Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Moontangled by Stephanie Burgis Series: The Harwood Spellbook #2.5
on February 3, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 71
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
For just one moonlit, memorable night, Thornfell College of Magic has flung open its doors, inviting guests from around the nation to an outdoor ball intended to introduce the first-ever class of women magicians to society…but one magician and one invited guest have far more pressing goals of their own for the night.
Quietly brilliant Juliana Banks is determined to win back the affections of her secret fiancée, rising politician Caroline Fennell, who has become inexplicably distant. If Juliana needs to use magic to get her stubborn fiancée to pay her attention…well, then, as the top student in her class, she is more than ready to take on that challenge!
Unbeknownst to Juliana, though, Caroline plans to nobly sacrifice their betrothal for Juliana’s own sake – and no one has ever accused iron-willed Caroline Fennell of being easy to deter from any goal.
Their path to mutual happiness may seem tangled beyond repair…but when they enter the fey-ruled woods that border Thornfell College, these two determined women will find all of their plans upended in a night of unexpected and magical possibilities.
I am so happy to continue the Harwood Spellbook series. Moontangled is a novella which is a gift from the author to readers. I would not call it a standalone; you need to read the series to know the characters and what lead the couple to this point. The overall series arc about women practicing magic and various political issues is not really progressed. I hope that continues in the next outing.
Juliana and Caroline have been engaged for some time. Their careers have them in a long distance relationship. Due to politics, they have not announced their plans to marry. The distance has caused them to have insecurities about themselves and their relationship.
For the first time in several months, they will see each other in person. Juliana plans to bring Caroline back warmly into their relationship. Caroline plans to sacrifice her happiness with Juliana to save her from any disgrace. Their argument finds them at the mercy of the fey in the woods.
Moontangled is very short so things go from bad to worse, before they actually make progress. I was thrilled to read more about these two characters. I feel it is a gift to see them work through their emotions to communicate their actual feelings to each other and make a new plan for going forward!
About Stephanie Burgis
I grew up in America, but now I live in Wales with my husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire, our sons, “Mr Darcy” and “Mr X”, and our sweet (and extremely vocal) tabby cat, Pebbles. I write fun MG fantasy adventure novels (most recently The Raven Heir) and wildly romantic adult historical fantasy novels and novellas (most recently Scales and Sensibility).
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER Friends
I saw that cover the other day and thought it looked so beautiful I wanted to pick up the series just to read this book.
Thanks Robin. I really have loved this series. I got the first ones on audio and they were excellent. I liked the narrator, Emma Newman, who is an author herself. This is a very short story about 2 supporting characters, but really different books tackle different characters stories to give an overall view of the world.
i love when a short story or novella has so much to give. glad you enjoyed it
Thank you! Often novellas aren’t developed enough to be much of a story. I do think this one is best with the series but it was a good story itself.
I’m in love with this cover
It is gorgeous!
I am not familiar with this series but that cover is gorgeous. I am glad that you enjoyed it!
It’s a great series. I was lucky enough to get most of it on audio and have really enjoyed them.
I love it when short stories add so much to a series. This series might be something I’d like too:)
I don’t think it’s essential to the overall series arc but it might be since I don’t know what follows. But I do love the added depth of building the side characters with glimpses of others.
That’s exactly how I thought of it – a gift to readers of the series. I wish there had been more…. I do love this series/world!
Hopefully there will be another story at some point.