Bound by the Sleeper's Harp

by Melissa Mitchell

What happens when you run into a gorgeous, tattooed goblin with bad boy vibes? You spill coffee down the front of your shirt. Yeah, not my finest moment.

Bastian Croft is a supernatural bounty hunter, and it turns out he's hunting...me.

I've been hiding for two years under a fake name, working at a nightclub and trying to forget the nightmare that shattered my old life. But when my beloved mentor Professor Miller is murdered, my carefully constructed world crumbles. Bastian knows I'm lying about who I am. He knows I'm keeping dangerous secrets. And the way he looks at me with those captivating green eyes? It's like he wants to bend me over his motorcycle and show me exactly what his hands can do.

When an ancient artifact starts stealing souls and trapping them in endless sleep, we're forced to work together. Bodies pile up across the city as the supernatural community faces an unknown threat, and someone from my past is pulling the strings—someone who knows exactly how to hurt me. But fighting for our lives while trying to resist the explosive chemistry between us? That's a whole different kind of dangerous. I'm breaking every rule I made to keep myself safe. Now I'm fighting the urge to climb this grumpy goblin like my own personal jungle gym, all while praying my deadly secrets stay buried.

Because if my past surfaces, it won't just get me killed—it'll destroy everything I've grown to love, including the fierce protector who's become my everything.

Bound by the Sleeper's Harp is a steamy paranormal romance featuring magical artifacts, supernatural politics, a sassy heroine reclaiming her power, and a possessive goblin who'll burn the world down to keep her safe. Perfect for fans of KF Breene, Patricia Briggs, and Ilona Andrews who love their urban fantasy with heat, heart, and happily ever afters.

Genres: Monsters

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Instagram: @melissa.nicole.mitchell

Mrs. Mitchell is an author of young adult fantasy and paranormal romance. Her debut novel, Blood and Ballet, is a unique combination of two of her favorite things: vampires and ballet. She is currently working on a young adult epic fantasy series set in the fictional world of Dragonwall. You can purchase the first and second installments, Talon the Black and Reyr the Gold, through bookstores worldwide. Autographed copies can be obtained from her website store.

Mrs. Mitchell also has her Ph. D in physics with an emphasis in non-imaging optics; she is an illumination engineer for a large corporate lighting company in the United States.

She adores spending time with her husband and their three dogs (two Siberian huskies and an English lab). She also enjoys playing piano, reading, writing, baking goodies, eating chocolate, tea, wine, Prosecco, and especially bullet journaling.

Mrs. Mitchell offers “author reviews” for books that catch her eye, and you are welcome to submit your book request via goodreads messages. She reserves the right to leave messages unanswered if the book does not catch her attention.

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC!

I absolutely love these characters and this story was so fun! The idea of fair folk living their lives among us, but they wear glamour so that most humans don't know, was great! It gave "Men in Black" vibes. It was definitely up my alley.

I'm so sorry that I can't give this a higher rating. I feel like the premise had so much potential. Unfortunately, the execution is problematic.

If you're ok with just going with the flow, enjoying the well-written spice, and not analyzing anything too much... this story is a fun read. 

---
Some good things about it...

There was great character diversity (race, size, sexual orientation etc), which I love! 

I felt the writing itself was good quality, and (while the romance is clearly the main focus of the story) the background "sleeping curse" mystery was interesting and kept me turning pages. 

it definitely could have been longer. There were a lot of interesting characters and details that could have been further developed (ex. more info on her best friend Vivi and more details around the murder mystery).
-----

Now for the problematic parts... 

Note: Insignificant spoiler and important content warning incoming:

One major gripe I have is what occurs is right at the beginning of the story. 

Shortly after MMC meets FMC he manhandles her quite a bit. He saves her life, but then immediately lockes her in his house, uses magic to stop her from running away, steals her phone so that she can't have any contact with her friends, carries her over his shoulder against her will, and even slaps her bum to stop her from struggling. I feel that she did NOT react realistically to the situation. 

This story focuses on healing from domestic abuse, so FMC is dealing with a lot of trauma. Even if the he saved her life, I feel there's no way she would realistically have been attracted to MMC in this scenario. If it were me, I would have been absolutely terrified of him, and I don't even have her trauma. 

I feel that it should have taken FMC MUCH longer to  trust a man who touched her without her permission several times (even though he was just trying to help) and who took away her ability to leave a place where she didn't want to be. 

I feel that the author wanted to jump right into the attraction/romance side of the story, and lost sight of the fact that kidnapping is in itself a traumatic experience. MMC was a complete stranger at this point. Her alarm bells & panic response should have been through the roof. This whole scenario could have been handled differently and still been very cute/romantic. (Ex. He could have offered to bring her to one of her friend's house, or walked her to her place, asked to come in, asked her his questions, camped outside her door all night to protect/guard her.)

Not to mention, the entire book takes place over 2 weeks. That is NOT enough time to know if pushy, authoritative, possessive, and rude MMC is actually a good guy. She knows from experience it can take a long time for an abuser's true colours to show. 

As it stands, it was very problematic that FMC felt immediate attraction and trust towards a MMC who treated her with a huge lack of respect. Especially with her history and the fact that she has not yet worked through any of her trauma because she's been too busy hiding from her abuser. 

(Note: There is some good progress made at the very end of the book ... it leaves the reader feeling optimistic that FMC has actually started really working through things)
------

Other gripes:

The constant jump from 1st to 3rd person POV was disorienting. It disrupted the flow and reduced the level of emotional connection I had to MMC vs FMC. I didn't feel its use was justified/necessary. 

The insta-lust/love took away from the story for me. I would have much preferred if MMC was wanting her right away and she made him wait while she worked through some things and they fell in love over a longer period of time (again .. the whole main part of the book [excluding the epilogue chapter] takes place over 2 weeks!).

There is zero wrap up of the murder mystery part of the story. We find out who did it, but have no idea why or how they got mixed up with the other villian of the story. It was honestly a big let down. 

------
In summary, I think this author has real talent and her story had potential. I would read other books by her. I just think the plot & timeline on this were far too rushed to allow deeper themes to be properly explored/resolved.

[Caterina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

I am so happy I came across this book! This is my first time reading anything by Melissa Mitchell and OMG GUYS!??? I am HOOKED!
Murder mystery, extra steamy romance, sexy goblin bounty hunter and a troubled FMC hiding from her past… I had SO MUCH fun reading this book! A new favorite of 2026 FOR SURE!
With a plot that is engaging with high stakes, there are no dull moments, twists that have you on the edge of your seat.
Melissa Mitchell’s characters are beautifully crafted, you become attached to them instantly and don’t we all love a steamy monster romance to cleanse the palate!?
What else could you ask for!??
ALSO, A CAT!!! Teddy is the cutest kitty ever! As a cat lady myself, I very much approve!🖤🥹 My heart!!🖤🖤

REAL QUICK… I have to admit I am quite obsessed with Bastian. How soft he becomes for Elle, his protective nature and also he’s a big, sexy, muscular goblin with tattoos and piercings? yes, PLEASE!!!🫡 Their chemistry was so freaking INTENSE!
I am a huge fan of how vivid certain scenes are!👀

Melissa, if you’re listening, WE NEED MORE!🫡🖤

[Jenn Massey Hesler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern fantasy/romantic suspense. Elle is in hiding after she runs away from an abusive relationship. She meets Bastian as he’s investigating the death of her former mentor. The two end up working together and staying together so he can protect her.
It started out strong - but then it just felt uneven and choppy. Very insta love and it didn’t quite work for me. Kind of a bummer because the dedication was to Ruhn.

3.25 rounded down for Goodreads. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this advanced copy. Pub Date 2/24/26.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book, and I am so happy I did!

I really enjoyed the fact this book has a murder mystery, romance, supernatural, and some very good spice 👌

Bastian.. 🥵🥵🥵

Also, love the cover art! It helped me create a great mental image of everything while reading.

[Ayla Shoulders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, sugar, this book was FIREEEEEE!!! Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGally for the opportunity to review an early copy of Bound by the Sleeper’s Harp!
Okay, if this dedication doesn’t make you AUTOMATICALLY jump into this book, then we can’t be friends! I mean, we can, I guess… but you know what I mean.
“For all the book girlies who fell in love with Ruhn Danaan and craved another tattooed, pierced protector with a heart of gold”

Which brings me to Bastian mfkn Croft 😍 Tattooed and pierced *gorgeous* Goblin Bounty Hunter with the Ruhn Danaan hair! (Someone dump some ice water on me, please! Because 🥵) so beautiful, so possessive and SO understanding. I loved how comfortable he makes Elle, especially after the mistrust and fear she should be experiencing with men after her past relationship.

This book was so much fun! Supernatural creatures (goblins, fae, shifters, vampires!) live in society with Humans and use glamor to blend in and keep the existence of supernatural beings a secret (to most!)!
(Eleanor) Rose, our badass FMC was in an abusive relationship and had to completely leave her old life behind and reinvent herself. I absolutely adore everything about her! The was so relatable and fun and sexy and independent. I just loved her so much.
Bastian is hunting down a murderer and Elle is his #1 suspect! Bound to the Sleepers Harp is a Bounty Hunter and his prey turned murder investigation partners who fuck SO GOOD. Guys, there’s so much sexual tension that you will be freaking melting by the end.
But it’s not just the romance that makes me wish this book never ended… it’s the story! Bound by the Sleepers Harp has such a great plot! I’m not going to get into it too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but there’s magical artifacts, murder, mystery, disappearances, and MAGIC, lots of magic! Loved every moment of this book!

[Ania_Gemma_Reads \ · Rating 5 out of 5]

📔The Sleeper's Harp by Melissa Mitchell
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐/5
🌶🌶🌶.5/ 5

📑SYNOPSIS:
Elle Kennedy is running from her past. When a murder brings her face to face with a goblin bounty hunter, her past comes racing back. Now her life is on the line, and he might be the only one who can keep her safe.

📝QUOTE:
Good girl," he cooed "You take me so well-so perfectly. So Tight. Fuck"

✏️MY THOUGHTS:
This book had me in a chokehold. I could not put this book down, but unfortunately, work, child, and sleep got in the way, but I was able to finish it in two days even with those inconveniences... Can I just read books for a living? Please?

This review might be a bit unhinged because I only finished this book a few hours ago and cannot think about anything else besides the filthy things that come out of Bastian's mouth. That male is my new book boyfriend, and I am not sharing it with anyone... Melissa since she created him but otherwise HANDS OFF! JK... maybe... not really...

This was a perfect mix of mystery, action, and some seriously steamy smut scenes. They were perfectly sprinkled throughout the book, which is perfect for me because my smut-loving mind cannot be satisfied with one scene at the end of the book. The buildup, the teasing, and the word sparring between Candy and Bastian are just head-spinning (in the best way)! Candy is a badass heroine, who is working on some issues and her past, but she is just kickass. She does not allow Bastian to boss her around, and she puts my favorite alphahole in his place- which is on his knees... in front of Candy...tasting some sweet sugar.... as the gods intended for him to be lol

I of course cannot forget to give the biggest shout-out to the star of the show- Teddy the fluffy white Persian... I mean he needs his own spin-off novel! Or at least a bonus chapter in the book! He is a freaking fluffy ball of perfection and stole my heart! We need some fan art for half-naked Bastian holding Teddy against his chest ASAP.

The plot moves along with perfect pacing and there is not a dull moment in this book.
The ending is so wholesome, and it made me so happy. We get a wonderful epilogue chapter that wraps things up nicely with a beautiful little bow!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC book from NetGalley

This works well as a romance, but it’s not a good mystery/adventure book . Not enough time is spent on the mystery and the characters barely do any investigation. The more you think about the book, the more you realize it’s not a cohesive story and things don’t make sense. It needs a stronger edit and more chapters dedicated to the mystery. The blurb compares the style to Ilona Andrew books, but I disagree. This is mostly a romance book with some mystery and paranormal world building thrown in, whereas Ilona Andrew books are the opposite.

No active investigation
In a mystery, I expect characters to follow clues, investigate scenes, question suspects, and eliminate possibilities. That doesn’t happen in this book.

• People are going comatose. They never examine the bodies or see if the victims have anything in common. What did the doctors say? What did the magical experts say? What methods failed to cure the comatose people?
• Professor Miller is killed in her apartment. Rose is asked to inventory Miller’s artifacts, but no one ever checks whether anything is missing.
• Rose hasn’t seen Professor Miller in years, yet they never investigate Miller’s recent activities, question coworkers or family, or explore possible enemies beyond Luke.
• An attack occurs at the mayor’s gala. The characters don’t visit the scene, speak to witnesses, or research the mayor.
• Rose is attacked by a group of people in the beginning of the book. There is video footage, but they don’t attempt to identify all of the attackers, track the car’s license plate, or even watch the footage.
• The villains comprise the entire pool of possible suspects. There are no possible red herrings or investigative twists. It’s pretty obviously who the murderer is.
• Rose’s apartment is broken in and her neighbor is murdered in his apartment. Rose assumes Luke did it, but why was her neighbor murdered? They talk about collecting fingerprints. Did it match any fingerprints from Professor Miller’s murder?

A continuity edit needs to happen with the romance.
• At one point in the book, he thinks that he could never be with Rose because she’s a human and he could never trust a human. Later, he says her humanity has nothing to do with it.
• These two passages directly contradict each other:
     • “Even if they were different in so many ways, it was a risk he couldn’t take. That wasn’t going to stop him from fulfilling every dark desire he’d dreamt up. He was what he was, and he would never apologize for it. But when the time came, he would have to let her go”. (Turns out, he’s a virgin)
     • He then refuses to sleep with her and says the opposite. “There is absolutely nothing casual about us. If I take this further, a single step further, there will be no going back… No, it’s simply that I feel too much for you. If I have you, I will own you."
•I never fully understood his hesitation in pursuing her. I also didn’t understand her hesitation in pursuing Bastian either.

Other nitpicks
• Apparently waiters make more than exotic dancers.
• Rose is attacked and finds out Professor Miller has been murdered. Hours later, she’s making out with Bastian.
• Major spoilers: Rose goes after the main villain alone despite having already contacted the police. This results in her getting captured and requiring the police to rescue her.
• Rose ignores texts from friends and her boss for over a day after after being attacked and a dead neighbor is found. 2 pages later, she freaks out when MMC isn’t in his house at 10:30 am and wonders if he was out with a women.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated ⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

Looking for a steamy romp through a world in which supernatural creatures exists, hidden, side-by-side with humans? Bound By The Sleeper's Harp has your back. Perfect for fans of Crescent City! Our cute-but-badass FMC with bubblegum pink hair bumps into a grumpy man in a coffee shop, but all is not what it seems with our MMC... A mysterious escapade through the supernatural underworld - along with some good food and expensive wine - brings our main characters together, but as usual, it's complicated!

A disclaimer: I'm rating this as someone who knew what they were going into. If you're expecting romance, predictable tropes, witty banter and a good bit of spice, this review is for you - and you might be surprised at how much plot there is! If you're wanting a complex fantasy novel with sub-plots, intrigue, and intricate worldbuilding, you'll be disappointed.

Overall? Very fun. The tropes troped and the spice was spicy. I actually preferred Bastian to Rose which was a novelty - perhaps I'm just a grumpy old goblin at heart! You could sense that Mitchell was having fun writing this, creating a world that she would want to live in. I loved our two main characters together, and there were enough moments where I was internally squealing to make this a joyous read.

I will say, the MMC's use of "sugar" had me grinding my teeth. It's my least favourite pet name, I didn't think it fit his character and it was absurdly overused. Perhaps Mitchell has a clear sense of his voice in her head where "sugar" works well; this could just be my own prejudice against the word. The writing is hardly lyrical prose, and at times feels awkward - my ebook is filled with me screaming "CLUNKY WRITING!" in caps in my notes. However, there are plenty of funny moments in which i appreciated Mitchell's imagination, and we're not really here for the writing are we...

I definitely thought there were pacing issues with some parts of the plot, but that may be straying into 'reviewing a serious book' territory, and I wonder if it's really that much of a problem.

Despite my gripes, I really did have fun reading this. It provided some saccharine-sweet escapism on a rainy January weekend.

Rating breakdown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impeccable. It's changed me on a molecular level and has become part of my personality. Has that extra something-something that means I'll be raving about this for the rest of forever. Added to my list of all-time favourites.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A delightful read, the writing was great, no complaints. It won't become part of my personality, but I'll recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐½ A delightful read, I really enjoyed it, will recommend; however, there were some problems with either the writing, characterisation, OR pacing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed it, with caveats. Something was missing for me: issues with writing style, copy or line editing, pacing, characterisation. Might still recommend.
⭐️⭐️ Did not enjoy, this wasn't written for me. I either DNF'd or I hate read to find out the conclusion to a particular plot.
⭐️ Thought it was terrible, unsure why anyone would publish it. DNF.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading, this review contains light spoilers. this book is also part of netgalley and I received this book for free to review but this is my honest review of the book.
I enjoyed it. When I was reading the first few chapters, I thought it was going to be a simple storyline but ventures off to a more deeper and thicker plot which had me wanting for more and compelled to read more.
Rose/Ella - I loved that she's bad ass and a survivor, and also a fellow cat lover like me, but the part I didn't like was that she holds back on information vital to the case e.g. doesn't immediately tell Bas who is investigating the professors murder that Luke could be behind it and her backstory with the professor. I also like that the author made her realistic, she had money problems, budgeting and her job wasn't something I normally see in books I read, its normally a cute job or a medical job, even though at the end she is able to go back into school, and is able to have a more secure life, it added a bit of reality into the book. Adding onto the realistic part, I find that in supernatural books the girl always fawns over discovering she's the soul mate or whatever, but in this book Ella wasn't like that and she actually was comparing her past and future as the same - being trapped. She also brought up questions that are often missed in other books e.g. does that mean she can't love anyone else? Does this mean she's forced to be with him now? I really did like this part in the book.
Bas- he is probably the most impressive supernatural I've read for bit, from his magic to his cooking, he had it all. Although he's seems perfect, he also comes with baggage and his own demons. I love he sets boundaries with rose when things get hot and also tells her what being with him would be like although at the same time he wasn't completely honest as we learn as the book goes on. He also is a animal lover and donates to animal charity, be still my beating heart.
The major problem that probably only irritates me was the pet names, I am so tired of baby girl being used in books. I was okay with her being called sugar although when I see hear it in movies, its usually used by beer gut truckers but I looked past this as his reasons were cute. I also really wish there was only one pet name for her and stuck with that.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicas, agarraros bien porque esta lectura os va a dejar con las patas abiertas 😆😆

No sabía en qué me metía, pero tenía tantas ganas de leer algo de este estilo que me decidí por la aventura. Y menuda aventura 🤭🤭

Este libro no solo combina lo mejorcito de este mundo, urban fantasy + dark romance, sino que lo tiene todo. Es entretenido, twisty, obsesivo y muy bueno. Melissa hace un muy buen trabajo tratando los distintos tópicos que hacen de estos personajes únicos. Su pluma es ágil y ligera, pero completamente absorbente.

¡Bastian y Elle son, ahora, mis niños! No sabéis cuanto he amado su conexión desde la primera página, el forced proximity que tumba todas mis barreras 😭😭 El encanto y dulzura de Elle que se transforma por la noche dándole no solo más dimensión al personaje, sino que la convierte en una superwoman. Bastian con su obsesión y su background me han enamorado completamente. Es mucho más que un bad boy, es travieso y a la vez dulce. Él se convierte en justo lo que Elle necesita y nunca deja de lado lo que siente ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Es una historia que me tiene enamorada y que no pude soltar 🫶🏻🫶🏻

⚠️⚠️Mirad los TW ⚠️⚠️
———————————————————————————————-

Girls, hold on tight because this read is going to leave your legs wide open 😆😆

I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I was craving something like this so badly that I decided to take the plunge. And what an adventure it turned out to be 🤭🤭

This book doesn’t just combine the very best of this world — urban fantasy + dark romance — it has everything. It’s entertaining, twisty, obsessive, and so, so good. Melissa does an incredible job handling the different tropes that make these characters truly unique. Her writing is agile and light, yet completely absorbing.

Bastian and Elle are my babies now! You have no idea how much I loved their connection from the very first page — that forced proximity that absolutely obliterates all my defenses 😭😭 Elle’s charm and sweetness, which transforms at night, not only gives her character more depth but turns her into a total superwoman. And Bastian... his obsession and his background completely won me over. He's so much more than a bad boy - he's mischievous and tender at the same time. He becomes exactly what Elle needs, never once pushing aside what he feels This is a story that completely stole my heart and that I simply couldn't put down 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Check TW ⚠️⚠️

4,5⭐️

[CWilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book. Below is my honest, unbiased review.

This book was an absolute delight! It had well-woven depth and reach, and was an all-around satisfying quick read with perfectly seasoned spice. The exploration of the magical artifacts was intriguing, as was the supernatural world that was inserted within a familiar human reality. The characters were interesting, and their relationship was built through real experiences and connection.

Rose/Elle is a woman hiding from her abuser ex, having crafted a new life with supportive friends, helpful magical artifacts, newfound butt-kicking skills, and candy cotton pink tresses. This carefully curated life turns upside down with the death of her estranged mentor and a domino of badness. To survive, she joins forces with a powerful, perceptive gargoyle bounty hunter, who finds himself captivated by her inner strength, open-mindedness, and smokin’ hot bod.

Rose/Elle can see that Bastian, aka beefsteak bounty hunter, is more than what meets the eye. Literally, she has an amulet that lets her see through his glamor to catch glimpses of his true gargoyle form, and she digs it. While crashing at his house for safety, she sees his many layers of depth and sophistication, as well as pain from his own past. She isn’t sure if she’s ready for a relationship yet, but she can’t help the attraction to the gruff, secretly sensitive, gargoyle.

Melissa Mitchell did a great job with this one. I hope she keeps building in this world with these characters, as I could see great potential to continue!

[Genny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author was not known to me before I picked up this book, but the cover drew me in and the description piqued my interest. To my utter delight, I was quickly sucked into this urban fantasy world! (Check the trigger warnings, people! It dives right in pretty quickly and just keeps trucking.)

Other things to expect:
-Found family
-Forced proximity
-Grump who is actually a cinnamon roll
-Explicit spicy scenes

What intrigued me the most (besides the murder mysteries) was that this was a world full of magical artifacts, supernatural creatures, magical powers— but hidden in plain sight of most of the humans! My only genuine criticisms are the overhanded use of the pet name “sugar” during every interaction with Bastian, and switching from first person to third person when giving his POV. The first person really highlights Eleanor’s emotional turmoil and how she is processing all the trauma that life has thrown at her the past few years, while the third person for Bastian is not as satisfying.

I was truly upset when I had to adult and pause my reading. It was perfectly paced, the banter was fun, the spicy scenes were steamy, and I just wanted to continue to be wrapped up in this book. I cannot wait for this series to be continued— and to explore some more books by this author in the interim!

Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on February 24, 2026! A huge thank you to Netgalley and the author for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions above my own.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
✔️Monster Romance
✔️Touch her and die
✔️fast paced
🚨 There is domestic violence

If you like Sleep Token's Sugar , you will like this book.

Plot
Elle(FMC) is hiding from her abusive ex and under investigation by an undercover goblin Bastian. (MMC) He is investigating the death of Elle's former professor. The two ended up working together, and the case they thought they were solving ended up being something bigger….

Thoughts
There is a lot of smut in this book, but just enough plot to keep the story interesting. The back story of Elle and Bastian is shown at a great time in the story and does not feel too forced. I also enjoyed the growth of the two main characters.

My biggest wish/ gripe with the story is
In Act 3. Bastian lies / omits telling Elle something, and she is mad, rightfully so. This leads into the climax of the story.

Once we realize what Bastian and Elle are… it does not give an explanation to how it works or what that really means. It seems like once supernaturals are given a BJ, things just ‘click’ into place? I say it like a question because it left me quite confused even when the characters discussed it. They just hash out the rest of their insecurities. This was an opportunity for world building that was missed out on.

Outside of that, I think it was a good supernatural romance book.

Thank you to Netgally for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Heather Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved the bargainer series, Crescent City and Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter you will love this book! I came into reading this with a little hesitation just because the MMC was going to be a goblin... I know stupid right, but I didn't know if I would be into that kind of supernatural creature.

BOY WAS I WRONG! Bastian is the hottest Fae/Goblin man that could ever be. If you are missing your shadow daddies from other series I have a new one to recommend to you!

I also loved the banter in the story and the main character. Not only is she badass but it also shows her feminine side. She is bubble gun pink Rose with thorns. Her and the main character have an instantaneous connection which I noticed in other reviews doesn't sit well with everyone. I personally really liked that it jumped into their hots for one another. I personally don't like to have to read half the book for some spice. They also didn't move super quick into the physical nature of the relationship to fast in the book either. It was broken up around different events within the story and was not overwhelming to the point that there was more smut than story.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and recommend you absolutely get it and give the story a chance. I think it will be one of your new favorites!

Thanks to NetGalley and Melissa Mitchell for the ARC read!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad book by any means, it just didn't blow me away. I loved the mystery element and trying to figure out who was behind the sleepers, though I will admit the first time they popped up I kind of guessed it was them. It was fun watching Elle and Bastian circling each other with all their chemistry while also trying to solve the multiple crimes being committed.

They had similar enough traumas in their past that they could understand how the other felt and thought in a way that an outsider couldn't. Watching them overcome that and find each other was one of the best parts of the book. And the mates aspect was all kinds of fun, even if it did blow up eventually! I also loved the ending and how it came full circle. And not going to lie I kind of want more books centred around Elle's friend group falling for supernatural beings of their own. A girl can dream!

Overall my rating is because while I enjoyed the book it didn't blow me away. There were certain things I found jarring or just plain frustrating. And some of the turns of phrase were questionable and took me out of the story. However, I will definitely still pick up other books by this author!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley.

[Ecem · Rating 5 out of 5]

****Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of Bound by the Sleeper's Harp by Melissa Mitchell in exchange for an honest review.

I read Bound by the Sleeper’s Harp as an ARC, and I genuinely loved it. Everything felt perfectly balanced. Urban fantasy setting? Check. Tortured hero and heroine? Check. Suspense? Check. A cute pet? Absolutely. And yes, steamy romance, done just right. What really stood out to me was how well the story handled all of these elements without overdoing any of them. Nothing felt rushed, nothing dragged on longer than necessary. The pacing was smooth, the emotional beats landed, and the story knew exactly when to stop. I had a great time reading it from start to finish.

On a more personal note, learning that the author has a PhD in physics genuinely made me smile. As a PhD student myself, it’s incredibly inspiring to see someone who works in STEM also creating stories like this. It’s a quiet reminder that creativity and science don’t have to live in separate worlds. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’m very glad I picked it up.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in fictional Walton (a large city in America), Elle Kennedy and Bastian Croft meet when she bumps into him at a coffee shop, getting a drink spilled on her. A former masters student, Elle now goes by Rose to escape an abusive situation (check content warnings). But Bastian meant to run into Elle. The goblin is a bounty hunter and is checking out human Elle as a suspect. As their lives intertwine, Elle helps Bastian investigate a murder connected to her former life.

The fast pace of this book had me hooked! I enjoyed the world and look forward to more in this series. This is my first book by this author, so I'm looking forward to checking out some backlist as well.

This romance includes:
💜 Murder mystery
💜 Paranormal
💜 Urban fantasy
💜 Found family
💜 Forced proximity
💜 Teddy, the cutest cat

Open door / spicy!!

5 / 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!

[Kelly Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced readers copy from Netgalley.

Thank you so much for the arc! I came across the title on Netgalley and it peaked my interest. With no expectations, this book exceeded them. It was a such a great read. The urban fantasy setting was perfect, the supernatural world that was created was easy to follow and unique. I loved the mysteries that revolved around the plot and how it progressed throughout the book. The plot did not drag and it was paced well.

I absolutely adored the mmc and fmcs relationship. Their shared trauma, in depth connection, steamy romance was everything. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that the mmc cooked for the fmc and we actually got to read the main characters actually eating lol usually in books I’ve wondered do these characters ever eat? Which I know, I know, they are fictional but still it was refreshing to see their shared bond of food and enjoying great wine.

I cannot wait for the next standalone in this world!

[Abbygaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc review

High spice
Primal possessive MMC
Insta-lust
Contemporary fantasy

I struggled.

I have a personal problem with insta lust. I am just not a fan where every single thing the mains do is a massive turn on for each other right down to breathing. (I did like the possessiveness that comes from his goblin nature though.) It’s not for me, but it is for someone. If you’re a fan where they can barely contain their lust and the spice kicks off early, then you might like!

I also have a pet peeve for repetitive words or phrases and the use of his nickname for her was just a brutal level of repetition. I bleeped it out in my head every time I read “Sugar” 😒.

A major flaw I found was that the FMC had been intensely victimized by a man but for some reason, implicitly trusts, and moves in with, this person who she doesn’t know at all, who is clearly sexually attracted to her and domineering without batting an eyelash after 1 day. It is an unforgivable plot point for me.

[Antonia Popa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, many thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this beautiful ARC. I’m extremely grateful and I feel like I belong to some kind of secret society whenever I receive an ARC, having the opportunity to read it before it’s officialy published.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the dynamic, the world building and the characters. I binge read it in 2 days, so, that pretty much summs it up.
The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars (it’s a 4,3 ⭐️ for me) was purely because sonetimes, certain things happening in this book, certain ways the characters behaved in would give me small icks, not big enough to affect my enjoyment of reading this tho.
I can’t wait for the next title in the series!
P.S.: obviously rooting for my favourite duo: Bas and Teddy

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was light, easy to read, fast-paced and has a healthy amount of spice! It has all the elements that make up a perfect weekend read. Do I wish the MCM had to work a little harder for the FMC? Just a little. But I can’t say I would have made him work any harder myself with all the traits he had going for him - I mean, he owns a house!
I’m always a sucker for the ‘damsel-in-distress’ trope and this novel did it nicely without it becoming obnoxious. In fact, the romance is so good in this that I was more driven by their relationship than the ‘whodunnit’ by the end. Overall, it was a great read to kickstart me back into this genre!
If you’re looking for a fantasy romance that makes your soul (and brain) happy but doesn’t take a huge time investment, I highly recommend this.

[MaguiWorld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro que asi como lo comenzas no queres dejar de leer, que tiene todo y eso atrapa mucho. Romance, misterio, acción y un hombre posesivo pero bueno a la vez. Bueno... no se si llamarlo 'bueno' en su totalidad (por su trabajo) pero lo es con la protagonista. Me sirve.

Me hubiera gustado un poco más de desarrollo en general y creo que podría haber leído unas 100 páginas más. Me gusto que si bien tiene spicy no es lo central en la historia y que no estan todo el tiempo pensando en lo que quieren hacerse. Gracias autora.

Espero leer más de Melissa, me gustó mucho su manera de escribir.

Gracias BooksGoSocial por el ARC que leí en Netgalley a cambio de una reseña honesta. El libro se publica en febrero.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop ! This was SO fun.

A steamy murder mystery? Say less.

This book had me screaming into my hand more than once and the mystery aspect kept me constantly guessing which was amazing. I was never entirely sure what the outcome was going to be and that made it so much more fun.

I loved not only the dynamic between Bastion and Elle, but how their relationship developed throughout the book. It felt believable and made you want to root for them. Not to mention the communication between them was chefs kiss. Also the spice? SO GOOD. The mouth on this man is to die for.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Trine-Lise Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Melissa Mitchell and NetGalley for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really loved this book right from the start! I’m still pretty new to paranormal romance, but I actually enjoyed this one a lot. It’s such a quick, funny, and spicy read, and the story itself was really good.

The mystery part was definitely my favorite, it totally kept me hooked the whole way through. My only tiny issue was that since the book has dual POV, I really wish the chapters started with the name of the character we’re following. It would’ve made it much easier to keep track of the shifts. Overall, it was a great find and I especially loved the mystery!

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew saving the world could be this hot—and slightly chaotic? Bound by the Sleeper’s Harp blends magic, mischief, and steamy romance in a way that had me laughing, swooning, and occasionally yelling at the characters all at once. Melissa Mitchell’s urban fantastical world is full of danger, intrigue, and just the right amount of sarcastic wit, while the chemistry between the leads is practically combustible. Sure, a few plot threads could have used a little more finesse, but honestly, I was too busy enjoying the magical chaos and the sparks flying off every page. A delightfully spicy, clever, and utterly entertaining read!

[Lindy Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an easy read, has plot twists, romance, suspense, supernatural, fantasy, cheeky scenes that just make you want to read more so much that you finish the book in a day! Lol I look forward to future books in this series. Check our the dragon wall series from the same author, they are great too! I’m Also waiting on the sixth book in that series! I have my daughter to thank for setting me with this author! Loving her books!

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got everything I hoped it would, and more!
It has romance, supernatural, fantasy, suspense, plot twists, action, smut, but most importantly it had Bastian 🥵.

I love the way Melissa writes, it’s difficult to just put the book down even if I had to because of sickness and didn’t have the strength to read, but the book was still all I could think about.
It’s truly a great book that you can’t get enough of.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fuuuuuuun! Supernatural romance but he's a tattooed, pierced goblin bounty hunter and she's a pink haired human exotic dancer on the run. Yes exactly. There's a suspense aspect to this book as well, though admittedly it takes a backseat to the romance. Luckily, the romance was so much fun to read about and there's a cat.

This was a super fun, quick read and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

[Amber Nay🖤💫 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!!

4 stars. This was so cute!!! It's a cozy urban romantasy with a thriller aspect and it was so much fun. The magic system was super easy to follow and the story was pretty fast paced. There was the perfect amount of spice and plot. I found myself kicking my feet and giggling on more than one occasion while reading. Bastian and Elle are everything!!! ❤️

[Sarah Stafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just above a 3. I wanted to love it so much more. I enjoyed the idea and I liked their chemistry together. I struggled with how quickly they seemed familiar with each other in the way they would converse. I enjoyed the magic and Bas was my favorite as well as Teddy!

Open Door Romance