Sharp and Pointy Things

by Alison Tuite

Sharp and Pointy Things is an adult dark romance fantasy novel based on the Irish folklore shape-shifter, the Pooka. Ciara Niamh Driscoll comes from a vast line of storytellers. After navigating her father's sudden death as an only child, she remembers her favorite memories of him were the bed time stories he'd tell her…consisting of terrifying mythical creatures.

Ciara Driscoll's life turns upside down when she inherits her father's estate in Ireland- a castle in Malahide. While grappling with grief and uncovering her father's secret life, she discovers the world of Irish folklore is real, encountering shape-shifting Pooka, including the alluring Uallas and the enigmatic Fearghas. Caught in a web of ancient legends, family secrets, and dangerous desires, Ciara must navigate the supernatural world while seeking answers about her father's death and protecting her own heart.

380 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2025

About the author

Alison Tuite is a central Florida based author of her debut novel, Sharp and Pointy Things. As a hairstylist for fifteen years and counting, she has shared countless stories behind the chair with her clients throughout the years. She has always been a lover of writing as another creative outlet, starting with diaries as a child. When she isn't writing, you can either catch her snuggling with her pitbull (Fred), kayaking, or reading a fantasy book or two.

Available on Amazon Kindle and Paperback!
Check out my website at:
www.alisontuite.com
for more updates, join my newsletter!

Reviews

[RaeRae Livingood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only wish is, I want more! I haven't read an Irish folk lore romance before, for me Alison's book was like a breath of fresh air from everyone else remaking similar stories. It's unique and a rare find with all of the other romantisy books out there. I can't wait to see what she writes next!!

[readingwithelfie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp and Pointy Things gripped me with its complex, layered characters and the arc that Ciara, was one of the most wonderful parts about it and the tender yet haunting romance at its core. Beneath the sharp edges, this is a story of grief raw, relentless, and unflinching but also of the fragile, beautiful process of healing. The paranormal and darker elements didn’t just add intrigue; they deepened the emotional weight of the narrative, making every moment feel both otherworldly and achingly real.

Thank you to Alison Tutie and DBWP for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Beesbuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank the author for giving me an arc of this story! I loved every second of it.

The only thing that made me give it 3 stars is a found the pacing and writing to be out of sync with each other. Some parts would be extremely well written while others felt incredibly rushed.

I will say I still recommended this novel because the dive into grief, finding yourself and falling in love is something many readers can connect too.

[Lindsay Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Romantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: September 2025

Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice: 2/5



Sharp and Pointy Things is an emotionally charged and gripping Irish folklore love story, blended beautifully with the anguish and rawness of losing a loved one. I thought that the lore with the Pookas was a unique draw to the book, since most paranormal romances lean more into fae, vampires, etc. The main protagonist, the fierce and protective Ciara, demonstrated great growth and strength throughout her story arc. Overall, the book had a good mix of action, fantasy elements, romance, and a little bit of smut (just for some extra fun). My only complaint would be the varied pacing, as another reviewer mentioned, but as a debut novel, I’m still impressed! I recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal and romantasy, who gets overhwhelmed by complex lore. Alison keeps the lore and setting simple, but still compelling.

Thank you so much to Ali and Book Sprout for sending me this book as an ARC.

[Sierra Gephart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Alison for the eARC!!
The premise of this book was super fun! Our FMCs dad recently passed and she moves to take over his estate in a new country. She’s grieving and then finds out that the stories her dad used to tell her about these pooka creatures are actually true when she meets one.

Then there is the “who killed my father” mystery and this allows our FMC to focus on something other than grief. She meets some interesting people on her detective journey and falls in love along the way.

All in all, this book had a great premise. It lost me a little in how much internal dialogue there was and some off story lines that didn’t really seem to fit? I otherwise enjoyed this book and hope to see more work by this author!

[Cootsiepooreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sharp and Pointy Things is an adult dark romance fantasy novel based on the Irish folklore shape-shifter, the Pooka.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was so interested in the Irish folklore and the premise of this book, and I did enjoy the mystery and the plot. However, I had some issues with the writing style. It was very repetitive. The dialogue felt very stiff. The pacing was inconsistent, like sometimes it took the main character forever to do things and other times there was too much packed into a few chapters.

Thank you to the author, Alison Tuite, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Allison H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ciara (FMC) is sassy and confident. She's grieving the loss of her father and is on an adventure that was unexpected with many twists and turns, and a mystery to solve. I really liked the main storyline—it was a strong idea. At times, though, the pacing felt a bit uneven. Some parts jumped too quickly which occasionally made me feel like I was missing pieces of the story.

-Irish Legends
-Loss of Parent
-Uncovering Secrets
-Spicy Romance
-Shape Shifters
-Grumpy/Sunshine

[Anna ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this up. The Irish lore and the unexpected castle. The devotion of Fearghas. I really feel like grief was well represented. The story was beautiful and had a lot of twists. I loved Ciara. She’s a great FMC who is far from weak. If you’re looking for a great story with depth, love, loss, adventure, and a bit of vengeance, this is it. It kept me wanting to know what happens next.

[Harley · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent story

It’s a good story but I had trouble really connecting and investing.

I’m sure it will find its people but it was not for me

[— Lynn || chaossreads 🖤📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of let me thank Alison Tuite and Booksprout for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC!!

Rating: 4/5⭐️
Spice level: 2/5🌶️
POV: 1st person (Ciara, Conor, Uallas, Fearghas)

“A life worth living is a life worth saving.”

Omg what a ride!! This book was inspired by the loss of Alison her Dad and you could just feel all the emotions and love put in it. This book takes you on a journey with the FMC about dealing with loss, discovering secrets and mysteries, finding yourself again and being able to fall in love. The story did feel a bit chaotic sometimes, but in a fun way!! I love the aspect of the Irish mythology and the shapeshifters. It is a slowburn but with the right tension to keep you going. BUT definitely give this book a try!

“You are radiant, Ciara. Always the sunshine to my riany days.”

If you love these things, then it is a sign to start read this book;
💚 Irish mythology
💚 Dealing with loss
💚 Mystery
💚 Enemies to lovers
💚 Slow burn
💚 Shapeshifters