Title: Champagne & Commitments
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2.6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

I’ve been wondering how Gen and Eli were going to get married for a little while now. I mean, they are ‘married’ in the paranormal sense at this point in the series. But, how was all the pomp and circumstance going to happen? Plus, because this is a wonderful series, there was going to have to be some kind of drama and action that accompanied the nuptials. Marr didn’t disappoint on either front for this novella.

I love that one of the big character challenges throughout this story was Gen trying to come to terms with and deal with her new celebrity. I can’t imagining having that many people intruding on my life. And I don’t have secrets and paranormal abilities to hide! She does such a fantastic job of patience throughout this though, which just made me love her all that much more.

Gen’s dealings with the tourists are kind of… familiar to me. Alright, I don’t have anywhere near the same issues and such. But, I do live in a tourist region, and some days I have unbelievable frustration at their intrusion and idiocy. It was nice to see that this seems to be a bit of a universal thing in tourist regions – appreciation for their visiting and such. But also sheer scream into a pillow level of frustration at how logic seems to go out the window when people are on vacation.

Champagne and Commitments is setting up the next book in this series wonderfully. Particularly as Allie finally finds out about her unwitting, unknowing courtship. And, since Allie is kind of a spitfire, albeit a ditsy one, I can’t wait to see what hell she brings down on the presumptuous fool’s head.

Image source: Amazon

Title: The Kiss & The Killer
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

I absolutely loved this novel – I mean, I knew that Eli and Gen would end up married in this (because I read Daiquiris & Daggers before reading this). But it was still fun getting there – and finding out just how they were “tricked” into being accidentally married. Plus, the rest of the story line and battles (literally) that Gen faced were completely unexpected. I love the shenanigans the pair get themselves into, and how throughout it all, Gen is just trying to come into hare own powers and understanding of self.

Grandmother Beatrice is the truly terrifying, but somehow nurturing grandmother that I kind of want. Alright, maybe not an undead who likes to kill people. But the protective instincts? Love it. Gen getting to know her grandmother throughout this was brilliant. Plus, it hints at a whole new set of reveals to come. I can’t wait to learn more about Gen’s weird genetic makeup, and the different ways that her grandmother’s history and current existence are going to influence her.

I’m always a big fan of relationships in which both characters are equal partnerships – and Eli and Gen are definitely this. I love that Eli is quite content to act as Gen’s backup. Quite happy to leave Gen to do her thing, which, in the case of this story is Gen trying to figure out how to navigate her new role with the police. And try to figure out who is attempting to kill her. All of which lead to page turning action that I couldn’t put aside.

Amongst all of the other drama that Gen faces is the fact that she accidentally raises a whole bunch of the dead. One of whom is… not quite what you want – a power of some kind who just doesn’t want to go back to the grave. It’s kind of hard to see how Izzy is going to fit into the storyline. But, he definitely gives me some incredibly creepy vibes. Ones that make me think he’s going to be a whole lot more dangerous than he seems to begin with…

Image source: Amazon

Title: Blood Martinis & Mistletoe
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace:Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

This is a fantastic novella that bridges some of the important story points between The Wicked and The Dead and The Kiss and The Killer. It kind of stands as a story all on its own, but mostly gives a bit of closure to a few questions that are presented at the end of The Wicked and The Dead. Which perfectly opens up the next book in this series, which I can’t wait to sink my literary teeth into.

I love that this is a novella in which Gen is mostly just trying to figure out how to negotiate all of the changes in her life. She has a fiancé, friends who always knew her secret, and some serious increases in her powers. Just one of those things would require a whole lot of adjustment…all three? Yeah, a whole lot of figuring things out. I like that although Gen is obviously still trying to figure some things out, she’s starting to come to terms with her life.

Eli is, honestly, total finance goals. He loves Gen for who she is, and just tries to be supportive. And also stop her from killing herself or getting killed. Throughout all of this, he is constantly working on trying to make Gen understand that he just wants her, not the idea of what she could be. And that he does truly support her in her chosen career.

Beatrice also plays a big part in this story. Her presence in the story leaves a lot of unanswered questions, but it also starts to supply some answers to just how powerful, Gen is going to become. I also just genuinely like Beatrice, she is protective and kind of terrifying. But definitely loves and cares for her own.

Image source: Amazon

Title: The Wicked and the Dead
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

It did take me a little while to get into this novel. More so because there is a lot of background information that needs to be shown before you can really get into all of the battles that Gen is facing. And, sometimes, that can be a bit to wade through. However, once you get all of the bits and pieces of the backstory sorted in your head – it’s a freaking amazing novel. I think about three chapters in, I got to the point (and quickly) that I just didn’t want to put this book down. A seriously amazing story, and I can’t wait to keep going further down the rabbit hole that is this series.

I love that Gen is a half witch, half vampire-ish creature. The mix itself lends to different challenges, but the fact that there are so many things that Gen herself doesn’t know? It’s a fun journey of self-discovery to embark on with her. Plus, she’s literally a half-dead being whose power comes from nature, life and the living (or at least the witch half). And she has blue hair, which for some reason I absolutely love (maybe a bit of a reflection on the days when I had blue hair and the type of care free times that reminds me of). I can’t wait to see how much her powers grow in the future books.

Sometimes I want to read a series that has no love interest, or introduces one quite late to the party. I enjoyed that Eli was obviously the love interest from the very first moment. Plus, he is a really great match, just content to work with Gen and wait for her. He’s a great partner – patient and loyal, and in love with who Gen is, not who she could be. Although, that isn’t to say that he isn’t just as powerful and intimidating as Gen – he’s fae. And he plays all of the fae games and makes the bargains that you would anticipate. Luckily they are often (in a roundabout way) to the benefit of Gen.

Finally, as part of the supporting cast, there are Gen’s friends. They are the actual best tribe I’ve read about in a while. They all know about her fucked up lineage – and just accept her. Gen is a little ignorant of just how truly wonderful and loyal her friends are, but it’s still a fun little journey. And the times that they indicate their discomfort with her chosen career… it’s because they care about her. And, well, basically aren’t keen on Gen dying… which I feel like is going to be a close call multiple times throughout this series.