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Magic in Manhattan #1
Spellbound
Listening Length: 9 hours and 24 minutes.
To save Manhattan, they'll have to save each other first...
1925 New York
Arthur Kenzie's life's work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometric...and the only one available has sworn off his abilities altogether.
Rory Brodigan's gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, he's become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find counterfeit antiques. But with the city's fate hanging in the balance, he can't force himself to say no.
Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory's ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that proves impossible to break - even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory safe and Rory must risk everything to save him.
To save Manhattan, they'll have to save each other first...
1925 New York
Arthur Kenzie's life's work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometric...and the only one available has sworn off his abilities altogether.
Rory Brodigan's gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, he's become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find counterfeit antiques. But with the city's fate hanging in the balance, he can't force himself to say no.
Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory's ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that proves impossible to break - even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory safe and Rory must risk everything to save him.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 29, 2019
277 people are currently reading
7231 people want to read
About the author
Allie Therin
12 books866 followersAllie Therin is a bicultural author of award-winning romance and urban fantasy. She also is, or has been, a bookseller, an attorney, a Parks & Rec assistant, a boom operator, and a barista for one (embarrassing) day.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
A longtime fan of romance, mystery and speculative fiction, she now strives to bring that same delight to her readers. Allie grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.
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September 13, 2020A very enjoyable debut with magic in the time of Prohibition and a fun saving-the-world plot. Particularly well drawn and diverse supporting cast that gives a great sense of a larger society and the magical world.
The romance is very sweet, with lots of pining and the only real conflict being the power imbalance (Arthur is older, larger, socially superior, rich, and sexually experienced; Rory is short, scrappy and insecure but has magic). Arthur bends over backwards throughout to avoid exploiting that imbalance, though, so if you're after a low conflict romance, this is for you. Cracking villains, with perfectly justified (in their heads) motivation and excellent powers.
Bouncy storytelling and assured writing make this a very engaging read. I could wish the publisher served the author better in the editing but I pretty much always say that. Mumble.
The romance is very sweet, with lots of pining and the only real conflict being the power imbalance (Arthur is older, larger, socially superior, rich, and sexually experienced; Rory is short, scrappy and insecure but has magic). Arthur bends over backwards throughout to avoid exploiting that imbalance, though, so if you're after a low conflict romance, this is for you. Cracking villains, with perfectly justified (in their heads) motivation and excellent powers.
Bouncy storytelling and assured writing make this a very engaging read. I could wish the publisher served the author better in the editing but I pretty much always say that. Mumble.
October 6, 2022
I was hooked after reading the sample, eagerly pressing 'buy' and turning the page. But for me this book proved a huge disappointment. I entered expecting a colourful 1920's world, magical highjinx with romance along the way. The reality is teenage angst and overabundance of manners with very little to determine period or any plot.
The only nod to the era is a visit to a speakeasy, the wearing of cloche hats and occasionally calling women 'doll' this is so random as to be distracting; the first time it happens I was imaging a bespelled doll and had to pause to remember the supposed time period. There's also I believe a number of people of colour, but status is expressed very coyly to the point that when it's stated 'you have no rights in America' I'm still confused as to whether that was down to skin tone, gender or posessing magic ability.
Characters. Oh my. Arthur is limitlessly rich and all knowing, without us ever getting a good explanation for that knowledge. He's on a mission to save the world or possibly just Manhatten, how/why this came about I don't really know. He doesn't seem very focused on it though because he's more concerned over not causing offense than to actually gathering information. For a big bruiser of an ex-soldier -much is made of his muscles- all we get from him is the 'could he possibly like me'
Then Rory. Rory is described as a 'hell-cat' but is written to seem increasingly younger as the story progresses. Also it's seems undecided if he's attracted to men or unaware such a thing is possible, his behaviour/thoughts waver. Then there's a few other random characters thrown in often upstageing.
Romance - well Rory is half-Italian. Though passing smoothly for Irish (accents? what accent?) He speaks a few words, almost one whole sentence of Italian and Arthur is hooked. Hopefully Arthur wont bump into someone who can speak two whole sentences in the near future or he may move on! I found that odd. Rory says he can cook Italian food (never demonstrated) and so it's love.
I found characters acted illogical to their situation and stories. Someone in hiding revealing their presence to rant, random visits to locations seemingly simply for the visual. This is primarily a romance with fancy terms 'subordinate paranormals' to make it seem more. So full on angsty teenagers doing the 'does he, doesn't he'.
The plot sort of happens around the 80% mark. The characters do little to bring it about, though there's a few special magical effects. The outcome seemed obvious. I went through the whole book thinking it was the sequel, that the main events had already occured and this was the follow-up, but this is the first book. For any of this to have impact I think you'd need to read the non-existing first book!
Sorry if disappointment is making me bitchy. There were plenty of promising ideas here but the result is lacklustre, it needs more plot focus to drive the story on.
The only nod to the era is a visit to a speakeasy, the wearing of cloche hats and occasionally calling women 'doll' this is so random as to be distracting; the first time it happens I was imaging a bespelled doll and had to pause to remember the supposed time period. There's also I believe a number of people of colour, but status is expressed very coyly to the point that when it's stated 'you have no rights in America' I'm still confused as to whether that was down to skin tone, gender or posessing magic ability.
Characters. Oh my. Arthur is limitlessly rich and all knowing, without us ever getting a good explanation for that knowledge. He's on a mission to save the world or possibly just Manhatten, how/why this came about I don't really know. He doesn't seem very focused on it though because he's more concerned over not causing offense than to actually gathering information. For a big bruiser of an ex-soldier -much is made of his muscles- all we get from him is the 'could he possibly like me'
Then Rory. Rory is described as a 'hell-cat' but is written to seem increasingly younger as the story progresses. Also it's seems undecided if he's attracted to men or unaware such a thing is possible, his behaviour/thoughts waver. Then there's a few other random characters thrown in often upstageing.
Romance - well Rory is half-Italian. Though passing smoothly for Irish (accents? what accent?) He speaks a few words, almost one whole sentence of Italian and Arthur is hooked. Hopefully Arthur wont bump into someone who can speak two whole sentences in the near future or he may move on! I found that odd. Rory says he can cook Italian food (never demonstrated) and so it's love.
I found characters acted illogical to their situation and stories. Someone in hiding revealing their presence to rant, random visits to locations seemingly simply for the visual. This is primarily a romance with fancy terms 'subordinate paranormals' to make it seem more. So full on angsty teenagers doing the 'does he, doesn't he'.
The plot sort of happens around the 80% mark. The characters do little to bring it about, though there's a few special magical effects. The outcome seemed obvious. I went through the whole book thinking it was the sequel, that the main events had already occured and this was the follow-up, but this is the first book. For any of this to have impact I think you'd need to read the non-existing first book!
Sorry if disappointment is making me bitchy. There were plenty of promising ideas here but the result is lacklustre, it needs more plot focus to drive the story on.
June 14, 2019
4.5*
This book is exceptionally good.
It hit pretty much every note I'd expect in a historical paranormal mystery romance, from a great sense of the time period, to a unique interpretation of magic abilities, to a decent set of villains and some sweet relationship development.
My only criticism, and it comes down to personal taste only, is that I really dislike fade to black or sex scenes referenced as happening off page.
It takes away an aspect of relationship development - that of the trust which comes with a sexual exchange - from the reader and, again in my own opinion, means you have a slight disconnect between the affection happening on page and that layer of build-up.
This is especially important to see for me as a reader in a period where homosexuality was not only frowned upon but could, in certain parts of the world, still mean imprisonment or death as it demonstrates the emotional connection between two men in spite of the dangers.
That said, it really is my only niggle, because everything else just absolutely worked. I adored Rory and Ace, the secondary cast of both heroic accomplices and villainous former friends were brilliantly outlined and detailed.
The magical world is New York with a twist, it has a steampunk feel to it while mostly being rooted in the 20s Prohibition Era and I loved the paranormal elements.
Annoyingly for me, book two isn't due out until next year because we're left with a sort of cliffhanger and a lot of loose story plot ends which will be running through the series and I'm dying to find out more!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
This book is exceptionally good.
It hit pretty much every note I'd expect in a historical paranormal mystery romance, from a great sense of the time period, to a unique interpretation of magic abilities, to a decent set of villains and some sweet relationship development.
My only criticism, and it comes down to personal taste only, is that I really dislike fade to black or sex scenes referenced as happening off page.
It takes away an aspect of relationship development - that of the trust which comes with a sexual exchange - from the reader and, again in my own opinion, means you have a slight disconnect between the affection happening on page and that layer of build-up.
This is especially important to see for me as a reader in a period where homosexuality was not only frowned upon but could, in certain parts of the world, still mean imprisonment or death as it demonstrates the emotional connection between two men in spite of the dangers.
That said, it really is my only niggle, because everything else just absolutely worked. I adored Rory and Ace, the secondary cast of both heroic accomplices and villainous former friends were brilliantly outlined and detailed.
The magical world is New York with a twist, it has a steampunk feel to it while mostly being rooted in the 20s Prohibition Era and I loved the paranormal elements.
Annoyingly for me, book two isn't due out until next year because we're left with a sort of cliffhanger and a lot of loose story plot ends which will be running through the series and I'm dying to find out more!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
July 12, 2025
This was a very light and easily consumable historical fantasy debut, which was low on angst and with a dash of adventure, and I really enjoyed myself whilst listening to it.
I thought the characters, romantic tension and magic were the stronger parts of this story and I found the overarching plot and villains’ characteristics and motivations to be a little more loosey goosey (not that this really slowed me down remotely)
Arthur and Rory were a lot of fun together and whilst I enjoyed their chemistry, I wouldn’t call this a slow burn (not that it was a 2-minute noodle cook either) but the sexual tension isn’t really stretched out for long. It’s worth noting that the romance here is door ajar, it’s not completely fade-to-black but the intimate scenes do close off before they get too steamy. Arthur being soft for Rory flirting in Italian was ADORABLE though.
I feel like this story would appeal to fans of KJC fantasy works as this reminds me quite a bit of a New York version of her work, The Magpie Lord (although this is set in the 1920s rather than the 1880s like TML). There was also something about Arthur that actually kind of reminded me of if Kim Secretan and Will Darling from Slippery Creatures had a love child? maybe that's just me lol either way, I was completely charmed by the whole package.
I listened to this by audiobook and whilst I enjoyed myself thoroughly, there were a few little things which impacted this as a listening experience for me. Firstly, this story would often have the character with an internal comments that would run alongside things which they verbalized, and I am sure that this would be fine in writing, where it was probably italicized or some such, but when listening it would lose track sometimes about what was being thought and what was being said. There were also a few POV changes between Arthur and Rory mid chapter which at times caused me a moment of pause too. Finally, for all of Erik Bloomquist’s talents, female voices is not one of them and I found this to be a weaker part of the performance.
I am absolutely going to binge the rest of this series and immediately brought the next two audiobooks and plan to put up a DND sign on my life and any commitments until such time as I have finished them 😂😂
I thought the characters, romantic tension and magic were the stronger parts of this story and I found the overarching plot and villains’ characteristics and motivations to be a little more loosey goosey (not that this really slowed me down remotely)
Arthur and Rory were a lot of fun together and whilst I enjoyed their chemistry, I wouldn’t call this a slow burn (not that it was a 2-minute noodle cook either) but the sexual tension isn’t really stretched out for long. It’s worth noting that the romance here is door ajar, it’s not completely fade-to-black but the intimate scenes do close off before they get too steamy. Arthur being soft for Rory flirting in Italian was ADORABLE though.
I feel like this story would appeal to fans of KJC fantasy works as this reminds me quite a bit of a New York version of her work, The Magpie Lord (although this is set in the 1920s rather than the 1880s like TML). There was also something about Arthur that actually kind of reminded me of if Kim Secretan and Will Darling from Slippery Creatures had a love child? maybe that's just me lol either way, I was completely charmed by the whole package.
I listened to this by audiobook and whilst I enjoyed myself thoroughly, there were a few little things which impacted this as a listening experience for me. Firstly, this story would often have the character with an internal comments that would run alongside things which they verbalized, and I am sure that this would be fine in writing, where it was probably italicized or some such, but when listening it would lose track sometimes about what was being thought and what was being said. There were also a few POV changes between Arthur and Rory mid chapter which at times caused me a moment of pause too. Finally, for all of Erik Bloomquist’s talents, female voices is not one of them and I found this to be a weaker part of the performance.
I am absolutely going to binge the rest of this series and immediately brought the next two audiobooks and plan to put up a DND sign on my life and any commitments until such time as I have finished them 😂😂
June 22, 2025
This has sat on my TBR forever and I am pleasantly surprised by it, especially as I understand it was the authors debut novel. It’s very easy reading, low angst, the word building is not complex but the magic system still intriguing. It has a bit of a YA vibe although the main characters are 20 and 28. I haven’t read anything set during Prohibition in New York before and although some of the words used I’m pretty sure are too modern for the era I was easily able to overlook these and just enjoy the fun.
Arthur and Rory and the misfit cast of diverse secondary characters are all rather wholesome and their interactions very heartwarming. Mrs B is the real MVP here of course.
The romance is sweet and continuing to develop..I’m interested to see what book 2 has in store.
FYI, this is fade to black so please adjust smut expectations accordingly.
This reminded me (in a good way) of The Magpie Lord series by KJ Charles so if you’re a fan of that I’d recommend picking this up or vice versa.
Free on Audible (also all available on my Libby)
Thanks for joining me on this one Gaby!
Arthur and Rory and the misfit cast of diverse secondary characters are all rather wholesome and their interactions very heartwarming. Mrs B is the real MVP here of course.
The romance is sweet and continuing to develop..I’m interested to see what book 2 has in store.
FYI, this is fade to black so please adjust smut expectations accordingly.
This reminded me (in a good way) of The Magpie Lord series by KJ Charles so if you’re a fan of that I’d recommend picking this up or vice versa.
Free on Audible (also all available on my Libby)
Thanks for joining me on this one Gaby!
September 28, 2021
***4.5 ❤***
I'm hooked, smitten, blissed out, be-magic-ed (yeah, I made that one up, but it fits, so sue me)... Did I forget something? 🤔 Oh yeah... spellbound! 😉
This was fun and Ace and Rory were totally adorbs... I just need to have a word with the author about the fade-to-black sex scenes. I was just warming up and then... it was over, dammit. 🤨
On to the next! 😊
I'm hooked, smitten, blissed out, be-magic-ed (yeah, I made that one up, but it fits, so sue me)... Did I forget something? 🤔 Oh yeah... spellbound! 😉
This was fun and Ace and Rory were totally adorbs... I just need to have a word with the author about the fade-to-black sex scenes. I was just warming up and then... it was over, dammit. 🤨
On to the next! 😊
June 2, 2022
Magic, mystery and love in the roaring 20’s!!
The first half of this magically thrilling mystery was sublime. The second half read more like YA.
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the book. Regardless, the pacing slowed up and allowed me to see holes in the story so well laid out in the beginning.
Ok, what I liked:
The setting: 1925! Roaringly awesome 👏
Closeted paranormals
Relics of deep magic
A mortal leading a group of paranormals to save NYC
The tension between our MCs
The status and experience differential between them
The different paranormal powers
What I didn’t like:
How one MC, Rory, was so bullheaded
How Rory was so bullheaded
Ace and his sudden insta-love
How they were apart and then all of the sudden together
The flatness of some secondary characters
Just a small nod to the era (Harlem, speakeasy, mentions of racial prejudice)
The language didn’t seem to fit the era.
FADE TO BLACK SEX 😱
So why the 4 Stars? I truly enjoyed the first part of the story and this made me overlook the somewhat sophomoric feel of the second half.
I can totally see this book as the beginning of a great TV series, and I expect that a fantastic narrator could rock the hell out of this story!!
The first half of this magically thrilling mystery was sublime. The second half read more like YA.
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the book. Regardless, the pacing slowed up and allowed me to see holes in the story so well laid out in the beginning.
Ok, what I liked:
The setting: 1925! Roaringly awesome 👏
Closeted paranormals
Relics of deep magic
A mortal leading a group of paranormals to save NYC
The tension between our MCs
The status and experience differential between them
The different paranormal powers
What I didn’t like:
How one MC, Rory, was so bullheaded
How Rory was so bullheaded
Ace and his sudden insta-love
How they were apart and then all of the sudden together
The flatness of some secondary characters
Just a small nod to the era (Harlem, speakeasy, mentions of racial prejudice)
The language didn’t seem to fit the era.
FADE TO BLACK SEX 😱
So why the 4 Stars? I truly enjoyed the first part of the story and this made me overlook the somewhat sophomoric feel of the second half.
I can totally see this book as the beginning of a great TV series, and I expect that a fantastic narrator could rock the hell out of this story!!
October 5, 2025
If you ever feel the need for mindless spicy reading material, you might want to skip the Magic in Manhattan series.
Summer is a difficult time for me; all that hot weather and faulty air-conditioning makes for some truly gruelling days. And when I try to make them less so, I don't always come up with the best of plans. So then I find myself in need of a pick-me-up. The type that comes with plenty of mindless sexy scenes— did I mention that the heat makes me crazy? Long story short: I choose my gay romance novels mostly by cover, which is why I never quite find what I'm looking for.
There is probably no reasonable way to put it, but this romance novel just had too many feelings for my taste. I tried reading pure erotica and I hated it. Unless it was a fanfiction of some non-erotica, and as such it came with the feelings in subtext. So I know that it wasn't about reading the wrong genre.
Rory Brodigan is a 20-year-old with a troubled past, who's doing his best to live his life under the radar. The problem? He is a paranormal with the ability to read the past of any object he touches. Priceless for his chosen profession in the antiques business, not so much during chores, when his mind accidentally gets stuck in the past.
Arthur Kenzie(27) is the youngest son of a distinguished political family, with his own distinguished past as a war veteran. Like any self-respecting romance novel protagonist, he has chosen to dedicate his life to championing the cause of his paranormal friends. And to avoid any and all marriage proposals thrown his way by his well-meaning family.
Obviously sparks fly the minute they meet, despite the somewhat shady circumstances. Since Arthur's ulterior motives forced said meeting, it predictably leads our dashing hero into endless bouts of guilt trips until the end of the series. Rory, for his part, does his best to match Arthur's stress levels by worrying about the difference in their status and the dangers of his magic. Luckily for me, as a romance lover, they manage to work in plenty of sex scenes amid all the stressing. Unluckily for me, as a spice aficionado, said sex scenes tend to cut off just when things get good.
Otherwise, I really liked this series. There are plenty of paranormal action-adventure scenes, complete with dashingly heroic antics courtesy of both protagonists. The awesome cast of side characters is also very welcome. Which reminds me: I wanna be Jade when I grow up.
Score: 3/5 stars
An excellent action-adventure story that nevertheless deserves some serious trashing for all the literary blue-balling it put me through.
Summer is a difficult time for me; all that hot weather and faulty air-conditioning makes for some truly gruelling days. And when I try to make them less so, I don't always come up with the best of plans. So then I find myself in need of a pick-me-up. The type that comes with plenty of mindless sexy scenes— did I mention that the heat makes me crazy? Long story short: I choose my gay romance novels mostly by cover, which is why I never quite find what I'm looking for.
There is probably no reasonable way to put it, but this romance novel just had too many feelings for my taste. I tried reading pure erotica and I hated it. Unless it was a fanfiction of some non-erotica, and as such it came with the feelings in subtext. So I know that it wasn't about reading the wrong genre.
Rory Brodigan is a 20-year-old with a troubled past, who's doing his best to live his life under the radar. The problem? He is a paranormal with the ability to read the past of any object he touches. Priceless for his chosen profession in the antiques business, not so much during chores, when his mind accidentally gets stuck in the past.
Arthur Kenzie(27) is the youngest son of a distinguished political family, with his own distinguished past as a war veteran. Like any self-respecting romance novel protagonist, he has chosen to dedicate his life to championing the cause of his paranormal friends. And to avoid any and all marriage proposals thrown his way by his well-meaning family.
Obviously sparks fly the minute they meet, despite the somewhat shady circumstances. Since Arthur's ulterior motives forced said meeting, it predictably leads our dashing hero into endless bouts of guilt trips until the end of the series. Rory, for his part, does his best to match Arthur's stress levels by worrying about the difference in their status and the dangers of his magic. Luckily for me, as a romance lover, they manage to work in plenty of sex scenes amid all the stressing. Unluckily for me, as a spice aficionado, said sex scenes tend to cut off just when things get good.
Otherwise, I really liked this series. There are plenty of paranormal action-adventure scenes, complete with dashingly heroic antics courtesy of both protagonists. The awesome cast of side characters is also very welcome. Which reminds me: I wanna be Jade when I grow up.
Score: 3/5 stars
An excellent action-adventure story that nevertheless deserves some serious trashing for all the literary blue-balling it put me through.
December 18, 2020
One character says ciao bello and the other one is somehow impressed by his deep knowledge of Italian but reader I was not.
September 8, 2019
Amazing novel! A proper review will follow once I’m back online more regularly (I’m currently travelling a bit).
*** Update on Sunday 8th September 2019 ***
I truly enjoyed this first instalment in Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan series. The novel brings together lovely characters, a great plotline and a wonderful sense of location.
I'm really intrigued by New York in the Roaring 1920s and combining the noises and sights of the lively metropolis with the threat posed by timeless, magical relics gives this book an original and very interesting starting point.
The two MCs are really well rounded and endearing. Arthur Kenzie is brave and steady and his constant banter with the grouchy scrying antiquarian, Rory Brodigan, made me smile very often while reading the novel.
The plot is well constructed and with a growing sense of tension and dread. The final cliffhanger really left me to want for more.
Allie Therin's writing style is excellent - funny, tender and melancholic when it comes to Rory's troubled past and reclusive present.
Truly recommended!
*** Update on Sunday 8th September 2019 ***
I truly enjoyed this first instalment in Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan series. The novel brings together lovely characters, a great plotline and a wonderful sense of location.
I'm really intrigued by New York in the Roaring 1920s and combining the noises and sights of the lively metropolis with the threat posed by timeless, magical relics gives this book an original and very interesting starting point.
The two MCs are really well rounded and endearing. Arthur Kenzie is brave and steady and his constant banter with the grouchy scrying antiquarian, Rory Brodigan, made me smile very often while reading the novel.
The plot is well constructed and with a growing sense of tension and dread. The final cliffhanger really left me to want for more.
Allie Therin's writing style is excellent - funny, tender and melancholic when it comes to Rory's troubled past and reclusive present.
Truly recommended!
July 4, 2021
2.5 stars
As a debut novel, this shows a lot of potential, but the execution often left me wanting. It took me nearly a third of the book to get into it, and if this weren't a buddy read, I might have been tempted to DNF. The middle part was better, but the last part lost me again. It wasn't bad by any means, but it could've been so much more than it was.
1920s New York City offers such a rich and vibrant canvas to create a story on. It's the Roaring 20s, the Jazz Age, Prohibition. Sadly, the author makes almost zero use of it. The story has next to no atmosphere, to the point it could have taken place after WWII or the Korean War or Vietnam just as easily as after WWI, since the fact that a war just happened seemed more important to the story than the time period. Other than a few mentions of illegal booze and a mobster or two, the time period is little used. And Rory lives in Hell's Kitchen, which could have provided enough background for a book all its own. Plus, you had the Harlem Renaissance, which was a huge movement during the 20s, the first time after the Civil War when black men and women were able to express their creativity and be recognized on a national level, and actually have an impact on social and cultural movements. But our white MCs and their POC sidekicks don't even mention it. The vernacular used is all over the place and very little of it was specific to the time period. Every time a modern expression was used, it threw me right back out of the story.
The romance was a bit on the weak side too. Rory starts off hot-and-cold, which makes sense once you get a better idea of his background, but then all of that is instantly forgotten once the MCs get together. There was some good UST going before that too, which I was really enjoying, but the resolution of that UST was a bit of a letdown as the MCs turned into love-sick teenagers. And after this first book, I feel like I know Jade, a side character, better than Arthur, the other MC. Why is Arthur the way he is? Why is he so woke for that time period and his social class?
The magic was the best thing about this, but even that had some shortcomings. There are some X-Men vibes here with the various psychic powers the characters have, and I wouldn't be surprised if . The idea of the relics is very interesting and has some potential to cause conflict in the rest of the series, especially since Unfortunately, I didn't buy the villains at all. Their motivations for being against the protagonists especially doesn't make any sense. Seriously, Then the good guys go and
I did really like Jade and Mrs. Brodigan, who were easily the highlights of the book, and Rory had his moments when he was really endearing. Arthur's a genuinely nice guy and maybe a little too protective, but not domineering, which was refreshing. The action is well-written and the magic system was clearly well thought out. So like I said, lots of potential, especially for a debut. Hopefully, the execution improves in the next two books. (Edit: Unfortuantely, after Ele's and Rosa's comments and reviews for the rest of the series, I won't be bothering with them.)
Thanks for Elena and Rosa for the buddy read!
As a debut novel, this shows a lot of potential, but the execution often left me wanting. It took me nearly a third of the book to get into it, and if this weren't a buddy read, I might have been tempted to DNF. The middle part was better, but the last part lost me again. It wasn't bad by any means, but it could've been so much more than it was.
1920s New York City offers such a rich and vibrant canvas to create a story on. It's the Roaring 20s, the Jazz Age, Prohibition. Sadly, the author makes almost zero use of it. The story has next to no atmosphere, to the point it could have taken place after WWII or the Korean War or Vietnam just as easily as after WWI, since the fact that a war just happened seemed more important to the story than the time period. Other than a few mentions of illegal booze and a mobster or two, the time period is little used. And Rory lives in Hell's Kitchen, which could have provided enough background for a book all its own. Plus, you had the Harlem Renaissance, which was a huge movement during the 20s, the first time after the Civil War when black men and women were able to express their creativity and be recognized on a national level, and actually have an impact on social and cultural movements. But our white MCs and their POC sidekicks don't even mention it. The vernacular used is all over the place and very little of it was specific to the time period. Every time a modern expression was used, it threw me right back out of the story.
The romance was a bit on the weak side too. Rory starts off hot-and-cold, which makes sense once you get a better idea of his background, but then all of that is instantly forgotten once the MCs get together. There was some good UST going before that too, which I was really enjoying, but the resolution of that UST was a bit of a letdown as the MCs turned into love-sick teenagers. And after this first book, I feel like I know Jade, a side character, better than Arthur, the other MC. Why is Arthur the way he is? Why is he so woke for that time period and his social class?
The magic was the best thing about this, but even that had some shortcomings. There are some X-Men vibes here with the various psychic powers the characters have, and I wouldn't be surprised if . The idea of the relics is very interesting and has some potential to cause conflict in the rest of the series, especially since Unfortunately, I didn't buy the villains at all. Their motivations for being against the protagonists especially doesn't make any sense. Seriously, Then the good guys go and
I did really like Jade and Mrs. Brodigan, who were easily the highlights of the book, and Rory had his moments when he was really endearing. Arthur's a genuinely nice guy and maybe a little too protective, but not domineering, which was refreshing. The action is well-written and the magic system was clearly well thought out. So like I said, lots of potential, especially for a debut. Hopefully, the execution improves in the next two books. (Edit: Unfortuantely, after Ele's and Rosa's comments and reviews for the rest of the series, I won't be bothering with them.)
Thanks for Elena and Rosa for the buddy read!
February 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I think this is the first time I read a romance set in the US during the Prohibition period and it was a nice change, mixed with the magic system, it made for an interesting and refreshing setting.
I also appreciated the subtle and not so subtle references to how things were for immigrants in America at the beginning of the previous century.
Spellbound put down the basis for the rest of the series, introducing the two MCs, Rory and Arthur, an interesting worldbuilding and a solid cast of secondary characters, especially the female ones. Bonus points for that. And bonus points for the correct use of the Italian language, there was one misspelled word at the beginning that made me brace for the worst, but I’m glad to report it seems to be a single oversight. Thank you, author.
The plot wasn’t anything earth-shattering, I hope there will be some elaboration on the in the rest of the series, but the one real “twist”——in this book was pretty predictable, and I found really, really ridiculous that they
I liked Arthur with his overprotective tendencies that never made him controlling, and I liked the idea of what Rory’s character was supposed to be. I think the goal was to make him , but he came across as a bit inconsistent, he ran hot and cold and it wasn’t always realistic. I think I liked him best when he And later when he and Arthur got together, he was a little better then too. I liked how
I had some problems with the romance in general. Again, I loved the idea, and I didn’t dislike the execution, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. Partially because of Rory , mostly because I think the writing didn’t hit the spot for me in that regard.
Also, I don’t know what the reason behind this decision was, but I think the fade-to-black sex scenes weren’t the best choice for this relationship and these characters. I’ve read and loved books without explicit sex scenes and without sex at all, so it’s not something that I usually require to connect with the romance, but a lot of books and characters need the relationship development that goes hand in hand with good, non-gratuitous sex scenes. When the sex is a necessary part of a romantic relationship—which is always the case with relationships that don’t include asexual people, and often even with the ones that do—it’s important to see how the characters interact in that aspect of their lives, it’s a fundamental part of their dynamic, not just porn. I felt that part missing here, in a way I rarely do. So much that it made me realize how often I take the explicit sex scenes in other books for granted, going as far as cataloguing them in my head as not necessary and boring the many times that I think they do nothing for me, when in fact they’re probably helping me to believe in the connection between the characters and giving me insight in their dynamic that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Even though I’m rounding down, I enjoyed the book overall and given that it’s a debut, I’m willing to overlook the issues I had with it. For now.
I think this is the first time I read a romance set in the US during the Prohibition period and it was a nice change, mixed with the magic system, it made for an interesting and refreshing setting.
I also appreciated the subtle and not so subtle references to how things were for immigrants in America at the beginning of the previous century.
Spellbound put down the basis for the rest of the series, introducing the two MCs, Rory and Arthur, an interesting worldbuilding and a solid cast of secondary characters, especially the female ones. Bonus points for that. And bonus points for the correct use of the Italian language, there was one misspelled word at the beginning that made me brace for the worst, but I’m glad to report it seems to be a single oversight. Thank you, author.
The plot wasn’t anything earth-shattering, I hope there will be some elaboration on the in the rest of the series, but the one real “twist”——in this book was pretty predictable, and I found really, really ridiculous that they
I liked Arthur with his overprotective tendencies that never made him controlling, and I liked the idea of what Rory’s character was supposed to be. I think the goal was to make him , but he came across as a bit inconsistent, he ran hot and cold and it wasn’t always realistic. I think I liked him best when he And later when he and Arthur got together, he was a little better then too. I liked how
I had some problems with the romance in general. Again, I loved the idea, and I didn’t dislike the execution, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. Partially because of Rory , mostly because I think the writing didn’t hit the spot for me in that regard.
Also, I don’t know what the reason behind this decision was, but I think the fade-to-black sex scenes weren’t the best choice for this relationship and these characters. I’ve read and loved books without explicit sex scenes and without sex at all, so it’s not something that I usually require to connect with the romance, but a lot of books and characters need the relationship development that goes hand in hand with good, non-gratuitous sex scenes. When the sex is a necessary part of a romantic relationship—which is always the case with relationships that don’t include asexual people, and often even with the ones that do—it’s important to see how the characters interact in that aspect of their lives, it’s a fundamental part of their dynamic, not just porn. I felt that part missing here, in a way I rarely do. So much that it made me realize how often I take the explicit sex scenes in other books for granted, going as far as cataloguing them in my head as not necessary and boring the many times that I think they do nothing for me, when in fact they’re probably helping me to believe in the connection between the characters and giving me insight in their dynamic that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Even though I’m rounding down, I enjoyed the book overall and given that it’s a debut, I’m willing to overlook the issues I had with it. For now.
July 22, 2019
4 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
Gah, these characters and their romance were so CUTE! They made me smile so much. Can that just be my whole review? It's a really great summary of my thoughts.
Seriously though, I loved this. Rory was so naive in some ways but tough in others, and he was so feisty. He wasn't about to let Arthur walk all over him or Mrs. Brodigan. And Arthur was a lonely hottie with a big heart. He just wanted to help people and maybe find himself someone to love. And then they found each other, and there was all this fun banter and embarrassed flirting and sweet moments and hidden feelings and confusion over how the other one felt, and it was all so cute. When they finally got together, the feelings were pretty strong pretty fast, but they were so adorable that I didn't care. I just wanted them to be together and happy.
The non-romance plot was good too, albeit fairly simple (which is not a bad thing). There were supernatural powers (like Rory's psychometry---his ability to see an object's past by touching it---and Jade's telekinesis). There were relics with powerful abilities sealed inside them. There were the bad guys who wanted to obtain the relics, presumably to use them for nefarious purposes. And there were our good guys, trying to keep the relics out of their hands. The supernatural stuff was cool. Seems like there might be even more of that in the next book.
The Prohibition Era is one of my favorite settings, so I enjoyed that too, even if it was more of a backdrop than anything.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. It was cute and funny and put so many smiles on my face, and I needed that. These characters are sweethearts and their relationship is adorable, and I look forward to reading more about them!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes adorable characters and relationships, supernatural powers, and the Prohibition Era.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
Gah, these characters and their romance were so CUTE! They made me smile so much. Either 4 or 4.5 stars. Full review soon.
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
Gah, these characters and their romance were so CUTE! They made me smile so much. Can that just be my whole review? It's a really great summary of my thoughts.
Seriously though, I loved this. Rory was so naive in some ways but tough in others, and he was so feisty. He wasn't about to let Arthur walk all over him or Mrs. Brodigan. And Arthur was a lonely hottie with a big heart. He just wanted to help people and maybe find himself someone to love. And then they found each other, and there was all this fun banter and embarrassed flirting and sweet moments and hidden feelings and confusion over how the other one felt, and it was all so cute. When they finally got together, the feelings were pretty strong pretty fast, but they were so adorable that I didn't care. I just wanted them to be together and happy.
The non-romance plot was good too, albeit fairly simple (which is not a bad thing). There were supernatural powers (like Rory's psychometry---his ability to see an object's past by touching it---and Jade's telekinesis). There were relics with powerful abilities sealed inside them. There were the bad guys who wanted to obtain the relics, presumably to use them for nefarious purposes. And there were our good guys, trying to keep the relics out of their hands. The supernatural stuff was cool. Seems like there might be even more of that in the next book.
The Prohibition Era is one of my favorite settings, so I enjoyed that too, even if it was more of a backdrop than anything.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. It was cute and funny and put so many smiles on my face, and I needed that. These characters are sweethearts and their relationship is adorable, and I look forward to reading more about them!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes adorable characters and relationships, supernatural powers, and the Prohibition Era.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---------------------
Initial Thoughts:
Gah, these characters and their romance were so CUTE! They made me smile so much. Either 4 or 4.5 stars. Full review soon.
April 26, 2022
4.5 I loved this so fucking much I just really wish someone had given me the heads up that this was a fade to black romance.
August 1, 2019
Have mercy. It’s official, y’all. I have found my new favorite book. Hands down best read of the year. I can’t say enough how much I absolutely loved and adored Spellbound by Allie Therin. In fact, if I sat here and spewed all the fan-girling nonsense my fingers keep trying to type, y’all wouldn’t keep reading. Which would be a disservice to you, me, and this phenomenal book.
So, what was it exactly that had me swooning from page one? I can’t honestly nail it down to one single thing. It was kind of everything. I’m not sure about you, but as a reader who is also a writer, there’s always a thing or two that rubs me the wrong way—after all, not everything is for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay! But with Therin, I couldn’t find anything to fault. Everything from her writing style to her characterization to her plot had me all heart-eyed and happy, heavy sighing.
If you know me at all, you’re aware I’m generally not a fan of historical or paranormal. Both genres truly have to be written at the top of their game for me to enjoy them. So what does that say when I’m proclaiming this historical paranormal as my new fav??
The setting of this book was absolutely superb. Therin captured all the literal and figurative magic in her fictional depiction of 1920s Manhattan. She included just enough nods to history that it felt accurate and genuine, yet didn’t overburden her scenes with excessive details that overshadowed the story. And her characters—every dang one of them, from the MCs to the supporting cast—were woven with intricate and heartfelt brilliance. I fell hard and fast and didn’t want to let go. Then there was the plot and the awe-inspiring twist on the paranormal that had my eyes wide and my readerly heart beating staccato the entire read. Both times. (Because, yes, I’ve already read this bad boy twice and have no doubts it’ll be a frequently repeated go-to feel-good part of my life.)
The love scenes are all fade-to-black yet so insanely emotional and steamy, they will undoubtedly satisfy all levels of romance readers—including those on both ends of the sweet romance/erotica spectrum. It’s magic, I tell ya. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that shows so little yet provides such a solid sexy punch.
I would recommend this book to ANY romance reader. Period. I don’t care if you aren’t a proclaimed historical fan, or if paranormal isn’t your gig. Heck, even if you haven’t ventured into the MM romance world, this would be a sensational introductory read in any of those genres. This book is so full of heart and passion and jaw-dropping intrigue, it’ll have at least something for everyone.
So, what was it exactly that had me swooning from page one? I can’t honestly nail it down to one single thing. It was kind of everything. I’m not sure about you, but as a reader who is also a writer, there’s always a thing or two that rubs me the wrong way—after all, not everything is for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay! But with Therin, I couldn’t find anything to fault. Everything from her writing style to her characterization to her plot had me all heart-eyed and happy, heavy sighing.
If you know me at all, you’re aware I’m generally not a fan of historical or paranormal. Both genres truly have to be written at the top of their game for me to enjoy them. So what does that say when I’m proclaiming this historical paranormal as my new fav??
The setting of this book was absolutely superb. Therin captured all the literal and figurative magic in her fictional depiction of 1920s Manhattan. She included just enough nods to history that it felt accurate and genuine, yet didn’t overburden her scenes with excessive details that overshadowed the story. And her characters—every dang one of them, from the MCs to the supporting cast—were woven with intricate and heartfelt brilliance. I fell hard and fast and didn’t want to let go. Then there was the plot and the awe-inspiring twist on the paranormal that had my eyes wide and my readerly heart beating staccato the entire read. Both times. (Because, yes, I’ve already read this bad boy twice and have no doubts it’ll be a frequently repeated go-to feel-good part of my life.)
The love scenes are all fade-to-black yet so insanely emotional and steamy, they will undoubtedly satisfy all levels of romance readers—including those on both ends of the sweet romance/erotica spectrum. It’s magic, I tell ya. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that shows so little yet provides such a solid sexy punch.
I would recommend this book to ANY romance reader. Period. I don’t care if you aren’t a proclaimed historical fan, or if paranormal isn’t your gig. Heck, even if you haven’t ventured into the MM romance world, this would be a sensational introductory read in any of those genres. This book is so full of heart and passion and jaw-dropping intrigue, it’ll have at least something for everyone.
October 4, 2019
This took me a long time to get through and felt much longer than 243 pages. There wasn’t a whole lotta story until the action near the end. Most of the book concerns Rory and Arthur circling each other with lots of self-imposed and situational obstacles to keep them apart. When they do get together it’s all G-rated fade to black and the tiresome doubts and insecurities continue.
These two men - one a former soldier - come off as teenagers in love. There’s blushing and even an actual foot scuffing at one point. The fact that Rory is only twenty is mentioned about a dozen times. And Arthur thinks about how “cute” Rory is on seven occasions, including one “cute as a button”. They just didn’t feel like grown men. And the coy act didn’t suit a story that we’re supposed to take seriously as high-stakes drama.
The writing’s not terrible, but this couple was too juvenilized and the story too light to really pull me in.
These two men - one a former soldier - come off as teenagers in love. There’s blushing and even an actual foot scuffing at one point. The fact that Rory is only twenty is mentioned about a dozen times. And Arthur thinks about how “cute” Rory is on seven occasions, including one “cute as a button”. They just didn’t feel like grown men. And the coy act didn’t suit a story that we’re supposed to take seriously as high-stakes drama.
The writing’s not terrible, but this couple was too juvenilized and the story too light to really pull me in.
June 13, 2025
This book was absolutely marvellous. I’d had it on my TBR for ages, and it wasn’t until my friend mentioned she was reading it that I finally picked it up too.
Now I know I shouldn’t have waited so long, the storyline was captivating from chapter one until the end. I was never bored; in fact, I left another book halfway through just to dive into this one.
The world-building is really well done and written in a way that just makes sense, you don’t have to overthink it, you just go with it. Both Rory and Ace were amazing MCs, never coming across as obnoxious or annoying. Plus, there’s a wonderful cast of supporting characters that made the story even richer.
It ends with a HFN since this is the first book in a trilogy, and I can’t wait to continue reading to see what happens next.
P.S. Even if Gwen is a psycho bitch, I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t have done the same, so there’s that 🤷🏻♀️
Now I know I shouldn’t have waited so long, the storyline was captivating from chapter one until the end. I was never bored; in fact, I left another book halfway through just to dive into this one.
The world-building is really well done and written in a way that just makes sense, you don’t have to overthink it, you just go with it. Both Rory and Ace were amazing MCs, never coming across as obnoxious or annoying. Plus, there’s a wonderful cast of supporting characters that made the story even richer.
It ends with a HFN since this is the first book in a trilogy, and I can’t wait to continue reading to see what happens next.
P.S. Even if Gwen is a psycho bitch, I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t have done the same, so there’s that 🤷🏻♀️
July 23, 2025
4.5🌟 rounded up! Surprisingly wholesome, everything I expected and needed but ✨better✨
July 31, 2019
Edit: My full review is now up on my blog!
Full review to come closer to publication date but this was magnificent. A very strong debut, with tightly plotted story, two wonderfully grumpy characters falling in love with so much great romantic tension, wonderfully diverse cast that doesn't whitewash history (its set in 1925 new york and you can tell), some great handling of biracial characters and what it means for them in a bigoted society. The magic system was really great too!! I had some minor quibbles, but I adore it. Can't wait for the sequel!
Full review to come closer to publication date but this was magnificent. A very strong debut, with tightly plotted story, two wonderfully grumpy characters falling in love with so much great romantic tension, wonderfully diverse cast that doesn't whitewash history (its set in 1925 new york and you can tell), some great handling of biracial characters and what it means for them in a bigoted society. The magic system was really great too!! I had some minor quibbles, but I adore it. Can't wait for the sequel!
May 8, 2020
Second read: 3,5 ★
Review: Spellbound by Allie Therin // Or, Never a Better Time to Overprotect Your Paranormal than Now
➽ SUMMARY
🔮 M/M Romance; Gay & Bi MCs
🔮 Side Interracial F/M Romance
🔮 Magic in New York, 1925
🔮 Paranormal Investigation
🔮 A Bunch of Misfits forming a little Paranormal Family
🔮 Lots of Banter & Humour
Arthur Kenzie protects the world from supernatural. But this time he needs help with that. A certain relic will soon arrive in New York and if only certain paranormal pretty please cooperated, it would be much easier to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Rory Brodigan is supernatural and of the opinion that he rather needs the protection from the world. Not that he wouldn’t rush to help the really hot man who crossed his path. He’s just been playing it safe for a while and not without a reason.
Can those two make it work??
➽ WORLDBUILDING
The prohibition era and illegal clubs? The antique shop? Central Park? Yes, Yes, and Yes! And on the top of this, a bunch of psychics with their extraordinary and unique abilities, secret dangerous artefacts and a mystery! That’s my jam!
➽ WRITING STYLE
The writing style had an easy flow and amazing humour that never seemed forced. It’s such an easy read but not trashy or corny or bland. It had some well-loved tropes but without overdoing them or any cringy elements.
I loved the dialogues and internal monologues and situational irony (you know that moment when we get laughs during a sitcom? Every few pages here)
➽ PLOT & PACING
A group of people is brought together to secure a dangerous item. Honestly, a bunch of professional dumbasses, as in they either do everything tip-top or fail at basic shit but that’s how they get you.
There were some good turns of events that were unexpected but made sense in hindsight. And the pacing really made it a page-turner.
So, amidst it all the romance starts blooming…
➽ CHARACTERS
Rory — Rory is so dense when it comes to romance, it’s hilarious. But not to the point of it being dumbed down somehow. He was pretty sheltered because of his magic and some other stuff so it makes sense he’s not that experienced. But he’s a bisexual disaster. Also, he will fight for himself but really just wants a hug.
Arthur — So, he was such a distinguished gay… And then he met Rory. Honestly, there are more contradictions to him. He’s super intelligent but then also can be really dense. A lonely romantic. A paranormal detective without a magic talent… Also, he’s just really worried and wants to protect everyone.
Both of them have a strong woman in their lives without whom they probably wouldn’t survive. Jade is a no BS woman. She runs an illegal club in Harlem. She wears suits. She was a spy. But she’s still gentle at her core and just wants the best for her family and friends. Also, she Lifts (with her mind.) Mrs B. is overlooked by most but that’s her superpower. She will play the cosy aunt and it will save your life before you realise it.
The villains also end up being more complex than you would suspect them at first and you can’t really hate them.
➽ RELATIONSHIPS
So, two dense idiots manage to anger each other and then one plays along with it for longer than necessary and the other thinks that all hope is lost and is really dramatic about it. They both can’t resist each other though. Really, really can’t resist each other. They fell for each other quite fast but it didn’t feel like insta-love. They were lonely and their feelings were heightened by the danger and coming close to death so they just went along with the intense vibe, I guess.
Both of them have their little family of choice and those relationships are not swept aside because of the romance which is something I love to see in fiction.
There’s also a side romance that doesn’t get lots of attention but they were a cute stable couple.
➽ THEMES
Good and evil and the gray areas of being forced by circumstances — Villains are born for many reasons. Sometimes people are just greedy and power-hungry. But sometimes they are pushed to their limits. And sometimes they just lost the fight. There are so many gray areas in our lives and the heroes can’t always make the right choices either. In the end, all that matters is that we tried.
Finding love and people who support you — Both of the MCs are lonely in their own ways. They still have people they care about in their lives but… something is missing. Hell, of course, something is missing. You can’t make do with one friend in your life however hard you try — we are social creatures after all. Finding each other not only brings romance into their lives but also opens them up for more people and makes them confront their issues which led to this loneliness in the first place.
Lots of consent and power imbalance talk — Arthur is older and more experienced than Rory. He also has more influence thanks to his rich family and a long relationship with the paranormal world. And he is aware of the power imbalance it creates. He never pushes Rory or assumes more than was plainly stated. Sometimes it causes miscommunication but they got there anyway and I prefer to see someone overpatient than old obsessive and pushy types.
➽ NUANCE & FEELINGS
Well crafted, funny, not much for technical issues but rather a lighter read. I enjoyed it greatly and had lots of laughs but it did not move me to my core?
Review: Spellbound by Allie Therin // Or, Never a Better Time to Overprotect Your Paranormal than Now
★★★★,5 | Don’t refuse to help me save Manhattan… You’re so sexy… Aha
“Nonsense is exactly what comes outta my mouth half the time and I don’t need anyone else to hear it”
➽ SUMMARY
🔮 M/M Romance; Gay & Bi MCs
🔮 Side Interracial F/M Romance
🔮 Magic in New York, 1925
🔮 Paranormal Investigation
🔮 A Bunch of Misfits forming a little Paranormal Family
🔮 Lots of Banter & Humour
Arthur Kenzie protects the world from supernatural. But this time he needs help with that. A certain relic will soon arrive in New York and if only certain paranormal pretty please cooperated, it would be much easier to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Rory Brodigan is supernatural and of the opinion that he rather needs the protection from the world. Not that he wouldn’t rush to help the really hot man who crossed his path. He’s just been playing it safe for a while and not without a reason.
Can those two make it work??
➽ WORLDBUILDING
The prohibition era and illegal clubs? The antique shop? Central Park? Yes, Yes, and Yes! And on the top of this, a bunch of psychics with their extraordinary and unique abilities, secret dangerous artefacts and a mystery! That’s my jam!
➽ WRITING STYLE
The writing style had an easy flow and amazing humour that never seemed forced. It’s such an easy read but not trashy or corny or bland. It had some well-loved tropes but without overdoing them or any cringy elements.
I loved the dialogues and internal monologues and situational irony (you know that moment when we get laughs during a sitcom? Every few pages here)
➽ PLOT & PACING
A group of people is brought together to secure a dangerous item. Honestly, a bunch of professional dumbasses, as in they either do everything tip-top or fail at basic shit but that’s how they get you.
There were some good turns of events that were unexpected but made sense in hindsight. And the pacing really made it a page-turner.
So, amidst it all the romance starts blooming…
➽ CHARACTERS
Rory — Rory is so dense when it comes to romance, it’s hilarious. But not to the point of it being dumbed down somehow. He was pretty sheltered because of his magic and some other stuff so it makes sense he’s not that experienced. But he’s a bisexual disaster. Also, he will fight for himself but really just wants a hug.
Arthur — So, he was such a distinguished gay… And then he met Rory. Honestly, there are more contradictions to him. He’s super intelligent but then also can be really dense. A lonely romantic. A paranormal detective without a magic talent… Also, he’s just really worried and wants to protect everyone.
Both of them have a strong woman in their lives without whom they probably wouldn’t survive. Jade is a no BS woman. She runs an illegal club in Harlem. She wears suits. She was a spy. But she’s still gentle at her core and just wants the best for her family and friends. Also, she Lifts (with her mind.) Mrs B. is overlooked by most but that’s her superpower. She will play the cosy aunt and it will save your life before you realise it.
The villains also end up being more complex than you would suspect them at first and you can’t really hate them.
➽ RELATIONSHIPS
So, two dense idiots manage to anger each other and then one plays along with it for longer than necessary and the other thinks that all hope is lost and is really dramatic about it. They both can’t resist each other though. Really, really can’t resist each other. They fell for each other quite fast but it didn’t feel like insta-love. They were lonely and their feelings were heightened by the danger and coming close to death so they just went along with the intense vibe, I guess.
Both of them have their little family of choice and those relationships are not swept aside because of the romance which is something I love to see in fiction.
There’s also a side romance that doesn’t get lots of attention but they were a cute stable couple.
➽ THEMES
Good and evil and the gray areas of being forced by circumstances — Villains are born for many reasons. Sometimes people are just greedy and power-hungry. But sometimes they are pushed to their limits. And sometimes they just lost the fight. There are so many gray areas in our lives and the heroes can’t always make the right choices either. In the end, all that matters is that we tried.
Finding love and people who support you — Both of the MCs are lonely in their own ways. They still have people they care about in their lives but… something is missing. Hell, of course, something is missing. You can’t make do with one friend in your life however hard you try — we are social creatures after all. Finding each other not only brings romance into their lives but also opens them up for more people and makes them confront their issues which led to this loneliness in the first place.
Lots of consent and power imbalance talk — Arthur is older and more experienced than Rory. He also has more influence thanks to his rich family and a long relationship with the paranormal world. And he is aware of the power imbalance it creates. He never pushes Rory or assumes more than was plainly stated. Sometimes it causes miscommunication but they got there anyway and I prefer to see someone overpatient than old obsessive and pushy types.
➽ NUANCE & FEELINGS
Well crafted, funny, not much for technical issues but rather a lighter read. I enjoyed it greatly and had lots of laughs but it did not move me to my core?
“It was terribly romantic, and so naturally he was up here alone”
December 3, 2019
4.25 stars
Oooh, what an exciting read!! First of all, I don't care if the description says that Rory is a scrawny blond with brown eyes while Arthur is tall, built, with coal-black hair and sky-blue eyes -- but this book has MAGIC, and the name Arthur (and later, Gwen)... and I am TOTALLY imagining this book as a Merlin/Arthur story in Manhattan *laugh*. It makes the book a different way kind of entertaining...
Outside that, I found this to be engaging -- I love to read about magic, and it was fun to read one set in Prohibition era. I loved the characters too. Rory with his prickly porcupine attitude. Arthur with his protective streak. Maybe I want to shake some sense into both men for making ASSUMPTIONS!! But it was the yesteryear, where liking men is dangerous, despite that this is being an alternate universe with magic involved.
The villains were great too, a little twist here and there -- and that climax in the end was worth to be translated into big screen.
I can't wait to read the next book! And read more about the adventures of these characters...
Oooh, what an exciting read!! First of all, I don't care if the description says that Rory is a scrawny blond with brown eyes while Arthur is tall, built, with coal-black hair and sky-blue eyes -- but this book has MAGIC, and the name Arthur (and later, Gwen)... and I am TOTALLY imagining this book as a Merlin/Arthur story in Manhattan *laugh*. It makes the book a different way kind of entertaining...
Outside that, I found this to be engaging -- I love to read about magic, and it was fun to read one set in Prohibition era. I loved the characters too. Rory with his prickly porcupine attitude. Arthur with his protective streak. Maybe I want to shake some sense into both men for making ASSUMPTIONS!! But it was the yesteryear, where liking men is dangerous, despite that this is being an alternate universe with magic involved.
The villains were great too, a little twist here and there -- and that climax in the end was worth to be translated into big screen.
I can't wait to read the next book! And read more about the adventures of these characters...
September 29, 2019
A charming, fast-paced adventure romance with some very promising worldbuilding around magic-users in Prohibition-Era New York City. Reminded me of KJ Charles's Magpie Lord books in all the best ways.
July 22, 2019
Sometimes a book comes along that leaves me digging for all the possible superlatives to describe how exquisite it is, and frankly, I’m at a loss here. My vocabulary is inadequate to the task of articulating how gorgeous this book is. There is no single word I can think of to describe its brilliance, though the title comes close to encompassing it. I am spellbound.
Author Allie Therin introduces a world of magic within the mundane in Spellbound, book one in the Magic in Manhattan series, in a 1925 New York City which is alive and vibrant, a post-World War I urban landscape where underground speakeasies once skirted the prohibition laws to deliver entertainment to those who sought it out, and the city is a character in itself. Mrs. Brodigan’s antiques shop in Hell’s Kitchen provides the backdrop for the opening scene and the introduction to the supernatural elements that Therin then spends the rest of the novel building upon, through Manhattan and Central Park and Harlem and Brooklyn, until she ended up crafting the absolute perfect paranormal novel.
Rory Brodigan is a scryer, which means he’s ideally suited to his job as an appraiser at Mrs. Brodigan’s shop. Rory’s ability to touch an item and see its history makes him an invaluable resource for sniffing out forgeries, although his gift doesn’t come without cost to his psychological and emotional wellbeing. This same ability also makes him a target, putting him in physical jeopardy, and this story speaks in some very deliberate ways not only to a general xenophobia but to prejudice against those with paranormal abilities as well, underscoring the reason he has closed himself off from most human contact. His cautious nature was earned the hard way, and his backstory is one that wrings a lot of empathy and compassion from readers, the betrayal he endured supporting and justifying his mistrust of everyone but the woman who gave him her name. Rory is such a fantastic character who goes through a range of emotions as his story is parsed out—much of his prickliness rooted in fear—but watching the way his power dictates his actions and relationships makes his meeting and eventually working with Arthur “Ace” Kenzie all the more rewarding as their story progresses and their unintentional bond deepens and strengthens.
In every conceivable way, Spellbound is an opposites-attract story. Arthur is the son of a politician. He’s wealthy, he’s well-traveled and sophisticated, he’s charming and refined—in short, he’s everything that the hardscrabble Rory Brodigan is not by virtue of the circumstances of Rory’s birth and the subsequent punishment he endured for his ability. Ace is also a mundane who knows magic exists, a rarity in itself. He, however, is not the typical unaffected socialite, and his heart is as big as his trust fund. Bigger even. And he takes great responsibility for his life’s work, which is what leads him to Mrs. Brodigan’s shop in the first place. He needs someone with the ability to scry an artifact that holds what Ace suspects is an immense power. The fact that he lures Rory into the job by way of tricking Mrs. Brodigan doesn’t bode well for their first meeting. Or for many meetings after, truth be told. But, as the plot thickens and the danger increases for Ace and Rory, and everyone else involved, their bond with each other intensifies, and they eventually become inevitable.
Which, when all is said and done, is what defines a good romance—the ability to believe in the characters’ inevitability.
The supporting cast in Spellbound do their intended jobs, becoming integral to not only the story but to the success of thwarting a plot that will do unmitigated harm and damage to the city of New York and those who inhabit it, if not stopped. The suspense in carrying out this mission rises and builds in superb style and leaves readers on the hook for book two in a most capable way. This story is far from over, the prevailing danger has only gained more power, and the villains are not without their own paranormal abilities which will certainly provide for more action, suspense, and threats as the series continues.
There has been a lot of early buzz about the brilliance of this book. Believe it. All of it. Spellbound not only lives up to the hype but exceeded any preconceived notions I had going into it, and my only regret was that it ended. It is exactly my kind of perfect, its historical backdrop detailed to precision, Therin’s storytelling transportive, and its characters a diverse and delightful mix of wonderful.
*and hats all the way off to the cover artist too
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
Author Allie Therin introduces a world of magic within the mundane in Spellbound, book one in the Magic in Manhattan series, in a 1925 New York City which is alive and vibrant, a post-World War I urban landscape where underground speakeasies once skirted the prohibition laws to deliver entertainment to those who sought it out, and the city is a character in itself. Mrs. Brodigan’s antiques shop in Hell’s Kitchen provides the backdrop for the opening scene and the introduction to the supernatural elements that Therin then spends the rest of the novel building upon, through Manhattan and Central Park and Harlem and Brooklyn, until she ended up crafting the absolute perfect paranormal novel.
Rory Brodigan is a scryer, which means he’s ideally suited to his job as an appraiser at Mrs. Brodigan’s shop. Rory’s ability to touch an item and see its history makes him an invaluable resource for sniffing out forgeries, although his gift doesn’t come without cost to his psychological and emotional wellbeing. This same ability also makes him a target, putting him in physical jeopardy, and this story speaks in some very deliberate ways not only to a general xenophobia but to prejudice against those with paranormal abilities as well, underscoring the reason he has closed himself off from most human contact. His cautious nature was earned the hard way, and his backstory is one that wrings a lot of empathy and compassion from readers, the betrayal he endured supporting and justifying his mistrust of everyone but the woman who gave him her name. Rory is such a fantastic character who goes through a range of emotions as his story is parsed out—much of his prickliness rooted in fear—but watching the way his power dictates his actions and relationships makes his meeting and eventually working with Arthur “Ace” Kenzie all the more rewarding as their story progresses and their unintentional bond deepens and strengthens.
In every conceivable way, Spellbound is an opposites-attract story. Arthur is the son of a politician. He’s wealthy, he’s well-traveled and sophisticated, he’s charming and refined—in short, he’s everything that the hardscrabble Rory Brodigan is not by virtue of the circumstances of Rory’s birth and the subsequent punishment he endured for his ability. Ace is also a mundane who knows magic exists, a rarity in itself. He, however, is not the typical unaffected socialite, and his heart is as big as his trust fund. Bigger even. And he takes great responsibility for his life’s work, which is what leads him to Mrs. Brodigan’s shop in the first place. He needs someone with the ability to scry an artifact that holds what Ace suspects is an immense power. The fact that he lures Rory into the job by way of tricking Mrs. Brodigan doesn’t bode well for their first meeting. Or for many meetings after, truth be told. But, as the plot thickens and the danger increases for Ace and Rory, and everyone else involved, their bond with each other intensifies, and they eventually become inevitable.
Which, when all is said and done, is what defines a good romance—the ability to believe in the characters’ inevitability.
The supporting cast in Spellbound do their intended jobs, becoming integral to not only the story but to the success of thwarting a plot that will do unmitigated harm and damage to the city of New York and those who inhabit it, if not stopped. The suspense in carrying out this mission rises and builds in superb style and leaves readers on the hook for book two in a most capable way. This story is far from over, the prevailing danger has only gained more power, and the villains are not without their own paranormal abilities which will certainly provide for more action, suspense, and threats as the series continues.
There has been a lot of early buzz about the brilliance of this book. Believe it. All of it. Spellbound not only lives up to the hype but exceeded any preconceived notions I had going into it, and my only regret was that it ended. It is exactly my kind of perfect, its historical backdrop detailed to precision, Therin’s storytelling transportive, and its characters a diverse and delightful mix of wonderful.
*and hats all the way off to the cover artist too
Reviewed for The Novel Approach
July 27, 2019
Great beginning to the series.
As you may have realised I love PNR/Urban Fantasy and historical romance so a mixture of all three made my day! I gobbled this one in one sitting.
I loved Ace and sloooowly warmed up to Rory. I eventually understood his need for an armour but prickly/surly/rude people are so not my type of people(even in real life) so I really struggled with Rory.
I don't know if it was his age or something else that was to blame but bless Ace and his overly large heart because I would've shaken some sense into him once or twice. But anywhoo... Ace's method also worked so I guess that's that.
Despite all my griping about Rory, I loved his chemistry with Ace. He obviously needed a caretaker and someone to just dote on him and Ace needed someone to dote on so I must say their pairing was genius.
They had real chemistry out of, and in bed although their sexy times were fade-to-black. This was my first book by Allie Therin and I don't know if that's her style but I liked it. It didn't take anything from the storytelling.
Concerning the story proper, I liked the world building and its nuances . It was nicely done. I also liked how fast paced it was and how the secondary characters were fleshed out and diverse. I couldn't get enough.
I must say however, that considering how evil the baddies were, that ending just didn't satisfy my vindictive heart. I hope they get what they really deserve and hopefully this gets sorted out with the next book.
Also I hope we get more relationship development in that one.This story ended with a HFN, with Rory and Ace's relationship still in the honeymoon stage(and Rory still over the place emotionally).
I pray the next book comes out soon because I will be first in line for it. Great read!
***eARC Graciously Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for An Honest Review***
As you may have realised I love PNR/Urban Fantasy and historical romance so a mixture of all three made my day! I gobbled this one in one sitting.
I loved Ace and sloooowly warmed up to Rory. I eventually understood his need for an armour but prickly/surly/rude people are so not my type of people(even in real life) so I really struggled with Rory.
I don't know if it was his age or something else that was to blame but bless Ace and his overly large heart because I would've shaken some sense into him once or twice. But anywhoo... Ace's method also worked so I guess that's that.
Despite all my griping about Rory, I loved his chemistry with Ace. He obviously needed a caretaker and someone to just dote on him and Ace needed someone to dote on so I must say their pairing was genius.
They had real chemistry out of, and in bed although their sexy times were fade-to-black. This was my first book by Allie Therin and I don't know if that's her style but I liked it. It didn't take anything from the storytelling.
Concerning the story proper, I liked the world building and its nuances . It was nicely done. I also liked how fast paced it was and how the secondary characters were fleshed out and diverse. I couldn't get enough.
I must say however, that considering how evil the baddies were, that ending just didn't satisfy my vindictive heart. I hope they get what they really deserve and hopefully this gets sorted out with the next book.
Also I hope we get more relationship development in that one.This story ended with a HFN, with Rory and Ace's relationship still in the honeymoon stage(and Rory still over the place emotionally).
I pray the next book comes out soon because I will be first in line for it. Great read!
***eARC Graciously Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in Exchange for An Honest Review***
September 16, 2019
This was a very enjoyable historical fantasy romance. (1920's New York, but with...magic!) I dug the author's vision of prohibition New York with magic and relics running around. The characters were interesting, the developing romance was cute (and if you like big jock-y guys being all caretaking, you'll probably like Arthur.) My only down-point was that both MCs dwelled in "Oh-no-I can't-we can't...for REASONS" on why they shouldn't fall into their attraction to each other, and that felt at times a little redundant and slowed the pace down. But overall, it was a fun, imaginative read, and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
And for you nervous romance readers, yes, it ends well. No cliffhangers. :-)
And for you nervous romance readers, yes, it ends well. No cliffhangers. :-)
July 16, 2020
Okay, so, let me say: I think the best indicator for whether you’ll like this book is if you like pre-serum Steve/Tony. I’m not saying any serial numbers were filed off in the creation of this book, but it does feel like the author was steeped in that part of the MCU fandom when she wrote this.
This is a fun, light book that shows a ton of potential — it definitely reads like a first novel, but a good first novel, you know? The emotional arc is a little uneven. There’s a chunk missing in the middle. The ending is rushed. But I enjoyed it any way, and I look forward to the next one.
This is a fun, light book that shows a ton of potential — it definitely reads like a first novel, but a good first novel, you know? The emotional arc is a little uneven. There’s a chunk missing in the middle. The ending is rushed. But I enjoyed it any way, and I look forward to the next one.
March 24, 2025
3.5
A solid debut novel sets in US during the Prohibition period, there is magic and romance and the romance is very cute.
A solid debut novel sets in US during the Prohibition period, there is magic and romance and the romance is very cute.
April 9, 2022
3.5
I had fun reading this book (the blend of paranormal/fantasy + historical + romance has been my biggest weakness for ages now), it was entertaining and well-written, especially for a debut novel.
However, some things still niggled me. This read a little like a YA book, in the sense that most of the characters were a bit too ‘goody-goody’ for my taste. Especially Arthur, he was as perfect as they come. Perfect face, hair, eyes, body (his dick was probably perfect as well, but the sex scenes are all fade-to-black here — another one of my niggles — so that’s unconfirmed), and perfect personality! 🙄 How he was still single before meeting Rory (and supposedly not by choice) is anyone’s guess.
In fact, both MCs could’ve used more character development imo. I had high hopes for Rory, who was flawed and cute and prickly like a little porcupine, but then he did a one-eighty after getting together with Arthur, and everything was just too perfect. I expected more romance development, too. The build up was very nice, the attraction, the tension, the ‘is he-isn’t he’ wondering that I love in historicals, but in the end it turned out to be insta-love. 🤷♀️
I liked the magic system here, and the relics. I really liked Jade, and her friendship with Arthur. The bad guys were a bit unreasonable, but that’ll probably be addressed in the following books. Overall, I liked a lot about this one, but I didn’t love it.
I had fun reading this book (the blend of paranormal/fantasy + historical + romance has been my biggest weakness for ages now), it was entertaining and well-written, especially for a debut novel.
However, some things still niggled me. This read a little like a YA book, in the sense that most of the characters were a bit too ‘goody-goody’ for my taste. Especially Arthur, he was as perfect as they come. Perfect face, hair, eyes, body (his dick was probably perfect as well, but the sex scenes are all fade-to-black here — another one of my niggles — so that’s unconfirmed), and perfect personality! 🙄 How he was still single before meeting Rory (and supposedly not by choice) is anyone’s guess.
In fact, both MCs could’ve used more character development imo. I had high hopes for Rory, who was flawed and cute and prickly like a little porcupine, but then he did a one-eighty after getting together with Arthur, and everything was just too perfect. I expected more romance development, too. The build up was very nice, the attraction, the tension, the ‘is he-isn’t he’ wondering that I love in historicals, but in the end it turned out to be insta-love. 🤷♀️
I liked the magic system here, and the relics. I really liked Jade, and her friendship with Arthur. The bad guys were a bit unreasonable, but that’ll probably be addressed in the following books. Overall, I liked a lot about this one, but I didn’t love it.
July 24, 2025
m/m • Historical 1920s fantasy based in NY
I actually really enjoyed this.
20yo Rory Brodigan, son of an unmarried Italian immigrant (who passed 6 years prior to the events in this book) - uses his magic to secretly scry antiques for Mrs Brodigan’s antiques appraisals shop in Hells Kitchen. Mrs B is a kind Irish woman who has taken Rory in and claims him as her nephew.
Arthur Kenzi, youngest son of a wealthy aristocratic family needs someone to ‘appraise’ a powerful, magical relic. And rumour has it that Mrs Brodigan might be just the person for the job.
Only it’s not Mrs Brodigan who does the authenticating, and when Arthur gets a phone call from an irate mystery man he heads down to the shop to collect his relic…
And that there starts a little something-something of an adventure and a quest to uncover more relics.
Things I really enjoyed in this book -
- Rory being all defiant but internally piningggg 🫠
- Arthur being all overprotective and selfless and smittennnn by Rory and his dark brown eyes 👀 🫠
- All the side characters actually being wholesomely kind right to their magical or non-magical coresssss 🥹���
The relic quest was good but it definitely took a backseat to the Rory-Arthur developments 🫠
SO many frustrating interrupted moments of chemistry and me every-damned-time ——>
Will definitely continue with this series 🥰
4⭐️
Mostly closed door romance with innuendo and suggestive scenes but I’ll give 0.5 🌶️ for the open door dry humping 😆😂
I actually really enjoyed this.
20yo Rory Brodigan, son of an unmarried Italian immigrant (who passed 6 years prior to the events in this book) - uses his magic to secretly scry antiques for Mrs Brodigan’s antiques appraisals shop in Hells Kitchen. Mrs B is a kind Irish woman who has taken Rory in and claims him as her nephew.
Arthur Kenzi, youngest son of a wealthy aristocratic family needs someone to ‘appraise’ a powerful, magical relic. And rumour has it that Mrs Brodigan might be just the person for the job.
Only it’s not Mrs Brodigan who does the authenticating, and when Arthur gets a phone call from an irate mystery man he heads down to the shop to collect his relic…
And that there starts a little something-something of an adventure and a quest to uncover more relics.
Things I really enjoyed in this book -
- Rory being all defiant but internally piningggg 🫠
- Arthur being all overprotective and selfless and smittennnn by Rory and his dark brown eyes 👀 🫠
- All the side characters actually being wholesomely kind right to their magical or non-magical coresssss 🥹���
The relic quest was good but it definitely took a backseat to the Rory-Arthur developments 🫠
SO many frustrating interrupted moments of chemistry and me every-damned-time ——>
Will definitely continue with this series 🥰
4⭐️
Mostly closed door romance with innuendo and suggestive scenes but I’ll give 0.5 🌶️ for the open door dry humping 😆😂
January 17, 2020
Author Allie Therin introduces us to the New York City of 1925 - a world of jazz, Prohibition, crime, corruption, speakeasys, skyscrapers ... and paranormal magic. Arthur Kenzie - Congressman Kenzie's son, former soldier, Harvard quarterback - has surrounded himself with paranormals, like Jade with her telekinetic powers and Zhang who is an astral walker. Then Arthur comes across Rory Brodigan, who has the power of psychometry:
The plot is innovative and interesting, and the stage is set for the continuous of the series with lots of unanswered questions and adventures. The relationship building is a bit too slow for me personally, and as a result the pace of the story feels slow at times. But the suspenseful ending really brings everything together and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Carina Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
"Think of magic as radio waves. Most paranormal powers make magic - most powers transmit. But magic also broadcasts its own signal, and some powers receive. Your psychometry receives magic into your mind from the objects you touch."The author does an admirable job of world building as Arthur (also called Ace) and his band of paranormals try to find out the who, what, when, where and why of a mysterious shipment arriving in NYC - a relic, an "object that's become a vessel for magic," something with unknown destructive power. In the midst of saving NYC, Arthur uncovers Rory's secret past while Rory rails against Arthur trying to help him, in my opinion, for far too long. There's building sexual tension, and then there's endless variations of Rory taking exception to almost everything Ace says and does. But finally, finally Rory and Ace become lovers (in mostly fade-to-black scenes) but there is a palpable attraction between the two.
The plot is innovative and interesting, and the stage is set for the continuous of the series with lots of unanswered questions and adventures. The relationship building is a bit too slow for me personally, and as a result the pace of the story feels slow at times. But the suspenseful ending really brings everything together and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Carina Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
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