A Wicked and Beautiful Garden by Katie McGarry Book Review

 

Title: A Wicked and Beautiful Garden
Author: Katie McGarry
Publish Date: May 5th, 2021
Publisher: Katie McGarry LLC
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!

Twenty-eight year-old Cassie Strega can’t escape fate.

All she wants is to live a normal, quiet life delivering the babies in her small town. But when she discovers she comes from a lineage of witches, her life becomes extraordinary—in the gravely dangerous type of way.

Then, she’s reunited with her first love.

Orion, the sultry Fae warrior who broke her heart years before, is searching for a baby. Not just any baby, but the queen of the Fae who will one day lead them in their final battle against the demons determined to rule the world. The same baby who has been calling to Cassie for help in her dreams.

Fighting the intense attraction of their former blood bond, Cassie and Orion work together to find the child. But when the heartbreak that nearly destroyed Cassie nine years before looms once more, she’ll have to decide whether getting involved in the supernatural war is worth losing everything, including her life.<

Penelope's Review

Wow! I have to admit I was a bit nervous when I saw that Katie McGarry was venturing out of contemporary and into fantasy/supernatural... but now I have no idea why I was concerned at all lol! Katie McGarry has long been one of my favorite authors and after reading her latest book, I am convinced that the woman can do no wrong! A Wicked and Beautiful Garden was spellbinding, intense, and sexy as hell! 

First of all.. can I just say that Orion was so freaking hot that I was legit BLUSHING while reading this book!! Like for real... fanning myself with my hand because I could not deal. LIKE WHAT?! I mean yes I am one of those readers who gets really invested in books and characters but like... I FEEL LIKE I'M LITERALLY IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN... and he isn't even a real person. Sigh. 

As for Cassie - love her. I love her strength, her fearlessness, her loyalty, and her heart. She puts others before her while always staying true to herself. Cassie didn't put up with any bullshit, and when things needed to get done, she did them. But she was also very relatable. She struggled, suffered, grieved, felt love and loss... she was a person. A real person. I absolutely love how Katie McGarry writes her characters - perfectly imperfect. As a reader, it makes me feel like their lives are possible. Like I could be one of them. It's one of my favorite things about this author.

In terms of storyline itself - really enjoyed it. I liked the unique take on fae, and the super interesting way that the supernatural was integrated into the human world. I would have liked to read a bit more detail about that, but didn't really affect my overall opinion of the book. There was quite a bit of romance, which I loved - but there were times when I felt like more needed to be said about their quest to find the queen. The romance felt more central to the plot than the queen, and I'm not sure that is what Katie McGarry intended. Regardless though, I was hooked from page one until the end and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Looking forward to book two - and more Orion xD

Rating: 5/5 Devils!

Can't Wait Wednesday #1

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

This is the first time that I will be participating the weekly book blog meme, Can't-Wait Wednesday! I think this is an awesome meme for me because it's going to allow me to really delve deep into upcoming releases! More for my TBR pile! YAY! 

Lol, so without further ado, one of the books that I am MOST excited about is:

Title: Say You'll Remember Me

Author: Katy McGarry

Publication Date: January 30th, 2018

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary by Goodreads.

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. 

Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.
Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.