As an author of fantasy and paranormal romance, she just needs to know some things, like how many dead babies can fit in a bathtub (34, 52.5 if blended), what human meat tastes like (dry pork), how to get away with murder (it’s really hard to tell the difference between a drowning accident and a drowning murder, just saying), etc.
This non-serial killer lady lives with her partner, who often drags her outside, claiming ‘sunlight is necessary’ and ‘social interactions are a good thing’. Given her questionable search history, she goes along with it, thinking it’ll be better to have less ‘aloof serial killer vibes’ should the police ever knock on her door…
Congrats to this book for being the worst book I’ve read in 2021! It absolutely can’t get worse than this.
Word of advice, don’t listen to TikTok for book recommendations because they all pass around the same recycled garbage books to each other to recommend.
DNF at 75%. The characters are awful. Arienna is so dumb I don't know how she survived to adulthood. Richard is probably the biggest asshole I have ever come across in fiction. At first I found it funny but eventually it just became idiotic. I didn't even like the sex scenes, for crying out loud! Overall, it was just bizarre. It lacked everything necessary for a good story.
Smutok TikTok recced this and I am so disappointed
The premise seemed great! The writing was so bad. SO BAD. I’m sure I’ve read worse but I actually read all of this and I regret the $6 I spent
I always lower the bar a little for smut books. I do. I’ve read brilliant ones tho and at least ones with decent writing but this was bad. The way they talked was so annoying. Arienna was stupid as heck and just driven by mindless sex with no agency. Richard was annoying. Fabia felt increasingly like a caricature as did Jace. Nicholas was the only decently written character and then he vanished. And so much of the language around the sexy scenes was cringe and the lack of communication was shit.
It had potential but it was clearly very poorly edited (if at all) and just needed to decide what direction and tone it wanted. Highly disappointing and definitely would’ve been a DNF a few pages in if I hadn’t been behind in my challenges.
the lack of world building left me confused for the entire book and at no point was it elaborated on. also the characters become so tedious and immature after awhile.
Booktok made this book look like it would be so good. I couldn’t do it though. I get it’s supposed to be grumpy sunshine but he’s just a dick and she’s annoying. Her fiancé cheated on her with her sister then broke up with the sister to marry their mom and she doesn’t hate his guts???? She still had nice things to say about him while agreeing to be the maid of honor for her mom????? Yes she tried to give them a wasp as a wedding gift, but still. Also there was no description about this wasp other than apparently it was big enough to make carrying it in a box hard? And it was said it ate her couches??? Idk I just couldn’t get past some of the things in this book. I’m usually a very easy reader to please. I like anything and everything. Even if it’s not my favorite, I’ll finish the book. This one is going In my very tiny DNF pile though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love this world that Grant has so effortlessly carved. Her world building is fantastic and I adore the quotes at the start of each chapter.
Arienna is vapid, hilarious and very sweet. The friendship between her and Fabia is so strong, it just made me smile. Every bestie would do the same (if you've read it, you know the scene I'm talking about!)
Richard is an onion MMC and by that I mean thr man has layers. You think, you know him and thrn we peel away yet another layer. I love the complex back story between him, his brother and Jace. I want to read more about both of them for sure!
The relationship between Arienna and Richard really grows organically between the laughter and shenanigans. I really couldn’t put this book down, its funny, warm hearted and hot and spicy!
A must read for anyone that likes PNR or Fantasy Romance with a good sprinking of laugh out loud humour! Enjoy!
I finished it,almost dnf:ed it a few times but I finished it. I’m sad to say it was not my cup of tea, I usually love fae, fantasy, some spice and royalty, but this did not hold up… it had some funny moments tho.
Concepts and the storyline itself is great but the characters are poorly developed which makes this a disappointing read. The book reads itself as a rough draft.
This is the last time I EVER take a recommendation from booktok. EVER. I was sold thinking this was going to be a out of the box love story. The FL is in love with the ML despite the fact that he's trying to kill her. I know how that sounds. Toxic. In his defence, he was more passively waiting for her to die than actively trying to put her in past tense but I assume that in most relationship that's still a hard limit.
I guess I understand that. I was waiting to see the spin the author would put on it and I was disappointed. The plot kinda switches when she actively tries to kill him. Not that active really since she gave up but she tried and its 2022 so women support women.
I'm not going to lie that was a power move and frankly she needed one because never before have I read a book and checked to see if the author was a man or a woman. I had to pause and check because of how this dumb bitch was presented. *sigh* The is giving doormat. Like step on me and I will thank you and it is pathetic. I don't expect her to lead a rebellion and every character doesn't have to be katniss but personality would be nice. She was giving very much Ginny from the movies. Subservient. Not even in a sexual sense she was just plain boring. Actually that's my bad she did have a personality. She was horny. That was her personality. At one point I felt so sorry for her I was wondering if anyone was going to hand her a dildo. Nobody did. I'm all for being confident with your sexuality and embracing it but she was just constantly thirsty. That was her plotline. That's ultimately why she got married to a frankly unstable and desperately should seek therapy dude and why she did most of the things she did.
I know times can be hard but her taste in men was so bad. It was just horrendous. We never really get an explanation as to why though? Yeah sure you're in a cult but 3 pumps and bust ain't it girl. I don't know how someone who's confident in their looks and their body could again and again seek trash. This isn't Wall-e you ain't saving anyone by sifting through shit nobody wants. Anyway 🙄, her mum and sister both need help as well. How are you going to share the same community dick? That's nasty. And really mum? You're going to steal your daughters minute man? If he lasted I would understand but he didn't. Why is everyone so desperate in this book?
Chemistry? None. Plot? Inexistant. Sex scenes? Boring World building? What's that?
The only thing this book had going for it was the fairy wings. I actually ended up shipping ML and Jace since she could not shut up about how hot he was whilst married to his best friend and bodyguard. I'm surprise she didn't end up jumping him actually. He was very hot.
Well, I actually enjoyed this book. In an ironic way I guess. It was so bad its good but I'm still able to acknowledge how bad it is. Read at your own risk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I absolutely loved this book! I had never heard of Miranda Grant before and I am so glad I was gifted an ARC because WOW! Not only was the MC funny as all get out but so was her best friend and all of the characters. Sometimes I forgot if I was reading a comedy or a romance book and that is what made me enjoy this read so thoroughly. A lot of times romance books forget to have comedy and focus mainly on angst but not this one! This one somehow managed to have angst, comedy, twists and turns, action, steamy romance and more! I am anxiously awaiting book #2 so that I can continue the beautiful story of these characters. I won't give anything away because I do not want to spoil it for anyone but I promise you that this is worth the read! Plus, DRUNKEN WASPS!! I just don't think I can ever look at a wasp the same again and that's not a bad thing!
Given how heavy fantasy books normally are, both literally and figuratively, this book was a perfect balance between good world building and light hearted fun. If you are going into it thinking it is going to be a serious fae realm with war and action then this is the wrong book for you. I was in a major book slump and this brought me right out of it.
The main characters are great and neither taken themselves too seriously. I love that the FMC has the same ponderings that we all have at some point in our lives.
There isn't a huge amount of plot but I don't feel like there needs to be. The logic is there and the small details give you everything you need. Admittedly it took me until the bird flying to realise they were very small, must have glossed over that part in the beginning!
My only con is that I just don't think Richard is very sexy name, apologies to any Richards. I got over thta though by pretending his name was Ricky.
Light hearted and ways read with a good amount of spice. Perfect for a one sit reading and for those who aren't snobby about fantasy needing to be overly filled with adjectives and a billion pages long.
Would recommend and would read again!
Edit: There is now a version where the MMC is called Rhys instead of Richard so upgraded to a 5 star review 🥰 can't wait for the second book!
When Miranda dropped me an email regarding a new book she was writing, and that it was a spicy romcom. I was so excited!
And this book did not disappoint. Miranda has a way with words and her writing style is perfect for me.
So let’s get to the book itself;
The book is very much a spicy romcom. That is based in a fantasy world, but don’t go into this expecting a massively built fantasy world.
We meet Arienna, a brownie. (Brownies are fairies but without wings). And this brownie looooves to drink.. I mean a lot 😂 and she gets up to so much mischief that it lands her engaged to My King.. I mean Richard Morningstar. He comes off as an arrogant jerk, but he grows on you. I promise!
We also meet Arienna’s best friend Fabia who is also a brownie but doesn’t act like one, rules are meant to be broken right? She’s so loyal and everything you’d want in a best friend.
This book bring the spice too, Richard certainly knows what he wants and how he wants it and does not apologise for it.
This book had me laughing out loud, Arienna is so easy to relate to, and her wasps! Honestly I was laughing so hard. I haven’t had a book that’s had me laugh out loud before but this one hit the spot.
I worry that some people might not get the humour, but I totally do! It’s a very britishy kinda humour that I grew up with, and I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
I highly recommend giving this book a read! This will be a book that makes it to my trophy shelf!
I’m so very confused to why this book has such a low rating. It was sweet, funny and very spicy, which people usually like right? A lot of reviews said that the writing style was horrible and that the main character was stupid, which yeah, but that’s just her personality and let’s give her a break she grew up in a hippie cult and is super horny like 60% of the story, which was honestly very relatable. While the writing style wasn’t something out of this world I liked the conversations between the characters and how surprisingly dark and yet witty they were. Did I mention the book was spicy? It is and believe me when I say it was hot. But the reason I’m giving it 5 stars is because I think it deserves better recognition and rating as this book is seriously super sweet and funny. Also the sex was hot. I guess this books is one of those where you either like it or don’t.
My husband enjoyed the book without turning a page!
I started this book right before bed. Big mistake. I ended up staying up to read "1 more chapter". 4 chapters later, my husband wakes up to ask me what has me shaking the bed with laughter. I am not going to give away any spoilers. Just be prepared to laugh at the shenanigans of true friends, to feel the bite of pain in your heart at the cruelty of a king, to cry with understanding when walls fall, and to...well...get turned on! Like I said, my husband enjoyed the book without reading one word or turning one page.
“Naivety is just something pessimists say to crush the souls of the good.”
WOW! I saw this book on tiktok and it did not disappoint. Our leading lady is amazing! She embraces her sexuality and says what we’re all thinking. This book is full of amazing growth all throughout and we go through her internal struggles with her. She’s unique and has a heart of good, (and there’s AMAZING spicy scenes)
This book is slow burn, but so worth it for the ending spice scene. If you love the hades X Persephone type of love, this book is for you.
Loved this book so much!!! It didn't want it to end! Funny, sexy and steamy 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 this book has it all 😍 the FMC Arienna is so utterly hopeless and absolutely hilarious 🤣 her wasps hahaha. And Richard 😍🔥 oh my! He comes across as an arrogant unfeeling jerk to start off with but you will love him by the end! Can't wait for the next book!
Reminds me of the Cupidity series. There could be a little bit more bonding betwern the characters other than the amazing sex, but they are lifemates, so it's insta-love, with a side of planning to kill each other. There could be more world-building, but it is a hilarious and spicy romantic comedy.
Came for the porn stayed for the plot, can’t wait till the next book I the series comes out! If you liked fantasy, humor, and some spicy BDSM representation this is a great book to read.
This is book 1 in Grant's Deathly Beloved series and it's a paranormal, rom com romance but so much more. This romance is perfect! I adored this story line, these characters - the narrators voices - everything about this book was fun, exciting and swoony. Our main characters are Arienna (a clueless yet lovable Brownie) and Richard (a Fairy king who has seen and done the darkest of deeds). These two opposites are drawn to each other and what was seemingly just a convivence has become so much more for them both. Full of laughs, action, steam and sweet romance as well as a bit of BDSM thrown in make this a delightful read. Mix all that up with perfect narration - sweet voice for Arienna and a deep, raspy voice for Richard and it's an audio book I had a hard time pausing. All that wonderfulness and there were a few editing issues with this audible copy I had - some repetition between chapters where the narrators seemed to be "practicing" lines - but my copy may have been an ALC so those lil kinks may have been worked out now. Grant is a new author for me but based on I will certainly be on the lookout for more! I'm hooked.
I received a free copy of this book at my request and I voluntarily provided this review. *this review is based on the audio version of this read
If you are looking for a book full of serious characters, world building, and angst this is NOT the book for you. A lot of the low star reviews are people who were looking for something more along the lines of ACOTAR or Hooked or Gild…this book is not that. However, if you are looking for a book that is more dessert for your brain this IS the book for you. I live with my Kindle Unlimited membership and have a hard time dedicating myself to buying a book. I do not regret my $4.99 purchase at all and I am looking at buying the physical copy because I love this book. The FMC is not angst filled. Her life kind of sucks and is so drama filled but she has grown up in a brownie (type of lesser fae) culture which thinks “I’m sorry” forgives everything. She always sees the best in people and bumbles almost all of her attempts at seriousness. I fell in love immediately. Her best friend, however, is the serious one always trying to wrangle her in and fights against the brownie ideals (near the end of the book you really find out why). The world building is quick and you really have to roll with the pace but I love that Miranda does not spend pages and pages describing a room (yawn) but rather relies on the reader to fill in some blanks. The structure of the worlds is interesting but not unfamiliar. I do love how she is talking fairy and means actual tiny beings not the fae of current fantasy reads that are larger than humans. The male protagonist is a grade-A asshole. He fights against everything and appears so numb to his entire situation but that’s really just a product of his life (near the end you get to see his trauma). At the beginning you hate his behavior but by the end you are in love. His brother and best friend are drool worthy just because of their personalities. I would 100% read books with them as the main characters (ummm…I am kind of thirsting for a threesome between our three main side characters but I digress…). All in all I spent the majority of this book laughing, cringing, and being so immersed I could do nothing else until I finished it. I’ve read it 2 times and laughed even though I already knew what was coming. Again, if you are looking for serious characters on some fantastical adventure full of strife and tragedy this is not for you. If you want a funny book that is full of romance then buy this book ASAP! Worth every penny!