Read And Revel

This book opens with a note, and in it the author shares, “On average a woman will leave an abusive relationship 7 times before she’s able to leave for good. Even more frightening is that an estimated 75% of women are killed by their abuser when they try to leave or shortly after leaving.” This statistic is sobering and heartbreaking. If you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship the (American) National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-7233, you can also text BEGIN to 88788, and their website is thehotline.org 

Whether you need a listening ear or a safety plan, please, reach out today. 

In this sequel we return to the town of Foxford, a sanctuary city where magical and the magicless (or magless) live in harmony under the town’s witch coven. We get a closer look at Faye, a magless baker who married her highschool sweetheart vampire, Ian. After 2 years of bliss has come 10 years of pain, hardship and trauma. With planning to leave an abusive marriage she embraces life once again, returning to old friendships, and discovering love she didn’t think would ever find her. Things are not always so easy, and even the strongest protections may not be enough. Faye must decide between fate and choosing your own destiny. 

I enjoyed this book immensely, though I will say having read book #1 Potions and Proposals did not prepare me for the emotional roller coaster this book would take me on. Where P&P was a fun, witchy, rom-com type novel (highly recommend), this book delves so much deeper. 

There are many sweet, funny, heart warming, and uplifting moments. We see fun recipes, baking competitions, and lots and lots of coffee! Plus the sweetest little fiery Dragnonia.

However, the author did not shy away from the dark realities of escaping abuse. We not only see the uncertainty Faye feels by choosing this path, but the aftermath. Struggling with anxiety and paranoia, medication and therapy, hoping no one will look close enough to see your pain, the relief of escape coupled with the fear of losing everything again- of never truly escaping. How do you trust anyone when your life has been nothing but control and manipulation by the one you love most in the world? How do you find love and intimacy, when it was used to break you down? Callaghan treated these characters and situations with great care and responsibility. I do not cry often in reading books, but in this one I cried twice; once with joy and once with heartbreak. 

This book also deals greatly with loss, as we dive deeper into Peter’s story as a Grim Reaper. Having died at only 16 years old, his punishment in death is to collect 10,000 souls. Grim Reapers in this world are a kind comfort, giving souls peace and escorting them to what lies beyond, restoring their body and consoling them in the last moments of life. I enjoyed this aspect, not as beings that destroy but beings that guide. His domain is Foxford, allowing him to return home for occasional visits, and to remain in his family’s life. However, there are still rules in never falling in love with a living, and not interfering in their deaths. 

We see from different angles the grief that holds him and his family in place together, allowing him to visit but never allowed to be truly with them again, but wouldn’t you accept that to hold on to those you love for just a little while longer? The pain and healing of loss, scared that one day may be the final moment together, but knowing that death comes for us all eventually. Can we avoid it, delay it, escape it? If you knew the person you love most was on a time limit, would you make their last days the best, would you try to divert the course? 

This book reminds us to live, to love, and to embrace the control of our own destiny. 

Number of Times I Wanted to Throw the Book Across the Room: At least 5. 

Did the Book Pass the “One More Chapter” Test?: Read it in 1 day, I couldn’t put it down. 

Number of Emotional Roller Coasters: Too many to count.

Perfect snack pairing: A latte, and pumpkin pie

Character I Would Most Like to Have a Drink With: Grams, I know she has a million stories to tell. 

Quote that perfectly sums up the main characters relationship: “Then we should make this moment last. Today, right now, you and me- it’s all that matters.”

Level of spice: 3/5 there’s lead up, but closed door. 

Unique bits I love: I have so enjoyed the worldbuilding Callaghan does in these books, the take on a whimsical and magical world that still feels grounded. The Grim Reaper life is fascinating! 

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for the opportunity to review this ARC. This is not a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

If you’d like to find more about Kate Callaghan, her Instagram is @KateCallaghanWriter

If you’d like to order a copy of this book you can here.