Book 1-
I’ve been waiting for Erins next series with serious anticipation since finishing Spells & Caramels. If you haven’t read Saved by the Spell yet, I suggest picking it up as it will give you some fun backstory for Officer Flint and Daisy.

I am in love with the characters in this series! It seems to be a the writing style of Erin to make all characters feel like main characters and I absolutely adore it! Give the story so much depth! I can’t wait to get more information on all of the key players.

If you’ve read her previous series, then you know that shifters aren’t well loved by the magical community and I am so thrilled that Erin choice this as the focal point for her next dive into the vast magical world she built for us.

If you love cozy mysteries, you will love all of Erins books, she takes the genre to a next level that I am so impressed with.

Book 2-
Jolene is quickly becoming of my favorite people! I love her tenacity. Friday Night Bites gives us more information on her backstory, and gives us a stronger personal connection to her. While she still longs for what she has lost, this book really shows that she is no longer going to drown herself in self pity over it. She can't have the best of both worlds, but she can enjoy the ride while it lasts.

I love the chemistry between Jolene and Peter. No insta-love just normal progression of sparks that maybe could form into something later in the series. (Must smoother than Seashells, Spells & Caramels, still salty about Imogens love interest. :P)

It is great to read about the slums after reading the last series about the elite, gives a better picture of the island, and reminds me that all communities have their problems, magic or no. I am really glad this series is following shifters because I was so curious about the harassment and hardships they faced just to live normal lives. Great social commentary.

Also, I know Erin is a dog lover and it really shows in her writing of Daisy. I love that she has a full personality, and is a solid character. It's one of the best features of Erins books. All reoccurring characters feel flushed out enough to be main characters with their own full past and future.

Book 3 -
Jolene is a ball of sass, and I love her. This next installment left me with a bit of mixed feelings. Some parts of the story were a bit too out of the believably realm, or too rushed.

While the main plot mystery was fantastic, and a good 'bad people will be exposed' story, Jolenes personal coming to terms moments were lackluster. I was surprised at her 'cursed story' and had a hard time believing it. In the sense that if shifters are feared/hated, how did a room full of people not blab to the island, and how was she able to just walk back in there without the cops being called? idk, this ponder pulled me way out of the story. (i am an overthinker though!) The follow ups with Zale and the other lady were also a let down emotionally. This incident was a corner stone to who Jolene is now, and it just didn't hold as important on the page I guess. All of the revelations were perfect story wise, just the reveal and reaction fell flat for me.

I love the progression Jolene & Peter are making with their friendship and trust issues. They make a great team, (daisy too!) I'm excited to see what Peter does in the next books, and how the underground will pull at Jolene.

I love this world Erin has built, and am so glad to be exploring the poor side of it, compared to the previous series. I would love to see more on the politics on how the shifters are hated on, and where they are taken when caught or whatever. I am secretly pulling for Jolene to make strides in Shifter Rights.

Book 4 -
This one is a tear jerker. Jolene faces hard truths, and has to come to terms with her lot in life. It was a great character growth moment for her. The BFF dynamic between her and the clinic is great.

I love that we finally get to see some shifter prejudice in action instead of just hearing that it happens. Up until now it has really felt like the shifters were being a bit over dramatic about it. (since no other character has ever really done anything negative to a shifter) Just sad that it had to be who it was.

With each book the stakes are getting higher for Jolene, but she is growing more into herself. My fingers are crossed that all of her troubles will fall into place! She deserves happiness! ( )