Sin & Chocolate

Demigods of San Francisco #1

by K.F. Breene

Some people are ordained for greatness…

Those people usually have a lot of drama in their life. Drama I happily do without. I live in a forgotten corner of nowhere for a reason: there is safety in anonymity. I have enough problems just trying to get by.

But when Kieran, a sinfully sexy demigod at the pinnacle of power, crashes into my life, suddenly my whole world is turned upside down.

He’s harboring a deadly secret, one that could destroy all he holds dear. He thinks I’m the key to his salvation, and he wants me to help him claim vengeance.

He also wants me with a passion that burns my body from the inside out.

To ignore him is impossible, but to give in to my desires, even for a night, would thrust me into danger I might not survive.

Can I resist the temptation?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal Romance, Mythology

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2018

About the author

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K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.

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Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some fantastic characters who grow on you from the start. Lexie is trapped in a world occupied by magicals and non-magicals, but has a useless magical talent, so she lives in poverty. She has two adopted teenagers, one of whom is jaded, the other who is very sick and needs a constant supply of medicine they can’t afford.

After a slow-burn set up at the start, we start to discover more about Lexie’s powers and why they are of keen interest to Kieren, a demi-god who is the son of a not-so-cool dude and a selkie. I thought the world building in this was really cool and Lexie’s voice is quirky and fun. I particularly liked the relationship she had with both her foster kids. There aren’t any steamy scenes this time around, just a lot of flirting and build-up, but this book is a great read alone for the characters, the amazing world-building and the promise of more to come. I’ll definitely be reading on.

[Ira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me say this first, I love Ms. Breene’s other books.

But this one? Uhm..
How to explain it, if you love fantasy or epic fantasy story. You probably know they have tons of pages! Average between 600 - 1000 pages each book.
And the first 100 - 200 pages, usually very annoying because the author tried to introduce so many characters and story setting in it, you just put up with it and continue to read because you knew is going to get better later on.

This book?
That 200 first pages in what I hope is going to be an epic story!
Still no clue, which direction the story is going to.

But yeah, I will give book #2 a chance.

[Jeanny · Rating 1 out of 5]

The following is 💯 me ranting & I’ll likely stop once I get my refund.

The negative:
Egregious behavior.
I hate it when authors substitute cussing with ridiculous phrases like “biscuit trucker” 🤨 Really either you commit & curse or you don’t, cutesy phrases like that are childish & pointless.
Barely any romance.
Kids are involved (2 teenagers).
Hard pass.

The positive:
Only thing marginally appealing is the magical society/🌎.

1 Star
DNF @ 30%
In case you missed it
I H A T E T H E M A L L
I repeat
I. H A T E. T H E M. A L L.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars... the normal audio does this justice

2025 AUDIO REREAD
So, I love me a graphic audio, but man… now that I listened to the original audio, the GA didn’t do it justice like it should’ve 😭. Not only because they removed/adjusted some of the text, but Kieran’s accent is amazingly done by the female narrator, which is terrible to say. GA should’ve actually had Kieran speak with the accent he was born with 🤷‍♀️. Yes. He’s adjusted to wherever he lives, but come on 😒.

Anywayssssss… I LUUUURVE the tension between Kieran and Alexis. No full on 🔥 happens, but he sure knows how to pleasure her 😮‍💨🥵💦.

And the side characters are all amazing! I found myself laughing and smiling a lot lol

2024 REREAD
Gahhhh! It’d been too long since I read this series. The graphic audio helped bring me back to this world ❤️ and I luuuurved it 🫶.

I especially loved: potential spoilers
—all the tension between Alexis (26) and Kieran (late 20s ish) 🥵. These two can make any room feel suffocating, and in a good way 🫠

—the chasing scene 👀 which leads to…

—the kiss 🔥. Lordt. Give me more 👀

—Daisy and Mordecai ❤️. I love these two. They’ve suffered so much in life and seen way older than their teenage years, especially Daisy. That girl is a baaaaad assssss 💅

—Daisy being resourceful AND bargaining 🤣. This girl cracks me up!!

—the mace scene 🤣🤣🤣💀. Alexis. I feel your pain 💀. I swear, that would happen to me too!! 🤣

—the blanket 🫶. Gahhhhh 🥹

—bringing food/meat for Alexis and the kids 🥹🫶❤️

—poop emojis 🤣. THE MORTIFICATION 🤣🫣🫣🫣🫠

—the world building 👀. I know what happens, but it’s been so long, that it’s almost as if I’m reading it for the first time 👀

—the way Alexis disguises her powers 😈. Yes please 👏🏻

—the scene where Kieran is figuring out Alexis’s powers 🫠. Ufffff 😮‍💨 the tension 🥵

—the Six ❤️ and Frank

What I wanted more of:
—we only get a kiss 🔥 at 77% and the knowledge that Kieran is great with his hands 🥵. Damn interruptions 😒

Overall, I still loved this ❤️

PREVIOUS 2021 REVIEW
Oh what a treat! Between the banter, sarcasm, heat, love, gushy-emotional scenes and the world building, I am so on board to keep reading this series!!!

Lexie has some powers. She’s not as powerful and many others around her, but she has some. She lives her life very humbly, working odd jobs and trying to scrap and save every cent possible in order to survive not only for herself, but also her two teenage wards who are orphans like her. One of her wards, Mordie, is a shifter and is in constant pain and in bad health. The other ward, Daisy, is a normal human who has had some bad luck in her life. Alexis has the power to see and hear dead people. Not only that, but she is able to send them over the Line so that they can finally rest.

One day, while shopping for a blanket, she is crossing the street and almost gets hit by a red expensive car. Kieran is in the car who happens to be a Demi-god. As soon as he sees Lexie, he is drawn to her, to the point where he starts stalking her. The chemistry between them builds and builds and they’re both extremely attracted to each other. He knows that she has level five magic, But her file categorizes her as a level two. Because he’s a demigod, he can sense these things in people.

He needs help sending his mom to over the Line. Her soul is basically in limbo and Kieran needs Alexis to do the right thing and let her soul finally rest. After she helps him, he wants her in his bed. We don’t see any smexy times happen, but I can tell that when it does happen, it’ll be epic! The tension between these two is so damn good, so raw, visceral, blood-pumping and palpable, that it’ll be explosive once they get together.

I am very much invested! Although this is definitely slow burn, I am loving this world and want to know what happens in book 2.

⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/omd*/owd
-the h sees dead people, so we find our ways some of these people died 😬. From murder to accidents to illnesses. In one case, the h sees a man who died while he was with his pregnant mistress 😐 and the wife gets confirmation the baby was his.
-the H finds out the h gets free drinks from her ex. It kind of bothers him but doesn’t really cause drama yet
-no sex 😬
-no virgins
-cliffy

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I’m glad I pushed through the first four chapters because they really don’t match the tone of the rest of the book at all (thankfully - because I would NOT want to read a whole book about a character that obsessed over designer handbags). The book does end at a very weird stopping point, that isn’t exactly a cliffhanger. But it does make you want to read the next book, which I think I will.

[KaleidoscopicCasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES! I am so glad I finally snagged this book and will definitely be continuing with this series.

Alexis was barely out of childhood herself when she took on the role of head of the household after her mother died seven years ago. She lives in a world that recognizes both the magical and the non-magical factions, but some magics are certainly higher on the social/economic totem pole than others. Alexis is at the bottom rung of the ladder with no desire to climb up. Her only hope is to keep her two wards alive and out of the hands of the foster care system so they can have a better chance than she had.

I enjoyed all of the characters and felt like they all had interesting and distinct personalities. Even the teenage wards were written well and because of the hardships they have endured together you believe their dynamic as a family unit and they all seem older than their actual age. Even Daisy, who is 14 in the book and has typical teen attitude, was already alone on the streets at 10 years old and brings a street savvy 'survive no matter what' kind of perspective to the situations that arise in the book.

As it turns out, the magic that Alexis thinks is a dud is actually extremely powerful (I mean, that's not even a spoiler, you had to know that would happen, right?). Unfortunately, she was just never trained to use it. Luckily(?) for her, she stumbles into the path of a demi-god who can feel the strength of her power emanating from her and decides it would be a good idea to get to know her better.

Kieran, the demi-god, has his own agenda for Alexis's power so although she's a bit late to the game, she's about to find out just how strong her power can be.

I was a huge fan of K. F. Breene's Warrior Chronicles series (if you haven't read it yet, you totally should - so good.) and the main character, Shanti, even made my lady badasses shelf . Then I tried another series and... let's just say I didn't feel the same way. I was hesitant to start another series by this author but I'm really glad I gave her another shot. I'm not sure Alexis has elbowed her way onto that lady badass shelf of honor yet, but she certainly shows promise. And hell, I might even end up putting Daisy on there too for her ruthless gremlin ways.

[Parvati Patil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I'd need book 2 as soon as I finished this one. I love it.

[Katyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

***2.5***

There are parts of this book that I really liked, and parts that I really didn't.

Primarily, I don't think the "hero" is redeemable. Look, here's a guy who began by nearly mowing down a pedestrian (the heroine) with his car while she was walking down the sidewalk and crossing a driveway, and then - in his POV narrative - seriously considers hitting her anyway, to "teach her a lesson" about not getting in the way of powerful people like him.

He then stalks her, terrorizes her, and later actually tortures her in order to get her to reveal her magic for his testing. He treats her like an object and a possession, never like a human being, as he manipulates her and batters her into doing what he wants.

Meanwhile, she has the hots for him, so all this abuse rolls off her back like water off a duck.

Despite the coolness of the story and the mythology of this world, this all makes it really hard for me to like this book. I loathe him, and I have zero respect for her because she clearly has none for herself. It's pure coincidence that she hasn't had sex with him yet - they've started hooking up in inconvenient places, and are generally interrupted - despite his shitty treatment of her. And yeah, she's great and quippy and the banter is hilarious. But it's hard to get over the fact that their major power imbalance makes him think he can treat her like his toy, and she just accepts it.

The stuff with his mom softens him a little - maybe - but she treats little things from him like they are huge concessions. Him helping Mordecai doesn't change the fact that he stripped her ability to make a living and left her with no choice but to work for him. That doesn't make his aid to Mordecai humanizing. It makes it a paltry attempt to assuage his own conscience.

In summary: I don't like him at all. And the fact that she doesn't hate him for how he treats her makes me not like her much, either.

Re-read April 2021
I do like this series, but I hadn't re-read it because of everything I said above in my original review. This first book is tough. I don't like Kieran at all. I don't like his abuse and manipulation of her. I don't think what he did in the end fixed anything, for exactly the reasons I stated in my original review.

Look, folks. There's no excuse for what he did. He's a spoiled, privileged rich white boy who gets what he wants, even if it means destroying people.

The fact that she still liked him after all that made me not think very much of her.

But this is one of my favorite authors, so I soldiered on in the series and I didn't regret doing so. After this opening shit, I loved it. And the only way I can reconcile that is to largely pretend this shit didn't happen. I mean, he doesn't do anything to make it better - how could he, nothing on earth could make it better. Eventually you just learn to ignore that it ever happened, since it doesn't continue.

Re-read May 2024
I've been wanting to re-read this series for over a year, but I kept putting it off. I love the series, but man, I don't like parts of this first book so much that it was hard to jump in. But I did, and now I can get to the good stuff.

[Christy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a fun fantasy read right here.

Lexi considers herself to be a low-level magic user or at least that’s what she wants others to think. She has her reasons - two of which are named Mordecai and Daisy, her magical and non-magical (respectively) wards. She needs to protect them from not only the regular wickedness of the non-magical world (drugs, sex, foster system, the desire to swear - this is mostly for Daisy) but the magical one as well (shifter illnesses that manifest like cancer, the threat of a pack leader challenging a sick boy - definitely Mordecai’s issues). She keeps a low profile like her mom taught her, in order to protect those she loves. She’s young - just 25 - and maybe not the best role model but she’s doing the best she can. She’s loyal and inspires loyalty. She’s sassy and has a big heart. I like her a great deal. The novel mostly focuses on her understanding of her powers, her origins, her connection with a very good looking demigod named Kieran and his problem with his dead mother. Lexi’s particular brand of magic is that she is a Ghost Whisperer but Kieran senses that she has too much power to be such a low level magic user. Who is she really? How can she throw off the magic testing machines? Why did her mom want her to be so low profile?

Not a lot of action in this book since the author is focused on world building - to be expected in a fantasy novel. There’s a lot of rules she has to clearly define and show. That’s a lot of action that isn’t about plot but instead giving context for readers to understand this alternate world where magic exists and has been out in the open for 100 years. I didn’t mind it so much but it did mean that sections dragged or I kept feeling antsy for something to happen.

Dialogue is sassy and humorous. Lexie reminded me of Charley Davidson or Sookie Stackhouse. I would say that there are times the characters go on too long or the interjections are too frequent. The author could have made these a bit snappier. Other than that, the main four characters are clearly written and developed.

This is a good start to a series but I am hoping for quicker dialogue, more action/plot points and discoveries about Lexie’s personal history in the next installment.

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that so many fantasy elements came together in the start of this series - but overall it felt anticlimactic and not exactly the romance I expected.

I'm all for slow burns - but I'm not sure it should take multiple books to get there?

For Kindle Unlimited, it's pretty good! I think I just knew what to expect too much and needed something with a lil more pizazz.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world that's split between people who have magic and those that don't there is a lot of distrust between the two groups and those who fall between the cracks struggle to survive. Alexis has magic but her ability to see and talk to ghosts isn't really a money maker so she works whatever odd job she can find to make ends meet. It doesn't help that she has two teenage wards to take care of, Mordecai, who is a shapeshifter with a serious illness, and Daisy, a young non magical girl who ran away from an abusive foster home. Life is difficult for the three of them, they're constantly struggling to get enough money for food and Mordecai's medication but they have a strong bond with each other and all appreciate their little family.

Alexis is more than happy to live out of the spotlight and she does her best to avoid those with a lot of magic but her world is turned upside down when demigod Kieran crashes into it. Kieran needs Alexis' help to rescue his mother and he's not taking no for an answer, no matter how determined Alexis is to walk away from him.

Sin & Chocolate was a brilliant start to K.F. Breene's new paranormal romance series, I loved the introduction to this world and the different types of magical abilities people have. It's always interesting to see worlds where those with magic are out in the open and the way that affects their interactions with normal humans and this world felt very believable in the way the two different groups were often prejudiced against each other. There was a lot of humour in the story which made it a delight to read and I absolutely loved Alexis' little family group. Alexis, Mordecai and Daisy are all dysfunctional in their own different ways but they have chosen each other as family so no matter how much they bicker amongst themselves they will fight fiercely against the rest of the world.

Kieran was incredibly intriguing and I'm really looking forward to getting to know him and the six members of his guard better, we see some chapters from his point of view which was great to give us the chance to see what he's thinking and feeling but I was glad he's still quite mysterious so we have more secrets to discover as the series continues. Kieran was definitely an alpha male and his behaviour towards Alexis could be quite stalkerish at times but I liked the way she stood up to him and how she never let him take an inch. The banter between them was great and you can already see the chemistry there even though they haven't acted on it yet.

I'm really excited to see where this series goes next. It's going to be fun to see how Alexis copes with the changes in her life since she's started learning more about herself and her own background and I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time with her, Kieran and the others.

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and here’s why:

1) the writing is witty
2) the characters are well developed with personalities that really shine with individuality
3)the world building is good - I’m not saying great because I’ve read some fantasy that had more interesting setting in terms of fictional worlds
4)the plot is well developed and not only pushes the story forward but actually helps to highlight the characters growth
5) the romance is very well blended within the plot and it is not the plot itself

I bet I can find some other stuff to add to the list but those 5 are usually enough to make me pick up a book so I hope this review convinces someone to give it a try too.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets · Rating 4 out of 5]

What i loved!!!!!!

The world building and the different types of beings and the jurisdiction they lived under it all felt very Kate Daniels, but with a unique spin on things.....

I loved Alexis and the way she loves and protects her wards... she comes across more of a big sister but they are her weakness and she would do anything for them.

The plot line was intricate and so interesting...Book is definitely a 4.5.....

The book Unfurls as Alexis and Keiran meet, Keiran sensing she isn't what she seems, stalks and investigates further as the story unleashes all different paranormal elements and entities, Alexis trying to scavenge a place in the world for her and her "Kids" Falls down the rabbit hole with new discoveries about herself.

Why not a 5?

The big problem for me was Alexis not investigating further into her abilities and fudging her tests to get a lower score for no real apparent reason... I get her not wanting to leave Daisy but they have only been together 4 years... testing before that? as they are obviously tested in adolescence..... The whole book she moaned about being poor when she could have made a better life for herself easily.... she doesn't have a great manner with people... so she would rather be a sales assistant?.... it was all a bit baffling there for me.....

But other than that amazing

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call the press, I've discovered another one K.F. Breene's books I didn't want to chock in the trash.

I remember when this book came out, I passed on it because I had just finished reading one of her books I thought was awful, then I read another series which was a huge letdown so I decided to take a sabbatical on anything K.F. Breene.

As it happens, quarantine boredom is a different kind of boredom so when I saw this book I decided to read it. A miracle happened in the pages, I liked the MC's, shocker! The secondary characters weren't so bad either. Daisy and Mordecai were awesome as well.

I cannot wait to check out the rest of the series.

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish that I liked this more.
Undecided on reading more...

[Nate Brightman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sin & Chocolate is the 1st book in K.F. Breene’s Demigods of San Francisco series.

What I didn’t like.
In general it seemed like too much of the book was devoted to beating to death to the readers how poor and destitute Alexis and her two teenage wards Mordecai and Daisy were. In an attempt to dumb down her true magical abilities Alexis had condemned herself to a life of limited career options in the magical community. Non-magical people had little use for magical people and those few magical people who sought jobs among the humans were relegated to the most menial, poorest paying jobs.
The main character Alexis herself had characteristics that made it hard for me to really like her which is unusual for me being a guy. I normally love the heroines.
I get that she was raised by her late mother to have no problem with accepting the charity of strangers. But, when she gets to the point that she has no issue with frequenting a local bar owned by her ex (whom she holds in low regard) accepting free drinks even though she knows its only because it allows him to feel superior to her, I just really had a hard time respecting her because she doesn’t show any respect for herself. You do what you've got to do for your kids but you don't have to swallow your pride and accept free drinks from someone you don't like because you want a pint.
Far too often the two kids 15 year old Mordecai and 14 year old Daisy seem to have more common sense than Alexis. She’s supposed to be the 25 year old adult head of the household but she runs it like a democracy giving the kids an equal vote in major decisions, and it’s a good thing since more often than not the kid’s have more of a clue than she does.
Kiernan the Demi-god and so called hero of the story. He’s basically a good guy and more of his good side is revealed towards the end of the book. But for much of the book he comes across as an overbearing manipulative a-hole.
What I liked.
I loved Alexis all consuming love and concern for her two wards.
I loved her fire and courage in the face of danger.
I loved foul mouthed 14 year old Daisy who while often exhibiting the impulsiveness and immaturity of a young teenager also showed great intelligence and street smarts. I loved when her tough outer shell cracked showing her true vulnerability.
I love Mordecai who was often the soft spoken voice of reason among the trio. I loved his stoicism in the face of his suffering.
I loved The Six, the group of acolytes who served Kiernan.

I tried to list what I liked about the book last to leave the reader with a more positive impression but ultimately the slow progress of the book where nothing really seemed to happen to move the actual story along until the end to set up the next book Sin and Magic and Alexis’s woeful lack of parenting skills despite her good heart still forces me to give this book a relative low 2 star grade.

[vee]

not solid & felt like just an opening to the world (seeing as theres 5 more books to go, okay), but pretty good. the characters were great, i loved the siblings especially, and though the chem between Kie & Alexis needed work for me (to abrupt imo), the potential's there :

“Listen, you saw Mordecai the other night, right? That sick kid for whom you bought the blanket?”
“I still haven’t gotten that blanket back. Does that mean you’re intent on keeping it?”
“Really? Now you’re worried about getting the blanket back?” I couldn’t help but smile. “Cold at night, huh?”
Fire lit his eyes. “Yes. I’ve denied anyone else the pleasure of my bed. I’m waiting for you.”
I nodded in a businesslike fashion. “I’ll make sure to get you that blanket as soon as possible. You’ll need it while waiting for hell to freeze over.”
A smile played on his lips.

problem is, theres still tons of shit i dont get & unclear to me (world building, y how the system works) so i dont really have enough motivation to continue on

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Review:

I will admit to being sad this one is over. It hooked me pretty early on and has me wanting more. 

The main characters are easy to like. Well, at first I wasn't sure about Lexie because of how we are introduced to her, but quickly my opinion changed. She and her wards are my favorite in this series. They are a tight-knit family and when together are hilarious. I did wish we got more from Kiernan's group, since they faded more into the background. 

The plot was interesting to me. Each book has its own problem, with the series having an overarching big bad. I think it worked out really well, keeping things from getting stale and making sure the books kept moving. The action levels are different in every book and aren't always resolved the same way. I really liked learning more and more about Lexie's power, although I still don't totally understand her entire scope or why she isn't... something else. 
I will say that the beginning had me confused. I would have appreciated more information on the world, why things are zoned-- how places were zoned, and how demi-gods came to basically rule their territories. There is a lot of background information missing which would have helped me enjoy being in this world much more. 
Another thing that I felt could have used more work was the romance. It felt so fast to me. I could have used more build up or at least more gradual. Their meet cute felt more awkward than not too. I did like how Kiernan was called on his not great behavior, so the relationship doesn't feel unequal or unhealthy. I do like the couple together, no qualms there, but... it felt like something was off. Honestly, if it wasn't for how the romance was done I'd call this series a Urban Fantasy, but how the romance is handled really turns this more into a PNR. 

This series had me laughing often and the action is fantastic. I like so much of this series and can only hope that we will be getting more-- a spin-off, or something. The end of book 3 does hint at more to come. 

[Motaung · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Reread 06/06/20 - Upping my rating from 4 t0 5 stars. I absolutely appreciated it more this time ***

Sin and Chocolate – Is this an apt combination, well maybe. Is it an enticing description, abso-fucking-lutely. This book is smart, its funny and its indisputably delicious.

Alexis is a peculiar magic person who claims to hate drama but seems to attract it in spades. She has got a big heart and all she is trying to do is continue her daily struggle to house, support and feed her two wards, who, most of the time act like the grown-ups in the relationship. Especially Daisy, fourteen going on fifty going on nine. That is, when she is not being a snotty teenager, but damn do I love her character. Then there’s her sickly foster brother, Mordercai, who, when he is not spewing random facts, would rather suffer than see Alexis in a compromising position.

Then walks in Kieran, the sinfully “decadent, rich, complex chocolate made with the finest ingredients”. And like most things forbidden and scandalously delicious, he turns Alexis’ world upside down.

She was anonymously living her life in her nondescript place between magic and non-magic. She wasn’t looking for an adventure and was definitely not interested in a self-discovery journey. Kieran forced it on her because he desperately needed her help. But with self-discovery came dangers that her mother had tried to stir her away from.

Kieran needed her help and was not prepared to take no for an answer.

"He was a little boy in grief. A man traumatized by loss. A son pinned between the actions of a father and the suffering of a mother."

Alexis could not help herself because, as her wards, so eloquently put it-

“He’s got mommy issues, not to mention big daddy issues, and you have a thing for helping out people with issues...”

And

“When you stumble on something that doesn’t make sense to you, you pick at the thread until the entire sweater unravels.”

But while he was trying to tempt her with the thing that she needed most, the inevitable happened,

“In trying to learn about her magic, he’d learned about her as a person. About her life. He liked what he’d discovered.”

And so their journey began!

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety, Rants & Lazy Reviews⚠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟Brief Summary:
This is a review for the entire 6 book series!!!

♥️This series is so underrated! I loved it like the entire series. It’s my new favorite and definitely a reread many times over in the future. It’s has everything and is so well balanced. This series has my heart and I will stand by the fact that for romance lovers, fantasy readers and safety readers as well it’s a must read.

✔️On point romance!!!!! No OPD no messing around with to much push pull, obstacles? Yes but these two are it for each other and we get to see them fall in love, grow and work together to defeat their enemies.

✔️Amazing cast of characters! I loved them all! EVERY SINGLE ONE! And that’s rare for me.

✔️Natural witty banter that isn’t trying to hard.


✔️Found family with cozy feel good family vibes.

✔️Urban fantasy world with magic and action.

✔️Characters who grow and change as the series progresses. I love taking the journey with them.

✔️A series that gets better with each book. I would say book 1 was my least fav and it just gets better from there. Also the first few chapters were a little weird to. I promise if you get past they it just gets better and the series as a whole is amazing!

Book 1 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
My least favorite cause it’s got the least romance but it’s needed to build the world and characters and is still highly entertaining and I love it. The romance is really lust based on this one but by the end there are definitely feelings starting to grow!

Book 2- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazing! The romance has taken off! And the story and characters continue to grow closer as well as her magic! Sexy times happen to🥳

Book 3- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love! Our couple is SOLID! the sexy times are hot 🔥 and the face off with Valens is underway!

Book 4- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Now that they have defeated Valen new enemies emerge. Alexis is super rare and powerful and lots of demigods either want to control her or kill her. Keiren is trying to protect her at all costs.
😤 mild very mild OWD- Keiren has to flirt w OW to get info. He uses a trickle of his Selkie magic to get rid of her. He definitely handled this situation wrong. But he doesn’t want OW or do anything other then feed into the OW desires. She touches his arm and kisses his cheek. I didn’t like this scene at all or think he needed to go to these extremes but it was a learning lesson and he doesn’t do it ever again. Also it was a fast quick scenes and he was not enjoying it. She was a pest to him.
😭There is a few very emotional scenes in this one guys be ready!!!!

Book 5- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This series gets better and better!
New characters join our crew. Keiren and Alexis are stronger then ever and damn do they love each other. He loves her soooo much ♥️♥️♥️. We find out more about who they can trust and who they can’t…. But can they really?

Book 6- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
😭😭😭😭Why does this have to be over? I’m so sad… 😭
I love this series so much.
Ok so we definitely get a HEA but I wanted a epilogue that was just about Kieren and Alexis. I wanted their wedding and maybe a bit of life after the events wrapped up. I definitely think this book has less romances cause they are solid and working through some politics. I would have like more of them together. I did enjoy the fight scenes and seeing all the demigods and I like the twist at the end a lot.

🔪 Daisy -15 her ward and family

🐺 Mordecai- 15 her ward and family

☠️ Bria- a spitfire and amazing friend to Alexis

🔪Red-

🪨Jerry

⚡️Dylan

☠️💕Harding

⭐️Team 6-
Jack
Donovan
Henry
Bowman
Thane
Zorn

🥀 Hero:
Keiren- late 20 demigod
Powers from Poseidon and Selkie sex magic

♥️This guy is the definition of swoon! He’s strong and powerful but only vulnerable for and with the h! Ugh he’s so loyal and devoted and in love♥️ he solid and constant once the romance gets going he never runs from his feelings for her.

Keiren is a HOT 🔥MFer I love him.
-So he’s slow to the take at first I would say after book 1 is when he really shines in the romance swoon department.

-He extremely loyal to those he cares about and that’s a small number of people.
He’s powerful and looking to avenge his mother’s death and mistreatment. He wants to take his dad down!

-He’s NOT a Manwhore 🥳… experienced yes and maybe was a playboy in his youth but we don’t hear about or see him w anyone. We don’t know his sexual history.
-He’s NEVER slept In a bed with woman. He hit it and left. 💯
-He’s NEVER loved a woman or been in a relationship 💕
-He’s NEVER used his Selkie magic on a lover- 1 time when he was young he tried it and HATED how it controlled the OW so he never did it again till the h cause she can handle his magic ‼️

🦋 Heroine:
Alexis- mid 25 Ghost whisperer and other

-She is a strong woman who takes care of her two teenage wards. One non magical and a shifter who is deathly sick. She works hard to maintain their life and stay under the radar. 💕
-She has been taught to stay off the magical worlds radar she isn’t exactly sure why but she trusts her mom. ✔️
-She definitely has good principles and priorities. She is likeable and as she learns more about her magic and life she is good with rolling with the punches and doing what she has to for her wards. 🥰

-‼️She has an Ex who’s bar she goes to for free drinks. That guy is nothing he barely makes an appearance and there was no live there.

-💕She’s experienced sexually. No real history but she def had Multiple partners and says it has been a few months since she was last with anyone.

-As the series progresses she grows a lot and gets a lot more powerful.

💭 POV:
For the h first person
For everyone else third person
Mostly Alexis and Keiren POV

😡/😍 Angst level:
The whole range at different times but overall not overly angsty

❤️‍🔥 Sex & Burn Rate:
Book 1 - First kiss 77% with some mild fingering- no sex
Book 2- 40 something percent first sex scene.
Rest of the series has an average of 2 sex scenes per book.

🔥Loads of hot tension and chemistry throughout the series and a great build ups

🔥🔥🔥🔥 great sex scenes with lots of magic and intimacy!

🌓 Push/Pull:
Only mild and only in the first 2 books
She is unsure of him and dating a demigod
He wants to protect her

☠️ OW/OM Drama:
Mild OWD in book 4-
Very very mild OWD- Keiren has to flirt w OW to get info. He uses a trickle of his Selkie magic to get rid of her. He definitely handled this situation wrong. But he doesn’t want OW or do anything other then feed into the OW desires. She touches his arm and kisses his cheek. I didn’t like this scene at all or think he needed to go to these extremes but it was a learning lesson and he doesn’t do it ever again. Also it was a fast quick scenes and he was not enjoying it. She was a pest to him.


-Throughout the series both have OP who want them and flirt with them but neither are interested or receptive.
Both are very faithful to each other.


🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
None

🤬 Cheating:
None

👰🏼‍♀️ Virgins:
-Neither are V
-Both definitely experienced
h- She says it’s been a few months
H- No info on H last time- experienced but def not a Manwhore.
-Her ex gives her free drinks at his bar out of pity. There is nothing between them.
-Neither with ANYONE after meeting not even a desire for anyone else or interest


⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
None

🎧AUDIO
The ORIGINAL audio is amazing the narrator does such a wonderful job with the characters and emotions!

‼️‼️‼️The graphic audio is HORRENDOUS! I DNF!
IT COMPLETELY CHANGED THE CHARACTERS AND THE VIBES OF THE BOOK. It was cartoonish and made into a comedy. They changed so much that I had to DNF. Keiren and Alexis were completely different characters. ALOT was edited out when it came to their romance to.
HORRIBLE. It’s a completely different book if you do the GA! Be warned‼️‼️‼️‼️

Safety/Triggers🗡️:
No OPD
No sex with anyone after they meet
Death of a parent


🌈Epilogue:
No we get a epilogue for Daisy that will
Lead into he book I really wanted to see the wedding and get an epilogue for Kieren and Alexis even if only a few months after

🥂HEA:
Yes!!! ♥️ I did like the HEA they got

❌My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.❌
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a delicious start to a series!

Book one in the Demigods of San Francisco, we are introduced to Alexis, a magical person in a world that recognizes both magical and non-magical folks, and has created a hierarchy for both worlds.

Alexis, sadly, has hit the bottom rung. She spends her days trying to make ends meet by using her powers in entertaining ways and her nights caring for two young wards, one sickly from his magical condition.

When a sexy stranger almost mauls her down in his car, she wants to blow him off. Little does she know this encounter will change the trajectory of her life.

I love the introduction to the magical/nonmagical version of San Fran and how Alexis' "dud" magic is introduced. While it moves slower than some books, it's good to remember this is a series and I like that we are slowly unraveling the storyline.

Many thanks to @tara_reads_romantasy on bookstagram for not only introducing me to the series, but bookmailing the second one, so that I could immediately start it when this one left me wanting more!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't seem to get enough air. Swimming in that sexy magic was slowly turning to drowning, but I didn't want a life raft. Something about him called to me. Something smooth and silky. Decadent. Like a rich, complex chocolate made with the finest ingredients. I wanted to taste. To experience.
To let him take me home, strip off my clothes, and show me how powerful her really was.

This really was pretty good. And I actually liked every, single character. But it was long, and not a whole lot really happened. So at some points, it felt really drawn out. It's interesting enough that even the less eventful times don't really drag, but by the time I was finished, a lot of it just felt unnecessary. I mean, Alexis didn't even learn Kieran's name until the 60% mark. He was just that guy who was stalking her until then. That's really my only complaint though. That and towards the beginning of the book I thought that I was missing something. Like I should already know some of the information being spelled out. I'm not sure if that's because this series is set in the same world as another series, or if it was just how it read.

"You're more powerful when you control your fate. One day you'll be my equal in all but power, and I have every reason to suspect you'll find a way around that. Or else your wards will."

I ended up really liking Alexis, and I wasn't sure I would. But the more the story went on, the more I liked her. She had a good sense of humor. And I liked that she took what cards she was dealt and owned that shit. She took what she needed and did what was best for her "kids" any way she could. I liked that she didn't say no to shit out of pride, and I liked that she put it out there to see and didn't try to hide from her reality.
Mordecai and Daisy are a great addition, they had some pretty good lines. I look forward to seeing what they get up to down the line.

His smell permeated my senses. Clean cotton, masculine spice, and crisp ocean. I closed my eyes and breathed it in while swimming in the sweatshirt's warmth.
Which was why I was late to the party when he unbuttoned my jeans and slid them down my wet thighs.
"Are those…poop emojis on your underwear? Is that a warning?" he asked.
"Oh my…" I bent in mortification and pulled down the sweatshirt, covering what I could. "They were free, okay? I wouldn't have worn them if I'd thought they'd be seen."
He chuckled darkly. "And to think, if I hadn't chased you into the water, I never would've seen what you wear on a day-to-day basis."

I liked Kieran more as this went along, too. He's still mostly a mystery and I'm curious to see what he's really all about. Since him and Alexis are hardly even working together by the time the book ended, they certainly aren't a couple. But they have some serious potential together. And I'm definitely going to be reading the next one, just probably not right away.

A twinge of guilt pinched my gut. "I should probably apologize for how I handled that other thing," I mumbled, watching his muscular backside as he moved away. "Then again…" I tore my gaze away and turned my phone over in my hands. "He's the reason my phone is possibly dead, and that I might've missed a call from the medical office, and that my life has been turned upside down." I lowered my eyebrows. "He deserved that harsh no. And maybe a kick to go along with it. Hopefully he takes the hint-"
"I have superhuman hearing, Alexis," he called from the beginning of the obstacle course, interrupting my private conversation with myself. Rude. "You're mine, and you just proved you feel it. I protect what's mine."

~

"I'm not cornering you. I'm safeguarding you."
"Yeah, until you browbeat me into submitting to you."
Passion sparked in his eyes. A smile curled his lips. "I very much want you to submit to me, but I don't need to browbeat you to do it. I must merely wait until you're ready. You want me, Alexis. I can see it, even now. Even in your anger. You crave me, as I do you. One day you'll give in. I was raised among the Irish. I know what it is to be stubborn. To dig in one's heels and never say die. You don't have it in you. Not in this. You'll come around, and when you do, I'll show you delights you've only dreamed of."
Tight bands of desire squeezed my chest. My legs trembled. I didn't dare speak because I wasn't sure what I'd say.

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a welcomed surprise because its is t feel like the same old same old. Sure it had shifters, but the characters felt new, the plot was different and that was enough to keep me engaged.

Alexis was a young woman caring for two foster kids, Daisy and Mordecai, when she almost got run over by Kieran, a demigod. Lexie was busy trying to find a blanket as well as earn a living to take care of her wards. Mordecai was sick and Daisy was just a smart mouth teenager.
In this book, there was tiers of power depending upon your magical gift. Alexis was thought to be the lowest level of magic and Kieran was the highest. But Kieran senses that Alexis was hissing something and thus he felt compelled to find out what.

I enjoyed the interactions between Lexie and Daisy and Mordecai. They were more siblings than parent/kid. There was love and fierce loyalty. Kieran wasn’t a bad guy but his goals to help hi mom and himself were his main objective, so protecting Lexie and the kids wasn’t his first priority. For that, I couldn’t trust him completely. I hope in book 2 we see him in a better light.

[Treena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book 1! So so good!

I love that she's snarky, selfless, and steadfast.

I love that he's all alpha male protective over her.

And —- Gah, the heat these two throw off is scorching! They’re not even together yet. 🔥🔥🔥

Throw in her two young wards, Mordecai and Daisy, who have awesome personalities? I’m totally feeling this book, these characters.

Can't wait to read the next book!

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead, 3.5*


Pretty good book, it kept me entertained
I liked the h though she got on my nerves sometimes I love her relationship with her wards
I liked the kids
Interesting plot that continues to book 2
Not much romantic development but the chemistry is there
I'm not sure how I feel about the H yet time will tell


On to the next

[Mikky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at:


I've tried and failed to read through quite a few books by this author. The stories and concepts she writes about are amazing but the writing style isn't for me. Her stories tend to be more on the description side with a slow and steady pace to everything. With determination, I overcame that for this story.

The overall story is very interesting! The world the author created feels big and ominous. The stakes feel real enough to drive the characters along without it feeling forced.

I like Alexis' sense of humor. She has the uncanny ability to drive people in circles all the while convincing them they're going in a straight line. Though the swear words disguised as silly phrases didn't really mesh with what was presented. It gets even stranger because her wards swear more than her.

I love to hate Kieran. He's just the right amount of caring and vulnerable to offset how creepy, stalkerish and domineering he can be. There were moments I wanted him to burn in a lake of fire but then he'd say something sweet or *gasp* apologize for something that he did. I just don't know what to think of him at this point in time.

I usually stay away from novels that have kids in them. I consider Malachi and Daisy children regardless of how old they are because they are in the care of Alexis. What ended up surprising me was how much I liked Malachi. I still want to know what ends up happening to him and his situation. Daisy's antics were also fun to listen to. If this series doesn't end up presenting a happily ever after for them I would love to get a spin-off series.

Overall this novel was only the tip of a very slow melting iceberg. There were a few really good moments and a lot of filler (for my taste). I'd like to know what happens next with Alexis and her team of misfits.

The Audio Book:

The narration was good. The voices were different enough for me to follow the dialogue throughout the story and not get lost on who was saying what. I will say that the narration is more on the slow side and even speed up to 1.25x it sounded completely normal.

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

Well, this book was a surprise. I’ve seen this author on the Amazon list for some time, but I couldn’t get into her previous series. So I thought to try this one.

First off, this is a slow-burn book, so far no sex so if you are looking for a steamy read, this book isn’t for you. Also, there’s a lot of build-up and world building, so there’s no insta-lust or anything like that.

Usually that would be a no-go for me, but it really worked. Also the book can be a bit descriptive at times, but to my surprise it worked for me. I think the world-building was the main thing in the book for me.

I liked the world the author created and it really flowed. I didn’t feel like things were too out there and I got sucked into the world.

Alexis is a single mom, sort of. She has taken care of two kids, one is 15 and I think the author is 14? One is a boy who is a shifter with a harsh condition and he needs medicine to live. The girl is human, she’s scrappy but her personality is out there. I really like the kids and I like that their presence is a HUGE deal in the book. It really made the book for me.

Then there is Kieran the demi-god, he’s kind of the highest in the magical world he can be. Even though he is the Hero, I wouldn’t say he is star of the book. I know, I have a feeling his presence will be bigger in the second book, but his problem is that his mom is trapped in land of the living he needs help to get his mom to pass to the other side.

Alexis is that person.

What worked for me was just how the book was written. I liked the world building, I liked the relationships and I overall liked the characters. The angst was low, but there was plenty of stuff going on to keep me happy.

I will stick to the series.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 to 3.5 stars. I didn't like the first few pages of this book, and nearly gave up on it right then. The h seemed a bit of a pain, and the writing style wasn't appealing to me. But I decided it was unfair to give a new (to me) author so few pages, so I read on. And then the storyline kinda sucked me in.

It's a familiar trope, with overtones of Cinderella. The poor, orphaned, hard-done-by h who secretly has a whole lot of goodness that neither she nor anyone else really knows about. The prince (or demigod, if you will) who falls for her. I guess I'm a sucker for the I'm-secretly-a-powerful-magician-but-who-knew? thing. (Harry Potter anyone?)

I did quite like the plot. I found the writing style not really to my taste, but it's a fast-moving story and the plot just carries you along. Before I knew it, I was done.

But, hold the fort! The ending is not very satisfactory. Be warned, it's only a HFN or kinda semi-cliffhanger. H and h haven't even done the deed - only kissed. Luckily for me the sequels are available and it's on Kindle Unlimited. But I would have been cheesed if I'd paid full price for it :( There's a major story arc just developing, and by the end of this book it's gone practically nowhere.

Also, there's not a lot of romance in this book. (See spoiler above). There H and h are obviously attracted/meant for each other, but the book isn't really about that, which is why I've put it on my urban fantasy shelf as well as my pnr shelf. But it's a good little paranormal-adventure story, and I started to like the MCs. The h kinda reminds me of Lexi from Dannika Dark's Seven series, a feisty h I liked. There are some good secondary characters too.

So, not a bad little read.

[Danielle (Danniegurl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. It basically dumps you in and expects you to catch up. I didn’t get the world laid out before we started on our journey but it was an awesome journey. I’m just disappointed in where the book was ended. I didn’t feel like it should have ended there. I turned the page expecting more.

Alexis is someone who is living between the magical and non magical sides of town. She has 2 children she’s taken in too. One of her children, a boy, is a shifter who is ill due to his magic warring with his body. And her other ward is a 14 year old girl who she found on the streets.

Alexis is a great person always trying to help but her life is just scraping by. She needs more to help her kids and she’ll do anything to help them.

Kieran is a Demigod and he’s trying to do something to help his mother but he isn’t quite sure how to help her. He almost runs over Alexis one night which leads to him taking an interest in her.

I like how this story played out. I enjoy the entire book. This is slow but fast paced. It’s awesome.

Sort of reminded me in similar ways of October Daye and books similar to hers.

[Lolo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this book a chance, I really did. I read the whole story and for the first time in my life read a book I didn't believe in to the end. Just waited and waited for it to BEGIN! Did it? Nope, hell no. The story is all just talk and talk and talk and more fucking useless talk! Can somebody tell this writer to write a book and not just bullshit? I think I would've given the book five stars had it been re-written say like 100 times first and then published again. But fuck my life, I will never give any book a chance like this and just because this book pissed me off so much I'm going to go back to my style. A book not good after 100 pages? Drop the fucking shit and move on. It will not be good, like EVER!!!!!