it’s also incorporating other beliefs and some of its own. The lore that keeps building is brilliant and made me particular happy. I love how all of the threads that have slowly been explained are coming to fruition now.

The level of violence and aggression that Darlene aspires to is kind of brilliant. Probably my favourite part of this whole book is just how feisty she is. There is no apology for being herself and no hints of shame, but there is a whole lot of willingness to mess with the people who have wringed her family. I may not have been able to connect with the leads in this story so much, but I was able to laugh at their banter and antics.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Grave Humor
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #14
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

It was only halfway through this novel that I pieced together Anwen’s role in the greater magical world. I guessed that she wasn’t quite what one would expect (herself included) but didn’t get very far beyond that. Which meant, that when the pieces started to fall into place, I was somewhat surprised. And incredibly happy at Blain’s beautiful crafting of a story.

Like Anwen, Eoghan wasn’t quite what I expected. When you first meet him, he seems a lot rougher and more arrogant. Also, a little on the evil side. Then, you realise it was all an act and he’s far more docile than anticipated. I particularly love that he is one of the three aspects of death and plays a fairly crucial role in the world as we know it.

Grave Humour is a fun and very, very slow burn romance. It is possibly one of the slower burn romances that I’ve read. To the point that there was actually no physical intimacy throughout the whole story. Normally I enjoy that moment of the first kiss, but this change of pace and expectations was kind of brilliant. It gave a sweetness to a story that involved a lot of conversations about death.

I really enjoy that, as the series is unfolding, more and more lore and history is revealed. Of particular interest within that idea is the whole End of Days saga. Death is just another aspect of this construction. Its a nice reminder that in every ending there is a new beginning. Plus, there’s also a ridiculously wonderful amount of grave / dark humour throughout.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Double Trouble
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #13
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

When I read the blurb from this book, I had a bit of an idea of what I thought I should expect from this novel. And it turned out that the reality was nothing like what I anticipated. Which was fantastic, because I like being surprised, and this was way better than what was in my imagination. Which is probably why I keep just inhaling R.J. Blain’s Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body count) series. They’re funny, brilliant and often nothing like what I expect.

Layla’s history was one of those mysteries that is slowly unravelled throughout the novel. I loved finding out bits and pieces of her history. The fact that this also led to some wonderful revenge when all of the truth came out was fantastic. It added another layer to this world that Blain has wonderfully built. And gave me a new insight into the different species that dance around the pages of this series. I kind of loved that, alongside Layla’s history, there is a whole lot of information about unicorns. They’re most definitely not the innocent paragons of virtue that I expected. They’re much more sex fiendish and happy to cause chaos – which I’d honestly rather.

Both of Xena and Dean (the unicorns within this story) are freaking hilarious. You have Xena on the one hand who is determined to take over the world. All of her antics made me smile and giggle, plus, she’s just trouble walking. Honestly, just a story on her would’ve made me happy. But, then you add in Dean. He is just wonderfully determined and set on his future wife. I’m not entirely sure just how he settled on Layla so quickly, it wasn’t quite an instalove idea, but something akin to it. But, I love how he is just… content to keep working at his chosen wife whether anyone else likes it or not.

There was so much that I loved about this story, but I think that one of my favourite aspects is just Layla’s willingness to stab anyone. With anything she can get her hands on. I’m not entirely sure how a handbag can be turned into a shiv, but I loved reading about her trying to do so. She is so damn aggressive and violent, yet innocent and sweet. I may have closed my eyes with laughter every time Layla tried to shiv someone if I’m being honest…

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Burn, Baby, Burn
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #12
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

I find very little interconnectedness between the Magical Romantic Comedy characters. Which meant that I was incredibly excited to revisit the original couple within this series – Bailey and Quinn. Particularly since a lot of their story was a little bit open ended. And yes, this story also has a few unanswered questions at the end. But there’s another Bailey and Quinn story to come!

Although I love Bailey and Quinn as a couple, I also loved that they actually spent most of this storyline apart. It gave them both a chance to continue growing independently of one another. It also allowed for both the ‘Perkys’ to shine as the best friends of the leads. In particular, I loved Perky’s wife and her mad scientist ways. The fact that she spends this entire story out to corrupt Bailey just had me giggling out loud. A great literary best friend, but one that would terrify me in real life…

Finally, finally, Bailey’s heritage is actually revealed in this novel. It was definitely left as a big question mark at the end of the first novel. So, I was over the moon to actually discover the answer to that lingering query. It definitely made me love her even more. And wonder how her powers are going to develop. After all, you get the feeling that she’s just scratched the surface.

Both Bailey and Quinn seem to spend the majority if their time in this rescuing strays. Bailey rescuing animals from dumpsters. Quinn children from tragic circumstances. I also love that Bailey is incredibly gun ho about fighting to have the children. And the animals. And just in general, happy to fight everyone she possibly can.

Image source: Kobo

Title: Cheetahs Never Win
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #11
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

This is definitely one of my favourite A Magical Romantic Comedy books – I loved Aaron and Sassy from the beginning. And I also seriously enjoyed how the cheetah cohort actually works. It was nothing like I expected, and I doubt really based on how cheetahs act in the wild, but it was also a lot of fun. I particularly loved that Aaron’s infatuation with Sassy is shown through his constant purchasing of shoes. I mean, gift giving is a very good love language. And the fact that it’s through expensive shoes? Even better.

The machinations and manipulations of Sassy’s family are absolutely hilarious. They manage to constantly manoeuvre their way into Sassy’s life. And the fact that they actually infect Aaron way before anyone realises? Again, absolutely hilarious. The fact that Aaron ends up following their plan, but a few years after the fact just made me giggle all that much harder. I know that I’d do anything for my kids’ happiness, but this level of manipulation? That is just a whole other thing… one I find weirdly admirable.

Behind the wonderfully fun romance and getting to know Sassy’s family is the fact that Aaron and Sassy are on the hunt for a serial killer. I did tear up a few times throughout this – since the killer is actually hunting children. And I definitely found this to be the most intense story of the series. Particularly since I was pregnant with my second child whilst reading this. Yet, I enjoyed trying to figure out just who was behind all of this as I read through. And why they were so damn evil. It was kind of fun trying to get answers…

There are so many great characters that I absolutely fell in love with throughout this novel. I definitely want more cheetah shapeshifters. Since they seem to have a few less-mainstream kinks and are equal sex opportunists. Plus, the whole taking a kidnapping to settle them down? Again, kind of brilliant and hilarious. Definitely a whole new world to explore in this book, and I hope we get back to this group again.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Fowl Play
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #9
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I love that Blain completely agrees with me – swans are arseholes. I still remember the time when I was young and I had one try and attack me… for feeding it! But that’s beside the point, childhood traumas aside, as an adult I can totally respect their aggression and arsehole tendencies. The fact that this is literally pointed out multiple times throughout this story just made it all that much better. I mean, it’s one thing to have subtle characterisation of this – but to outright state it? Brilliant.

Emma has definitely got the most bizarre parental combination so far in this series – she is the child of a swan, an angel and a demon. And you can see how the combination of the three, and their non-traditional parenting techniques combine. It leads to a lot of humour and shenanigans throughout this story. Moments that frequently had me giggling out loud if I’m being honest. Even writing this review a few days after I turned that final page, I’m smirking a little…

Kenneth’s desire to win over Emma is kind of cute. Particularly when you realise how long he’s had these slightly stalkerish tendencies. Alright, stalkerish tendencies aren’t always good, but this manages to just flirt the line with creepy. He is such an adorable little smitten kitten. One that I really enjoyed getting to know. The fact that their Meet Cute was him arresting her just had me laughing all that much more.

Although my main takeaway from this story was all positive and happy, there was obviously still a bit of mayhem and death. I mean, that’s kind of what this series is all about. The fact that it was a serial killer that did most of the killing? Not quite what I had anticipated. Particularly when you find out just who the damn serial killer is. And what their motivations are… way more twisted than I anticipated.

Image source: Booktopia

Title: No Kitten Around
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #8
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

This was a great and beautiful second chance romance. One that had complications that not many people could overcome. But both Reed and Kennedy rise to the challenge beautifully and carve out their new happily ever after. Actually, I kind of like all of the ways that they grow and obviously change with their time apart. It just made me adore them all that much more. Plus, I just like second chance romances in general. True love and all of that nonsense.

Reed’s history and journey to the beginning of the story is kind of sad. I mean, he does the right thing, but is completely ostracised from and by everyone that he loves. Definitely not a great backstory. But I do love, that although he’s so obviously not happy, he also doesn’t really have any regrets. He acknowledges that he wishes for different things in his future, but he doesn’t regret trying to protect others. It made me fall in love with him pretty dang early on in the story to be honest.

Kennedy is a great balance to Reed. Where he is very calm and accepting, Kennedy is a bit of a spitfire. I love how feisty she is, particularly in the scenes when she realises just who is training both of them in sword fighting. She’s also incredibly, and hilariously dramatic. I also loved that this feistiness and strength actually came after her and Reed originally split up. She really shows that she was able to grow into herself once she realised her mistakes and was untethered.

As much as I love Reed and Kennedy, I must admit that I am also in love with their pets. I mean, they call them Kitten and Puppy. And they are some weird kind of magical beings that protect the world. Or at least, that’s what I got out of the story… I may have gotten a little confused as there is so much going on at the end of this story. Regardless, any story that so heavily features pets is going to be a good tick in my book.

For all of that, I still think that one of my favourite aspects of this book was the elf instructor. We’re a little bit introduced to the dangers of elves in Last But Not Leashed. But, it isn’t until this novel that you truly appreciate how dangerous, and psychotic they are. Which, me being me, I thought was fantastic and want more of. I mean, psychotic elves that want to kill people are great… but the fact that she also has a penchant for eating those that annoy her… brilliant.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Last But Not Leashed
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I enjoyed everything about this novella. But I particularly liked the whole saga of Dale’s colouring. I mean, he literally won’t shift because of his colouring. And, if I was some kind of psychedelic wolf… I don’t know what I’d do. But all I could think while reading this was PRETTY.

Dale is a really sweet and wonderful lead male. I also love how he is so content in himself, that he has no issue being a Beta. There are no dominance fights, challenges or such. Rather, he just continues on his own merry way and continues to be happy with who and what he is. Having said that, as with many stories I read and enjoy – Dale might be Beta, but he definitely has his own strength and power. Plus, the stubbornness is WAY too relatable for me.

This novella features a whole lot more action to the inner workings of the CDC. I mean, I’m normally a bit “eh” about the idea of government agencies in stories. Particularly those that feature a whole lot of off-kilter and unique characters. But, I love the way the CDC seems to be run throughout this. In fact, I actually want a whole lot more of this organisation in my reading!

Dale’s mate is someone that I really enjoyed from the first moment. She is tough as nails and kind of scary. It’s also obvious that she has feelings for Dale, but is happy to leave them on the back burner until he is comfortable. Yet, my favourite part of her (and, indeed, this whole story) is the idea that she is part elf. And, somehow, in this series, part elf just means that she is pretty trigger happy on the whole kill everyone and leave no witnesses aspect of her personality. Very funny, very enjoyable, and being pregnant at the time of reading this, the kill everything is scary relatable…

Image source: Amazon