Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lightening in Her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Narrator: Marcella Black
Series: Wild Things #2
Published by Ace, Penguin Audio on October 15, 2024
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 352
Length: 9 hours, 11 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Teal Flores is desperate for two things—control over her gift of weather, and a date to her ex’s wedding. The first isn’t possible until she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.
Carter needs Teal too. His chance at receiving an inheritance is dependent on him being married by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.
Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she’s searching for. But along the way, they’ll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm.
I listened to the first book in the Wild Magic series immediately before starting Lightning in Her Hands which is the second one. The series is about three sisters with magical gifts. Witch of Wild Things is about Sage, the oldest, who is a plant whisperer. Now we have the story of Teal, who affects the weather. The youngest is Sky, who at 16 fell off a cliff 8 years ago. Sage left home after losing Sky and just returned during her book. The three girls were abandoned by their mother shortly after Sky was born to their aunt Nadia. They had three different fathers they never knew. I would read these books in order for the world and character developments.
Teal was not very likable in Sage’s book. In fact, I disliked her. Now, she has decided to be less selfish, better to her sister. She also decides to get back her best friend, Carter. Carter was always her best friend but when he tried to get closer, she always pushed him away. She has felt broken since her mother left, like she didn’t deserve anyone.
Carter has other ideas. He decides to try to win her over when his grandma withholds the money from his grandpa until he gets married. He convinces Teal to marry him, and then show her what a good husband is like. He has a bit of a learning curve though. There’s definitely some misogyny running through the Hispanic families. Carter is a good guy though, does love Teal, and pushes back on those gut reactions.
I’m not sure how I felt about Teal but she has quite a journey of personal growth. I like the magic. The romance is obvious because Carter loves her and has always loved her. There is quite a bit of sexy in this series.
Teal has to navigate her own feelings and issues, dealing with her grandma, Carter’s grandma, her mother and her aunt. Teal has let others’ words define her but now she will define herself.
Narration:
The same narrator has performed both books in the series giving the characters their voices. I enjoy her accents which feel appropriate. She infuses the emotions into the story. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I love reading the first two books in a series back to back, especially in this genre. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thanks, Jonetta. It’s easy to follow the characters and story lines when you read them back to back.
This series sounds like fun. I like how the sisters all have different magical powers.
The sisters and the witchy magic all feel cozy in these romances.
I really enjoyed the first one and I loved the setting, too! I have this one as well and need to get to it asap! Teal sounds difficult. I hope circumstances make it easy to accept her prickly personality.
Teal was difficult in the first book so I wasn’t sure I would like her as the main character in this book. But it’s always a bit different when you get someone else’s perspective.
I find it hard to enjoy a book if I don’t care for one of the MCs. In this case, it sounds like the author does a mediocre job of redemption? But if it’s done right, it can be an emotional ride in a good way.
There was some redemption so I like her better. I probably won’t ever like her as much as Sage though.
Witch of Wild Things sounds like a good one to start with. I’m glad Sage was redeemed a bit in this one. That can be a bit of a challenge.
These are magical fun and a family story. Sage is the first book and I liked her and her affinity with plants. Teal is this second book and controls weather. Teal is the one who is somewhat redeemed here.
What a cool power! Like Storm!
yes, their powers are all cool and in the natural world. Plants, weather and animals.