Welcome back to Bookstr’s Three to Read, where each week we recommend three themed recent releases. This week, we’re exploring paranormal romance. It’s steamy, magical, and full of delicious twists and turns. Read on for details!
HOT PICK
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
SUMMARY:
When Ophelia’s sister vanishes, she only has one option if she wants to save her. She must enter Phantasma, a contest full of vicious rivals who will do anything to win the prize: one wish. The haunted mansion where the competition takes place is a competitor itself, with its winding hallways, twisting stairwells, and lavish temptations.
The challenges — and her competitors — get more deadly as the game continues. Not to mention, every day the house creates new demons and monsters. Just when Ophelia thinks she’s been beaten, a handsome, irritating stranger offers her a deal. He will help her win in exchange for ten years of her life. She knows she shouldn’t trust him. She knows she should keep her guard up. But she can’t help the pull she feels to him.
WHY:
In this vivid and fast-paced challenge, readers will be on their toes as Ophelia navigates new and unfamiliar territory, where every twist in the corridor comes with another surprise. Smith creates an intriguing world and a charming love interest that readers cannot help but be drawn to as much as Ophelia is, though we all know we shouldn’t be. It’s impossible not to be entranced by Ophelia’s journey to save her sister — and by the variety of challenges she encounters along the way.
COFFEE SHOP READ
Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione
SUMMARY:
Eva Tennant loves her job. And like all her coworkers, she hates demons. As Deputy Spokesperson for The Aegis, the worldwide demon-slaying organization, she couldn’t be happier to be in the running for Chief Spokesperson. Her final challenge: not messing up the exchange program with the Demon Activity Response Team (DART), their rival agency. But when a mysterious murder puts a target on her back and turns her into a fugitive, everything she knows changes.
Logan is the son of Death, one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. He has thrown himself into his work fighting demons at DART. He craves action, loves the ladies, and would do anything for his hellhound, Cujo. he can’t stand The Aegis, though. How could he, when they tried to murder him at birth? He almost loses it when he’s ordered to guard an Aegis Guardian. And not just any Guardian, one who’s responsible for the death of his friends. But when an enemy reappears, Eva and Logan find themselves fighting temptation as they grapple with the sacrifices they must make to save their world.
WHY:
This contemporary take on demon slaying is a refreshing reset to the usual medieval or renaissance-era setting fantasy novels often position themselves in. Ione blends organized corporate lifestyle and the modern world with the mystical and otherworldly forces of demons and magic with grace and finesse. As Eva and Logan collide in this reluctant romance, the stakes are convincingly raised to a point where readers will be page-turning through latte after latte.
DARK HORSE
A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
SUMMARY:
Calladia Cunnington, heir to a powerful witch family, has always struggled to contain her temper and tamp down her rage. When a bar fight turns into saving someone from a demon attack, she takes it as a convenient excuse to let out some of her anger — and put her magic to some use. She’s rather pleased with herself until she realizes the innocent person she’s just saved is Astaroth, a cunning demon and powerful soul bargainer who claimed the soul of her best friend.
But Astaroth doesn’t remember any of this. After being banished to the mortal plane and having his memories wiped, he can’t even defend himself against the demon Moloch who is after him for reasons he can’t recall. Calladia can’t bring herself to leave him to face his battles alone and gruffly agrees to help him. But as the two set out to find a witch who may be able to help him, she finds herself drawn to this new version of Astaroth, and she begins to wonder if she wants him to recover his memories at all…
WHY:
Fans of enemies-to-lovers are in for an absolute treat with this riveting read. With a powerful, angry, and relatable FMC and a somewhat useless, charming, and undeniably attractive MMC, their love story has an obvious draw. The chemistry between the two is palpable and contrasts beautifully — and frustratingly — with the reality of their situation. Hawley has flipped the demon archetype on its head by situating Astaroth in a somewhat useless position. Readers get the opportunity to see a powerful woman shine — and learn, as she has the power to decide whether she wants to change her mind along the course of their journey.
Whether you’re looking for a modern twist on classic fantasy tropes, an enticing enemies-to-lovers, or a dangerous romance game, one of these fantastic reads is sure to find a home on your spooky season bookshelf.
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