From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Mainly by Moonlight (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, #1)

Josh Lanyon

Start date: August 1, 2019

Finish date: August 31, 2019

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Why we're reading this: This will be our August 2019 read!
[close] This will be our August 2019 read!

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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Aug 04, 2019 Lori S. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, 2019_biggerontheinside, fantasy, magic-users_psy

I hesitate calling this romance, so I won't despite the overall wedding aspect of this story.

John and Cosmo fall in love a bit too fast, and are getting married two weeks after first meeting. I know people do do this sort of thing in reality, but, when you add in John's initial hostility toward Cosmo, Cosmo's best friend's interference with his fiance (she lays a love spell on John), and the way Cosmo lies his way through their relationship about his magical heritage, among other things, it's ha I hesitate calling this romance, so I won't despite the overall wedding aspect of this story.

John and Cosmo fall in love a bit too fast, and are getting married two weeks after first meeting. I know people do do this sort of thing in reality, but, when you add in John's initial hostility toward Cosmo, Cosmo's best friend's interference with his fiance (she lays a love spell on John), and the way Cosmo lies his way through their relationship about his magical heritage, among other things, it's hard to see how they can be in a happy union. Also, there's the fact that in his cold way, John sees Cosmo as a social-political asset more than a real partner, and, even though they're both proclaiming they love each other, there's a real lack of chemistry; I felt like the whole scenario was being forced from the get-go.

I'm assuming the mystery, which wasn't really solved in this story, will be picked up and carried into the next story. There are a number of threads left dangling, though there isn't a cliff hanger, as the main premise of this particular story, getting to the wedding day, etc., does occur.

I was peeved at Cosmo's lack of real anger at his friend's interference. The love spell not only falsified the feelings between him and John, it threw a lot of doubt into their relationship, making it harder for Cosmo to parse out whether what they had between them was genuine. Instead of censoring Andi, the friend in question, he just shrugs and accepts it instead of seeing it as a real lack of judgement on her part as well as being just plain wrong. What can you do with the friend you've known since kindergarten, right?

There are pop culture references all over this book, from Cosmo's name (Cosmo Topper ) to Bewitched (a witch entering a marriage with a mortal and John calling Cosmo's mother Endora) to Mary Norton's Bedknob and Broomstick (only in reference to the Victorian bedstead and its crystal knobs that initially brings the pair together). The magic is interesting, though I'm hard pressed to see how the magical community manages to keep a lid on things the way some member fling magic around. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2019 Jax rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, lgbtq, 4-star

A great start for this charming new series. As is often the case with Lanyon couples, I loved the POV MC and am somewhat conflicted about his romantic partner. No doubt John will be everything Cosmo sees in him, but I enjoy the tension of wondering whether he’s worthy of our young witch. Book 2 is due on Halloween so thankfully we have only a short wait for more.

Note: Can anyone fill me in on this item in the author's note at the end? (view spoiler) ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2019 Eve rated it it was amazing

Expecting some angst in 2nd book... Cosmo hasn’t come clean and... he will pay, I think, unfortunately!
John is the golden example of the type of strong, silent but tender older man written by Lanyon that I come to love so much.

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2019 JR rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, favorites, mystery, witches, supernatural, mm, wizard

Very Enjoyable!

This was a nice departure. The story was fun, and intriguing. Love the Easter eggs and the modern day spin on magic. I am looking forward to the next one.

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2019 Kira rated it it was ok

Shelves: m-m

Incredibly slow, with no resolution. MC John is thoroughly unlikable. Frankly all the characters were bland. Cosmo spends the entire story catering to John & hiding who he really is. Neither character actually knows the other, which is a horrible basis for marrying each other. I expect a lot better from a Josh Lanyon book.

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2019 Erika rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, mystery

Thanks to Netgalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a fun and light start to a new series. Even though there was a murder and a mystery, the main story was focused on Cosmos and John's relationship and will they actually be getting married? Considering they've only known each other two weeks and it started with a love spell, it is a real concern. Nevermind the fact Cosmos is hiding that he's got magical tendencies (even though he's no longer practicing) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2019 Debra Guyette rated it it was amazing

Cosmo Saville is hiding a few things from his soon-to-be husband. His magical abilities are one and now he is accused of murder. Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith did not believe in love until he met Cosmo. He is sure that Cosmo is innocent and he wants Cosmo to let the police do their job and find the murderer. Cosmo is not sure he can do that when it looks like the police have only one suspect – him. He knows he must find not only the killer but also the missing grimoire.

Josh Lanyan on ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2021 OkayKim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it, audio, humor, fantasy, mystery-suspense, docs, m-m-romance

Must have been one of those days that I had a little problem with reading this one for the first time, because listening to the audio was much better. Good narration!

Like · see review