I'd like to give this more stars. And really, 3 is not enough. But it isn't 4 either, and if I round it off to 4, I feel I'm doing a disservice to the other books that were better.
I did like this. It's Cainsville after all. And it did have a story with decent depth. But. I don't know, it felt a bit tagged on. Despite its length and despite the whole Todd-out-of-prison, so-a-continuation-of-Liv&co's-lives business, it felt thin. Like some of the short stories.
I guess I'm puzzled that it felt thin when it had this whole accusation plot. But I think the problem is that that felt tagged on, to thicken it out a bit. The main story is Liv fretting about her dad, which really is thin. Plus a side story about a new fae type. ( )

To be reviewed over at Fresh Fiction! ( )

To be reviewed over at Fresh Fiction! ( )

To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!

95 points, 5 stars!

Short Review: Another Cainsville novella, another happy me. I love this series so much, and I love all the novellas just as much. My only wish is if I could have more Gabriel and Olivia time, but that was nearly the entire novella so I'm just greedy.

Longer Review:

I had a smile on my face the entire time I read this. I love Cainsville. I loved it from the moment I started reading the first book, years ago. I love the characters and I love the world and I love the story. The smile was because, once again, I was able to reconnect with those friends I love, even after the series was over. I was so happy.

The Cainsville novellas are like epilogues for the story that didn't need to happen, but you love that it did. Cruel Fate is the fourth Cainsville novella I've read, and Kelley Armstrong has never let me down. It is also the sequel to the events of the previous novella, Rough Justice, so if you haven't read that first, you should. I loved it the story.

Olivia has managed to find enough evidence for Gabriel to get her dad out of prison. She is hovering, and she knows it, but she is so happy to finally get him out. She wants everything to go perfect. But as you know, it can't go perfect. Gabriel is there to help her, even when things go wrong. Because of course things will go wrong. They always do.

Honestly, as much as I love that Olivia managed to do what seemed impossible, I felt it got in the way. Mostly what I wanted was more Olivia and Gabriel together. I love them so much. So, so much. Even though most of the novella was about Olivia and Gabriel working and living together, I wanted more. I'm just greedy that way. It is just so cute. I just want more of their life! The investigation just made me want more of the couple than more of the story.

I have seen others say that this is the last novella. If true it makes me sad because I want to see so much more of Olivia and Gabriel's lives together. But, the story is already over, this is just extras. Extras I very, very much enjoy.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, Subterranean Press, and Netgalley for providing this copy for review! ( )

This Cainsville adventure tells about Olivia's father Todd's release from prison. Gabriel has managed to get his conviction overturned and Todd has been acquitted. However, that doesn't mean that all is smooth sailing. Someone is still trying to frame Todd for the one murder he did commit.

This is a story about adjustments as Olivia gets to know the father she hasn't spent time with since she was a toddler. It is also about Gabriel making more adjustments to having a relationship with Olivia. I liked that the story was told from all three viewpoints - Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky. ( )