Book Database

Magic in Manhattan (series) by Allie Therin

Content Notes

Warnings: Violence/Death, Child Abuse (off screen), Racism (minor)

Medium-paced plot and slow-ish romance with fade-to-black sexytimes.

HTBB Review

Really enjoyed this book! Arthur is adorable, despite being a very rich, well-connected fellow who likes to boss people around because he’s a worrywart. Rory is also adorable, though in a scrappy kind of way. They’re both insecure (in different directions) and together they’re kind of a mess– but it’s cute. Sort of a slow burn because they don’t even kiss until more than halfway through; weirdly surprised about the fade-to-black sexytimes in a Harlequin book, but it didn’t ruin anything about the story for me. Also very much enjoyed the secondary characters and wish them well on their own romance journey.

Community Reviews

  • The Queer Bookish: “I can’t even name my favourite character because they all are so lovely and interesting and authentic. Arthur and Rory’s romance is so sweet and fiery at the same time but there are two other couples who have a soft spot in my heart as well.”
  • Booked With Grace: “The world of this story is very rich, with magic that works under a set of metaphysical rules that balance perfectly on the page. The characters are detailed with personalities and quirks that make them feel real and dialogue that feels right for the time but is never over-the-top. The romance is believable and the stakes high enough to keep the reader going. All of these things make a good book, but Spellbound doesn’t stop there.”
  • Our Colorful Pages: “Therin is definitely a skilled writer, as Spellbound was fun and engaging from the start. She does a phenomenal job capturing the period that the novel is set in and really breathing 1920s New York to life in our imaginations. Along with the setting, Spellbound’s magic system is interesting, and there is such a broad expanse of magic abilities and artifacts that serve to intrigue and astound the reader.”

BEWARE: Summaries and/or review snippets beyond this point may contain spoilers for the rest of the series. If you haven’t read the first book and plan to do so, you may want to wait to read the rest of this post.

Magic in Manhattan (series) by Allie TherinStarcrossed by Allie Therin (Magic in Manhattan #2)
Published: Carina Press on 2020, eBook, 307 pages
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, MLM
Purchase a copy: Amazon| Kobo
Add to: Goodreads| Storygraph

When everything they’ve built is threatened, only their bond remains…

New York, 1925

Psychometric Rory Brodigan’s life hasn’t been the same since the day he met Arthur Kenzie. Arthur’s continued quest to contain supernatural relics that pose a threat to the world has captured Rory’s imagination—and his heart. But Arthur’s upper-class upbringing still leaves Rory worried that he’ll never measure up, especially when Arthur’s aristocratic ex arrives in New York.

For Arthur, there’s only Rory. But keeping the man he’s fallen for safe is another matter altogether. When a group of ruthless paranormals throw the city into chaos, the two men’s strained relationship leaves Rory vulnerable to a monster from Arthur’s past.

With dark forces determined to tear them apart, Rory and Arthur will have to draw on every last bit of magic up their sleeves. And in the end, it’s the connection they’ve formed without magic that will be tested like never before.


Content Notes

Coming soon.

HTBB Review

Coming soon.

Community Reviews

  • The Novel Approach Reviews: “If Spellbound was a homerun, Starcrossed is a slam dunk—to badly mix sports metaphors. As the stage is set for Wonderstruck, the final book in the trilogy, there is no reason not to believe that love will prevail. That is, as long as everyone survives the encounter with the enemy that’s yet to come.”
  • Smut Report: “What I liked about this book is that Rory and Arthur are having a lot of feelings, but when they arise, the two men are able to address them without a lot of melodrama and angst.”
  • Almost, Almost: “This is a strong continuation to the series. Everything I enjoyed from the first book was back – the rich setting, the detailed magic system, the snappy dialogue and well-rounded characters – and was built upon. Therin nicely balances the historical elements with the fantasy ones and deftly weaves together the paranormal plot threads with the romantic ones.”
Magic in Manhattan (series) by Allie TherinWonderstruck by Allie Therin (Magic in Manhattan #3)
Published: Carina Press on 2021, eBook, 295 pages
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, MLM
Purchase a copy: Amazon| Kobo
Add to: Goodreads| Storygraph

New York, 1925

Arthur Kenzie is on a mission: to destroy the powerful supernatural relic that threatens Manhattan—and all the nonmagical minds in the world. So far his search has been fruitless. All it has done is keep him from the man he loves. But he’ll do anything to keep Rory safe and free, even if that means leaving him behind.

Psychometric Rory Brodigan knows his uncontrolled magic is a liability, but he’s determined to gain power over it. He can take care of himself—and maybe even Arthur, too, if Arthur will let him. An auction at the Paris world’s fair offers the perfect opportunity to destroy the relic, if a group of power-hungry supernaturals don’t destroy Rory and Arthur first.

As the magical world converges on Paris, Arthur and Rory have to decide who they can trust. Guessing wrong could spell destruction for their bond—and for the world as they know it.


Content Notes

Coming soon.

HTBB Review

Coming soon.

Community Reviews

  • Llama Reads Books: “There were times I just wanted to grab Arthur and yell “use your words!”. So while it did feel like it was a lot of rehashing of the same relationship struggles from previous books, by the end – once they finally communicated – I felt like they were finally on solid ground. And, gosh, they’re just so sweet together, so it’s very fulfilling to watch them get their HEA.”
  • Canonball Read: “I loved that it took them three books to build that trust as they chased magical relics and faced off against the bad guys. Therin has done such a great job of building to a climax for the romance and for the mystery.”
  • Dear Author: “Initially I was bored, then when the story picked up the pace and was entertaining I was annoyed at “oh I need to tell you a very important thing, but of course I will not, because – I am afraid to lose you and it is not fair to you, etc, etc, etc”. I had been there, read that too many times and do not get me wrong sometimes this works, but, man, the character better have a *very* good reason to be quiet and here as far as I am concerned well, he really did not have that good a reason.”
Magic in Manhattan (series) by Allie TherinProper Scoundrels by Allie Therin (Magic in Manhattan #4)
Published: Carina Press on 2021, eBook, 309 pages
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, MLM
Purchase a copy: Amazon| Kobo
Add to: Goodreads| Storygraph

Their scandalous pasts have left them wounded and unworthy—and hopelessly perfect together.

London, 1925

Sebastian de Leon is adjusting to life after three years spent enthralled by blood magic. The atrocities he committed under its control still weigh heavily on his conscience, but when he’s asked to investigate a series of mysterious murders, it feels like an opportunity to make amends. Until he realizes the killer’s next likely target is a man who witnessed Sebastian at his worst—the Viscount Fine.

Lord Fine—known as Wesley to his friends, if he had any—is haunted by ghosts of his own after serving as a British army captain during the Great War. Jaded and untrusting, he’s tempted to turn Sebastian in, but there’s something undeniably captivating about the reformed paranormal, and after Sebastian risks his own life to save Wesley’s, they find common ground.

Seeking sanctuary together at Wesley’s country estate in Yorkshire, the unlikely pair begins to unravel a mystery steeped in legend and folklore, the close quarters emboldening them to see past the other’s trauma to the person worth loving beneath. But with growing targets on their backs, they’ll have to move quickly if they want to catch a killer—and discover whether two wounded souls can help each other heal.


Content Notes

Coming soon.

HTBB Review

Coming soon.

Community Reviews

  • Whimsical Dragonette: “I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but the best part was Wesley the cynical curmudgeon with a deeply buried heart of gold, and Sebastian the “dangerous marshmallow” as they slowly became closer and let one another see what they let no one else see.”
  • The Naptime Writer: “Some of the magic stuff took a little work for me to understand at first—maybe that’s why you’re supposed to start reading a series at the beginning 🤔😆—but this book is a real joy & pleasure & I soaked it up.”
  • Love Bytes Reviews: “The heart of the story are two men who are learning to care for one another and to accept themselves and maybe forgive themselves for their less than spotless pasts. But they give each other the strength and the support to come out the other sides stronger than before. I adored this story and I really hope that this author isn’t done with this universe. Highly recommended!”

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