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Moonlight Falls #2
The Cursed Sebastian Storm
Some magic changes you forever.
Sebastian Storm didn’t dare dream of a future beyond Storm House. He never hoped James Gray might want to keep him. But it seems that’s exactly what James plans to do.
Too bad they won’t last. No one ever picks Sebastian, and he can’t see why James would be any different, especially when Sebastian is keeping a secret he dreads having to reveal.
But he can’t keep it to himself when the curse that’s haunted him his whole life isn’t done with him.
Sebastian should have known escaping wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected the curse to grow or to face worse things outside Storm House’s walls. Shades are wreaking havoc on Moonlight Falls as something even more sinister builds beneath the surface.
With so much at stake, Sebastian has to risk everything. He needs to know if James can be the one good thing in his life that lasts. To find out if they can stand together when things get worse, not better. And just maybe, they’ll be able to build a future out of the rubble.
***
The Cursed Sebastian Storm is book two in the Moonlight Falls trilogy following James and Sebastian’s story. This MM paranormal romance ends in a happy for now while the overarching plot continues, and the full happy ever after and resolution to the story comes at the end of book three. These books must be read in order. Content warnings can be found using the look inside feature and on the author’s website.
Sebastian Storm didn’t dare dream of a future beyond Storm House. He never hoped James Gray might want to keep him. But it seems that’s exactly what James plans to do.
Too bad they won’t last. No one ever picks Sebastian, and he can’t see why James would be any different, especially when Sebastian is keeping a secret he dreads having to reveal.
But he can’t keep it to himself when the curse that’s haunted him his whole life isn’t done with him.
Sebastian should have known escaping wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected the curse to grow or to face worse things outside Storm House’s walls. Shades are wreaking havoc on Moonlight Falls as something even more sinister builds beneath the surface.
With so much at stake, Sebastian has to risk everything. He needs to know if James can be the one good thing in his life that lasts. To find out if they can stand together when things get worse, not better. And just maybe, they’ll be able to build a future out of the rubble.
***
The Cursed Sebastian Storm is book two in the Moonlight Falls trilogy following James and Sebastian’s story. This MM paranormal romance ends in a happy for now while the overarching plot continues, and the full happy ever after and resolution to the story comes at the end of book three. These books must be read in order. Content warnings can be found using the look inside feature and on the author’s website.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2024
17 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Colette Rivera
18 books82 followersColette (she/they) is an author of queer paranormal romance novels living in New Zealand. Colette loves to write couples who take care of each other and show their soft sides in love, even when they’re prickly in other facets of their lives. Sugar, spice, and magic are key ingredients in all of Colette’s books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 24, 2025
Things are getting exciting, the plot is escalating and the romance is getting cuter. I liked having Sebastian's point of view too
August 2, 2024
He never wanted to be alone again, to always have James touching and kissing him, to not have a single moment apart. It was unhealthy and consuming, but Sebastian didn’t care.
❥ Single POV
❥ MM
❥ Paranormal
❥ The Outcast x The Golden Boy
❥ Codependency
❥ Found Family
❥ Small Town
❥ Facing Inner Demons
❥ A Persistent Curse
We start off where the first book ended, and while the ending was a HFN for the couple, we still had a lot of unsolved mysteries going around. Did the second book give us any answers on everything we questioned in the first book? no, not at all. We have more questions than ever before.
The curse is still going strong, it has imploded really, and all of Moonlight Falls is in danger now, and it's up to James and Sebastian, along with their friends, to solve the curse.
Yet again I was super intrigued by the plot in this trilogy, I could hardly stop reading once I got started, except.... I might be easy to scare, and I did get scared. It was 3 am, and I had to put the book down for the day, and I had just read a really intense scene with the shades hunting Moonlight Falls, and... well, I may have slept with a little light on.
I also had other very strong emotions during the book, like how my heart was breaking for Sebastian. His struggles with adjusting to everything new happening to him, his insecurities because of his past and years alone, and how hard he tried to be the guy James deserves.
But James was so supportive and caring towards Sebastian. I was swooning so much. These guys make codependency look sexy. I know that's super toxic to say, but it is what it is, you'll see. The love between them was the sweetest thing ever, and the spice... Well, we get a lot more of that than what we did in the first book, and I'm not complaining at all. The possessiveness was pure fire.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Read the full review on my blog here with edits and quotes.
September 12, 2024
B- / 3.5 stars
This second book in Colette Rivera’s Moonlight Falls series picks up immediately where The Seduction of James Gray left off, and as The Cursed Sebastian Storm is a direct sequel, there will be spoilers in this review.
James and Sebastian have managed to break the curse that bound them to Storm Manor and they head into Moonlight Falls on a date. But Sebastian has reckoned without the anxiety that threatens to overwhelm him from being around so many people; he and James end up getting their food to go and heading back to James’ home to settle in for the night.
The first order of business next day is to explain to Eli and Hazel (James’ brother and business partner respectively) why James disappeared to Storm Manor for weeks without telling them why. While James and Sebastian have now left the grounds, the part of the curse that has kept them tongue-tied is still working – albeit it’s a little weaker – but they do eventually manage to explain that the curse had trapped James there and made it impossible for them to tell anyone the truth. So far so good – until James and Sebsatian are driving out of town and the truck hits an invisible barrier. It seems that the curse’s boundary has extended beyond the manor to the edge of town so they’re still trapped, and the people to whom they’ve told the truth – Hazel, Eli and Parker (Eli’s boyfriend) - are now bound by it and are also unable to leave Moonlight Falls.
The first book set in motion a plotline surrounding the shades – magical creatures from beyond that draw their power from shadows and darkness – which have been becoming a problem of late. In this book, we learn more about what has been happening in town; that the normally passive entities have begun actually attacking people, and while light has always been an effective weapon against them, some have become resistant to it and are difficult to repel. More and more shades are congregating in Moonlight Falls – and something even more sinister follows in their wake.
The second half of the book is where all the action is, and the author does a really good job, once again, of building the tension and permeating the story with a sense of foreboding. The pacing is good and there are some exciting scenes and nail-biting moments as our heroes lurch from one bad situation to another as they try to find out what’s happening and how to defeat it.
But the first half – which is mostly concerned with the aftermath of Sebastian’s escape from Storm House and how it impacts him and his relationship with James - is flabby, repetitive and feels like so much filler. It’s been established that Sebastian was deliberately trapped there by his mother, who decided to have a second child only so she could ensure her daughter could escape the curse by transferring it to that child – James – and once he was born, she pretty much abandoned him and he was brought up by relatives. Not surprisingly, he’s carrying a lot of emotional baggage as a result; nobody he’s ever loved has loved him back or stuck around, so it’s understandable that he spends a lot of time worrying that maybe James won’t want to be with him now they’re no longer trapped together, fearing that James will think Sebastian is too clingy, and thinking about how he’ll feel when James eventually leaves him. And given that he’s been isolated for six years and is returning to a place that was never all that friendly towards him, that Sebastian would feel anxious when surrounded by people makes a lot of sense. But the problem is that we’re hit over the head with these things over and over and over again, and it quickly became tiresome. Also, Sebastian has kept a newly-discovered piece of information from James relating to the deaths of his parents, and he worries that James will dump him over that as well – also understandable, but again, flogged to death. Actually, this seems to serve no other purpose than to give Sebastian yet more reason to worry about James not wanting to be with him.
Sebastian’s continual self-doubt and navel-gazing doesn’t stop him and James from getting it on a fair bit (and honestly, half the time it feels like Sebastian is a completely different person when they're shagging) – and I confess I skipped some of the sex scenes because – eh – and I wanted to get on with the plot! I do like them as a couple, but all the hand-wringing was too much. It’s obvious James does want to be with Sebastian, although he bears some of the blame for not actually making his feelings clear, and I liked the way his brother and his friends were so accepting of Sebastian and welcome him into their lives, too.
While the romance didn’t work as well for me here as it did in the first book, the creepiness of the mystery plotline about the shades and the curse was intriguing enough to keep me reading and I enjoyed the story sufficiently that I want to finish out the series.
This second book in Colette Rivera’s Moonlight Falls series picks up immediately where The Seduction of James Gray left off, and as The Cursed Sebastian Storm is a direct sequel, there will be spoilers in this review.
James and Sebastian have managed to break the curse that bound them to Storm Manor and they head into Moonlight Falls on a date. But Sebastian has reckoned without the anxiety that threatens to overwhelm him from being around so many people; he and James end up getting their food to go and heading back to James’ home to settle in for the night.
The first order of business next day is to explain to Eli and Hazel (James’ brother and business partner respectively) why James disappeared to Storm Manor for weeks without telling them why. While James and Sebastian have now left the grounds, the part of the curse that has kept them tongue-tied is still working – albeit it’s a little weaker – but they do eventually manage to explain that the curse had trapped James there and made it impossible for them to tell anyone the truth. So far so good – until James and Sebsatian are driving out of town and the truck hits an invisible barrier. It seems that the curse’s boundary has extended beyond the manor to the edge of town so they’re still trapped, and the people to whom they’ve told the truth – Hazel, Eli and Parker (Eli’s boyfriend) - are now bound by it and are also unable to leave Moonlight Falls.
The first book set in motion a plotline surrounding the shades – magical creatures from beyond that draw their power from shadows and darkness – which have been becoming a problem of late. In this book, we learn more about what has been happening in town; that the normally passive entities have begun actually attacking people, and while light has always been an effective weapon against them, some have become resistant to it and are difficult to repel. More and more shades are congregating in Moonlight Falls – and something even more sinister follows in their wake.
The second half of the book is where all the action is, and the author does a really good job, once again, of building the tension and permeating the story with a sense of foreboding. The pacing is good and there are some exciting scenes and nail-biting moments as our heroes lurch from one bad situation to another as they try to find out what’s happening and how to defeat it.
But the first half – which is mostly concerned with the aftermath of Sebastian’s escape from Storm House and how it impacts him and his relationship with James - is flabby, repetitive and feels like so much filler. It’s been established that Sebastian was deliberately trapped there by his mother, who decided to have a second child only so she could ensure her daughter could escape the curse by transferring it to that child – James – and once he was born, she pretty much abandoned him and he was brought up by relatives. Not surprisingly, he’s carrying a lot of emotional baggage as a result; nobody he’s ever loved has loved him back or stuck around, so it’s understandable that he spends a lot of time worrying that maybe James won’t want to be with him now they’re no longer trapped together, fearing that James will think Sebastian is too clingy, and thinking about how he’ll feel when James eventually leaves him. And given that he’s been isolated for six years and is returning to a place that was never all that friendly towards him, that Sebastian would feel anxious when surrounded by people makes a lot of sense. But the problem is that we’re hit over the head with these things over and over and over again, and it quickly became tiresome. Also, Sebastian has kept a newly-discovered piece of information from James relating to the deaths of his parents, and he worries that James will dump him over that as well – also understandable, but again, flogged to death. Actually, this seems to serve no other purpose than to give Sebastian yet more reason to worry about James not wanting to be with him.
Sebastian’s continual self-doubt and navel-gazing doesn’t stop him and James from getting it on a fair bit (and honestly, half the time it feels like Sebastian is a completely different person when they're shagging) – and I confess I skipped some of the sex scenes because – eh – and I wanted to get on with the plot! I do like them as a couple, but all the hand-wringing was too much. It’s obvious James does want to be with Sebastian, although he bears some of the blame for not actually making his feelings clear, and I liked the way his brother and his friends were so accepting of Sebastian and welcome him into their lives, too.
While the romance didn’t work as well for me here as it did in the first book, the creepiness of the mystery plotline about the shades and the curse was intriguing enough to keep me reading and I enjoyed the story sufficiently that I want to finish out the series.
August 3, 2024
I love James and Sebastian! I love a series where you get to follow the characters after they get together and just see them being in love. The tenderness between these two is just so sweet!
Following directly on from the events of book 1, in The Cursed Sebastian Storm we watch James and Sebastian try to completely free themselves of the curse. Lots of spook from our friends the shades, and lots of spicy moments between our two boys.
I’m addicted to Moonlight Falls - can’t wait for book 3!
Thank you to Colette Rivera for the eArc.
Following directly on from the events of book 1, in The Cursed Sebastian Storm we watch James and Sebastian try to completely free themselves of the curse. Lots of spook from our friends the shades, and lots of spicy moments between our two boys.
I’m addicted to Moonlight Falls - can’t wait for book 3!
Thank you to Colette Rivera for the eArc.
August 12, 2024
This book went: sweet, sweet, sad, sweet, little scary, VERY SCARY. Sebastian has so much trauma from what's happened to him over his lifetime that he doesn't really know how to do friends, and it's lovely how James' family have tucked him into their group as a matter of course. They're all very supportive of him coming out of his shell. The shades and the curse and all of that... ok so nothing was solved in this book, but there is very definitely progress in the storyline. Is it wierd that I'm so concerned about the chickens and Miss Moo?
July 17, 2024
Can more romances have multiple installments following the same couple? There's a lot of fun in seeing the build-up of people falling in love and starting to date, but it was so lovely to follow Sebastian and James as an established couple. It was also great to see the events from Sebastian's perspective this time, where we followed James in the first book. Sebastian has to learn how to let others in and trust them again, which is not easy. I already can't wait for the third book!
February 21, 2025
It was okay.
August 29, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Cursed Sebastian Storm is the second full-length book in Colette Rivera’s Moonlight Falls series. The books are intended to be read in order and this review will reveal plot points for the series.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Cursed Sebastian Storm is the second full-length book in Colette Rivera’s Moonlight Falls series. The books are intended to be read in order and this review will reveal plot points for the series.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
August 14, 2024
I love this series so much. It’s sweet while loaded with suspense. I swear I was nervous anytime anyone left a home or work. Especially if they were going alone. These books flow so perfectly not just in their own book but throughout the series. I need the next book. Did I mention I love this series? lol
August 5, 2024
I loved this. It had and still has me in a chokehold. Sebastian and James forever!
Full review to come!
Edit:
Sebastian is one of my favourite characters ever. He is cheeky and fun, but in this book, you get more insight into the trauma that lingers after…his circumstances change.
What I loved about this story is that the conflict does not lie with the characters themselves but with the mystery surrounding Moonlight Falls. In fact, Sebastian and James’s communication is wonderful. They’re getting to know each other beyond Storm House, and while James is in his element in the town he loves, Sebastian is having trouble adjusting. As they learn how to be there for each other in the ‘real world’, their connection grows stronger.
Sebastian is also faced with the reality of living in a town that hasn’t always been kind to him or made him feel any sense of belonging. I loved how the gang welcomed him so kindly into the fold.
While the core of this story is the love between James and Sebastian, the mystery—that I have no way of explaining without spoilers—takes on a life of its own, with the characters scrambling to find a way out of its grasp.
Needless to say, I am ITCHING for book 3! This is book 2 in the series, which began with The Fall of Elijah Gray, a prequel novella that follows James’s brother and best friend, and book 1, The Seduction of James Gray, which is my favourite. So many laughs! Definitely pick up this series if you’re into paranormal romance, wonderfully-written mystery and spookiness, found family, and a delightful combination of tenderness and spice!
Full review to come!
Edit:
Sebastian is one of my favourite characters ever. He is cheeky and fun, but in this book, you get more insight into the trauma that lingers after…his circumstances change.
What I loved about this story is that the conflict does not lie with the characters themselves but with the mystery surrounding Moonlight Falls. In fact, Sebastian and James’s communication is wonderful. They’re getting to know each other beyond Storm House, and while James is in his element in the town he loves, Sebastian is having trouble adjusting. As they learn how to be there for each other in the ‘real world’, their connection grows stronger.
Sebastian is also faced with the reality of living in a town that hasn’t always been kind to him or made him feel any sense of belonging. I loved how the gang welcomed him so kindly into the fold.
While the core of this story is the love between James and Sebastian, the mystery—that I have no way of explaining without spoilers—takes on a life of its own, with the characters scrambling to find a way out of its grasp.
Needless to say, I am ITCHING for book 3! This is book 2 in the series, which began with The Fall of Elijah Gray, a prequel novella that follows James’s brother and best friend, and book 1, The Seduction of James Gray, which is my favourite. So many laughs! Definitely pick up this series if you’re into paranormal romance, wonderfully-written mystery and spookiness, found family, and a delightful combination of tenderness and spice!
August 14, 2024
DNF’D FOR NOW (TRIED TO GET BACK TO IT, BUT THE WRITING IS REALLY A NOPE)
I don’t know why the style for this book feels so unlike the first book and more like that of the prelude. It’s so hard to get into a story when the author is practically chewing your ears in incessantly nagging and dictating everything: how you should think and feel; instead of doing their job and simply putting the readers in the situation so they could feel and experience things for themselves. This feels more like reading someone’s forceful opinions rather than being in Sebastian’s shoes; there’s a time for telling I know, but an endless wall of telling with hardly any showing for the entire first 10% of the book? It’s like signing up for an amazing roller coaster ride except that instead of actually getting on the ride, you’re sat in a park bench and somebody sits next to you and starts talking in your ear: OKAY SO THE ROLLER COASTER IS REALLY REALLY SCARY AND EXCITING AND YOU SHOULD SCREAM AND RAISE YOUR ARMS, OKAY NOW YOU’LL LAUGH BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIGHT-HEADED AND DELIRIOUS! IT’S SUCH A GREAT RIDE, ISN’T IT? The actual ride never comes, we never get on or experience the anxiety-inducing ascent nor the heart-stopping plummet or breathtaking loop the loops, we just have to take this somebody’s word for it and allow ourselves to be gaslighted by things we never really felt or thought because we’re seated on a bench and nothing is really happening. There’s no thrill, no rush, no emotion, no depth, just an avalanche of biased words.
SHOWING is allowing the reader to ride the roller coaster and letting them be the judge of what it’s like. TELLING is when there’s no roller coaster but you just force them to believe (by way of just saying it over and over ad nauseam) that the roller coaster is exciting as fuck (hoping that repetitive iterations will be enough to brainwash them to agree with whatever you’re saying).
I claimed an ARC of this from Booksprout because I really liked the first book and was so excited to *actually get on board* this second one. I tried so earnestly to get on board this ride many times by now (because I really wanted to!), but so far, I’m still seated on a bench somewhere trapped in a sea of emotionless-internal-monologue limbo. So for now, I decided I’ve had enough of the ear-chewing and I needed to get off that bench because I signed up for the actual ride, not just a very hard-sell commentary on it. Not gonna lie: I’m sad.
I don’t know why the style for this book feels so unlike the first book and more like that of the prelude. It’s so hard to get into a story when the author is practically chewing your ears in incessantly nagging and dictating everything: how you should think and feel; instead of doing their job and simply putting the readers in the situation so they could feel and experience things for themselves. This feels more like reading someone’s forceful opinions rather than being in Sebastian’s shoes; there’s a time for telling I know, but an endless wall of telling with hardly any showing for the entire first 10% of the book? It’s like signing up for an amazing roller coaster ride except that instead of actually getting on the ride, you’re sat in a park bench and somebody sits next to you and starts talking in your ear: OKAY SO THE ROLLER COASTER IS REALLY REALLY SCARY AND EXCITING AND YOU SHOULD SCREAM AND RAISE YOUR ARMS, OKAY NOW YOU’LL LAUGH BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIGHT-HEADED AND DELIRIOUS! IT’S SUCH A GREAT RIDE, ISN’T IT? The actual ride never comes, we never get on or experience the anxiety-inducing ascent nor the heart-stopping plummet or breathtaking loop the loops, we just have to take this somebody’s word for it and allow ourselves to be gaslighted by things we never really felt or thought because we’re seated on a bench and nothing is really happening. There’s no thrill, no rush, no emotion, no depth, just an avalanche of biased words.
SHOWING is allowing the reader to ride the roller coaster and letting them be the judge of what it’s like. TELLING is when there’s no roller coaster but you just force them to believe (by way of just saying it over and over ad nauseam) that the roller coaster is exciting as fuck (hoping that repetitive iterations will be enough to brainwash them to agree with whatever you’re saying).
I claimed an ARC of this from Booksprout because I really liked the first book and was so excited to *actually get on board* this second one. I tried so earnestly to get on board this ride many times by now (because I really wanted to!), but so far, I’m still seated on a bench somewhere trapped in a sea of emotionless-internal-monologue limbo. So for now, I decided I’ve had enough of the ear-chewing and I needed to get off that bench because I signed up for the actual ride, not just a very hard-sell commentary on it. Not gonna lie: I’m sad.
August 13, 2024
This is book two of the Moonlight Falls series and the main characters are Sebastian Storm, who until recently had been a prisoner at Storm House, paying the price for his ancestors’ actions to the magic veins on the property, and James Gray, who owns Gray Electrical in town and has been a crush of Sebastian’s since they were at school together. James was called to the mansion on false pretences, with Sebastian hoping he could figure out what was holding Sebastian in this spooky place and unable to tell him the truth. James was stuck on the property with him for a few weeks, unable to even tell his brother or business partner why he couldn’t come into town. But now James had figured out a way to transfer the hold the property had for years on Sebastian, with an energy cell, and the transfer spell they finally discovered. Sebastian finds his feelings of insecurity of being worthy of James’ love, growing even more extreme, believing James won’t want to be with him now they aren’t locked in Storm House together. He hasn’t had a normal childhood, with his own mother deserting him repeated into his uncle’s care and then forcing the transfer to Sebastian without his understanding, to keep her favoured daughter safe from the Storm curse!
The Shades are acting out even more and becoming very aggressive, targeting Sebastian and the others, who the two have revealed the truth of the curse on Storm House to. Suddenly, they find that they may be free of Storm House and its grounds, but a ward has surrounded the outskirts of the town, stopping any of them from leaving town! They have changed one prison for another, and the shades and a strange darkness are now occupying the center of town! The curse is clearly not done with Sebastian and now others are facing the backlash, along with him. Sebastian is struggling to deal with strangers looking at him and any number of people around him, having been isolated for so much of his life. His disbelief that James won’t leave him like everyone in his life has, leads to him setting up in his own place in town, but his first attempts to even buy something from the shops, are a disaster as he hasn’t dealt with cash, cards or even phones! So much angst and worry from Sebastian, as he tries to deal with James and his own overpowering feelings for James, which he is certain are not reciprocated. James has been opening up with his feelings and worries of loss, just a shame Sebastian isn’t quite at the same stage at the same time. It will take him some time, but hopefully, they end up on the same page shortly.
Something far more dangerous and sinister is looking to take over Moonlight Falls from the humans and supernaturals who live in the town, and the first real taste the friends of the two have, are at the BBQ at Parker’s home. Sebastian spots strange behaviour of Shades from his new apartment windows, with something strange happening around a large stone in the town center, which marks where James’ brother Elijah has some of his recording instruments, as he was recording the strange magical vein in the town as part of his studies. Sebastian doesn’t want to be locked back up at his scary home outside of town, but he is holding back a huge secret that he fears will send James away from him. Huge4 emotions and scary scenes as Shades show up that are not easy to deflect like normal, so James, Sebastian, Elijah, Parker, Hazel and the town mayor Eleanor, are left to try and push the darkness back. The situation is a lot worse than Sebastian or even James could have imagined, as stronger Shades have come through from Beyond, and now a new darkness covering the town brings a near undefeatable foe. It knows more about Sebastian and his link to the magic vein and possibly the Beyond. The finale will come in the next book, as a resolution to this new foe and the problems with the Shades will hopefully be laid out for all to uncover. I can’t wait to see what James and Sebastian do, with the help of their family and friends, to save their town from the darkness, and end the curse upon Sebastian and those of his line at long last. At least they can hope for that and a HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The Shades are acting out even more and becoming very aggressive, targeting Sebastian and the others, who the two have revealed the truth of the curse on Storm House to. Suddenly, they find that they may be free of Storm House and its grounds, but a ward has surrounded the outskirts of the town, stopping any of them from leaving town! They have changed one prison for another, and the shades and a strange darkness are now occupying the center of town! The curse is clearly not done with Sebastian and now others are facing the backlash, along with him. Sebastian is struggling to deal with strangers looking at him and any number of people around him, having been isolated for so much of his life. His disbelief that James won’t leave him like everyone in his life has, leads to him setting up in his own place in town, but his first attempts to even buy something from the shops, are a disaster as he hasn’t dealt with cash, cards or even phones! So much angst and worry from Sebastian, as he tries to deal with James and his own overpowering feelings for James, which he is certain are not reciprocated. James has been opening up with his feelings and worries of loss, just a shame Sebastian isn’t quite at the same stage at the same time. It will take him some time, but hopefully, they end up on the same page shortly.
Something far more dangerous and sinister is looking to take over Moonlight Falls from the humans and supernaturals who live in the town, and the first real taste the friends of the two have, are at the BBQ at Parker’s home. Sebastian spots strange behaviour of Shades from his new apartment windows, with something strange happening around a large stone in the town center, which marks where James’ brother Elijah has some of his recording instruments, as he was recording the strange magical vein in the town as part of his studies. Sebastian doesn’t want to be locked back up at his scary home outside of town, but he is holding back a huge secret that he fears will send James away from him. Huge4 emotions and scary scenes as Shades show up that are not easy to deflect like normal, so James, Sebastian, Elijah, Parker, Hazel and the town mayor Eleanor, are left to try and push the darkness back. The situation is a lot worse than Sebastian or even James could have imagined, as stronger Shades have come through from Beyond, and now a new darkness covering the town brings a near undefeatable foe. It knows more about Sebastian and his link to the magic vein and possibly the Beyond. The finale will come in the next book, as a resolution to this new foe and the problems with the Shades will hopefully be laid out for all to uncover. I can’t wait to see what James and Sebastian do, with the help of their family and friends, to save their town from the darkness, and end the curse upon Sebastian and those of his line at long last. At least they can hope for that and a HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 9, 2024
This book is everything I need in a second book. Honestly, it checks almost all the boxes my happy little heart could ask for. Third-person POV, this time we follow Sebastian, so we stay with the same couple, which is already wonderful. But then, we add in the rest of the found family that we started to get to know in the first book and prequel novella: Eli, Parker, and Hazel. We are gifted more of chance to watch James and Sebastian come together as a couple and learn how to make it work, while simultaneously enjoying the stakes that continue to ramp up as more shade activity occurs in Moonlight Falls. To say that I'm enamored with this book would be an understatement. I am absolutely in love!
Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Yes yes yes! So much yes!
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: Sebastian is already a wonderful character from book one, so having his POV in book two feels like a beautiful treat. To see him struggling with agoraphobia in a way that truly makes sense, because his whole world has upended, is a stunning read. He's still snarky and wonderful and even more complex now as he grapples with a new life and a life that hasn't let him go yet, physically, mentally, or emotionally. James continues to be as brilliant as ever, doing what he can to navigate this new relationship while at the same time understanding his own weaknesses and attempting not to let them get in the way. And on top of that, we get the chance to see them as a couple with James's friend group, which is beautiful. It's truly beautiful to read and I was in love every moment. This book does not suffer from second book syndrome: though it takes a little bit of working out, Sebastian and James stay together, they work together, they communicate in ways that are healthy and wholesome and with the addition of Eli, Parker, and Hazel, we truly just have such a gift in this book.
PLOT: The plot continues to escalate from the previous book. The main issue I had with the ending of book one we get to see handled here in book two, because it picks up right where book one left off, so my happy little heart was already all aflutter from there! The stakes are higher, the mystery is still there, and now we have the inclusion of the rest of the found family all working together to discover what is going on, not only with Storm House, but with Moonlight Falls also. Perfectly-paced with a lovely balance of action and steamy or emotional moments, the climactic events just kept getting more and more perfect until I was truly vibrating right out of my seat with joy. So worth it!
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
3/5: medium. Perfectly balanced. A chance to let me enjoy the high stakes and action I love without needing a therapist at the end because of the emotional intensity. That being said, I would happily have this one more intense because it's that good!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
95%. This book does have one tiiiiiiny moment that I find in a lot of books which I always wish didn't happen, but it can't be helped when you're in one person's POV. Because of that, we don't get a chance to sit in the immediate aftermath of the climactic events. I say this with almost every book I read though, so I take this with a grain of salt. Overall, I was beyond thrilled with how everything played out and I need to see if I can find a way to become an ARC reader for book three because I need to read it yesterday!
Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Yes yes yes! So much yes!
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: Sebastian is already a wonderful character from book one, so having his POV in book two feels like a beautiful treat. To see him struggling with agoraphobia in a way that truly makes sense, because his whole world has upended, is a stunning read. He's still snarky and wonderful and even more complex now as he grapples with a new life and a life that hasn't let him go yet, physically, mentally, or emotionally. James continues to be as brilliant as ever, doing what he can to navigate this new relationship while at the same time understanding his own weaknesses and attempting not to let them get in the way. And on top of that, we get the chance to see them as a couple with James's friend group, which is beautiful. It's truly beautiful to read and I was in love every moment. This book does not suffer from second book syndrome: though it takes a little bit of working out, Sebastian and James stay together, they work together, they communicate in ways that are healthy and wholesome and with the addition of Eli, Parker, and Hazel, we truly just have such a gift in this book.
PLOT: The plot continues to escalate from the previous book. The main issue I had with the ending of book one we get to see handled here in book two, because it picks up right where book one left off, so my happy little heart was already all aflutter from there! The stakes are higher, the mystery is still there, and now we have the inclusion of the rest of the found family all working together to discover what is going on, not only with Storm House, but with Moonlight Falls also. Perfectly-paced with a lovely balance of action and steamy or emotional moments, the climactic events just kept getting more and more perfect until I was truly vibrating right out of my seat with joy. So worth it!
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
3/5: medium. Perfectly balanced. A chance to let me enjoy the high stakes and action I love without needing a therapist at the end because of the emotional intensity. That being said, I would happily have this one more intense because it's that good!
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
95%. This book does have one tiiiiiiny moment that I find in a lot of books which I always wish didn't happen, but it can't be helped when you're in one person's POV. Because of that, we don't get a chance to sit in the immediate aftermath of the climactic events. I say this with almost every book I read though, so I take this with a grain of salt. Overall, I was beyond thrilled with how everything played out and I need to see if I can find a way to become an ARC reader for book three because I need to read it yesterday!
September 7, 2024
So, for me, this book was . . . pretty bad.
I had lots of issues. The biggest was that I never, ever felt a real, visceral connection between the two MC's. There is actually a scene where James gets all verbally possessive during sex that made me highly uncomfortable.
“You’re mine to give pleasure to,” he rasped. “Mine, and I need you to know it.”
(There was a whole lot more of "mine, mine, mine" in this scene, none of which felt like it came from a rational place. More like an unhealthy attachment. 😬)
This felt like it went beyond consensual domination play and into a weird "I really mean it" type of behavior - it wasn't representing love and cherishing, it was definitely more like ownership. There are lots of similar scenes in MM romances where this sort of chit chat and activity feels more about security, love, comfort, etc. vs literal domination and possession. Based on how other authors have handled similar situations and relationship dynamics, it's obviously something that can be portrayed in a positive light, but this author's scenario doesn't feel that way. In fact, by book's end (and, I suppose, long before that) I ended up with a healthy disliking for James. As for Sebastian, he remained a poorly defined enigma for me.
There are waaay too many scenes given over to the MCs' lack of confidence in their relationship and how they view each other. You can kind of understand Sebastian's PTSD type thoughts, but even so he still came across as a never-ending mass of doubt and self loathing. It seemed like there wasn't a single interaction between Sebastian and some other character where Sebastian didn't mentally analyze the other person's motives ad nauseum and find himself "unworthy". It got really, really old really, really fast.
How had Sebastian messed up this badly? No wonder no one chose to keep him in their lives. He was a disaster. Everyone was better off without him. That much was clear. It was one thing wondering if James would want him forever when he thought they were free, now there was no hope. James wouldn’t want someone who was not only the source of his past trauma but all his present problems. Sebastian was a liability, a curse that spread to everything he touched.
In James' case, despite his distorted view of having to "claim" Sebastian during sex, he spent most of his time acting like Chicken Little just waiting for the sky to fall. I don't know how he got out of bed every morning with all that paranoia eating away at him.
My final comment is on the editing. As in the novella preceding this, there are blatant instances of the wrong word being used in places. Among other things, it appears that both the author and the editor (if there even was one) are hellbent on using "vice" when it should be "vise" and "phased" when it should be "fazed". For the love of *(&^, people, get a dictionary and USE it.
To illustrate the level of writing and character "development" going on, I will end with a typical quote from Sebastian regarding the depth *cough* of his attraction to James:
James crossed his arms. Sebastian wished James was wearing his leather jacket so he could see the material flex and pull over his shoulders.
I mean, seriously? Ugh.
Will not move on to book #3 and personally I cannot recommend this book or the series.
I had lots of issues. The biggest was that I never, ever felt a real, visceral connection between the two MC's. There is actually a scene where James gets all verbally possessive during sex that made me highly uncomfortable.
“You’re mine to give pleasure to,” he rasped. “Mine, and I need you to know it.”
(There was a whole lot more of "mine, mine, mine" in this scene, none of which felt like it came from a rational place. More like an unhealthy attachment. 😬)
This felt like it went beyond consensual domination play and into a weird "I really mean it" type of behavior - it wasn't representing love and cherishing, it was definitely more like ownership. There are lots of similar scenes in MM romances where this sort of chit chat and activity feels more about security, love, comfort, etc. vs literal domination and possession. Based on how other authors have handled similar situations and relationship dynamics, it's obviously something that can be portrayed in a positive light, but this author's scenario doesn't feel that way. In fact, by book's end (and, I suppose, long before that) I ended up with a healthy disliking for James. As for Sebastian, he remained a poorly defined enigma for me.
There are waaay too many scenes given over to the MCs' lack of confidence in their relationship and how they view each other. You can kind of understand Sebastian's PTSD type thoughts, but even so he still came across as a never-ending mass of doubt and self loathing. It seemed like there wasn't a single interaction between Sebastian and some other character where Sebastian didn't mentally analyze the other person's motives ad nauseum and find himself "unworthy". It got really, really old really, really fast.
How had Sebastian messed up this badly? No wonder no one chose to keep him in their lives. He was a disaster. Everyone was better off without him. That much was clear. It was one thing wondering if James would want him forever when he thought they were free, now there was no hope. James wouldn’t want someone who was not only the source of his past trauma but all his present problems. Sebastian was a liability, a curse that spread to everything he touched.
In James' case, despite his distorted view of having to "claim" Sebastian during sex, he spent most of his time acting like Chicken Little just waiting for the sky to fall. I don't know how he got out of bed every morning with all that paranoia eating away at him.
My final comment is on the editing. As in the novella preceding this, there are blatant instances of the wrong word being used in places. Among other things, it appears that both the author and the editor (if there even was one) are hellbent on using "vice" when it should be "vise" and "phased" when it should be "fazed". For the love of *(&^, people, get a dictionary and USE it.
To illustrate the level of writing and character "development" going on, I will end with a typical quote from Sebastian regarding the depth *cough* of his attraction to James:
James crossed his arms. Sebastian wished James was wearing his leather jacket so he could see the material flex and pull over his shoulders.
I mean, seriously? Ugh.
Will not move on to book #3 and personally I cannot recommend this book or the series.
August 5, 2024
Suddenly, its the beginning of August, and I have so many currently-borrowed-ARCs due. Here's to me speed-reading (which, frankly, I'm great at). "The Curse Sebastian Storm" by Colette Rivera. Its the second book in her Moonlight Falls series.
["Some magic changes you forever.
Sebastian Storm didn’t dare dream of a future beyond Storm House. He never hoped James Gray might want to keep him. But it seems that’s exactly what James plans to do.
Too bad they won’t last. No one ever picks Sebastian, and he can’t see why James would be any different, especially when Sebastian is keeping a secret he dreads having to reveal.
But he can’t keep it to himself when the curse that’s haunted him his whole life isn’t done with him.
Sebastian should have known escaping wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected the curse to grow or to face worse things outside Storm House’s walls. Shades are wreaking havoc on Moonlight Falls as something even more sinister builds beneath the surface.
With so much at stake, Sebastian has to risk everything. He needs to know if James can be the one good thing in his life that lasts. To find out if they can stand together when things get worse, not better. And just maybe, they’ll be able to build a future out of the rubble."]
My views on wrapping Sebastian up and a blanket and running far away (with him (James can come too)) from Moonlight Falls and all of the trauma and abuse his family forced upon him has not changed.
God, this poor boy (man)! D: He deserves so much after the shit he was put through (as does James--which is why they are perfect together).
Also, these shades (and the general magic of this town) is getting scary as shit (I probably also need to stop listening to paranormal podcasts after dark).
Quote of the Day 1 (Sebastian): "Don't leave me. If I'm yours, you can't leave me. I need you to stay with me. I can't survive without you. I want to be yours forever."
QotD 2 (Sebastian): "I won't leave you, James. I will claw my way back from the worst kind of hell to get back to you. Promise."
This next (and last) book is going to be even more emotional (and traumatic), I can just tell.
Trigger Warnings: after-effects of isolation and imprisonment, social anxiety, low self-esteem, mention of a past fatal car accident, death of loved ones (past, off-page) and associated grief, discussion of taking care of a dying relative in the past, abandonment by a parent (past), minor on-page car accident, magical violence, mention of possessed animals (and the killing of via firearm off-page), fire, abduction of a character by a villain/monster, blood-magic rituals, brief moment of suicidal ideation, and more
#gayromancereviews #grr #indieauthorcreative #booksprout #arcs #arcteammember
#thefallofelijahgray #theseductionofjamesgray #thecursedsebastainstorm #theheartofmoonlightfalls #moonlightfallsnovella #moonlightfalls #moonlightfallsseries #coletterivera #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["Some magic changes you forever.
Sebastian Storm didn’t dare dream of a future beyond Storm House. He never hoped James Gray might want to keep him. But it seems that’s exactly what James plans to do.
Too bad they won’t last. No one ever picks Sebastian, and he can’t see why James would be any different, especially when Sebastian is keeping a secret he dreads having to reveal.
But he can’t keep it to himself when the curse that’s haunted him his whole life isn’t done with him.
Sebastian should have known escaping wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected the curse to grow or to face worse things outside Storm House’s walls. Shades are wreaking havoc on Moonlight Falls as something even more sinister builds beneath the surface.
With so much at stake, Sebastian has to risk everything. He needs to know if James can be the one good thing in his life that lasts. To find out if they can stand together when things get worse, not better. And just maybe, they’ll be able to build a future out of the rubble."]
My views on wrapping Sebastian up and a blanket and running far away (with him (James can come too)) from Moonlight Falls and all of the trauma and abuse his family forced upon him has not changed.
God, this poor boy (man)! D: He deserves so much after the shit he was put through (as does James--which is why they are perfect together).
Also, these shades (and the general magic of this town) is getting scary as shit (I probably also need to stop listening to paranormal podcasts after dark).
Quote of the Day 1 (Sebastian): "Don't leave me. If I'm yours, you can't leave me. I need you to stay with me. I can't survive without you. I want to be yours forever."
QotD 2 (Sebastian): "I won't leave you, James. I will claw my way back from the worst kind of hell to get back to you. Promise."
This next (and last) book is going to be even more emotional (and traumatic), I can just tell.
Trigger Warnings: after-effects of isolation and imprisonment, social anxiety, low self-esteem, mention of a past fatal car accident, death of loved ones (past, off-page) and associated grief, discussion of taking care of a dying relative in the past, abandonment by a parent (past), minor on-page car accident, magical violence, mention of possessed animals (and the killing of via firearm off-page), fire, abduction of a character by a villain/monster, blood-magic rituals, brief moment of suicidal ideation, and more
#gayromancereviews #grr #indieauthorcreative #booksprout #arcs #arcteammember
#thefallofelijahgray #theseductionofjamesgray #thecursedsebastainstorm #theheartofmoonlightfalls #moonlightfallsnovella #moonlightfalls #moonlightfallsseries #coletterivera #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
August 5, 2024
The story continues after the exciting conclusion of The Seduction of James Gray, which left us on a HFN as James and Sebastian managed to leave Storm House. But unfortunately, all is not well just yet, as the Curse isn't done with them.
I really felt for Sebastian who is now in the wider world of Moonlight Falls after being unable to leave the boundaries of Storm House for 6 years. He's been alone all this time, other than his short time with James as a roommate, and now he's surrounded by people and able to go where he wants - apart from the boundary around the edge of the town, but that's something for you to learn about when you read... It's really overwhelming for him, and he's not quite the sassy little shit he was between the walls of Storm House, even if this was much more superficial than what he leads people to believe. Being out in the open drags all of Sebastian's vulnerabilities to the surface, and he doesn't know how to deal with them. He feels lost and without a purpose, because the routine he carefully curated on his property is now gone, and he's convinced that he'll lose James now that they're free because nobody has ever chosen to keep Sebastian before.
Thankfully, James is there to hold Sebastian's hand, as well as Parker, Eli, and Hazel, who become a wonderful support system for Sebastian, and not just because they're friends with James. However, James' own anxiety seems to be higher than ever, especially with Sebastian no longer 'protected' by the walls of Storm House. But he's determined to prove to Sebastian that he cares for him, that he wants him, and that he'll keep him. Once Sebastian's walls come tumbling down, the pair are actually very good at communicating, and James is such a caregiver. But he also knows that Sebastian needs to stand on his own two feet, and he does nothing but support him when Sebastian decides he should find his own place in town rather than stay cooped up under James' roof.
The mystery of Moonlight Falls and the aggressive shades ticks up a notch or ten, and all things come to a head at the end of the book. Sebastian realises that he's got a lot more power than he thought thanks to the veins that run through the town, though there's also a lot more to do with the Curse, the Storms, and the Beyond that we don't quite know yet. One thing I do know, is that I am just dying for the third book, because I can't wait to see James and Sebastian get their well deserved HEA.
*ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review*
I really felt for Sebastian who is now in the wider world of Moonlight Falls after being unable to leave the boundaries of Storm House for 6 years. He's been alone all this time, other than his short time with James as a roommate, and now he's surrounded by people and able to go where he wants - apart from the boundary around the edge of the town, but that's something for you to learn about when you read... It's really overwhelming for him, and he's not quite the sassy little shit he was between the walls of Storm House, even if this was much more superficial than what he leads people to believe. Being out in the open drags all of Sebastian's vulnerabilities to the surface, and he doesn't know how to deal with them. He feels lost and without a purpose, because the routine he carefully curated on his property is now gone, and he's convinced that he'll lose James now that they're free because nobody has ever chosen to keep Sebastian before.
Thankfully, James is there to hold Sebastian's hand, as well as Parker, Eli, and Hazel, who become a wonderful support system for Sebastian, and not just because they're friends with James. However, James' own anxiety seems to be higher than ever, especially with Sebastian no longer 'protected' by the walls of Storm House. But he's determined to prove to Sebastian that he cares for him, that he wants him, and that he'll keep him. Once Sebastian's walls come tumbling down, the pair are actually very good at communicating, and James is such a caregiver. But he also knows that Sebastian needs to stand on his own two feet, and he does nothing but support him when Sebastian decides he should find his own place in town rather than stay cooped up under James' roof.
The mystery of Moonlight Falls and the aggressive shades ticks up a notch or ten, and all things come to a head at the end of the book. Sebastian realises that he's got a lot more power than he thought thanks to the veins that run through the town, though there's also a lot more to do with the Curse, the Storms, and the Beyond that we don't quite know yet. One thing I do know, is that I am just dying for the third book, because I can't wait to see James and Sebastian get their well deserved HEA.
*ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review*
September 7, 2024
So, the second book in this series confirmed my thoughts from book 1.
This series would have been much better as a 2 Book + Prequel.
It was quite interesting to see how Sebastian sees the world "outside" and I even enjoyed the one "showing" bit of him struggling with being alone for one night while feeling it necessary to stand on his own feet.
Usually I really, really love low-to-no-angst in my books but this was done very over the top so I noticed if that makes sense. It didn't feel organic but forced upon the situation. Especially
. The only thing James was mad about was that Sebastian did not immediately confide in him as soon as he found out, but was afraid of the fallout. And that was another thing. I understand being confused about mental struggles and what the actual driver is, the typical push and pull. But, Sebastian was so inconsistent. He is afraid of losing James, but says no that wasn't it. He feels guilty, but says he actually understands that it isn't his fault and he couldn't have done anything and actually just feels kind of angsty that his newfound relationship and friendships would suffer. Sooo - back to the abandonment issues he doesn't have and not guilt per se... and it goes on and on.
In the end the prevailing issue with all seems to be the angst of losing people you care about. An angst Sebastian and James have in common.
All in all a lot of telling again, while some showing starts to emerge, even if confusing.
I am in it now till the end, so 3rd book here I come.
This series would have been much better as a 2 Book + Prequel.
It was quite interesting to see how Sebastian sees the world "outside" and I even enjoyed the one "showing" bit of him struggling with being alone for one night while feeling it necessary to stand on his own feet.
Usually I really, really love low-to-no-angst in my books but this was done very over the top so I noticed if that makes sense. It didn't feel organic but forced upon the situation. Especially
. The only thing James was mad about was that Sebastian did not immediately confide in him as soon as he found out, but was afraid of the fallout. And that was another thing. I understand being confused about mental struggles and what the actual driver is, the typical push and pull. But, Sebastian was so inconsistent. He is afraid of losing James, but says no that wasn't it. He feels guilty, but says he actually understands that it isn't his fault and he couldn't have done anything and actually just feels kind of angsty that his newfound relationship and friendships would suffer. Sooo - back to the abandonment issues he doesn't have and not guilt per se... and it goes on and on.
In the end the prevailing issue with all seems to be the angst of losing people you care about. An angst Sebastian and James have in common.
All in all a lot of telling again, while some showing starts to emerge, even if confusing.
I am in it now till the end, so 3rd book here I come.
July 27, 2024
The Cused Sebastian Storm is the third book in the sexyscary Moonlight Falls series.
James and Sebastian may have broken the curse that had Sebastian unable to leave his gothic family manor, but their adventure is far from over!
Sebastian has lived alone, without electricity or human companionship for too long before James figured out what was going on. His re-entry to the modern world is a bit rocky. The people, the noise. It’s overwhelming. Thankfully he had James by his side. I loved this proud, beautiful man wanting to stand on his own. (And adored James for giving him the space he needed to figure things out.)
Sebastian’s mother did him wrong in the worst possible way and he’ll break your heart. Maybe she’ll explain herself in book 3, but I’m going to have a hard time forgiving her.
“Sebastian just wanted be chosen for once. He wanted to be kept. He wanted friends and James, and he’d do anything to earn them. He could prove he was worth keeping. Maybe then the worst wouldn’t happen.”
James is amazing, the perfect partner for Sebastian. And Eli and Parker bringing him into their found family was wonderful.
There are revelations and more mysteries uncovered, and I am all in for their story and can’t wait to see where book 3 goes.
But those Shades are seriously freaking me out. They may have once been raccoon-level nocturnal pest, but now they are super aggressive and downright destructive. (I shudder thinking of them.)
If you haven’t read this series yet, start with Eli and Parker’s prequel novella The Fall of Elijah Gray and then pick up up book 1 The Seduction of James Gray. Warning: you’ll be hooked on this mix of magic, family secrets, and risking it all for love.
James and Sebastian may have broken the curse that had Sebastian unable to leave his gothic family manor, but their adventure is far from over!
Sebastian has lived alone, without electricity or human companionship for too long before James figured out what was going on. His re-entry to the modern world is a bit rocky. The people, the noise. It’s overwhelming. Thankfully he had James by his side. I loved this proud, beautiful man wanting to stand on his own. (And adored James for giving him the space he needed to figure things out.)
Sebastian’s mother did him wrong in the worst possible way and he’ll break your heart. Maybe she’ll explain herself in book 3, but I’m going to have a hard time forgiving her.
“Sebastian just wanted be chosen for once. He wanted to be kept. He wanted friends and James, and he’d do anything to earn them. He could prove he was worth keeping. Maybe then the worst wouldn’t happen.”
James is amazing, the perfect partner for Sebastian. And Eli and Parker bringing him into their found family was wonderful.
There are revelations and more mysteries uncovered, and I am all in for their story and can’t wait to see where book 3 goes.
But those Shades are seriously freaking me out. They may have once been raccoon-level nocturnal pest, but now they are super aggressive and downright destructive. (I shudder thinking of them.)
If you haven’t read this series yet, start with Eli and Parker’s prequel novella The Fall of Elijah Gray and then pick up up book 1 The Seduction of James Gray. Warning: you’ll be hooked on this mix of magic, family secrets, and risking it all for love.
August 2, 2024
“You’re mine. You know that, right? Say you’re mine.”
The last 50 pages were something that literally got my heartbeat going fast and I thought the book is going to end on a massive cliffhanger. (Not a spoiler, the author mentioned it's a Happy for now ending in the beginning of the book).
This is Colette Rivera's 7th book and I have read all seven of it and this one is so far her best work. This story had everything.
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1
I already liked Sebastian enough in the first book but there was so much mystery around him because the first book followed James's perspective. I loved Sebastian from Page 1. The story picks up right where the first book ended and I knew it's going to be a tough ride for Sebastian because he had lived 6 years in isolation of worst form, without some of the basic amenities.
Now he was free to leave the mansion and stay in the town but of course it wasn't going to be easy. The first half deals with Sebastian's struggle to set in a new life after gaining his freedom and it was so nicely done. The little things were getting overwhelming and he didn't want to be dependent on James all the time. But after being abandoned by so many people the clinginess felt natural. Sebastian needs to be protected at all cost.
The spice was so well done, especially chapter 15. It was perfect and also so emotional, like there was physical intimacy but also emotional intimacy mixed with it.
One thing Colette Rivera does perfectly is writing friendship and James already had a set of friends who were like family but Sebastian found a family too in them.
Thank you Colette Rivera for the eARC
The last 50 pages were something that literally got my heartbeat going fast and I thought the book is going to end on a massive cliffhanger. (Not a spoiler, the author mentioned it's a Happy for now ending in the beginning of the book).
This is Colette Rivera's 7th book and I have read all seven of it and this one is so far her best work. This story had everything.
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1
I already liked Sebastian enough in the first book but there was so much mystery around him because the first book followed James's perspective. I loved Sebastian from Page 1. The story picks up right where the first book ended and I knew it's going to be a tough ride for Sebastian because he had lived 6 years in isolation of worst form, without some of the basic amenities.
Now he was free to leave the mansion and stay in the town but of course it wasn't going to be easy. The first half deals with Sebastian's struggle to set in a new life after gaining his freedom and it was so nicely done. The little things were getting overwhelming and he didn't want to be dependent on James all the time. But after being abandoned by so many people the clinginess felt natural. Sebastian needs to be protected at all cost.
The spice was so well done, especially chapter 15. It was perfect and also so emotional, like there was physical intimacy but also emotional intimacy mixed with it.
One thing Colette Rivera does perfectly is writing friendship and James already had a set of friends who were like family but Sebastian found a family too in them.
Thank you Colette Rivera for the eARC
August 12, 2024
Wow! Once again this series keeps getting better and each book tops the next. We needed this story from Sebastian's prospective, we needed to understand his mind and motivations. We needed to fall in love with him, he deserves our love! He's holding onto a secret to preserve the bubble he feels that he must build in order to keep the things he loves. And when the bubble burst he truly begins to realize that he is not alone. The frustration that exists every time I see the Storm name is truly an understatement. The way that they have shaped Sebastian into this man that he barely recognizes is abhorrent. The fact that he has found a true family in James, Eli, Parker and even Hazel is such a heartwarming aspect as we navigate the chaos plauging Moonlight Falls. The shades have taken their attacks to another level and it seems their abilities have evolved as well. The rest of the team finally make their way to Storm Manor to study and observe the goings on and begin to make connections that begin to pull things into focus. This story also allows us to see James and Sebastian as a true couple who are taking their walks down brick by brick to be everything to th ze othUer. They both deserve the happiness that blooms between them and it grows stronger by the day. The chemistry between them is explosive as they accept one another at theirs. R*mming is the perfect trust declaration mechanism for these two. There are twists and turns aplenty but now James and Sebastian have more than each other to work through the issues at hand. I absolutely cannot wait for book 3 and the conclusion of this series. This story will keep you on your toes, tug at your heartstrings, make you frustrated and send you take a cold shower or two.
July 22, 2024
The Cursed Sebastian Storm is the second book in Colette Rivera's MM paranormal romance series, Moonlight Falls.
This is not a standalone novel, you must read this series in order, starting with The Seduction of James Gray. This book picks up with the relationship and the curse between Sebastian Storm and James Gray. Although I also highly recommend the prequel novel, The Fall of Elijah Gray, which tells the story of James's younger brother.
Because this is a continuing story, I won't touch the story at all for this review. I don't want to spoil anything.
Suffice it to say, while there is romance between Sebastian and James, their journey to be a couple and find some sort of semblance of a happily ever after isn't over yet. The couple are still dealing with the fall out of the curse that had plagued the Storm family for a few generations, as well as other strange things that go bump in the night in the town of Moonlight Falls.
Sebastian and James are really sweet together, and I have been enjoying getting to know them as individual characters, as well as enjoying the blossoming relationship between them. Despite the paranormal setting, it feels real. While their relationship isn't perfect and they still got some work to do, they make sense - both their feelings for each other and their actions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is not a standalone novel, you must read this series in order, starting with The Seduction of James Gray. This book picks up with the relationship and the curse between Sebastian Storm and James Gray. Although I also highly recommend the prequel novel, The Fall of Elijah Gray, which tells the story of James's younger brother.
Because this is a continuing story, I won't touch the story at all for this review. I don't want to spoil anything.
Suffice it to say, while there is romance between Sebastian and James, their journey to be a couple and find some sort of semblance of a happily ever after isn't over yet. The couple are still dealing with the fall out of the curse that had plagued the Storm family for a few generations, as well as other strange things that go bump in the night in the town of Moonlight Falls.
Sebastian and James are really sweet together, and I have been enjoying getting to know them as individual characters, as well as enjoying the blossoming relationship between them. Despite the paranormal setting, it feels real. While their relationship isn't perfect and they still got some work to do, they make sense - both their feelings for each other and their actions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2024
"Their imperfections fit together like they were made for each other almost as if their traumas had been twisted together for the last fourteen years, not out of random chance, but to create their other half."
I totally loved that we got Sebastian's POV for book 2! It answered a lot of my questions being in Sebastian's head. I felt so sad for him, realizing how much he doubted his own self-worth based on his treatment from his own family. Especially his horrible mother, the person who was supposed to love him the most.
"I didn't know how to believe anyone would want me when the people who were supposed to couldn't manage it."
Once Sebastian let go of his doubts, he finally started to see some happiness in his life. Yes, he still had the curse to contend with, not to mention the growing shade problem in Moonlight Falls, which may or may not be connected, but he also had James. James who had shown him what it was like to be cared for. Who called him sweetheart. Who introduced him to having friends he could count on. It was lovely seeing their relationship evolve.
There's still one more book in this trilogy. I'm hoping the last is a dual POV so we get both MCs this time. The mystery of the curse and the mysterious shade population are both growing concerns and I am dying to know how it all ends!
I totally loved that we got Sebastian's POV for book 2! It answered a lot of my questions being in Sebastian's head. I felt so sad for him, realizing how much he doubted his own self-worth based on his treatment from his own family. Especially his horrible mother, the person who was supposed to love him the most.
"I didn't know how to believe anyone would want me when the people who were supposed to couldn't manage it."
Once Sebastian let go of his doubts, he finally started to see some happiness in his life. Yes, he still had the curse to contend with, not to mention the growing shade problem in Moonlight Falls, which may or may not be connected, but he also had James. James who had shown him what it was like to be cared for. Who called him sweetheart. Who introduced him to having friends he could count on. It was lovely seeing their relationship evolve.
There's still one more book in this trilogy. I'm hoping the last is a dual POV so we get both MCs this time. The mystery of the curse and the mysterious shade population are both growing concerns and I am dying to know how it all ends!
September 13, 2024
Rating: ★★★★.5 → ★★★★
Started: 12 September 24
Finished: 13 September 24
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Thank you Colette Rivera for gifting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review (I actually read this book on KU tho because the book has already been released and it was my fault I hadn’t reviewed it before then with my ARC)
“You’re a nightmare” (..) “Whatever. You love it.”
The tension being built in this 2nd instalment of the series is massive.
I still really like all the characters and I liked that we even got to view a bit in to Hazel’s life. I still adore Parker and Eli and seeing their little moments made me smile.
I do love how smitten James is with Sebastian and vice versa. Obviously there was a little bit of codependency that was happening from both of their traumas, but I actually kinda like that they both lent into it rather than pulling away. They had the cute obsession going for them. I also adore that James calls Sebastian “nightmare” it’s such a cute nickname.
The way Colette’s writing built up the tension made me race to find out what was happening. I couldn’t get enough. The mystery was too great for me to not want to hurry to find out what happens. I still think there’s a possibility that it’s not been fully solved, but onto book 3 we go to find out. I’m going to be sad when this series finishes, it’s been a trip.
Started: 12 September 24
Finished: 13 September 24
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Thank you Colette Rivera for gifting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review (I actually read this book on KU tho because the book has already been released and it was my fault I hadn’t reviewed it before then with my ARC)
“You’re a nightmare” (..) “Whatever. You love it.”
The tension being built in this 2nd instalment of the series is massive.
I still really like all the characters and I liked that we even got to view a bit in to Hazel’s life. I still adore Parker and Eli and seeing their little moments made me smile.
I do love how smitten James is with Sebastian and vice versa. Obviously there was a little bit of codependency that was happening from both of their traumas, but I actually kinda like that they both lent into it rather than pulling away. They had the cute obsession going for them. I also adore that James calls Sebastian “nightmare” it’s such a cute nickname.
The way Colette’s writing built up the tension made me race to find out what was happening. I couldn’t get enough. The mystery was too great for me to not want to hurry to find out what happens. I still think there’s a possibility that it’s not been fully solved, but onto book 3 we go to find out. I’m going to be sad when this series finishes, it’s been a trip.
July 15, 2024
Sebastian and James are finally free from Storm House, but have they broken the curse? And will their relationship survive now that they are back amongst the townspeople?
The second book in the Moonlight Falls trilogy picks up where the first ends, Sebastian and James are free, or are they? As they attempt to tell James’ friends and family why they couldn’t leave Storm House, they realise maybe they didn’t lift the curse completely?
Things get weirder as they realise they can’t leave Moonlight Falls, and the shades continue to get more and more aggressive. Can the team figure out what’s happening before the shades take over?
Oooo this one took book one and brought it up a notch. There was more mystery, more magic, more spice and more adrenaline causing scenes. It was a struggle to put this one down once the action started.
I really enjoyed seeing James become more open about his feelings, and how Sebastian struggled initially with society after six years trapped in Storm House. Seeing everyone but Hazel paired off had me wondering when she would find someone just as it was all revealed 😉
I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen next but I am eagerly awaiting book 3. Thank you @colette_rivera for the ARC! The Cursed Sebastian Storm is out August 5!
The second book in the Moonlight Falls trilogy picks up where the first ends, Sebastian and James are free, or are they? As they attempt to tell James’ friends and family why they couldn’t leave Storm House, they realise maybe they didn’t lift the curse completely?
Things get weirder as they realise they can’t leave Moonlight Falls, and the shades continue to get more and more aggressive. Can the team figure out what’s happening before the shades take over?
Oooo this one took book one and brought it up a notch. There was more mystery, more magic, more spice and more adrenaline causing scenes. It was a struggle to put this one down once the action started.
I really enjoyed seeing James become more open about his feelings, and how Sebastian struggled initially with society after six years trapped in Storm House. Seeing everyone but Hazel paired off had me wondering when she would find someone just as it was all revealed 😉
I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen next but I am eagerly awaiting book 3. Thank you @colette_rivera for the ARC! The Cursed Sebastian Storm is out August 5!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2024
This series is so good! This is the second book and in true second book form this is where everything really starts ramping up!! There was a lot more action in this one!! And there is also plenty of sweet months of James and Sebastian!! This universe is so well thought out and complicated in the best way! I love all the magical elements!
Sebastian’s story arc in this one was tough. I was so sad for him. He has this new life, he’s finally free, he has James!!! And I dislike seeing him try new things, and working so hard to adjust, and finally be able to LIVE! But he is filled with so much guilt surrounding the curse and his home and his family. He’s also having to deal with anxiety and since he’s never had to before it’s very scary for him! But James is the best guy out there. He keeps showing up for Sebastian, and validating his feelings and supporting him!! And even Parker and Eli are so sweet to him!!!
I can’t wait to see how this whole story ends. I know that it’s going to be so good! And I can’t wait for James and Sebastian’s official HEA!!
Thanks to Colette Rivera for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sebastian’s story arc in this one was tough. I was so sad for him. He has this new life, he’s finally free, he has James!!! And I dislike seeing him try new things, and working so hard to adjust, and finally be able to LIVE! But he is filled with so much guilt surrounding the curse and his home and his family. He’s also having to deal with anxiety and since he’s never had to before it’s very scary for him! But James is the best guy out there. He keeps showing up for Sebastian, and validating his feelings and supporting him!! And even Parker and Eli are so sweet to him!!!
I can’t wait to see how this whole story ends. I know that it’s going to be so good! And I can’t wait for James and Sebastian’s official HEA!!
Thanks to Colette Rivera for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 5, 2024
No cliffhanger but a story arc to be resolved in book #3
Can Sebastian get self-confidence enough to save Moonlight Falls and especially James? In the last book both James and Sebastian are stuck at Storm House, literally; they cannot leave the premises. I won’t ruin that book by sharing anymore, but they make it to Moonlight Falls only to find that the shades have taken over the town and they seem to be multiplying hourly! Does this have anything to do with the veins of power running through this town? Eli who is James’ brother is studying them and their erratic behavior. Does Sebastian’s leaving Storm House have anything to do with the havoc occurring? This book will have a resolution of the current situation; it will end with an HFN but the HEA will come at the end of book number 3.
This series is so thrilling and steamy. There were a few bits that seemed slow but the ending made up for it. If you like paranormal romance with a lot of magic, you will indeed want to read this gay romance with passion, adventure and intrigue. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. I cannot wait to read the last book.
Can Sebastian get self-confidence enough to save Moonlight Falls and especially James? In the last book both James and Sebastian are stuck at Storm House, literally; they cannot leave the premises. I won’t ruin that book by sharing anymore, but they make it to Moonlight Falls only to find that the shades have taken over the town and they seem to be multiplying hourly! Does this have anything to do with the veins of power running through this town? Eli who is James’ brother is studying them and their erratic behavior. Does Sebastian’s leaving Storm House have anything to do with the havoc occurring? This book will have a resolution of the current situation; it will end with an HFN but the HEA will come at the end of book number 3.
This series is so thrilling and steamy. There were a few bits that seemed slow but the ending made up for it. If you like paranormal romance with a lot of magic, you will indeed want to read this gay romance with passion, adventure and intrigue. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book. I cannot wait to read the last book.
August 13, 2024
Sebastian is free from his house but not entirely free from the curse. In addition, he has a secret that he is sure will deeply affect James. It may even keep from staying with him. It feels it is inevitable as no one else ever stayed for him. Things in Midnight Falls are going from bad to worse. The shade problems are increasing and there seems to be something more in the shadows. Sebastian may have to risk everything for James, but he wants to make sure that James, the one good thing in his life, stays.
These two have so many problems. Fortunately, they have Eli, James’ brother, and Parker, Eli’s boyfriend to help. Add in Gladys as well as the mayor and they have everything they need to try and overcome the curse. As the story progressed, the surprises kept coming and the intensity increased. The battle with the shades becomes more violent and abnormal. It was certainly not a story to put down. It will keep you reading way past your bedtime. This is a fantastic series and there is more to come.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and this is my very own opinion.
These two have so many problems. Fortunately, they have Eli, James’ brother, and Parker, Eli’s boyfriend to help. Add in Gladys as well as the mayor and they have everything they need to try and overcome the curse. As the story progressed, the surprises kept coming and the intensity increased. The battle with the shades becomes more violent and abnormal. It was certainly not a story to put down. It will keep you reading way past your bedtime. This is a fantastic series and there is more to come.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and this is my very own opinion.
August 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐️’s
Colette is going to be my undoing, I can already feel the end is drawing closer and closer with every turn of the page. This book just as intense as the last, setting the stage for an explosive ending, which is going to be so hard might I add, to what has become an engulfing experience! The more Sebastian has settled into his new role, the more intense the mystery becomes. And of course, James is the absolute sweetest man ever!! Just what Sebastian deserves after his six years of imprisonment.
This mystery is gaining momentum going into the finale, keeping us hanging by a thread that’s about to snap. I am so excited to finally discover the story behind Sebastian’s family but I also don’t want their story to end. The excitement between these two characters with each turn of the page, with another obstacle to overcome, the unraveling of Hazel and Eleanor, there’s just so many questions left unanswered with only one book left. Ughh!! This next month is going to be my demise.
ᴊᴀᴍᴇꜱ ʜᴀᴅ ᴄʜᴏꜱᴇɴ ʜɪᴍ.
Colette is going to be my undoing, I can already feel the end is drawing closer and closer with every turn of the page. This book just as intense as the last, setting the stage for an explosive ending, which is going to be so hard might I add, to what has become an engulfing experience! The more Sebastian has settled into his new role, the more intense the mystery becomes. And of course, James is the absolute sweetest man ever!! Just what Sebastian deserves after his six years of imprisonment.
This mystery is gaining momentum going into the finale, keeping us hanging by a thread that’s about to snap. I am so excited to finally discover the story behind Sebastian’s family but I also don’t want their story to end. The excitement between these two characters with each turn of the page, with another obstacle to overcome, the unraveling of Hazel and Eleanor, there’s just so many questions left unanswered with only one book left. Ughh!! This next month is going to be my demise.
ᴊᴀᴍᴇꜱ ʜᴀᴅ ᴄʜᴏꜱᴇɴ ʜɪᴍ.
August 13, 2024
Money?, Miss Moo, apricot jam, "you nightmare"
Caveat: You MUST read Book 1 before reading this Book 2. Book 1 is told from James's POV, and this is from Sebastian's POV.
WOWZA! This is a FANTASTIC second installment of the "Moonlight Falls" series. I feel the story dragged along in the first half of the book. But, once I got past that, the story really took off! It's fascinating, exciting, action-packed, and sublimely enjoyable.
Because this is an ongoing storyline, there is a cliffhanger. The main story is resolved and is satisfying. The storyline will continue in "The Heart of Moonlight Falls - Moonlight Falls Book 3". I wonder if Sebastian's and James's tale will conclude with Book 3, or will it continue for more books? I hope it's the latter.
The imagery is richly described and easily brought to life. The usual cast of characters are used well and are likeable. I can't say enough good things about this book. If you've read and liked Book 1, I implore you to read this!
Caveat: You MUST read Book 1 before reading this Book 2. Book 1 is told from James's POV, and this is from Sebastian's POV.
WOWZA! This is a FANTASTIC second installment of the "Moonlight Falls" series. I feel the story dragged along in the first half of the book. But, once I got past that, the story really took off! It's fascinating, exciting, action-packed, and sublimely enjoyable.
Because this is an ongoing storyline, there is a cliffhanger. The main story is resolved and is satisfying. The storyline will continue in "The Heart of Moonlight Falls - Moonlight Falls Book 3". I wonder if Sebastian's and James's tale will conclude with Book 3, or will it continue for more books? I hope it's the latter.
The imagery is richly described and easily brought to life. The usual cast of characters are used well and are likeable. I can't say enough good things about this book. If you've read and liked Book 1, I implore you to read this!
August 14, 2024
This sequel is in third person but from the point of view of Sebastian. We learn much more about him, his backstory and his family history and the curse. This book is all action, alternated with very spicy scenes. James and Sebastian have managed to break the curse at Storm Manor, or so they think, and have made it into town. They soon find out that Moonlight Falls is being overcome with all kinds of different shades and shadows. There are some super creepy scenes here, with suspense, excitement and action amid the romance. In this book, our two MCs have help from friends and family, but will it be enough? Things look pretty grim as they battle the shades, and I often found myself holding my breath. The writing is great and the world building is even better. This book has an HFN ending, so I'm looking forward to the third book which will wrap up the story arc and provide the characters' HEA.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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