A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper

4 Stars

Jessamine Bricker loves a plan. Contingency plans and pros-and-cons lists are her love language, and because of that, her proposal planning business is thriving. But with rent costs rising at her office building, Jess jumps at the chance to plan a proposal between her snobby high school classmate, Diana, and her very wealthy boyfriend, Trenton Tillard…the Fourth.

Roped into joining Diana’s ”pre-bridal” retreat at the exclusive Golden Ash resort, Jess hopes to fade into the background, get some work done, and maybe find some time to unwind. Their first day is anything but relaxing: Diana is furious about the mountain spa’s lack of cell phone reception, the couple next door argues constantly, and Jess swears she just saw a drug deal go down. To top it all off, she’s warned to stay out of the woods by the gruff and sexy chef, Dean Osbourne. Is this a retreat or a horror movie?

As Jess tries to do her job while placating the bride-to-be and her increasingly over-the-top demands, she spends more and more time with the resort owners, finding herself much more in tune with the laid-back Osbourne family than her social climbing “boss.” Between a meditation garden-related drowning and Jess’s discovery of a body in a sauna, it's clear that deadly secrets abound at the Golden Ash. Now it’s up to Jess to unravel the mysteries here in the mountains—before all her plans are cancelled…permanently.

I loved this murder mystery with just a bit of romance. The characters were well developed and so was the world. I loved how the mystery played out. As well as the back and forth between Jess and Dean. Definitely looking forward to the next one.

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Hex Around and Find Out by Molly Harper

3.5 Stars

As the middle sister in a trio of sea witches, Cora Seaworth has spent most of her life hidden away at her family’s magical cottage on Moonshadow Cove. She’s claimed her own corner of the library, cozied up with her favorite novels and a ghost cat named Nicodemus. She’s the deep thinker among her more tempestuous sisters, so she isn’t prepared to be swept up in a real-life romantic adventure in the form of sexy local baker Iggy Galinsky.

Iggy is tired of his reputation as the Island’s unreliable charmer and a man of many talents but no true calling outside his family’s bakery. Sure, it’s mostly true, but it still hurts his feelings. His carefree life gets serious fast when he meets the beautiful, mysterious Cora Seaworth. Before long, they’re working together with Cora’s sisters, various ghosts and the unfathomable creature lurking at the bottom of the cove to defeat an ancient enemy. If they don’t prevail, it’s not just their love that’s at stake, but Starfall Point’s entire magical community.

I enjoyed listening to this book. Cora and Iggy worked well together. The over arching storying progressed nicely. Things are revealed that were interesting. The romance itself was a bit minimum but I still enjoyed it.

Book 2 Moonshadow Cove

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Wrong Witch to Hex With by Molly Harper

3 Stars

As the youngest of three sea witch sisters, Linney Seaworth lives a secluded existence in her family’s secret cottage on Moonshadow Cove, the far side of Starfall Point. Together, the Seaworths wield magic derived from the surrounding waters to keep the human population safe from paranormal threats. But Linney has always longed for a more adventurous life ... which is exactly what she gets when handsome newcomer Gray Brockhurst shows up on the Island.

Gray just inherited one of Starfall’s oldest ghost tour companies. Even though he’s never believed in ghosts, he’s continuing the family business to honor his late grandfather, who relished in sharing the island’s lore. But Gray is thrown for a loop when a lovely local interrupts his tour and changes his entire world view. Apparently, ghosts are all too real, and he’s been offending them with inaccurate stories during his “performances.”

But soon the Seaworths face a bigger problem: A deadly enemy has been unleashed, and it’s unlike anything they’ve ever encountered. As Linney and Gray work together to stop it, the attraction brewing between them just might be the most powerful magic of all.

This book was just ok. It built on Starfall Point series so there isn’t a lot of world building. My issue with the book was it felt rushed and there wasn’t a lot of character development. Yes it built on Starfall but these characters are new. I did enjoy it just wanted more. I am hoping the next two books will give more.

Book 1 Moonshadow Cove

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Never Been Witched by Molly Harper

4 Stars

Alice Seastairs leads a quiet life working in her grandparents’ antique shop and hiding her magical secret from the human world. As one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, it’s her job to protect the Island from dark magic and unruly ghosts—including the ones that show up at her shop attached to antiques. But her orderly life is turned upside down when a gorgeous stranger buys the islands most historic—and haunted—hotel.

There’s something about Collin Bancroft that that makes Alice want to muss his polished exterior and find out what’s underneath his expensive suit. But romance will have to wait, because his hotel is being haunted by a ghost so dangerous that Alice’s whole coven must step in. Turns out, a supernatural event is unfolding that’s bigger than any of them ever imagined—and it’s about to blow the secrets of Shaddow House wide open. Will Alice and Collin survive long enough to have a future together?

The conclusion to the women in the coven was a fun read. I enjoyed Alice and Collin finding their HEA and navigating the ghosts and people trying to take out the Shaddow House. The audiobook was amazing and Amanda and Teddy did an amazing job.

Book 3 Starfall Point

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Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper

4 Stars

If only true love's kiss could break this curse…

Caroline Wilton is dying to get off Starfall Point, but if she leaves, there's a good chance she'll literally die. For centuries, any Wilton who ventured off the island immediately perished in some freak accident. While Caroline has begrudgingly obeyed her family's curse, she's never forgiven all that it has cost her. After all, her high school sweetheart left for college and never came back. Until now.

Although Dr. Ben Hoult returned to take over the med clinic, in his heart, he came back for Caroline. Practical, sensible Ben was too stubborn to believe in her curse. But when his own two teenagers meddle their way into coven business, Ben's eyes are opened to the world of magic. He quickly learns that Caroline and her friends have the power to see ghosts—like the angry woman in eighteen-century garb occupying her family's tavern with a menacing glare—and boy, do they need managing.

As the witches dig through old spell books for insight, they discover the angry tavern ghost as one of the island's most sinister legends—information that could be the key to breaking the Wilton curse and giving Caroline the life she's always wanted with the man she's always loved.

Where book one felt unfinished book 2 felt more well-rounded. I don’t know if it was because book 1 set up everything and so there was less that needed to happen in this one and they could just get into the story. I just really enjoyed the back and forth with Caroline and Ben. Through in his kids and it just was a book that I loved. The audio made it that much easier to enjoy cause the narrators did an amazing job with the characters.

Book 2 Starfall Point

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Witches Get Stuff Done By Molly Harper

3 Stars

Riley Denton-Everett always felt like something was missing in her life—and her numerous odd jobs and short-lived relationships haven’t brought her any closer to finding it. Everything changes when she receives a mysterious message: You’re a Denton. You belong on Starfall Point. Once you’re here, I’ll tell you everything you need to know.

When Riley arrives on the island, she learns her aunt has left her a historic mansion brimming with haunted antiques. Turns out, that’s not the only thing she’s inherited. Riley also hails from a long line of witches whose magic is critical to protecting the living.

Edison Held, the town’s frustratingly hot librarian, is completely unaware of the ghosts in Riley’s ancestral home and is determined to convince her to open it up to the public. Riley starts to wonder if Edison’s knowledge of the island’s history can help her get a handle on her new powers—but can she trust him with her secrets? And can she trust herself with the simmering attraction brewing between them?

I liked this book but felt it didn’t end nicely. Too many loose ends for me to believe Riley and Edison would end up together and get their HEA. The audiobook with Amanda and Teddy did make it an amazing book to listen too and I will continue the series to see where it goes.

Book 1 Starfall Point

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Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper

4 Stars

The lost love that’s always haunted her is about to make an unexpected return....

Caroline Wilton has no time for romance. She’s too busy running her family’s bar to even think about dating. She’s also one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, responsible for keeping the local ghost population in check.

But even the most magical of witches can use a shoulder to lean on, which is what happens when Ben Hoult, the handsome doctor she never quite got over, walks back into her life. Ben is a single dad now, and as he and Caroline reconnect, they discover that they both have a knack for helping and protecting the people near and dear to them.

Soon they’re working together to unravel a centuries-old murder, and Caroline has to face the wrath of angry ghosts...and the uncertainty of opening her heart back up to love. She’s not sure which one is worse. All she knows is that keeping her heart safe will take every ounce of magic she’s got.

I love it when Molly Harper comes out with a new audiobook. Her narrators are always fabulous and make the book that much better. This one was no different. They brought the characters to life and made me want to make time for me to listen. The story was also engaging. It picks up where the first left off but with the focus on Caroline and Ben. This is a second chance at love for them. Ben teens are adorable, and they made me laugh so many times in this book. Caroline has a backbone and isn’t willing to put up with much. I really really want her brothers to get their asses handed to them because of how they were in this book. Beyond that the story progressed and I am dying to find out who the big bad guy is.

Book 2 Starfall Point

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Better Homes & Haunting by Harper

 

3.5 stars

Nina is hired to landscape a private island off the coast of New England. She was surprised to get the bid as she’s been unable to get a job due to her previous partner. Who cares that it’s on an island that is haunted and there have been mysterious happenings and people being injured.

The story started out very slow. I’ve tried to read this book several times and put it down every time. I started it on audio and that got me over the hump to the good part. It also took me time to get used to the Deacon / Nina, Jake / Cindy, Dotty POV plus all the ghosts POV. Once I figured it out, I really enjoyed the story and the couples. I did have the ending figured out well before the end. Overall, it was worth reading and it fit Molly Harper’s style.

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Pasties and Poor Decisions by Molly Harper

 

3 Star

Years ago, Ana thought she left her small island life behind for bigger and better. That is until her husband is caught embezzling money and he ran off with a younger woman leaving her with nothing. She goes home to the island. Her house is in need of repairs the problem the only one who can do the repairs is her ex who could have been more Ned. Where will her new life take her?

I usually love Molly Harper’s books but this one was only ok. It’s a second chance at love short story. I wanted more backstory and world building. And holy shit Ana’s kids are horrible human beings. I really think Molly Harper has a good story here it just needs to be fleshed out and a bit longer. It felt unfinished and I want more.

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One Fine Fae by Molly Harper

 

3.5 Star

Charlotte McBee accepted the job as midwife in Mystic Bayou.  She’s there to help a phoenix and a dragon welcome their first child.  While preparing for the delivery she meets a local resident who catches her fancy.  Leonard is everything she wants in a partner.  The one problem, his family was cursed several generations ago and he can cause chaos without meaning too.

If you like and have read/listened to the rest of this series it was a good book.  However, this isn’t a book you want to start with if you haven’t.  There wasn’t really any drama or conflict per say.  It really just felt like an update to the overall series.  It’s mentioned that the supernatural community was outed and there were problems but that was about it.  It was nice to see where the residents were but that was about it.

Audiobook

Jonathan Davis and Amanda Ronconi narrated this story.  They both did an excellent job narrating.  They were able to give voice to each character.

Book 4.5 Mystic Bayou

Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires by Molly Harper

 

3 Star

Tylene McClaine has spent her life trying to avoid her pack.  She doesn’t fit in and she wants to spread her wings and live her own life but that isn’t pack life.  She’s drowning until she meets Alex, a vampire, teaching music to the residents of Half-Moon Hollow.  She begins meeting him in secret to keep her pack from knowing.  How long can she keep the ruse up when vampire’s properties are being vandalized?

There were things about this book I enjoyed but overall was not in love with it like some of the other books in the series.  It felt to me like it was all over the place.  It felt like the bad guy was an afterthought.  I also didn’t really like the relationship between Tylene and Alex.  I didn’t get the connection like I have seen with other characters Molly Harper has written. While writing this review I was looking at the book information and this book is only 240 pages.  It felt like it was way longer than that.  Overall, it was an ok book.  The best parts were the ones with the original cast of characters.  It can technically be read as a standalone but is better to have read the rest of the series. Here’s hoping this was a one off and the next one is better

Book 8 Half-Moon Hollow

Always be my Banshee by Molly Harper

3.5 Stars

Cordelia Canton has been transferred to Mystic Bayou to investigate the rift using her touch psychic powers.  With her gift she has never been able to touch anyone without getting glimpses so she avoids most contact.  When she reaches Mystic Bayou she meets a man, Brendan O’Connor, who she can actually touch without seeing anything.  She soon learns that that he is a rare male banshee.  They must work together to find out what is going on with the rift.

This is straight up a review of the audiobook as it isn’t out in any other format yet.  As usual Amanda Ranconi but Jonathan Davis was not good.  The man he was supposed to be speaking for was Irish and that was not a good accent with this guy.  There was also insta love between Cordelia and Brendan was just not something I believed with their backstory.  In other books they weren’t so instant.  There was more of a build up to the relationship.  I did enjoy the fact they tied up the rift storyline and how.  I am sure there will be more books in the series and I will still pick them up.

Book 4 Mystic Bayou