Light paranormal fare that takes care to be tolerant and kind.
A bisexual pastry chef who's a virgin at 32 finds happily-ever-after with a witch who uses her magical powers to repair toaster ovens and other small appliances.
Not all American witches live in Salem, Massachusetts. Four hundred years ago, a pragmatic bunch moved west to Illinois to avoid execution and live polite Midwestern lives among the "mundanes," Aguirre's term for muggles. Danica Waterhouse, a modern-day descendant, co-owns a repair shop called Fix-It Witches, where she and her cousin Clementine use their technomancer powers to repair malfunctioning machines. She and Clem have made a pact to always stick together and never be sidetracked by love; their ultraconservative grandmother has told them that if they ever marry a mundane, they'll lose their magical powers, and the pool of genetically correct male witches (found on Bindr, the witchy version of Tindr) is thin on the ground. Danica and Clem plan to have children with magic sperm from the "witch-only sperm bank" and find family with the wonderful members of their coven (aka their book club). Then into her shop walks Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy's bake shop, for help repairing a broken oven. Titus has been unnaturally unlucky in love (hint, hint); his last girlfriend married a biologist studying puffins in Iceland. Danica and Titus are jolted by the strength of their mutual attraction but also fearful: he because he might screw up another relationship and never, ever have sex, she because she's been taught that witch-mundane marriages are forbidden. Aguirre keeps the tone light and fun, punctuated by passionately detailed sex. (After mutual orgasms: " ‘I should have told you before,’ he said breathlessly. ‘My [STD] test results, I have them.’ ") The family, the friends, and even the tough witch hunter (more in the next volume about him) check all the rom-com boxes. Though the resolution of the family issues is predictable and a bit tedious, it's fun to know that witches can handle their birth control magically.
Light paranormal fare that takes care to be tolerant and kind.Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-72824-016-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
