What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cursed Ones #2
His Darkest Desire
A cursed goblin sorcerer. The human female he’s waited an eternity for. A secret that could tear them apart.
A quaint cottage in a Scottish forest seemed the perfect place for Kinsley to start anew. But when a tragic accident leaves her isolated and dying, her new life is over before ever beginning.
Until a dark, mysterious being emerges from the night gloom and offers to save her—for a price.
With no other choice but death, she accepts. She awakens to find herself bound to an ancient, powerful goblin who is equally terrifying and intriguing. He’s terse, demanding, brooding.
Despite that, Kinsley is drawn to him, captivated by his sinful crimson eyes, craving his every wicked touch.
But what will happen when he discovers the truth? What will happen when he learns that Kinsley cannot fulfill their pact?
What will happen if she lets this goblin claim her heart along with her freedom?
-----
Check the author's website for detailed content warnings.
-----
Standalone book set in The Cursed Ones Universe. Can be read in any order.
A quaint cottage in a Scottish forest seemed the perfect place for Kinsley to start anew. But when a tragic accident leaves her isolated and dying, her new life is over before ever beginning.
Until a dark, mysterious being emerges from the night gloom and offers to save her—for a price.
With no other choice but death, she accepts. She awakens to find herself bound to an ancient, powerful goblin who is equally terrifying and intriguing. He’s terse, demanding, brooding.
Despite that, Kinsley is drawn to him, captivated by his sinful crimson eyes, craving his every wicked touch.
But what will happen when he discovers the truth? What will happen when he learns that Kinsley cannot fulfill their pact?
What will happen if she lets this goblin claim her heart along with her freedom?
-----
Check the author's website for detailed content warnings.
-----
Standalone book set in The Cursed Ones Universe. Can be read in any order.
Audible Audio
First published November 16, 2023
About the author
Tiffany Roberts
50 books4,285 followersTiffany Roberts is the pseudonym for Tiffany and Robert Freund, a husband and wife writing duo. Tiffany was born and bred in Idaho, and Robert was a native of New York City before moving across the country to be with her. The two have always shared a passion for reading and writing, and it was their dream to combine their mighty powers to create the sorts of books they want to read. They write character driven sci-fi and fantasy romance, creating happily-ever-afters for the alien and unknown.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
November 19, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
“Love me, fear me, command me, obey me. I will be your master and your slave, your worshipper, your equal. I will be your everything, just as you will be mine.”
“Go. Run. Hide.” He lifted his face and met her gaze. “I will find you, my moonlight. I will catch you. And when I do, I will fuck you with a savagery that will unmake you. You will beg me to put you back together. To give you more.”
If you are new to paranormal romance I highly recommend Tiffany Roberts. They are a husband and wife duo that writes phenomenally!!
This book was soooo good! I can't even gather all my thoughts.
Summary: Kinsley is leaving behind a life of heartache and regret driving to a cottage in the woods in London. When all of a sudden she gets in a car accident and is impaled by a tree branch. She is near death when a dark winged figure comes and offers to save her for a price....
FMC: She is plus size and in her late twenties. I adored her personality she was strong but not overly when it was like okay calm down we get you're super woman 🤣🤣This is a woman who has overcame many obstacles and pain but does not allow it ruin her life.
MMC: Vex is our winged, gorgeous, green goblin man🥵🥵 He is such an asshole in the beginning but once he gets it together is a complete SIMP for our girl. He will eat out of her hand and lick it clean then ask for more. He was so romantic, thoughtful, and the things he said had my heart melting. Real men like this don't exist because they're not men they're goblins lol 😂
Possible Triggers:
1. Abortion/lost of child
Tropes:
1. Fated Mates
2. Found Family
3. Grumpy x Sunshine
My only regret is that this is fiction and I can't call her to figure out which road she was on that leads to a gorgeous, winged, green man and his magical cottage from a fairytale.
“Love me, fear me, command me, obey me. I will be your master and your slave, your worshipper, your equal. I will be your everything, just as you will be mine.”
“Go. Run. Hide.” He lifted his face and met her gaze. “I will find you, my moonlight. I will catch you. And when I do, I will fuck you with a savagery that will unmake you. You will beg me to put you back together. To give you more.”
If you are new to paranormal romance I highly recommend Tiffany Roberts. They are a husband and wife duo that writes phenomenally!!
This book was soooo good! I can't even gather all my thoughts.
Summary: Kinsley is leaving behind a life of heartache and regret driving to a cottage in the woods in London. When all of a sudden she gets in a car accident and is impaled by a tree branch. She is near death when a dark winged figure comes and offers to save her for a price....
FMC: She is plus size and in her late twenties. I adored her personality she was strong but not overly when it was like okay calm down we get you're super woman 🤣🤣This is a woman who has overcame many obstacles and pain but does not allow it ruin her life.
MMC: Vex is our winged, gorgeous, green goblin man🥵🥵 He is such an asshole in the beginning but once he gets it together is a complete SIMP for our girl. He will eat out of her hand and lick it clean then ask for more. He was so romantic, thoughtful, and the things he said had my heart melting. Real men like this don't exist because they're not men they're goblins lol 😂
Possible Triggers:
1. Abortion/lost of child
Tropes:
1. Fated Mates
2. Found Family
3. Grumpy x Sunshine
My only regret is that this is fiction and I can't call her to figure out which road she was on that leads to a gorgeous, winged, green man and his magical cottage from a fairytale.
November 22, 2023
Not to be dramatic, but I’d die for Flare, Echo and Shade.
September 28, 2024
Awesome narration, so-so story!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙❤️💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 🙂🥰😎🤩
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
The heroine: Kinsley - she married her high school sweetheart, and they divorced three years ago. She loves the outdoors and is a content creator on social media. She takes her followers along with her on hikes through the ancient forests all over the year. She is now in the Scottish Highlands, renting a cottage in the ancient forest. On the way to the cottage for the first time, driving in the rain, she sees a supernatural blue light, and the car crashes through the forest hitting obstacles along the way before finally coming to rest against a hard object where she loses consciousness.
The Story: After her accident, Kinsley was impaled with a branch and stuck in the car. She still saw the glowing blue orb she had seen before the crash, and it seemed to be helping her. Though she couldn’t reach her purse where her phone was located. She couldn’t remove the branch, and she knew she was dying. When all the sudden she heard a male voice outside her vehicle, telling her his aid comes at a price.
The Hero: Vex - he is a goblin and a sorcerer and was cursed a long time ago when he made a pact with the fae queen and went back on it because she basically forced him to become her sex slave. Vex is imprisoned in his own realm and unable to move to other realms. A child born of his seed is the only way to get rid of the curse. He comes across a mortal woman dying and immediately knows she is his mate. He tells her he can save her, but she has to agree to be his mate and have his babies.
Kinsley agreed to the terms and passed out. She wakes up the next morning in a strange cottage, in a very green forest, which was odd since it was autumn. She is fully recovered and isn’t sure if her accident was a dream or what exactly is going on. Whomever brought her to the cottage was nowhere to be found. However, when the male comes to her in the night, he tells her that she is bound to him by her oath, and she will fulfill her oath and bear his child. Though he would not do to her what the queen had done to him and take her against her will.
I liked the characters, and the plot was pretty good, though the story kind of dragged on and on in parts. I think there could have been a lot more action, especially if the author would have had the Fae Queen come back for some reason. As it was, there was no real conflict, aside from the fact that both characters had things from their past they were still dealing with.
This audiobook is in dual points of view and narrated in duet narration. Corvin King and Celia Stone do the narration. I really like both of these narrators. Corvin King has a deep sexy voice, and I find I have been searching out books he narrates lately because I like his voice so much. Celia Stone has a soft, feminine voice and sounds youthful. Overall, I really enjoyed the narration.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙❤️💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 🙂🥰😎🤩
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
The heroine: Kinsley - she married her high school sweetheart, and they divorced three years ago. She loves the outdoors and is a content creator on social media. She takes her followers along with her on hikes through the ancient forests all over the year. She is now in the Scottish Highlands, renting a cottage in the ancient forest. On the way to the cottage for the first time, driving in the rain, she sees a supernatural blue light, and the car crashes through the forest hitting obstacles along the way before finally coming to rest against a hard object where she loses consciousness.
The Story: After her accident, Kinsley was impaled with a branch and stuck in the car. She still saw the glowing blue orb she had seen before the crash, and it seemed to be helping her. Though she couldn’t reach her purse where her phone was located. She couldn’t remove the branch, and she knew she was dying. When all the sudden she heard a male voice outside her vehicle, telling her his aid comes at a price.
The Hero: Vex - he is a goblin and a sorcerer and was cursed a long time ago when he made a pact with the fae queen and went back on it because she basically forced him to become her sex slave. Vex is imprisoned in his own realm and unable to move to other realms. A child born of his seed is the only way to get rid of the curse. He comes across a mortal woman dying and immediately knows she is his mate. He tells her he can save her, but she has to agree to be his mate and have his babies.
Kinsley agreed to the terms and passed out. She wakes up the next morning in a strange cottage, in a very green forest, which was odd since it was autumn. She is fully recovered and isn’t sure if her accident was a dream or what exactly is going on. Whomever brought her to the cottage was nowhere to be found. However, when the male comes to her in the night, he tells her that she is bound to him by her oath, and she will fulfill her oath and bear his child. Though he would not do to her what the queen had done to him and take her against her will.
I liked the characters, and the plot was pretty good, though the story kind of dragged on and on in parts. I think there could have been a lot more action, especially if the author would have had the Fae Queen come back for some reason. As it was, there was no real conflict, aside from the fact that both characters had things from their past they were still dealing with.
This audiobook is in dual points of view and narrated in duet narration. Corvin King and Celia Stone do the narration. I really like both of these narrators. Corvin King has a deep sexy voice, and I find I have been searching out books he narrates lately because I like his voice so much. Celia Stone has a soft, feminine voice and sounds youthful. Overall, I really enjoyed the narration.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest|BookBub
March 4, 2024
DNF @ 60%/Skim
2.5 Stars
This duo can be hit or miss for me. I love their spider series, but I’m an impatient reader and they have a tendency to take the long way to get to the good stuff.
So, I was a smidge apprehensive when I saw this bad boy was 500 pages, but I was digging the beginning. I liked the intro, I liked the wisps (Shade, Echo, and Flare), I like a big jerk, so I was even down with Vex being a butthead. There’s a dub-con situation, but I’ve recently read several prison planet books where women traded sex for protection… and she did agree, so I was even alright with that.
But then I started getting bored around 45% and I can’t do this anymore. I can see were this is going…I skimmed the rest, and I was right.
Bottom Line- Ok, very predictable, and IMHO about 200 pages too long.
2.5 Stars
This duo can be hit or miss for me. I love their spider series, but I’m an impatient reader and they have a tendency to take the long way to get to the good stuff.
So, I was a smidge apprehensive when I saw this bad boy was 500 pages, but I was digging the beginning. I liked the intro, I liked the wisps (Shade, Echo, and Flare), I like a big jerk, so I was even down with Vex being a butthead. There’s a dub-con situation, but I’ve recently read several prison planet books where women traded sex for protection… and she did agree, so I was even alright with that.
But then I started getting bored around 45% and I can’t do this anymore. I can see were this is going…I skimmed the rest, and I was right.
Bottom Line- Ok, very predictable, and IMHO about 200 pages too long.
December 2, 2023
2.5 stars
This one didn't work for me. The story was predictable and slowed around the 50 percent mark. This made it a slog for me to get through, and the eventual ending was unsurprising.
This one didn't work for me. The story was predictable and slowed around the 50 percent mark. This made it a slog for me to get through, and the eventual ending was unsurprising.
December 4, 2023
4,5 stars ⭐️
Despite this being only my third book read by this power duo, it's safe to say that Tiffany Roberts has become a favorite author duo for me. I loved this book! I fell head over heels with the MMC, Vex, in this one. I mean, a goblin fae hero?? Yes pls. He was just so swoonworthy, especially with his words.I love a grumpy (cinnamon roll) MMC that can both worship and sweet talk his woman, but also being a dominant and taking control in the bedroom. Like yes please!
I really liked Kinsley, the FMC. She was strong both mentally and physically. Her story really made me tear up a bit not gonna lie (pls check TWCW). And she was the perfect match for Vex, his light to his darkness. I adored how they comforted and were always there for each other through their dark moments,
These two really tugged at my heart strings. Gosh, these characters and story won't leave my head for a while I can already tell.
Side note: Not to be dramatic but I would die for Echo, Flare and Shado.
Tropes:
Paranormal romance
Goblin fae hero
Plus size heroine
Fated mates
Grumpy x sunshine
Primal play
Found family
Banging in the sky
Banter
Despite this being only my third book read by this power duo, it's safe to say that Tiffany Roberts has become a favorite author duo for me. I loved this book! I fell head over heels with the MMC, Vex, in this one. I mean, a goblin fae hero?? Yes pls. He was just so swoonworthy, especially with his words.I love a grumpy (cinnamon roll) MMC that can both worship and sweet talk his woman, but also being a dominant and taking control in the bedroom. Like yes please!
I really liked Kinsley, the FMC. She was strong both mentally and physically. Her story really made me tear up a bit not gonna lie (pls check TWCW). And she was the perfect match for Vex, his light to his darkness. I adored how they comforted and were always there for each other through their dark moments,
These two really tugged at my heart strings. Gosh, these characters and story won't leave my head for a while I can already tell.
Side note: Not to be dramatic but I would die for Echo, Flare and Shado.
Tropes:
Paranormal romance
Goblin fae hero
Plus size heroine
Fated mates
Grumpy x sunshine
Primal play
Found family
Banging in the sky
Banter
January 27, 2024
BAAAAAAAAAD 👎👎👎 booo pregnancy trope
Read
December 15, 2023DNF @ 56%
November 19, 2023
It wasn't a bad book by any means but it was just missing something to me. About 50% through the book I started losing interest in the plot. Maybe it just felt too predictable? I don't know.
December 15, 2023
This book was lackluster at best and nowhere near the quality of storytelling I expect from this writing duo. I guess these Cursed Ones series books, for whatever reason, are just not for me.
The Good: I adore the colorful cover and the art at the back of the book. Vex's physical description is fun and sexy. Plus size heroines are always welcome and Kinsley has some character depth and personality. I usually love anything dealing with faerie folklore. The flying scene was pretty hot.
The Bad: Vex's personality was boring and flat. It might have been the lack of many other characters. He seemed all looks and no personality. Also, so much of the book dragged on and was downright boring. Maybe it's because the villain is mostly offscreen and/or intangible. I struggled so hard to get through this. It took me far too long to finish and it didn't end up being worth it in the end. The HEA is there but it is kind of lame, in my opinion. I won't spoil but I'd just say that they don't go to the place that I would have gone if I were them. It was way too predictable.
The Indifferent: I couldn't have cared less about the wisps or Kinsley's weird sister.
The Good: I adore the colorful cover and the art at the back of the book. Vex's physical description is fun and sexy. Plus size heroines are always welcome and Kinsley has some character depth and personality. I usually love anything dealing with faerie folklore. The flying scene was pretty hot.
The Bad: Vex's personality was boring and flat. It might have been the lack of many other characters. He seemed all looks and no personality. Also, so much of the book dragged on and was downright boring. Maybe it's because the villain is mostly offscreen and/or intangible. I struggled so hard to get through this. It took me far too long to finish and it didn't end up being worth it in the end. The HEA is there but it is kind of lame, in my opinion. I won't spoil but I'd just say that they don't go to the place that I would have gone if I were them. It was way too predictable.
The Indifferent: I couldn't have cared less about the wisps or Kinsley's weird sister.
December 6, 2023
I got bored. I wasn’t sucked in at the beginning but chalked it up to not having read this POV in awhile. But it was all very predictable and some parts just really dragged & needed editing. Big sections could have just been taken out. I wanted to DNF at 54% so I just skimmed to the back to see what happened and eye rolled.
December 20, 2023
*sigh*
I’m conflicted. This is one of the best books they’re released recently, in my opinion, but I still have some pretty big qualms.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the wisps. Shade, Flare, and Echo were the MVPs of this book and it shows.
Once Kinsley and Vex get past the first I don’t know, like 40% their relationship got much better and I really enjoyed their dynamic (not counting the ending. We shall get to that later).
My issues begin with Vex’s quite blatant sexual assault of Kinsley at the beginning when she wakes up in his home. He fully feels entitled to her and her body on the sheer basis that he saved her life and she agreed to a bargain when she was very clearly under duress. He touches her without her consent and he almost forces her to have sex with him, because it was time to pay up on her side of the bargain. It isn’t until she calls him a monster for attempting to force her than he snaps to his senses and then he leaves.
When he apologizes for this because he knows what it’s like to be forced, which doesn’t make sense to me. Why would he even think about forcing her if he himself had been forced? He then promises to not touch her without her asking him to do so. He breaks this promise many more times and claims that because he didn’t swear or promise with his true name it’s not binding. Meaning what was previously not consensual is now more along the lines of dubious consent because she’s not asking for it but she’s also not giving her clear consent for a few of these instances.
I could have done without this. I also could have done without the whole third act breakup. While I saw it coming a mile away, I still was hoping I was wrong.
She goes on this whole life long journey after her divorce thinking that she was never broken or defective. She learns to love herself and her life without the possibility of children only to completely undermine it with a magical pregnancy.
Also, the fact that the “third act breakup” spans more time than the time they had together was also odd in my opinion. He talked a lot about asking for forgiveness and earning her forgiveness and when she immediately gives it it kind of undermines the amount of groveling he needed to do because he chose to make a very important choice without her imput.
Overall, I was hoping for more but this is fine. 2.5 stars rounded up for the wisps and the wisps only.
I’m conflicted. This is one of the best books they’re released recently, in my opinion, but I still have some pretty big qualms.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the wisps. Shade, Flare, and Echo were the MVPs of this book and it shows.
Once Kinsley and Vex get past the first I don’t know, like 40% their relationship got much better and I really enjoyed their dynamic (not counting the ending. We shall get to that later).
My issues begin with Vex’s quite blatant sexual assault of Kinsley at the beginning when she wakes up in his home. He fully feels entitled to her and her body on the sheer basis that he saved her life and she agreed to a bargain when she was very clearly under duress. He touches her without her consent and he almost forces her to have sex with him, because it was time to pay up on her side of the bargain. It isn’t until she calls him a monster for attempting to force her than he snaps to his senses and then he leaves.
When he apologizes for this because he knows what it’s like to be forced, which doesn’t make sense to me. Why would he even think about forcing her if he himself had been forced? He then promises to not touch her without her asking him to do so. He breaks this promise many more times and claims that because he didn’t swear or promise with his true name it’s not binding. Meaning what was previously not consensual is now more along the lines of dubious consent because she’s not asking for it but she’s also not giving her clear consent for a few of these instances.
I could have done without this. I also could have done without the whole third act breakup. While I saw it coming a mile away, I still was hoping I was wrong.
She goes on this whole life long journey after her divorce thinking that she was never broken or defective. She learns to love herself and her life without the possibility of children only to completely undermine it with a magical pregnancy.
Also, the fact that the “third act breakup” spans more time than the time they had together was also odd in my opinion. He talked a lot about asking for forgiveness and earning her forgiveness and when she immediately gives it it kind of undermines the amount of groveling he needed to do because he chose to make a very important choice without her imput.
Overall, I was hoping for more but this is fine. 2.5 stars rounded up for the wisps and the wisps only.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
Why can't we all have a handsome, powerful green goblin 😂😂
January 1, 2024
4.25⭐️
December 10, 2023
I fell in love with Tiffany Roberts after reading A Spider's Mate trilogy (Ensnared), and this book is not like that one.
Not just in content or genre, because ASM is Sci-fi and this is firmly in the contemporary fantasy realm, but the plot is much more contemporary--it's erotica essentially. The primary plot points are their relationship, and not struggles they have to overcome.
This book was fun, but it lacked the substance that I crave since getting through ASM trilogy. It was unfortunately predictable, and where there was opportunity to create an outside force the couple would have to fight against, the authors decided not to go that route.
The FMC wasn't powerful, she was just _there_. She couldn't really do anything except paint/draw, and she only makes a few drawings throughout the whole book, all of which take place in one scene.
Her other "power" is vlogging, which is used for storytelling for the MMC once, but we essentially skip the scene through "and then she told him about x place."
There was nothing especially notable about the spice that made me go "wow, that was creative/different/awesome."
Overall, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of book, but still it lacked some of the coziness that I was hoping for from a contemporary fantasy, and just didn't make me fall in love. =(
Not just in content or genre, because ASM is Sci-fi and this is firmly in the contemporary fantasy realm, but the plot is much more contemporary--it's erotica essentially. The primary plot points are their relationship, and not struggles they have to overcome.
This book was fun, but it lacked the substance that I crave since getting through ASM trilogy. It was unfortunately predictable, and where there was opportunity to create an outside force the couple would have to fight against, the authors decided not to go that route.
The FMC wasn't powerful, she was just _there_. She couldn't really do anything except paint/draw, and she only makes a few drawings throughout the whole book, all of which take place in one scene.
Her other "power" is vlogging, which is used for storytelling for the MMC once, but we essentially skip the scene through "and then she told him about x place."
There was nothing especially notable about the spice that made me go "wow, that was creative/different/awesome."
Overall, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of book, but still it lacked some of the coziness that I was hoping for from a contemporary fantasy, and just didn't make me fall in love. =(
December 8, 2023
I feel like there was so much missing from this story. The story felt rushed, but super long at the same time. I had such high hopes going into this book, it started so strong with Vex being this mean goblin wizard who hates humans and the world. I got really bored at about the 65% mark and instead of DNFing this book, I started skimming. It DID NOT need page upon page of them professing their love for each other in every way possible. The ending was OK, but I needed more. My last Tiffany Roberts read was Escaping Wonderland and that book had me glued!
Vex needs to climb through my window.
Flare, Echo, and Shade are the cutest wisps ever.
Vex needs to climb through my window.
Flare, Echo, and Shade are the cutest wisps ever.
November 17, 2023
TR DOES IT AGAIN!
I knew, just KNEW in my soul that I would absolutely fall head over heels in love with Vex. And once the books was released, I would absolutely devour it. Both true, so very true! Thank you TR for bringing us back into this world! This was by far the best book I’ve read all year! Vex is the best MMC and Kinsley is the most realistic and strong FMC!
I knew, just KNEW in my soul that I would absolutely fall head over heels in love with Vex. And once the books was released, I would absolutely devour it. Both true, so very true! Thank you TR for bringing us back into this world! This was by far the best book I’ve read all year! Vex is the best MMC and Kinsley is the most realistic and strong FMC!
November 23, 2023
Nope
I noped out on page 37. I read the first in this series and was skeeved out on the non consent there. Idk why I tried to read this one. I feel like this author is a man determined to normalize horrific, problematic behavior in his fellow men. Just yuck.
I noped out on page 37. I read the first in this series and was skeeved out on the non consent there. Idk why I tried to read this one. I feel like this author is a man determined to normalize horrific, problematic behavior in his fellow men. Just yuck.
March 24, 2024
Maybe I'm a just a sucker for the gothic fairy tale motif that comes complete with alpha/cinnamon roll hybrids (the smut shows the dominance... and yes a big reason for the 4 stars)... but whatever the reason, I loved this book.
This reads totally different than my previous foray, Yearning For Her. For one, this begins with Kinsley dealing with a myriad of personal grievances:
-She's essentially been divorced for being infertile (And by her childhood friend turned husband, no less. Hearing about how he was there for all major aspects of her life... that these two were so deeply intertwined made his resentment in her inability to carry a baby cut that much deeper).
*TW for multiple past miscarriages, BTW.
-She's heading off to a remote cabin to deal with her miscarriages, as well as finding out that her ex-husband was able to have a baby easily with someone else. I like that when explaining this pain, that Kinsley knows some people are a better fit, and that she would've felt selfish had she denied him the chance for his own family... but it still hurts nonetheless.
-To top it off, our girl is mortally wounded, dead or nearly so, having crashed her car and impaled by a tree branch
That last bit is where the story picks up: Goblin/Fae (or a "foblin" as my husband calls him) Vex offers to spare her, if she'll have his baby. From there, it's a pretty slow-burn romance, as well as coming to terms with past trauma (Vex's is a bit less fleshed out... he's the last of his kind, and his land's queen is after him to sire a child/restore their land).
I love that Vex is an alpha hole in the beginning, akin to a would-be rapist, and has to learn not only woo Kinsley, but get to know her. That there's more to baby-making than biology.
The aesthetics are amazing: every chapter is backlit by a scene of moonlight filtering through the trees, and the old school gothic cherry on top: our girl dons a gossamer nightgown and attempts to flee through the moonlit forest. I. Cannot.
Also, did anyone else get a solo Wild Hunt vibe from Vex's hide and seek mating ritual? Not to mention La Belle et La Bette, not once but twice:
1.To wake Vex from a nightmare, Kinsley says "Vex, I'm here", reminiscent of Belle's "Beast! I am here" from the Cocteau version
2.Vex's whole "send her away because she misses her family" bit was very Beast letting Belle go home for a bit.
Side note, I love how as an adolescent he would watch the mates' ritual in the forest below his lonely tower, hoping that one day he'd be in love enough to participate.
While this is a smutty delight (those pages are so hot, they scorched my fingertips), it's a also a story of learning to move forward and appreciate the support/reality around you (Vex has to be told by the wisps that because they've been by his side this whole time, he's never really been alone. Ditto for Kinsley and her mortal family ties. And before it's discovered that Vex's initial healing extended to her fertility issues, Vex has to realize that while he may not have a baby, but he's got a mate who loves him unconditionally).
My cons: why even have the queen in there as the big bad behind the bargain when she felt like such an afterthought? Also, Kinsley's family is info-dumped in towards the very end of this book, made out to be thick as thieves, but honestly so much of this book was dedicated to Vex and Kinsley's romance, they kinda felt like afterthoughts too.
But alas, I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Not only do these two have a baby, but they name her Hope. Awww... there I go again with-one more time, for the cheap seats in the back-my big ass ❤️😏.
This reads totally different than my previous foray, Yearning For Her. For one, this begins with Kinsley dealing with a myriad of personal grievances:
-She's essentially been divorced for being infertile (And by her childhood friend turned husband, no less. Hearing about how he was there for all major aspects of her life... that these two were so deeply intertwined made his resentment in her inability to carry a baby cut that much deeper).
*TW for multiple past miscarriages, BTW.
-She's heading off to a remote cabin to deal with her miscarriages, as well as finding out that her ex-husband was able to have a baby easily with someone else. I like that when explaining this pain, that Kinsley knows some people are a better fit, and that she would've felt selfish had she denied him the chance for his own family... but it still hurts nonetheless.
-To top it off, our girl is mortally wounded, dead or nearly so, having crashed her car and impaled by a tree branch
That last bit is where the story picks up: Goblin/Fae (or a "foblin" as my husband calls him) Vex offers to spare her, if she'll have his baby. From there, it's a pretty slow-burn romance, as well as coming to terms with past trauma (Vex's is a bit less fleshed out... he's the last of his kind, and his land's queen is after him to sire a child/restore their land).
I love that Vex is an alpha hole in the beginning, akin to a would-be rapist, and has to learn not only woo Kinsley, but get to know her. That there's more to baby-making than biology.
The aesthetics are amazing: every chapter is backlit by a scene of moonlight filtering through the trees, and the old school gothic cherry on top: our girl dons a gossamer nightgown and attempts to flee through the moonlit forest. I. Cannot.
Also, did anyone else get a solo Wild Hunt vibe from Vex's hide and seek mating ritual? Not to mention La Belle et La Bette, not once but twice:
1.To wake Vex from a nightmare, Kinsley says "Vex, I'm here", reminiscent of Belle's "Beast! I am here" from the Cocteau version
2.Vex's whole "send her away because she misses her family" bit was very Beast letting Belle go home for a bit.
Side note, I love how as an adolescent he would watch the mates' ritual in the forest below his lonely tower, hoping that one day he'd be in love enough to participate.
While this is a smutty delight (those pages are so hot, they scorched my fingertips), it's a also a story of learning to move forward and appreciate the support/reality around you (Vex has to be told by the wisps that because they've been by his side this whole time, he's never really been alone. Ditto for Kinsley and her mortal family ties. And before it's discovered that Vex's initial healing extended to her fertility issues, Vex has to realize that while he may not have a baby, but he's got a mate who loves him unconditionally).
My cons: why even have the queen in there as the big bad behind the bargain when she felt like such an afterthought? Also, Kinsley's family is info-dumped in towards the very end of this book, made out to be thick as thieves, but honestly so much of this book was dedicated to Vex and Kinsley's romance, they kinda felt like afterthoughts too.
But alas, I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Not only do these two have a baby, but they name her Hope. Awww... there I go again with-one more time, for the cheap seats in the back-my big ass ❤️😏.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
Grabbed this right away on KU when it released in November. I didn't love the first in the "series" (they're standalone), but it was fine. This was a much better story, but it had its faults.
I originally rated this at 4 stars, but I dropped it down one when I thought about it a bit more. I actually plowed through 80% of the book in a night or two while reading a bit before bed, and then kind of just unintentionally dropped the book for a month and a half and read other things. Forced myself to just finish it the other night.
Other than the scene early on where the MMC nearly SAs the FMC due to magic BS and which could have just not been written that way, not a whole lot of TWs here.
I loved the wisps; precious little friendos.
Kinsley and Vex were okay. I think Kinsley got a bit more depth than some of the other FMCs by this duo, but Vex was kind of just looks and magic and...? This also went on for way longer than it needed to, by a lot, and there was no actual antagonist other than the curse itself to contend with to fill those pages. And said curse wasn't even a big deal when you think back on it. With no big bad to fight or anything other than just day to day stuff once the romance started, things dragged on.
I originally rated this at 4 stars, but I dropped it down one when I thought about it a bit more. I actually plowed through 80% of the book in a night or two while reading a bit before bed, and then kind of just unintentionally dropped the book for a month and a half and read other things. Forced myself to just finish it the other night.
Other than the scene early on where the MMC nearly SAs the FMC due to magic BS and which could have just not been written that way, not a whole lot of TWs here.
I loved the wisps; precious little friendos.
Kinsley and Vex were okay. I think Kinsley got a bit more depth than some of the other FMCs by this duo, but Vex was kind of just looks and magic and...? This also went on for way longer than it needed to, by a lot, and there was no actual antagonist other than the curse itself to contend with to fill those pages. And said curse wasn't even a big deal when you think back on it. With no big bad to fight or anything other than just day to day stuff once the romance started, things dragged on.
January 24, 2024
3.5
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I enjoyed how this couple's relationship was more developed and had more of a natural progression. There were some pacing issues, but on the whole this was an enjoyable read. I am a sucker for a menacing on the outside but a softy on the inside MMC. Also, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling....I am a sucker for those as well. Shade, Flare, and Echo were also amazing.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series. I enjoyed how this couple's relationship was more developed and had more of a natural progression. There were some pacing issues, but on the whole this was an enjoyable read. I am a sucker for a menacing on the outside but a softy on the inside MMC. Also, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling....I am a sucker for those as well. Shade, Flare, and Echo were also amazing.
February 4, 2024
This book was literally so magical, I felt so immersed in this world!! It reignited my fairy loving younger self with this beautiful setting! Kinsley and Vex’s story is so fkn good!! Vex was so fkn dramatic (but we love him for it) and Kinsley had some downfalls with her annoying asf internal monologue, but those things aside their love story was perfection!!
December 6, 2023
A bit cheesy and a bit boring, but have you seen the fanart?? 💦💦
December 16, 2023
I tried really hard to finish this but I just couldn’t get through it. Started out great and then just got boring and repetitive.
December 24, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this book! Pacing could have been better but overall pretty good I think fave part was reading that this is a husband wife duo writing these books they r so cuteeee
January 2, 2024
This book is so magical and cute and sweet. I loved it so much.
January 17, 2024
I fell in love
This book. Wow. I laughed loved and cried over this book ❤️ such a GREAT read 💙 thank you Tiffany for another great book!
This book. Wow. I laughed loved and cried over this book ❤️ such a GREAT read 💙 thank you Tiffany for another great book!
Read
February 4, 2024Couldn't get into it for some reason so DNF'ED fast.
I'll probably get back to it later.
I'll probably get back to it later.
July 14, 2024
Why was he…just…so…himself???
Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews