Starcrossed

Magic in Manhattan Series, Book 2

By: Allie Therin

Narrated by: Erik Bloomquist

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 throws 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.

Contains mature themes.

©2020 Allie Therin (P)2020 Tantor

I am in love with this series!

I loved this book. It's no surprise, since I loved the previous one. I'm already dying for the next one. (Note: this is not a standalone - book 1 is a necessary read before hitting this one.)
It's super suspenseful, super sweet, often funny, and has a habit of slowing down and focusing on interpersonal relationships and Arthur and Rory's internal struggles, and then BAM, back to edge of your seat, lives held in the balance kind of danger.
My only wish is that the love scenes weren't fade-to-black. There's often a super sexy lead up and then...next chapter, next morning. I just want to see the emotions and interplay. Luckily, I love the rest of the writing so much that I won't even take a star away for that.
Erik Bloomquist's narration continued to be superb. It seems he can't do an Irish brogue for Mrs. Brodigan but he doesn't do an over the top fake one, so I give him credit. When Rory speaks in Italian though, Bloomquist almost makes my knees go weak.
Now I just really, really, REALLY hope that the third audiobook comes sooner rather than later.

love this!

Not usually a fan of books set in the past, but I am absolutely loving this series. Loveable, interesting characters, adventure, magic, danger and a sweet slow burn romance. Excellent narration too.

Great story and romance!

Rory and Arthur are so cute (and hot!) together. I liked this book even more than the first. lots of magic and seeing their relationship grow.

So cute

So cute , definitely rereading down the road, love the magic system without being the only thing magical in the story

good story

love this series! so far it's been 98% plot with some teasing and banter about the sex. the reader/listener knows it will and has taken place, but it leaves out the good stuff. story makes up for it, very good!

Amazingly magical

Very much enjoyed the story. Good continuation of the series. Good performance. Really well spent time listening to the story.

It’s just so good!

These characters grow more and more lovable in each installment. And the magic gets more and more intriguing.

Sweet, but slow

Rory to Arthur: “you are not a handsome wallet”
This is a merry go round, rather than rollercoaster, series. Everything is tame, indirect, and understated. In this book, Rory and Arthur have formed a connection and are now sorting out what exactly that means. Are they just friends with benefits, sugar daddy and plaything, or is there a future between a lord and a street rat?

Maybe because the initial meet cute and flirtation was over, there’s less banter, fun, or friskiness.
The fade to black sex scenes also contributed to the mild, lackluster romance side of the story.

Arthur to Rory: “come on, storm starter, let’s go”
On the magical mystery side, there was at least more magic throughout the story compared to book 1.
I liked the bit about the artifact unleashing weather disasters whenever Rory got emotional.
A resurfaced supernatural threat from Arthur’s past also added some color.

Unfortunately, like the romance, the mystery was also tame, indirect, and understated.
For example, there’s a scene where one villain kills another, but it happens off screen and we’re told it was a horrible death. I don’t need tons of horror and gore, but I do need some showing instead merely telling that scary stuff happened.

The dry, droll narration doesn’t help; it made this story feel like so much white noise.
I continued on only because I already bought book 3.