5 out of 5 stars
E-book. 165 pages. Published February 16th 2021 by Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:
Sometimes love is flashier than magic.
On the surface, Alex Kennedy is unremarkable: average looks, boring accounting job, predictable crush on his handsome playboy boss, Simon Reddick.
But he’s also a witch.
Business powerhouse Simon goes for flash and glamour… most of the time. But something about Alex makes Simon wonder what’s underneath that sweet, gentle exterior.
Alex could probably dance around their attraction forever… if not for the spell gone wrong tearing apart his haunted cul-de-sac. When a portal through time and space swallows the dog he’s petsitting, only for the pampered pooch to appear in the next instant on Simon’s doorstep, Alex and Simon must confront not only the rogue magic trying to take over Alex’s coven, but the long-buried passion they’ve been harboring for each other.
Likes:
- Alec and Simon, together and separately.
- Cute and fluffy story.
- Hooked me fast.
- I got into this book easier than I did the first.
- How Simon accepts Alec’s witchy side.
- Adorkableness made me smile.
- Good smut.
- Subplot with Simon’s friend’s divorce.
- How everyone in the office loved Alec.
- Alec bikes to work.
Dislikes:
- Not the most exciting book out there.
- Ended on a cliffhanger.
I’m a little surprised to be giving this book a 5 star rating when the first book was a ‘just okay’ 3.5 stars. But at the same time, it’s because I wasn’t super impressed by Shortbread and Shadows that I came to this book with somewhat subdued expectations. Which meant that I was pleasantly surprised when this book hooked me fast and was filled with angst-free fluff and awkwardly adorkable characters.
Another reviewer called this book “harmless fantasy romance fluff” like that’s a bad thing, and I disagree. This book might not be the most exciting thing I’ve ever read, but I wasn’t expecting explosions and gun fights. I was in the mood for a book that was a fun, easy read, and Puppy Dogs and Portals hit the spot.
Alec is the least magical member of the coven, and he knows it. He doesn’t have the best self-esteem, but he’s a good friend, a hard worker, and was easy to like. His crush on his boss Simon made sense. Simon is a handsome, successful, take-charge kind of guy. He definitely puts his foot in his mouth a few times, especially when it comes to learning about magic. But he admitted when he was wrong and apologized when his careless comments ended up being hurtful. Best of all, he was able to offer the coven some really useful advice.
Compared to Shortbread and Shadows, I felt like the plot of this book was much more cohesive. The romantic and non-romantic plots are woven together well. The romance is pushed forward when a rogue portal takes Glinda, the dog Alec’s been pet sitting for his two missing friends, and she ends up on Simon’s doorstep. This causes Simon to come to the cul-de-sac and learn that magic is real when he sees all the weird things happening.
I liked the progression of Alec and Simon’s relationship. They’re both a little awkward at times, but it was in an endearing way. Simon was respectful that Alec didn’t have much experience with romance and sex. The smut was good and deepened the relationship. I liked that Simon was open with his colleagues about his relationship with Alec. Simon’s friendship with his co-owners, and his desire to help his friend with his divorce, was a nice side plot. It was easy to see that everyone at the office liked Alec. And Alec got bonus points for cycling to work.
The cliffhanger at the end made me really glad that the next book, Pentacles and Pelting Plants, is already out. I’m excited for Jordan’s story, and glad that I stuck with this series despite my less than stellar thoughts on the first book.
Be sure to check out my reviews for the rest of the series – Shortbread and Shadows (Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #1), and Pentacles and Pelting Plants (Hedge Witches Lonely Hearts Club #3)
Love is Love Reviews 